WHAT he had done hitherto, with reference to the conversion of souls, was only as necessity obliged him. The peace, and perfection of his own soul, being his main object of concern, till providence, having designed him for the ministry of the gospel, put him upon more extensive measures for promoting the kingdom of Christ.
He began to consider more nearly, that souls having cost our Saviour so dear, nothing could be done more acceptable to him than to prevent their loss; and that the glory of God’s majesty, did most shine in the salvation of sinners purchased with the blood of his Son. These considerations kindled in him such love to mankind, that he could no longer refrain from exhorting, first his Christian brethren, with all fervour, to devote their hearts without reserve to God; and next, every soul with whom he had any sort of intercourse. His heart bled for poor careless sinners against God, and their own souls. The word of the Lord was in him, so that he could not but speak. He knew not how to forbear publishing as on the house top, that infinite love which dealt so graciously with himself. “It is not enough that I serve our Lord: all hearts must love him, and all tongues must praise him!”
God touched his heart in such a manner as to leave no doubt whether this appointment was from heaven; and the concurrence of outward providences confirmed his internal persuasion. Thus, freed from all farther wavering and irresolution, he entered upon that employment, which he verily believed, he would wish he had done at the hour of death, and in the day of judgment.
Desirous therefore to exercise his Lord’s talent, and the time affording a providential provision for it, even out of the ordinary way; he took the opportunity of his present connexions, and without looking farther, pursued the following measures. “I opened, (says he) my mind to that man of God, the Rev. Mr. John Wesley. I spoke my thoughts freely, and without disguise, desiring his advice on the occasion; which he sweetly and humbly gave me: adding withal, that I might write to him afterwards. I did so, giving him a brief account of my conversion to God, and of what I experienced in my soul concerning preaching. His answer was as follows,
“My dear brother,
“It is hard to judge what God has called you to, till trial is made. Therefore when you have an opportunity, you may go to Shronil, and spend two or three days with the people there. Speak to them in Irish.”
Shronil is a village in the county of Tipperary, distant from the place he then resided at New-Market, about thirty English miles. The inhabitants, many of whom were Protestant Dissenters, had sometime before gladly received the word of God from the Methodists. Thither he went, accompanied by one of his own brothers, and another of his Christian brethren; having been commended to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the earnest prayers of several of the children of God. “We walked it, (says he) and gave ourselves to prayer, conversing of the things of the kingdom of heaven, and exhorting those we met with in the way to fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
They arrived there the next day, which was in July 1750. The brethren received them kindly in the Lord, though they were unknown to them by face. And having had knowledge of his errand, and informed their neighbours, there assembled in the evening, a considerable congregation, to whom, for the first time, he preached the word of God, choosing for his text, the words of St. Paul, Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
He did so again the next morning, on Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans v. 1.) and in like manner, morning and evening, during the few days he stayed among them.
And the Lord bore testimony to the word of his grace. For although some, (as has always been the case,) contradicted and mocked, yet others were deeply affected, and some were turned to the Lord, “So gracious was God (as he adds) to own the labour of his poor creature, and to bless the word of his weakest and meanest messenger. Not unto me, but unto thy name be the glory! O God, thou hast done the work. Thou didst give the word, and didst also apply it; for thou only canst turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. O my God, stand by me still; and as hitherto thou hast helped me, never leave nor forsake me: but keep my soul in peace, and give me a humble, and a meek spirit. Let me labour diligently in thy vineyard, and spend my life and strength in the labour of love. Amen, Lord Jesus!”