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My Christian Life
I was confirmed in 1881, March 9th, at Worle Parish Church by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Lord Arthur Harvey. I remember that he addressed the candidates very earnestly and affectionately on the words in Acts xiv.22 [They encouraged the disciples and urged them to remain faithful.]
First Communion at Locking March 13, '81. I became a regular communicant, and I am sure that I desired to live a Christian life, but I craved for something more than I got at Locking Church, and became a frequent and at last a regular worshipper at the Wesleyan Chapel at Banwell. My uncle, Joseph Gould, was converted in some revival services about the year 1882, and this made a great impression upon me. It was a sudden and remarkable conversion. I was at this time much troubled about the doctrine of Election, and also about "sudden conversion." Then about that time I read Haslam's book, "From death unto life", and I began to understand more about the Christian life. I became intensely zealous about the souls of others, and longed to see the gospel preached more clearly to the people of Locking.
In the year 1885 an opportunity arose, and with the co-operation of another young farmer, Wm. Day, I hired an empty cottage, and arranged a weekly service, securing speakers from Weston. I believe that much good was done. At any rate, it brought me out, and I became known as a definite worker for Christ. In October 1886, we kept the first anniversary of the Cottage Meetings, by holding a service in my father's barn. About 70 people were present and the address was given by Mr Lyon, from Weston. I now longed to devote myself entirely to mission work, and the way was opened early in 1887.
It came about in this way. I went to Weston one evening to attend a meeting in connection with the "Week of Prayer" in the first week in January. I bought a copy of "The Christian" and in it I saw an advertisement: "Young men wanted as evangelists etc; apply
Church Army." I wrote without saying anything to anyone at home, and had an early reply. After some further correspondence I was asked to go to Cheltenham for a week-end, to take part in Church Army work, and to enable the Captain there to give a report to Headquarters. I went, addressed the Sunday School in the afternoon, and spoke at a meeting in Holy Trinity Mission Room in the evening. I fear the Captain's report was not too favourable, but I learned afterwards that the people at Headquarters had formed a good impression from my letters, so they did not give up the matter, but asked me to go for another Sunday to Bath, to the parish of St. James' where the Rev. P.V. Filbert was Vicar. I took part in several meetings, and on the Monday morning had the pleasure of hearing the Rev. W. Haslam who was holding a mission in Bath Abbey. (Many years later I preached in Bath Abbey.)
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