Autobiography of Rev. Emerson Andrews

Emerson Andrews

PAUL, the great apostle, commands Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. This was a special department of gospel preaching. God gave some evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the ministry of the truth, and the perfecting of the saints.”

CALL.

But evangelists were especially commissioned to leave all, to go forth, and preach the word — first, where it had or had not been preached, beginning at Jerusalem, and on, to encompass all the world.

They were men of wisdom, discernment, spirituality, boldness, and power —not time-servers, hirelings, or servile essayists, living on the fruits of other ministers.

OFFICE.

They raised up and established churches; and so, by grace, do we. (See: “Evangelist,” in my “Revival Sermons.”)

Evangelists helped such as were “called by the Holy Spirit,” and ordained them for this work, or to be pastors of the collected flocks. Then the evangelists visited churches to see how they prospered, and often refreshed their dear children. So we disciple and baptize, and then go about visiting the churches, “to see how they do.”

How very blind and unwise was that doctor of divinity — an accredited agent of a missionary society — who declared, “ex cathedra,” but not by the Spirit, that “our idea of evangelists and their duties was not in God’s plan.” Does he presume to tell us — active, live, successful ministers in the wide field — that “our place, office, and work are always in the front,” or frontier, He did not so learn of Christ. Nor can we, or the spiritually-minded, sit at his feet. But “go tell that fox” that we shall preach, under Immanuel’s commission, till the ends of the earth give God glory. Spiritual things are spiritually seen and understood.

This work is laid upon us, and it is distinct. We are called, consecrated, and especially appropriated to the “work of evangelism,” as truly as the Greek term ‘baptizo’ is set apart to signify actual immersion, and nothing else. The Lord be our teacher, guide, victory, and crown. God promises, and ever gives us success.

COMMISSION.

Ever since I was regenerated, and received the evidences of my adoption into the family of Christ, I have felt the call to preach the gospel; and the special work of evangelism has also loomed up before me, and commanded my attention. I have felt constrained, by love and the Holy Spirit, to labor in this department particularly, and have, when practicable.

FRUITS.

In 1830 l was much instructed, and finally blessed, by the preaching and prayers of that sainted evangelist, Dr. A. Nettleton. At this time the familiar names of those celebrated evangelists, J. Burchard, C. Finney, and others, were sounding through the land. Great and glorious meetings were held, and many Pentecostal revival’s were enjoyed. Satan, infidels, hypocrites, prodigals, drunkards, and their associates raved, opposed, and persecuted revivalists as they found opportunity. But live Christians were generally enlisted, united, and much refreshed. Many backsliders, too, confessed and returned. Many thousands of sinners, of all classes, were truly converted to God. Large numbers and great strength were added to the different churches. God was glorified.

PROGRESS.

About this period the celebrated reformer and “hero-evangelist,” Elder Jacob Knapp, with Dr. E. N. Kirk, Elder Jabez Swan, and some others, were active and conspicuous in the protracted meeting field, doing glorious service for Jesus. A great advance in our churches, in moral reforms, in missions, in winning souls to Christ, was then made, and is powerfully felt to the present day. There was a waking up, a renovation, and a heavenly impulse imparted, as in the days of Whitefield, Wesley, Edwards, and the Tennents, but more powerful and extensive. The wicked raged, as in primitive times, where Christ was preached, and when Pentecostal revivals were experienced. Infidelity, Unitarianism, Universalism, Antinomianism, Formalism, Intemperance, and Slavery were severely exposed, rebuked, routed, and mortally wounded. They of course cried out like the demons who entered into the swine, opposing us by the rostrum and the press; by mobs, violence, and slander; by ecclesiastical and civil courts, or by any other means in their power. But God worked mightily with his elect to overthrow the works of Satan and his army. The fruits of victory and complete triumph over the powers of darkness were great and multiplied, and are still much enjoyed. According to God’s decrees, despite the hatred and devices of the adversary, sinners were compelled to help the church, to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the children of Israel, and to confess to God’s glory.

TRIALS.

Evangelists, pastors, and revivalists were in many instances arrested, and summoned to answer before the tribunal of courts, councils, and churches But they came out of their trials like the ancient worthies and apostles, or like gold and silver purified by the fires. These men of God preached the law and the gospel by the Spirit, in all plainness and in earnest, till the community was aroused, reformed, and made to glorify God. Signs attended and followed, as in primitive revivals. O, memorable, glorious times!

My precious soul was first liberated from sin and Satan for heaven in 1830, during these great revival days,” and I was so fired up with love to God and love to souls, that I could hardly delay long enough to get through my college and theological studies, before engaging in the “revival campaign.” As it was, I labored in Sabbath schools, conference meetings, and from house to house, and, by the blessing of Jehovah, brought in many “sheaves” before I was licensed or ordained to preach.

I read the Bible, the great reformers, the revival records of Whitefield, Wesley, Edwards, and the works of more modern evangelists, till I was confirmed in my convictions of duty. So I prayed, meditated, studied, took counsel of pious friends and of the Holy Spirit, and firmly resolved, after experiencing some success, to consecrate myself directly to evangelism as the Lord might indicate.

Many obstacles, objections, and adversaries loomed up with formidable power; but mighty grace soon vanquished them all. I then enlisted, with renewed strength, courage, and earnestness in the great revival and reformation battles, to hold up the colors — the banner of the cross.

Truly I have had my panoply, contests, and trophies. But I have suffered much less than many of my predecessors in the gospel field, and less than I should have done if I had been more like my Master, or more efficient in battling against Satan’s works and the wicked. Yet I have had no small share of “fiery darts” to ward off, or “troops to run through.” But by mighty grace I have succeeded. To God be all the glory.

But what a great revolution has been effected! How times, men, and measures have become changed! God’s word, spirit, and providences, the institutions of grace, have declared liberty to millions of slaves and myriads of penitent sinners, given many refreshings to the churches, and sent a wave of salvation around the world. What hath God wrought!

Behold the protracted meeting revivals, missionary enterprise, Sunday schools, temperance cause, and other reforms, pushing on the car of salvation for the millennium, despite infidelity, vice, crime, clans, and leagues!

Now, then, labor on, fight on, “ye braves,” under the bloody cross! Soon the song of “Bethlehem’s Babe” will be sung in universal triumph. Christ will soon reign on earth supreme!
For more than thirty-five years I have labored in revivals, and tried to do the work of an “evangelist,” as Paul charged Timothy. Not willing to be a novice, or to be entangled with the affairs of this world, I have studied hard, denied myself daily, and tried to preach the whole gospel, by word and deed, at all times and places, that I might glorify God and win souls to Christ. How far I have been wise and successful, let the fruits, recorded facts, and eternity decide. Christ is my advocate.

I love “close communion” with God, with his word, with his ordinances, and with the godly. Herein is my strength. This choice, strict rule of living I know is not popular with the world, with prodigals, formalists, or the unsanctified in our churches. Signs even now are seen as in Christ’s day. But duty is our sweet privilege, and we must obey. O Lord, thy will be done! O, how unworthy I am of success and such a crown!

PIONEERS.

The apostles and their coadjutors went forth to preach, to hold protracted seasons of worship, to save sinners, and evangelize the world. They were much opposed, abused, slandered, persecuted, and many were even killed for righteousness’ sake. But God, — Father, Son, and Spirit, — the angels, and all true Christians sustained them till salvation rolled through all the Roman empire.

REFORMERS.

In the days of Martin Luther, Whitefield, Edwards, Tennent, Nettleton, Finney, Knapp, Swan, Earle, even down to the present moment, successful protracted meetings have been held, with similar and glorious results. The same Bible doctrines, ordinances, and practice are the means set forth. Similar tests and measures, in substance, have ever been instituted among the wise and successful, and like signs, opinions, and actions from different classes, fruits and results have often followed. Those usually of different denominations, who have been most engaged, —either of the ministry or the membership, — and have seemed to enjoy a large measure of the Holy Spirit, and constant prayer, laboring for reform and the immediate salvation of sinners, have generally been fast friends and promoters of protracted meetings. Others, of less experience, knowledge, or wisdom, or piety, would speak and act as they thought or felt. Backsliders, hypocrites, rummies, gamblers, prodigals, criminals, unbelievers, and infidels of course oppose us, as does their master —Satan. It is just like them. But God, and truth, and right being for us, we resolve, act, preach, labor, and succeed, and glorify God.

Christ is our great model, teacher, captain, and Savior, our power and success in preaching the gospel. Young converts inherit the spirit of benevolence, especially those who are called to preach; and they early manifest their desire to save sinners.

PROVIDENCE.

Since I was born the second time, this precious work has been my daily passion, my food, my life. Christ precious “has been my theme, and shall be till I die.” The whole world is my open field and aim.

While I was a member of Union College, I belonged to the “Society for Missionary Inquiry.” I might have gone to a “foreign field” but for some requirements, imposing a yoke which neither Christ nor apostles commanded. I had left Pedobaptism behind on becoming a Baptist, and could not in conscience aid or submit to Popery, or come under a shadow of a feather of its left wing. The ‘animus’ of arrogance is the same, interdicting or dissuading single persons, though full of the spirit of missions, from obeying. No wonder some wheels go so heavily. But God rules.

Soon the home fields lay wide open for me to enter, and I did so. The poor and destitute have had the gospel preached freely. God never makes any mistakes or omissions, to be corrected by human devices, when he calls persons, single or married, to work in his vineyard. So, if they are not permitted to labor in one place, they may do so in another; and they will obey. Thus the Spirit helps.

HABIT.

Verily, when I have acted as pastor, missionary, or evangelist, I have always taught Christians and sinners from the same book, and have urged the church and young converts to use their gifts; to speak, pray, and sing, both male and female, as all one in Jesus Christ; “to do gospel work in their own hearts, homes, Sunday schools, meetings, and sanctuaries, in their own way; then to go abroad in person or by proxy, and, by all means, consecrate their time, money, pleasures, powers, body, and soul upon God’s altar; thus to grow in grace, to cultivate a revival and missionary spirit, sow and reap, and gather timely harvests of souls; to bless the whole world, and crown the Savior Lord of all.

TRUST.

l have uniformly sought the poor and weak churches, rather than the rich; but have taken no remuneration from conventions, benevolent or missionary societies, to support me at home or in foreign climes. Yet, I have always had enough and to spare, and expect to have all my days. I stowed away all my available patrimony in my head. So, when I was converted, it was all consecrated to God. Thus we sow, reap, eat, grow, and bless God.

ITINERARY.

I have traveled and preached, at great expense, in twenty-eight states of our Union, in Canada, in Europe, in Africa, and Asia.

I organized the Baptist church in Brattleboro’, Vt., from forty young converts, whom I baptized there in a powerful revival and reformation. By God’s blessing I have resuscitated many feeble, destitute churches, and confirmed others in cities, villages, and rural districts, holding some three hundred revival meetings.

GRACE.

I have often hesitated, wept, prayed, and groaned under the cross, in sight of the vast, sinful world, and under a sense of my deficiency, responsibility, and unworthiness. But God has ever heard me, sustained me, and crowned me with much success. He has led me marvelously.

RECORD.

I think about forty thousand have been truly converted in meetings where I have labored; of whom I have immersed some one thousand in pools, rivers, lakes, and waters, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. About ten thousand others have also been immersed by the respective pastors. But many more have joined other churches. Some thirty of my “gospel Sons” have preached. I have had over thirty calls to pastorates — eight in cities. In “graduating,” my funds were stored in my mind. My expenses since have exceeded the stated average of Baptist pastors. I have fared well on the “field,” by faith, free gifts, temperance, and economy. I have donated, yearly, an average of three hundred dollars; and lately five times that. I have traveled as far as three times round the globe, without personal injury or assault, and am still bound for HEAVEN.

To God be all the glory! Amen.