Gathering Jewels Part 2

The Bible of our friend was very often used for over forty years, until it showed that it was never allowed to preserve a dainty appearance through a want of use, nor the dust to acc.u.mulate on cover or edge by reason of its owner's non-usage of the sacred pages. It was a useful Reference Bible, and, no doubt, of immense value and comfort to him, for the pages are pretty well worn, even where no marks are made indicative of favorite pa.s.sages, etc.

Next among the eccentricities of our friend was the disposition to keep a quiet order of memorandums, and a diary extending back for many years, from which had we the s.p.a.ce to spare in this book we would place before the world some of the gems found in his jewel-box, as indicative of the man's industry and the Christian's freedom from ostentatious display.

Help each step upon the way, Strength sufficient for the day, All things easy in Thy might, Work for thee a felt delight.

Courage, patience, grace supplied, All things needful--at Thy side; Such my happy lot will be, Working, dearest Lord, with thee.

Agreeably with the spirit of our labor, we will take an impartial view of our friend as a Christian, in the eyes of the world, and among laymen generally. That he was no drone in the Christian hive, all the world could see; that he was active and unusually laborious for Christ and the Church, no one who follows the spirit of the sermon eulogizing his memory, or who reads this work, can deny; as an Elder of the Church, he was faithful in anything he was requested to perform, especially in public prayer-meeting, individual devotional study, and self-contemplation.

His sympathy for suffering humanity in any form, was, indeed, very large, in fact so easily moved, that he would habitually visit the sick members of the Church after being relieved from such duties. To him all men and women were brothers and sisters, the distance of relations.h.i.+p (if very strained and far between in some instances), he would claim, was closer, more congenial, and intimate in others.

As a builder among the builders, a workman among the workmen of the temple; or as a brother among brethren of the same house, he was meekness itself; his spirit of patience never failing him in instances where "to wait was gain," either for G.o.d, the Church, or himself.

His acquiescence in the decision of his brethren, when they at last decided upon changing the location of their place of wors.h.i.+p, was secured at the price of sacrificing his own preferences in the matter--and all for the sake of peace, harmony, and continued brotherly love. In this he was a "light s.h.i.+ning upon a hill-top."

The interest he always displayed and the anxiety he expressed for the continued welfare of the Church, manifesting the same in the labors performed or duties undertaken, was always profound, as it embraced among other items of care the temporal welfare and spiritual prosperity of the various clergymen with whom he had labored.

In his demeanor he was never in a hurry to do to-day what he should have done yesterday, because having no faith in procrastination, he left nothing undone to-day to be performed on the morrow, if by any means it could be accomplished, or the duty performed at once. In going to the House of G.o.d, he left all worry about the world on the outside of it, the moment he entered the porch; the drudgery of every-day life did not go with him into the pew; the prejudices of an ambiguous man troubled him not, while the disposition to "take things easy," while others bore the burden, was never fostered by him.

But he did carry something into the house every time he entered! He took in with him his Bible, his sweetest temper, his most charitable disposition, a vigorous condition of soul-life, a sensible care of the temporal body, and also the continued desire to be always walking with G.o.d, as well as the desire for larger acquisitions of intuitive spiritual knowledge--very proper things to take into the House of G.o.d with you at all times; and our departed brother had enough of these, and to spare.

But to cease from reflection, we close this chapter with one of our friend's favorite little gems of poetry, believing that when you have read it, you will agree with us that James Knowles was a man to be beloved, indeed; for through these few lines his spirit breathes back again to us from the great beyond:

If you cannot be a leader In the crowd that pours along, Raise the fallen, lying prostrate Under foot, amid the throng.

Though your work be never mentioned, Though your name may not appear, Speak one word for "Jesus only,"

And the Lord, at least, will hear.

CHAPTER II.

CORRESPONDENCE AND COVENANTS.

The following letter was written to his mother while an apprentice as a printer in the city of Belfast, Ireland:

BELFAST, January 15, 1829.

DEAR MOTHER:--I write this letter to you for the purpose of letting you know how I am doing. I am devoting the most of my leisure hours to reading and improving my mind, some way or other. Indeed, it is not much time I have to devote to things of that nature; but all the time I have I am busy. I meet with a good many advantages in every respect, where I am now. I have the advantage of having a room to apply my time to whatever study I resolve to persevere in. If I had time, I would give you a more correct account of my transactions through the day; but if I have time to meditate a little, I hope I will be enabled to give you some account of the sermons that I hear, as I think it would be greatly to my own interest, for if I pry into that part of information, there is no danger but that I will have success in whatever situation I am placed in life. I may be thankful that I have a room to read my Bible in on Sabbath days. I have none to speak to me or give me annoyance of any sort whatever. I hope the next letter I write you, that it will be in a more correct sense. I hope you will write me by Johnny, when he is coming back to town, and let me know how you are succeeding in work, and how Jane is succeeding in the business of the shop. I send my love to all my friends (everyone in particular), I hope you will let me know how they are all doing; but I have nothing more to say at present. But I trust you will write me in the beginning of the week. I must conclude, as it is now too late for me to say anything more. All here are well, but Mrs. L----, who is in a bad state of health.

JAMES KNOWLES.

The following letter is a sample of many to his old pastors, showing his strong attachment to those who labored with him in word and doctrine:

NEW YORK, March 26, 1883.

MR. PHELPS--Reverend and dear friend and Christian brother: It has been my purpose for some time to write to you and yours, even if it should be but a few lines, to a.s.sure you that you are not forgotten by us; for although you are absent from us, yet your faithful and earnest appeals still live in our remembrance, and I have no doubt will continue to do so; and while I may not be able to recall much of the many sermons which I have heard you deliver, yet the impressions made upon my mind while sitting under them are retained.

I might, however, state here, that I was sorry to part with you and your family, and to feel that your pastoral relations.h.i.+p with us would soon be broken up; I had made up my mind to stay by the Church while you remained, if I lived, as I was attached to you and your family as to personal friends.... My wife and I unite in love to you and Mrs. Phelps and your son.

JAMES KNOWLES.

COVENANTS WITH G.o.d.

"Dear Lord, and shall Thy Spirit rest In such a wretched heart as mine?

Unworthy dwelling! Glorious Guest!

Favor astonis.h.i.+ng, Divine!"

The following acts of consecration will, no doubt, be of interest to the reader:

NEW YORK, Thursday, June 21, 1860.

I do solemnly resolve from this day onward to endeavor, relying on thy Holy Spirit, to serve _Thee_ better. This is my covenant, and I would ask Thee to own and bless me with peace and joy in believing.

NEW YORK, Sat.u.r.day, October 6, 1860.

I now promise, as I have formerly promised to do, from this day onward, to serve G.o.d better than I have been doing; depending on G.o.d's spirit for a.s.sistance; and will now ask to be prospered as G.o.d may see good for me.

JAMES KNOWLES.

NEW YORK, Friday, October 18, 1861.

I resolved to serve G.o.d with renewed efforts, determining to look alone to G.o.d for help.[1]

JAMES KNOWLES.

[1] The Fulton Street Noon Prayer Meetings found him an occasional visitor during these days of national peril, anxiety, and prayer.

NEW YORK, Thursday, April 9, 1863.

Entered into an agreement with my Heavenly Father that, through the strength of His divine grace, I will live more for the glory of G.o.d than I have ever done.

JAMES KNOWLES.