History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

much opposition from the elders of the Conference. He was a master debater, and when he rose, after
all had expended their logic, he swept away the cobwebs and brought into such powerful relief the
salient points as to carry the body with him, almost invariably. His literary abilities were of a high
order. Stevens says, "Adam Clarke excelled him in learning, Newton in popular eloquence, Watson
in theological analysis and sublime and speculative thought, but he surpassed them all in counsel,
in administrative talent, in varied practical ability." His leadership was supreme. Robert Newton was
of fine physique, commanding a musical voice, deeply spiritual, he swayed his audiences with an
air of sanctity and power difficult to describe. He was the popular platform speaker of his day in
Methodism. For forty years he was known all over England by the crowds that gathered when he
preached or delivered addresses. He labored nearly fifty-five years and died in triumph. Add Watson
and Clarke, and you have a quartet who brought Methodism into singular eminence. Other historic
names may be added — Joshua Marsden, Daniel Isaac, Thomas Jackson, and Gideon Ouseley. Great
revivals took place, some of extraordinary power. On the Penzance circuit more than two thousand
were added in the course of a year. Stevens says: "Kilham's secession had devastated some of the
societies on Nottingham circuit. They had lost a chapel and three hundred members in that town. A
new edifice was erected in 1798, and Bramwell's ministrations the next year repaired the entire loss
of members." This really means that another form of Methodism was demonstrating its right to exist
and was prospering under the same doctrines and means of grace.
Smith relates that during 1805 there was a most remarkable outpouring of the Spirit on Bradford
circuit. There were immediate conversions under almost every sermon preached. For nearly three
months the doors of the chapel were seldom closed, day or night. The house was filled by anxious,
worshipping crowds by turns as room could be made for them. Love-feasts were held in the open air.
About nine hundred persons were received during the year. Some of the lay-preachers were
prominent in these revivals. William Dawson, a Yorkshire man, and typical of his class, had a career
of marvelous power and usefulness. Jonathan Seville was another of these immortal names. He was
a poor cripple, cruelly treated by his trade-master in his youth; he survived to be a shining light
among the lowly. His more than abject slavery is a sad commentary on indigent life at a period when
Wilberforce and others were pleading the cause of the black slave in British colonies. Stevens'
depiction of his treatment makes the blood run cold, and much deserved space is given to his
memory. He developed into a genius, a marvel of piety and intellect whose name is as ointment
poured forth in a large section of rural England. Perhaps no other form of Christianity ever created
such characters. The societies under the Wesleyan Conference increased at an average of four
thousand a year for this period. Much importance is attached to this prosperity by those who see a
smiling Providence in it over the Wesley regime now so largely amended, as has been seen; but the
Providence thus rightly recognized did not discriminate, but favored the New Connection
Methodists, with whom extensive revivals also occurred and strong personalities were developed
not inferior to the best of the old Connection. It contributed to the history of a common Methodism
much that will never die.
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