The following chapter continues the record of the great revival in Huddersfield, which is interspersed, after Mr. Caughey's manner, with meditations, reflections and suggestions, which cannot but be profitable to candid and spiritual readers. One thousand souls had found Christ at the date at which this chapter commences.
Feb. 11. -- What a glorious work of God among the young people, many of whom were saved on Sabbath and last night! -- Not the world's leavings! not Satan's remnants, depreciated by his iniquitous clippings! No. Drygoods merchants have what they call remnants, -- ends of webs, leavings of whole pieces, -- sold cheaper than the rest. OLD sinners are but remnants of their former selves. Numbers of such [have been] saved, but the devil had nearly used them up, body and soul. But these young souls, from seventeen years to twenty-five old, -- fresh, vigorous, beginning their day's work for eternity in the prime of life's morning. O how much good they may accomplish if faithful before they enter their rest above! Mr. Wesley used to say he loved and venerated a young man, because of the good he would be doing in the world when he was sleeping in the dust...
March 4th. -- I omitted to note that last week I preached two sermons to the youth of the town. A great gathering of them, and the power of our God was present among them; many were saved, -- from seventeen years of age, to twenty and twenty-five. May this young, warm, soft and tender wax, receive the fairest impression the Gospel seal can imprint! These opening flowers must be very precious to Jesus, -- "saints in the bud," as one called them; -- the almond-trees of prophetic vision; the hastening tree, the early blossoming tree, the first awake, when all the other trees are locked in repose of winter; the first in bloom of all in the eastern forests; covered with blossoms in January, while all others are budless; and bearing fruit in March, when other trees are but just beginning to bud. Perhaps this was the reason why the Lord selected this tree as a symbol in prophecy, because of its early nature, indicating speedy fulfillment. "Jeremiah, what seest thou?" "I see a rod of an almond tree," replied the prophet. Then the Lord said, "Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it." -- Jer. 1:11, 12. God has a work to perform by these youth; these early blossoms of piety indicate a speedy accomplishment. May his purposes concerning them never be frustrated!
But Jeremiah only saw the rod of an almond tree; as if God, according to some, intended the speedy infliction of those judgments he was about to announce to the prophet. The Lord has long waited for the repentance of some old sinners in this town, and waited in vain. Alas! but these young people, like the almond-rod symbol, may indicate the speedy going forth of that sentence, "Cut them down; why cumber they the ground?" Must speak out on this, trumpet-toned. The Lord is giving the middle-aged and the aged a loud and significant call.
March 7th. -- A few nights since we had a stirring scene in Queen Street Chapel. My theme was wrestling Jacob. -- Gen. 32:26. Arriving at that point where the angel asked Jacob, "What is thy name?" and Jacob's reply, and its signification, -- deceiver, the supplanter, -- felt a sudden impulse to be personal, and described a couple of characters, greatly crossed by providence with many sorrows, and conflicts, and battles with life's difficulties, and the why and the wherefore, -had not been faithful to the grace of God, and his light upon their consciences; said many things which I cannot recall, for all was unpremeditated. But a power was upon me. Features of characters were before me. Words, like paint, were given, touched and re-touched, till the likenesses were complete; felt like a painter who has done his best, and lays down the brush. And now came the dread call for the originals! Bold and daring man! Amidst a tempest of emotion, I cried out, "Stand up upon your feet!" Instantly, up rose a man. "Now the woman! -- where is the woman?" "Here she is!" cried a voice from the congregation. There she stood! both of them, now, trembling with emotion. I addressed them a little, and made a fresh appeal. Others arose, -- their features also had appeared in the pictures! The congregation was taken by surprise. We went to prayer, and about a dozen of souls were saved.
After prayer-meeting, a middle-aged man solicited an interview; said he had found peace some time since; that one night I had drawn his picture so complete, there was no mistaking it; that I declared it as my faith, I should yet hold the original by the hand. "Now, sir, has any one else owned up to that picture?" No. " Well, sir, I am the man." He was happy in God.
Old Humphrey says, "When we want an arrow to go right home, there is nothing like taking a single aim. This is what a good friend of mine calls using a rifle-barrel instead of a scattering blunderbuss!" I have often found it so in preaching. "A single aim" is surer to bring down a soul, than a scattering, indirect, aimless discourse. Many hear the voice of man only in the Gospel, but some the voice of God; then it is the power of God unto salvation. It comes direct then, as to fallen Adam in the garden, -- "Adam, where art thou?" -- and wakes the dead. When Saul of Tarsus was struck down on his way to Damascus, the men who were with him saw the light, and heard a voice, -- perhaps a thunder only, -- no more; they distinguished not the words. Saul did. The articulate voice was for his ear alone. He understood it. They did not. There was a voice within a voice, so to speak, -- "a still, small voice," may be, such as Elijah heard in Horeb. --1 Kings 19:11, 13. Saul both saw and heard Jesus. His mind had a new era from that hour. There is something of this in every awakening under the Gospel. St. Paul reminds those converted under his ministry of this." For this cause also we thank God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it NOT AS THE WORD OF MEN but as it is in truth, THE WORD OF GOD which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1 Thess. 2:13. Illustrations of this have been remarkably numerous in Huddersfield during this revival.
