The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-20
'Gke GlttelliIgettter
A STORY OF CONVERSION.

/ "a
Ia STORY OF CONVERSION.
Editors 1ntelliSsnssE.
The following review Of book, From
Death Unto Life, or Twenty Years Of Ny
Ministry" which Is now attracting CON
siderable attention in England, and will
no doubt in America, Is sent to you, hop
ing that will publish 1t, and oblige q
suBscRlBER.
Wheeling, NormberlG, 1850.
The first glimpse. Mr.. Haslam, the
author OF tho book reviewed, and for
merly incumbent OF Curzon Chapel,
Meryiair, gives of himself shows a young
man on the eve OF ordination with good
deal Of professional interest in his work,
but no heart in his religion. A dark cloud
suddenly overshadewed his prospects.
The one who was to have frightened his
path and shared bis home and work was
suddenly taken away. An alarming i'll
ness followed. brought ON by grief and
excitement. His doctor assured him that
he was far gone in consumption, yet con
trary to expectation ho recovered and re-
joiced in the prospect OF devotiDg his re-
stored lie 10 God. At this time Mr.. Has
lam was slave to outward obseryances
and seems 10 have lost the spirit in this
latter. When the celebrated Tracts for
the Times" fell into his hands they fitted
the tone OF his mind to a nicely. By the
spring OF 1912 he. was so far recovered IS to
be able to accept an invitation TO curacy
at Penar zabuloe, on the coast OF Cornwall.
The vicar was q nonresident and the
curate was shocked to find that the church
had been allowed 10 fAllinto sadly dilapi.
dated condition. But tho state OF the
people distressed him still more, for
though he had been terribly alarmed by
the bishops address at his ordination,
when told be was taking upon himself the
fare OF souls, he felt that his only duty was
10 prevail upon his practitioners to attend
aud appreciate the services OF the church.
Hence he was seriously alarmed, when
out OF three Thousand people living in the
parish only about twenty appeared al
church on the first Sunday, and week after
week these seemed sIngularly listless and
inattentive. He tried to awaken some In.
terest 10 the place by restoring the build
ing and identifying the Interior, and in the
services by introducing musical band
land choir. The music drew larger con-
gregation but the minister could see that II
was the only attractive part Of the SET
vices.
As rule, Mr.. Haslam preached DR..
Newman's tnow CardinaD sermons. as he
considered them pefect in their presents
ton OF church teaching. But they failed
TO find favsr with HE hearers.
One day good man, the bass.viol oil his
orchestra, called to tell his minister that
II he continued to preach such doctrines
he would drive away the best part OF his
congregation. Excuse me, sir" was the
reply, "you mean the worst part" Nor
was bis opinion changed on the next Sun.
day, when after listening 10 two or three
pages OF the obnoxious document, the
Oass.viol rose, followed by all the other
musicians and several occu pants OF the
pews. The preacher waited till the sound
Of their feet died away and then he an'
ished his discourse, considering himself a
martyr to church PRINCIPLES
He removed TO another living In Corn
wall, Raldhu. But his new psfisbionets
were not moro teschable than those he
had left. Methodism WIS strong In the
village, and these godly people were ter.
rible thorn in the new Clergymsn's eide
they sorely puzzled him 10 his pastoral
visits by talking about their conversion.
He envied one happy woman who said to
him, "Ah! you went to college to learn the
Latin, but though don't know letter In
this book, i can road my title clear to
mansions In the skies.
Atthis time OF bis MINISTRY he came In
contact with the Rev. Robert Hawker, OF
MorVenstow, who confirmed him In his
high church notions. This clergyman
asked Mr.. Haslam 10 help Ia the service
one Sunday, and for this purp Sc arrayed
him in an alb plain, which was Just like d
cassock Of whiie linen. He himself wore
over bis alb a chasnble, which was amber
on one side and green on the other, and
was turned 10 suit the church scasons.
Also q pair OF crimson-colored gloves,
which he con;ended were the proper sac.
rifcial color for Priest.
Mr.. Haslam hencetSrth appeared In
square cap and cassock, preaching in q
surplice and contendiug ferCely for the
Church. A Lew church was opened,
adorned with super altar candles, tridtych
and complete arrangements Tor the fulfill
ing his dream. But, alas. the few. whom
he persuaded to come to confession and
absolution went away uusa ished, for they
did not rejoice in the forgiveness Of their
sins az tie Methodists did.
Among the most promising %! the church
wac his own GARDINER. He was taken
seriously Ill and the doctor gave no hope
- HIS recovery. At once the man turned
from all he church teaching, became
alarmed about salvation and sent for a
Mons class leader near by, and as this
good man prayed With him be found peace
with God through the precious blood OF
Christ. Such was the Wears grief and
vexation that he would not 60 near the
man in spite OF his repeated entreaaes'
At length he went to his house. The dy.
ing man aprang up TO meet him In most
joyful stale. 20, dear masteI!" he ex.
claimed, Il am glad you are come; am
20 happy; my soul Is saved; glory be TO
God l am sure you do not know about
this or you would have told mel ! am
quite sure you love me and I love you
that debut, dear master, you do not
know tbis-Iam praying for the Lord to
show 1t to you"
Soon come the next blow. Mr.. Aitken, Of
Pendeen, nsiRhboring minister, asked
advice from Mr.. Haslam about his church,
and as they sat by the FIRE, Mr.. Ai.ken in.
duired about his parish work.
-"Thess Cornish people arc ingrained
schismatirs," said the President OF St.
Baldbu, bitterly, and he told Of his gar
Aiken, coolly, "if were taken III l would
not surely send for you. l am sure you
could never do me any good, for you are
moi converted yoarscli." This only provoked
him to try and justify himself, uneasy as
he was. But tho next day Mr.. Aiken
turned on him Gireclly-"lAve you peace
with God?" Mr.. HasIam replied that he