I wrote a pamphlet to show that the Church of England’s teaching was based on conversion, and not on baptism; and that the Reformation was to the Church of England what Conversion was to the individual reformers.  Taking my own change as an illustration, I said, that I used to rest on Baptism and the Church, and that now I was standing on the Rock, Christ Jesus.  Once I worked for life, and now I worked from life; that is, because I possessed it.  I declared that this was the characteristic difference between the Church of England as it is, and as it was when connected with the Church of Rome.  This pamphlet would not satisfy them.  I then wrote and published a letter to the Archdeacon, in which, in my young zeal, I charged the clergy with being unconverted, and doing the devil’s work of hindering the salvation of souls, and that they seemed to stand on their parish boundaries and say, “This is my parish, and you shall not come here to disturb the sleep of death which now reigns.”  This poured no oil upon the waters.

I then wrote another pamphlet upon which I spent much time, thought, and prayer.  I took the manuscript and read it to Mr. Aitken.  He walked up and down in his large room, while I was reading, and ejaculated, as only he could, “Bless God!  Glory be to God!” When I finished, I said, “Shall I print it?”

He said, “It is worth printing, but it will do no good.  It is like a little doggie barking at a dead elephant.  We shall never convert the.  Church as a body:  we must try and get at individuals.  I am quite convinced we shall not succeed unless we work in this, way.”

CHAPTER 17

Individual Cases, 1853.

An Archbishop of Canterbury, in old times, contrasted public preaching with personal dealing in this way:  When we preach, it is like dashing water from a bucket upon so many vessels which are arranged before us-some drops fall into one, and some into another, while others remain empty; but when we speak to individuals, it is like pouring water into the neck of a vessel.

I gave up writing and printing pamphlets, and went on as quietly as I could with my own work, looking out for individual cases as they presented themselves in the providence of God.  In this way, without fermenting controversy or keeping up public excitement, I was able more effectually to impart my meaning, than by printed statements, which I found were misunderstood or distorted; and what is more, I was able to apply the truth with an individual “Have you?” It would take more space than I can afford to tell of the souls which were gained in this way.  I will give here only a few instances, which are interesting, and which will sustain the thread of my narrative.  The first was in the case of one who began an argument on Baptismal Grace.  I asked him what it was.  “I know what converting or saving’ grace is; but what is this?” He did not say more, than that in Baptism he was made a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.