The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-20
Gmtral 4rtsbptuian,
THE MILLWRIGHT PREACHER.
FROM THE LIFE OF REV. ARCHIBALD ALEX
AMBER, D. D.

sent 5y the " Commission Of the Synod of Virginia
on a missionary tour in the Eastern part of the
State The following narrative is very interest
ing one, and in some respects very instruchve.]
From Prince Edward the young preachers
went towards Lunenburg Before sunset
they arrived at the house of Mr.. Var
borough, Baptist of some wealth, who re-
ceived them with Christian and Virginia
hospitality. Here they gained acquaintance
with a man whose case is too remarkable
and characteristic of the times to be omitted.
And as the memorandums of DR.. Alexander
respecting his contemporaries furnish facts
which would otherwise be entirely lost, we
feel justified in frequently turning aside to
diversity our story BY such episodes.
"Mr. Marlborough took occasion to inform
Us thar there was Baptist preacher in his
employment as a millwright, who would be
at the house as soon as his work was fin
ished. Accordingly about the dusk of the
evening, an old man in coarse garb, with
leathern apron, and laden with tools, entered
the house and took his seat on the stairs
Neither Mr.. Grigsby nor had ever been ac-
quainted With uneducated preachers, and We
were struck with establishment that this car
penter should pretend to preach. When we
retired, Mr.. Shelburne, such was his name,
was put into the same room with US. l felt
an ayidity to question him respecting his
call to the ministry, taking it for granted
that the old man was ignorant / therefore
began by asking him what he considered
call to the ministry. Mr.. Shelburne per-
eeived the drift Of my question, and instead
Of giving general answer proceeded to
narrative Of bis own experience, and to state
the circumstances which led him to suppose
that God had called him to be preacher.
The substance Of his story was as follows:
's'I was born in one of the lower cOun-
ties of Virginia, and when young was put to
learn the carpenters trade. Until ] was
man grown and had family, never heard
any preaching but from ministers of the Els
tablished Church, and did not even know
that there were any others. About this time
came into the neighborhood Presbyterian
minister, by the name of Martin, whom
went to hear; and before he was done was
convinced that I was in a lost and undone
condition. He made no stay, and heard
no more Of him. But wound had been
left in my conscience which knew not how
to get healed, and no one about me could
give any valuable advice IS to a cure.
went from day to day under a heavy burden,
beWaihng my miserable state, till at length
my distress became SO great that could
neither eat nOr sleep with any peace or com
fort. Ny neighbOrs said that l was falling
into melancholy or going mad, but not one
of them had any knowledge from experience
of the nature Of my distress. Thus 1 con-
tinued mourning over my miserable case for
weeks and months. l was led, however, to
read constantly in the Bible; but this rather
increased than lessened my distress; until
one Sunday evening | saw as clearly as |
ever saw any thing how l could be saved,
through the death of Christ. was filed
with comfort, and yet sorrow for my sins
flowed more copiousIy than ever. praised
God aloud, and Immediately told my wife
that l had found salvation; and when any
Of my neighbOrs came to see me, l told them
Of the goodness of God, and what he had
done for ny soul, and how he had pardoned
all my sins. As l spoke freely of the won
derful change had experienced, it was soon
nOised abroad, and many came to see me,
and to hear an account of the matter from
my own mouth,
"'Oa Sabbath evenings my house would
be crowded, and when 1 had finished my
narrative / was accustomed to give them
word Of exhOrtation. And as l could be
better heard when standing, stood and ad.
dressed my neighbOrs, without any thought
Of preaching. After proceeding for some
time in this way, found that several others
began to be awakened by what they heard
from me, and appeared to be brought through
the new birth much as l had been. This
greatly encouraged me to proceed in my
work, and God was pleased to bless 10y
humble labors to the conversion of many.
All this time did no more than relate my
own experience and then exhort my neigh
bors to seek unto the Lord for mercy. Thus
was ledO on from step to step, until at length
l actually became a preacher, without In
tending it. Exercised persons would fire.
quenty come to me for counsel, as l had
been the first among them to experience the
grace Of God; and that 1 might be able to
answer their questions l was induced to
study the Bible continually; and often while
at work, particular passages would be opened
to my mind; which encouraged me to hope
that the Lord had called me to instruct those
who were more ignorant than myself; and
when the people would collect at my house,
1 explained to them those passages which
had been opened TO my mind. All this time
I had no instruction in spiritual matters
from any man, except the sermons which
heard from Mr. Martin. But after a few
years there came a Baptist preacher into
our neighborbooi, and found that his doc
tFine agreed substantially with my expe-
.