As has already been indicated, Harris had now been persuaded that itinerating
and going from house to house was inconsistent with the Gospel, and that
he should take up some employment to support himself. Teaching was the work
most congenial to his nature; and as every other door was closed to him,
he opened a school on his own responsibility at Trevecka about the middle
of September. When Griffith Jones heard of this he promised him every support,
and asked for further information in order to understand the situation.
Here is a portion of his answer:
Oct. 8th, 1736.
"I now confine myself entirely to my School which increases every
day so that I have been obliged to take one to assist me to teach ye Welsh
beginners in order to my having more time to instruct ye grown Persons.
We have now 37, whereof 16 learn Welsh entirely, and I believe in three
weeks time we shall have many more, servants, etc. Some have ye Spirit
not only to undergo ye Scandal, lose their Time, incur ye Displeasure
of some Friends, but likewise to go thro' other hardships as they have
no Provision laid up and being at a Distance, and excessive Poor, they
will be obliged--and some are resolv'd thereon--to sell some of their
Necessaries. But others have not that spirit which notwithstanding seem
inclin'd to learn but being able to surmount these disadvantages must
remain still in Ignorance, if kind Providence does not Interpose. ye Integrity
of my meaning and ye Truth of ye Case gives me assurance in ye stating
of it before you, having had so many Tokens of your Love for Christ....
My own Labours I am ready to give as being ye least I can do for my Saviour,
and I am only concern'd that I know not how to dispose of many things
I have that I might convert Earth to Heaven. Poverty does not frighten
me, ye Necessaries of Life are easily acquir'd; let me only in some Measure
be able to answer my Friends I am dependent upon. But what to do for Lodging,
Provision and Books for my Indigent fellow Creatures? There seems to be
something very enchanting in Riches, and I can't learn how Religion and
Charity came to be separated; to understand really and fully that we are
servants and Stewards is a harder Lesson than most People think.... We
pray in Welsh morning and evening, and we have opportunity to give instruction
on Saturdays. Next week we are to have a music teacher to teach us to
sing Psalms. I have distributed all the books according to your orders.
We are beginning to set up private societies. I have only been six nights
at home since I came from you. I trust they are taking root, but heads
of poor families are scared of poverty."
This is the first plain reference to the societies that we have. It is difficult
to say where Harris got his idea of them. His allusion to them in his letter
comes in as naturally as if they had been a subject of discussion between
him and Griffith Jones. Religious societies had been attached to the Established
Church for many years. They were once very flourishing, but by now their
glory had departed to a great extent. In 1739, when he first read Dr. Woodward's
book, which gives a history of their foundation and their activities, Harris
states that he knew nothing of them when he founded the Welsh societies.
He evidently came to know something of them quite soon. We understand that
the Nonconformists, too, held church meetings to instruct their people in
biblical knowledge, and to prepare them for coming to the Lord's Table.
Doubtless he also by now knew of their methods, as he had a good deal of
fellowship with them, especially the Baptists. If he was imitating anyone
at all, it is, possibly, their plan which he was following and perfecting.
As the societies became more numerous and began to attract attention, we
find him about six months later drawing up a petition to the ecclesiastical
authorities, humbly requesting their permission for the petitioners to meet
with one another "to read, to talk together about the state of their
souls, to show the results of what they learnt by self-examination, and
to ground the ignorant in the principles of religion," etc. One of
his reasons for asking that the request should be granted was that similar
permission had been granted in similar circumstances within the Church at
an earlier date, in London and in other places. Another reason was that
many were leaving the Church and joining the dissenters because this privilege
of meeting together to discuss the sermons they had heard, was enjoyed by
the Nonconformists.
But whatever its origin, the idea commended itself to Harris's religious
instinct. The scattered saints of the district must be gathered together
for edification, and particularly for discipline. "That is the purpose
of our societies," he once said, "and to this end I was called,
and through the power of grace I will set up such discipline that no hypocrite
will be able to bear it." This discipline went beyond outward behaviour
to the inner experience of each member. As Dr. Lewis Edwards used to say,
the Methodist revival gave great prominence to the place of experience in
religion. For this reason the fellowship was very soon christened y Seiat
Brofiad. In this respect no doubt the societies were something new in
the religious history of the Principality.
While he was engaged in writing the above letter to Griffith Jones, a message
came to Harris calling him suddenly to Talgarth. The schoolmaster had left
the place, and now the school was offered to him. He writes to Griffith
Jones:
"While I was writing this I was sent for abruptly to Talgarth
by ye Disposers of that School, and ye Schoolmaster being gone away they
offer'd me ye School, which in reality is only a School House--which I
have Gratis where I am-- and £2 Charity and possibly their favour too
I may have by going there as 'tis their own Proposal--which perhaps I
should forfeit should I continue where I am--for doubtless they would
set up somebody there and then he not having sufficient encouragement
by reason of my School they would suppress my School. Of ye other side
if I should go there I believe I should not teach Welsh there and if I
should--that being a large, debauch'd and idle place--I question whether
grown Persons should not be corrupted there, and I should lose ye only
advantage I had, viz., of instructing them all in Welsh, explaining some
of ye Principles of Religion, etc. It being a Mile from here I could not
have ye Assistance from my Neighbour Women I have now to teach ye Beginners,
etc., in order to have time for Instructing. Here is a private, Sober
Place, Convenient for Lodging, etc., and there are many here already lodged,
which being little Children some, and others with their Relations, I must
lose. I shall be there under ye Inspection of ye Minister, and if I digress
from the old beaten Rules I shall be called to an Account, and upon a
Call to your Country to teach, etc. I should not leave that School, which
is not ye Case here. So that I can't express how I am constrain'd by arguments
on both sides which I have not Prudence enough to Judge which is Heaviest....
How did I know what my Master's Pleasure is, that am I most ready to obey.
I hope you'll digest Impartially these Arguments and let me immediately
have your Answer."
Before the end of the month he writes as follows: "I hope to get a
hundred scholars. In the afternoon, as a rule, I could not rest; but after
school and secret prayer I went to Garthbrengi. There, in consultation with
my friends. They were in favour of my going to Talgarth. All things, spiritual
and temporal, seem to be in my favour. Readiness to sell all that I have
to give to the poor. The old zeal stronger than ever. Oh! Golden times!
Oh! How sweet is life. It is Heaven." But by now, such "songs
of praises only alternated with "heavy groanings." In a page of
his diary relating to these weeks he writes in a minor key. "When I
received Mr. Jones' letter I could not find within me any of the spirit
I once had. On Saturday night I went to Talgarth with a heavy heart, fearing
that I would have to go there to keep school. But contrary to my expectation,
I found the vicar was partial towards me, and I was lifted up to praise.
At Trallwyn I was dull and sleepy. On Sunday morning I went to the church.
I was asked to read in public, but I refused because of fear. In the churchyard
I did not feel any compulsion in my spirit, but rather a spirit of fear.
I attempted to speak without the Divine Commission, and I was humbled. Learning
not to speak when not called; if I do, I shall do no good. I prayed in public
before dinner at Aber-bran, but I was afraid to read; I departed dreading
that I had offended God. On Monday in Talgarth with the Parson I lost all
my zeal. I preached at home; no peace but opposition; but in Tal-y-bont
I was greatly enlarged and melted in the public prayer. After this I went
with friends to sing Psalms. Tuesday, in school. I love my work dearly."
The following month he accepted the offer made by the governors of Talgarth
school. "Things began to smile upon me once again. Talgarth school
was offered to me, and in November, the night before I took it over, in
the garden, I could hardly contain myself because of the working of my soul
within me. I can never give anybody any idea of it--fearful lest God did
not want me to go to Talgarth to teach." He worked harder than ever
during this time. "I exhorted in school among my pupils, and I went
secretly to houses in the night-time to read. Because I still read, and
no one took any notice of my gift of speech, which I now exercised. They
thought that everything was in the book, and that I prayed from the book,
because I kept it before my eyes, seeing no harm in this at the time. This,
together with calling my work exhorting, not preaching, was a means of blinding
the eyes of my opposers. A door was opened for me to speak and to pray through
a man who went about teaching people to sing Psalms. The people met for
that purpose; and when he finished I would begin to exhort. During that
winter I went with him to many parishes, and this was the origin of many
permanent societies. I would go four or five miles distant from school,
returning home about midnight--almost sleeping on the stiles along my way.
I look upon it now (1739) with astonishment. Large numbers of young people
gathered round me at the school, but their convictions were very slight,
and many fell away for a time afterwards. Their love was only for me, and
their reformation but outward."
Others besides Griffith Jones began to take an interest in him, and to help
him. The following letter, from Samuel Rogers, a bookseller in Abergavenny,
shows how talk about him spread abroad.
8 Nov., 1736.
"It rejoices me that you do so much good in ye World. My prayers
shall not be wanting, as I hope yours will not for me. Whenever convenient
opportunity permits me I will send some more Books gratis.
We have but one Welsh Bible; I shall send speedily for one or two more.
The price is 5s. 6d., it cost us 5s. We have not one old one at present."
The reader may gather some idea of his activities towards the end of the
year from the following quotations from his writings:
"December 9. How strange are the changes of this life!
How desirous they are for me now, later raging just as fiercely against
me, and then for me once again. When I think that the seed has been lost,
lo! it is still growing everywhere unexpectedly, and the tares are scarcer
every day. My understanding and my ideas become ever clearer. I find myself
not in the least disturbed when they mock me, but I love being praised."
"December 19 (Sabbath). I was made to give and dedicate myself completely
to God."
"December 20. I had lost the desire and the zeal for going to places
given over to public sinning on Sundays, etc., but now I feel them again.
After I had renewed the Covenant on Sunday, my zeal was restored. I deserved
that God should withdraw His grace from me because I am so ungrateful,
even while receiving from Him such exceptional powers, not given to others,
i.e. sinners turned so quickly while listening to me.... Poor Mother!
I see such blindness following worldliness, and the danger of keeping
the heart from God while making a profession. How obstinately blind! --exposing
me all the time, contradicting, envying, lying, etc. Thus, crosses within
and without.... Disheartened because of the hindrances: but I shall go
forward humbly, sincerely, and carefully--convinced that all these things
are but to prove me. Daniel might as well give up praying, and the young
men bow before the idol through fear of the fire, as for me to give up
the work because of the clergy."
"December 22. Oh! That I could be as industrious, humble, and thankful
as ever a man could be; because no one ever had greater reasons for being
so. Who, until about two years ago, was so despised? and who now so honoured?
Power and work falls upon me so that I can hardly attend to them. I was
very weak for a long time limping along on my crutches, but now full of
power and zeal. After losing my first zeal I regained it with greater
warmth. I resolve to go to Bwlch, where I saw sin abounding, as it does
everywhere. Oh! Christ, where are Thy servants?"
"December 28. I exhorted and prayed for about five hours; and wonderful
authority accompanied my words. I now possess the same attitude of spirit
as I previously had; but not so constantly now as then. Oh! How thankful
and busy I ought to be when God turns, not one or two, but hundreds, through
my words, while others preach and would give much to be able to turn but
one. Learning humility from William Herbert, who supposed himself not
worthy to be called my brother. Oh! What am I compared with him?"
"December 30. Enemies--Mr. James, Llanfihangel, etc.--turn from being
wolves to being lambs. God sends His very great blessings with my words.
The converts stand, and they increase in numbers and in grace. I feed
on Heavenly things, and yet I am weak and oppressed. The old gift of using
similitudes returning again."
The following note is very interesting in the light of what we know of the
latter part of his life: "December 28, 1736. Reading of Professor Francke.
Planning to build an alms-house (after first selling all that I have and
marrying--), and to receive into service, and instruct, teach, and superintend
myself, all that would come there."
One night round about Christmas time he went with the music teacher to a
place called Wernos in the upper part of the parish of Llandyfalle; and
there, soon, was established the first permanent society--the true mother
society. "God brought me to Wernos (I trust can say so without presumption),
and I hope some permanent proofs of grace have appeared. This was the beginning,
though we used to meet in Tal-y-llyn, and in our own parish, and the house
of Madam Phillips in Llanfihangel before this. But nothing came of those
meetings, for it is not likely that the great ones will have a hand in the
work." In 1738 he says, "Societies which had everything in their
favour disappeared, but God keeps these poor worthless things. He wonderfully
raised up means of helping to feed poor children here, and in other places,
drawing them for the most part with love." And in April 1745 he writes,
"I went towards Wernos in the parish of Llandyfalle, the place where
all this great work which has spread throughout Wales began, and where the
first society was established more than eight years ago. Full of joy to
find an open door still here, and to see my old hearers to whom the word
was sent so many years ago. There was a great crowd there."
We understand that Wernos is a farmhouse, seven or eight miles below Builth,
near the main road which leads down the Wye valley; it stands between Erwood
and Boughrood stations on the old Cambrian line, but on the other side of
the river. It seems that at present there is no Methodist cause within some
miles of the place, and the neighbourhood is not particularly "religious."
But no doubt the place will be hallowed to every Methodist who comes to
know of it; and possibly pilgrims to the local Spas will choose to pay a
visit to the home of the "first Society." |