CHAPTER 14

Open-Air Services, 1852.

1.  Perranzabuloe

As the summer advanced, it was laid on heart to go and preach in the parish of Perranzabuloe, where I had ministered in my unconverted days.  The vicar, would not consent to my having the church; but told me, in writing, that he could not prevent my preaching on the common or the beach.  I thanked him for his suggestion as to the latter.  As soon I was able I made arrangements, and giving due notice, went down to the old familiar place; but this time on a new errand, and it was to me a fresh start in my work.  I took my gown for this first open-air service; and on arriving, found many hundreds of people already assembled at the appointed place, on Perran beach.

After giving out a hymn, which was most heartily sung, I prayed, thanking God for the change He had wrought in my soul, and begging Him to show that He had forgiven the past, by bestowing a manifest blessing upon the present service.  All this was loudly responded to, in Cornish fashion, with hearty “Amens” and various other ejaculations to which I was well accustomed.  Then I read the beginning of the fifth chapter of St. Luke, taking for my text the words, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”

Having reminded the people how hard I had worked amongst them for four years without seeing any conversions, I went on to show them, by way of parallel, that Simon Peter had toiled all night and taken nothing, but that when he went forth at the Lord’s command, he enclosed a great multitude of fishes.  “Here,” I said, “is encouragement for us to expect a blessing now.  Why did Simon Peter fail at first? and why did he subsequently succeed?  Why did he fail?—­1.  Because he went out in the night. 2.  At his own desire. 3.  In the wisdom of men.  Why did I fail?—­1.  Because I preached and laboured in the night of my unconverted state. 2.  I laboured at the bidding of the Church.  And, 3.  According to the wisdom and tradition of the fathers.  Why did Peter succeed?—­Because, 1.  He went out in the morning. 2.  At the Lord’s bidding. 3.  With the Lord’s presence.

“I am come (I was thankful to be able to say) in the bright sunshine of my first love.  Jesus, the Saviour, is the ’Sun of my soul, my Saviour dear.’” The people cheered me so much with their responding, that I felt as happy as they.  The opening heaven seemed to shine around us, indeed, “with beams of sacred bliss.”  They shouted again and again, “Glory to God!  Glory to God!  Hallelujah! ....  I am come now,” I continued, “to tell you from my own personal experience, about salvation and the forgiveness of sins.”  “Yes, yes!” “Thank the Lord!” “Bless Him!”

“I am come, dear friends, at the Lord’s bidding.  I feel sure that He put it into my heart to do so.  Oh, how much I longed to do you good when I was your minister; but I could not, for I knew nothing about the Way myself.  Now, that I do, I am constrained to tell you.  The love of God within, and the Word of God without, compel me.