The Cornerstone
a brief life of John Murray for young people, by Irene Carrow Rees
IX. "The Lord Will Provide"
This incident closed, Mr. Murray continued his journey to Newport, stopping on the way to preach at New London, Norwich and Preston. Strictly adhering to his decision to accept no collections, he was entirely dependent on the hospitality of friends or chance companions. His genial manners gained entertainment for him. even among strangers, and neither on this trip nor any other was he ever at a loss for help.
He left Preston on horseback in company with a Newport minister named Hopkins. The distance to the ferry was thirty or forty miles and they fell into controversy by the way. Very likely the dust and heat with the natural fatigue of a long horseback journey had its effect on the clerical disposition. At all events, it is certain that the temper of Mr. Hopkins rose higher and higher as the sun mounted the heavens, and it is likely that Mr. Murray's did also. They reached the ferry with no very friendly feeling and had a final tilt on board before parting.
"Over there, Sir," said Mr. Hopkins, waving his arm majestically across the water toward Newport, "is my meeting house; near by is my dwelling and my friends are multiplied."
"I have no home, meeting house, nor friends," responded Mr. Murray, "yet before I leave that place I expect to have more than one home and many friends."
Arrived at the other side, Mr. Hopkins ignored the laws of hospitality which in those days of few inns demanded that he entertain Mr. Murray at least for the night, and contented himself with pointing out a small shop where he suggested directions for obtaining a lodging might be obtained. He rode away without waiting to see the outcome.
As it was already dusk, it was necessary to speedily find a place for the night, so Mr. Murray dismounted and bridle in hand flung open the door of the little shop, and asked to be directed to the best inn for his horse, always his first consideration on the road.
The solemn proprietor invited him in for a cup of tea and summoned the stable boy to take care of his horse meanwhile. The absence of a woman and the gloomy looks and heavy sighs of his host led Mr. Murray to feel that he had recently suffered some great affliction, probably the death of the wife, and he was all sympathy until the man incidentally mentioned that the supposedly deceased lady was away on a visit.
By questions the shopkeeper drew from Mr. Murray the story of the day and of the parting with Mr. Hopkins.
"There is not another person in town who would have
been so lacking," exclaimed the man indignantly. "You must stay with me
to-night, and your horse shall have special care. The moment you came
to my door it was as though some one said, 'Here is a preacher, take
kind notice of him,' and I determined to obey the impulse. "
"It was a bright ending to a dark day and showed me my Master still cared for me," wrote Mr. Murray.
His host invited a number of friends to spend the evening. It was such a company as would be likely to put a wet blanket on the most cheerful temper. After the introductions there was silence, interrupted only by the heavy sighs of the guests. Mr. Murray's thoughts flew back to his Irish home and the old London days when he too regarded a long f ace as a delight to the Lord, and he waited with patience for the spirit to move these very religious gentlemen to speak, for they evidently were very religious.
After a long interval, a sepulchral voice broke the stillness to request Mr. Murray to relate his "experience" that they might judge if he were "a child of God." He willingly complied and, at the conclusion of his story, there was another profound silence, punctuated by more sighs. Then one gentleman announced that Mr. Murray could not be a child of God, his experience not being of the true kind. Another insisted he assuredly was, because he personally had felt him to be during the testimony. The others took sides and the company seemed hopelessly divided, but they agreed to ask for the use of Mr. Hopkins' meeting house that they might have opportunity to hear him preach. Remembering his parting with that gentleman, Mr. Murray thought it prudent to refuse to accept any favor at his hands. It was then suggested he speak in that room. Mr. Murray objected.
"You are very difficult," said one man irritably, "and it is not likely that you will be offered any other place."
"I am not anxious about that, replied Mr. Murray. " If God wishes me to preach, He will provide the place."
"Perhaps God directed us to make these offers. "
"Not so, said Mr. Murray, "else I should have
received His message to preach."
The company departed, declaring Mr. Murray very odd. One man lingered and, with the master of the house, spent the greater part of the night in conversation with Mr. Murray, who declared the conference so inspiriting that he felt no weariness in spite of his long hours in the saddle.
Next morning, cheerful, though he had only a few shillings in his pocket, he wandered about seeing the town till noon. During his absence a committee called to ask him to preach next morning for Dr. Stiles, who was out of town. In the evening, when they came for an answer, the chairman took Mr. Murray home with him to be his guest during his stay. It was the beginning of a lasting friendship and for many years this house was his occasional home.
The people were greatly pleased with the Sunday service and recalled a vote against week-day evening lectures, since Mr. Murray wished the laboring people to hear the gospel without losing either time or money. He preached every evening till Dr. Stiles' return. That good man received him very coldly and refused to allow him to assist in the service, to the disappointment of every one.
On Monday morning Mr. Murray was told that a minister from New York who had arrived the night before had given him "a horrid character," so said the messenger. Mr. Murray went before breakfast to confront the man, but found he had already left town. The report spread like fire; it was the common topic on the parade. Mr. Murray demanded that the accusations be investigated. He was charged with the following misdemeanors: first, that he had formerly labored for his living; second, that he was a married man; third, that he had children; fourth, that he had been an actor; fifth, that he had sung songs. Such ridiculous charges showed how blameless was the life against which determined and remorseless foes could bring no greater accusations.
This attack created great indignation in his behalf. As a public acknowledgment of their sympathy, a committee of influential members of Dr. Stiles' congregation waited upon him, requesting him to lecture in their church that evening.
From Newport he went to Providence, where he preached for the Rev. Mr. Snow to crowded houses, and his doctrines were well received. It had been his intention to continue to Boston but the season was now too far advanced. As it was, winter came before he reached Good Luck, the calls to stop by the way were so frequent.
There was a brief season of happy intercourse with Mr. Potter, then, in January, 1773, came another urgent call to visit Philadelphia, which he accepted because of the opportunity it afforded to meet visiting strangers who spread the news of salvation as they returned to their homes.
While in Philadelphia he received several invitations from a Maryland doctor to visit him. The man was so persistent Mr. Murray, with reluctance, consented to go. When his horse was brought to the door for the journey it occurred to him that he was literally without money. For a moment only he hesitated, then his faith asserted itself. If God wished him to take this journey, somehow He would provide for it. Thrusting his foot in the stirrup, he was about to mount, when a gentleman crossing the street called to ask if he was traveling alone and where.
"To a town in Maryland about eighty miles from here," replied Mr. Murray.
"If I had known it an hour ago I would have gone with you," said the gentleman.
"It is not too late now. I will wait for you," responded Mr. Murray.
In less than an hour they were off. The new friend insisted on playing the host and at Chester they dined luxuriously. In the middle of the afternoon they stopped to rest. "Here I had planned to leave you," said the gentleman, "but I am unwilling to do so. "
At dusk they reached Newark and Mr. Murray's companion took him to the house of one of his friends to pass the night. Mr. Murray slept serenely, although he expected to journey on alone next day without a cent in his pocket. In the morning his new friend bade him an affectionate farewell and started home. After breakfast Mr. Murray ordered his horse and was about to ride off when the master of the house, with great embarrassment, asked him to come in again for a moment.
"I have been impelled all the morning to do this thing," he said, "and now I see you about to take your leave, I can no longer resist it. Will you accept this trifle?" and he handed Mr. Murray enough money to bring him to the end of his journey. "If you do not need it yourself, you may meet some one who does."
With tears of gratitude Mr. Murray told him of his penniless condition, and of his faith that the Lord would provide. The man was overjoyed to be of service and pressed Mr. Murray to accept more.
"I have enough now for my present needs; more would be burdensome," responded Mr. Murray, and rode away with a light heart. The blessing of God was surely upon this journey, for the way had been made clear.
That same evening he reached the home of the physician at whose invitation he had come. Knowing the man to have a large fortune, he was astonished at the poverty of his dress and home. Also, he was disappointed in his conversation, which was that of a self-righteous, penurious, Calvinist. Mr. Murray determined to take the first opportunity to inform him of his different views, feeling that an early parting would be best for both.
There was no guest chamber and he was obliged to occupy the same bed with the Doctor, who continued to talk after the candle was extinguished. Mr. Murray soon informed him of his belief in Universal Redemption and then, in the darkness, calmly awaited the bitter tirade which he felt sure would follow. It was quite in the line of probability that the irate doctor would turn him out of bed and out of doors. There was a long pause and then the Doctor spoke.
"You have nothing to fear from me," he said. "The things of which you speak have never before entered my head or heart, but so far from being revolted, nothing would give me more unutterable joy than to be assured of their truth"
Mr. Murray was jubilant. "What assurance do you wish?" he asked.
"No more proof than a 'thus saith the Lord,'" responded the Doctor.
"During the rest of the night," said Mr. Murray, "I preached the gospel according to the Scriptures, and it pleased God to furnish my mind with such testimony from the Bible that I went on from Genesis to Revelation until morning dawned upon us.
The Doctor was completely won by this midnight eloquence.
"I had never seen so great a change in any one in so short a time, " said Mr. Murray. "He was like a new man."
Although of miserly habits, the Doctor had given four hundred pounds towards building a meeting house, and he was extremely mortified when he could not obtain permission for Mr. Murray to preach in it. The Presbytery had given orders that no one should enter the pulpit who had not a letter from them. Nor could he gain entrance for him elsewhere in the neighborhood. The Doctor urged Mr. Murray to remain in the town, promising to build him as fine a meeting house as there was in the country.
"I will devote ten of the forty thousand pounds I possess to it, if you will stay," he said.
Mr. Murray appreciated his devotion, but told him the offer of his whole estate would be no temptation. His mind was at that time solemnly impressed that, as a courier of God, he must not tarry long by the way.
The townspeople were astonished at the great change in the Doctor. He was a man of uncommon ability and had developed into a powerful speaker, though formerly morose and somewhat taciturn. He grew liberal with his money, not only in the cause of religion, but to the needy. Toward Mr. Murray, whose clothing from much travel had grown shabby, he displayed a fatherly care and caused him to be fitted to a fine broadcloth suit.
Mr. Murray stayed some weeks with the Doctor and the Sunday before his departure was engaged to preach at an Episcopal church six miles away. On Saturday evening a piercing wind from the northwest was followed by a severe frost and the next day, February 14, 1773, was the coldest in Mr. Murray's experience. He could not be persuaded to give up his appointment and rode the six miles on horseback, accompanied by an ardent admirer. They were so absorbed in conversation as to be entirely oblivious to the weather and the friend declared he wished they might ride on forever. It was too cold to use the church and the people assembled in the schoolhouse, where a huge hearth fire kept them from freezing.
The last night of his stay, like the first, was spent in discussion with the Doctor and their parting next day was most affecting.
"God forever bless you and make the way plain before you. I am an old man and we shall probably never meet again in this world, but we shall spend eternity together," said the Doctor, putting into Mr. Murray's hand sufficient gold to supply him till he reached Good Luck.
Mr. Murray made an involuntary expression of astonishment at the amount of the gift. "You are not more surprised than I am," said the Doctor. "It is the Lord's doing and my former ways are abhorrent to me."
On his journey back be stopped to preach at Newark and Wilmington, reaching Philadelphia in good health and high spirits. During the rest of the spring, the whole of the succeeding summer, and part of the autumn, till October, 1773, his time was divided between Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. His journeys were for the most part on horseback and he often regretted the slowness of his progress, giving as his excuse, the warmth of his friends and the warmth of the weather.
About this time, Mr. Still, a Baptist clergyman, wrote an elaborate letter, full of slanders, against Mr. Murray, which he read wherever he went, and also caused to be printed and sent about the country. It was a stab in the dark. Mr. Murray never saw the letter nor bad any chance to defend himself against its charges, but was often painfully conscious of its consequences.
On the tenth of October he had the opportunity to return to Newport by sailing vessel, and there was great rejoicing among his friends. Believing that peace was for the good of all, he sent word to Dr. Stiles that he did not intend to attempt to occupy his pulpit. There was no need on this visit to sue either strangers or enemies for favors. His prophecy to Mr. Hopkins was abundantly fulfilled; he had "many homes and many friends." His admirers were numbered among all sects and classes, even the Jews being friendly. The Governor granted him the use of the statehouse and he preached also at the prison and often for Mr. Kelly. Many were eager to erect a meeting house and only awaited his promise to remain permanently with them before starting the work. That promise they failed to get. Mr. Murray still insisted his mission was to sow the seed, leaving others to reap. Not being able to carry out their plan, the people endeavored by private gifts to add to Mr. Murray's comfort.
While in New Jersey he had published a book called "A Specimen of Apostolic Preaching." It consisted of selections from the writings of Relly, and was printed at Burlington, New Jersey. To defray the expense, Mr. Murray had sold his horse. When this came to the knowledge of his Newport friends they promptly presented him with another.
From Newport he went to East Greenwich, stopping with his good friend Varnum, afterward General Varnum of the Continental Army. Mr. Murray never measured his labors by the going down of the sun nor by his physical infirmities and, though ill during his stay, he spent one night in discussion with Judge Potter, who ever afterward spoke of him with great aff ection.
Once more he planned going as far as Boston but hesitated to make the start. He was still undecided, when he was introduced to a Mrs. Hubbard from that town, who urged him to go, and invited him to make his home with her during his stay. Finding he would, in all probability, reach Boston before her return to the city, she gave him a letter to her husband.
Mr. Murray stopped to preach at Pawtuxet and then went on to Providence. Immediately on his arrival, he was invited to spend the evening with Mr. Snow, with whom he had been friends on his former visit. He found the parlor nearly filled by members of the congregation. Proceedings began with the usual long and solemn silence, which Mr. Snow finally ended by saying, "We realize that by far the greater part of this town are anxious to hear you and we suppose your friends will apply for our meeting house. Since your last visit, we have heard strange reports of you — for one thing — that you believe all mankind will be saved. I have thought proper to call together certain of my church members that they may examine you and determine if it is proper to open our church doors."
After many questions and much discussion, Mr. Snow called the company to order. "Well, my friends, you know the reason of my bringing you together; you can now determine respecting Mr. Murray's again entering our pulpit. I would have you speak freely."
One gentleman said it was the most convenient place and the people wished to hear; he could see no reason why Mr. Murray should be shut out. Another objected, saying his conscience would not allow him to consent. A third wisely said, "The people will go to hear him wherever he preaches. If he is wrong, he cannot contaminate the house. I most devoutly bless God I have been present. I have received more light than I ever did before."
The majority agreed with the last speaker. Mr. Murray assured them he had no intention of preaching anything but Christ Jesus, and him crucified for every human being. It was agreed that he should be allowed to use the church, and so with the consent of pastor and people, he preached again and again to large congregations.
When he left, Dr. Hughs, a prominent member of the church, said to him, "I rejoice that you dare be honest. How long it will continue I know not. At present you are boldly facing danger without fear. Continue, I beseech you, to declare unmixed truth, though all men should be against you."