The Hero of the Humber | Page 5

About this time, the Rev. Charles Jones, of blessed memory, began his
career as a missionary in Hull. He laboured during six years, with great
success, in the streets, and yards, and alleys of the town; and scores
now in heaven and hundreds on their way thither, will, through all
eternity, have to bless God that Primitive Methodism ever sent him to
labour in Hull. The Rev. G. Lamb prepared the people to receive him
by styling him 'a bundle of love.' John went to hear him, and charmed
by his preaching and allured by the grace of God, his religious feelings
were deepened. Soon after this, and through the labours of Mr. Lamb,
he obtained peace with God, and I have heard him say at our lovefeasts,
'Jones knocked me down, but it was Mr. Lamb that picked me up.'
[Sidenote: HIS SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS.]

[Sidenote: HIS CONVERSION.]
Being invited by two Christian friends to attend a class meeting on the
following Sabbath morning, he went. As he sat in that old room in
West Street Chapel, a thousand gloomy thoughts and fearful
apprehensions crossed his mind, and casting many a glance towards the
door, he 'felt as though he must dart out.' But when Mr. John Sissons,
the leader of the class, said, with his usual kind smile and sympathizing
look:--'I'm glad to see you,' and then proceeded to give him suitable
council and encouragement, John's heart melted and his eyes filled with
tears; and, on being invited to repeat his visit on the following Sabbath,
he at once consented. One of the friends who had accompanied him to
the class, said, 'Now God has sown the seed of grace in your heart and
the enemy will try to sow tares, but if you resist the devil he will flee
from you,' and scarcely had John left the room ere the battle began. 'Oh,
what a fool' he thought, 'I was to promise to go again,' and when he got
home he said to his wife, 'I've been to class, and what is worse, I have
promised to go again, and I dar'nt run off.' Mrs. Ellerthorpe, who had
begun to watch with some interest her husband's struggles, wisely
replied, 'Go, for you cannot go to a better place, I intend to go to Mr.
Jones' class.' All the next week John was in great perplexity, thinking,
'What can I say if I go? If I tell them the same tale I told them last week
they will say I've got it off by memory.' On the following Sabbath
morning he was in the street half resolved not to go to class, when he
thought, 'Did'nt my friend say the devil would tempt me and that I was
to resist him? Perhaps it is the devil that is filling me with these
distressing feelings, but I'll resist him,' and, suiting his action to his
words, in a moment, John was seen darting along the street at his
utmost speed; nor did he pause till, panting and almost breathless, he
found himself seated in the vestry of the Primitive Methodist Chapel,
West Street. He regarded that meeting as the turning point in his
spiritual history, and in the review it possessed to him an undying
charm. There a full, free, and present salvation was pressed on the
people. The short way to the cross was pointed out. The blessedness of
the man whose transgression is forgiven was realized. The direct and
comforting witness of the Holy Spirit to the believer's adoption was
proclaimed. And there believers were exhorted to grow richer in

holiness and riper in knowledge every day. And while John sat and
listened to God's people, he felt a divine power coming down from on
high, which he could not comprehend, but which, however, he joyously
experienced. He joined the class that morning and continued a member
five years, when he became connected with our new chapel in Thornton
Street. Around these services in the old vestry at West Street, cluster
the grateful recollections of many now living and of numbers who have
crossed the flood. How often has that room resounded with the cries of
penitent sinners and the songs of rejoicing believers?
[Sidenote: VISITS HIS MOTHER.]
Soon after our friend had united himself with the people of God he paid
a visit to his mother, who was in a dying state. It was on a beautiful
Sabbath morning, in the month of June, and while walking along the
road, between Hull and Hessle, and reflecting on the change he had
experienced, he was filled 'unutterably full of glory and of God.' That
morning, with its glorious visitation of grace, he never forgot. His soul
had new feelings; his heart throbbed with a new, a strange, a divine joy.