The following extract describes a return visit three months later to the scene of his first Mission:—
“Nottingham, May 30th, 1872.
“But I have no words to describe the interest of my short visit here. Nothing could be more satisfactory. I found almost all those in whom I trusted a work was begun standing fast and thankful in the Lord. Many of them were so transformed from the look of gloom and depression which they had in February to a look of peaceful, confiding thankfulness, that I could scarcely believe they were the same persons; and their affection, their gratitude, and their pleasure in meeting me again were truly touching to my heart.”
Leeds Church Congress:—
“Leeds, October 8th, 1872.
“In almost an hour I am going down to the battle, as weak as David, but I hope to find the help of David’s God. There is an enormous gathering for the Congress, and people of all classes will be there. Oh, how earnestly I hope and pray that the Blessed Spirit will rest on all there who are called to speak for their blessed Saviour!”
Mission at Hull:—
“Hull, November 25th, 1872.
“Many thanks both to you and — for your letters, for I delight to hear from you, and think of you with most heartfelt and loving prayers.
“I had a very pleasant, quiet, unfatiguing journey, quite by myself all the way from London, so that I had no temptation or obligation to talk. At Tranby I had a most affectionate and brotherly welcome, and came on here on Saturday, full of hope and thanksgiving for the privilege of speaking to so many people about their souls.
“Immediately on my arrival I went to a meeting of Communicants, very much like our own, and then to a very uninteresting conference of the clergy; so we did not really begin work till yesterday. In the morning there was a fine congregation, and in the evening one still larger, with a prayer-meeting after it, in a large hall which was so full many could not get in. As a mode of intercourse with the people it of course completely failed, but as an indication of their interest it was very encouraging, and I am happy to say that, one way or another, I have already met with several persons anxious about their state, and I am thankful to be able to add that some of them have gone home with the expression of great satisfaction to their souls as the result of what they have been taught.
“I have therefore great reason to be thankful for a beginning, and from what I have seen of the first droppings of the shower I cannot help hoping that there is a real blessing in store.
“Immense pains have been taken all over the town, and much prayer offered, so that we have a right to look for great things.
“My throat is not at all the worse for yesterday, and, if anything, better; but I tumbled about all night with a very hot head after the excitement of the day.
“My host and hostess are most kind and agreeable: they make me exceedingly comfortable, and are people quite able to carry out their hospitable intentions, so that I am very well off; but I am not sure that Thorold is not wise in going into a lodging, so as to avoid the necessity of conversation, for I really believe that talking fatigues more than preaching, and I sometimes long to be alone, or at all events to be able to get away into my own study just when I please. But I ought not to say so, for I am as comfortable as man can make me. Pray for me, that I may have wisdom and power given to me.”
Specimen of one of Canon Hoare’s “Mission Subjects”:—
St. Dunstan’s Mission.—November 12th to 22nd, 1880.
Nov. 12th.—To Communicants. Psalm cv. 40: “He satisfied them with the bread of heaven.”
Nov. 13th.—Prayer-Meeting. Psalm xcvii. 5: “The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord.”
Nov. 14th.—M. Jonah ii. 9: “Salvation is of the Lord.” A Divine Saviour; Salvation; Revelation; Application.
E. Gen. xlii. 21: “We are verily guilty.” Conscience—may be seared, 1 Tim. iv. 2; defiled, Titus i. 15; aroused, John viii. 9; purged, Heb. x. 22.
Nov. 15th.—M. Propitiation: (1) Divine, Rom. iii. 25; (2) Complete, Heb. ix. 12; (3) Final, Heb. ix. 28; (4) Satisfies conscience, Heb. ix. 14; (5) Sufficient, Heb. x. 18.
E. Heb. xii. 24: “The blood of sprinkling.” Speaks of complete atonement, full remission of sin, Heb. x. 22, ix. 22.
Nov. 16th.—M. Forgiveness: (1) Present, Psalm xxxii. 1; (2) Complete, Micah vii. 19; (3) Dependent on atonement, Rom. iii. 25; (4) First gift of the New Covenant, Jer. xxxi. 34—“for.”
A. To Mothers. Heb. ii. 13: “I will put my trust in the Lord. . . . Behold, I and the children whom Thou hast given me.”
E. Job ix. 29: “If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?” (1) The difficulty; (2) The remedy—“the Daysman” or Mediator, ver. 33.
Nov. 19th.—M. Justification, Rom. v. 1–10: (1) Five blessings from, vv. 1–5; (2) Through reconciliation, ver. 10; (3) To whom given, vv. 6, 8, 10; (4) When given, vv. 6, 8—“yet.”
E. John v. 28, 29: “The hour is coming.” (1) The voice; (2) The resurrection; (3) The separation.
Nov. 18th.—M. The New Birth, John iii. 1–16: (1) The necessity, ver. 7; (2) A spiritual change, ver. 6; (3) By the sovereign power of the Holy Ghost, vv. 5, 8; (4) Found before the Cross of Christ, vv. 14–16.
A. To Church-Workers. Zech. iv. 1–10. (1) “By My spirit”; (2) The mountain removed; (3) Christ will finish His work; (4) Small things; (5) Christ the King and Priest supplies all, ver. 3.
E. John v. 25: “The dead shall hear.” (1) Dead conscience; affections; hope, etc.; (2) The dead hear; (3) The dead live.
Nov. 19th.—M. Sanctification: (1) In the heart, Psalm xl. 8; (2) The standard, 1 John iii. 3; (3) The difficulty, 1 John i. 8; (4) Progressive, 2 Peter iii. 18; (5) By the use of Scripture, John xvii. 17; (6) By the sight of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. iii. 18; (7) Must follow, not precede forgiveness, Jer. xxxi. 33, 34.
E. Matt. xxvii. 46: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (1) The imputation of sin to Christ; (2) The certainty of complete satisfaction; (3) The burden of unforgiven sin.
Nov. 20th.—Prayer-Meeting. Psalm xxxiv.: The song of the delivered.
Nov. 21st.—M. Psalm cxix. 94: “I am Thine.” (1) By the gift of the Father, John xvii. 2; (2) By redemption through the Son, 1 Cor. vi. 20; (3) By the life-giving power of the Holy Ghost, John vi. 63; (4) By personal surrender to God, Rom. xii. 1.
A. To Men only. 2 Cor. vi. 18: “I will be a Father unto you.”
E. Exod. xxi. 5: “I love my master; I will not go out free.” (1) The new master; (2) The old master.
Nov. 22nd.—Jude 24: “Him that is able to keep you from falling.”
Summary: (1) Finished propitiation; (2) Free gift; (3) Life-giving power of the Holy Ghost.
CHAPTER XII
PARISH WORK
Some men are in great request as preachers and speakers outside their parishes, but for some reason or other they are not very useful at home.