The Clergy--Mr. Simpson--Mr. Wesley’s opinion of him--The one
wrong Principle--Mr. Graves--His Recantation--His Explanatory
Declaration--Lady Huntingdon’s Schools--Lord Huntingdon’s
character--Miss Cooper--Her death--Letters--The Poor--Death
of Mr. Jones--The Poor Penitent’s Death-bed--Mr. Wesley’s
Preaching on his Father’s Tomb--Donnington Park--Lady Abney--Dr.
Watts--“The Grave”--Dr. Blair--Letters--Colonel Gardiner--His
Marvellous Conversion--Letters.
At this period there were two awakened clergymen in the neighbourhood
of Donnington Park, with whom Lady Huntingdon became acquainted by
means of Mr. Wesley. Concerning Mr. Simpson there is little information
to be obtained at this distance of time. He was a student at Oxford,
and one of those who composed the first Methodist society in that
University. Soon after he was ordained, he got a living of considerable
value in Leicestershire, which he was persuaded to dispose of, when
he left the Church of England and joined the Moravians. For some time
before he took this step, he preached amongst Mr. Ingham’s societies
in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire, and his ministry was owned
of God to the conversion of many. When speaking of him after he
joined the Moravians, Mr. Wesley says, “Of this I am fully persuaded,
that whatever he does, it is in the uprightness of his heart: but
he is led into a thousand mistakes by one wrong principle (the same
which many either ignorantly or wickedly ascribe to the whole body
of the people called Methodists), the making inward impressions his
rule of action, and not the written word.” He appears to have been a
pious, well-meaning man, but was led to adopt some of those singular
notions which distinguished the Moravian body at that time. He was for
a time resident at Nottingham, Ogbrook, Breson, and Markfield, where
he propagated his sentiments, and drew many people from the Church,
asserting that “there was no Scripture for family prayers, nor for
praying in private at any particular seasons, which a believer need not
do.” Lady Huntingdon had a great regard for him, and used her utmost
exertions to lead him back to the path he had left, but in vain. Some
years after, however, he withdrew from the Moravians, and expressed a
wish to return to the Church of England, when his friends promised to
provide for him. The last mention of him which we have been able to
trace, is in Mr. Wesley’s Journal for 1747, where he says, “Poor Mr.
Simpson spent an hour with me, distressed on every side: drawn up to
London by fair and specious words, and then left to perish, unless he
would promise _never more to preach out of a church_. Alas! what
a method of conversion is this! I love the Church too; but I would no
more _starve_ men into the Church, than _burn_ them into it.”
Of Mr. Graves we have likewise but very scanty information. He was
a student of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxford, where he became
acquainted with the Messrs. Wesley, and joined the Methodists in the
University. For some time after his ordination he was very zealous,
preaching in the fields and wherever Providence opened a door for
him. But giving way to the fear of man, and the opinion of those whom
he accounted wiser than himself, he was induced to sign a paper,
renouncing all connexion with the Methodists, and promising for the
future not to frequent their meetings or attend their expositions. Mr.
Graves experienced considerable uneasiness of mind after this sinful
compliance, and in 1742 joined Mr. Wesley at Bristol, when, being
unable to delay it any longer, he sent the following letter to the
fellows of St. Mary Magdalen College:--
“Bristol, August 29, 1742.
“Gentlemen,--In December, 1740, I signed a paper containing
the following words:--‘I, Charles Caspar Graves, do hereby
declare, that I do renounce the modern practice and principles
of the persons commonly called Methodists, namely, of preaching
in fields, of assembling together and expounding the holy
Scriptures in private houses, and elsewhere than in churches, in
an irregular manner; and their pretensions to an extraordinary
inspiration and inward feeling of the Holy Spirit.
“‘I do further declare my conformity to the Liturgy of the
Church of England, and my unfeigned assent and consent to the
Articles thereof, commonly called the Thirty-nine Articles.
“‘Lastly, I do declare that I am heartily sorry that I have
given offence and scandal by frequenting the meetings and
attending the expositions of the persons commonly called
Methodists, and that I will not frequent their meetings nor
attend their expositions for the future, nor take upon me to
preach and expound the Scriptures in the manner preached by them.
“‘CHARLES CASPAR GRAVES.’
“I believe myself indispensably obliged openly to declare before
God and the world, that the motives whereby I was induced to
sign that paper were partly a sinful fear of man; partly an
improper deference to the judgment of those whom I accounted
wiser than myself; and, lastly, a resolution, that if my own
judgment should at any time be better informed, I would then
openly retract, in the presence of God and man, whatever I
should be convinced I had said or done amiss.
“Accordingly, having now had (besides a strong conviction
immediately consequent thereon) many opportunities of informing
my judgment better, and being fully convinced of my fault, I do
hereby declare my sincere repentance for my wicked compliance
with those oppressive men who, without any colour of law, human
or divine, imposed such a condition, of receiving a testimonial,
upon me.
“I do further declare, that I know no _principles_ of the
Methodists (so called) which are contrary to the word of God,
nor any practices of theirs but what are agreeable both to
Scripture and to the laws of the Church of England; and I
believe, in particular, their _preaching_ the Gospel _in the
fields_ (being first forbid to do so in churches, although a
dispensation of the Gospel is committed to them, and woe unto
them if they preach not the Gospel), or in _private houses_, or
in any part of His dominion who filleth heaven and earth, can
never be proved to be contrary to any written law, either of God
or man: that I am not apprised of their preaching anywhere in
_an irregular, disorderly manner_, neither of their _pretending_
to any _extraordinary_ inspiration or _extraordinary_ feelings
of the Holy Spirit; but to those _ordinary_ ones only, which,
if a man have not, he is _without hope and without God in the
world_.
“I do yet further declare, that (whatever indiscretion I may
in other respects have been guilty of) I know no just _offence
or scandal_ which I ever gave, by frequenting the meetings
or attending the expositions of the persons commonly called
Methodists, and that I verily believe no offence was ever taken
thereat, unless either by persons loaded by prejudice, or by
those who enter not into the kingdom of heaven themselves, and
if others would enter in, suffer them not.
“I do lastly declare, that I look upon myself to be under no
kind of obligation (except only that I still assent and consent
to the Articles and Liturgy of the Church) to observe anything
contained in that scandalous paper, so unchristianly imposed
upon me.
(Witness my hand). “CHARLES CASPAR GRAVES.”
About a month after the date of this paper, Mr. Charles Wesley and Mr.
Graves visited Donnington Park, and were received by Lady Huntingdon
with the utmost cordiality and kindness. Her Ladyship rejoiced that Mr.
Graves had burst his degrading fetters, and was determined once more,
in the strength of his Divine Master, to go forth into the highways,
and proclaim the savour of that name which he loved. During their stay,
Lady Huntingdon invited many persons in the upper ranks in society,
to whom they declared “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” and were
heard with apparent deep and serious attention. From this period Mr.
Charles Wesley and his brother, and those connected with them, became
constant visitors at Donnington Park, where they were always received
by her Ladyship as the servants of that God to whom she had so solemnly
dedicated herself, and treated with every mark of polite attention on
the part of the noble Earl. This accomplished nobleman undoubtedly had
a high esteem and ardent affection for the Countess; indeed, a man with
far less discernment than he possessed could not have been insensible
to her superior talents and worth. The high veneration in which she
was held by him was abundantly evinced by his permitting and enabling
her to promote those schemes of usefulness, and those plans for the
advancement of the interests of religion, which he well knew constantly
lay so near her heart. Every minister of the Gospel, of whatever name
and denomination, whom she wished to invite, was always welcome at
Donnington Park, and treated by his Lordship with that politeness and
affability for which he was so distinguished. With many of these worthy
men Lord Huntingdon would freely converse on subjects of a religious
nature, proving, however, that he himself was not imbued with true
devotion. It was on one of those occasions that the conversation turned
on the great doctrine of the Atonement through the death of Christ,
when his Lordship observed, “The morality of the Bible I admire, but
the doctrine of Atonement I cannot comprehend.”
The Countess appears to have continued at Donnington Park the greater
part of this year, fully occupied in devising schemes for the more
extensive diffusion of divine truth, and meliorating the condition
of the poor around her. Sensible of the benefits resulting from a
religious education, her Ladyship established schools at Ashley and
Markfield, for the instruction of the children of those districts. For
a time they seemed to prosper well; but not succeeding according to her
wishes, she was obliged to give them up, and discharge the masters.
This circumstance is briefly noticed in one of her letters to Mr.
Wesley:--
“March 15, 1742.
“My very much beloved Friend in the Lord--I cannot help saying
that I thought it long till I heard from you; not but I was
well assured that some good reason had prevented you. May the
Lord strengthen you more and more! I am sure you are a chosen
vessel, and sent for the defence of the Gospel. It is the Lord’s
work, and the good that is done upon earth he doeth it himself.
Stagger not then through unbelief at any of his promises. He
is come to send fire upon earth, and soon I believe it will be
kindled. O that we may all be fit for the day of trial! He will
thoroughly purge his floor. The chaff and the wheat are now
mixed together, and it is the Lord of Hosts must separate them.
But I trust we shall be among those who rejoice at his appearing.
“Many things agreeing have determined me to lay aside the
school at Markfield, and for that end I have discharged the
schoolmasters. It is but too plain the time is not yet come.
Mr. E---- is gone much backward; fear, and all evil, I find,
now break in upon him. I believe longer experience, with much
better observations than I am able to make, will prove this an
undeniable truth--that a school will never answer the end of
bringing forth any of the Gospel fruits of holiness, till the
parents are first made Christians. The parents must lay up for
the children, not the children for the parents.
“* * * * * Surely, my friend has a mind to exercise his gift of
humility in an extraordinary manner, when he could once ask my
opinion upon his Journal. That it will both delight and comfort
me, I have no doubt; and I think nothing is left for me but to
speak my heart, knowing the love God hath for you. He will bring
good out of evil for your sake, and in this hope I will do my
uttermost in much simplicity.[22] Our friend,[23] now in town,
seems as a lamb in the midst of wolves. May the Lord give him
the wisdom of the serpent and the innocence of the dove! Divine
grace and the uprightness of his heart will make him more than
conqueror.
“I think and believe that God had blessed your conversation
to Mr. Graves, whom I have just heard has, with much love and
gratitude, expressed warm sentiments for you. The Lord will
water his word in his own time.
“All goes on well here with respect to an abundance of the
outward means; but, alas! none of the signs which follow
believers. Do you not think that John the Baptist’s disciples
had remission of sins under his ministry? It is said, ‘that he
was filled with the Holy Ghost, and that he gave the knowledge
of salvation by the remission of sins.’ Or rather, is it only
meant here, the good tidings which were to follow, and that
our Lord was to give the knowledge of salvation? We read, that
repentance went before his baptism; and is it not proved that
pardon followed it, by fire and the Holy Ghost, given by our
Lord himself? Surely less is not meant than entire purification
of soul. But my blindness your light will assist in this, when
you have leisure.
“We are earnest in prayer for you; and, could I do justice to
my heart, I should say, how much love and gratitude I hourly
feel for you; and it is the only good I know that it ever was
possessed of. May the Lord enable you to remember me! May your
patience be tried by this, as I think it is the only good you
can receive by so tedious and unpleasant a scrawl. May our Lord
bless you; I wish you good luck in his name, and that he may
prosper your handiwork. Your most unworthy, but affectionate
friend,
“S. HUNTINGDON.”
There was at this period a young lady residing with Lady Huntingdon of
the name of Cooper.[24] She was in the last stage of consumption, and
her soul was on the wing for eternity. Miss Cooper having expressed
an earnest wish to see Mr. Wesley, Lady Huntingdon wrote to him on
Saturday, the 15th of May, pressing him to come without delay, and
pay the last office of friendship to one whose spirit was hovering on
the brink of the eternal world. Three days after the receipt of this
letter, Mr. Wesley left London, and arrived on Saturday, the 22nd, at
Lord Huntingdon’s. “About five in the afternoon (says Mr. Wesley) I
reached Donnington Park. Miss Cooper was just alive; but as soon as we
came in, her spirit greatly revived. For three days we rejoiced in the
grace of God, whereby she was filled with a hope full of immortality;
with meekness, gentleness, patience, and humble love, knowing in whom
she had believed.”
The following letter to Mrs. Bridget Bethel, of Bath, contains some
account of her last hours:--
“My dear Friend in the Lord--Upon receiving yours, we could not
help falling prostrate before the throne of grace to acknowledge
the great love wherewith the Lord hath loved you; and with
praises, and thanksgivings, and hearts of joy, expressing our
gratitude. I never think on you but with uncommon comfort. Dear
Miss Fanny Cooper was then with us, and day and night prayed
to the Lord to increase and strengthen your faith: she has at
last laid down the burden in much joy and peace. O! my dear
friend, were I to tell you the whole of her sufferings, and the
wonderful supports she had, you would declare that God was with
her of a truth. * * * May the Lord grant us to follow Christ
as she has done, for a blessed saint she lived and died. Whole
nights, when for her pain she could not rest, yet in hymns, and
prayers, and reading, she would say--‘O! how delightful a night
have I felt.’ Miss Cooper is still with me: it has not seemed
like death amongst us: we rejoice upon every remembrance of her;
all tears are wiped from our eyes; her last hours were all spent
in prayer: and when her change came her countenance spoke her
blessed; and I for a moment tasted her joy, for I thought my
whole soul was so filled with delight it could have followed.
She often would say, ‘That sweet woman, Mrs. Bethel, I pray for
her.’
“I beg my most sincere compliments to dear Lady Cox[25] and
Mrs. Bethel; and believe me, your most sincere and affectionate
friend in the Lord Jesus,
“S. HUNTINGDON.
“I find the world more and more a burden to me--pray for me,
that I may no longer live to the desire of man, but of God.”
Lady Huntingdon appears to have been much affected by this incident:
nevertheless she still continued actively engaged in doing good to
the souls and bodies of the poor around her; she bountifully relieved
them in their necessities, visited in sickness, conversed with and led
them to their knees, praying with them and for them. She sought them
out with the most industrious care, and gave bountifully, and always
with more pleasure than even the poor themselves felt at receiving
her alms. Her satisfaction appeared in her countenance and eyes; she
spoke to them with kindness, and entered into all the particulars of
their wretchedness; and the more rude, ignorant, and barbarous she
found them, the more they became the objects of her compassion. In
the exercise of these and of all other virtues she was wonderfully
secret, endeavouring to come up as near as she could to the rule of not
“letting her left hand know what her right hand did.”
The inexpressible concern which her Ladyship felt for the enlargement
of the kingdom of Christ and the salvation of immortal souls induced
her to speak concerning divine things in all companies, where she had
any prospect of doing good thereby, and to set her face as a flint
against all who might oppose the truth or grace of God. Animated with
that burning charity by which the great Apostle of the Gentiles was
impelled to publish the Gospel from nation to nation, Lady Huntingdon
was constrained to warn the ignorant, the careless, and the abandoned,
that the “wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men.” Her highest wish was to “convert the
wicked from the errors of his ways,” and her labours were not in vain.
The following letter to Mr. Wesley, written shortly after Miss Cooper’s
death, will prove how incessant and unwearied were the labours of Lady
Huntingdon to save perishing fallen mortals from the error of their
ways:--
“My dear Friend--The Lord hath removed from you one whom you
much loved: but I have the pleasure to believe, because he
loved her better, and therefore he graciously delivered her
from this present evil world. Some plain account, unornamented,
of what her life and death were, under the character of a
believer, would have the most weight, in which we might justly
boast of God’s love to her. I would have as little of the
creature thought of as possible, that God may be ALL in
ALL.”
The Countess here relates the death of Mr. Jones, of Fonmon Castle, in
Wales; a gentleman of large fortune and a truly pious convert, through
the labours of the early Methodists, to the truth as it is in Christ
Jesus. He died in June, 1742, and Mr. C. Wesley wrote an elegy on his
memory, to which in this letter Lady Huntingdon refers, observing that--
“For this fortnight past I have found that instruction and
some short exhortations to the weak have been of great use,
especially among my workpeople, with whom I spend part of every
day.[26] I have found much comfort in this myself, and am rarely
or ever out of the presence of God. He is a pillar of light
before me. I want more of this knowledge, that I may keep his
holy law. Yea, I then shall keep it with my whole heart; clouds
and darkness are at times the habitation of his seat: but there
shall go a consuming fire before him, which shall burn up his
enemies, and shall destroy all them that persecute me; and he
shall say unto my soul, ‘I am thy salvation.’ The Lord often
appeareth out of Zion in great beauty. Surely he hath done a
marvellous thing of late; and I find so much done by this act
of his love, that I am all love and wonder. The heaviness of my
heart respecting Miss Cooper’s death is, that she, having so
much light, I expected great things from her. My heart used to
say, we have prayed so much, and have longed so much for this
triumph of faith in her last moments, that we shall surely have
it: not considering that we should not be heard for our much
speaking, or that there is anything in man that could incline
God, but only for his holy name’s sake. The devil thrust sore at
me, but I looked unto the Lord, and, though in the dark, he bade
me tarry his leisure.
“After Miss Anne Cooper was gone, I walked a little way from
their house by the water-side, where there are some houses for
the poor, in number about six, two of which were ale-houses, and
appear to be a harbour for the devils themselves. I called in at
one of the other houses to see a poor woman that I used to think
meant well, in order to stir her up a little. After talking with
her, she told me she had been asking one of her neighbours if
she had any hope of knowing before she died whether she should
be happy? and they both wished to know my opinion. I answered,
that as they believed, so would it be done unto them; and added,
that I would come down and read to them. *** I took a friend
with me, and found her apparently in great bodily suffering, but
on feeling her pulse I could not find it so much as ruffled; but
her sweats were the most violent I had ever seen. Her agony of
mind was so great, that she could not contain, but cried out,
‘This is nothing; I possibly may die, and what will become of my
soul? O, pray for me! O mercy! mercy!’ Her trouble and misery
were such as brought tears from all our eyes. I beheld her with
my heart filled with love and pity, and said, ‘Now where are
all your good works? What is become of all your honest labour
for sixty years? What! are you a perishing sinner at last?’
She answered, ‘It will not do, I am too bad to be saved.’ Her
tears and the expression of her sufferings were more than can be
described. I said, ‘Well, now that you are quite lost, you will
find Him who came to seek and to save just such as you are. Now,
my life upon it, he will soon come.’ ‘What! (she cried), to such
a sinner as I am?’ I answered, ‘Yes, it was only for such that
he died.’ These extreme agonies had so affected her body that we
thought they had brought on a fever, but from her pulse this did
not appear. ‘I shall die (she said). Peace will be your portion
first’--but she would not be comforted.
“Next day I found her still the same, and we received the
sacrament with her. I found the presence of the Lord there. As
soon as it was over, I said, ‘O what a living Saviour have you!’
The tears were still flowing down her cheeks, with all the marks
of misery as before--the sight was enough to affect a heart of
stone.
“About six at night, they brought me word that she was seized
with a cold shivering fit, and was in the agonies of death, and
had desired to take leave of her children. This was her last
plunge into the deep. Her soul and body were as if in hell. Four
men were not sufficient to hold her in bed, so great was Satan’s
power over her. After these hours of sufferings, the heavenly
child was born. The poor people were surprised to find her on
a sudden lie so still: and she continued twelve hours, as it
were, feeding on the fatted calf. She told them, ‘I have not
slept, but have been all night partaking of the joys of heaven.’
When I came at noon to see her, she said, ‘O, my Lady, my dear
Lady, what great things the Lord hath done for me! I have no
doubt or fear. He hath given me that peace which the world can
neither give nor take away.’ Her looks were altered; she laid
with such sweetness and complacency in her countenance, that
my soul delighted to behold her. ‘You have saved my soul’ (she
said); ‘you know the blessedness I have found this night: I have
such tastes of divine love as are not to be expressed. O! what
a thing it is to have the heart all flaming to the Lord Jesus!’
From that hour she has felt no pain, either of body or mind, but
exhorts all who come near her to turn to the Lord. She has quite
forgot all the knowledge and experience of seventy years, and is
become a little child. I have sent many to see her; and one of
her daughters is now seeking in the bitterness of her heart that
Lord who hath so comforted her mother.
“Much of my time is taken up in bringing souls to seek after the
Lord. I have some difficulty in keeping them from clinging to
me--such wondrous love they bear me; and this I know must be for
the Lord’s sake, for in me dwelleth no good thing.
“S. HUNTINGDON.”
Her Ladyship continues her interesting account of the poor penitent in
the following letter:--
“My dear Friend--What blessed effects does the love of God
produce in the heart of those who abide in him! and how solid
is the peace, and how divine the joy, that springs from an
assurance that we are united to the Saviour by a living faith!
Blessed be his name, I have an abiding sense of his presence
with me, notwithstanding all the weakness and unworthiness I
feel; and an intense desire that he may be glorified in the
salvation of souls, especially those who lay nearest my heart
and affections. But how vile and worthless are my best services!
After the poor labours of the day are over, my heart still
cries, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’ I am deeply sensible
that I daily, hourly, and momentarily stand in need of the
sprinkling of my Saviour’s blood. Thanks be to God, the fountain
is always open. There I may daily wash, and be cleansed from
every spot and every stain. O! what an anchor is this to the
soul!
“The poor woman whom I mentioned to you lately has left us, and
has joined the Church of the first-born whose names are written
in heaven. About a week before her triumphant exit she was in
great pain all the day, and in the evening Lady Anne, Lady
Frances, and I went to prayer with her. When prayer was ended,
she broke forth in praise to God, and continued for a long time,
crying, ‘All glory! glory! glory to the Lamb!’ During the night
she broke out again in an holy extasy of joy and praise.
“She endured constant, often violent, pain. We esteemed it a
privilege to visit her. Never did I see the power of faith more
remarkably exemplified. She drank deep of the cup of suffering;
but through divine grace and the supporting hand of the great
Author of her eternal salvation, was made more than conqueror. I
prevailed on my Lord Huntingdon to visit her. He was surprised
and affected even to tears. She was supposed to be dying. As
soon as she saw him, she cried aloud, ‘Glory be to God, that
Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost! How great is
his love for poor sinners! If we are saved, it is because he
has died, and poured out his precious blood to wash our guilty
souls. God be praised for that Scripture--_He that cometh
unto me I will in no wise cast out_.’ Sometimes her voice
was loud, and then so low that we supposed her dying. The whole
of the next day she continued in a state of extreme weakness,
waiting with calm resignation for the appearance of her Lord.
In the evening she desired us to sing; after which, and prayer,
she was much exhausted. The following day many symptoms of
approaching dissolution appeared. I visited her again, with
Lady Anne and Lady Frances, and found her extremely weak. Lady
Frances said, ‘Your sufferings will soon be over.’ She put forth
her hand and bid us farewell. A little before her departure,
she said, ‘The fear of death is gone--O, the name of Jesus! how
sweet it is! All glory to the Lamb!’ She attempted to proceed,
but was unable; but signs, looks, and broken accents explained
the happiness she enjoyed. Just before she breathed her last,
she gave us a parting smile, and her happy spirit entered into
rest.
“There were many witnesses around her dying bed, to whom I spoke
with much fervour and fidelity. The impression will, I trust, be
lasting. Vast numbers, from respect, as well as from curiosity,
attended her funeral.
“I had a visit from Mr. Graves lately. He seems much alive to
God, and much in earnest for the salvation of souls. Mrs. Ingham
and Lady Margaret intend coming to Donnington next week. I wish
you or your brother could give us a little of your time to
meet them here. May every blessing attend you, prays your most
faithful friend,
“S. HUNTINGDON.”
To return to Mr. Wesley: before the death of Miss Cooper he quitted
Donnington Park, and preached in various places in Yorkshire. On his
return thence, he visited Epworth, the place of his nativity, where
he was refused the use of the church by the curate. In the afternoon
the church was exceedingly full, a report being spread that Mr. Wesley
was to preach. After service, David Taylor, who had accompanied him
from Donnington Park, stood in the churchyard, and gave notice, as the
people came out, that Mr. Wesley, not being permitted to preach in the
church, designed to preach there at six o’clock. “Accordingly at six
(says he) I came, and found such a congregation as, I believe, Epworth
never saw before. I stood near the east end of the church, upon my
father’s tombstone, and cried, ‘The kingdom of heaven is not meat and
drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.’”
Mr. Wesley returned to Donnington Park on the 19th of June. The next
day being Sunday, he preached in the morning at Ogbrooke, and at six
in the evening at Melbourne. At the latter place, and at Markfield,
the congregations were so large that they could not be accommodated
within the church, and Mr. Wesley was obliged to preach in the open
air. At this period Mr. Wesley’s visits at Donnington Park were very
frequent; Lady Huntingdon having a very sincere esteem for him, and
they were much united in sentiments of a theological nature. Easy and
affable in his demeanour, he accommodated himself to every society, and
showed how happily the most finished courtesy may be blended with the
most perfect piety. In his conversation, we might be at a loss which to
admire most, his fine classical taste, his extensive knowledge of men
and things, or his overflowing goodness of heart. While the grave and
serious were charmed with his wisdom, his sportive sallies of innocent
mirth delighted even the young and thoughtless; and both saw, in his
uninterrupted cheerfulness, the excellency of true religion.
It was about this period that Lady Huntingdon became acquainted with
the well-known and much-admired Dr. Watts, to whom her Ladyship appears
to have been introduced by his kind friend and patroness, Lady Abney.
Between these truly excellent characters a warm friendship existed,
which, however, was of short duration, as the Doctor and Lady Abney
were at this time rapidly descending the vale of life, and a few short
years after were numbered amongst the spirits of the just made perfect;
whilst the noble and elect Countess was destined, during the protracted
period of half a century, to exhibit to mankind a life of the most
extensive usefulness, unbounded intrepidity, and intrinsic excellence,
in the cause of religion. Unequivocally may it be said, that her
character has never been surpassed or equalled in any age, or even
nation.
From a fragment of a letter still remaining, it has been ascertained,
that somewhat about this period Dr. Watts transmitted to Lady
Huntingdon the manuscript copy of a poem, entitled, “The Grave,” at
the particular request of the author, the Rev. Robert Blair, a Scotch
divine, minister of Athelstaneford, in East Lothian.[27] With this
accomplished man her Ladyship was not altogether unacquainted, having
often heard honourable mention made of him by her valued friends,
Colonel and Lady Frances Gardiner. Lady Huntingdon appears to have
approved of the poem and advised its publication, for in a letter,
written some considerable time after, Colonel Gardiner says--
“Our good friend is much flattered by your Ladyship’s
approbation of his production. Good Dr. Watts has likewise
signified his approval of the piece in a manner most obliging.
Many thanks for your oft-repeated expressions of regard for one
so worthless as I am. I shall convey your Ladyship’s assurances
of esteem and respect for Dr. Blair, to whom I intend writing
very soon. Few stand in need of your prayers and advice more
than I do. May the Almighty Saviour preserve your valuable life;
bless your exertions for the eternal good of others; and that
you may ever enjoy a thriving soul in a healthful body, shall be
the continual prayer of, my dear Madam, your most faithful, most
obliged, and most humble servant.”
For Dr. Watts, Colonel Gardiner had a most sincere esteem. He had been
introduced to the Doctor at Lord Huntingdon’s house, during one of his
visits to the metropolis. Speaking of this sweet singer in our Israel,
he says:--
“I have been in pain lest that excellent person should have been
called to heaven before I had an opportunity to let him know
how much his works have been blessed to me, and of course of
returning him my hearty thanks: for though it is owing to the
operation of the blessed Spirit, that anything works effectually
upon our hearts, yet if we are not thankful to the instrument
which God is pleased to make use of, whom we do see, how shall
we be thankful to the Almighty, whom we have not seen? Therefore
I must beg the favour of you to let him know, that I intended to
have waited upon him in the beginning of last May, when I was in
London, but was informed, and that to my great sorrow, that he
was extremely ill, and therefore I did not think that a visit
would have been seasonable; especially considering that I have
not the happiness to be much acquainted with the Doctor; but
well am I acquainted with his works, especially with his psalms,
hymns, and lyrics. How often, by singing some of these to myself
on horseback and elsewhere, has the evil spirit been made to
flee away:--
‘Where’er my heart in tune was found,
Like David’s harp of solemn sound.’
“I desire to bless God for the good news of his recovery; and
entreat you to tell him, that although I cannot keep pace with
him here, in celebrating the high praises of our glorious
Redeemer, which is the great grief of my heart, yet I am
persuaded, that when I join the glorious company above, where
there will be no drawbacks, that none will outsing me there;
because I shall not find any that has been more indebted to the
wonderful riches of divine grace than I:--
‘Give me a place at thy saints’ feet,
Or some fallen angel’s vacant seat;
I’ll strive to sing as loud as they
Who sit above in brighter day.’
“I know it is natural for every one who has felt that almighty
power which raised our glorious Redeemer from the grave to
believe his case singular. But I have made every one in this
respect submit, as soon as he has heard my story; and if you
seem so surprised at the account which I gave you, what will you
be when you hear it all?
‘Oh! if I had an angel’s voice,
And could be heard from pole to pole;
I would to all the listening world
Proclaim thy goodness to my soul.’”
* * * * *
“I cannot express (says the Countess) how much I esteem that
most excellent man, Colonel Gardiner. What love and mercy has
God shown to him in snatching him as a brand from the burning!
He is truly alive to God; and pleads nothing but the plea
of the publican in the temple--‘_God be merciful to me, a
sinner!_’ Surely God’s work is perfect. What a monument of
the grace, mercy, and love of God! To glorify God, and to serve
him with all his ransomed powers, is now his only aim and end.”