Edward Hoare, M.A Part 11

The first invitation which he accepted was that given by the Vicar of Holy Trinity, Nottingham, on the occasion of a general mission throughout that town in 1872. Being his first, it was a time of the most intense and thrilling interest, and the letters describing it are therefore given at more length than those that refer to later missions. Not that this work lost any of its freshness to him; during the twelve years that followed he undertook similar missions frequently, sometimes twice in a year. The opportunity was always fraught with the deepest and most prayerful interest to the preacher; his congregation, moreover, will remember how he used to return to them after such occasions, not wearied, but fresher than ever, and all aflame with spirituality, power, and love.

His scheme of subjects for a mission was very wisely drawn up; some of these have been printed, and evince great knowledge of human nature. The writer well remembers how that, when he was going to undertake a mission for the first time, Canon h.o.a.re sent for him and said, "Tell me your order of sermons and Bible-readings." It was mentioned in detail; he replied, "I see very little about the 'New Life.'" He was referred to the subject of "consecration." "Well," said he, "if you will take my advice, you will leave that out. I say little about 'consecration,'

because that is man's work. Make the life which is G.o.d's gift one entire subject; its necessity, its source, and its reality; and consecration will follow." His advice was taken, with the happiest results.

To his daughters:-

"TRINITY VICARAGE, NOTTINGHAM, _February_ 6_th_, 1872.

"I think I may thus far give a thankful report of my journey. As I pa.s.sed through London I had a most interesting and encouraging conversation with Mr. -, and a pleasant journey down to this place with -. We arrived just in time to have a hurried cup of tea, and go off to the public prayer-meeting in the Exchange Hall. This was a wonderful sight: the large Hall was crammed full, and many were unable to gain admittance. It was a very striking contrast to the busy market outside. There was a great deal of singing from a very nice little book of the S.P.C.K., and a remarkable address from old Aitken. The best part of it was an exposition of Asa's prayer: the rest was awakening, and, I hope, profitable, very earnest and very affectionate, but it did not move me, though some people said it almost threw them into hysterics. I offered a prayer myself, and three others besides Aitken. I liked them all thoroughly, and came away, I hope, the better, though the meeting had lasted nearly two hours. So having come here and received a most warm welcome from my pleasant host (Rev. Allan Smith) and hostess, I lay down and awoke fresh and happy for the Sunday's work. Mrs. Smith is daughter of my old friend Mr. Linton of Oxford, and even you could not make me more comfortable than she does!

"Well! Sunday dawned upon us, and at 10.30 service began. The church is not so large as our own, and was not so well filled, but they were pleased with the attendance. I preached on the deep sleep in Isaiah xxix., and I believe the Lord was with us. They were attentive all through, and towards the close many of them were much affected, so much so that I gave notice I would have a Bible cla.s.s in the church at 3.45 p.m. for a re-consideration of the subject. The Lord's Supper was very solemn, and many were in tears, especially two old gentlemen whom I hope to be able to see during the week. So we went home thankful.

"The Bible cla.s.s in the afternoon was well attended. There must have been more than a hundred present, including several gentlemen, so that I was well repaid for the effort, though very tired when it was over and scarcely up to the Evening Service. However, when the time came I was fresh again, and I believe the Lord helped me. There was a larger congregation than in the morning, but I did not see the same evidence of impression. I preached on the old subject, Exod. xii.

23, and, though there was deep attention, I did not perceive the same emotion. Then followed the prayer-meeting: this was most interesting. The large room was quite full, and during certain periods of silence I heard the sound of weeping in many parts of it.

Mr. Smith gave a short address and offered prayer; I did the same, and longed to know how to manage such a meeting. After a time I dismissed them, and invited any to remain who liked. But they all seemed unwilling to go, and it was some time before they began to move. But at last the room was cleared, and then what should I see but two clergymen with their faces covered, in trouble about their souls. One proved to be a most deeply interesting case. He told me his difficulties without any reserve, and at length went away declaring himself satisfied. I really believe he learned the way of peace.

"Meanwhile Mr. Smith was speaking to four adults one by one, and I then found a row of five young people waiting for me. In three of them, especially one, I thought there was great reality, but I had not time to speak with them separately, and I cannot say I was satisfied with the interview. I hope to see one of them again to-night, when I trust there may be more decisive results.

"All this quite freshened me up, so that I was ready and in good heart this morning to start off for the service in Adams' Factory at eight. The place was quite full, so that there must have been about three hundred present. As they all dispersed immediately to their work, I had no opportunity of any personal intercourse, but they listened with great attention, and I can only hope the Lord gave His blessing.

"I am now enjoying a quiet morning, writing, reading, thinking, and praying; remembering with great affection my dear friends at home who are praying for me, and most especially the three dear daughters left at home to help their father by their prayers and each other by their mutual help. May the Lord be with you!"

"TRINITY VICARAGE, NOTTINGHAM, _February_ 9_th_, 1872.

"I can hardly tell you what an interesting week I have had. It has been without doubt the most encouraging in my whole ministry. I never knew so many persons awakened under my sermons in so short a time, and I am thankful to say that many of them, and many more who have been previously anxious, have been brought to see the way of life in Christ Jesus their Saviour. I cannot say how deeply I thank G.o.d for it, or how it has stirred me up to look out more hopefully for a great blessing at home, and also amongst the young men at Cambridge. I hope you all continue to pray for me.

"Last night I had first a strong middle-aged man come to speak to me under deep conviction of sin; and then a most respectable woman who had no peace in her soul. These two took so long that I was obliged to send for another clergyman to come and help me with the remainder, as there were sixteen waiting in the outer room to see me.

"The greater part of the morning has been occupied by my Bible cla.s.s, but I had one hour for inquirers, during which there came one of the leading gentlemen of Nottingham, and a most interesting inquirer who had been in deep anxiety for years, and who, I believe, through G.o.d's mercy left the vestry at peace in Christ Jesus. Oh, what can I render unto the Lord for all His goodness to me! Dear love to the dear sisters and to all who pray for us."

"CAMBRIDGE, _February_ 12_th_, 1872.

"I hope to be home, if it please G.o.d, to-morrow by express, and look forward with the deepest interest to my return. One thing is clear, and that is-we must seek to go forward, and look out for far greater results than ever.

"Sat.u.r.day was a sacred day. I went in the morning on my way to church to see some of those who had been awakened, and found them peacefully trusting in their blessed Saviour.

"I then went to the church to see any that might come to me, and my whole hour was filled up by most interesting cases, one of a most touching character. At 11.30 I gave a short parting address in the church to about a hundred people, and at twelve left for the train, after the most kind and grateful farewells from numbers of people who wished to thank me for my ministry. It has been a new era in my life, and I trust has done me great good.

"I arrived here after five o'clock, swallowed some dinner, and hurried off to the gownsmen's meeting, which began at six. I did not know how to turn my mind to a new subject, but still I hope the Lord helped me, and it gave me the opportunity of inviting the young men to meet me on Sunday night.

"Well! Sunday came, and I believe the Lord was with us. There was a large morning congregation, and many of the people were deeply moved.

Oh, how I longed to ask them to come and open their griefs! but the Vicar would not give me leave to do so, so I was obliged to leave them to G.o.d, and perhaps that was better.

"In the evening I stood up in dear old Simeon's pulpit. The church was crammed with gownsmen, and I believe the Holy Spirit was with us.

I then had a cup of tea in Carlos' rooms, and went off to the meeting of gownsmen. The room was quite full. I gave them an address on Justification and Sanctification, ill.u.s.trated by some facts in my Nottingham experience. I believe that I might have had many coming to me for help if I had only invited them; but I was stupid, and did not do it.

"But one dear fellow seemed as if he could not go away: he came and took me by the hand, and would not let go. The others all left the room, and then he poured out the troubles of his soul. I thank G.o.d his difficulties were removed, and we walked home together blessing and praising G.o.d. Oh, what shall I render unto the Lord for all His goodness to me!"

The following extract describes a return visit three months later to the scene of his first Mission:-

"NOTTINGHAM, _May_ 30_th_, 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 grat.i.tude, and their pleasure in meeting me again were truly touching to my heart."

Leeds Church Congress:-

"LEEDS, _October_ 8_th_, 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 G.o.d. There is an enormous gathering for the Congress, and people of all cla.s.ses 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_ 25_th_, 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 Sat.u.r.day, 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 h.o.a.re's "Mission Subjects":-

ST. DUNSTAN'S MISSION.-_November_ 12_th_ _to_ 22_nd_, 1880.

_Nov._ 12_th_.-To Communicants. Psalm cv. 40: "He satisfied them with the bread of heaven."

_Nov._ 13_th_.-Prayer-Meeting. Psalm xcvii. 5: "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord."

_Nov._ 14_th_.-_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, t.i.tus i. 15; aroused, John viii. 9; purged, Heb. x. 22.