Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,026 pages of information about Life of John Coleridge Patteson .

Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,026 pages of information about Life of John Coleridge Patteson .
and forget myself in my office and work.  I never could be fit for such work, I know that, and yet I am very thankful that the time for it has come.  I do not feel excited, yet I am somewhat nervous because it requires an effort to meditate steadily.  I have thought so much of my early life, of dearest Mamma.  What a snare it seems, so full of transitory earthly plans and pursuits; such a want of earnestness of purpose and steady performance of duty!  God grant my life as a clergyman may be more innocent to myself, and more useful to others!  Tell dear Joan the gown came this morning.  My kind love to her, Fan, and Jem.

’Ever, my dearest Father,

’Your affectionate and dutiful Son,

‘J.  C. Patteson.’

On the ensuing day, Sunday, September 14, 1853, John Coleridge Patteson received the Diaconate at the hands of the venerable Bishop Phillpotts, in Exeter Cathedral.  His being selected to read the Gospel was the proof of his superiority in the examination—­no wonder, considering the two additional years that he had spent in preparation, and the deep study and searchings of heart of the last few months.

He was established in a small house at Alfington—­the usual habitation of the Curate.  And of his first sermon there, his uncle, Sir John Coleridge, gives the following touching description from his diary:—­

’October 23, 1853.—­Yesterday morning Arthur and I went to Alfington Church, to be present at Coley’s first sermon.  I don’t know when I have been so much delighted and affected.  His manner of saying the prayers was exceedingly good:  his voice very sweet and musical; without seeming loud, it was fully audible, and gave assurance of more power if needed:  his manner quite unaffected, but sweet and devout.  His sermon was a very sound and good one, beautifully delivered; perhaps in the early parts, from the very sweetness of his voice, and the very rapid delivery of his words, a little more variety of intonation would have helped in conveying his meaning more distinctly to those who formed the bulk of his congregation.  But when he came to personal parts this was not needed.  He made a kind allusion to me, very affecting to me; and when I was in this mood, and he came to the personal parts, touching himself and his new congregation, what he knew he ought to be to them and to do for them, what they should do for themselves, and earnestly besought their prayers, I was completely overcome, and weeping profusely.

Fanny Patteson and Arthur Coleridge were sitting with the Judge, and were equally overcome.  When the service was over, and the congregation dispersed, Coley joined these three in the porch, holding out his hands, taking theirs and shedding tears, and they with him—­tears of warm emotion too deep for words.  He was evidently surprised at the effect produced.  In fact, on looking at the sermon, it does not seem to have been in itself remarkable, but as his cousin Arthur says:  ’I suppose the deep spirituality of the man, and the love we bore him for years, touched the emotional part of us.’  The text was significant:  ’We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake’ (2 Cor. iv. 5).

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Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.