“We cannot walk the streets without being annoyed with such
filth as is a public nuisance; as well as seeing such objects
as provoke resentment and aversion. We are grown infamous for
a general want of good manners in our populace; and no wonder,
because they are bred up in such habits of nastiness, as, in
a manner, break through the ties of natural modesty, and set
them beyond all sense of shame. The streets are no better than
a common dunghill; and more sacred places are most shamefully
polluted. Our very church-yards are profaned with such filth
as was once intended to create a detestation and abhorrence
even of idol temples;—I mean they are rendered no better than
errant draught-houses. Common decency will not allow me to be
more particular upon so loathsome a subject; and, if enough
is said to be understood, it is to be hoped it will effect a
reformation.”
Clayton, besides being an able instructor of the young, and an
indefatigable parish priest, wished to be a social reformer; and,
certainly, his services, in this respect, were greatly needed. His
picture of Manchester, a little more than a hundred years ago, is far
from savoury; but there can be little doubt of its being true. Clayton’s
plain speaking would hardly be tolerated at the present day; but,
notwithstanding that, perhaps, it might be useful. At all events, one
cannot but admire the stern fidelity of this really kind and exemplary
visitor of the poor and friendless, in dealing so faithfully with his
fellow-townsmen, who, by their idleness and extravagance, systematically
reduced themselves to rags and ruin; and, if the above extracts answer
no other purpose, they will not be useless in helping to illustrate the
character and principles of this Oxford Methodist.[50]
Clayton’s life was not mis-spent; but it might have been much more useful
if his friendship with the Wesleys had not been broken. John Wesley,
between the years 1738 and 1773, visited Manchester more than twenty
times; and some of these visits were so memorable, that, Clayton must
have heard of them; and, yet, there is not the slightest evidence of
any renewal of that fraternal intercourse which was interrupted when
Wesley began to preach salvation by faith only, and, in consequence, was
excluded from the pulpits of the Established Church. This was heresy too
great for a high churchman to overlook. To be saved by faith in Christ,
instead of by sacraments, fasts, penances, ritualism, and good works was
an unpardonable novelty, deserving of Clayton’s life-long censure; and
hence, after 1738, the two old Oxford friends seem to have been separated
till they met in heaven. It is rather remarkable, that, Wesley’s first
visit to Manchester, subsequent to his conversion, was at the very time
when the Jacobite controversy, already mentioned, was at its height; and
that Wesley preached at Salford Cross, immediately adjoining Clayton’s
residence. He writes:—
“1747, May 7.—We came to Manchester between one and two. I had
no thought of preaching here, till I was informed, John Nelson
had given public notice, that I would preach at one o’clock.
Their house would not contain a tenth part of the people;
and how the unbroken spirits of so large a town would endure
preaching in the street, I knew not. But after considering,
that, I was not going a warfare at my own cost, I walked
strait to Salford Cross. A numberless crowd of people partly
ran before, partly followed after me. I thought it best not
to sing, but, looking round; asked abruptly, ‘Why do you look
as if you had never seen me before? Many of you have seen me
in the neighbouring church, both preaching and administering
the sacrament.’ I then began, ‘Seek ye the Lord while He may
be found; call upon Him while He is near.’ None interrupted
at all or made any disturbance, till, as I was drawing to a
conclusion, a big man thrust in, with three or four more,
and bade them bring out the engine. Our friends desired me
to remove into a yard just by, which I did, and concluded in
peace.”
Clayton at the time was suspended from exercising ministerial functions
by his bishop; but he was probably in Manchester, and in a neighbouring
house; but there was no recognition of his quondam friend. Wesley might
have called upon him; but perhaps Clayton’s dubious position, as a
clergyman suspended for his Jacobinical leanings, prevented this. Wesley
himself had been falsely accused of being a friend of the Pretender, and
common prudence dictated the inexpediency of seeking the company of one
who had shown Charles Edward such marks of sympathy and respect.