Young Men's Christian Association, Saint Paul ., Minn. No. This book not to be taken 9 from the room. Library of Congress. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ow.BVj 7J.S 9—404 s£*rt a. Oi c 7 ISAlEILABf IPA©H Here, a, child. I sinned and si Here. Lhe Saviour diso-faeyeq Herelfeli Lis cha.sfning rod; Heiel trust, returned Lo God. Imprompta MEMOIR HAKLAN PAGE THE POWER OF PRAYER PERSONAL EFFORT FOR THE SOULS OF INDIVIDUALS. e , c . ^ BY WILLIAM A. HALLOCK, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 150 NASSAU-STREET. 2 Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by "Will- iam A. Hallock, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. Right of publishing transferred to the American Tract Society. S. IS | 1 * V CONTENTS, CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. Importance of personal effort and prayer for individuals — Christian influence not brought into contact with men — A principle of the divine economy — Inculcated by Christ and the apostles, and by examples of eminent Christians — Object of this memoir, 9 CHAPTER II. FIVE YEARS' RESIDENCE IN HIS NATIVE PLACE FROM THE TIME OF HIS CONVERSION. His birth — Marriage — Conversion — Appeal to a hardened sin- ner — Severe illness — Letters to an awakened sinner — Her conversion— Directions for Christian duty — Letter to one in affliction — Various efforts — Reflections on a Sabbath — Letter to a young man — Resolutions to be active — Evi- dences of good — Conversion of the young man above ad- dressed — Letter to an impenitent acquaintance — Warning to a young lady against enticing company — Laments his deadness in religion — Letter to an impenitent relative — Letter from an awakened sinner— His reply — New resolu- tion to be faithful — Several awakened — Solemn appeal to the impenitent printed as cards — -Letter to a late pupil — Letter from one awakened, and reply — Letter to a cousin in the state of New York— His conversion, .... 15 4 CONTENTS. CHAPTER, III. RESIDENCE OF TWO MONTHS IN BOSTON, AND NEARLY THREE YEARS IN COVENTRY. Letters from Boston — Visits churches and Sabbath-schools there — Church music — Rev. Levi Parsons — Monthly con- cert — Death-bed of a Universalist — Settlement of a pastor in Coventry — Laments his want of spirituality — Interest- ing visit in a revival of religion — Work of grace in Coven- try — Letter to one persisting in sin — To an esteemed friend not pious — To a young lady — Motives to early piety — Let- ter to a young convert — Extensive revivals — Letter to a young lady, and reply- — Letter to a relative — Letter to an "almost Christian," 58 CHAPTER IV. RESIDENCE OF TWO MONTHS IN JEWETT CITY, AND EIGHTEEN MONTHS IN COVENTRY. Journey to Jewett City — Efforts in a family and factory on the way — Visit to a school-house— Sense of responsibility- Commences a prayer-meeting on Wednesday evenings and on Sabbath mornings at sunrise — Visit to a sick man- Efforts for thoughtless youth — Monthly concert — Questions his motives — Sabbath-school gathered — Prayer-meeting of Teachers — Increase of Sabbath-school — Several seriously impressed— Conversions — Letter to a gentleman — Books lent — Summary view of his usefulness in Jewett City — Compelled by ill health to return to Coventry — Unable to converse, but writes to one resisting the Spirit — Narra- tive of conversation with a young lady on dancing, etc. — Her conversion — Letter to a young lady on professing Christ — To a young lady on the death of a friend — To a young gentleman — A desperate effort for one who still de- layed repentance — Outpouring of the Spirit — His abundant labors — Testimonies to his fidelity, 85 CONTENTS. 5 CHAPTER V. HIS NARRATIVE OF THOMAS HAMITAH PATOO, A NATIVE OF THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS, HOPE- FULLY BROUGHT TO CHRIST IN COVENTRY. Thomas steals away from his father, and embarks in an American ship — Is found in Boston by a benevolent indi- vidual, and placed in Coventry — Becomes anxious for his soul — His conversion, as narrated by himself — His anxiety for the impenitent — Urgent entreaties to a delaying sinner, and to one now in the ministry — Mr. Page accompanies him to the Foreign Mission school in Cornwall — His letter to Mr. Page— Death, . ." 115 CHAPTER VI. CLOSE OF HIS LABORS IN COVENTRY. Severe sickness — Engages in engraving — Letter describing the Missionary Museum at Andover — To a young lady — To one who had given up her hope — Testimony of his pastor and other individuals — Gratifying results — Faithful efforts being by some perverted no valid objection, . 128 CHAPTER VII. FROM TEE TIME OF HIS CONNECTION WITH THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY TO THE REVIVAL OF 1831, EMBRACING THE PERIOD OF THE SIGNAL DISPLAYS OF DIVINE GRACE IN THE TRACT AND BIBLE HOUSES. Constant pressure of duty — Superintends a large Sabbath- school of boys — Conversions in his Sabbath-school and in the congregation — Interesting work of grace in the Tract and Bible houses — Boldness of infidelity — Exertions for supplying the destitute of the city — Concern for the salva- tion of his children — Conversion of a friend residing in his 6 CONTENTS. family- — Anonymous note to a skilful player on the piano — Consecrated as an officer of the church — Request for the services of his former pastor — Ardent hopes for our coun- try — Letter of thanks from a teacher of his Sabbath-school, then in college — Letter to his sister — To afflicted relatives — Communication for London — History of the revival in Tract and Bible houses — Letter from a fellow-laborer — Cheering results — Conversions — Letter to a bereaved broth- er — Encouragement to a missionary — Commencement of systematic Christian effort connected with Tract distribu- tion — Its usefulness — Brief and severe illness — Son and daughter unite with the church, 142 CHAPTER VIII. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVIVAL OF 1831, TO HIS LAST SICKNESS; EMBRACING RE- SULTS OF HIS SABBATH-SCHOOL, HIS SUPERIN- TENDENCE OF CHRISTIAN EFFORT CONNECTED WITH TRACT DISTRIBUTION, AND THE TRANS- FER OF HIS LABORS TO A NEW CHURCH. Wonderful effusions of the Holy Spirit — Encouragement to praying parents — Usefulness of a letter to a friend in Bos- ton — His burning zeal and incessant efforts — Failure of health — Resigns superintendence of Sabbath-school — Most gratifying results — Visits Coventry — Sketch of his father's house — Counsel to his son on entering an academy — In- structs a female Bible-class — Superintends Christian effort connected with Tract distribution in Fourteenth ward — Means to secure direct efforts for the salvation of individ- uals — Success of his own efforts in a district — Labors during the prevalence of cholera— Communication to a meeting of his Tract distributers^ — -To the female Bible class — Letter to his parents — To his son— Tract distributers' day of fast- ing— -Interesting family scene— ^Transfer to a new church — Closes his connection with Tract distribution in Fourteenth CONTENTS, 7 ward — Results — Testimony of the pastor of the church he left — Superintends a new Sabbath-school — Decline of health — Letters to his son and daughter — Testimony of the preacher at the new church — Last item of business, 172 CHAPTER IX. PROMINENT CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS EFFORTS FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN. It was the burden of his heart — List of names — Efforts unre- mitted — Waking in tears — Object not to be happy, but useful — Felt necessity to all of being "born again" — An- ecdote of a young merchant — Labored for individuals — Fol- lowed up impressions made — Clear sense of obligation — Appeal to a Christian who watched with him — A farewell message — Labored to bring men to a decision, illustrated by two anecdotes and a letter — Expected success from God in answer to prayer — Prayed much — Character of his prayers — Effect on himself — Obtained premium for tract on prayer — Acknowledged perfect obligation and perfect de- pendence — Uniform, and unwearied — Spirituality of relig- ion not to be excluded from social meetings — Fruitfulness in expedients for doing good — As the father of a family — Letter from his son — Paragraphs for religious papers — Albums — Temperance cause — Young men directed to the ministry — Did not live to accumulate property — Anec- dote — Skill in selecting tracts — All the efficiency of God — Great blessing on his labors — Testimony on his death-bed — Powerful influence of such a life for the conversion of the world, 204 CHAPTER X. TRIUMPHS OF GRACE ON HIS DYING BED. His certainty of his departure for many weeks — Clear state of mind — Reception of the announcement that he must die — I CONTENTS. Seeks continual presence of Christ— Not obtained for some days — New view of his love — How obtained — Love of the brethren, and of souls — Affecting conversation with the author — Gratitude for mercies — Sense of unworthiness — Commits his family to God — No more concern about his burial — Messages to his parents and friends in Coventry — Longs to depart — Ascribes all his usefulness to divine grace — Deep sense of sin — Delightful anticipation of heav- en — Ptelishes only what is spiritual — Portions of the Bible and hymns — Urges Christians to duty — Longs for a spirit of love in the churches — Utterance in disturbed sleep — Visit of a fellow-laborer — Influence of sacred music in the chamber of death — Instrumental music — Tenderness of spirit — Gratitude to his physician — Exhorts his companion to trust in God — Anecdotes illustrating his dread of sin and sense of unworthiness — Arrival of his son- — Prayers — Dying messages to his family — Commits them and him- self to God — Subscription for his family — Anecdote — His grave — Hymns "Rock of Ages," and "My faith looks up to Thee," ' 220 MEMOIR HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. Faithful Christian biography has at once its sanction and its model in the word of God ; and in our own times, its excellent practical influence is confirmed in the history of many eminent indi- viduals. Most of these, by their superior talents, education, or commanding spheres of action, pre- sent an example which the community in general may indeed admire, but which few, comparatively, can hope to imitate. The present unpretending memoir exhibits the fidelity and success of a humble Christian, whose opportunities and powers were scarcely superior 10 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. to those of thousands ; and is chiefly designed to illustrate a single point — the power of prayer AND PERSONAL EFFORT FOR THE SOULS OF INDI- VIDUALS. It is obvious to all, that the kingdom of Christ can be extended in our world only by the accession of individuals. His blood avails not to the salva- tion of men in the mass; but to those who indi- vidually repent of sin, and accept of his mercy. The Holy Spirit strives with men and sanctifies them only as individuals. It is as individuals that the inhabitants of our world must be raised to heaven, or sink to hell. Yet to how great an ex- tent are the prayers and contributions of Christians made indefinitely for the conversion of the world as a whole, while the salvation of no one indi- vidual is the object of their personal and persever- ing endeavors. How great a portion of that " light of the world," which the church is commanded to reflect, is so " hid," that no one individual sees it and feels its influence ; how great a portion of the <; salt of the earth," by which men are to be puri- fied and saved, is so kept in the mass, as to be brought INTO CONTACT with none ! The truth evidently is, that personal efforts for the souls of individuals — the lip and thoughts and heart of a living man, brought into contact with the lip and thoughts and heart of a living man — INTRODUCTORY. H is a grand institution of God for the conversion of the world ; and we must expect success, not in neglecting, but in coinciding with the divine econ- omy. It was when " they that feared the Lord spake often one to another" that his book of remem- brance was written. His command is, " As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another" Not only " the Spirit and the Bride," but " he that heareth" must " say, Come." Christians are exhorted to '• shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life;" and the blessed encouragement is given, " He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins." The parable of Nathan illustrates this principle with inimitable force and beauty : " Thou art the man," humbled the king in the dust before God. The same principle is exemplified in the success off the personal efforts of the pious mother ; of the skilful Sabbath-school and Bible- class instructor; and of faithful pastoral visitation: in all which divine truth is happily pressed upon the heart of the individual. It has also an irresistible confir- mation in the fact, that wherever the Holy Spirit is largely poured out, the ministers and members of the church abound in faithful conversation and prayer with each other, and with the impenitent. 12 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. Much of the "preaching" of the New Testa- ment was unquestionably of this sort. To such labor were the apostles sent out by our Saviour, who sanctioned his instructions by his own divine example. Paul, with all his crushing public responsibili- ties, could testify to the Ephesian elders, that he had labored among them both "publicly and from house to house ;" and appeal to them as witnesses of his own fidelity, in the memorable and most emphatic words, " Remember, that, by the space OF THREE YEARS, I CEASED NOT TO WARN EVERY ONE, NIGHT AND DAY, WITH TEARS." By such labor preeminently have 'pagans and men far from God, in all circumstances and periods of time, been brought to attend on the public means of grace, and join themselves to his people. Of the signal outpouring of the Holy Spirit among the natives of Ceylon, in connection with the American mission, the Hev. Mr. "VYinslow states, that " there were few cases of permanent conviction, in which religious impressions were not cherished by much patient labor of the mission- aries or their assistants, in conversing and praying with individuals alone. It was this repeated and personal application of truth, which principally took effect." This class of efforts was a grand means of the INTRODUCTORY. 13 unparalleled success of the ministry of Baxter at Kidderminster. " If I had true love to souls," said Henry Mar- tyn, when contemplating a foreign mission, " I should long and labor for those around one, and afterwards for the conversion of the heathen ;" and often did he "redeem time from study, from recre- ation, and from the intercourse of friends, that he might enter the abodes of misery, to arouse the unthinking slumber er, or administer consolation to the dejected penitent." " Our views," said James Brainerd Taylor, when a student in college, must "not be confined to the end of our preparatory course. There are many opportunities noiv of doing good. The call from many a loivly cottage is, ' Come over and help tis. 9 " Again: "Resolved, that I will, the Lord being my helper, think, speak, and act as an indi- vidual; for as such I must live, as such I must die, stand before God, and be damned or saved for ever and ever. I have been waiting for others ; I must act as if I were the only one to act, and wait no longer." If adding another example of the steadfastness of aim, self-denying perseverance, skill, and suc- cess with which a humble Christian discharged the same duty — connected, through the grace of God, with a most blessed and triumphant death — 14 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. shall have any influence in encouraging other Christians thus to labor for God and the souls of men, the publication of this little work will not be in vain. It is proper the reader should be informed that there does not appear the slightest indication that the subject of this sketch anticipated the publica- tion of any memorial of himself. Of many of the most interesting scenes of his life he left no record whatever, except incidentally in hasty letters to his friends — evidently so intent on securing the results as to forget the record of them, or so con- stantly occupied as to have no time to prepare it. Almost all his communications here inserted have been abridged and condensed, with slight changes in the phraseology, while the sentiment is scrupu- lously retained. HIS CONVERSION. J£ CHAPTER II. FIVE YEARS RESIDENCE IN HIS NATIVE PLACE FROM THE TIME OF HIS CONVERSION. Harlan Page was born in Coventry, in the county of Tolland, Connecticut, July 28, 1791. He was the only son of pious parents ; always sus- tained a good moral character ; was taught by his father the trade of a house-joiner, and received a good common education. In May, 1813, he married Miss Mary Kings- bury, who was to be the helper of his spiritual course till his death, though at the time of their marriage neither of them were pious. The ear- liest letter written by him, which has come to hand, is the following, addressed to Rev. E. T. W., who was then his minister. " Sabbath morning, Oct. 17, 1813. " Rev. and dear Sir — Your prayers, I trust, have been heard. My dear companion hopes she has accepted of the Saviour, and devoted herself and her all to him. But I am yet in the gall of bitterness, in opposition to God — my anguish last night was almost insupportable. I could see my Saviour nailed to the cross, bleeding and dying for 16 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. sinners. I could see him with open arms, saying, ' Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' I could pray, but this only increased my pain. I fear the Holy Spirit will leave me to hardness of heart and blindness of mind. do remember me in your prayers, for the prayer of faith availeth much. " Your affectionate and distressed friend, "HARLAN PAGKE." His distress for his sins was such at this period that he frequently left his work to retire and pray ; and as he rode to and from a neighboring town where he was engaged in business, he often felt constrained to stop and go into the grove to plead for mercy. He soon engaged in instructing a school, where, after dismissing his pupils, he often remained for meditation and prayer. He was thus engaged in solitude one evening, when his sense of his lost condition as a sinner became so intense that he felt that he could not again leave the throne of grace till the controversy with his Maker was closed. There, in the darkness of midnight, and under the guidance, none can doubt, of the Holy Spirit, he consecrated himself to his Redeemer : not merely in the confidence of pardon and accept- ance, but with the determination to live and labor to promote his glory in the salvation of the perish- HIS CONVERSION. 17 ing. "When I first obtained a hope," he said on his dying bed, " I felt that I must labor for souls. I prayed, year after year, that God ivould make me the means of saving souls." On Sabbath, March 6, 1814, he and his com- panion, with twenty others, publicly professed their faith in Christ, and joined the visible church. Only three days after this we find the date of an interesting and faithful letter, addressed to a rela- tive who had long been hardening himself in sin and resisting the strivings of the Holy Spirit. He seems to suppose his friend to be perverting the doctrine of his dependence upon God, as an excuse for wilfully continuing in sin. He first quotes the objection as it is strongly stated by Baxter in his Call to the Unconverted, together with the whole of Baxter's reply. He then presses the same con- siderations in his own language, supporting them by numerous* commands and promises from the Bible, and adds, " Were you in a boat just above an awful cata- ract, already feeling the force of the impetuous current, would you not endeavor to reach the shore ? Would you say, * I can do nothing : God must save me without my own exertions, if I am saved at all V Why then will you not strive to 18 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. escape a more terrible destruction — the eternal, inconceivable horrors of a lost soul ? " You allow that a change of heart is necessary ; and will not be offended with my plainness. Could I but see you earnestly engaged for your salvation, how would my heart beat for joy; how would I give thanks to the eternal God. "Dear sir, do consider and picture to yourself the dying hour. Then you must see your danger. "Will you then say that, when in health, you could not attend to the salvation of the soul ? Will you not rather exclaim, ' that I had a few days more to live, that I might prepare to die V " Do not say you cannot pray. Do you believe in the joys of heaven and the torments of despair ; and will you not so much as ask God to grant you the one, and save you from the other ? Turning away from God and heaven, I am sure your own reason must convict you of madness and awful presumption. Your affectionate friend, "H. PAGE/ 1 In the summer of this year God saw fit to dis- cipline his servant by a very severe, protracted, and painful illness, by which he was brought to hold intimate converse with death, and taught to sympathize with the suffering. His sickness is thus described in a letter to an aunt, dated, Cov- entry, October 18, 1814. SEVERE SICKNESS. 19 " About the 20th of May I was attacked with fever, which continued two or three weeks ; and left me with an affection of the liver, attended with severe pain, which baffled the skill of physi- cians. It continued for eleven weeks, when a swelling began to rise on my back, which was exceedingly painful, and was at length opened by Dr. W., who was obliged to make a deep and long incision in the live flesh. I have been chiefly con- fined to my bed for seventeen weeks." To another friend he writes, " Expe?'ience, more than observation, I find, teaches our need of divine support in affliction. With it we can endure the most piercing pain, and rejoice with thankfulness; and even in the immediate prospect of death, no terror alarms. The spirit, in a near view of eter- nal glory, forgets the pain, and longs to soar on high." The grand lesson which he felt that this sick- ness taught him was, that he must devote the life God had preserved more faithfully to him, in labors for the salvation of all to whom he had access. His next letter which has come to hand was addressed to a pious female relative in spiritual darkness, and was designed to aid her in self- examination. He inquires whether she had neg- lected prayer, indulged in any known sin, been remiss in efforts for the spiritual welfare of those 20 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. around her, or in any known duty ; and entreats her to return to her heavenly Father, and conse- crate herself anew to him, assured that his grace should he sufficient for her. The next is to a young lady who had been under serious impressions while a member of his school, urging her not to delay repentance, but come with all her heart and embrace the Saviour. The next to a young friend who had professed Christ, but was exposed to temptations from thought- less companions. The next, bearing date September 3, 1815, is addressed to one who was a playmate of his child- hood, but of whose conversion, at M., New York, he had heard, requesting a particular account of his religious exercises, and especially that he would address a letter to his former acquaintance in Cov- entry, who continued out of Christ, and remember them in his prayers. " Since you were here," he says, "we have been visited with the gracious outpouring of the Spirit, and nearly fifty have been added to the church ; but alas, there are yet many promising youth who neglect offered mercy ; and who, if sovereign grace do not interpose, must sink into unending woe. I doubt not you feel how great is their danger, and long for their salvation. Do write to them ; it may be God will make you the instrument of sal- LETTER TO A YOUNG LADY. 21 vation to their souls. They respect you, and should you address them, they may listen to your warn- ings and come to Christ. Do also pray for us and them. God is everywhere present, and will hear the prayer of faith." Two days after, we find a letter addressed to E. L., a young lady for whose salvation he had labored during her residence of a few days in his family, and who was under the strivings of the Holy Spirit. " The language of Jehovah is, ' The soul that sinneth, it shall die.' There is not one of Adam's lost race who has not forfeited eternal life by his sins. But there is one refuge, and one alone. Jesus Christ can save us ; and he is ready to receive every returning sinner, and make him an heir of eternal joy. Sleep not, E., take no rest day nor night, till you have obtained peace with God. The billows of his wrath roll just beneath the steps of all the unconverted. Delay not a moment. No future time can be more favorable. Call upon God without ceasing ; and if you perish, perish pleading for mer- cy. Let nothing divert your attention. If you grieve the Holy Spirit, his gracious influences may never return ; and you — 0, overwhelming thought ! — must sink where hope can never come, where mercy never gains admission. A few Christian friends are praying for you daily. Nothing but 22 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. love impels me to write. Will you inform me what progress you are making, and what are your un- shaken resolutions ? " With affection and esteem, "H. PAGE." To the same. "Monday Evening, Sept. 11, 1815. " Friend E . . . . — Are you yet without hope ? Gloomy and dejected, do you yet go mourning with- out one ray of heavenly grace ? If so, your situa- tion is trying ; but I trust you would not for worlds return to your former state of thoughtlessness. You say you desire more pungent and heart-piercing convictions — to be awakened from your dangerous stupidity. Call upon God to place your sins before you ; to humble you in the dust for them ; and to show mercy to a guilty, repenting, returning prodi- gal. All you have to do is to cast yourself unreserv- edly, with all your sins, upon the mercy of Christ ; to be deeply humbled for them ; and with faith in the Redeemer's blood, take him as your only hope and portion. Never can you make yourself more acceptable to him. He only can clothe you with his own righteousness. He is ready to receive you. Go then, dear friend, in the best manner you are able, and cast yourself into his arms with all your guilt, HAPPY RESULTS. 23 "'There is a mercy-seat Sprinkled with blood, where Jesus answers prayer j There humbly cast yourself beneath his feet, For never needy sinner perished there.' " Beware of every sin. Cling not to your thought- less companions. If you will serve God, you must expect the neglect and reproaches of some of them. But who are they ? Are they the truly wise ? Are they truly happy ? Are they safe ? Alas, they are on the brink of perdition. " Faint not while you have life. Fear not ene- mies. Fight the warfare of faith, and you shall win the glorious inheritance of the hlessed. " With affectionate regard, your friend, "H. PAG-E." The result of these faithful efforts, through the divine blessing, maybe gathered from the following extract of a letter to a Christian friend, dated, "Monday, sunset, Oct. 30, IS 15. u I have joyful news to tell you — news which has made heaven glad. Our friend E. appears to be enjoying as much happiness as mortals are allowed this side of eternity. c 0,' says she," in a letter she had just written him, with an overflowing heart, " ' the height and depth of the love of Christ. How precious does this dear Saviour now appear to me. Tongue can never express, nor heart conceive, which 24 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. has not experienced the same, the sweet peace and joy I have found in him.' " In a subsequent letter to Mr. Page, she says, " Your first epistle found me in the gall of bitter- ness ; and but for your friendly advice, I fear I should now have been pursuing the vanities of the world. The Saviour was pleased to make you the happy instrument of showing me my sins, and bringing me to partake of his love." His own views of Christian duty at this time may be gathered from the following extract of a letter addressed to this young convert, November 16, 1815. "Let us, E., cast our eyes around on the poor, thoughtless, dying impenitent. How should Ave supplicate the throne of grace in their behalf. But this is not all. We must tell them of their danger, and point them to a bleeding Saviour. " An excuse is made by many Christians, which I conceive will not bear the scrutiny of the judg- ment-day : they say they have not the talents for addressing the impenitent and conversing with them on the subject of religion. But are the sim- ple truths of the gospel so dark that only the learned can understand them ? Are the words, • He that believeth shall be saved, but he that be- lieveth not shall be damned,' so obscure that we BEREAVEMENT IMPROVED. 25 cannot properly impress them upon others ? Is the road to perdition so plainly described in the Bible, and can we raise no warning voice to the throngs who travel it ? Are the happiness of the righteous and the everlasting torments of the impenitent so clearly described, and can we see friends around us crowding their way to despair, with our lips closed in perpetual silence ? The truth is, our faith in eternal realities is weak, and our sense of duty faint, while we thus neglect the salvation of our fellow-beings. Let us awake to duty ; and while we have a tongue or pen, devote them to the service of the Most High, not in our own strength, but with strong faith and confidence in him." Two days after, we find him attempting to lead the mind of a young lady to improve the death of a beloved father to her own spiritual good. u The recent afflictive event and an earnest de- sire for your eternal salvation constitute all the apology I need offer for now addressing you. But what shall I say ? "Whom am I addressing ? a humble follower of the blessed Jesus, or one who has no interest in him? If the former, how happy are you. If the latter, how awful, how tremen- dous are the divine denunciations against you, unless you renounce the world and accept of offered 26 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. mercy. Of late you have abundantly needed some kind hand to support you. " Were your beloved father to speak to you from another world, how impressive would be his lan- guage. "Would he say, ' Sleep on ; forget a dying hour ; regard not the threatenings of Jehovah ; let this world be your portion ?' No ; he would rather say, ' Neglect not the calls of mercy. Sleep not upon the brink of perdition. Awake ; arise ; pre- pare to meet your God. Delay not ; for the day of the Lord is at hand.' While on the bed of death, he uttered, in broken accents, the words, ' Repent, repent.' May this providence lead you faithfully to examine your heart, and see if you are prepared to follow him. God's design in this affliction is, doubtless, that you may come to him as the only source of real consolation ; that you may be hum- ble and prayerful, and better fitted to be useful in life and happy in heaven. May you all have di- vine support. Accept these lines as an expression of affection and sympathy, and an earnest desire that they may be instrumental of some good to your immortal soul. " With esteem, your friend, U H. PAG-E." Four days after, we find a full letter addressed to a Christian friend, on the duty of faithful FAITHFUL LETTERS. ■ 27 self-examination, with a scriptural view of the more palpable and decisive tests of Christian character. Early in December he commenced a letter to his Christian brother at M., New York, which shows the deep interest he then felt in the spiritual wel- fare of many individuals, as well as of the church generally. He complains of his own languid affec- tions ; states that there were then no revivals of religion in all the eastern portion of the state ; that Christians generally seemed to have become lan- guid and formal, and the impenitent to be "un- concerned, while the wrath of heaven is impend- ing over them." " R.," he says, " when in conversation, pleads, as do many others, the ungodly lives of professors of religion. He i rather thinks that if he lives a moral life and prays in secret, he is on the road to heaven as well as many who make so much ado about religion.' "As to Mrs. , I am not now particularly acquainted with the state of her mind. She is very reserved in conversation on the subject of religion, as are many others of the unconverted, and even many who profess to be the disciples of Christ. How criminal is our neglect to improve every proper opportunity in conversing on the most important of all subjects. 28 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. "L. S. read your letter, but seems not deeply affected with his lost condition as a sinner. His wife, in the late revival, almost ventured to in- dulge a hope ; but she is now more reserved on religious subjects." This gentleman used to complain of the visits of his wife at the house of Mr. Page, as he said she always returned " in such a fever about her soul ;" but both ere long had a new song put into their mouths. "A. P," proceeds the letter, "gives his assent to the truths of religion ; but argues, that if he attends on the public means of grace, he commits more sin than if he stays at home ; and asks how he can pray, when he has not the least inclination to the duty. " I feel greatly condemned for not making more faithful efforts for the salvation of these dear friends. "E.," above alluded to, " has lately been brought to experience the boundless love of the Saviour, and her happiness in him seems to be almost without alloy. At our next communion she expects pub- licly to devote herself to him. " Since I commenced this letter we have estab- lished a weekly prayer-meeting. The first meet- ing was remarkably well attended. A few indi- viduals seem to be aroused, and the prospect seems SWEARER REPROVED. 29 a little more favorable. I beg your prayers for us as a people, and for " Your unworthy and affectionate brother, "H. PAGE." The following is an anonymous note, in which he inclosed an appropriate tract to a young man, by whose profaneness he had been recently pained, on meeting him at a public store. " Accept the inclosed from one who earnestly desires your best good ; arid may I beg the favor that you will read it with candor, and weigh well the sentiments it contains. I have seen you only once ; but then had reason to fear that you have not seriously considered the sin of taking the name of that God in vain, in whose hand is your life, and who alone can save you from eternal woe. My sense of your danger was such that I could not refrain from addressing you, and entreating you to turn to God and live. " Affectionately, your "FELLOW-TRAVELLER TO ETERNITY." Under date of June 9, 1816, he writes as fol- lows : " Though detained, in the providence of God, from his house this day, my heart is still there. I anticipate with pleasure and joy the visitation of the Spirit of grace among this people. I almost imagine I now see the tear of the guilty 30 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. penitent, and hear the language of the heart, in broken accents, ' W hat must I do to be saved V Are not God's children engaged ? Are not their united prayers now ascending, an acceptable sac- rifice, to an almighty Saviour ? " God, hear our united cry for mercy on per- ishing sinners. Help us to abase ourselves before thee, and in faith plead for the outpouring of the Spirit to awaken thy children, and convict and convert the impenitent. May our assembly be clothed in sackcloth for our sins, sighs break from broken hearts, and hundreds be new clothed with the spotless robe of our Saviour's righteousness. Encourage the heart of our minister by shaking these dry bones, and raising up multitudes as champions for the truth as it is in Jesus. Let thy power be made known in all the churches, and spread thy blessing abroad in the earth, till the reign of our exalted God and King shall be uni- versal." To E. L., the young lady addressed Sept. 11, 1815. "Coventry, June 15, 18] 6. " Yesterday I attended a prayer-meeting at a school-house in T. As I entered, the very sight of the people thrilled through my soul. More than two hundred were assembled in deep solemnity. Some, slain by the law, seemed to say in agony of DESIRES TO BE HUMBLE. 31 soul, ' I must die, and lie down in eternal sorrow. I am at enmity with God. Woe is me ; I perish. Lord God, have mercy, have mercy.' The work is apparently progressing. Rev. Mr. N. informed me that between sixty and seventy have hopefully been born again, and that about an equal number are under conviction of sin. What a glorious dis- play of divine grace and mercy. " I rejoice that you have tokens of the divine favor in A. When reading your letter, sensations not to be described arose in my breast ; and a re- newed resolution to devote myself more entirely to God was, I trust, the happy effect. But yet of one thing 1 stand in fear — that, should God see fit to make me the instrument of good to any soul, I shall not give him all the glory. O for that humility which God approves, and ivhich makes man useful to man. Much do I need it. May God help me to obtain it. " There are two or three instances of conviction among us — I hope, as happy preludes to a general outpouring of the Spirit. " I shall write a few lines to S., at your request. You have opportunities of conversing with him. DorCt let them slip. Warn him to flee from the wrath to come, and fly to Jesus for safety. " Yours sincerely, «H. PAGE." 32 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. To the young man alluded to in the last para- graph, he wrote the same day as follows : " Dear Sir — Understanding that you have been (ed to discover the necessity of religion, I have pre- sumed, though unacquainted with you, to write you a few lines. You are sensible that there is a God ; that by his holy law the soul that sins must die ; and that all men have broken this law, and are exposed to his just indignation through the countless ages of eternity. 0, sir — for you will suffer me to speak freely — are you of this number ? Do you stand on the borders of eternal woe, ' where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched V But stop — the contemplation strikes horror into the soul. Let us view the enrapturing scene of re- deeming love. Souls that have sinned are not altogether hopeless. "When all were condemned by sin, then it was that the Lord Jesus gave him- self an offering, bore our sins, and suffered the in- expressible agonies of death, that we poor guilty rebels might have life. This blessed Saviour is ready to receive you. My young friend, ' all things are ready.' Cast yourself, just as you are, on him for pardon, sanctifi cation, and salvation. Delay not. While you delay you aggravate your guilt. Call on God day and night ; search the Scriptures ; and let not your reluctant heart prove your ruin for DESIRES TO BE FAITHFUL. 33 ever. Death may be near. Resolve, if you per- ish, to perish pleading for mercy. I entreat you, delay not ; but this moment go to Christ and ' take the water of life freely.' " With sincere regard, your friend, "H. PAGE." On the following day he wrote to C, a young female friend with whom he had long been inti- mate, a letter full of moving and earnest entreaty to attend to the concerns of her soul ; and request- ed her to communicate it to a female acquaintance, and converse freely with her on the great subject it brought before them. In a memorandum of the same date he expresses some concern in respect to his health, which he had not entirely recovered since his severe illness, and as to the means of supporting his family ; but re- signs all to the will of G-od. " That my life is not to be a long one," he adds, " some monitor within seems frequently to tell me, which I hope may incite me to greater diligence in duty, and continual preparation for eternity. Lord, do thou direct me in the right way. Be my guide in every concern of life. Let me not do any thing from false motives. Keep me constantly hum- ble and constantly engaged for the good of all souls around me. Grant that my companion and myself may zealously cooperate in every good work, never Page. 3 34 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. distrust thy providence, and be guided where we may he shining lights and he useful. Should our dear hahe he left fatherless or motherless, do thou provide for it ; preserve his life ; renew his heart ; and make him the means of salvation to many souls through Emmanuel's name. £! H. PAGE." The following memorandum, dated July 4, con- tains an intimation that God was blessing his ef- forts, and that he ascribed to him all the glory. " Shall I ever have cause to regret addressing some of my fellow-men by letter on the concerns of eternity? Will not the blessing God has seen fit to grant on some of my endeavors, prevent all regret in this or the future world ? Shall not the conversion of souls, of which I have just had intel- ligence, stimulate me to more active endeavors to be useful to man, and to honor my divine Master ? To him belongs all the glory. God forbid that I should take any of it to myself. What am I ? a vile reptile of the earth, just crawling on the brink of the grave." To E. L. "Coventry, July 8, 1816. " Persevere, Eliza, in the good work. Use all your influence. Warn those around you with dis- cretion and prudence, and your crown of rejoicing shall receive additional lustre in the great day of the Lord. LETTER TO A CONVERT. 35 " You ask, ' "What are your prospects ?' We don't yet despair. Some Christians are uncommonly engaged, and some youth are serious. F. W. ap- pears to be under deep conviction. G. and her sister I. are anxiously inquiring what they must do to be saved." July 8, having heard glad tidings from S., the young man whom he addressed June 15, he wrote him as follows : " Monday, P. M., July, 1816. " Dear Sir — In imagination I cordially take you by the hand, and call you brother. Happy are you if the allurements of the world have lost their charms ; and Christ, as you hope, has made you an heir of glory. You have entered on a war- fare ; and though the enemy may not now be in full view, you will need to be clad with the whole armor of God to resist his wiles. " Go on and rejoice. Do much for the cause of Christ. Be diligent in duty, and neglect not to warn your companions in sin. Be prudent, dis- creet ; guard against temptation ; be affectionate to your companions ; let your example be upright, always trusting in God for assistance in every thing you do. I wish to write more, but cannot add now. " With sincere affection, your friend, «H. PA&E." 36 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. How must his heart have been cheered by re- ceiving the following reply from this young friend, whose face, when he first addressed him, he had never seen. " Dear Sir — The name of brother, by which you were pleased to call me, endeared you to my heart, though I feel unworthy to be called by that name. 0, sir, what a deplorable condition was I in. I was fighting against God and sporting with eter- nal realities ; and should have remained so till death, had not almighty love snatched me from the pit of destruction. wondrous love indeed manifested to my soul. I think I am now enabled to view by faith the ' Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.' The Sabbath after I saw you, the load of guilt was, I trust, removed from my heart, and before I was aware I was praising God. why did Jesus snatch me thus from everlasting burnings ? ""Twas the same love that spread. the feast, That sweetly forced me in ; Else I had still refused to taste, And perished in my sin.' " may I be enabled to do something for God — something for that dear Redeemer who bled and groaned and died on Calvary for one so guilty as I. " 0, sir, you cannot imagine how much I desire to see you. Will you not still continue to write LETTER OF A CONVERT. 37 me ? Your letters were the means of awakening one to the concerns of my soul. When I first heard them read, horror seized my mind ; I was brought to see myself a guilty sinner, justly condemned by the holy law of God. E. L., after conversing sol- emnly with me one evening, read several of your let- ters. I shall never forget the impression they made upon my mind, and also upon the minds of my two brothers; for God was pleased to awaken us all at this time. 0, dear sir, may God reward you for your love to immortal souls. Do ivrite to all the dear youth in Coventry. Tell them from me, there is nothing but religion worth living for. Tell them the storm of divine wrath is impending over them. Entreat them to fly to Jesus for safety, lest they hear his awful sentence, ' Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' " Your affectionate, though unworthy friend, " S. H." The following was addressed to an impenitent acquaintance, who frequently came very secretly to converse with Mr. Page : To S. L. u Dear Sir — Though I have had no particular conversation with you for some time, I still ear- nestly desire to know the state of your mind. Have you yet no evidence that your peace is made with 38 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. God, and are you still treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath ? If so, let me beseech you, fly this moment and take refuge in the Saviour. His ransom is sufficient for every returning prodigal. "Do you wait to make yourself righteous ? It is a visionary idea. In your own righteousness you can never proceed a step towards heaven. In vain will you wait in any way short of casting yourself unreservedly on the free grace and mercy of Christ. When you resolve in your own strength to live with- out sin, do you find you make any advances tow- ards a pure and holy life ? Are you not daily en- snared with temptations and easily besetting sins? "Labor to view sin in all its deformity in the sight of God, and to get a thorough knowledge of your own heart. Repent of your sins. Head the Scriptures. Be constant and fervent in prayer, remembering for your encouragement, that ' the kingdom of heaven sufFereth violence, and the vio- lent take it by force.' Remember, that while out of Christ, every moment is big with danger. Death is near. Eternity is near. Let me entreat you, lay hold on eternal life before it be for ever too late. " With ardent desires for your salvation, " Your affectionate friend, "H. PAG-E." U N. B. A few lines in return would be very gratifying." CONVERSIONS. 39 " July 28, 1816. This day completes one-fourth of a century of my life. More than twenty-two years have I lived in sin ; less than three have I devoted, in any feeble measure, to the service of Christ. More than one-third of ' threescore years and ten' is already elapsed, and probably more than one-half of my life is spent. The grave must soon open for my body, and my soul be in eternity. May God make me faithful till death; and then, through boundless grace, receive me to glory." To his friend at M., New York, he says, August 26, " Several towns in this vicinity have begun to experience refreshings from the presence of the Lord ; and two young persons among us have lately been brought to rejoice in sovereign mercy, witnessing for God that we are not entirely for- saken. One is a daughter of Mr. H. "W. The other, I know you will be rejoiced to hear, is Mrs. Z. B., who, within a few days, has a new song in her mouth, even praise to our God. " I am told you have commenced study for the ministry. Is it so ? It is a great work on which to enter to ' watch for souls ;' but God's grace will aid all sincere endeavors to glorify him and save lost man. "We expect to see you here this fall. " Your friend and brother, «h. PAG-E." "P. S. "When you visit Coventry, I wish you to bring some of your favorite church music" 40 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. To Mr. Page sacred music was through life a source of much religious enjoyment, and a constant auxiliary in family and social worship. Having written a faithful letter to an estimable young female connection, endeavoring to induce her to separate herself from ungodly associates, he received a reply, inquiring what, in existing cir- cumstances, she should do. His answer is as fol- lows : "Saturday Evening, March 8, 1817. " Dear Friend — As to the company at 's I did not complain of your conduct there, but feared the consequences of frequenting such company. May I ask, Was God in all your thoughts? Did you speak a word for Christ? Did you obey the precept, ' Be not conformed to this world V " You ask, ' Must I not associate with any young people of my age V I answer, do it just so far as you can and act the part of a decided Christian, or do good to souls. But when you find yourself over- come by temptation ; indifferent to those follies and sins which once would have shocked you ; violating your former resolutions and with no evi- dence of benefit to your associates, wisdom and duty doubtless unite in deciding that you should break away from them without delay. A Chris- tian must have uncommon grace in exercise, not to be injured by such company. And besides, it DANGEROUS ASSOCIATES. 41 brings great reproach on religion. The world are keen-eyed to see the faults of Christians, and at once judge that if they join in such amusements, their profession is but hypocrisy. " You have attended one such place of amuse- ment ; and can you reflect on it now with pleas- ure ? Was it profitable to your .soul ? Suppose all the members of this church should join in a sleigh-ride, and tarry at a public-house till mid- night, partaking of the intoxicating bowl, and mak- ing merry with those around them ; what would be said of religion ? And why more improper for the whole than for one ? " I ask you again to consider that you are young, and may be drawn aside unawares. In a time of such declension as the present, ive are all in danger. Consider how you would have viewed these things when you first felt the love of Christ in your heart. " As ever, your friend, "H. PAG-E." June 18, we find him thus writing bitter things against himself: " Sabbath, P. M., 5 o'clock. " Long have I neglected to record my religious exercises ; and long have I lived, a formal profes- sor of religion. I have forgotten my Saviour, wan- dered from his sheepfold, and grown unconcerned about my danger. While I write, I fear I have 42 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. no true penitence. All is cold indifference and dead formality. The word of God is not to me a delight as it once was ; its beauties are hid, and its promises and threatenings glided over unheeded and unapplied. I fear and believe this Sabbath has been improved by me to no spiritual advan- tage. Thus pass away my days beclouded with sin, without engagedness in Zion's cause, with- out gratitude to my Saviour, or obedience to his precepts. " thou blessed Jesus, I have forgotten thy love — have strayed from thee. I desire to humble myself with true repentance before thee. Help me to return from my backsliding ; quicken me in duty ; show me my ingratitude and my sins. May I fear to offend thee, and live henceforward to thy glory." August 17, he thus addressed an impenitent fe- male relative : " Dear Sister— I think much of you, and long to see you in the ark of safety. Have you reason to hope that your sins are pardoned through a Saviour's blood ? If not, consider your danger. 0, Emeline, if you have not chosen God for your portion, you are every moment exposed to the tor- ments of eternal despair. Should death now call you, you must sink ' where their worm dieth not, CORRESPONDENCE. 43 and the fire is not quenched.' Think, dear friend, of the sufferings of our ascended Lord. Think of his agony in the garden — how his head was pierced with thorns — how he was reviled by the multi- tude — how he was led to Calvary, and suspended, with nails driven through his hands and his feet, in agony, till he yielded up the ghost ; and all this, dear sister, for such sinners as you and me. " Shall we — will you despise this love and these sufferings ? Death is coming apace. 0, delay not a moment to make preparation. Christ is ready to pardon every returning penitent — he is ready to receive and pardon you. Go then, as a weary and heavy-laden sinner, implore his mercy, give your- self into his arms, and be happy for ever. " Please to write your feelings. You need not fear to tell them to your affectionate friend, who earnestly, longs for your happiness in this world and the world to come. "H. PAaE." Communications under date of January 30, 1818, mention that the pastor of the church had been dis- missed, leaving them without a spiritual guide ; but state that the female members of the church were praying, and that two individuals were under deep convictions for sin. The next communication is addressed to a pious friend, endeavoring to impart consolation under the 44 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. partial loss of health, and accompanied by fifty- tracts for distribution. The next is to an impenitent acquaintance, who in sickness had been alarmed for his spiritual state, begging him to listen to this call from God, and portraying the infinite hazard of returning again to sin and folly. The next is an awakening appeal to a young lady ; and its influence may be inferred from the following reply, which is given as an example of the state of mind of some of the individuals whose eternal welfare pressed upon our brother's heart. To Mr. H. Page. "Coventry, March 14, 1818. " Dear Friend — Am I one of the happy num- ber who can find rest in Jesus' arms ? No. This blessing is too great for such a wretch as I. I can have no rest. My way is dark, and leads to hell ; I know I deserve hell. Can there be any mercy in Christ for such a sinner as I am ? 0, my sins, my sins ! How many thousands and thousands of times have I sinned against that just and holy God. I have been crucifying the Saviour afresh, and still go on adding sin to sin. What an awful condition I am in. If I stay here, I shall perish. If I go back to the vanities of the world, I shall certainly perish. Now, what shall I do ? A DESPAIRING INQUIRER. 45 " You say I must go to Christ ; but I cannot go to him. What shall I do to go to him ? I must do something before I can go to him. I cannot go to him with such a wicked heart, and such a hard one. ' A broken and contrite heart he will not de- spise f but my heart is hard as a stone, and I can- not do any thing to better it ; for the more I do, the worse I am. I would, but can't repent. Though I endeavor oft, this stony heart can never relent till Jesus makes it soft. I feel stupid, dead, and cold. I cannot see half enough of myself ; I want to see the very worst of my heart. The Bible tells me if I will confess my sins and forsake them, I shall find mercy ; but I do not as I ought, for I can do nothing without a higher power than mine. " Please to write again, and believe me your poor sinful and perishing friend, "A. W." To this letter he wrote the following answer: To Miss A. W. "Coventry, March 21, 1818. " True, as you say, you are in an awful condition. Christ calls you by his Spirit to come to him as a weary and heavy-laden sinner, that he may give you rest ; but your own heart opposes him, and Satan would lead you to despair. Thus the great conflict bows you down, and you are ready to die. " You say your heart is so hard that you cannot 46 lilFE OF HARLAN PAGE. go to Christ. 0, go to him, and he will break it. Go to him with all your pollution ; for you will attempt in vain to make your heart better by your own exertions. Cry to Jesus to break this heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Pour out your whole soul to him. Take all your burden of sins and leave them at his cross. His blood shall cleanse them all away. Every thing that keeps you back from Christ is a sin that needs to be re- pented of. " You say you cannot repent. Can you not hate sin, which has caused you so much sorrow — loathe, abhor it, and turn from it ? I beseech you, grieve not the Spirit by finding fault with God. The guilt and the sin are all your own. How long has God spared you while rejecting the offers of his mercy. Those offers still press upon your heart. If you continue to reject them, it is at the peril of your soul. Accept them, I entreat you. There is no other way whereby you can be saved. " Your sincere friend, "H. PAG-E." On May 13, 1818, we find the following memo- randum, embracing a resolution the spirit of which appears habitually to have influenced his mind, and doubtless constituted, under God, the main- spring of his fidelity and the ground of his success. " I have lately had sweet communion with some A RESOLUTION. 47 of my fellow-Christians, while we each related our particular feelings and exercises. What a happy result would follow, were we always at every oppor- tunity to make religion our theme ; and not merely talk of it in general, but come home to our own souls, and unbosom our feelings to each other — our doubts and joys and fears and woes. I have lately formed a resolution, which I pray God to assist me to perform. " Resolved, whenever 'possible, to address ray brethren and sisters on the concerns of 'eternity r , and endeavor to stir up both them and myself to dili- gence and engagedness in the great icork of saving soids. " Happy news, that any of the dear pupils of my school the last winter are brought to see themselves andone sinners. The Lord grant that the time may be near, when this may be true of every dear youth and child among us. May none turn back, but all resolve to find salvation, or perish pleading for mercy." To Rev. E. T. W., his late Pastor. "Coventry, June 16, 1818. " Respected and dear Sir — Can you believe that God is in the midst of us ? Praised be his name, that his mercy is not clean gone for ever. Some of our youth appear to be under the strivings of the Spirit. I have converse dt with five whose 48 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. tears bore witness that they were not wholly uncon- cerned. God only knows what will be the result ; but it is fully impressed on my mind, that, could I see Christians generally earnest at the throne of grace and engaged in the work, we should witness a precious ingathering of souls. Do pray for us, that the cloud which seems to be hovering over us may not pass away till it shall pour down a re- freshing shower upon this people. " A few months since, I almost felt that I had no more opportunity for usefulness here ; but now / see a wide field open before me even in the midst of us. Every day presents its calls to be at work for the Lord. " for a watchman to stand on these walls ; to repair their breaches, and to guide- the inquiring sinner to Christ, and the humble penitent in the way of peace." At the same date he writes to another, " I have undertaken rather a hard task, but trust the Lord will in due time accomplish it. It is to endeavor to stir up my brethren and sisters in the church to be earnest for a revival of religion. I find in all an acknowledged neglect of duty; and in some it is mourned over apparently with a godly sorrow. I do hope for better times. I have felt an assurance that God was about to visit us in mercy." RELIGIOUS CARDS. 49 It was probably not far from this time that he prepared the following cards, and had them printed in a cheap form for distribution. "REMEMBER, FELLOW-MORTAL, YOU ARE BOUND TO ETERNITY. " Death will soon overtake you. Heaven and hell are before you. Awake, if you would escape the torments of despair. Awake, and make your peace with God." "MORTAL, CONSIDER. " You are on the borders of eternity. Heaven with all its glories, or hell with all its horrors, is before you. If you are yet unreconciled to G-od, I entreat you this day to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ — to-morrow you may be writh- ing in the torments of the damned. Haste, haste to Him, and he will have mercy upon you, and save your soul from eternal death." "PRISONER OF HOPE, " Behold, He who has the keys of death and hell proclaims liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison-doors to them that are bound. Listen to the sweet notes of deliverance. Shake off the galling chains of sin by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and lay hold on the hope Page. 4 50 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. set before you. Escape, escape, while the door of mercy is open — escape, before you are thrust into the inner prison of everlasting despair." "TO-DAY, 1 If you will hear the voice of God, fellow- sinner, harden not your heart. This night, should you lie down careless in sin, you may awake in an eternal hell. Escape for your life. Delay not. * Now is the accepted time : behold, now is the day of salvation." "FELLOW-CHRISTIAN, " Is it not high time to awake out of sleep ? How many of your acquaintance and dear friends are on the broad road to death ? Can you bear to see them hastening down to hell, and not cry unto God to have mercy on them, and pluck them as brands from the burning ? 0, my friend, the time is short. What we do must be done quickly. Death stands at the door ; and how dreadful our surprise, if, when he enters, we be found sleeping." To Miss C. R.j one of his late pupils " Sabbath, July 5, 1818. " How is it now with your immortal soul ? Are' you yet at enmity with God ? I have long wished for an opportunity to make these inquiries, and en- treat you to flee from the wrath to come ; but since LETTER OF WARNING. 51 our school closed, this has been denied me. And now, in view of your awful danger, and in love to your soul, permit me once more to press upon you the necessity of speedy repentance. " 0, Caroline, while out of Christ, how dreadful is your condition. No ray of hope remains for you, if you live and die in this state ; but you must for ever lie down in the torments of the damned — for ever dwell with devouring fire. " Will you go on neglecting this precious season, when the Holy Spirit is striving among us? Can you rest secure, while your acquaintance and friends are anxiously inquiring what they must do to be saved ? 0, my friend, consider how brief is your life. Death lies in ambush ; suddenly the fatal dart may be hurled ; and if Christ is not yours, your soul will be lost. " This may be the Spirit's last call. If you now reject him, he may return to you no more for ever. Will you not take up in earnest the great subject of the salvation of your own soul, feel your guilt and your danger, and fly to the arms of the blessed Saviour? 'Now is the accepted time ; now is the day of salvation.' Rest not one moment till you have secured the pearl of great price. Sleep not in sin, lest you awake in an eternal hell, where ' the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.' 0, Caroline, repent now, and 52 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. " With earnest prayers for you, your friend, "H. PAG-E." To Miss E. H. R. "Friday, P. M., July 24, 1818. " My dear Friend — At your request, I with pleasure improve a few moments in writing on the concerns of the soul. I have trembled, and still tremble for you and others. Can it be possible — Eliza, can it be possible that any, whose attention has been awakened, are becoming insensible of their danger ? Can any be so unwise as not to cherish the influences of the Spirit while he calls them to repent and fly to that Refuge, out of which God has declared himself ' a consuming fire V Can any be discouraged, while the joys of heaven and the woes of the damned are at stake ? " Remember, for your consolation, that ' the king- dom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.' Go then to the throne of grace, and resolve with Jacob of old, ' I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.' Every delay is fraught with imminent danger. Every moment you neg- lect coming to Christ, your sins are increasing. "Will you not now cease your opposition, and this night go and throw yourself unreservedly on the mercy of Christ? Mercy calls. Mercy entreats. TO AN INQUIRER. 53 Eliza, go now to Christ, and let mercy save you. Do not depend on what you do. It will be alto- gether in vain. Your best services need pardon through atoning blood. Put on the white robe of Christ's righteousness, and you shall be happy. I entreat you, my dear friend, press on — press on. " In great haste, your affectionate friend, "H. PAGE." To S. K. * "Coventry, August 7, 1818. " Can you yet calmly submit yourself to Christ? Have you been to him with all your pollution upon you, crying, l Here am I, a poor undone sinner, wholly unworthy of thy favor, justly condemned to eternal death ; take me as I am ; Lord, save me, or I perish V Can you now by faith embrace him as your Saviour ? Is it your earnest desire to do all in your power to advance his cause and glory ? Can you renounce every worldly object for Christ? If so, happy are you. But if not, your case is dreadful indeed. Faithfully examine yourself by the word of God, and rest not one moment till you have evidence that you have chosen that good part which can never be taken from you. Be faith- ful, be faithful unto death. Let nothing turn you from seeking and serving the Lord. " Your affectionate friend, "H. PAGE." 54 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. The following is one of the requests for his coun- sel and prayers which he frequently received : "Mr. Page — I need your kind instructions now more than ever. I feel willing to renounce every worldly object for Christ. what is this world ? Time is short ; eternity is long. I know what I must do, but I find a dreadfully stubborn heart. Do advise me. How shall I get to Christ ? I seek for happiness, but find none. I fear my com- panions are growing indifferent about their future state. S. gets no relief. Do remember us in your prayers. "E. H. R." The following was our brother's reply to this affecting letter : "Friday, P. M., Sept. 12, 1818. "Friend E. — Do you really 'feel willing to re- nounce every worldly object for Christ ?' If this is so, you can unreservedly give up all confidence in your own doings or righteousness, all love of sin ; and Christ has indeed found the chief place in your heart. But beware of a false hope ; you had bet- ter spend all your days in despondence, than find at last that you were self-deceived. " You speak of a stubborn heart. Ah, E., I know what you mean. This heart has felt that dread- ful opposition to our dear Redeemer, who gave himself to be crucified that we might live. How TO A COUSIN. 55 ungrateful ! How astonishing, that such love should be requited thus ! My friend, how can you help loving Him who has done so much for you ? How can you help giving your heart to Him who invites you in such sweet accents of mercy ? " You ask, ' How shall I go to Christ V Go just as you are, with no delay to make yourself better. Go, humble, penitent, believing. Go to him as your only refuge, for you have found all others fail, and be assured he will receive you. You will go. It seems to me you cannot help it. My poor prayers are poured out to God for you. " With sincere affection, "H. PAG-E." To a cousin in P., New York, he wrote respect- ing their friends and the state of religion, mention- ing that the church had observed a day of fasting and prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit ; and then proceeds in endeavors to do good to the per- son addressed, to his family, and those around him. ''You have not yet, it seems, taken hold of the promises of the gospel — not yet laid down the weapons of your rebellion. But will you not sub- mit to Christ ? consider his agony in the garden and on the cross ; and for whom was all this ? It was, dear sir, for you, if you will not reject his bleeding love— for you, his sweat was as it were 56 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. blood — for you, he was scourged and buffeted — for you, he was nailed to the cross — for you, he was forsaken of God — for you, he yielded up the ghost. " Now, can you say you will not accept the sal- vation purchased by such sufferings? "Will you disregard the invitations and entreaties of this bleeding Saviour, and go on crucifying him afresh? 0, you will not, you cannot despise and reject such love — you will not be guilty of such black ingrati- tude. " If you have not already done it, I beseech you go now to Jesus as a heavy-laden sinner ; go as a self-condemned criminal ; offer yourself to him a living sacrifice, and find rest to your soul. " Does your companion, my dear cousin, know by sweet experience how precious is the Saviour's love ? She has been brought to the borders of the grave. Was it indeed dark ; or did the Son of God enlighten the prospect, and stand as her con- ductor to eternal glory ? My dear cousin, let it not be in vain that you are spared. Be wise for eter- nity. Make the Saviour your friend and portion. " Will Christians around you make this world their god, and do nothing for the salvation of per- ishing sinners ? How is it possible that any who have tasted the love of God can rest, while on every side sinners are thoughtlessly going down to hell ? Christians in P. must awake. Tbeii TO A COUSIN. 57 work is great, and their time is short. While they are sleeping in neglect of effectual fervent prayer, they are, by their neglect, peopling the world of perdition. But though Christians sleep, sinners have no excuse. They know their Master's will, and do it not. " How is it with Joseph and Daniel ? Are they yet in the ark of safety ? Tell them the floods of divine wrath are fast accumulating, and unless they repent, they must likewise perish. " Your affectionate friend and cousin, "H. PAG-E." In replying to this letter some months after, his cousin says, "When your letter was received, it was a dagger to my soul ; but now, my dear cousin, I think I knoiv something by experience of the excel- lency of religion, and the peace there is in casting all my burdens on Him who cares for us. Within a few weeks I have taken real satisfaction in read- ing that kind letter. I thank you for it. Do now write me again." 58 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER III. RESIDENCE OF TWO MONTHS IN BOSTON, AND NEARLY THREE YEARS IN COVENTRY. The shock which the constitution of Mr. Page received in his severe illness in 1814, partially dis- abled him from pursuing the more laborious me- chanical employments; and in October, 1818, he visited Boston, and spent a few weeks in writing up the books of a mercantile house, hoping to see some opening in which he might engage in en- graving to which he seems to have had a native predilection, or in teaching. His letters to his family serve to show how his Christian character was developed in the new circumstances in which he was then placed in the heart of a bustling city. To Mrs. Page. "Boston, Saturday Evening, Oct. 17, 1818. " I have had occasion to sympathize this even- ing with my hostess, a widow whose only son has this day sailed for Brazil. A few days since he said to his mother, < There is my Bible, I must take that.' I gave him a few tracts, with which he was much gratified. His mother has scarcely tasted food to-day. Her life has been a series of troubles ; but I fear it has not all brought her to Christ. I AT BOSTON. 59 also gave a few tracts to the captain of a vessel sailing for Africa, who thinks them very useful among seamen. " You can have no idea of the wickedness which prevails here. Though much is doing for the cause of Zion, thousands in Boston live like the heathen, profaning and blaspheming the name of God. Yfhen I look around and see so many souls hastening to destruction, I am led to inquire, Is there no help? Will not Christians awake ? and will not the Lord come down with his mighty power and shake the multitude of evil-doers ? " Last Sabbath morning heard Rev. Mr. D., from ' Let me die the death of the righteous,' etc. His object was to prove that impenitent sinners do not really wish the pure joys and employments of heaven, which he did most clearly. Dined with Mr. D. H., and then accompanied him to the Sab- bath-school; and it was a most interesting and animating spectacle. This was the first Sabbath- school established in Boston, and contains about seventy or seventy-five scholars. It was opened with prayer by the superintendent, and then the recitations began. Three of the scholars recited Scripture to me, two of whom had committed to memory about one hundred and twenty verses each, since the last Sabbath. I took the oppor- tunity to speak to them on the concerns of their 60 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. souls, directing my conversation to one at first, but trie others immediately crowded up as if eager to hear. The school is closed with singing, when the scholars accompany their instructors to church. To- morrow I expect to visit the school again, mid learn more of the methods of proceeding." After describing various meetings which he at- tended during the week, he thus proceeds : " Is there no more prospect of an awakening in Coventry? -Will sinners — can they continue to rush headlong to ruin? Will the church still sleep ? How astonishing. Shall we who love Christ be unconcerned for our fellow-beings who are hastening to despair? I wish to see S. and E.," to whom he had written as above, "to tell them again to repent and believe in Jesus. " Sabbath Evening. This morning I attended Rev. Mr. Paul's meeting, and heard a colored preacher from the words, ' If any man sin, we have an Advocate,' etc. Thence again to the Sab- bath-school, where I found the male and female schools assembled in one room. Upwards of two hundred children were present, and many of their parents who had been invited to attend. After prayer, animating addresses were delivered to the parents and children. Some of the parents were in tears. AT BOSTON. 61 " In the afternoon, heard a very solemn discourse from the words, ' What must I do to be saved V The singing was excellent. You know English and other scientific music is condemned as being too slow and wanting life. This may be true as it is sometimes performed ; but as sung here, it is full of spirit. The words are spoken distinctly, and there is far more animation and expression than we usually hear. " I meet with some trials here, which I hope will be for my good. Two Universalist ministers are dragging many, I fear, with themselves down to hell. Do let us, my dear wife, be doing. Life will soon close ; and the condemnation of being found unprofitable servants. Do not delay to write. " With many prayers for yourself and the babes, U H. PAGE." To the same . ''Boston, Sabbath Evening, Nov. 1, 1818. " Last Sabbath morning I heard the Rev. Dr. Worcester, of Salem ; and in the afternoon, Hev. Mr. J., at the Seamen's church. In the evening attended a prayer-meeting consisting chiefly of sailors, and at the close conversed freely with sev- eral, who begged me to come again. " During the day I met a sailor on the wharf who told me he had been a prisoner at Newfound- 62 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. land, and was put upon trial ; but nothing was found against him, and he was liberated. I told him we must meet another and more solemn trial in the day of judgment, when, without an interest in Christ, we must be condemned eternally. He was silent. I entreated him to think of these things, and be prepared ; for they were near at hand. " This morning and afternoon I have heard the Rev. Levi Parsons, who is going on a mission to Jerusalem. He appears much engaged for the sal- vation of souls, and preaches faithfully the terrors of the Lord. "What an interesting field is this for the man of God. May the smiles of heaven attend him and his companion in labors, who are to be ordained the present week. May they be made instruments of renewing the pure worship of that Saviour who there suffered for man's redemption. " Monday Evening, nine o'clock. Just returned from the monthly concert, and have been richly entertained. Mr. Evarts communicated a great deal of interesting intelligence, chiefly respecting the missions among the Cherokees and Choctaws. Your heart would have been made joyful in hear- ing it. Many very encouraging and interesting incidents were mentioned. At the close, a contri- bution was taken up for the mission at Jerusa- lem." AT BOSTON. 63 To the same. "Boston, Nov. 7, 1818. "When I read your remark, that God has evi- dently a controversy with the church in Cov- entry, my tears involuntarily flowed. 0, how dreadful, that a church should hinder the salva- tion of souls. And those dear ones who have long been inquiring — how affecting to consider that so few, even of professed Christians, seem truly anxious for their salvation. And can this be so ? Alas, what reason have we to think otherwise ? "I have just passed through a most affecting scene. On last Sabbath evening I went alone to the house where I had attended a prayer-meeting a week previous ; but found there was no meet- ing, and that, under the same roof, a man was very sick. His wife, who is pious, appeared grate- ful for my call, gave me an account of their cir- cumstances, and informed me that her husband had been a professed Universalist ; but of late she thought his confidence in that error was shaken, though he would frequently argue the subject with her and others, even on his sick, and she feared, his dying bed. She informed him I was present, and asked if he wished prayer. He said he did. I told him I would comply — remarking that, as he seemed near to death, he must probably soon meet 64 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. the eternal God, and asking if he felt prepared. He intimated that he did. " ' Do you think you have experienced that change of heart which is spoken of in the word of God as essential to salvation ?' " ' Have I repented of my sins,' said he to him- self, ' and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ ?' " ' Do you love Christ ?' said I. ' Is he the one altogether lovely?' " ' Yes, he is lovely to me. I hope to be saved by him.' " ' Do you believe all will be saved by Christ ?' " ' Yes, I think so.' " ' What do you think of the passage, These shall go away into everlasting punishment ?' 61 l I cannot tell what it means.' " ' We read also, The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.' " ' Then,' said he, ' I must go there.' " He seemed somewhat exhausted, and I was about to close my interview, when he again asked me to pray with him. " ' What petition shall I offer?' said I. ' Shall I' ask that your heart may be changed ?' " ' Yes,' said he, ' and that I may be purified.' " Neighbors in the house were called in, and prayer was made in his behalf, amidst sobs and tears. His wife begged me to call again, which I AT COVENTRY. 65 did, with Mr. D., a young clergyman. He was evidently declining, but gave us no more satisfac- tion respecting his state. " After we left him, he had much conversation with the Rev. Mr. J., and expressed his convic- tion of his ruin by sin, his renunciation of all the former grounds of his hope, his reliance solely upon Christ, and his peace and joy in him. He died the following day. His wife had long prayed earnestly for his conversion ; and at last, when she had almost given him up as lost, had the satisfaction of seeing him give such evidence as he could in his last hours, that he fell asleep in Jesus." His next letter is dated at Coventry, Feb. 13, 1819, and expresses his joy, that on the 10th of the following month, the Rev. G. A. Calhoun was to be ordained as pastor. " Saturday Evening. This day I have endeavored to observe as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit. I find so much in me that is unhumbled, that I have reason to fear the day has been spent in vain. Several now appear anxious for their souls. God grant that they may be brought to bow submissive at the feet of Jesus, and that the hearts of Christians may be prepared for the special presence of God Pnge, 5 66 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. among us. what shall be done in this stubborn, unyielding frame of mind?" Within the progress of a few weeks, his heart was cheered and refreshed by a visit, with his be- loved pastor, to a church some miles distant, which w T as enjoying a precious revival of religion. " As I entered the sanctuary," he says, "joy beamed in the countenances of numbers, while others seemed borne down v/ith a heavy load. Solemn silence reigned, interrupted only by occa- sional sighs and tears. Every eye was fixed, and every ear listening as to a message from the Lord. When the service closed, several remained to con- verse on the subject of their salvation. " They dispersed for a little time, and at sunset the youth were seen assembling in groups, till the room was filled with near two hundred immortal beings. All was silent as the house of death. The most profound attention evinced that the Lord was there. When the exercises were closed, and the blessing pronounced, not one moved to leave the house. All stood, and seemed to say, ' We cannot go. Tell us more of Christ, and how to gain an interest in his atoning blood.' " After a few moments, the minister who had addressed them began to converse with an indi- vidual near him ; but all seemed eager to press APPEAL TO YOUTH. 67 forward, that they might hear for their own bene- fit. None appeared indifferent. Solemnity, sor- row, or joy was depicted in every countenance. The audience were seated, and nearly all in the house were addressed individually in reference to their own personal salvation. None wished to avoid being questioned, or being warned that un- less they repented of their sins and fled to Christ by a living faith, they must be lost." This account Mr. Page embodied in an anony- mous paper sent in with others to be read in the "Biblical School" in Coventry, in which a large number of youth united for the study of the Bible, and mutual intellectual, moral, and religious im- provement. " Our minister," he adds, " has seen among an- other people anxious souls flocking to Christ. What must have been his reflections, surrounded by such a crowd of inquirers, as he turned his thoughts to his own flock — his church cold and languid— the youth thoughtless and gay, pressing on their way to eternal despair. How must his heart have sunk within him ! "And shall he find no inquiring souls here? Shall his heart never be gladdened by hearing the earnest inquiry, ' What must we do to be saved V Shall we suffer him to go mourning all the day over so many hurrying to perdition ? Shall we 68 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. suffer ourselves to be lulled in security, and thus "be eternally ruined ? 0, it is time, it is high time to awake." Having received a fresh supply of tracts, he immediately enclosed two of them to impenitent friends in notes, of which the following is one : To L. S. "June 22, 1819. " Dear Brother — Will you and your companion oblige me so much as to give the enclosed an at- tentive perusal before you go to rest this night ? I have just received it, and feel peculiarly anxious that you should prayerfully consider the all-impor- tant subject it presents. " With earnest solicitude for your eternal wel- fare, I am your brother, "H. PAGE." The season of God's mercy was indeed at hand. On the 20th of June he thus wrote to Mrs. W. : " My dear Friend— I have delayed till I can do it no longer. I know the joy you will feel at the repentance of sinners in Coventry. When I wrote you last, all was gloomy, except the prospect that God was about to place over us a spiritual guide. He has been indefatigable. For a time, all ap- plauded, but none seemed to be moved. " A meeting of the church was called, when all REVIVAL IN COVENTRY. 69 the male members were questioned with regard to their feelings. All confessed criminal coldness and want of spiritual life. The question was then put^ * Are we not called to make some special exertions, that the work of G od may be revived ?' This was acknowledged, and it was agreed to hold prayer- meetings in different neighborhoods. " Two weeks after, another meeting was called, which • all who felt anxious for a revival of relig- ion were invited to attend.' This led to self-exam- ination. * Shall I go ?' was the language of many. 1 1 cannot say I am one of those invited, but I dare not stay away.' Members of the church and others attended, and the meeting was full. The time was spent in exhortation and prayer, and some signs of life appeared. " The next week a similar meeting was held, when all who desired it were conversed with indi- vidually, and it appeared that some were inquiring. A w r ork of grace was then progressing in B., and had now entered our borders. u A few of the church appear to be engaged. They found that they had wandered far, very far from God. Conversation-meetings for inquirers are held w r eekly. Mr. and Mrs. G. are now rejoicing in the Lord. Mrs. B,., Miss M. W., and Miss J. are indulging a hope. The progress of the work has seemed to be exactly in accordance with the 70 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE spirituality, the prayers and exertions of Christians. Sometimes the prospect looks dark, but at others more encouraging. It is the Lord's work, and he alone can carry it on. The hopes of many profes- sors of religion are shaken. Our minister has re- peatedly told us, that if we cannot be engaged in such a time as this, we had better conclude that we are not Christians. " Yesterday, Rev. Mr. N. preached twice in different neighborhoods. I could say a great deal, but must not add. "With. Christian affection, your friend, "H. PAG-E." Under date of July 9, in a hasty note to a friend, he says, " We have such a season here as we never had before : the Lord is doing wonders, and we hope and believe he is about to do a work still greater. Could you see the change wrought in S." — referred to December, 1815, and June, 1819 — u you would be delighted He seems indeed like one new-born, through the energies of the Holy Ghost." Mr. Page always regarded a season of the out- pouring of the Holy Spirit as the harvest-time of souls ; and it is hard to say whether his holy joy in God, his amazing sense of responsibility, his im- portunate prayers, or incessant efforts, most abound- SOLEMN APPEAL. 71 ed. He seems to have been so intently engaged in promoting the work, that he made only a few brief notices of what was passing, with his pen. Among these is a list of seventy-nine individuals who in that revival obtained hope in Christ, sixty- six of whom were added to the church. On the 9th of August he thus addressed a young woman whose case he seems to have considered almost hopeless : " An affectionate regard for your immortal in- terests has induced me to write a few lines, though I know not that they will be welcome or beneficial. While others have been accepting Christ, I have anxiously hoped to hear the same of you. Shall no Christian's heart be cheered by such intelli- gence ? Shall neither man nor God hear from your lips, ' my sins, my sins, I fear they will ruin my soul for ever V Shall no prayer, ' God be mer- ciful to me a sinner,' break from your heart ? " I know you would not dare make light of the influences of the Holy Spirit ; and is there not evi- dence sufficient to convince the most obstinate that the Lord is indeed among us ? Who then will be on the Lord's side ? Will you not come as a humble penitent, and cast yourself at his feet ? Will you not now, by faith in Christ, become a friend of God, and an heir of glory? 72 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " May I not hope that you are now determined to break your league with sin and the enemy of souls, before the impending storm of God's wrath shall fall upon you, when the only answer to your despairing cry shall be, for ever, for ever, for ever ? do not let a deceitful heart beguile you. You have a soul at stake worth millions of worlds, and which must live eternally in the joys of heaven or the agonies of hell. On no other subject should I address you ; but on the momentous concerns of the soul you will not feel that I need apologize for the performance of duty. " With esteem, your friend, "H. PAGE." In a letter, September 20, he says, " It is un- certain whether I go to Boston this fall. I cannot have this interesting field of exertion and scene of icondersP A subsequent letter, chiefly occupied with state- ments respecting the revival, contains the follow- ing paragraph : " In the midst of mercy, God has recently re- minded us, by a most afflictive providence, that youth is with many the only time for securing the salvation of the soul. 0. P., aged twenty-two, about two weeks since was called into eternity. But he died in faith, as we trust. He was hope- TIMELY COUNSEL. 73 fully converted the summer past, just in time to escape the wrath to come" In reply to a communication from S. L., express- ing renewed anxiety for himself as a sinner, and requesting Mr. Page's prayers and counsel, he thus writes : "Coventry, Dec. 11, 1819. u My dear Sir — It is with peculiar satisfaction that I improve the opportunity you have given me to address you on the momentous interests of your own soul. You have frankly disclosed your feel- ings, and I am unusually anxious that you should cast your burdens on the Lord, and give him your whole heart. You are now at an awful crisis. Your eternal all may depend on the course you take. The Lord has taught you by his Spirit, that you are a wretched, perishing sinner. You feel that you have no preparation for heaven, and see nothing before you but eternal woe. my friend, there is a refuge. The Lord Jesus invites in melt- ing strains, ' Look to me, and live. Come unto me, and find rest.' go to him noiv, as you value your precious, immortal soul. " But you ask, ' How shall I go to him with this hard, impenitent heart?' Christ, my friend, is ready to soften and sanctify it by his own blood. Go to him just as you are — poor, needy, empty, wretched — only go to Him. His grace is free. It 74 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. will be his joy now to receive you. And will you not go ? make now one determined effort in the strength of God. Break through all opposition from within and from without. Cast yourself at the feet of Jesus, and cry, £ Lord, save me, or I perish.' " Your dear friend went to Christ, and is now, we trust, in heaven. Follow his example in lov- ing the Saviour, and you may follow him to glory. Death to him was welcome, so it may be to you. There was a fulness in Christ for him, so there is for you. The blessed fountain is set open, and ivho- soever will may ' take of the water of life freely.' " May I not indulge the hope and expectation, that before you shall lay down this sheet, you will have made the successful resolve, and fled for refuge to the ark of safety ; and that when next we meet, you will tell me what glorious things God has done for your soul? my friend, God has said his Spirit shall not always strive. I fear, should you delay a little longer, he will depart from you, never to return. " With earnest prayer for you, "Your affectionate friend, "H. PAG-E." To Miss J. A. L. "Coventry, Friday Evening, Dec. 24, 1819. " I am very anxious to know how you are now. Are you yet rejoicing in hope ; or have you turned MOTIVES TO PIETY. 75 again to the follies of this flattering and deceitful world? my friend, I long to hear from you. I long to hear that you have chosen that good part which shall never be taken away. Have you for- gotten our last interview? Have you performed the sacred promise to give yourself and your all to Christ ? Have you submitted to his will, and determined to die a beggar at his feet ? Do write me immediately. I wait, impatient to hear. Re- sist temptation. Quench not the Spirit. Pray without ceasing. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. " I am now keeping school ; some encouraging 'prospects among my scholars. Friends feel anxious for you. I can assure you, you have many fervent petitions ascending from the heart to God in your behalf. " With much affection, your friend and cousin, "H. PAGKE." Of his efforts for the eternal welfare of the pupils of his school, a Christian friend says, in a letter written since his death, "A number of ladies who, when in youth, attended this school, still feel under great obligations to him and to God for his faithful and untiring efforts for their salvation, and attrib- ute their conversion under God to his instrumen- tality" So much was his mind engrossed with the sub- 76 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE, ject of the salvation of the young, that in January he prepared an article, in which were clustered some of the motives to early piety ; which, in the hope that it would meet the eye of those under his care, and others, he sent for insertion in the Guardian, a small and useful monthly periodical. We retain enough of the article to show what place this subject held in the mind and heart of the writer. " My dear young Friend — While I see so many youth hastening unprepared to eternity, I cannot forbear calling to you to stop for a moment, and consider what affecting motives urge you to make your peace with God. " Your Christian friends earnestly desire your salvation. They see your danger. They know that unless your heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit, your soul must be lost. They plead with you. They weep and pray for you night and day. They long to rejoice over you as a new-born heir of heaven. " The angels of God desire your salvation. Yes, their golden harps are tuned to raise a louder song of joy over every one who will repent. Will you not be the first to cause the arches of heaven to reecho, that another wanderer has returned ? Shall angels long for your salvation, and you be uncon- cerned about it yourself? But more, MOTIVES TO PIETY. 77 " Christ himself desires your salvation. For this he became ' a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.' For this he endured the agony of the gar- den and the cross. He calls you by his word, by his providence, and by his Spirit. He declares that he ' is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' And shall he call in vain? Is it nothing to you, that he shed his precious blood, and bore the wrath of Jehovah for perishing sinners ? heart of ada- mant, that will not melt in view of such conde- scension, suffering, and love ! vile ingratitude, that can behold unmoved ' the Son of God in tears,' offering himself for man's redemption. " Consider also the glories of heaven. There is the throne of God and of the Lamb. There, the pure river of the water of life for ever flows. There, saints and angels offer their unceasing praises. There, your departed Christian friends mingle their voices with the heavenly choir. There, all unite in shouting, ' Alleluia, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.' ' Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.' There every humble penitent at last arrives. There is the consummation of all his happiness. " Think too of the misery of hell. 0, the horrors of despair. What pencil can paint, or what pen 78 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. describe them ? Weeping and wailing and gnash- ing of teeth constitute the horrid discord of the abodes of the damned. There the stings of a guilty conscience, that worm that never dies ; heart-rending reflections on murdered time ; the view of saints in glory afar off; the surrounding gloom of the infernal pit ; unavailing lamentations and despair, all conspire to render their misery complete. 0, who can dwell with devouring fire? Who can inhabit everlasting burnings ? " Consider the worth of the soul. Its value can be measured only by eternity. When millions of millions of ages shall have rolled away, your soul will still be active, and its capacity to suffer or enjoy for ever increasing. "Death is rapidly approaching. Perhaps this night you will close your eyes to wake in eternity. Thousands have been thus surprised. How many of your companions are gone, never to return. Their state is fixed. They are now enduring the wrath of God, or singing his praises in the para- dise above. Whoever you are, you may be assured that death is nigh to you. To him you must yield, willing or unwilling ; and eternal woe must be your doom, unless you haste to Christ, the only refuge from the impending storm. " The day of judgment is at hand. Soon the loud trump of the archangel will awake the sleep- MOTIVES TO PIETY. 79 ing dead ; and you among them will come forth to 1 the resurrection of life,' or ' the resurrection of damnation.' Then the Saviour whom you have loved or despised will appear in the clouds of heaven, to give to every one ' according as his work shall be.' Before him you must stand with assembled millions, while he bids you depart, or welcomes you to a seat at his right hand. " Other motives might be urged, but if these will not awaken you to a sense of your danger, others would be unavailing. Now you have a day of grace. Now the saints are praying for you ; the angels of God wait to rejoice over you ; the Lord Jesus Christ, by his word and by his Spirit, is entreating you to come ; the glories of heaven are offered you ; the miseries of hell are unveiled to your view ; while the worth of your soul, the rapid approach of death and judgment urge you to make haste — to escape for your life from the de- struction that awaits you. 0, my young friend, as you value your eternal well-being, I beseech you awake from this slumber. Arise and go to Jesus. Go to him a humble beggar ; go penitent and be- lieving. None such were ever sent empty away. While you tarry, your sins are accumulating, your danger is increasing. Delay a little longer, and your soul, your precious immortal soul is lost for ever." 80 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. To Miss J. A. L. "Coventry, after school, Friday, March 10, 1820. " Your letter gave me peculiar pleasure, as it contained expressions of a hope that you have passed from death unto life. Yet when we con- sider the deceitfulness of the heart, and the temp- tations of the adversary, it "becomes us to rejoice with trembling. Is Christ indeed precious to you ? 0, happy soul. Happy even in the midst of ad- versity — happy in life, happy in death, and happy for ever. I long to know more particularly what is your state, and what have been your exercises, both before and since your conversion. Let me entreat you to be faithful to your own soul and to God. Seek also the eternal welfare of your com- panions. You know not how much you may yet do, which God shall make the means of saving souls. " Your friend, "H. PAGE." "Wednesday Evening, April 4. This day has been observed as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, and has been a solemn and interesting sea- son. Several clergymen of the vicinity were with us, having commenced visiting the churches in succession. Each minister present prayed, and addressed the crowded assembly; and the mem- bers of the church expressed, by rising, their sol- CORRESPONDENCE. 81 emn determination to be faithful and live more in accordance with their profession. It is supposed that about half of the towns in this state are noiv visited with a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We cannot hut hope that God will also appear for us in mercy, though I do not know of one serious inquirer. God grant that his own people may arise to duty, the impenitent be alarmed, and that there may be a rich ingathering of souls." On the 16th he addressed a young friend, to whom, it appears, he had agreed to write, first on the subject of education and mental improvement, and then on " ' the one thing needful] without which all other acquisitions are vain " — requesting in return " a free expression of opinions and feel- ing on -both subjects" In the reply, the former subject seems to be wholly overlooked. " The deep interest Avhich you have manifested for my immortal soul," says the writer, "I can never, no, never forget. I have thought much on the contents of your letter. I am deeply sensible that religion alone is worth living for. You will probably say, 'Then why not embrace it?' I can only reply, that it is owing entirely to the wicked- ness of my heart, which has long been pursuing the pleasures of the world. If I perish, I know I have nothing to plead in excuse for rejecting the offers Page. 6 82 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. of mercy. I feel in need of your advice, and beg you not to forget me when interceding at the throne of grace. " Yours respectfully, U C. H. H." On the 16th April he commenced a correspond- ence with A. K.j a beloved relative now in the ministry, for their mutual benefit in reference both to the present and a future life. In this letter he says, "You complain of insensibility to the great con- cerns of eternity ; and, my friend, you are not alone in this. I know of no better way to be delivered from it, than to go forward in every knoivn duty, relying on the aids of the Holy Spirit. It appears that this is the best means of promoting a revival of religion in our own hearts, and of being useful to others. Let us, dear brother, be more active. How many of our acquaintance, over whom we may perhaps have influence, have we left without faithfully performing our duty to their souls. "We know that without religion they are lost. Let us then act accordingly." One expression in the above clearly implies, that faithful as he had been, there were present before his mind, not the many he had warned, but the great number remaining, for whose salvation he had individually done nothing effectual. CORRESPONDENCE. 83 The following attempt to reach the heart of a young man whom he highly esteemed, but who was only almost persuaded to be a Christian, affords another illustration of the manner in which he car- ried out his desires and purposes to do good. To Mr. C. P. "Coventry, Friday Evening. April 20, 1821. " My dear. Friend — I think I feel more and more interested in your welfare, and anxious that you may be useful, especially in promoting the sal- vation of men. But without the hope that you are yourself interested in the Saviour's love, how can you labor for the salvation of others ? Were your tongue unloosed, and your heart warm with love to God and souls, how might you take your com- panions by the hand and entreat them, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. How would you retire to your closet and agonize in prayer in their behalf. Whenever you looked upon them, how would your heart swell within you, from a sense of their danger. How would you weep in secret places over their impenitence and dreadful indif- ference to eternal things. "But, alas, for this you are not prepared. No one has ever heard you entreating sinners to flee from the wrath to come — no humble prayer has ever ascended from your heart to God in their be- 84 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. half. My friend, if you or I ever do any thing for God, it must be done soon. ' What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.' How should I rejoice to take you by the hand as a dear brother in the Lord, and to see you far more faithful in the service of Christ than ever I have been. How- happy might we be in mutual efforts here, and with what joy unite for ever in the songs of praise to redeeming love. " That this joy may be ours, through penitence for sin, and faith in atoning blood, is the prayer of your affectionate friend, "H. PAGE." AT JEWETT CITY 85 CHAPTER IV. RESIDENCE OF TWO MONTHS IN JEWETT CITY, AND EIGHTEEN MONTHS IN COVENTRY. Mr. Page now spent some weeks in mechanical labors in Jewett City, a manufacturing village which had recently sprung up thirty miles dis- tant ; lodging with a pious relative who there re- sided. His letters to his family, with a brief journal during his absence, show the state of his heart, and his efforts to be useful. "Friday, May 18, 1821. Left home for Jewett City. Spent the night at brother TVs in Lebanon. Have had a lo?ig season of spiritual darkness, but this evening think I enjoyed more of the light of God's countenance." " Saturday, May 19. Determined to endeavor to do my duty to all the members of brother T^s family. Felt a peculiar earnestness in family prayer for those who were without God. Went to the factory and conversed with each person employed in it on the state of their souls. Found in them a general reluctance to come to a determination to attend immediately to the one thing needful. Two or three appeared somewhat affected in view of their state. How important, that in conversing with 86 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. the impenitent, we endeavor to bring the truth home plainly to their hearts. God grant that this interview may not be in vain." It was on this or another occasion, that as he was passing a school-house in L., he called, pre- sented some tracts to the teacher for her scholars, and addressed a few words to her on the subject of her own salvation ; and to this brief interview she now ascribes her conversion to God. On the same day he arrived at Jewett City; and the following letter on the evening of the suc- ceeding day, shows how soon he found something here to do for Christ. To Mrs. Page. "Jewett City, Sabbath Evening, 10 o'clock. " Thus far the Lord has sustained me. I arrived here in safety last evening. This morning heard Rev. Mr. W., from Rev. 7:10, showing that the salvation of the sinner should all be ascribed to God. In the afternoon attended a funeral, where Mr. W. solemnly addressed a large concourse. This evening have visited at the boarding-house, where are about forty boarders. Found some there who seemed to love the cause of Christ. I remarked to Mrs. P., that I thought we ought to have prayer-meetings in the neighborhood. She gave her assent, and soon proposed that we should commence them this evening, and that the boarders AT JEWETT CITY. 87 be called in. Expecting I should be requested to lead, gave me a little heart-fluttering; but I think I had some earnestness in the performance of the duty. " Many connected with the factory spend the Sabbath in idleness or amusement. I feel that I have here much to do ; and 0, for judgment, pru- dence, humility, and love to God and souls, to en- able me to perform it. I feel more and more the need of divine aid, and of the prayers of others. I think my situation here will in many respects be trying. I shall need the whole armor of God. My religious privileges will be less than they have been ; but it seems there is a door opening that I may be useful. Pray for me, my dear wife, and engage all you can to do the same. Give the little ones a kiss from papa. Stay yourself on God. He knows what is for your good. " With the tenderest affection, "H. PAG-E." "Monday, May 21. Proposed to one of the work- men that we hold stated prayer-meetings for a revival of religion in the factory. Think we shall succeed," "Wednesday Evening, May 22. Had a meeting of the workmen and boarders at Captain P.'s. It was agreed to hold a weekly prayer-meeting on Wednesday evenings. Feel considerable anxiety for 88 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. a revival of religion in the factory. There appears here a dreadful indifference to divine things. Lord, make the stubborn tremble, and make those whom I daily see living in sin, the trophies of thy grace. " Saturday Evening, May 25. To-day I have heard good news from Coventry — the conversions of P. P. and J. P. For a moment I could hardly be rec- onciled to be away from them ; but the persua- sion that God has more for me to do here than there, calms my anxieties and stimulates me to act. To God I would commit my dear family. May he preserve them to-night, and give them and me a pleasant Sabbath. To-day had some conversation with a Universalist. Agreed with a Christian friend to make him a subject of special prayer." To Mrs. Page. "Jewett City, Wednesday Evening, May 30. " I received yours on Saturday, which gave me the pleasing intelligence that P. P. and J. P. think they have found the Saviour. I hope, by this time, the work has become general. It seems more and more that it was necessary for me to come away. Perhaps I ivas the Achan that prevented the bless- ing. It appears that God will have me remain here at present. " On Wednesday evenings we have a prayer- AT JEWETT CITY. 89 meeting of those connected with the factory ; and a few who love the throne of grace have agreed to establish a prayer-meeting on Sabbath mornings at sunrise. Christians here are of various religious denominations, and seem to have been discouraged. I think there are some appearances now of quicken- ing. There appears so wide a door here for Chris- tian effort, that I scarcely know where to begin. Several of the workmen will probably unite and take the Missionary Herald, that it may be read at the Wednesday-evening meetings ; but the relig- ious state of the people generally is lamentable. By many the Sabbath is shamefully profaned, and the enemies of Christ seem to triumph. I need your prayers, and the prayers of friends, for ivisd&ni, grace, and humility. " Affectionately yours, "H. PAOE." The following memorandum shows briefly how he spent the next Sabbath. "Sabbath Evening, June 3. This morning at- tended a prayer-meeting at sunrise. Seven were present. Had a pleasant meeting. They thought they had felt for a few days a greater anxiety for a revival of religion. " After breakfast visited Mr. F., a sick man who has worked with us. Yesterday his case was thought to be dangerous, but to-day he is more 90 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. comfortable. Conversed with him on the state of his soul ; found him without hope, and feeling un- prepared for his change. He had been considerably- alarmed, but did not seem to have a clear sense of his awful guilt in the sight of God. I read to him a tract, prayed with him, and endeavored to per- suade him of the necessity of immediate repent- ance. " At the door, met a man and conversed with him; he said he thought some on the subject of religion, and knew he was a sinner. I urged him not to delay the great work of making his peace with God. " Near a neighboring house saw four young men, who appeared very thoughtless; went to them, and told them I had a short message which I wish- ed them to hear and consider. After getting their attention, I told them it was, ' Prepare to meet thy God.' "Walked to P., and heard Rev. Mr. W. Ad- dressed the prayer-meeting in the evening, and felt some freedom. Called again on the sick man: he said he had thought much of what I said to him in the morning. " On my way, met one of the young men whom I accosted this morning ; took him by the hand, and asked if he had thought of what I then said to him. He said he had many times during the day. AT JEWETT CITY. 91 Addressed him and a group of lads around him, warning them that they must awake to a sense of their danger, or perish. " Agreed upon appointing a monthly concert for prayer to-morrow evening in the school-house." " Monday Evening. Just returned from monthly concert. About forty were present. To me it was a pleasing meeting. Walked home with Mr. . He appeared considerably enlivened." "Wednesday Evening. Attended meeting at the boarding-house. How much do I need pardon- ing and sanctifying grace." . To Mrs. Page. " Jewett City, Saturday, P. M., June 9. 11 1 sent yesterday to Boston for the Missionary Herald ; and esquire M. gives me the reading of the Recorder. So you see I shall not be desti- tute of religious intelligence. If I had a supply of tracts, I could dispose of them here to good ad- vantage. " I lose one quarter of a day this P. M., to write and get some rest preparatory to the Sabbath, as I have found myself dull at meeting." He proceeds to relate particularly the events of the preceding Sabbath, and continues the letter on Sabbath evening. 92 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " Thirteen were present at the prayer-meeting this morning. I enjoyed it much. The sermon at P., in the afternoon, was on the duties of 'parents, and uncommonly interesting. " A TJniversalist preached to-day at the church here. So you see the enemy had the field. I think a faithful minister stationed here might do incal- culable good. It is indeed missionary ground. " As to my own spiritual state, I can hardly tell you what it is, I find so much impurity of motive. I hope you have many new converts around you, and many engaged Christians. How is my own dear sister ? Is she yet a Christian ? Tell the dear children that papa thinks of them, and prays for them. I hope you will make up in duties to them what has been wanting in me. Do not neg- lect their souls, as I have too much done. "H. PAGE." "Monday, June 11. Called on Mr. F., who is worse. He thought he had experienced a change within a few days ; but I could obtain no satis- factory evidence. Endeavored to deal faithfully with him, and show him the danger of a false hope. " Tuesday Evening. Attended a prayer-meeting one and a half miles distant. About twenty pres- ent. I often inquire what reason I have to hope I am a Christian. I find so much selfishness in my AT JEWETT CITY. 93 motives to action, that I sometimes fear true love to Christ is wanting." " Sabbath Evening, June 17. Twenty-one pres- ent at the prayer-meeting at sunrise. Heard Rev. Mr. W. morning and afternoon. Attended a prayer- meeting in the intermission. At five o'clock, at- tended the Sabbath-school here ; forty-two chil- dren present. This evening, prayer-meeting at the school-house. Within three days have felt uncommonly anxious for the salvation of souls ; but the impenitent all around me seem yet to be thoughtless. Satan appears to be making un- usual efforts. May the Lord guide me in duty. Have I not come to this place with his glory in vieiv ? Shall I not be the means of benefiting some souls? " Friday Evening, June 22. This evening, a prayer-meeting for Sabbath-school teachers ; about twenty attended. The meeting at the boarding- house, on Wednesday evening, was more solemn than usual. Find that some were deeply inter- ested. "Wednesday Evening, June 27. To-day, paid what is called ' entrance ' to the workshop, by giv- ing tracts to the workmen. They generally ap- peared pleased. Held a conversation of some length with a gentleman of considerable education. He argued on many religious subjects, and contends 94 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. that man is not strictly a free agent. May God open his eyes and heart." "Sabbath, July 1. About thirty at the morn- ing prayer-meeting. Attended church and joined in commemorating the Lord's death at P. At five P. M. attended Sabbath-school, containing now up- wards of eighty scholars, who are very regular and attentive. Yet, with all these privileges, my spir- itual discernment is so dim, my affections so cold, that I must conclude I have but little real desire to ' glorify God in my body and spirit, which are his.'" " Wednesday Evening. Prayer-meeting solemn. More of the boarders attended than usual. One of the workmen appears to be somewhat thoughtful. Felt peculiar anxiety for the conversion of sinners. "Tuesday, July 10. Last evening Captain P. called at my lodgings, bringing a young man seri- ously impressed. Found him deplorably ignorant. He was considerably affected, but did not seem to have a sense of sin. May God convince him, and bring him to the truth. Have just received intel- ligence of the death of the Rev. Dr. Worcester. " Saturday, July 14. S. H. is hoping that he has been born again ; and another, I think, gives evidence of a change. How mutch cause have I for humiliation, that God should use such an un- worthy instrument in the conversion of sinners. AT JEWETT CITY. 95 And when he has in so many instances blessed my feeble efforts, how guilty that I am not more ear- nest in exertions for the good of souls. , " This afternoon learned that Mr. L. is indulg- ing a hope. Blessed news, that one of the work- men has been brought home to Christ." Encouraged by these indications, he addressed the following letter to a gentleman of much re spectability, with whom he had a friendly inter view. M Sabbath Evening, 15th. July. " Dear Sir — Our partial acquaintance and othei circumstances have led me to feel a peculiar inter- est in your eternal welfare. In our recent inter- view, I learned that you have been often affec- tionately reminded of the necessity of an imme- diate attention to the concerns of eternity, but yet that you are living without hope, and with your affections still supremely placed on earthly good. " My feelings were not a little excited while in the house of God to-day, in contemplating the final separation of those who are connected by the dear- est earthly ties — one to descend to the gloom of everlasting despair, the other to rise to immortal life and glory. I knew that you had had a relig- ious education ; that a thousand prayers of pious 96 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. friends had been offered in your behalf; and that a devoted wife was pouring out her intercessions to God, that you may not be separated in the future world. 4 '"Why, sir, this insensibility to eternal realities? Why this parleying with sin ; this forgetfulness of God ; this aversion to a holy life, and to the Sa- viour of sinners ? I cannot believe that your en- lightened understanding will allow you to barter your soul for the trifles of earth. " Men act in view of motives. Permit me to ask, do you not find them sufficient to induce a compliance with the simple and reasonable requi- sitions of the gospel of Christ ? How long, sir, will you withhold the best affections of your heart from him who is ' the Chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely ?' How long will you put far away the evil day, and slumber on the verge of ruin ? How long will you, dear sir, reject the Redeemer of mankind and his offers of eternal life ? God grant that your heart may answer, ' Not a moment.' Allow me the freedom of affectionately entreating you immediately to escape from the threatened doom of the impenitent, by casting yourself as a vile rebel on the mercy of Him who alone is able to save. " With affection and respect, sincerely yours, "H. PAGE." AT JEWETT CITY. 97 "Thursday, July 19. Felt an unusual desire this day for a revival of religion. Have conversed with L. He appears very well. H. K. appears very solemn." On the same day he thus wrote to Mrs. Page : " I have received yours. Is Coventry indeed in so deplorable a condition ? Where is the zeal of Christians? Is there no God? no heaven? no hell ? Are there no souls on the way to death ? I hoped to hear that you were enjoying a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus is just such a stay as you now and always need. Your companion you will find, sooner or later, to be only a broken reed; but Christ is a safe refuge. " We have some favorable tokens for good here. One man, Mr. L., has obtained a hope, and is now quite active. A young woman appears to-day to be under convictions, and others I think are more solemn. As much as I desire to be with my own family, / should not dare to leave this place at this time. I hope that God has sent me here to be a means of advancing his cause. I felt yester- day a peculiar anxiety for sinners, and think I was enabled to maintain, in a degree, a praying spirit. " In all your trials, you will find it sweet casting yourself into the arms of Christ. He is ready to p«s». 7 98 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. grant consolation to his children. Only put your confidence in Him, and be active and faithful in his service. "Yours with sincere affection, "H. PAG-E." " Sabbath, July 22. At the prayer-meeting this morning, learned that H. K. had found peace in believing. In the evening had a long conversa- tion with the family of Mr. . Found one of his daughters strongly attached to dancing, and in the pursuit of vanity waiting for God to do his work in her heart. Endeavored to take away her ex- cuses, and convince her that the guilt is all her own. May the Holy Spirit set home truth to her heart. " July 28 . This day completes thirty years of my life. How ought I to begin this new year for God ! " August 2. Compelled by pain in my breast to leave work in the shop; painted a landscape view of the factory. Attended a meeting to devise means for obtaining a faithful minister to be settled and devote his labors constantly in the village. "August 4. Health more feeble, and obliged to resort to medicine. In addition to my bodily in- firmities, I find great languor in my spiritual affec- tions. for a more ardent desire to be instru- mental in promoting the glory of God. May I not, blessed Jesus, leave myself with thee ? Wilt thou AT JEWETT CITY. 99 not guide me and lead me back to thy fold, and make me faithful the short time I have to continue on earth? Thou knowest my weakness, my insta- bility, my dim vision of eternal things, and my in- gratitude. Pardon my wanderings, revive my lan- guid affections, and fit me for all thy pleasure." Here closes the little journal he kept of his brief stay in Jewett City ; and we regret to say he has left behind him nothing further in the shape of a journal. Had he continued to make and preserve even such hasty notices of his efforts from day to day, and the blessing that followed them, it is only known to God how extensively the record of them might have been blessed in inciting others to duty. On the last page of the journal we have a memo- randum of " Books out" including Baxter's Call and a few works of kindred character, the loaning of which, as he judged them adapted to the state of particular individuals, was one of his accustomed means of usefulness. From another memorandum it appears, that while he was performing the labors of love above recounted, he worked fifty-seven days, at seventy- five cents a day. Here was a mechanic perform- ing his daily task on hire, establishing and sus- taining a religious meeting at the boarding-house on Wednesday evenings, a meeting of the people LofC. 100 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. of God for prayer on Sabbath mornings at sun- rise, and though he went about three miles to attend public worship, throwing his efforts into a Sabbath-school at 5 P. M., and instructing a class ; devoting Sabbath evenings to meetings and family visitation ; conversing with the sick, the careless, the anxious, and those indulging a hope ; distrib- uting tracts ; endeavoring to awaken an interest in the benevolent operations of the day ; keeping a brief diary ; abounding in prayer ; and adopting, with others, incipient measures, which proved successful, for the formation of a church, and the settlement of an evangelical pastor. Many a pro- fessed Christian, as he goes out on a journey, or to tarry among strangers, " leaves his religion behind him." Not so our brother: "I hope," was his language, "that God has sent me here to advance his cause" The friend with whom he lodged says, " Religion was always first in his mind. If he entered a family, after the usual salutations, this subject was immediately introduced. In promoting the Sab- bath-schools, he would go out into the highways, and wherever he found those of suitable age, how- ever far from God they might seem, would gain their attention, and, if possible, bring them in. Six or eight wild boys from twelve to seventeen years old were thus induced to attend, were led AT COVENTRY. 101 to see tlieir ruin by sin, and brought hopefully to Christ. Some of them became teachers in the school. One of them, a little before the death of Mr. Page, expressed an earnest desire to see him ; and said that but for his efforts he must have been, to all human view, an eternal outcast. The meet- ings in the boarding-house were continued about a year after he left us, and the saving influences of the Holy Spirit descended upon them." The gentleman whom he addressed by letter, July 15, publicly professed Christ, and frequently spoke of Mr. Page's faithful efforts for his salvation. A daughter of one of the families he visited, lamented on her death-bed that she had not heeded his ad- monitions. " Oh," said she, " that I could see that Mr. Page. that I had regarded his warnings !" At the close of the evening he often spent much time in his chamber before retiring to rest, some- times till a late hour, doubtless wrestling with God in prayer for the individuals with whom during the day he had been conversing. "We now return with our brother to his peaceful home, where his health for several weeks contin- ued feeble, and forbade his returning to labor at Jewett City as he had intended. But it appears, that though in " much debility of body," and for a time " unable to converse much," he did not re- 102 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. linquish the one prime object of his life. On the 18th of August he thus wrote to C. H. H., a young lady who had been for some time anxious for her soul. " According to your own confession, your case is deplorable indeed. Convinced of the necessity of religion, and of the vanity of all earthly pursuits, you still choose the way to death. But stop ; is C a in the way to death ? can it be possible that she has lived three months sensible of her danger, and knowing her duty, without casting herself, a guilty rebel, at the foot of the cross ? remember, the Saviour will not always call. Continuing to reject him, the day of your calamity is at hand. The eternal sorrows that shall come upon you make haste. Think again of his melting invitations : ' Look unto me, and be ye saved.' ' Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the wa- ters.' Slighting such calls, and abusing such priv- ileges as you enjoy, must you not deserve and receive an aggravated doom ? If these were the last words I could ever speak to you, I would say, Haste, throw yourself immediately on the mercy of God in Christ. Unless you do this, you can never enter heaven ; and unless you do it soon, it is more than probable the lamentation will be yours, ' The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved!'" AT COVENTRY. 2Q3 On the 23d of August he wrote an affectionate letter to friends in Jewett City, expressing his regret that he was unable to return ; encouraging them to persevere in duty, and enclosing a solemn appeal to his Sabbath-school class. September 5th, he transmitted, for publication in the Guardian, a sketch of the interview held with a young lady, July 22; his object being " to con- vince her that there was no obstacle on the 'part of God to her coming to him, and that the guilt of her continued impenitence rested ivholly and alone on herself. " ' I acknowledge,' she said, ' that I do love the pleasures of this world ; and that dancing, which is my favorite amusement, is one of the last things I could give up.' " 'Are you prepared then,' I asked,' to risk your eternal all, for a short season of this world's enjoy- ment ? When so much has been done for your sal- vation, will you still hazard the tremendous conse- quences of being ' a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God?' " ' However that may be,' said she, ' I shall con- tinue in my present course till the Spirit of God leads me to think and feel differently. Should I die now, I know I must be lost ; but I can see no way to prevent it. I do not desire to be miser- able ; I wish to go to heaven as well as others ; 104 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. but what can I do ? The 'prayer of the wicked is ' abomination to the Lord ;' and if I am to be saved, when God sees fit to change my heart he will do it.' "'True,' said I, "the sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord,' he neither accepts nor requires it. He requires the prayer of ' a broken and contrite spirit ;' and you can render no valid excuse for not going to him this day, and even this moment, with a spirit contrite and broken for sin. Every moral exercise of your heart, and every act of your life, that are not consistent with supreme love to God, are also an abomination in his sight. And besides all this, your impenitence and your neglect of religion is your oivn choice; for this you are guilty ; and for this, if persisted in, you will be justly condemned. If you cannot plead this excuse at the bar of God, never, I beseech you, make it again on earth. ' " After endeavoring in vain to obtain a promise that she would do so much for her salvation, as for a short season each day to call to mind and confess her sins individually to God, I left her, hop- ing that the interview would be the means at least of exciting some serious reflections. " I think we see in this example that impenitent sinners have ?to desire to become the folloivers of Christ, They wish to escape misery, and to be AT COVENTRY. 105 happy, but are unwilling humbly to accept of Christ ; and refuse to engage, for his sake, in self- denying duty. They also impliedly, if not con- fessedly, cast the blame of their impenitence on God. " Let every Christian, while so many are thus excusing and deluding themselves, be faithful in unveiling to them the real state of their hearts, and showing them their guilt and danger. Let him warn them no longer to reply against God ; show them that their excuses arise from hatred to him and his perfect law, and from their own dis- position to justify themselves. And let him add to this frequent and fervent prayer that their eyes may be opened, and that they may cast themselves on the mercy of God in Christ. "To persons of the character of the young lady above described, I would say, in the language of the apostle, that at the bar of judgment ' every mouth will be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God.' At that dread tribunal you can plead no palliation for your impenitent life. You must stand confounded, while you acknow- ledge the justice of the sentence that fixes your doom in eternal woe. Be deceived no longer. Your immortal soul is at stake. Awake now to your danger, while you are in a land of hope. Ac- knowledge yourself a vile and guilty rebel; and 106 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. remember, that you must rep&nt and believe in Christ, or you can never be admitted to the abodes of the blessed." There stands appended to a copy of this article the following note, dated 1829, in the handwriting of Mr. Page : " The young lady above described received im- pressions from this article which resulted in her hopeful conversion to God. She has since died, trusting in the merits of Christ." To Miss J. B. "Coventry, September 2a, 1821. " I hear you have not yet professed Christ before men. If you hope that you are a child of God, I think you would receive much spiritual benefit, and be instrumental of more good to others, by publicly joining yourself to his people. " The field is open to all who are willing to labor in it ; and the present is a day when none can excuse themselves for being inactive. Every hum- ble, well-directed effort for Zion's cause, God seems ready to own and bless. This is also an age and country in which females may do much to advance the Redeemer's kingdom. " And now, Miss J., can you not do more than you have done ? Is there no Christian female AT COVENTRY. 107 whom you can encourage ; no impenitent sinner whom you can warn of his danger ; no young friend whom you might hope to hring to the know- ledge of the truth ? Do be faithful to the youth around you. Pray for them, and labor with them, that they receive not the doom of the rejecters of Christ. " Your friend, "H. PAGE." To Miss P. A. ''Coventry, Monday Evening, Oct. 8, 1821. " My dear Friend — This afternoon we have committed to the dust the body of one of your inti- mate acquaintances, D. H. "Why was it not my- self? Why was it not my friend P.? We are still in the land of the living, and God grant that the remainder of our days may be spent in the ser- vice of Christ. '- Wliat are your feelings, my friend, as you re- vert to those seasons ichen the Holy Spirit spoke to your conscience, and brought you in some degree to feel your wretched condition ? Are all serious impressions banished from your mind ? Are the divine influences withdrawn for ever ? Is my friend, who was once trembling in view of her state as a sinner, now thoughtlessly pursuing her course to the world of woe ? I can hardly bear the thought. An immortal being, blessed with 108 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. a religious education — a child of many prayers, labors, and tears, continuing to reject the offers of life, and refuse the gracious calls of a bleeding Saviour ! " May I not indulge the hope, that ere this you are a child of God ; an active laborer in his vine- yard ; and prepared for the rest that ' remains for the people of God V If not, let me affectionately urge you now to aivake, to delay the work of re- pentance no longer, and to suffer the enemy of souls to gain no further advantage, lest it prove your eternal ruin. " Do not remain careless because others are so. Be an active friend of Christ yourself, and labor to bring them to be so too. " I have been but little acquainted with the religious state of the youth among us the sum- mer past, having been for some time absent ; and for the last two months my health has been so much impaired that I have had opportunity to converse with but few. But there is reason to fear that many are gliding down to the gates of death. " This may be the last time that I shall ever address you on this subject ; but when we meet at the bar of God, may it appear that these lines and our opportunities of conversation have not been in vain. Will you not write and tell me the state of AT COVENTRY. 109 your mind ? I did intend to see you again before you left Coventry, but was disappointed. " Your affectionate friend, "H. PAGE." On the 15th of March, 1822, he writes to H. D., a young relative, on business; and that part of the letter being finished, proceeds to express his regret that their personal interview when his friend was at Coventry was so short, and his hope that cor- respondence may be an acceptable and useful sub- stitute. " A thousand topics of interest," he says, " present themselves ; but all others sink into in- significance compared with eternal realities. " And now, dear cousin, permit me to speak to you particularly on your own spiritual state. From your conversation I w r as led to conclude that you did not consider yourself as having experienced that change 'from death unto life' which the Scriptures represent as indispensable to salvation. * Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' Destitute of supreme love to God, our state is indeed deplo- rable. While we are purposing at some future time to give him our hearts, an unexpected and unwelcome messenger cuts short our hopes for ever. " I can assure you, my friend, that no period of life will ever be so favorable for your accepting the offers of mercy as the present. God has said, ' I 110 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me.' I would affectionately urge yon, by all that is solemn in heaven, on earth, and in the world of despair, in a dying bed, and in the day of judgment, to delay the work of preparation for death no longer. Hasten, and flee to Christ as a ruined sinner. Days and months fly swiftly; all opportunity to make your peace with God will soon be over ; and the soul once lost, is lost for ever. "Do write me, and fully express your feelings. "Your affectionate cousin, «h. PAG-E." The following is an illustration of a final and almost desperate effort to reach the heart of one whose case seemed nearly hopeless. To Miss N. R. " The remark has often been made, that 'it will do no good to converse with N. R. on her state as a sinner; and you have probably yourself been brought to the same conclusion. "I take my pen to say a few words more to you, trembling lest it should only be the means of hard- ening you in sin. All motives from this world would lead me at once to desist. But when I look to a dying hour, and a little beyond, into an un- changing eternity, I feel irresistibly impelled once more to expostulate with a perishing fellow-sinner. I beg you to receive it in kindness, and as probably AT COVENTRY. Ill the last lines or words addressed to you personally, which you will ever read or hear from me while you continue professedly the enemy of God. " And now, what shall I say? "Will you accom- pany me to that silent room ? Here lies a young lady wasted hy disease, and just on the confines of eter- nity. Approach her — the paleness of death is on her cheek. Take her by the hand — why start at its icy coldness ? it is but kindred dust. Listen to her tale. 'Alas, my friend, I am dying — I am dying. My day of grace is over. My sands are almost run. In a few moments I shall be enveloped in devouring fire. I have lived in sin, rejected Christ ; and now he hides his face from me, and there is no remedy. 0, how have Christians plead with me to make God my portion ; but I would not listen. I accused God of injustice, quarrelled with that sovereign love that would have wooed my heart ; resisted the Holy Spirit that was teaching me my lost condition and pressing me to accept of Christ. He called, but I refused ; and now he is withdrawn from me fo.r ever. 0, my friend, take warning from me. While you have the offers of mercy, flee to Christ. Make haste. Delay not a moment, lest you mingle your cries with me in the bottomless pit.' "Can you look at this melancholy picture and not apply it to yourself? Death is even now at the door. There is no time to parley with Satan 112 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. or your own heart. Heaven must be gained soon, or not at all. Christ now stands at the door and knocks. Oh, N., say not again, depart. " That you may bid Him a cordial welcome, is the earnest prayer of your affectionate friend, "E PAGE." Early in the autumn of 1822, commenced an- other precious revival of religion, which continued for several months, as the result of which, he says, in a letter to his cousin H. D., near the close of winter, "About one hundred have obtained a hope. Some of the most amiable have found their hearts violently opposed to God ; have even represented themselves as * devils incarnate ;' and found peace only in confessing all their awful guilt, and cast- ing themselves alone on the merits and mercy of Christ." In a subsequent letter to Mrs. A. A,, a distant friend, he gives the names of twenty-five of her acquaintances who had united with the church. This is all the notice he has left of ivhat he did, or felt — of his prayers, or labors, or success, or thanksgivings, during this blessed harvest of souls, a season in which he rejoiced, as fraught with the choicest of all blessings conferred by a gracious God this side of heaven. A friend, who knew him well, states that in this revival he manifested a deeper interest, and put forth more glowing and unceasing efforts than ever before. Religious meet- AT COVENTRY. 113 ings were held almost daily, and sometimes at differ- ent hours of the same day ; and usually he attended them all. Personal conversation with individuals, the careless, the inquiring, and the young convert, was, in connection with prayer, the prominent means of his usefulness ; and for this, as oppor- tunity offered and duty seemed to call, he did not hesitate, at any and all times, to leave his business. Though he had little of this world's goods, it was generally true that he " owed no man any thing;" the necessary wants of his family were supplied ; he felt that while the influences of the Holy Spirit were descending the opportunity must be improved to pluck the golden fruit, and that whether he ob- tained a little more or a little less of this world's goods was nothing compared with the salvation of a soul. If any would censure his course, let the decision be deferred till the judgment-day. And that he may not then be found almost alone — with a little band, who supremely devoted them- selves while in this world, first to glorify God in the salvation of souls around them, and after that to make provision for the present life. In reference to Mr. Page's efforts at this season, the individual to whom his last moving appeal above quoted was addressed, relates the following incidents : " I had long been awakened, but deter- mined to let no one know it ; and made every effort Page. ' 8 114 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. to escape Mr. Page. At length, near the close of November, I attended a little meeting where I be- lieve all were indulging a hope except my brother and myself. After conversing with my brother he came to me, and wished me to tell him the state of my mind. I at first said that I was in de- spair, but from the manner of his reply perceived that he did not give full credit to my assertion. This roused my resentment, and I at once deter- mined not to speak again while he remained in the room. He pressed me to decide that I would with- out delay give my heart to Christ, but I was so angry that I would not even answer him. This conversation brought the malignity of my heart more clearly to my own view than I had ever seen it before. I could never have imagined myself to indulge such malice as I then felt towards him, and my misery was that I could assign no other reason for it but his faithfulness. Soon, as I trust, God was pleased to subdue my enmity, and my hatred to Mr. Page was at 07ice changed to love, for I saw in him the image of my blessed Redeemer" A little phrase incidentally dropped by his pas- tor, as from his window he saw him approaching in company with another., has a significant import : " There comes Mr. Page ivith another lamb." See- ing him come in that season of mercy, such a result was readily anticipated. SKETCH OF T. H. PATOO. 115 CHAPTER Y. HIS NARRATIVE OF THOMAS HAMITAH PATOO, A NATIVE OF THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS, HOPE- FULLY BROUGHT TO CHRIST IN COVENTRY. Though Mr. Page left no written memorial of his efforts, or the state of his mind during the work of grace just alluded to, the deficiency is at least partially supplied in the interesting memoir of Thomas Hamitah Patoo, which he originally pre- pared. He had often agitated the question wheth- er, even at his age, and with a rising family around him, it was not his duty to go and labor in some humble station among the heathen ; and when Patoo was located near him, he felt that Provi- dence had brought a heathen to his oivn door, and that he must omit no efforts for his salvation. Patoo had reached the age of about fourteen, when, attracted by ships which occasionally touched at his native islands', he resolved to visit America ; and to secure his purpose, jumped on board a ship with her sails spread, just in time to see his afflicted father reluctantly wave his handkerchief as a sig- nal of farewell. He arrived at Boston, and after a varied life of two or three years, and many suffer- ings occasioned by his own folly, was taken under 116 £IFE OF HARLAN PAGE. the charge of Mr. D. H., a benevolent gentleman, who, in May 1822, placed him in a pious family in Coventry, commending him to " the prayers and Christian kindness of the pastor and the whole church." " At a prayer -meeting at sunrise, in the autumn of 1822," says the narrative, " it was observed that Thomas was much affected and wept bitterly. He was made a subject of special prayer, and his con- versation at the close of the meeting evidently showed that he was under the strivings of the Holy Spirit." These impressions were deepened by the clear exhibition of truth at successive meet- ings, and its faithful personal application to him- self in private conversation. His distress was such one day, that he left home in the rain, first to find his Christian friend, and then to visit his pastor to obtain some relief. Truth presented took hold of his mind, but he rebelled against God, murmured at the conversion of a young acquaintance, and returned to spend a sleepless night in view of his hopeless condition. On the day following, his anx- iety continued unabated ; his distress was such that he could not attend to the business assigned him ; most of the day was spent in agonizing prayer ; till at length the Saviour appeared for him, his burdened conscience was relieved, and he found peace in believing. His own narrative of the way SKETCH OF T. H. PATOO. 117 in which he was led, expressed in his broken idiom, is a delightful exemplification of the power and excellency of true religion. " Question. Thomas, what was the state of your mind after the commencement of the revival in Coventry ? " Answer. Christians talk to me a great deal about my bad heart. Me think my heart good enough. " Q,. Did you then endeavor to pray? " A. Mrs. T. teach me to say Lord's prayer. I think me got no mother, no father, no sister, no brother here ; and Mrs. T. good to me, so I do as she tell me. Then I kneel down before I go to bed and say prayer. " Q,. Did you occasionally omit this duty? " A. Sometimes. Then deacon T. say you must say your prayers, Thomas, every night. Then me go pray, mad. " Q,. Had you any different feelings at the morn- ing prayer-meeting, at which you wept ? "A. Then me feel heavy ; feel afraid to die ; feel sorry for my sin. Me try to pray, ' Our Fa- ther.' Me go home, think what minister say, then I pray. Next day forget it all — then feel light. " &. When you went to the inquiry-meetings how did you feel ? " A. I feel good some ; then I feel heavy again. 11.8 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. When minister say all about poor sinner, then I feel sorry. " Qi. What were your feelings at the meeting for inquiry on Sabbath evening ? " A. Heart feel hard. Somebody tell me J. B. got a new heart. I feel angry. " Q,. How did you spend the Tuesday following? 11 A. Me want to see minister. I set out — go part way, feel so bad can go no further ; then kneel down by a great rock and pray. Me say, Lord, have mercy on poor Thomas, poor heathen ; give him new heart — take away old heart — give him new heart now. Then I go on. Go in minister's barn — 'fraid to go in house — then I pray again. Then look round and say, God make this hay, this grain, all these things — why can't God make me new heart ? Me wipe tears off my cheeks, but they come again. Then go in house. Mrs. C. say, What the matter, Thomas ; you hurt you ? I so 'shamed, me say, it rains out doors. Want to have her think it rain on my face. " Q,. What did you say to the minister ? " A. Me say, me got that bad heart yet. " Q/. Did you feel glad when told that J. B. had a new heart ? " A. No, sir ; me feel bad — me feel very heavy — me want to come first, before any body get in. When me go away, hope me come to be like J. B. SKETCH OF T. H. PATOO. 119 H Q,. How did you feel that night and the day following ? " A. That night me feel heavy — heavy all over. Eyes all tears — could no sleep. Next day, feel so all time. Afternoon go work in barn with W. ; could no work. Feel me want to pray. Tell W. we kneel down. Then me say, Lord, have mer- cy on poor Thomas, poor W. ; give us new hearts. Then me think about Jesus Christ, and about Chris- tian folks. Me never feel so before. Heavy all gone. Then me love to pray, and say, Our Fa- ther, and thank great God he give J. B. a new heart. Then me think me feel to love Christ ; me go up on hay to find him — pray to him. Then me think Christ everywhere. Then come down. " Q,. What were your feelings during the meet- ing in the evening ? " A. Me want to shake hands with the minister, then feel to love all Christians. " Q,. How do you think you know a Christian from an impenitent sinner ? " A. Christian shake hand hard — -his hand feel warm — sinner no shake hand. " &. What do you mean by a new heart ? " A. A heart that feel to love good thought. " &. How do you know your heart to be soft now ? " A. Why, me no feel mad to any body ; if man strike me, no want to strike him back again, 120 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " After his conversion, his advancement in divine knowledge was rapid. The Holy Spirit seemed to teach him to understand the truths of God, and as far as understood, they evidently produced the fruits of holiness." He had a great desire to unite with the church at the approaching communion, and when the pas- tor informed him, that at the suggestion of his dis- tant friend, it was thought best that his admission be deferred, he replied with great feeling, " If, sir, you think best, then me wait ; but may be me die soon — then me never own Christ before men." He adorned the Christian character, loved the Bible, prayed much, especially for his own rela- tives and countrymen, for the heathen, and the impenitent in Christian lands ; and, like the friend who made him the object of his Christian love and more than paternal regard, and wrote his history, he put forth his most ardent efforts to bring shiners to Christ. The statements in the two following communications are full of import, and have an impressive bearing on the immediate object of this work. The first is from a young lady who had long been convicted of sin, and was still cherishing a rebellious heart. " After our friend Thomas indulged a hope, I endeavored," she says, *'to avoid him as much as possible; but one day, after conversing with my SKETCH OF T. H. PATOO. 121 sister, and expressing much joy because she had got a new heart, he turned to me and said, 'N., why you no give up that bad heart ? Why you no come with C. and be a Christian ? Me want you be a Christian too !' In order to evade what he said, and prevent his saying more, I replied, 1 Thomas, why did you never speak to me about these things before? Perhaps, had you been as faithful in talking to me as you have been to my sister, I too should have had a new heart.' With an expression of deep regret, he replied, ' N., me very sorry me no talk to you before. Me pray for you before, and noiv me talk to you.' After this, he embraced every opportunity of affec- tionately urging upon me immediate submission to Christ. " In the height of the revival, when a number of Christian friends were spending the day at our house, feeling no disposition to be with them, I retired to another room, and there stayed meditat- ing on my hopeless condition. It was not long before some one rapped at the door, and who was it but Thomas. He immediately began in the most feeling manner, to entreat me to submit to Christ without delay. ' Christ ready to receive you — all the good Christians want you to come — angel in heaven ready to rejoice over you ; why you no come V After conversing in this manner 122 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. for some minutes, he was silent. At length, look- ing at me most expressively, he said, ' Me sorry me no talk to you before. Me pray for you ; me want to pray ivith you.' TVe knelt, and Thomas poured forth the feelings of his heart in language like this : 1 mercy, Father, have mercy on us sinners. Have mercy on this friend. Pray this friend may now give up that bad heart to Christ, and not go to hell,' etc. It was the burden of his prayer, that I might then submit to Christ. I will leave others to judge what were my feelings, to have this hea- then, who had but just learned there was a God, on his knees pleading for mercy on me a stubborn sinner, hardened under the meridian light of the gospel." The other communication to which we have re- ferred is from one now a minister of the gospel, and was made to Mr. Page a few months previous to his death : " The first time I saw Thomas after he thought he had been born again, was on Sabbath, Decem- ber 8, 1822. I was then groaning under convic-, tions of sin — I felt myself lost. It seemed that there was but a step between me and hell. I longed to converse with some one, but I was too proud to tell any one how I felt. "Thus situated, Thomas approached me, and began to question me about my spiritual condition. SKETCH OF T. H. PATOO. 123 I told him I felt that there was no hope for me : I had sinned against so much light, and so many strivings of the Spirit. " He proceeded to urge me to immediate sub- mission. ' Why you no give up that bad heart ? It will do you no good to keep it. It will destroy you for ever. Give it up noiv to Christ. Christ ready to give you a new, a good heart. Me hope me have given my bad heart to him. Me hope me have a new one. 0, sir, do give up your bad heart.' <; I told him I wished I could, but it was so hard I could not : something was in the way, I did not know what. ** This excuse did not satisfy him. It only led him to press home with more earnestness the duty of immediately giving up my bad heart to Christ. " I felt so distressed, I begged him to pray for me. This was the first time in my life that I ever had made such a request, and the very asking him to pray for me deepened my impressions. It came to my mind immediately, ' What, must you, a gos- pel-hardened rebel, call in to your help the prayers of a poor Marquesan, who has but just been con- verted from the worship of idols ? He has just now heard of Christ, and received him as his Sav- iour ; you have heard of him for years, and have 124 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. been slighting his salvation, despising his offers of mercy, trampling on his blood, and grieving his Spirit.' These reflections were like daggers to my soul. " Thomas promised to pray for me, but left me saying, ' O, sir, give up that bad heart now.' This sentence was the most powerful sermon I ever heard ; it contained the eloquence of the Spirit ; and coming in the way it did, with an expression of the most tender pity and concern, left an im- pression on my mind which, I trust, will never -be effaced. I have always considered his earnest exhortation to me at that time, as the principal means in the hand of God of my conversion?' In March, 1823, Mr. Page accompanied Patoo to the foreign mission school, then in operation in Corn- wall, Connecticut, where he hoped to become quali- fied to return as a messenger of Christ to his native islands. On the 30th of March he thus wrote to Mr. Page : "My dear Christian Friend — I have received your very kind letter, and am now happy to answei it. One of my brothers writes for me, because I can't write well enough yet. I tell him what to write, so the word be some like Thomas. I very glad the great G-od in heaven make the Coventry people pray for poor heathen where there is no SKETCH OF T. H. PATOO. 125 Saviour. I think they pray for me too, that I be prepared to tell the heathen all about the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. I rejoice a great deal to hear about sinner come to Christ and get a new heart. I hope the good work con- tinue always among you, so I rejoice always. The people here have no revival — no pray enough. I sorry; I hope we pray enough by and by. We have good many meetings, but no feel. u I hope I go home by and by, and have sinner come to God in my country. Yes, my dear Mr. Page, / go, if I live to be ready. We have some scholars no love the Saviour. I tell them they must be born again or go to hell. I talk to some sinner all about they no come to Christ. I tell them I come away from heathen land, and find a good Saviour : they been here so long, and no come to Christ. You must pray a great deal for poor sinners in Cornwall school. May be we have a revival here. "I must close now. I think I pray every day for you and all my friends. The great God bless you and make you do good while you live ; and when you and I die, may we meet and shake hand in heaven, and stay always with our Saviour and all who love him. 61 Your true friend, "PATOO." 126 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. This promising youth, in the mysterious provi- dence of God, was called, on the 9th of June fol- lowing, to join the lamented Henry Obookiah in a better world. As he stood with Mr. Page over Obookiah's grave, in Cornwall, three months be- fore, he said, with great solemnity, "May be, I lie here too." He remained steadfast, and in sickness and death gave delightful evidence of divine sup- port. Further particulars may be learned from the memoir, which is published by the American Tract Society. In the journey to Cornwall with Patoo, Mr. Page passed a Sabbath in Torringford with the venerable father of Samuel J. Mills, whose name is so dear to all the friends of missions. He attended the religious meetings of the congregation ; and feel- ing a deep interest that the work of God should be revived among them, he, on returning to Coventry, engaged Christians to pray for them, and wrote to the family of Mr. Mills an affectionate letter. In their reply, they say, "We hope we shall ever have reason for gratitude that Providence directed your steps here, and gave you an opportu- nity to address this people. There seemed to be a general impression that day, that God was about to visit us again. Christians began to feel that they must sleep no longer, and that something must be MISSION-ROOM, ANDOVER. 127 done. The next Sabbath evening, though the weather was very unfavorable, five of the breth- ren called unexpectedly to spend a little season in prayer, and we have not, for many months, wit- nessed so much solemnity. Last evening we had twice the number, and evidently increasing fervor, and one instance of awakening was reported. " We mention these circumstances that you may know our state, as you manifested a deep interest in our spiritual welfare ; and to engage a renewed interest in your prayers." 128 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER VI. CLOSE OF HIS LABORS IN COVENTRY. In the summer of 1823 he had another violent attack of fever, with a renewed inflammation of the liver, by which he was brought, as he and those around him supposed, to the last moments of life. " He was calm," says one who watched at his bedside, "but did not receive such measures of grace as were imparted to him when God's time had come for him to die." Thus did his heavenly Father see fit again to discipline him for further usefulness. On regaining essentially his health, he was in- duced to direct his attention chiefly to the business of engraving, which led to his being employed for a time by the American Tract Society, then exist- ing at Boston, the business of which was chiefly conducted at Andover. "We find him, on the 17th July, 1824, in the museum of the " Society of In- quiry respecting Missions, in the Theological Semi- nary at Andover," writing a description of some of the interesting objects before him, for the benefit of the Sabbath- school he had left in Coventry. MISSION-ROOM, ANDOVER. 129 To the Members of the First Sabbath-school Class. " Missionary Room, Theol. Sem., Andover. " My dear Friends — With no less than six gods of the heathen before me, I am now seated to re- deem my pledge of a letter. One of these gods is from the Sandwich Islands, and was worshipped by Tamahamaha, the king; and though larger, is similar to the one in New Haven, a picture of which you have seen. " The remainder are Hindoo gods. One from Bengal is in the form of a man, about twelve inches high, painted white, with tinsel around the shoul- ders, waist, wrists, and ancles, having the appear- ance of gold and silver, with red and green colors intermingled. Its hair resembles the fibres of the black ostrich feather, and on its head is a small cap. It would, in short, make a beautiful doll*; yet this is none other than the famous god Vishnu, which human beings like ourselves worship. " The next is Krishnu the god of music, a favor- ite god of the Indian women. It is about ten inches in height, perfectly black, and with its arms in the position of playing on an instrument. " The other three are brass, five or six inches high, representing the god Vishnu in different in- carnations. The head and body are like a man with four arms, while the lower part of one termi- nates in a fish, and of another in a tortoise. In such 130 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. odious forms the Hindoos believe their gods de- scended to the earth. How is it possible that the mind of man can be so debased as to pay homage to such horrid objects ? " I now turn with pleasure to the ollas, or palm leaves, on which are written the gospels of Matthew and Mark in Cingalese, presented by our mission- aries in Ceylon. The leaves are about fourteen inches long and two wide, straight and smooth, written very handsomely on both sides, in per- fectly straight lines. Perhaps these two gospels fill one hundred and fifty of the leaves, which are connected by strings passing through them, so that they can be opened and read, or folded very com- pactly together in a small bundle. Another is 'Devout meditations in Tamul,' written on the olla by a native convert of Swartz, and is used as a school-book on the Malabar coast. It was pre- sented by Christian David, from whom we have had many interesting communications. " I next look at the earnings which were given by Catharine Brown to aid the Palestine mission, and were redeemed by some ladies and placed here ; valued at sixteen dollars. Happy would it be, should many of our females cast their useless ornaments into the treasury of the Lord. By this means alone, many now enveloped in pagan dark- ness might be brought to rejoice in the light and MISSION-ROOM, AND0VER. 131 salvation of our God. Catharine ivorked ivhile it was day, and is now gone to her rest. " I here see also a twig from a tree over the grave of Harriet Newell. Though her precious dust there moulders in a pagan land, she will never regret — no, never — her sacrifices for a perishing world. " While sitting here, I cannot but reflect on the^ deplorable condition of those who have not the gospel. Contrast our situation with theirs, and it seems a paradise. Let us do all in our power, that the news of a Saviour may be soon extended to every corner of the globe. " I left you, my friends, with regret. I hope you are all making advances in holiness, as well as in divine knowledge. Live not, my friends, as do others. Be eminently devoted to God. Let the lukewarm Christian be reproved when he beholds your life, and the impenitent sinner plainly discern the difference between ' him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.' Then will your life be happy, and at death you shall enter into the joy of your Lord. " A work of grace seems to be silently in prog- ress in this place, and a powerful revival has re- cently commenced in Salem. Pray for me. " Your affectionate friend, "H. PAOE." 132 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. To a young lady of a family in which he some weeks resided, he wrote the following awakening note : "Sabbath Evening, September 19, 1824. " My friend M. lives, I fear, alas, without hope, and without God in the world. No title to a heav- enly inheritance ; no Saviour to cheer her in sor- row ; none on whom to lean when nature is dis- solving ; none to welcome her to the abodes of the blessed ! " Is such the deplorable state of the friend I am addressing? Ah, M., your prospects are gloomy indeed. A few more days of delay, and your pro- bation is closed ; hope dies ; and a long eternity will echo and reecho, Wrath to come — wrath to come. " The less feeling you may have on this subject, the more alarming your condition. Up, then, M., and flee for life. There is not a moment to be lost. While you wait, your sins are increasing ; the Saviour is rejected; the Holy Spirit resisted; and there is reason to fear he will leave you for ever. Now, what is your decision ? What course, M., will you take ? Now salvation is offered. The door of mercy is open, after so many years spent in sin. Come, I entreat you, as a penitent prodigal, and cast yourself on the mercy of an injured and bleeding Saviour. " Your friend and well-wisher, «h. PAGE." AT COVENTRY. 133 The following is the last letter which has come to hand, written previous to his leaving Coventry : To c. B. "Coventry, Friday, P. M., Nov. 26, 1824. "As I take my pen, I call to mind that once you indulged the hope that you were a friend of God, and even contemplated uniting with the visible church. What, C, is now the state of your soul? " Am I then addressing an impenitent sinner ? If so, what shall I say? The exhortations you received while under the strivings of the Spirit, can hardly have ceased ringing in your ears. The threatenings of Jehovah and a long catalogue of sins still lie against you. An opening eternity and a judgment-day are just before you — and here you live on the forbearance of God, with no Saviour to befriend you, and no Holy Spirit to console you ; and all your life, through fear of death, subject to bondage. Your case, my friend, is deplorable in- deed ; and in view of it, what will you do ? Will you still give no listening ear to the tender expos- tulations of a dying Saviour ? Will you continue to grieve that holy Comforter by whose influence alone you can be saved? Will you not stop, C, and make the interests of your soul the first object of your life ? Wait not for another revival of re- ligion. Before it shall arrive the monument of 134 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. death may tell the passing stranger, 'Here lies C. B.' Now is your best, perhaps your only time. Let me affectionately urge you, by all the motives which can be drawn from heaven, earth, and hell, to escape for your life. After waiting so long, Christ is still willing to receive you as a humble penitent trusting in his mercy, and in no other character can you ever be saved. Methinks while you read you will come to the resolution, that let others do what they will, you 'will serve the Lord.' Do you resolve thus ? God and yourself only know. " Affectionately yours, "H. PAG-E." Mr. Page's connection with the Tract Society at Boston, led to his appointment as Depositary of the American Tract Society, formed at New York in the spring of 1825. A few items of his history previous to his leaving his native place, remain yet to be gathered. " During the eight years that he passed under my ministry," says his respected pastor, " he ex- hibited much decision of religious character, and much zeal and activity in the cause of Christ. Uncontrollable providences only could keep him from the house of God, where he performed a prominent part in his praises, and in the instruc- LABORS AT COVENTRY. 135 tion of the Sabbath-school. Very few sermons were preached on the Sabbath or on weekdays which he did not hear, and the plans of which he did not preserve in writing. In seasons of the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he was one of the first to ' hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry-trees,' and to bestir himself. He was in the conference and prayer-meetings, and his voice was heard in earnest supplication for the conversion of sinners. " He would converse faithfully with the careless, and search out and report to the pastor those who were seriously impressed. In the examination of candidates for admission to the church, not itnfre- quent references were made to his conversation as a means of awakening their attention ; and there is evidence that he contributed an important instru- mentality in the conversion of many sinners. In seasons of spiritual declension, he did not feel that direct efforts for the conversion of men might be omitted ; and though few attended the prayer-meet- ings, he was sure to be one. If a little company united in concert prayer, or private prayer, he was among them. For a long period, three or four breth- ren, of whom he was one, devoted one evening in each week to prayer in the meeting-house, where, in secret, and without light for the natural eye, they supplicated the descent of the Spirit. Neither 136 iilFE OF HARLAN PAGE. the members of the church nor the pastor knew of the meeting, till, at the approach of winter, it was transferred to his study ; they received a large accession to their number, were cheered with the special presence of the Comforter, and it proved the commencement of an interesting revival of religion " In seasons of stupidity, brother Page found in- dividuals in whose spiritual welfare he manifested much interest by conversing and praying with them ; and his labors in this respect were not in vain in the Lord. From the time of his conver- sion so long as a resident here, he was ardent, active, and untiring; this characterizes the man; and his efforts were principally directed to one object, the conversion of 'sinners ." A valuable friend, Mr. D. W., who was very intimate with Mr. Page, says, that at the close of religious meetings, his mind v/ould often become intensely fixed upon the conversion of some impeni- tent individual. He would address the individual with great solemnity, urging an immediate compli- ance with the terms of the gospel ; and as his friend accompanied him homewards, such was sometimes the pressure upon his heart, that they would seek a retired spot, and there, even in the depth of winter, kneel and plead with God for the person's salvation. His anxiety for individuals was fre- quently such that he could not rest, but would LABORS AT COVENTRY. 137 leave his business to seek an interview with them, or address them by letter or pray for them. Many of these efforts were so retired that his wife came to the knowledge of them only as he alluded to them in their private supplications to God. " At social interviews," says the same friend, " when a number of relatives met, and God and the value of the soul seemed to be forgotten, he would sometimes beckon to me, and we would go out, seek a place of retirement, and join in prayer for some perishing sinner ; and then return to the company under the hallowed influence of such an exercise." Captain T., a few days after his death, with tears fast flowing down his cheeks, bore witness to his fidelity to souls ; and added, " But for the efforts of Mr. Page and a dear Christian friend of his, my soul, to all human view, must have been lost." Rev. M. B. says, "I was attending Mr. Page's school when he became a Christian, and never shall I forget how he talked to us with tears, and prayed with us. It was then that my mind was first seriously impressed" Mr. D. N. says, Mr. Page's faithful conversation, as they were on the way to a prayer-meeting, was the means of tearing from him a false hope, and bringing him at length, as he trusts, to the saving knowledge of Christ. 138 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. Another estimable friend, Mr. C. T., says, "His Christian character was unusually even, and unu- sually elevated. He deeply sympathized with those in affliction and trials, and was ever ready to minister to their necessities, and contribute to their comfort. But his great object was to benefit the sotd, to bring the impenitent to Christ, and to awaken and quicken the people of God. I have often heard persons in relating their religious ex- ercises say, ' Mr. Page's conversation first led me to think seriously of my soul and eternity.' " There was an interesting little meeting," al- luded to above by the pastor, " of which I think he was the mover, in which a few brethren, re- siding four or five miles apart, united in secret for prayer, and which was continued for about two years. They conversed, they wept, they prayed. He encouraged them to persevere, occasionally selected particular individuals as subjects of unit- ed prayer, and sometimes would earnestly inquire, ' Is there any thing whereby we cannot be agreed in this thing ? Is there any unkind feeling among us ? What is it that hinders the blessing V And this course was pursued till God appeared in the salvation of sinners. " Many, very many with whom he conversed and prayed were impressed at different times, little being known of his efforts for them till their hope- LEAVING COVENTRY 139 ful conversion. His anxiety for them was often very great. He was distressed for them. From time to time he would say to a Christian brother, 4 Pray for such a one ;' and it seemed that he could not give over till they were brought to repentance, and sometimes almost that he must sink unless they were converted. " He loved those who reflected the image of Christ, and to pray and weep and rejoice with them. I have just met a brother who said, ' Were I to recall former scenes, I could tell many times when I have kneeled down alone with brother Page to pray.' " One consideration that satisfied his mind of the propriety of changing his sphere of effort was, that he could think of no young person ivithin the bounds of the congregation — and the young he ever con- sidered as, under God, the hope of the church — whom he had not seriously addressed, either person- ally or by letter, on the subject of their salvation. Many of them had already united with the church, while others had become apparently insensible to the motives of the gospel. We have taken some pains to ascertain the sub- sequent history of the several individuals to whom the moving appeals inserted or referred to above were addressed, and the initials of many of whom 140 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. are given; and though, four or five have continued still far from God, and two or three who appeared to run well for a time have faltered in their course, and the subsequent history of several is unknown, yet upwards of thirty are recognized who have either hopefully died in Christ, or still live adorn- ing their profession of faith in him. A reference has also been made to lists of schol- ars belonging to the two schools in Coventry taught by Mr. Page, one for five and the other for two winters, being one hundred and ninety-five in all, the history of seventy of whom is unknown, and of the remaining one hundred and twenty-five, eighty- four are thought to have given evidence of piety, and six are preachers of the gospel. It is probable that his efforts for individuals were the means of increasing the obduracy of some, and of exciting in others a degree of personal hostility. The danger of both these results he seriously con- sidered, and scrupulously endeavored to direct all his efforts with that kindness and discretion which should give no just occasion for either. But he came to the deliberate conclusion, that if he would be truly faithful, such results could not be wholly avoided ; and made up his mind to do what the claims of God and of perishing souls required, leav- ing the results with him. To withhold the truths of the gospel because LEAVING COVENTRY. 141 they may be perverted, would be to stop the mouth of every minister, and prevent the circulation of the pure word of God itself. " We," says the great apostle to the Gentiles, " are a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other a savor of life unto life." Such is the effect of the gospel in every form in which it can be presented, though by " an angel from heaven ;" and in the mind of Him who com- manded it to be " preached to every creature," it constitutes no objection and no excuse for neglect of duty in any one, from the preacher addressing the great congregation, to the Bible and Tract distributer, the Sabbath-school teacher, and the humblest Christian who speaks a word to one of his fellow-men for Christ and eternity. 142 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER VII. FROM THE TIME OF HIS CONNECTION WITH THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY TO THE REVIVAL OF 1831— EMBRACING THE PERIOD OF THE SIG- NAL DISPLAYS OF DIVINE GRACE IN THE TRACT AND BIBLE HOUSES. We now follow our brother into a new sphere of action — a plain and humble Christian, a stranger in a large city full of display and dissipation and crime, and with his hands full of responsible labor for a public institution. Being appointed Agent of the General Depos- itory of the American Tract Society, formed at New York in 1825, he arrived in that city October 1 Oth of that year. He had a few months before been spending some time in Norwich, Conn., in drawing and engraving, and was strongly inclined to com- ply with a request to locate himself there ; but he felt that the opening for usefulness in connection with the American Tract Society was such that he " could not conscientiously decline it." He had visited the city, and the responsibilities involved with the question whether his family could live on the compensation proposed caused him to pass a NEW FIELD OF LABOR. 143 sleepless night, till the text, " Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou divell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed" resolved his doubts, and he determined to follow the indications of Provi- dence and commit his way to him. The pressure of duty of which he speaks in the following letter rested upon him henceforward till his death, rendering his future correspondence comparatively brief, and confined to the points of practical interest which had at the moment the strongest hold on his mind. "New York, July 11, 1826. " Honored and dear Parents — I can write only a few hasty lines. My time is all so occupied that I can devote very little to friends, far less than I could desire, even to my dear father and mother. " Cousin H. P. left us last week for Troy, on her way to Vermont. She is an interesting girl. Since she came here, I think there has been a material change in her character. She once thought that she lived in the enjoyment of religion, but grieved the Spirit, and for a long time neglected prayer. I think now there are many favorable indications in her case. " I have lately taken the superintendence of a branch Sunday-school, connected with the Central 144 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. church in Broome-street ; the old school to retain one hundred and fifty scholars, and mine to be in- creased till they are equal, and then add to both. "We have two large and commodious rooms, and hope both schools, if we can get teachers, will soon embrace five hundred scholars. I don't know but I am taking too much upon me, but the request was so urgent that I could not deny it. With divine influence, it is a great field for usefulness. " I heard that a Wednesday evening prayer- meeting was attended in Coventry, and that but three male members were present besides Rev. Mr. C. Alas, how fallen! Is he not almost discour- aged ? Shall there be no ' Aarons and Hurs ' to hold up his hands ? " Your affectionate son, "H. PAGE." Just before leaving his family, the young lady above alluded to wrote him a letter, expressing her sense of the dangerous condition in which she had been living, and her need of divine grace and strength to keep her from falling, and adds the grateful acknowledgment, " I feel, cousin H., that you have been an instru- ment in the hand of God of awakening me, and directing me to a throne of mercy ; and could I approach it in an acceptable manner, I know you would be amply rewarded for all the anxiety you AT NEW YORK. 145 liave felt on my account. I beg of you still to pray the Lord to have mercy upon me, to give me a sense of sin, to guard me against temptation, and to forgive and receive me." From Troy she again wrote hirn a full letter, describing her religious feelings, thanking him for his fidelity, and asking his prayers ; and soon pro- ceeded on her way to Vermont ; but before arriv- ing at the place of her destination, she was called to her eternal state. On the 15th September, one of the officers of the church in Coventry wrote him, bewailing the prevalent declension in religion. " The vacancy caused by your removal," he adds, " is not filled. Many who used to lead in our prayer-meetings are removed ; others have retired, and the efficient, energetic members of the church are greatly dimin- ished ; yet I hope there are some who are mourn- ing over the desolations of Zion." In a letter from Mr. Page to his parents, Decem- ber 15, he gives the following items : " Last evening we had the male and female chil- dren of our two Sabbath-schools arranged in the church, each side of the middle aisle, filling the slips from the pulpit to the door ; one hundred and thirty-four boys and nearly as many girls, with forty Page. 10 146 LIFE OF HARLAN'PAGE. teachers, were present. Hev. Mr. J. addressed them, and commanded the strictest attention. " We have at this time a great press of busi- ness . Within a little more than a week I have sent off, for different parts of our country, not far from 1,700,000 pages of tracts. Should each tract be accompanied by the divine blessing in sancti- fying and saving a soul, what an amount of good would be effected !" We cannot but feel grateful for a few such let- ters as the following, addressed to his beloved parents ; detailing with childlike simplicity, as a means of rendering them content that he should be absent from them, some of the indications that God was blessing his efforts. "Sabbath Evening, 10 o'clock, March 11, 1827. " My dear Parents — Expecting an opportunity to send to-morrow, I improve a few moments to speak of the goodness of God to us, and of some interesting things which have recently occurred. " O. R. K. arrived on Thursday. I hoped to hear by him of a powerful revival of religion in Coven- try, and that many of my acquaintance were sub- jects of it ; but I am disappointed. What can be the cause ? Why is not the church awake ? Is any darling sin of more value than immortal souls ? I will however give thanks, that some have been TRACT AND BIBLE HOUSES. 147 born into the kingdom of Christ. Remember me with much affection to them all. " Besides a press of labor at the depository, I have my hands full of business more directly connected with the welfare of souls. " In the Sabbath-school under my charge are about twenty teachers, one half of whom were, not long since, without hope. Six of that number, promising young men, now give evidence of piety, and the remainder, I think, are unusually serious. One of the little boys I found to-day to be distressed for his sins, though the scholars in general are very careless. The school to-day consisted of one hun- dred and sixty-two boys. In the female school there have also been some conversions. 11 A teachers 1 r prayer-meetingY&& been held week- ly for both schools, and has been very solemn and interesting. At the last meeting about thirty were present. In sustaining this, considerable respon- sibility rests upon me. " In the congregation too, a wide field for effort is open, and there are very few efficient male members of the church. About fifteen attended the last inquiry-meeting ; a number were deeply affected. There have been several instances of conversion besides those mentioned above. ' ' In the Tract and Bible houses we have lately had a season of uncommon interest. A work of 148 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. grace commenced a few weeks since among the young women employed in the two houses in fold- ing and stitching Bibles and Tracts, as the fruits of which we now number about sixteen hopeful con- versions. It has been a most interesting and won- derful display of God's power and grace. On one day seven of them hope that they were brought from nature's darkness into the light and liberty of the gospel. That was one of the most interesting days of my life. Twice or thrice I was sent for to pray with them, and to take the hand of those who had just been brought to bow at the Saviour's feet, while with tears streaming from their eyes, they expressed the hope that they had surrendered themselves entirely to Him. Two of these had thought that I talked too severely, and discouraged them ; they now wished to thank me for the very efforts in their behalf, of which they had before complained. To see those who were brought to hope in Christ clinging around their former com- panions in sin, and with tears beseeching them to come at once to the Saviour they had found so precious, was enough to move a heart of stone. I could say much more ; but this must suffice. It was indeed the wonderful power of God. This week we design to have a general meeting for all employed in both houses, male and female, and hope God has still greater blessings in store. The AN INTERESTING DAY. 149 meetings have hitherto been sustained chiefly by those connected with the societies, and an active Christian who resides near. " I say these things that you may see that I have a field in which I may labor to good advan- tage ; whether I enter it with all my heart is an- other question. " My love to my dear sister. " Your affectionate son, "H. PAGE." We well remember the day above alluded to. A glow of heavenly ardor burned in our brother's countenance ; and when attempting to pursue his accustomed business, his mind seemed scarcely to know how his hands were employed. His inmost spirit seemed on fire with love to souls, and joy and exultation in the triumphs of divine grace. "Never before," said he, "have I so sensibly felt the presence of the Spirit, or the force of those words, ' Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.' " In a letter to his parents, August 21, 1827, he expresses great alarm at the pi'evalence of iniquity and infidelity in the city, and mentions that a club of infidels regularly assembled on Sabbath evening, in a spacious room, where their principles were inculcated in every alluring and deceptive form upon the minds of hundreds. 150 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " Pray for us," he proceeds. " Were it not that the Lord of hosts is jealous for his own glory, we should have nothing to expect hut to see the wicked triumph. When will God's people put on the har- ness ? " I have "been exerting myself to have a numher of theological students engaged among the poor and destitute of the city during their vacations. The Central church will employ one or two. It is be- lieved that not far from 100,000 inhabitants of this city attend on no regular religious instruction. I ask again, pray for us. We need now forty mis- sionaries with the zeal of Paul, to proclaim God's truth to these perishing multitudes. But no per- severing energetic means are yet adopted to obtain any. v The facts concerning the infidel meetings above referred to, Mr. Page at this time carefully col- lected and published in the religious papers, as an incitement to Christians generally to redouble their exertions. One of the four individuals who so long met in con- cert for private prayer at Coventry, writes to Mr. Page, August 25, that he had just attended a prayer- meeting at his father's, where his children were present on a visit, and adds, " While pleading for them, my heart was very much enlarged ; I seemed LETTER TO COVENTRY, 151 to climb up near to my heavenly Father ; and call- ing to mind the many, how many precious sea- sons I had spent in retirement with you and my two other friends, in pouring out our supplications •especially for our children, I seemed to * travail in birth' for them, till Christ should 'be formed in them ' the hope of glory." To this letter he replied as follows : " Thursday Evening, New York, Sept. 13. " My dear Brother — Your very kind and fra- ternal letter almost overwhelmed us. You know, my dear brother, the tender chords of a parent's heart, and the thrilling sensations produced when they are made to vibrate by the efforts and prayers of Christian friends, who feel for the salvation of our children. As you described the scene at my father's, and showed me my dear brethren pleading for the souls of my children, I could only weep with gratitude, that some supplications had arisen for them from those who stood near the mercy-seat. You will, I trust, remember them still. You are not forgotten in some of our little praying circles. u I was pained at your description of the prayer- meeting, where no male member of the church but yourself was present. That wretched sentiment, which releases Christians from moral obligation during harvest-time, you know I could never away with. Give my love to all the little circle; and 152 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. though we meet not again here, may we meet in heaven. " Your affectionate friend and brother, "EL PAG-E." Under date of November 4, 1827, we have a- letter from Mr. J. EL, then at Mobile, which pre- sents another example of the fidelity of Mr. Page to the members of his own household. Mrs. H. was residing in the family of Mr. Page, and had writ- ten to her husband of his fidelity in warning, in- structing, and praying for her, and of the joy and peace she then had in believing in Jesus. Mr. Page had also written him to confirm the joyful tidings. The deep emotions of the husband arc poured out in a full sheet. " It is impossible," he says, "to express the emo- tions awakened by your truly affectionate letter. My heart is so full that I scarcely know how to thank you for all your goodness to me, and above all for what you. have done for my companion. 0, my dear sir, what must be your happiness to have been the instrument in the hands of the Holy Spirit in bringing peace to the soul of our beloved A. Her whole mind seems bent upon one theme — the love of Christ.' The following is another evidence of the various methods he adopted to awaken the attention of individuals to the concerns of eternity. TO A LADY. 153 LINES RECEIVED BY A LADY UNCOMMONLY SKIL- FUL ON THE HARP AND THE PIANO. " Permit a stranger to express the delight with which, in the stillness of the evening, he has paused to listen to those notes which have been so sweetly, so plaintively, or so wildly obedient to the skill of your fingers and the emotions of your soul. Par- don me if I express some of the reflections awakened in my own mind. " ' Alas,' thought I, 4 those fingers which pro- duce such thrilling emotions will soon be motion- less in death. Those keys will no more tremble at their touch ; those notes will be hushed to silence ; and the steps of the stranger be no more arrested except by a plaintive dirge from some friend of her who sleeps in death. "What then will be her state ? Is her heart now prepared to sing the song which none but the redeemed can sing? Are her sins forgiven ? Is Christ, the bleed- ing Lamb, her chief beloved ? This to me is all unknown.' " That you may be one of the performers in that grand chorus, which ascribes ' blessing and honor and power to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever,' is the earnest prayer of an affectionate friend, who will probably be personally unknown to you until the judgment of the great day." 154 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. To Ms parents he writes, December 5, " The Lord is again doing wonders in the Bible and Tract houses. The work of grace seemed to commence anew about three weeks since, and more than tiventy have recently indulged the hope that they have been born of God. We have indeed passed through interesting scenes during this period. Last Thursday was observed by a number of us as a day of fasting and prayer. There has been one instance of hopeful conversion to-day." An estimable and pious young lady, Miss B., has informed the writer, that on becoming acquainted with Mr. Page, in 1827, he soon inquired if she was " a professor of religion ;" and' again, if she "had an interest in Christ;" if she u thought it desirable ;" if she "had sought to obtain it;" if she " had renounced the world, and resolved to live for the glory of God ;" could she " give him the reason why she had not." The impressions made on her mind by repeated conversations were such, that she could not rest till she found rest in Christ. " This result," she says, " I cannot but view as in answer to fervent prayer, and in fulfilment of the promise, ' Them that honor me, I will honor.' His life was a living epistle. Often, to this day, has the solemn question, 'Are you a professor of religion?' warned me of danger, and summoned me to duty." TO HIS PARENTS. 155 "New York, February 8, 1S28. " My dear Parents — We have felt much anxiety- respecting my father's health, fearing that God may- take him from us, and that it may be soon. " I know, my dear father, that I have done many- things which have tried your feelings, and that some of them have been inconsistent with filial duty and Christian character. These I would beg you to forgive; and while you continue here, cease not to remember me before the throne of grace, where we often attempt to present the wants of our dear parents, both for time and eternity. " I am now placed in circumstances more solemn than ever before, having been consecrated as an offi- cer in the church with which I am connected, by prayer and the laying on of hands ; and if I do not have help from God, instead of advancing, I shall only hinder his cause. The work of grace in our congregation is gradually progressing. Thirty-five were present at the last inquiry-meeting, and sev- eral have recently indulged hope, some of whom are teachers in my school. "Last evening we had a meeting, which all in the Bible and Tract houses, male and female, were invited to attend. It was very full and solemn. The day was observed by the females in the two houses as a day of prayer, and of special thanks- giving to God for what he has done for them the 156 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. past year; it being just one year from last evening that the first prayer-meeting was attended with them. " Do write immediately. " Your affectionate son, «h. PAG-E." At this time, his pastor being ill, and there being an urgent call for ministerial labor, it was proposed to request Rev. Mr. C. to leave his charge in Cov- entry, and labor a few weeks in the city. In en- deavoring to induce the church with which he had formerly been connected to yield to his request, Mr. Page thus wrote, February 28 : " I do believe, that could the good people of Coventry come here and see for themselves the great want of such labor as Mr. C. could bestow — could they see the thousands here going down to the grave and to perdition without instruction, and so many as there are among us solemnly affected in view of their sins, I am sure they would be will- ing to make any sacrifice that the great work of salvation may not be retarded. There is another world than this. Pastor and people cannot he for ever together on earth — death will sunder the stron- gest ties ; and in heaven how must it enhance the joys of the blessed, that by means of their willing sacrifices here, multitudes have been prepared to unite with them in -songs for redeeming grace. I BRIGHT ANTICIPATIONS. 157 hope the dear brethren will look at the subject with enlarged views, and pray over it, and be pre- pared to say, 'The will of the Lord be done.'" The following extract from a letter to his friend A. K., dated April 8, shows his ardent aspirations and hopes for the rapid extension of Christ's king- dom : " What, my dear brother, is the Lord about to do for our country and the world? What mean the interesting movements of the last half-year ? When I look at them and view the hand of God in them my heart warms, and I anticipate with astonishment the still more wonderful operations of his hand. This is indeed an eventful day. Every enterprise for Zion prospers. W r hat would once have occupied an age, is now performed as in a day. I rejoice, my dear brother, that you have girded on the harness, and placed yourself in the ranks of those who may lead numbers on to conflict and to victory. Be not dismayed. Even one on- set, if you never have strength to make another, may put to flight, in this day of God's power, an army of his enemies." The following day he was cheered by a letter from E. F. H., who, while a teacher in his Sab- bath-school, had been the subject of his deep anx- iety and faithful labors for his salvation, had ob- 158 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. tained hope, united with the church, and was then a memher of Middlebury college, pursuing a course preparatory to the gospel ministry. " Blessed, thrice blessed," he says, " was that hour, when the Lord directed my steps to the Sab- bath-school, where I formed a friendship with one which I hope will continue to all eternity. Yes, dear brother, it was your kind voice that was the instrument, in the hand of God, of arresting a thoughtless wretch and leading him to the Saviour. Henceforth you need never fear to converse with the impenitent, even with the careless worldling. I would address myself to you as my spiritual father, and still seek from you that advice and direction which you will not refuse to give." "New York, April 18, 1828. " My dear Sister — I suppose you are occupied with the cares and concerns of your family and of this unsatisfying world, but let me ask, What are your prospects of a better state hereafter ? Will any future season be more favorable to secure that good part which shall never be taken from you ? my sister, what will you do should death arrive before your sins are forgiven ? No parent, or hus- band, or brother can then help you. Prayer will cease to be availing. The Saviour himself will be against you. All hope must retire for ever. TO HIS SISTER. 159 " Are you clinging to an old hope which gives you composure, while you have no present evidence that your peace is made with God ? If so, aban- don it. Such a hope is often a prelude to a more awful, because unexpected doom. " Your children are rising around you, and they need a godly mother to pray with them and guide them to the Friend of sinners, and they may be for ever lost for want of such a guide. Ah, could you see them standing at the bar of Christ uncon- verted, through an affectionate mother's neglect of their souls, how would the scene rend your heart with anguish. " But I ivill hope better things. I will hope that they shall have a pious mother, and that speedily. May I not ? What will you reply ? God grant you may answer, 'Yes. From this hour I surrender myself to Christ. I will be his devoted follower. I will do all in my power for the salva- tion of my children, and for others, until my dying day ; and leave my soul with God, to dispose of me and all events according to his holy pleasure.' I have time to say no more. " Your affectionate brother, "H. PAGE." On the death of the father of Mrs. Page, Mr. Page wrote a letter of consolation to the surviving sis- ters, in which he says, 160 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. a And now, my dear sisters, let us who remain awake to duty. A dying world is perishing around us ; lost sinners are daily entering the world of woe ; and have we done all we can to prevent it ? Have w r e done all we can for our impenitent relatives and friends ? Have we prayed for them and la- bored with them, as our consciences tell us we might have done ? If there is one impenitent indi- vidual within the circle of our influence, whom we have not done all we can to bring to Christ, let no time be lost, let us do our duty to that soul. Let us in all respects live and act as dying sinners who have to render to God a strict account of our stewardship. Thus doing, we may hope this solemn dispensation will be sanctified to us and others. " May 24th he wrote a kind and filial letter to his parents, expressing his ardent desire to be with them, and " smooth their way down the decline of life ;" tendering them temporal aid as they might need, and endeavoring to strengthen their faith ; to which he adds, " I should like to tell you of several interesting incidents of the present week, but have no time. Give thanks to God that such a worm is used for the benefit of any soul." His pastor having visited Europe for his health, Mr. Page, June 14, transmitted to him a narrative of what God had done for those employed in the SIGNAL SUCCESS. 161 Tract and Bible houses, hoping that it might be used as an incitement to efforts for those similarly employed for the kindred institutions in London. In this communication he states that more than one hundred young women were then employed in the Tract and Bible houses, and that of these God had brought " between fifty and sixty hopefully into his kingdom. One of them was convicted by means of the truths which caught her eye while folding the tract, ' Day of Judgment.' " " Many sheets of the word of God and Tracts," he says, " as they have been folded and stitched, have been moist- ened with the tears of the convicted sinner and the broken-hearted penitent, and thence gone out on errands of mercy to a perishing world. Every day at twelve o'clock, the females of each of the two houses devole a part of their recess, in their retired rooms, to prayer and praise ; and on every Thurs- day evening we have a general meeting for prayer and conference, conducted by three or four breth- ren, the binder and printer of the two Societies cordially taking part in the same." A few days after this he states that the seam- stresses employed by Mrs. J., residing not far dis- tant, had also joined in the meetings of the Tract and Bible houses ; that he had personally conversed with several of them, and ih&t five of them had obtained hope in Christ. P»Kt. 1 1 162 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. At this time lie was cheered with a letter from his endeared fellow-laborer in the Societies' houses, Mr. J. H. T. 5 who was then in the country, con- taining messages for their mutual charge ; exhort- ing those who were indulging a hope to examine well its foundation, and warning those who re- mained impenitent to " be timely wise." " Religion," he says, " is a personal thing, and let others do what they will, as for us, my dear brother, may we put on the whole armor of God and go forward. Although absent in body, I do not forget our friends in the Societies' houses. God has done much, yet there remaineth more to be accomplished, and we, as coworkers, have much land yet to possess. May He who has hitherto helped us still be our guide and stay, and then, if our faith fail not, we have nothing to fear. Tell our dear sisters in Christ to persevere like good soldiers of the cross, counting nothing too dear to part with for him. Tell anxious souls to make haste and escape for their lives ; submitting them- selves to Christ, and owning him as their rightful Sovereign and Lord. Say to careless sinners, ' How can ye escape, if ye neglect so great salvation V ' Turn ye, turn ye ; why will ye die V " Having a desire to learn, as far as practicable, what are the lasting results of these efforts among SIGNAL SUCCESS. 163 the females of the Societies' houses, a list of fifty- nine who obtained hope in Christ while the efforts above referred to continued, has been placed in the hands of the writer, one of whom soon died, and all the remaining fifty-eight have connected them- selves with evangelical churches : namely, thirteen with Protestant Episcopal churches, fourteen with Baptist churches, twenty-two with Presbyterian, five with Reformed Dutch, and four with Meth- odist churches. Five of these were among the seven mentioned March 11, 1827, as having ob- tained hope in one day ; and thirty-six gave by request each one a written narrative of her own religious exercises. It is an interesting fact, that though Mr. Page knew that those for whom he here labored were connected with different religious denominations, he neither knew nor wished to know to which most of the individuals respectively belonged. To Mrs. Page, then in Coventry. " Sabbath Evening, near ten, June 30, 1828 " We have had a precious season to-day. The great Master of the feast has indeed been present with us at his table. Twenty-six, I think, united with the church from the world. Among them were five of the teachers of my Sabbath-school, and one who had been a teacher, with four or five scholars of the female school. 164 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " I have learned this evening, that Miss J., who has heen a thoughtless girl, and was this morning at church in great distress, has come out rejoicing; which is heart-rending to some of the family who are left. They were at our meeting this evening, borne down with a sense of sin ; and as I spoke to one of them, she sohbed aloud. God has heen in our meeting to-night. An awful solemnity has pervaded it. Brother D. and I held an inquiry- meeting for Sabbath scholars, at a quarter before seven. More than twenty were present, and some of them deeply affected. A. M. seems to feel in some degree her deplorable condition, and says her mind has been impressed ever since, 1 spoke to her a Sabbath or two since. God grant that she may flee to Christ. " In passing out of church this P. M., I remark- ed to Mr. M.. that I observed he was separated from his wife at the communion-season. He could hardly reply. I begged him, for his wife's sake, and for his own soul's sake, to seek an interest in Christ. He grasped my hand, and could hardly let me go. Miss C. appears to be wide awake in religion — a changed creature indeed. " My dear companion, let the fire be kindled in your own heart, if it is not already kindled there ; for we have a rising family all in their sins, and let us plead that they may not be passed by. SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 165 " I yesterday visited the sick-bed of Mrs. C. It is sweet and refreshing to see one who feels that she may be on the borders of the grave, so calm, so united to her Saviour, and so sweetly reposing in his arms. " This same Comforter may be yours. He is alike ready to pour his consolations into the soul of all who will confide in him, and be his willing and obedient servants. You say there is something wrong in your heart : prostrate yourself at the foot of the cross, and let the bleeding love of a dying Saviour subdue and purify it. There only can its errors be corrected. " Your affectionate husband, "H. PAGE." July 15th, he writes to an intimate friend, " I cannot but bless God that in his providence he has placed me in this city, where there is so much opportunity, and so urgent a call to labor for souls. I assure you, I am never in ivant of something to do directly for this object. I dare not enlarge my sphere of effort. I am already attempting so much that it is but poorly done. " The Sabbath-schools are a most interesting field for Christian exertion. I have there, as it were, a family circle where we all feel at home. The im- portance of this department of effort daily increases in my view. When once we have the confidence 166 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. of teachers and scholars, our influence with them is almost unbounded. God has done great things for us — how great, eternity only can disclose." To Mr. D. W., a friend in deep affliction. "New York, July 31, 1S28. " My dear Brother — Your heart has heen made to bleed ; but the wound, deep as it is, has been inflicted by a kind Father. He knew, my dear brother, what you needed ; and though it is most distressing, it still evinces his covenant faithful- ness. Your beloved companion and our sister has only passed over Jordan a little before us, and waits on the other shore a brief season, when all her friends whom Jesus loves shall be with her. " I know not by experience the pains you feel, but I know there is a Saviour, ' touched with the feeling of our infirmity,' who can and will give con- solation to all who stay themselves on him. Let us, dear brother, feel that we have no abiding city here. If our 'light afflictions ' wean us from the world, and make us more obedient and faithful and humble, we may have confidence that they shall ' work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' " The Lord, in tender mercy, is among us by his Spirit, and I trust a work is commencing which shall shake, in due time, this whole city. TO HIS PARENTS. 167 How blessed to labor in the service of such a Mas- ter as ours, and how animating to see sinners com- ing home to God. " I hope that you will have evidence that your trials are sanctified by your greater activity in our Lord's service. Don't let any with whom you may have influence, go down to perdition without your faithful and persevering efforts to save them. " My love to your dear children. Tell them they must be born again, or they and their dear mother will be separated for ever. " Your affectionate a,nd sympathizing brother, «H. PAGE." " Saturday Evening, New York, Jan. 3, 1829. "My dear Father and Mother — I often think of you in this excessively cold weather, and hope you are not left to suffer. " What is the church doing in Coventry ? Are they acting in full view of the approaching day of account ? If they were, I think we should oftener hear of the conversion of sinners there. When will the church awake, and make religion their business? This great concern must not be crowded into an obscure corner, and the world permitted to occupy the whole ground. No ; religion is a busi- ness for eternity ; and he that does not make it the principal thing, must suffer immense loss, and will perhaps ruin his soul for ever. 168 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " Prospects with us are still encouraging. One hundred and, eight have united with our church the past year; seventy-six of them by profession. A special interest is now awakened for heads of families ', whom we hope to see bowing to the sceptre of Immanuel. " Your affectionate son, "H. PA&E." To A. K., who had just entered on the ministry in Ohio, he wrote, January 8th, "I trust, that when this reaches you, you will be publishing the messages of our ascended Saviour to lost men. 'Lo, I am with you always/ is a blessed promise. I cannot but feel that our mis- sionaries at the West, if they are faithful, will gather fruit, precious and abundant. The fields are white, and it appears to me that God is about to do wonders for that portion of our land. The thousands of prayers which have entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaolh must be answered. He will make his truth powerful and effectual. I think you have been sent out at a most important period of our history — that it is truly the day of enterprise for enlightening our destitute millions ; and that salvation is soon to be the song of multi- tudes who have long lived in sin." A letter dated Columbus, Ohio, February 3, from F. E. R., a young gentleman who had been teacher TRACT VISITATION. 169 in his Sabbath- school, says, " The emotions which swell my bosom as I attempt to address you are such as I cannot describe. My heart is filled with gratitude to God that he once placed me under your particular care, and that there I ivas led to embrace Christ as my friend and portion." In a letter to his parents, March 6, he says, " We have now commenced presenting a Tract monthly to all the families of the city in which they are cordially received. The Tract for March is on the Sabbath, and that for April on Intemper- ance. This I think will prove one of the most in- teresting enterprises in which Christians of our city have ever been engaged. It will bring them to see and feel the moral wants of our neglected pop- ulation, and the Lord, I trust, will prosper it." " The Spirit of God is again moving among the young women in the Bible house. Two are under pungent convictions who have been peculiarly hardened." June 23d, he says, " "We have had an inquiry- meeting this evening, which I attended alone ; eight present, and some cases of deep conviction. There is now unusual solemnity among the boys in my Sabbath-school. God grant it may not be like * the morning cloud and early dew.' " To his parents he wrote, February 17, 1830, mentioning an illness of about ten days, " For six 170 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. hours," he says, "I was in agonizing pain ; and obtained relief only by the most powerful medical assistance. I am confident these are chastisements I need, though I fear they have not produced the desirable effect, I have been neglecting duty, and become cold in m,y religious services and affections. that I might live as expecting to end my pilgrim- age and render up my final account to God." To a friend in deep affliction he writes, Septem- ber 14, "You are not left alone. The Lord Jesus Christ has said, 'I will never leave thee, nor for- sake thee.' Though all earthly friends should fail and die, that blessed promise, ' I will never leave thee] is better than all." On Sabbath, October 10, he had the satisfaction of seeing his eldest son, with whom, in his deep anxiety and distress for his sins, both father and mother had some months before spent the greater part of one whole night in prayer, publicly conse- crating himself to the service of Christ by uniting with his visible church. The following letter shows that such a pleasure was soon renewed. ''New York, December 14, 1830. " My dear Parents — I have now the satisfaction to inform you that E., our only daitghter, has pub- licly professed her faith in Christ, and I hope she TO HIS PARENTS. 171 may be a humble follower of him through evil re- port and through good report, and be an honor to the Christian name. If she has really become a child of God, how infinitely better than all the blessings that earth can yield. Sixteen others united with the church last Sabbath by profession. " My love and thanks to friends and neighbors for their kindness during my father's sickness. We are all of us, parents and children, nearing our long home ; and soon, if we are the real followers of Christ, we shall be at rest. Let us all prepare, and look, and wait for it, that the hour of our transfer come not unawares. " Your affectionate son, "H. PAGE." 172 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER VIII. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVIVAL OF 1S31 TO HIS LAST SICKNE SS — EMBRACING RE- SULTS OF HIS SABBATH-SCHOOL, HIS SUPERIN- TENDENCE OF CHRISTIAN EFFORT CONNECTED WITH TRACT DISTRIBUTION, AND THE TRANS- FER OF HIS LABORS TO A NEW CHURCH. To Rev. A. K., Ohio. "New York, January 24, 1831. u My dear Brother, — The Lord appears now to be coming down on all parts of this great city, to arouse his children and to awaken sinners. Thou- sands of Christians here are, I think, praying as they never prayed before. Public general meet- ings commenced yesterday afternoon, and are to be continued through the week. Conversions are oc- curring in all parts of the city. Churches and ministers of different denominations are beginning to awake. Meetings for inquiry were held in sev- eral churches on Monday evening, and were very encouraging. Stout-hearted men are brought to bow, as well as youth and children. "We tremble lest by our unfaithfulness or other sins we shall impede the work and grieve the Spirit of God. Churches are daily crowded to overflowing, and a most fixed and solemn attention is given to the dispensation of the truth. "Your affectionate brother, «H. PAGE." TO HIS PARENTS. 173 " New York, Tuesday, February 1, 1831. " My dear Parents — Though brother S. will tell you much from us, yet I cannot forego the privilege of giving you some notice, with my own hand, of what God is doing here. His children are awaking; many are giving up their former hope ; thousands I think are wrestling for the gen- eral descent of the Holy Spirit. Prayer-meetings at daybreak are held in various parts of the city, where Christians seem to agonize for the blessing. Ministers are seeing eye to eye. Meetings are crowded and awfully solemn. They were held daily last week, and they commence again to-day. Sinners are awakened, and many have been con- verted. I have heard from several inquiry-meet- ings held last evening. They were full, and there were a number of cases of hopeful conversion. The severe storm did not prevent attendance. We are expecting, my dear parents, that God is about in a signal manner to shake this whole city, and to him shall be all the glory. " One year ago, had we been told of what we even now see, we should have said, ' If God should open the windows of heaven, can such a thing be V Two of the teachers of my Sabbath-school, broth- ers, were hopefully converted the past week, and several of the scholars are deeply impressed. "A. case occurred last week of special encourage- 174 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. merit to praying parents. At the close of the after- noon exercises, a meeting for religious inquirers was held in the lecture-room, and a few professors who lived at a distance stayed in the church till the evening service. Among them were two mothers, who though strangers to each other, agreed to go to a retired pew, and spend the season in prayer. As the question arose what they should pray for, one said, 'I have a daughter who has no hope.' The other replied, ' So have I an only daughter, and she is now in the inquiry-meeting, and we will pray for them.' They kneeled, and while they were still praying one of the daughters came, found her mother, and as soon as she could do it without interrupting her, took her by the hand, saying, ' 0, my mother, I hope I have found Christ to be precious.' They all knelt again in prayer, and offered their united thanksgiving to God. The other daughter was hopefully converted on the following day.^ " Several very interesting cases have occurred, but I cannot communicate them now. We expect God will do great things among us this week. " Do beg my dear friends at Coventry to let all their energies be awake, for we trust the kingdom * A note dated March 7, says, : ' Both of these daughters were yesterday, as I have understood, to be united to the two churches of which their parents are members." REVIVAL OF 1831. 175 of heaven is at hand. Let them ' prepare the way ' of the Lord, that no stumbling-blocks hinder the conversion of sinners. My love to all who love the Lord Jesus. " Your affectionate son, U H. PAG-E." Mr. A. R., then agent of the American Tract Society at Boston, acknowledges a letter from Mr. Page, dated February 28, of which he says, " The facts it contained, showing the efficacy of prayer and the power of divine grace manifested in the conversion of so many in one family, are truly striking and exceedingly encouraging to Christians. I read the letter in our church on Sabbath even- ing. This evening Rev. Mr. G.'s church will hear the same ; and I intend to have extracts read in all our churches. That letter, I ardently believe, will be instrumental of good among us." In a letter, dated Sabbath evening, April 3, he says, " This day has been one of unusual interest in our church. Our pastor was never more direct and earnest in his appeals. He seemed to have aid from on high. Text in the morning, ' Go thy way for this time.' His object was to show that sinners feel that God has devolved on them the responsibility of choosing whether they will accept of Christ. Afternoon, ' Their feet shall slide in due time.' The assembly was solemn, and the appeal 176 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE/ urgent and powerful. This evening, the meeting has also been crowded and very solemn." It is truly a painful fact, that this is all that remains from the brother's pen, of his labors, pray- ers, and success, during by far the most signal revival of religion ever enjoyed in New York; and as the fruits of which, there was an accession to evangelical churches of about tivo thousand souls. His whole soul was on fire from week to week. Besides the routine of his official duties, he attend- ed the prayer-meetings at daybreak ; visited many individuals at intervals during the day, introduc- ing at once the subject of religion, making a short prayer with them, and giving them the instruction he thought best adapted to their state ; almost every evening he was in a religious meeting, and generally expending all the powers of his mind and heart for the eternal welfare of some individu- als he there met ; the spiritual welfare of his own children and household, and of more than two hundred teachers and scholars in his Sabbath- school, pressed upon his heart ; and the full meas- ure of his powers was employed, that, while the Holy Spirit was descending, not a sheaf of the spiritual harvest should be lost. His mind and his movements were rapid. The chain of communi- cation from his own to others' hearts was bright. FAILURE OF HEALTH. 177 His feelings were thrown out into a prayer-meet- ing or a Sabbath-school, or in visiting families or individuals, almost instantaneously, as soon as his lips were opened ; he accomplished very much in the space of a. day; and in the ardor of his efforts, while having a spirit of prayer, and seeing the displays of divine grace, it was impossible for him coolly to sit down and calculate whether his strength of body could long endure the continual drafts made upon it. A few days hence might be the season for relaxing his endeavors; but now was the season of effort, and that now was, with him, almost perpetual. As the warm season approached, and brought with it accumulated labors for the society he served, he found that his incessant effort had exceeded his bodily strength, and occasioned a renewed inaction of the liver, accompanied by a slight bleeding at the lungs, which nothing but repose could restore, and which for several weeks confined him chiefly to his room. In this state of health, he felt compelled, on May 14th, to tender his resignation as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, to the duties of which station he had consecrated his vigorous and persevering efforts for nearly five years, and with the most encouraging success. Among the means of usefulness in this sphere, ?*£& 1 2 178 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. he had formed a Sabbath-school Temperance So- ciety, though he had no knowledge that such an experiment had then been made ; and he had at length the pleasure to have enrolled the names of thirty -tivo teachers, and one hundred and eighty male pupils, as subscribers to the temperance pledge. Finding that many of the boys were profane, he also made assiduous endeavors to correct that evil ; frequently calling on all to give testimony by rising, whether they had sworn during the week, and using all possible means to induce them to reverence the name of God. His report on this subject states, that whereas three-fourths of the boys had formerly been profane, he. had reason to believe that only a few hardened individuals per- sisted in the sin. The sins of lying and of Sabbath-breaking among them, he also labored perseveringly to correct ; and frequently held meetings of such as were serious, at his own house, for conversation and prayer. Es- pecially did the religious welfare of the teachers, many of whom, in the earlier part of his connection with the school, were not pious, engage his ardent endeavors ; and during the period that he acted as superintendent, thirty-tivo male teachers hopefully embraced Christ and united with the church, nine of whom have entered on a course preparatory to the ministry. Another teacher, Mr. It. 0. D., VISITS COVENTRY. 179 whose heart was knit with his in this labor of love, became a preacher of the gospel, and consecrated himself to the work of a missionary in India. Though devoting his efforts more immediately as superintendent of the large male Sabbath-school, the female school was- also under his general su- pervision. In a communication to the female teach- ers at the time of his resignation, he says, "I would gratefully acknowledge the loving-kindness of our God, in permitting me to be associated so long with such a band of Christ's friends ; and allowing me to witness the hopeful turning to him oi from fifty to sixty or more teacher s % connected with our two schools, and several of the scholars, all of whom I hope to meet at last in the great assembly of the redeemed in heaven." As soon as he so far regained his health that he could leave the city, he repaired to Coventry, where he spent several weeks of rest from every effort beyond the degree of exercise on horseback and otherwise, which was essential to his most rapid restoration. During this season of relaxation, he amused him- self by drawing sketches of various scenes in the place of his nativity, among which he did not omit the humble dwelling where he had spent near thirty-four years of his life, and where, at the period of his death, his aged parents still resided. The 180 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. sketch is a fac-similc of the house, the joiner's shop, and the surrounding objects. After his return to New York, at the request of one who had often attended the meetings in the societies' houses, he copied it into her album ; and as the claims of poetry were alike unheeded by both, he threw un- derneath it the following lines : "Here, a child, I sinned and strayed; Here, the Saviour disobeyed; Here, I felt his chast'ning rod; Here, I trust, returned to God." In reference to his illness, he wrote to Mrs. Page, " We have great occasion to speak of the goodness of God to us. We have hardly as yet been called to 'run with the footmen.' Let us see to it, that we secure a divine helper to sustain us when called to • contend with horses,' and meet the ' swellings of Jordan.' " A letter to a relative, October 11, contains the following passage : " Has M. indeed done all lie can do? Let him then fall at the feet of Jesus, and tell Him so. Let him tell him that he would love him, that he would submit to him, that he would be sorry for his sins, that he would be an obedient child ; but he cannot. 0, how unwilling the sinner is to con- fess all the guilt which the word of God imputes TO HIS SON. 181 to him, and to acknowledge himself justly con- demned." In December, his eldest son, who had for five years been associated with him in labors for the Tract Society, having expressed a desire to study with a view to the ministry, he placed him in the academy at Andover, Massachusetts ; accompany- ing his farewell with the following paternal coun- sel : "New York, December, 1831. " My dear Son — As you have now entered on a very important period of life, and are about to be separated from home, you will gratefully receive a few hints from your affectionate father. u Let it be your first object — for without this, all other acquirements will be in vain — to be a hum- ble, holy, consistent Christian, till death shall sep- arate you from all earthly scenes and responsibil- ities. " By uniform kindness and propriety of deport- ment, endeavor to merit the love and respect of all. Never indulge a spirit of retaliation. Yield a cheerful obedience to the requisitions of your in- structors ; join no combination for resisting author- ity ; and mingle with no companions whose repu- tation you would not wish to share. " Be careful of your health, if you would ac complish any thing of moment for yourself or the 182 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. world ; govern your appetite ; have regular hours for sleep and exercise. Do not place too much confidence in a vigorous constitution ; it will not long be trifled with with impunity. " The Bible should be your daily text-book ; and according to the request of your mother, endeavor also to read every day a portion of Baxter's Saints' Rest, or some kindred author, and to form your life by such models. If your studies will permit, always have some useful book in a regular course of reading. "In your religious duties, as in every thing else, system will be necessary. Let nothing prevent your holding communion with God, on your knees in your closet, at least twice every day. Meditate there, as well as read and pray. Daily prayer with your room-mate should be maintained, if agreeable to him ; but let not this be made a sub- stitute for closet prayer. Unite yourself with a select circle for social prayer and the cultivation of devotional feelings, and take part in the exer- cises when requested. In hearing preaching, guard against a spirit of criticism. Let the Sabbath be to you a holy day. Remember it as God would have you. "Keep constantly in mind, that the object of your education is to prepare you to do the greatest possible good ; and try to be useful every day. TRACT VISITATION. 183 Think much of Christ, and commit your all to him. Go on, my son ; aim to be eminently holy and eminently useful ; and may the Holy Spirit guide and cheer and bless you. " Make confidants of your parents. None will sympathize with you like them. They will soon sleep in the dust. While they live, give them the consolation to believe that your heart is set on being and doing good ; and should you survive them, act and feel as you know they would have desired, and as God will approve. And when we all meet at the great day, may they and the uni- verse see that you have not lived in vain. "Your affectionate FATHER." Having resigned the superintendence of the Sab- bath-school, he labored, as he regained his health, to promote its interests by visiting to obtain schol- ars ; and about the beginning of the year 1832, commenced instructing a female Bible-class ?; and also yielded to earnest solicitations by assuming the superintendence of the system of Christian effort in connection ivith tract distribution in the Fourteenth ward, containing not far from three thousand fam- ilies, in which work he had the cooperation of thirty-six male and female tract visitors. They had not long pursued this enterprise, when he clearly saw, that as little more was done than 184 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. to present a tract monthly to each family, there was no such direct, faithful, pe?so?ial, and perse- vering effort and ivrestling prayer for particular individuals, as duty to God and the souls of men demanded. At the meeting of his fellow-lahorers in January, he therefore laid the subject solemnly and earnestly before them, depicting the spiritual wants of the ward, and the condition of hundreds of families who absented themselves from the stated means of grace, and who, unless reached by their efforts, would probably never have the offers of salvation pressed on their attention. He urged their obligations to God and the souls of the per- ishing ; and then inquired of each distributer, whether there were not in his district some one or more individuals for whom he felt that there was special encouragement to labor, and to whose sal- vation he would direct his own devoted efforts and prayers, till he should have evidence of conversion or that the door of useful access was closed. It was made a subject of prayer and heart-searching with each distributer, till one fixed his mind on one individual, another on two, and another on three or more ; and by the thirty-six distributers eighty- eight individuals were thus selected as special sub- jects of their prayers and affectionate endeavors for their salvation. This gave them, as will be readily conceived, a VISIT TO A FAMILY. 1S5 new impulse in their work. They saw a distinct object before them, important as eternity, and yet one in which they could do nothing without the marvellous displays of divine grace. They went to the throne of mercy. They went to the subjects of their affectionate solicitude, and their mouths were filled with arguments. Access was easy. The Spirit of God seemed to have gone before them, and to go with them. His duties as superintendent did not prevent him from taking a portion of this work regularly upon himself. An instance of the encouragement he met is recorded in the following letter. To Mrs. Page. "New York, June 21, 1832. " Last evening I closed up our efforts in the tract distribution for this month, and gave in my report. A few hours before the meeting, I found that a district of seventy-eight families had not been supplied ; and to complete the distribution for the ward, undertook to supply it myself. I found sev- eral whose minds were very tender, and on whom the truth seemed to make a deep impression. A young man and his ivife listened with fixed and trembling attention, as I conversed with them on the subject of their own personal salvation. Two pious females residing in the house soon joined the 186 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. little circle, and we all knelt and endeavored to commit their case to Him who is able and willing to save. It was a solemn season, and our divine Redeemer seemed to manifest his special presence. " This morning I called on them again. I found both of them apparently trusting in the Saviour. They hoped they had surrendered themselves to him on the preceding evening. They had opened to each other freely the feelings of their hearts ; and had that morning erected the family altar, and were now determined to live together as fellow- heirs of the grace of life. " The husband of the woman who was thought last month to give evidence of conversion, is now also rejoicing with her, and they appear to be walking together in wisdom's paths. u Your very affectionate husband, "H. PAGE." During the prevalence of cholera in the city, in the summer of 1832, which at one period re- moved more than one hundred souls daily to eter- nity, we find Mr. Page not merely confiding him- self and family to the care of Providence, but laboring to improve the tenderness and concern existing in many, for their eternal good. " An unusual solemnity and readiness for relig- ious conversation," he says, "has prevailed; and not a few, while the pestilence has been raging TO TRACT LABORERS. 187 Liaund them, have been deeply affected in view of their condition as sinners. Most Christians who have remained in the city, have exhibited a de- lightful trust in Christ as their all-sufficient refuge. Frequent occasions have offered, and been im- proved, for faithful conversation and prayer with those who were not accustomed to pray ; and I cannot but hope that the efforts of this season will result in the salvation of some precious souls. The tract on Cholera has been distributed throughout the city, and almost universally received with thankfulness." A memorandum bearing date February 7, 1833, contains the names oi fifty -nine individuals ob- tained by Mr. Page from the square in which he lived, as subscribers to the temperance pledge. An illness of some weeks occasioned the two following communications : To the Tract Missionaries of the Fourteenth Ward. "New York, February 18, 1833. "My dear Friends and Fellow-laborers — For several weeks unforeseen providences have pre- vented my cooperating with you as fully as I had intended, and I much regret that I am unable to meet you this evening. As I have not the satis- faction of seeing you all at our regular meetings, I lo&A determined to visit you at your own places of 188 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. abode, that we might quicken and encourage each other, and unite in. imploring the blessing of God on our great and responsible work, but hitherto the Lord has prevented me. " Now, my dear friends, as you value the im- mortal soul, and the favor of our divine Leader, I would urge upon every one of you to enter on your duties with new zeal, new hopes, and new confidence in God. Endeavor to fix in your mind what it is to live for ever in heaven or in hell. How many who are living in utter neglect of God, and are reached by no other means of grace, must be left to perish if you are not faithful to them. How many, if you do your duty, may you meet at last on mount Zion, who shall bless God for ever that you found them when lost and wandering from him. " Fix it in your mind that you must not be sat- isfied, unless through your agency sinners are brought to repentance ; nor rest till you see each of your districts as a well-watered garden, and the reviving and saving influences of God's Spirit oper- ating in every family. I know that in some dis- tricts there are many things discouraging, but you must adopt the language of Paul, ' I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.' " I do not think it Christian wisdom to expend all our strength on the darkest part of our respective TO HIS BIBLE-CLASS. 189 fields ; there is soil which we may cultivate with the fairest prospect of success, and while each of us has so large a field let us labor principally ivhere there is the greatest encouragement, and there be faithful and persevering. " As all our strength comes from God, I would propose that in our morning and evening devotions every day for one week, we pray in concert for the outpouring of the Spirit on the families of the Four- teenth ward, and I wish you would express your determination on this subject by a vote at your meeting. " The Lord be with you, my dear friends, in all your labors, and give you many souls as your hire. Remember your superintendent, that he may be fitted for his work, have bodily strength, and be endued with wisdom from above. " Your affectionate fellow-laborer, "H. PAG-E." " Sabbath, March 8, 1833. " To the Female Bible-class — My dear friends, this is the fourth Sabbath that, in the providence of God, I have been deprived of the privilege of meeting you ; but I have not forgotten you, and I trust you remember some of those things to which your attention was called while I was with you. " In looking over my list of members, I find that ten of your number, as far as I know, are still in 190 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. the dark way to eternal death, having none of the hopes and consolations of the gospel, and no title to the kingdom of heaven. " The object of this note is especially to urge you, in view of the alarming progress you have already made in sin, and of the dreadful end of all the ungodly, this day deliberately to make up your minds that henceforth you 'will serve the Lord.' Be blind and deaf to all the attractions, frowns, or reproaches of a gay and deceitful world, and reso- lutely set your faces towards heaven. " My friends, you must not deny me — me, did I say ? you must not deny Christ, who came ' to seek and to save' such lost sinners , as you and I. He entreats you, he bids you forsake all and follow him. "Here, my friends, though I cannot speak to you face to face, are the feelings of my heart. When we next meet, whether in this or another world, let me rejoice with you as having chosen that good part which shall never be taken from you. " Your affectionate friend, "H. PAGKE." "New York, March 13, 1S33. " My dear Parents — I am pained to hear by Mr. G. that you are so feeble, and that life seems so fast wasting away. As I may not have another opportunity of addressing you both this side of the TO HIS PARENTS. 191 grave, I would inquire how the dark valley appears as you approach it? 11 How does my dear mother feel under the dis- tressing pains of her disease ? Can she patiently and submissively say, ' It is the Lord ; let him do what seemeth him good?' Is she comforted with the reflection that he ' doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men?' Can she lean on that almighty arm which sustains all God's chil- dren in the last conflict ? Many, while enduring intense suffering of body, and about to take their departure, have found that c Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are.' In his hands, my dear mother, I leave you ; and though I may not again speak to you face to face here, I hope that after a little while we shall meet where pain and sorrow and sin are known no more for ever. " And now, my dear father, as flesh and heart fail, I trust God is * the strength of your heart,' and that your hope in him, through Christ, is steadfast. I know that to the impenitent sinner the near approach of death and eternity is an un- welcome theme, but not so to the saint. It is his delight to think and speak about home — that home which Christ has gone to prepare ; and thougn you and my dear mother may have almost finished youi 192 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. journey here, I hope neither of you regret that its end is so near ; but that you can wait calmly and patiently till your change come, and then commit yourselves to Him who will safely bear you through the billows of death. "It is trying to me that I cannot be with you, but at present it is impracticable. I have been for some weeks confined at home by impaired health. The Lord has been gently correcting us. C. has had a violent attack of fever, and sister P. has left us, we trust, for a better world. But I feel assured that God has sent these chastisements in mercy, and hope they will bring us all nearer to him. The family send love, and may we all meet at last in the kingdom of our Redeemer. " Your affectionate son, "HARLAN PAGE." "New York, March 18, 1333. " My dear Son — I have been able to be at the Tract house but two days since early in February. My complaint commenced with chills, fever, and cough, occasioned by a congested state of the liver ; but by copious bleeding and other remedies the cough is removed, and I am now nearly restored. " I beseech you, my dear son, to remember, that you live in a day when all God's children must harness themselves for the great work of the Lord. Let no delusive claims of earth gain a hold upon CORRESPONDENCE. 193 your affections. Go continually, as a humble, penitent sinner to Christ, and live for God and eternity. " The state of things in our church is more than commonly interesting. Nearly fifty attended the inquiry-meeting last evening. " Your affectionate father, "H. PAOE." May 30th, he says, " W. F. departed this life yes- terday, and his brother G. is almost gone. Their tender-hearted father said to me, that he had rather bury them both in a day, and have all his antici- pations of their speedily entering the ministry cut off, than to see one of them twenty-four years of age in health but impenitent." During the latter part of the spring, and the season of anniversaries, he was constantly pressed with business at the Depository, and early in the summer made a short visit to his parents for the last time. August 9th he says, " I do hope that some spir- itual life may be restored to the Christians of our church and city. I think there are some faint indications of pulsation with a few, though hardly perceptible. Sometimes I think I have evidence of the presence of God ; but alas, it is so indistinct that I hardly dare believe it to be true." Again, he says, " We have had an interesting Pag. 13 194 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. church prayer-meeting this evening spent in con- versing with the members. We have sadly de- clined, and some are beginning to feel it. " I am now so pressed with business on all sides, that I can hardly find time to write even a few lines." In December, he says, " Those engaged in tract labors throughout the city, have just observed a day of fasting and prayer. The meetings were full and solemn, morning and afternoon; and in the even- ing a sermon was preached from, ' Ye are the salt of the earth,' showing that every Christian should make his influence individually and directly felt for the salvation of those around him. We have commenced meetings again in the bindery of the Bible house. On Friday evening about eighty were present, and a deep solemnity was apparent." "SatuPvDay Evening, January 25, 1834. " My deae. Parents — The Lord has in great kindness thus far preserved our health the present winter, for which I know we are not sufficiently thankful. There is an uncommon interest in relig- ion in several of the churches, in some of which it is hoped from thirty to sixty have been converted to God. " Monday Morning, Jan. 27. Since the above date, we have passed through scenes which will never be effaced from my memory. On Saturday AFFECTING SCENE. 195 evening, C. and A.," (a niece,) " returned from meet- ing about nine. Nothing was said, and all were seated, when A. broke the silence by sobbing in great distress for her soul. The Holy Spirit had set her sins in order before her, and she was troub- led. We all felt that this invisible and blessed Agent was present ; and only C. could restrain his tears. I asked the sobbing child what was the cause of her distress. She replied that she was a great sinner against God. I endeavored to present Christ clearly to her mind as the Saviour of sin- ners, and show her her duty to humble herself at his feet, and yield herself without delay wholly to him. We all knelt and committed her case to God with strong crying and tears. It was hard to cease pleading till we had evidence that she had surrendered herself to Christ. But there seemed a reluctance to yield up all for him. After further conversation and prayer, Mrs. Page and myself re- tired to our chamber, where we again plead for her and the other children before God, and com- mitted ourselves to rest. " About one o'clock, A. came to our bedside, saying, ' I hope I have given my heart to Christ. I have been a very naughty girl. Do forgive me. I will love you now, and try to do as you wish to have me.' "On Sabbath morning, W.," (a nephew,) "was 196 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. alarmed in view of his sins. "When he came from church at noon, he was overwhelmed. The family- were all in tears. We all fell on our knees and spent an hour in prayer, W. still sobbing and beg- ging for mercy. • " These scenes affected C. The most solemn attention to the concerns of their souls was mani- fested by him and W. at the meetings in the after- noon and evening, and during the remainder of the day ; and now both are hoping in Christ, and seem resolved to serve him alone. I hope for them with trembling. Time will determine whether the work is genuine. God grant that they may not be de- ceived. It will be wonderful grace, indeed, if these three children, from eleven to twelve years old, have all been born again ; but it is such grace as God in Christ can bestow. My dear parents, pray that the work of grace in them and in all of us, may be such as shall stand the test of the final day. " Your affectionate son, «H. PAGE." About this time an urgent application was made to him to unite in forming and sustaining the " Brain- erd church " in a very destitute part of the city — afterwards located in Rivington-street, and then in the Second avenue. He felt the force of the request; for he had well considered the moral BRAINERD CHURCH. 197 desolations of the city, and prayed and wept over them. To his mind no duty was clearer or more important, than that members of the older churches, filled to a great extent with professors of religion, should separate, as fields of usefulness open, and go out to form new circles of religious influence. And if it was the duty of some, and others did not enlist in the enterprise, why should he not go himself? True, his health was already enfeebled, and the additional labor might crush him ; but he was not accustomed to spare himself, and made the sacri- fice, as he believed, at the call of duty. This transfer of his field of labor made it neces- sary that he should resign the superintendence of the tract distribution in the Fourteenth ward, which he did on the 12th of February ; " having felt," as he said, "more and more fully convinced of the com- pleteness of the plan of the tract mission, if but faithfully carried out by praying, self-denying, and devoted Christians ." In a scrap which he seems to have prepared as a memorandum for an address to tract distributers or missionaries, perhaps on their day of fasting and prayer in December, 1833, the following facts appear : From March, 1829, to January, 1832, only four cases of conversion were reported from the Four- teenth ward, three of which were by a blessing on 198 LIFE OF HAltLAN PAGE. the reading of tracts. Little more was done than to present them from door to door; spiritual life was wanting ; and the laborers were becoming dis- heartened. Of the eighty-eight individuals for whose salva- tion the distributers, in January, 1832, resolved steadfastly to pray and labor, more than thirty were reported in February, as at least in some de- gree anxious for their souls, and three of the num- ber as rejoicing in God; in March, four; in April, six; in May, three; in June, six; and tivelve in the subsequent months ; making in all thirty-four hope- ful conversions from that ward within the year 1832. Of this number three or four were awakened by reading the tracts, and others apparently by means of the prayers and exhortations of the distributers. Many of the poor and afflicted people of God, for- saken by the world, had been found and comforted ; some backsliders reclaimed ; and the gospel mes- sage delivered to numbers who continued to disre- gard it. Many interesting instances of the blessing of God on these efforts are alluded to in the memo- randum ; and it is stated, that almost all of them are the cases of individuals who were scarcely reached by any other means of grace. The separation from the church with which he had been for eight years so happily and usefully connected, was indeed trying ; but he went to the SINGLENESS OF PURPOSE. 199 new field of labor with the prayers and kindest wishes and sympathies of his brethren. " All the time he was with us," says the pastor, " he was a man of kind and peaceful spirit ; always grieved a.t dissension in the churches, and laboring to promote a spirit of love. " He was always prompt in action. "What he undertook we knew would be done, and well done ; and he was ready to any work to which the great Master called him — not shrinking from self-denial, nor asking to be excused. In our meetings of re- ligious inquiry, he was a safe and faithful laborer. Often would he seem to fix his heart intensely on the salvation of some individual ; and as he saw the prospect of good, would labor with him till the hour was gone, and then accompany him to his home, still toiling to remove obstacles from the mind and bring him to accept of Christ. " Many souls here owe their salvation, under God, to his faithful and persevering labors, in the prayer- meeting, in the Sabbath-school, in the Bible-class, and especially to his personal conversation and guid- ance in the Christian course. His eye was single. He had one definite object before him: it was not fame, or family, or ease, or pleasure — but to honor Christ in the salvation of men. This singleness of purpose made him skilful and prompt in adopting means, and was the grand secret of his success. 200 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " He left us to go to a new and unbroken field, where the toil of gathering a church was all to be borne anew ; but he felt that he was consecrated not to one particular church, but to Christ; and must go, and that cheerfully, at his bidding. With four such Aarons and Hurs to hold up his hands and cooperate with him, any faithful and qualified minister would be strong, under the blessing of God, for building up a new church." As a means of furthering the new enterprise, Mr. Page again assumed the responsibilities of su- perintendent of the Sabbath- school ; and put forth his devoted energies to bring the gospel, by all practicable means, to bear effectually on the sur- rounding population, old and young. His labors for the Tract Society were undiminished ; and it was scarcely to be expected that the constant pressure of his varied and ceaseless efforts, and the exhaust- ing excitement of mind continually connected with them, should not bring back that derangement of the vital organs from which he had repeatedly suffered. Under date of March 25, he thus writes to his parents : " These tabernacles of clay are wearing down, and will soon be demolished. How little should we depend upon them. If we are God's children, we have in prospect a more glorious body, where FAILURE OF HEALTH. 201 all is filled with the fulness of God. Let us look much to it, and patiently wait for it." His strength was sustained till the results of the year in his department were prepared for the An- nual Report, and the immediate pressure of the anniversary season had subsided, when he found himself exhausted, was obliged to remit his exer- tions, and at the advice of his physician, spent several days at Saratoga springs, but with no improvement to his health. He returned to the city, and gradually declined till about the first of August, when it became apparent to himself and others, that his earthly labors, except from his dying bed, were closed. A brief letter to his son, June 4, concludes with these words : " Now I have done. Let no good resolutions be forgotten or neglected. Remember, remember duty — God — Christ — judgment — heaven — hell. " Your affectionate father, "H. PAGE." To his daughter he wrote from Troy, June 23, on his return from the springs, " I trust I had some special consolation last evening, in committing myself, my family, and all our concerns into the hands of that Redeemer whose long-suffering and mercy are without measure. He is doing with us what is infinitely best ; and we should not desire 202 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. him to change his mode of discipline in any of its details." Two days later, he writes, " I have for some time been depressed in body and spirit, have felt many anxieties and solicitudes, and had but little com- munion with God. I think, however, that within a few days I have had a satisfaction in resigning all my concerns to the disposal of Him, who, I am confident, will pursue the best possible course of discipline, though often demanding strong faith, when the reasons of his dispensations are so en- tirely concealed. In order to be ripened for heav- en, I need a great deal of purification by the Holy Spirit. Of his labors in connection with the " Brainerd church," the young clergyman who commenced ministerial labors there, says, " His influence, while the Lord continued him with us, was excellent. He was alivays engaged — ahvays spiritual. His zeal seemed to suffer no declension ; it savored of the closet, of self-communion, of heaven. " He had a wonderful tact in conducting our prayer-meetings and making them interesting — always diversified, and yet always solemn. His remarks, though simple, were never commonplace. The point and spirit of them appeared to have been premeditated, and they were generally well adapted to the char- acter and condition of those present. In superin- LAST BUSINESS ITEM. 203 tending the Sabbath-school, he would in a remark- able degree fix the attention of the children. He had also a happy talent for addressing strangers on the subject of personal religion; and after our meetings would almost always single out some in- dividual, and engage in close personal conversation. Several persons were in this way brought under conviction of sin, and some will have reason to bless God to eternity for his persevering faithful- ness. His loss we feel deeply. He loved those with whom he had here been laboring, and prayed for us on his dying bed. Our members were very much attached to him, and constantly and fer- vently prayed that his life might be spared, could it be consistent with the divine will." The last item of business to which he gave the least attention, was to look at the annexed sketch of one of the scenes of the labors of David Brain- erd. He had visited the spot, and drawn the sketch, and Dr. A., having engraved it on wood, called to present it, and see if it had his approba- tion. "I will look at it ; but I have done with every thing here." " You can cast your eye upon it now, and look at it again, perhaps, when you are stronger." " No ; I shall never look at it again. My work here is all done" 204 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER IX. PROMINENT CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS EFFORTS FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN. It may not be unimportant to bring together some of the characteristics of his efforts to honor Christ in the salvation of individuals, . as illus- trated in the preceding history. It was the burden of his heart, and the purpose of his life. When engaged in his usual business, the religious welfare of persons with whose state he had become acquainted, was generally pressing on his mind ; and it is. now known, that for several years before he died, he almost always had by him a memorandum of the names and residence of afeiv individuals with whom he was to converse. On these he would call, as he went to and from his office, or religious meetings ; and if no names were on this list, he felt that he was doing little good. He also uniformly had in his hat more or less awakening tracts, that he might present as he should judge them adapted to the state of those he met. Not unfrequently he would seize a few moments from his usual occupation, to go out and address some individual ; and when the business of the day was closed, he hastened to some meet- CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 205 ing or other religious engagement for the evening. It is believed that an entire month has frequently elapsed, during which he did not sit down for an hour, even in the bosom of his own family, to relax his mind or rest. Every evidence of good accom- plished gave him new joy, and every opening for usefulness added a new impulse to his efforts. He felt that, under God, the eternal joy or woe of im- mortal souls depended on his fidelity. Each even- ing and each hour brought its duties which he felt could not be neglected or postponed. The present duty was still before him; and though " faint," he was still "pursuing." His labors on the Sab- bath were not less exhausting than on other days ; and he doubtless thus failed of obtaining that " compensation for toil " which the animal constitution requires, and which is essential to a long life. When urged, at the close of a day of fatigue, to spare himself and spend the evening at home, he would say, " Don't attempt to persuade me away from duty. I have motive enough within myself to tempt me to enjoy repose with my family, but that will not save souls." A little previous to his last sickness, as he returned from church coughing, he was asked if he had not spoken too much in the Sabbath-school. " Perhaps I have," he replied ; " but how could I help it, when all eyes were 206 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. fixed, and the children seemed to devour every word I said?" It was not uncommon, at different periods of his life, for him in sleep to imagine himself addressing the impenitent ; and to wake in a high state of excitement and in tears, occasioned by the deep sympathy he felt for their perishing condition. It is also known, that when he saw no manifestations of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he would be, at times, in deep distress — would wrestle more abundantly in prayer, renew his efforts to arouse Christians to duty and awaken the impenitent ; and more or less conversions were almost always the result. In short, it was not the great object of his spir- itual life himself to be hapjiy in religion, but rather by persevering labors and holy self-denial, like the apostle who testified that he died daily, to glorify God in winning souls to him. He ardently desired to devote the whole undivided efforts of his life to this work ; and nothing but the duty of providing for the support of his family prevented it. He had the most clear view of the necessity to every man of being bom again. As soon as an individual came into his presence it seemed to be the first question of his mind, " Is this a friend or an enemy of God ?" The next thing was, if im- penitent, to do something for his conversion ; or if CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 207 a Christian, to encourage him in duty. Whatever else he saw in an individual, he felt that it availed him nothing unless he had received Christ to his heart by a living faith. This he felt and urged to be the sinner's first, great, and only duty in which he could be acceptable to God. This was exem- plified at a meeting of his Sabbath-school teachers, when he called on each to know whether he thought he had a well-grounded hope in Christ or not, and recorded their several replies. Among them was an amiable young merchant, A. E., whom he highly respected, and who seemed not far from the kingdom of God. " Have you a hope ?" he tenderly inquired. " No, sir," was the reply. " Then I 'm to put down your name as having no hope ?" " Yes, sir.' 1 "Well, I write down your name as having no hope." The young man pondered on this decision and record of his spiritual state, was troubled, and soon came to our brother, saying, "I told you to put me down as having no hope, but I can't say that." He is now a member of the church, and a decided supporter of all her institutions. He brought his efforts to bear upon individuals, and followed up impressions made. All the tri- 208 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. umphs of the gospel he knew consist in the con- version and sanctiiication of individuals, and he was not satisfied with merely praying and contrib- uting for the salvation of the world as a whole, or having a general impression made on the minds of a congregation. His intense desire was that individuals should be turned from sin to God. Not unfrequently he would observe in the congregation a person unknown to him, who seemed to give solemn attention to divine truth, ascertain who he was, and seek a personal interview ; and in all cases, if he left an individual to-day in an inter- esting state of mind, he would endeavor to see him again to-morrow, and follow up the impression at brief intervals till there was no longer encourage- ment, or he had evidence of true conversion. He had a clear sense of obligation, both in the sinner to believe in Christ, and in the Christian to devote all his powers to God. He felt, and labored to make others feel, that if any one neglected duty the guilt was all his own ; that God was ever ready to receive the returning prodigal ; and that if any withheld their hearts, or aught they possessed from him, in the day of judgment they would be speech- less. This sense of obligation he urged with un- abating fervor. His heart was intent that it should he, felt, and immediately carried out in an entire consecration to God. CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 209 " Brother," said he to a lovely Christian who watched with him, " when you meet impenitent sinners, don't merely say calmly, ' Friend, you are in danger ;' but approach them with a holy vio- lence, and labor to 'pull them out of the fire.' They are going to perdition. There is a heaven and a hell." As a brother from Boston to whom several of his letters were addressed, had called for a few moments in his last illness, and was about taking leave, he asked the dying man if he had any par- ticular thought on his mind to express as he bade him farewell. "Ah, I can say nothing," he replied, " but what has been repeated over and over ; but could I raise my voice to reach a congregation of sinners, I would tell them, ' their feet shall slide in due time' — they ' shall slide ' — there is no escape but by believing in Christ." He not only endeavored to alarm impenitent men, but to bring them to a decision, that they will be the Lord's. While in his native town, he was absent one evening till so late an hour that his wife remon- strated with him for unreasonably tasking his own health, and separating himself from home. "I have spent this time," said he, " in trying to per- suade your poor impenitent brother to give his heart to Christ." That impenitent brother was Page. 14 210 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. soon brought to accept of mercy, pursued a course of theological study, and is now serving God in the ministry. On another occasion, while residing in the city of New York, he had gone to a religious meeting and returned late in the evening, when he was reminded of the danger that his protracted efforts might be more than he could ultimately sustain. "I have been standing this hour," was his reply, " at the corner of the street, laboring with Mr. E. F. H.," one of the teachers of his Sabbath- school, " and trying to persuade him to submit to God." "Within a few hours the young man found peace ; he soon resumed his studies which he had been pursuing for other ends, and he became a devoted minister of Christ, first at the West, and then in one of our principal Atlantic cities. A letter from this young clergyman, received as these sheets were going to press, thus confirms this brief statement. " The name of brother Page will ever be associ- ated in my mind with all that is worthy of imita- tion in the Christian character. By the persuasions of an acquaintance, I was induced to engage as teacher in his Sabbath-school, and though I was thc?n destitute of faith, he welcomed me and won my confidence and love. Very soon he began to address me with the utmost apparent tenderness CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 211 and anxiety in reference to my own salvation. His words sunk deep into my heart. They were strange words, for though I had lived among professors of religion, he was the first ivho for nine or ten years had taken me by the hand and kindly asked, 'Are you a Christian V ' Do you intend to be a Chris- tian V ' Why not now V Each succeeding Sabbath brought him to me with anxious inquiries after my soul's health. On the third or fourth Sabbath he gave me the tract, ' Way to be Saved,' which deep- ened my impressions. At his request, I also at- tended a teacher's prayer-meeting conducted by him, where my soul was bowed down and groaned under the load of my guilt. At the close of the meeting Mr. Page took my arm as we proceeded on our way to our respective homes, and urged upon me the duty and privilege of an immediate surrender of my heart to Christ. As we were about to part he held my hand, and at the corner of the street, in a wintry night, stood pleading with me to repent of sin and submit to God. I returned to my home, and for the first time in many years bowed my knees in my chamber before God, and entered into a solemn covenant to serve him hence- forth in and through the gospel of his Son. God was pleased, I trust, by his Holy Spirit, to seal my vows. If I have since had any Christian joy, or done any thing to advance the cause of Christ, it 212 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. is to be attributed to the divine blessing on the faithfulness of brother Page." He expected success from God through the bless- ing of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer. He felt that humble, self-denying effort, made in God's strength, he ivoidd own and bless, but that for this he would be " inquired of" by his people. He loved prayer. Besides prayers at social meetings with the families and individuals he visited, and on special occasions frequently recurring, he regu- larly not only conducted family worship accompa- nied by singing, but every morning and evening prayed with his companion as they retired and rose, and also poured out his heart /to God alone in the closet. For the latter duty, when in his native place, he often retired to a consecrated spot in a grove near his father's house. If one of the house- hold were about to take a journey, the family assembled and commended each other to God, which was frequently done on other occasions of special interest. His prayers were usually short and fervent, and confined mainly to those topics which pressed with special force upon his mind. At all times, prayer seemed to be a privilege, and the throne of grace a resting-place and a solace to his heart. There is no doubt that it was by continual and fervent prayer, that he imbibed that glowing sense of eter- CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 213 nal things, that love to souls and that heavenly unction which were at once the spring of his fidelity, and, under God, the ground of his suc- cess. So anxious was he that there should he more prayer in the churches, and such were his hopes that if the duty were properly presented, it would be felt and practised, that he united with a brother whose means were as limited as his own, in paying fifty dollars as a premium for a tract on prayer — himself drawing out minutely various hints to guide those who might write ; and it was by this means that the excellent tract, No. 271, on the obliga- tions, nature, benefits, and occasions of prayer, was procured. In his mind there was no jarring conflict between perfect obligation on the part of man, and perfect dependence in his relations to God. He knew both were revealed, momentous, eternal truths ; and left all embarrassing questions of their consistency to be settled by God himself. It was enough to hear God speak and to obey. He prayed as if all the efficiency and praise were God's, and labored as if duty were all his own. His sense of dependence threw him on his knees, and his sense of duty sum- moned him to effort ; and prayer and effort, and effort and prayer were the business of his life. Blessed day to the church, when this endless source 214 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. of contention and controversy shall thus be settled in every Christian's heart. He was uniform and unicearied. I know not who has made or heard the charge of inconsistency in his Christian character. Those who knew him best, best knew how supreme in his heart was the business of glorifying God in the salvation of men. I have well considered the assertion when I say, that during nine years in which we were associ- ated in labors, I do not know that I ever passed an interview with him long enough to have any inter- change of thought and feeling, in which I did not receive from him an impulse heavenward — an im- pulse onward in duty to God and the souls of men. No assembly, even of professed Christians, from which the spirituality of religion teas excluded, whether met for social enjoyment or in furtherance of some benevolent design, received his counte- nance ; nor was he satisfied with what too justly seemed the strange anomaly of excluding Christ from the hours of social intercourse, and then, as it were atoning for the sin, by closing the interview with prayer. The only remaining particular which it seems important now to mention, is his fruitfulness in DEVISING EXPEDIENTS FOR DOING GOOD. Of this point the history of his life is but an exemplification. As the father of a family, he labored for the CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 215 spiritual welfare of all his household, especially for the early conversion of his children. Of thir- teen individuals who resided in his family at dif- ferent times in the city of New York, twelve be- came deeply anxious for their salvation. One of these was a Roman-catholic, whose attention to family worship was forbidden by her priest ; one who was hopefully reclaimed from her backsliding, has since died ; and six others gave, and so far as known still give, evidence of saving conversion to God. Of his fidelity to his children, the testimony contained in the following expression of filial grat- itude from his son, in transmitting by request the letters he had received from his father, will be excused. " In reviewing the letters I received from my father," he says, " I see everywhere an expression of the tenderest solicitude both for my temporal and eternal welfare ; and Oh, for some of that ardent desire for the salvation of souls to bear me forward in duty, which impelled him onward, till he ceas- ed his toils on earth and entered on his rest in heaven. " I cannot refrain from bearing testimony to my father's fidelity to my own soul. Well do I remem- ber his endeavors in my early childhood to lead me to the Saviour — his prayers, his entreaties, and the anxiety with which he followed me year after 216 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. year, while under the paternal roof and when away, till he could speak to me no more. His kind voice I shall no longer hear. His affectionate smile of approval, or tears shed over my waywardness, I shall no more see. His kind intercourse with the members of his family we shall no more share. He will no more call us around the hallowed family altar, and lead us in the hymn of praise and in pour- ing out the soul to God. He is in a more endeared, a happier and holier sphere, enjoying the smiles and presence of his God and Redeemer. Pray for me that I may have grace to follow his example as he followed Christ, and at last to unite in his songs." The above pages have sufficiently shown in what varied forms he rendered himself useful, as the teacher of a day-school, and in the relations he sus- tained to the Sabbath-school cause, and to the tract cause ; in Bible classes and in religious meetings ; to families and to individuals. The variety of efforts he made with his pen is equally striking. Not only did he address moving appeals to indi- viduals, but if a thought occurred which he judged to be of general interest, he embodied it in a few paragraphs and sent it for insertion in some relig- ious paper; and even if he inserted a scrap in an album, he improved the opportunity to direct the reader's mind to Christ, - CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 217 In the temperance cause he enlisted with a whole heart as early as 1823; rejecting all that could intoxicate, as also tobacco in all its forms, and throwing an influence in a thousand ways to ex- tend the temperance reformation. Many pious young men were by him sought out and directed towards the ministry. To the cause of missio?is, both in our own and pagan lands, he was steadfastly devoted. He not only turned his eye away from the accumulation of property as the object of his life, but felt the duty and claimed the blessedness to his own soul, of imparting for the cause of Christ a portion of what he had. On his dying bed, he mentioned to Mrs. Page, that five dollars, which before his sick- ness he had subscribed to a benevolent object, re- mained unpaid. " We have consecrated it to God," said he, " and I had rather it would be paid. You had better pay it, and trust him." His familiarity with the character and religious bearing of all the Tract Society's publications, and with the general state and wants of the commu- nity, rendered him skilful in selecting publications appropriate to the different fields and circumstances for which they were designed ; and also in giving an impulse and a wise direction to the feelings and efforts of Christians who were continually calling in the transaction of business. 218 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. And in all, it abundantly appears that he felt that the efficiency was alone with God ; and mingled continual prayer for the gift of gifts, the accompanying influences of the Holy Spirit. Is it wonderful that God should bless his ef- forts ? That in each church with which he stood connected, individuals, when relating their religious experience, should be heard referring to his faithful endeavors as the means of bringing them to Christ ? That a revenue of souls should have been gathered from the place of his nativity ; that thirty-two teach- ers were brought publicly to profess Christ, from one of his Sabbath-schools, and that nine of them have set their faces towards the ministry ? That thirty- four should hopefully have been gathered by him and his fellow-laborers from one ward of the city ; and that fifty-eight, in connection with his efforts and those of a few endeared associates, have been brought to join themselves to the people of God, from the Tract and Bible houses? That individu- als should come to his dying bed, and thank him with tears for his fidelity to their own souls? Is it wonderful, that in speaking to her who was soon to be his widow, of his early departure, and look- ing back on his work on earth as ended, he should, with the solemnity of eternity on his countenance, say, " I know it is all of God's grace, and nothing that I have done ; but I think I have had evidence CHARACTER OF HIS EFFORTS. 219 that more than one hundred souls have heen con- verted to God through my own direct and personal instrumentality ?" Look at the influence of such a Christian life on a large scale. Suppose every Christian labored, I do not say with such talents, but with such a heart to the ivork. Suppose there were ten such Chris- tians in every evangelical church throughout our land, and that God should equally bless their la- bors. How would they rouse their fellow-Christians to duty. How would they search the highways and hedges, and by God's grace compel the ungodly to come in. How- would they instruct the rising age. How would they hold up the hands of faithful ministers. How would the Holy Spirit be shed down in answer to their prayers. How would their influence penetrate through every vein of this great community ; and how soon would living piety here pour its influence on every benighted land* Such a light as would then shine could not be hid. It would illumine the world, and Christ would come and possess the nations. 220 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. CHAPTER X. TRIUMPHS OF GRACE ON HIS DYING BED. It remains only to linger a little while with our brother in the chamber of death. "We do not look to his dying bed for evidence of his good estate. This we had in. his life. Nor have we to record what occurred in the hurry and excitement and delirium of dying. He was let down to the grave by a gradual process of four months ; and contrary to almost all example, gave up all expectation of living many weeks before he left us, and while in the full and perfect exercise of his mental powers. It cannot be said that death had to him no ter- rors. This enemy did not come and steal him away unawares ; nor were the powers of his mind blunt- ed by disease or medicine. The king of terrors presented himself as if he would challenge divine grace to gain a victory. He showed him useful- ness closed, a dependent widow and children, ago- nizing bodily pain, and his soul about to appear before God. His disease was in the vital organs, and a con- tinual cough gave alarming evidence that it was seating itself upon the lungs. About six weeks previous to his death, Dr. M. W., one of the skil- HIS DYING BED. 221 ful and pious physicians who gave him their gra- tuitous counsel and aid, made a careful examina- tion with the stethoscope ; and as a faithful friend, informed him that his lungs were ulcerated, and he must die. " He received the announcement," says the physician, " calmly; as a man who felt that it is a solemn thing to exchange worlds, bat that he had a home in heaven." To a heart so spiritually alive, the scene before him was unutterably solemn and momentous. He wished clear evidence of his union to Christ, that should leave no question of his interest in him ; and to have a constant and lively sense of his im- mediate presence. Nothing short of this could meet the urgency of his case ; and this, for some days, he did not attain. " About six weeks before his death," says a kind brother who called on him with a Christian friend, "we found him in much mental distress. He said he had been endeavoring to examine his past life, but it was all a blank. ' Oh,' said he, ' I have done nothing for Christ. What an unprofitable life have I lived. How can one be a Christian who has done no more to prevent his acquaintance, and even his own household, from going down to hell V We re- peated to him a number of scripture promises. He said they were precious promises, but he could not appropriate them to himself. 222 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. "A few days after," says the same brother, "we called on him again ; and found that the desire of his heart was granted. Christ was with him ; and his emphatic language was, ' It seems as if I never knew before what it was to love him.' He ap- peared to feel that he had obtained a new view of the love of Christ, which he was anxious to com- municate for our benefit. ' I have been following him,' he said, ' all along as the evangelists record his history — how he healed the sick, how he fed the hungry, cast out devils, comforted the sor- rowful, and at last died for 'poor sinners ' — when his weeping prevented utterance. ' Oh, who can help loving such a blessed Saviour?' " ' I think I have evidence of love to Christ,' he soon added, 'from another source ; I love his people. 0, how my heart goes out towards all the dear brethren w T ho love Christ, and are trying to save poor sinners from hell. Brother A., and brother B., and brother ; that the Lord will make them more faithful and more useful. Do, breth- ren,' said he to us, ' be faithful to souls. It will be time enough to rest by and by.' " Again he said, " Should I go into a meeting and see a Christian with his eyes filled with tears, and his heart glowing with love to souls, pleading with sinners to come to Christ and live, should not I love him ? And when Christ comes and weeps HIS DYING BED. 223 over poor sinners, and says, ' Jerusalem, Jerusa- lem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not,' shall not I love him ? I know I love that Christian brother that would feel so; and don't I love Christ? I do love him. I do love him." The cloud returned no more till his spirit took its upward flight. The writer having been sometime absent from the city, sat by his bedside alone, expecting it might be the last interview with him on earth, when the fol- lowing conversation, almost word for word, occurred. " I have thought a great deal of you in my ab- sence, brother Page ; and when I come here and find you so low, it is very affecting. How wonder- fully God is dealing with us. He has seen fit to take away both of my children ; you are sinking ; and your son, by falling from an upper window, has very narrowly escaped death." " Yes," he replied, in slow, feeble, and tender tones, " God mingles mercies with afflictions. I want to thank him for preserving Cyrus' life. It is a great mercy." " It is wonderful," I added, " that God often cuts down those who seem most needed. Brother Hunter is gone ; Evarts and Cornelius are gone. He makes great breaches on the church." 224 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. " 0, brother H.," said he, as if he could not bear the allusion to himself as having been specially- useful, " I am nothing ; and have done nothing. I 'm nothing but a poor sinner. I 'm a blank, and less than a blank. I hang on the mere merits of Christ." " Has it not been a great trial to give up your wife and children, and all your work here ?" " It has been a trial to give them up, but not my great trial. I wanted a clear sense of the presence of Christ in my heart. For some time 1 could not get a clear view of him ; and it was not till I followed him all along from the manger to the cross, that I seemed to get a clear view of him as just the Saviour I need, and bring him home to my heart. I 've given all up here. My work here is all clone — it 's all done. What I want now is a sense of the presence of Christ ; and I think he is with me, and sustains me." " I rejoice that it is so ; and may his grace carry you through. I want before you die to thank you, brother Page, for your uniform kindness during the nine years we have been laboring together; and especially for the help you have given me in the spiritual life." " 0, brother H., don't thank me. I've done nothing, and been nothing but a poor miserable sinner. I don't want any thanks." HIS DYING BED. 225 " I have always felt," I added, " that you have essentially aided me in the Christian course." " Ah, I 've often felt wrong-, and done wrong. I want you, brother H., to forgive all you have seen amiss." " I have nothing to forgive. I wish rather to confess my faults to you." " 0, don't speak of it, brother H., I 've come short in every thing" — bursting into a flood of tears. The scene was full of instruction. I could scarce- ly avoid the impression that I was conversing with his spirit already sanctified for heaven. To see one who had lived such a life thus abasing him- self; to see him shudder at the intimation that he had been specially useful ; to hear him say, amid the solemnities of dying, u I am nothing, and have done nothing ; I'ma blank, and less than a blank ; I have done wrong and felt wrong, and cast my soul alone on the blood and righteousness of Christ," opened a new view of heaven, and made me feel, that whoever arrives at that blessed abode, what- ever his life has been, however much he has labored for Christ and the souls of men, will there pros- trate HIMSELF LOWER THAN THE DUST, AND GIVE TO God all, all the glory, for ever and ever. u You must feel some anxiety for your wife and children. I will endeavor to do what I can for them." Page. 15 226 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. u I don't want any promises. G od will take care of them." " I have hoped that it will be in the hearts oi friends around us to contribute something for them." " It can't be expected that any thing like what would support them could be raised. But I give all that up" " I understand you have expressed a desire that, your body be removed to Coventry. If so, I hope I may accompany it." " Ah, I've no concern about this poor body. All will be done right about it." About this time a friend from his native place visited him, and asking if he had any message for his parents and friends, he said, " Yes : " Tell my aged parents not to despond because God has taken me first, for he will be their stay and support, and soon we shall meet where parting will be no more. " Tell that it will be hard dying without an interest in Christ. " Tell sister L., I expect soon to meet her in heaven. " Tell my former pastor, that I remember with gratitude the instructions received from his lips." On the following Sabbath, as the writer called on him, he said, " I wanted to have gone home to-day; but they are trying to keep me here. My HIS DYING BED. 227 work here is all done, and I want to be with Christ." 11 Do you not look back now with peculiar pleas- ure on your direct personal efforts for the good of souls ?" " I look upon personal conversation and prayer with individuals as among my most successful en- deavors, and hope I have done some good. But it is not me. It is all of grace in Christ. There's nothing in me but sin. I'm nothing — nothing — less than nothing. Brother H., I have been a great sinner." " Is it the sins of your heart that trouble you chiefly ?" " Not particularly. I Ve been a great sinner in my childhood — and youth — and all my life — the chief sinners. But 'it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.'" " Do you feel that it is your choice now to go?" "Yes, if it is God's will." " Should he please to restore you, would you not be willing to remain here and labor a little longer ?" " yes, I think so, if it was his will. But my work on earth is all done. I want now to go and be with Christ. Prophets and apostles and mar- tyrs are there, and many pious friends are there ; 228 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. I feel that I should like to meet them. Christ will he there, and we shall he like him, and see him as he is ; that will he enough." " Is it not wonderful that Christians do not live in a nearer view of death?" " yes ; I 'm a wonder to myself. I didn't feel how short this life is." Some time previous to this conversation he had adjusted all his earthly concerns, reviewed his will, arranged his papers, given advice respecting his family and his burial, and thenceforward he seemed to feel that his work here was " all done," and to welcome nothing that did not immediately pertain to the exchange of worlds. The daily paper had for w r eeks been put aside as having " nothing of Christ in it," though not without expressing his belief that ere long the daily papers shall carry to their readers messages of salvation ; and when his family were reading to him from religious pa- pers he would sometimes stop them, saying, " Is there any thing there for a dying man ? If so, read it." He relished nothing but what was eminently spiritual, and regretted that he had not treasured more of the Bible in his memory. The twenty- third Psalm and the last chapter of Revelation were very precious to him. At one time he said, " Do read me a spiritual hymn, or something from HIS DYING BED. 229 the Bible : I 'm starving." Again, as a clergy- man came in, he said, " Do look out some hymns that express a great deal of heaven. Many of the hymns seem tame. They are pretty poetry, but do not present the joys of redemption and the glory of Christ. When T have a clear view of Christ my fears vanish, and I can trust myself wholly in his hands." It was remarked by those most familiar at his bedside, that not one impenitent acquaintance vis- ited him whom he did not seem to have warned. The tenor of his language to them was, " I have said all I can say. I can now add nothing new. My work here is all done." Finding that his life was continued longer than he expected, he said, " I thought my work was done, but I find it is not. I must strive to urge Christians and sinners to duty from this dying bed." As two brethren of the church from which he had recently separated himself came in, he said, " You will allow me to speak freely as a dying man. Are the dear brethren of the church awake ? Are they laboring for souls ? If I were to be raised up from this dying bed, would you not feel that I ought to be faithful ? And is the duty less yours than it would be mine ?" More than once he said, " The millennium will never come until Christians are more awake to 230 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. duty." And again, " for a holy ministry ; a ministry devoted to the salvation of souls ! I can't bear to have so much time ivasted in controversy. If all would devote themselves to the salvation of souls, how many might be saved from eternal burnings." The principal of a large female school coming in, he entreated her to be faithful to the souls of her pupils, and urged the momentous consequences should they be converted to God. She was much affected, and begged him to pray for her, when he immediately offered a short appropriate prayer for her and all committed to her charge. He observed that the number of the impenitent who visited him was comparatively small ; and when one with whom he had conversed retired, he said, " how the impenitent dread a dying bed." As a Christian friend, on seeing his strength so reduced, expressed his regret that he left the church with which he had been so long connected for the new enterprise, he said, " There were mo- tives pressing upon me that I could not resist. I felt that one at least of the officers of that church ought to go ; and hard as it was to tear myself away from the dear brethren, I do not regret it. There are some praying souls there, and I feel that God will bless their efforts for that destitute part of the city." HIS DYING BED. 231 His utterance in disturbed sleep continually indi- cated what the burden of his life had been. Gen- erally it was prayer, or an appeal to Christians or the impenitent. " No more pain — no more sm," was once his unconscious utterance. "Lord, reveal thyself to us. Show us thy glory." At another time he exclaimed with great ear- nestness, "Dear brethren, where are you? where are you? Are you in the light of God's counte- nance ? Are you in the light of the Sun of right- eousness V* Again, as if he were addressing the impenitent, " ' Now is the accepted time ; now is the day of salvation.' why will you not turn and give your hearts to God? Why will you go down to hell?" Again he said, with melting tenderness, as if some effort of his had been unavailing, "Poor girl! she has rejected her Saviour, and her soul must be lost." The visit of J« H. T., his fellow-laborer in the Tract and Bible houses, was peculiarly gratifying. He greeted him on being so near home ; they con- versed on the dealings of the Lord with them and the glories of eternity, and bade one another fare- well for a little while, till they should meet again never to separate. Again he said, "A death-bed is a precious place, 232 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. when we have the presence of Christ — then to wake to a glorious immortality. God does not send one unnecessary affliction." Again, " I feel as if I had got half-way home. I cannot bear to stop. It would be a pity to have the flesh return on these limbs again." Perhaps sacred music was never a source of more spiritual benefit or enjoyment in the chamber of sickness and death. For some years he led the devotions of the sanctuary, and in his earlier days was accustomed to play on the bass-viol and the flute. In his latter years, he made singing strictly a devotional exercise — a point the practical bear- ing of which on the Christian life cannot be too much urged. He used it as such at social meet- ings, and uniformly made it a part of family wor- ship. Providence kindly so ordered it that Mr. F., a Christian brother accustomed to lead choirs in the city, resided near, who to his love of music joined a tender sympathy with the sick and dying. At the request of Mr. Page, he sung a few appro- priate selections ; and finding they were as a pre- cious balm to his heart, tendered his services to come in daily and as often as he desired. The impression made upon the mind of the dying man was so strong, that he would anticipate his return with great interest. "I expect Mr. F. soon," he would say to his family, " and I want ycu all to be HIS DYING BED. 233 here." When he arrived he would inquire for each absent member, unwilling that the singing should commence till all were present, and then anxious that all should join in the praises of the Most High. After singing one day, he said, " How sweet ; and if the music of earth is so sweet, what must be the music of heaven, where all the heavenly hosts unite their voices — ten thousand upon ten thou- sand?" The beautiful hymns, " Rock of ages," and, " My faith looks up to thee," as set to music in the " Spiritual Songs," took precedence of all others. The music of the first was composed by Mr. Hast- ings of New York, and of the other by Mr. L. Ma- son of Boston, who have consented to their inser- tion at the close of the volume, as it may be gratifying to some readers, and perhaps be the means of adding consolation to some other depart- ing friend. The hymn beginning, " How sweet the name of Jesus sounds," as set to music in the same work, was also peculiarly precious to him, and one that he often repeated. At one time he asked for the reading of the hymn, " When languor and disease invade," etc., and as the fifth verse was read, said with emphasis, "Yes, u Sweet to lie passive in his hands, And know no will but his," 234 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. On one occasion, as they were singing from the seventeenth Psalm, beginning with the words, " What sinners value I resign," " he repeated the verses," says one who was present, " with a tone and animation more than earthly : " Lord, 't is enough that thou art mine : I shall behold thy blissful face, And stand complete in righteousness." " As he repeated the fifth verse, with inexpres- sible ardor and solemnity, we felt almost that we were already transported to those blissful regions : " GLORIOUS HOUR ! BLEST ABODE ! I shall be near — and like — my God." " I wonder," he said, " that singing is not more used around the bed of the sick. It seems to me admirably adapted to cheer and comfort them." He expressed an earnest desire that all his fam- ily should learn to sing. " Then," said he, " you can have a little heaven here below." Again he said, "0 how can the churches be so indifferent to the praises of the sanctuary — the very employment of heaven ! how can Christians sing so little in their families : it is the beginning of heaven ; it is heaven on earth." As he was apparently slumbering, his infant son struck the strings of a bass-viol that stood in the room : " My little son," said he, "is that you ? Do that again. Papa loves to hear that." HIS DYING BED. 235 On hearing an organ as it passed in the street he said, " That sounds sweet. I am becoming very fond of instrumental music : I suppose there will be a good deal of it from the golden harps of heaven." At one time, with much effort, he sung the line, "Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings j' 7 but not having strength to proceed, stopped, saying, "0 when shall I go home? How long must I be burdened with this body? The Lord knows how much suffering I need to prepare me for his king- dom." In all his sickness he exhibited surprising ten- derness of spirit. He could not bear the thought that there were any Christians who did not love one another, and who were not engaged in the service of Christ. If he had manifested the least impatience, he would pray God to forgive him, beg his wife to forgive him, and often express his gratitude for the kindness he received in the most affecting manner. Frequently he wept in view of the long-continued and gratuitous attentions of his stated physician, Dr. J. C. B. As he had been ministering to his necessities one day, and had led in prayer and retired, he said with tears, " How good to have some one to carry you up into heav- en;" adding, after a pause, " When I think of his prolonged and unwearied kindness to us, my heart swells with emotions which I cannot utter." 236 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. He was continually endeavoring to relieve the sorrows of those around him. "When he saw her weeping who was soon to be a widow, he sum- moned his utmost efforts, and urged his most ardent supplications to God, that she might have divine consolation ; and when he found that she had yielded the point, and given him and herself and her children and her all to God, to be disposed of according to his pleasure, he expressed great joy and gratitude. " God will take care of you," said he ; " I am sure of it. Only trust in God, and he will provide for you. His promises to the widow and the fatherless are precious. The Bible is full of them." His tender dread of sin continued to the last. A dear Christian friend says he regards the night he watched with him as one of the most privileged seasons of his life. They had many short and delightful interviews. Towards morning he said very seriously, "Have you seen any thing, brother, in which you think I have sinned to-night ?" " Nothing in particular," was the reply. " Twice," added the faithful, affectionate brother, " you spoke of the pain occasioned by your labored respiration, and perhaps expressed a little impatience." He immediately lifted up his tearful eye to God, and offered an earnest prayer that he might be purified from all sin. HIS DYING BED. 237 After violent coughing, he said, " My children, you see this is suffering. It is for sm." At another time he said, " The Bible speaks of perfection. I feel no perfection. I am all sin. Christ is perfect, and his blood cleanseth from all sin." Again he said, " Sometimes I so earnestly desire to depart, that I feel as though I could not wait ; but I want you to persuade me not to feel so. I fear it is wrong." Equally undiminished was his se?zse of his un- worthiness. As one, now a brother in the church, had wept at his bedside, and thanked him for his faithful efforts in arresting him in his downward course of sin, he said, " I know not what to do with such scenes — there 's a great deal too much ascribed to man." His eldest son having been absent, he expressed a great desire to see him before he died ; and when he arrived, clasped him for many minutes in his withered arms, and bestowed upon him a father's richest counsels and blessing. This had been, for some time, the only remaining earthly favor he had to request. He wished to have all his children once more together, and to give them his dying counsels. A few days before he died, after a paroxysm of coughing, he said, " I was in hopes to depart ; but 238 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. I must wait a little longer. How long probably before another nicer will fill 1 when shall I awake in thy likeness?" Again he repeated the words, " Home, home !" and prayed, " for a free and full discharge. Lord Jesus, come quickly. "Why wait thy chariot wheels so long ? I dedicate myself to thee. may I have the victory. come quickly. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." A little before his death, as all his family were around him, after % short prayer in weakness and want of breath that rendered utterance scarcely possible, he addressed a word to each. "I want you all," said he, "to be a bundle of love. " To Mrs. Page : " Though a thousand miles apart, you may be serving God here — and I in heaven." To his eldest son : " I want you should be a holy man — an active, living Christian." To his daughter : " Stand fast. Be steadfast in the faith. Wander not from God. Be wholly his." To a younger son : " be a Christian indeed, my son." To the infant : " Love God. Learn what he is — what heaven is." To a niece : " I have been committing all my family to God. Love God. Pray to him daily." Then he prayed, " I thank thee for suffering. I HIS DYING BED. 239 deserve it. How much I deserved death, eternal death ! Deliver me from a long series of sufferings, if consistent ; but I submit. Let me not complain nor dictate. Remember thy handmaiden. Re- member her in her trials. Thou knowest the sup- ports she needs — grant them fully. May she be willing to commit me to thy hands. Bless this daughter and all these children, and all their con- cerns. I COMMIT MYSELF TO THEE, JeSUS, SaVIOUR OF SINNERS. THE INFINITE LOVE OF CHRIST ! I MAY STOP MY MOUTH, AND LIE IN THE DUST." This is the legacy he left to a lonely widow, and four fatherless children. This, his testimony to the matchless grace of God, abounding, through Christ, to one who had no mer- its of his own. This, his moving persuasive to every child of God to abound in duty. This, his voice of warning and entreaty to rebel sinners, saying, " Be ye reconciled to God." The mercy and kindness of a covenant God, to whom he committed his family with such implicit trust, claims here to be recorded in the fact, that soon after his death, a few Christian friends assem- bled and commenced a subscription for the benefit of the widow and children, w T hich was raised to 240 LIFE OF HARLAN PAGE. $2,000. As the subject was mentioned to a pious mechanic, he said, with the tear standing in his eye, " I want to give something. Here are ten dollars. But for Mr. Page, I should probably have sunk into a miserable eternity." He was asked to relate the circumstances, and thus replied : "On New-Year's day, 1827 or 8, which was Monday, I reflected that I had never attended a monthly concert of prayer in this city, and deter- mined that for once I would go. I went early, found only the sexton in the room, and sat down. Soon there came in a plain man, who spoke very pleasantly to the sexton, and then coming and sit- ting by my side, after a kind salutation, said, ' I trust you love the Saviour?' -The question in- stantly rilled my eyes with tears, I had been preached to at arms' length, all my days in Neiv Hampshire ; but this ivas the first time in my life that ever a Christian thus kindly and directly prut such a question to my heart. We conversed con- siderably together, in the course of which, at his request, I gave him my name and residence. The next day he came into my shop, and brought me the tract, ' Way to be Saved,' which he thought I should like to read. He called again and again. I became interested in him, and the next Sabbath joined his Sabbath-school ; was brought, as I hope, to Christ, and soon united with the church." HIS EPITAPH. 241 The body of Mr. Page, according to a suggestion above, was interred in Coventry, his native place ; and over his grave a marble slab bears the follow- ing epitaph : Jn fttmorg OF HARLAN PAGE, FOR NINE YEARS DEPOSITARY OF THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, WHO DIED AT NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 28, 1884, IN THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH, AGED 43. "He ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." 212 LIFE OF HARLAN TAGE. BOCK OF AGES. By permission. Air and 2d Treble. 5E33E 53 :« 3: Pg —9 £ ^ Rock of a - - ges, cleft for me, Let me Be of sin the per - feet cure ; Save me, ££3§ fee j£ :CfzzC=fffzzt: _p ^_ - »• " h 1 1". fc ' r . * - 1 d ' d £. # . 1 1 * « H ®. *! 1 1 & 1 »• S i 1 1 ■ !*• i r & J CD ^ & 1 u i hide my - - sel Lord, and mat f. - . r [ in thee ; Let the wa - e me pure. a*> a • a a • - ter and the or p p r r r r r r till f-3 ! U 1 1 1 1 ^ ^ 1* P ** £ 1 * *» !* ■ 1 .— ] - n 1? 1 ( H 1 <©. • H -J °i «. r ■ 1 • 1 — -j f 1 ! 1 L- #■ l 1 CD d* CD \ blood, I From thy 1 wound t 1* ■ ed m side that • flowed. 1 D. c. 1 r c f r p p a 1 2 1 1 1 cj 1 & £ _ 1 ** W V a u Should my tears for ever flow ; While I draw this fleeting breath, Should my zeal no languor know, "When mine eyelids close in death, This for sin could not atone ; "When I rise to worlds unknown, Thou must save, and thou alone. And behold thee on thy throne, In my hand no price I bring ; Rock of ages, cleft for me, Simply to thy cross I cling. Let me hide myself in thee. SACRED MUSIC. OLIVET. 213 1 ! ! ] 1y permissiou. f V *> I'd i | - I A ~ ' ~m ' " ' ::£• • ^_ i ^ *• flJ ftfl ^ *> cd S jJ . £_ is § ; — i i ^ -p. s O «» » CD \ VS.- ff ^ I 1 [£frP— P-f tf> 1 1 ~r r i — rP r r ■ ; ^ i " rig J p»- pj&t* Saviour di - vine ! Now hear me while I pray ; Take all my m :gr £ 0'-- -:-- a guilt away : let me from this day Be whol - ly thine. PS May thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire : As thou hast died for me, may my love to thee, Pure, warm, and changeless be- A living fire. "While life's dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be thou my guide ; Bid darkness turn to day, "Wipe sorrow's tears away, Nor let me ever stray From thee aside. - When ends life's transient dream, When death's cold sullen stream Shall o'er me roll, Blest Saviour, then in love Fear and distrust remove ; hear me safe above — A ransomed soul. PUBLICATIONS AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. These works are not exceeded in high evangelical charac- ter, spiritual power, and practical worth by any similar col- lection in any language. They have been carefully selected for the great body of intelligent readers throughout the coun- try, and the most watchful parent may supply them to his family or to others, not only with safety to their best and eter- nal interests, but with hope of the richest spiritual blessings. D' Aubigne's History of the Reforma- tion. A new translation, revised "by the author, in four volumes 12mo, with portraits. Price $1 75, extra cloth. Family Testament with Notes. Baxter's Saints' Everlasting Rest, 12mo, in large type ; also l8mo. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, 12mo, in large type, and 18mo. Both editions neatly illustrated. Memoir of Jas. Milnor, D. D. Mason's Spiritual Treasury, for every day in the year. Terse, pithy, and evangelical. Flavel's Fountain of Life, or Re- demption Provided. Flavel's Method of Grace, or Re- demption applied to the Souls of Men. Flavel's Knocking at the Door; a tender, practical appeal. Bishop Hall's Scripture History, or Contemplations on the Historical Passages of the Old and New Tes- taments. Alleine's Heaven Opened. Bishop Hopkins on the Ten Com- mandments. Three standard works of the times of Baxter. President Edwards' Thoughts on Re- vivals. Venn's Complete Duty of Man. Owen on Forgiveness, or Psalm 130. Gregory's (Olinthus, LL.D.) Evi- dences of Christianity. Riches of Bunyan. Paley's Natural Theology, and Horaa Paulinas. Baxter's Reformed Pastor. Baxter's Treatise on Conversion. Dr. Spring's Bible Not of Man, or the Argument for the Divine Ori- gin of the Scriptures drawn from the Scriptures themselves. Nelson's Cause and Cure of Infi- delity. Memoir of Summerfield. Memoir of Mrs. Isabella Graham A new and standard edition. Memoir of Mrs. Sarah L. Huntington Smith. Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship. Hymns and Tunes — with a separate edition in patent notes. Also, the Hymns separately. Elegant Narratives, Select Tracts, illustrated. Willison's Afflicted Man's Com- panion. Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Re- ligion in the Soul. Edwards' History of Redemption. Volume on Infidelity, comprising five standard treatises : Soame Jenyns on the Internal Evidence ; Leslie's Method with Deists • Iwt- tleton's Conversion of Pa&2 , Wat- son's Reply to Gibbon a*id Paine. Pike's Persuasives to E«uiy Piety. Pike's Guide to Young Disciples. Anecdotes for the Family and the Social Circle. Universalism Not of God. Dibble's Thoughts on Missions. The Bible True. Songs of Zion. Considerations for Young Men. Who are the Happy ? Letters on Universalism. ELEGANT PRACTICAL WORKS. Wilberforce's Practical View. Hannah More's Practical Piety. James' Anxious Inquirer. Elijah the Tishbite. Nevins' Practical Thoughts. Melvill's Bible Thoughts, selected by the late Rev Dr. Milnor. Harris' Mammon. Gurney's Love to God. Foster's Appeal to the Young. Abbott's Young Christian. Abbott's Mother at Home. Abbott's Child at Home. James' Young Man from Home CHRISTIAN MEMOIRS. Rev. Claudius Buchanan, LL.D., in- cluding his Christian Researches in Asia. Rev. John Newton. Rev. Henry Martyn. Rev. David Brainerd. Rev. Edward Payson, D. D. Harriet L. Winslow, Missionary in India. OTHER SPIRITUAL WORKS. James Brainerd Taylor. Harlan Page. Normand Smith. Richard Baxter. Archbishop Leighton. Matthew Henry. Rev. Samuel Pearce. Rev. Samuel Kilpin. Edwards on the Affections. Baxter's Call to the Unconverted. Alleine's Alarm to the Unconverted. Flavel's Touchstone. Flavel on Keeping the Heart. Helffenstein's Self-Deception. Sherman's Guide to an Acqaint- ance with God. MISCELLANEOUS WORKS. Pike's Religion and Eternal Life. Baxter's Dying Thoughts. Matthew Henry on Meekness. Andrew Fuller's Backslider. Scudder's Redeemer's Last Com- mand. Scudder's Appeal to Mothers. Burder's Sermons to the Aged. Bogue's Evidences of Christianity. Keith's Evidence of Prophecy. Morison's Counsels to Young Men. The Reformation in Europe. Nevins' Thoughts on Popery. Spirit of Popery, [12 engravings.] The Colporteur and Roman-catholic, Clarke's Scripture Promises. The Book of Psalms. The Book of Proverbs. Daily Scripture Expositor. Ten Commandments Explained. Bean and Venn's Advice to a Married Couple. Hymns for Infant Minds. Reasons of Repose. Daily Food for Christians. Mason on Self-Knowledge . Sherman's Guide to an Acquaint- ance with God. Divine Law of Beneficence. Zaccheus, or Scriptural Plan of Be- nevolence. Hymns for Social Worship. POCKET MANUALS. Chaplet of Flowers. Heavenly Manna. Cecil and Flavel's Gift for Mourn- ers. Daily Texts. Diary, [Daily Texts interleaved.] Crumbs from the Master's Table. Milk for Babes. Provision for Passing over Jordan. Dew-Drops. BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG. MANY OF THEM BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED "WITH ENGRAVINGS. Gallaudet's Scripture Biography, 7 volumes, from Adam to David. Gallaudet's Youth's Book of Natural Theology. Peep of Day. Line upon Line.- Precept upon Precept. Hannah More's Repository Tracts. Mary Lundie Duncan. Charlotte Elizabeth. Martha T. Sharp. Fletcher's Lectures. John D. Lockwood. Memoir of Caroline E. Smelt. Gallaudet's Child's Book on the Soul. Anzonetta R. Peters. The Night of Toil. Advice to a Young Christian. Madam Rumpff and Duchess de Broglie. Scudder's Tales about the Heathen. Amelia, the Pastor's Daughter. Trees, Fruits, and Flowers of the Bible, [9 cuts.] Jessie Little. Isabel. Walker's Faith Explained. Walker's Repentance Explained. Margaret and Henrietta. Bartimeus. Children invited to Christ. The Dairyman's Daughter, etc. Peet's Scripture Lessons. Child's Book of Bible Stories. Children of the Bible. Amos Armfleld, or the Leather-cov- ered Bible. The Child's Hymn-Book. Selected by Miss Caulkins. Scripture Animals, [16 cuts.] Letters to Little Children, [13 cuts.] Great Truths in Simple Words. Pictorial Tract Primer. Watt's Divine and Moral Songs. With numerous similar works. ALSO, Dr. Edwards' Sabbath Manual, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Dr. Edwards' Temperance Manual. In German — 56 vols., various sizes, including Barth's Church History, Life of M. Boos, Rules of Life, Lord's Day, Fabricius, Honey- Drop, Christ Knocking at the Door, and two volumes and pack- ets of Books for Children, recently published. In French — Sixteen volumes. In Spanish — D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation. Vol. I., Bogue's Authenticity of the New Testa- ment, Pilgrim's Progress, Illus- trated Tract Primer, Primitive Ca- tholicism, Andrew Dunn, Sabbath Manual, Part 1, Kirwan's Letters, Evangelical Hymns, Temperance Manual, and Manual for Children. In Welsh — Pilgrim's Progress, Bax- ter's Saints' Rest and Call, Anx- ious Inquirer, History of Redemp- tion. In Danish — Doddridge's Rise and Progress, Baxter's Saints' Rest and Call. Also, upwards of 1,000 Tracts and Children's Tracts, separate, bound, or in packets, adapted for convenient sale by merchants and traders, many of them with beautiful engravings — in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, and Welsh. O 2 " It is the design of the Society to issue all its publications in good type, for the poor as well as the rich ; and to sell them, as nearly as may be, at cost, that the Society may neither sustain loss nor make a profit by all its sales. FEB 8 1901