Southern Christian Advocate

FRUITS OF A FORGIVING SPIRIT.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Matt. v. 7.

A LETTER OF REV. ADAM CLARKE TO THE REV. JOHN WESLEY.—American Magazine, vol. 15, p. 440.

Reverend Sir,—Permit me to subjoin the best comment I ever met with on Matt. v. 7.

John Nile, of the parish of Linkinhorne, Cornwall, was about a year ago convinced of sin; he attended the preaching constantly at Trelabe, and a little after I came to the circuit he invited me to his house to preach. I went, and found a people destitute both of the power and form of godliness, and no wonder, for there was no church within three or four miles of the village, and the preaching was yet farther off, and a very few of them ever went to one or the other. However, the novelty of preaching at their own doors induced many to attend. They heard with deep attention, and felt the power of the word. Mr. Mason and Mr. King followed me with great faithfulness; many are convinced of sin, a society is formed, and much good is likely to be done.

But while the spirit was poured out from on high, and several on the right hand and on the left were made whole, poor John Nile continued to walk disconsolate, though apparently following hard after God. At length his spiritual burden was removed in the following remarkable manner:

A few months ago, sitting in his house late at night, he felt a very powerful impression on his mind to arise and walk out. He knew not what this meant, and when he went to the door knew not where to go. The impression continuing he walked into his orchard, where he kneeled down, and spent some time in prayer to God. Having finished, and being about to return into his house, he felt the same unaccountable impression urging him to visit a turnip field, which he had at some distance. Walking into the field he discovered something by the help of the starlight, which, on a nearer approach, proved to be one of his neighbours stealing his turnips. John spoke to him concerning the iniquity of his conduct, and the poor fellow, having nothing to plead in his own vindication, was speechless. He then ordered him to take up his sack, (which was pretty well filled,) and follow him to his house. The poor culprit, without daring to gainsay, obeyed. When John and his prisoner had reached the house, he made him empty his sack to see if he had got any of his seed turnips. Finding two or three large ones which he had reserved for that purpose, he laid them aside, and ordered him to return the rest into his sack, and then helped him to lay them on his shoulder, and bade him carry them home with him; warmly exhorting him to steal no more, and adding, "If at any time you are in distress, come to me and ask, and I will give you a burden." He then shook him affectionately by the hand, and said, "I heartily forgive you, and may God for Christ's sake do the same!"

Having thus dismissed the poor trembling sinner, he went in private, and began to wrestle with God in fervent prayer. The Father of mercies instantly heard him, and filled his soul with a clear evidence of his pardoning love, which he holds fast to the present day. Thus, having forgiven his brother his trespasses, his heavenly Father also forgave him.

He continued to evidence, by an unblameable conduct, the sacred fruits of that grace which, at the above time, he received from the hand of a merciful God.

Adam Clarke.

Plymouth, June 18, 1786.