Notice being given at the meeting which they attended in Hitchin, of a sermon to be preached on a week-day, by an He eminent minister, they wished him to go and hear it *. resolutely refused; and when importuned, he pleaded his inabi lity to walk so far. After further persuasion to make the attempt, he yielded; but several times offered to turn back. At length, however, he was prevailed upon to go forward, and went to the meeting. During the former part of the service, he behaved with more decency than might have been expected; and was very attentive to the prayer. But the sermon, which was remarkably applicable to his case, deeply affected him. The minister insisting upon one of our Lord's miraculous cures, took notice of the power of faith in procuring a healing virtue. It pleased God so to apply what was spoken to his heart, that he was brought to the exercise of that faith by which he was made whole; and so strong were the impressions made upon his mind, that he could not help exclaiming, "I believe! and I am cured, both body and soul!" To the astonishment of all who knew him, this appeared to be matter of fact. The agitation of his spirits had such an effect upon his whole frame, as to turn the humours. of his body, and dry up his sores; so that he walked home without any difficulty: and the grace of God accompanying the discourse, rendered it effectual to the healing of his spiritual maladies, and to his thorough conversion from a life of sin to a life of holiness. From this time, many could witness that this poor diseased blasphemous wretch became an eminent Christian; and to the day of his death remained free from the dreadful disorder with which he had been for many years afflicted. His case was a matter of such notoriety and wonder, that it excited great and general attention, so that many persons from a distance went into the field where he was used to tend sheep, in order to satisfy themselves respecting the truth of the report. Some gentry were known to go in their coaches, chiefly to gratify their curiosity concerning this man's bodily cure: but he always told them, that he must begin with that of his soul, which was by far the greater; and then related what a vile sinner he had been, and how great a change the grace of God had made in his heart and life. The above account Mr. Webb related, as what he had received from several elderly members of his church and congregation ; some of whom could attest the truth of the story from their own personal knowledge; who further informed him, that it was customary for many of the congregation to get about this great convert on the Lord's Day, to converse with him on the great things God had done for him. The substance of the above account was drawn up some months ago, with a view of its being inserted in a periodical * Other accounts make no mention of his parents. publication; but finding that the story had been printed in Turner's History of Remarkable Providence, with some little variations*, I desisted from the publication, in hope of rendering the narrative more accurate. For this purpose it has been submitted to the inspection of my worthy friend the Rev. Mr. Geard, minister of the Baptist church at Hitchin, who has taken considerable pains to investigate all the particulars relative to this extraordinary story, by making all the enquiry he could of the most elderly persons yet living, as he had formerly done of some now deceased, who were the most likely to give any information. The result of all which was, "That whatever variations there may be as to certain circumstances, the grand fact is sufficiently established, viz. that this man, in a very extraordin ary manner, was both cured and converted at the same time.” The account given in Turner's History is in a letter addressed to him, in answer to his enquiries; and reported to have been written by Mr. E. Hitchin, and is dated Hitchin, June 6, 1693 +. He relates that this David Wright was about 27 or 28 years of age: that he lived two or three miles from that town, in the capacity of a shepherd, being incapable of hard work, by the distem pered state of his body, having had the Exil for about 15 years, for which he had been touched by king Charles II; and which was attended with such pains and ulcers, that he was sometimes obliged to keep his bed for weeks together: that at Michaelmas, 1693, he desired a religious woman to take him into her service; which she was unwilling to do, because of his profaneness; but that upon his promise of a reformation, she hired him that he still went on in his evil courses, and would not go to hear the word; but that on November 29 following, being told that a sermon was to be preached by Mr. Edward Coles, he was fully bent upon going to hear him; for which he could give no reason that while the minister was preaching, his hard heart was softened, and the eyes of his mind enlightened (as he himself expressed it) whereby he had faith in his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and at the same time found his body cured of the Evil, of which no symptoms had returned: that though he felt great pain in going to the meeting, and could not keep pace with his company, as they returned, he went before them leaping, rejoicing, and praising God for his great mercy; that after he came home, he continued to admire the exceeding grace of God to so ignorant and vile a sinner; and spent most part of the night in this heavenly exercise. The writer adds, " He still remains in this admirable frame of heart. Much more might be mentioned; but this may suffice at present, from Yours," &c. *See chap. Ixxxii. p. 112. + This is manifestly an error, probably of the press. It should have been January 6, 1693. This doubtless is a misprint for 1692, as it is in another copy of the same letter. The following testimony is subjoined: "We, whose names are hereunto subscribe, do attest and declare, That, living in the same family with David Wright, we were eye and ear witnesses of the truth of the foregoing particulars concerning him. SLAPE DREVER, JOSEPH MORGAN." both sons of Wright's mistress. Mr. Geard remarks an error in the two first of these names, which should have been, as in another copy, Seo Dermer, Thos. Dermer. Mr. Sleep Dermer died December 14, 1740, aged 63; and was buried in the ground belonging to the Independent meeting. He was grandfather to John Dermer, late of Hitchin, and Tho. Dermer, late of Tottenham. From a memorandum of the Rev. Jos. Pitts, it appears that the first and last of the above four witnesses were living when he was pastor of the same church in Hitchin, 1729; of which it appears they were all members. * The following account was several years ago communicated to Mr. Geard by Mr. Isaac James, of Bristol, a native of Hitchin, and son of the late Rev. Samuel James, of that place. "It is said, the year 1692 was remarkable for a wonderful cure wrought at Hitchin, by faith in Christ, of which an account was printed in Two Letters from Hitchin; also, in Turner's History of Divine Providence, Burton's History of Earthquakes, Narrative of Goodwin's Children at Sarratt, in Hertfordshire, and Edwards's History of the Pensylvanian Baptists." Though these accounts vary in some small circumstances, they all agree in regard to the leading facts; viz. "A very wicked fellow, named David Wright, lived with Mrs. Dermer, of Cockernoo*, a few miles from Hitchin, in the capacity of a shepherd. He was almost eaten up with the King's Evil; and could not walk without crutches. One Mr. Colest was to preach at the Independent meeting; and, as Mrs. Dermer's family were Dissenters, they earnestly desired Wright to go with them and hear him; but he obstinately refused ‡. At length, however, he went; * Instead of Cockernoo, Mr. Geard is of opinion it should bave been Offly, which is only about three miles from Hitchin, and that is the distance mentioned in Turner; whereas the other place is not less than six. Besides, tradition says, that Mrs. Dermer lived at Offly, which is the name of the parish to which the other hamlet belongs. He was at that time minister at Needingworth, in Huntingdonshire. This particular is innsistent with the account in Turner, which represents him as being earn aly bent upon going. It cannot now be ascertained which is the true one, nor is it material. If he discovered a willingness to go at first, he might afterwards be averse to proceed from the dif ficulty he found in walking. Mr. Geard says, "There is a tradition toat he wanted to turn back again and again, but that his companions encouraged him to proceed; and particularly when he came to a certain bush, which was remarkable for its size, he seemed determined to go no farther; and was only prevailed upon to proceed by the pressing impor tunity of Joseph Morgan. This bush was between Offly and Hitchin; and was in existence within the recollection of persons still living.” but was for turning back several times as he was going. Mr. Coles was discoursing upon that faith in Christ by which miracles were wrought, and observed that, if there was the like faith now, miracles would be wrought now as well as formerly §. On which Wright, who sat in the gallery, and had appeared very attentive, suddenly jumped up, and cried out, "I believe !" His pains and lameness immediately left him, and he went home, without his crutches, leaping and rejoicing; and walked so nimbly, that his companions could scarcely keep pace with him; nor was he troubled with the evil any more. His soul was at the same time wrought upon by the grace of God, and he soon after joined the church, of which he continued a member about a year and a half, and then died in a very comfortable state of mind." Thus far Mr. James. * Mr. Geard adds the following anecdote, which has been handed down:-"Among the people who went into the field to converse with Wright, after his remarkable cure and conversion, there was a certain gentleman who asked him, Whether he was the man whom Coles converted? "No," replied Wright, "Coles did not convert me; it was Jesus Christ that converted me; and if you, Sir, are not interested in him, you are in a sad case!" Upon which he went grumbling away. As a further testimony to the general truth of the above narrative, Mr. Geard adds the following statement: "Among the persons who formerly constituted my congre gation, there was a respectable old man, Mr. Daniel Joiner, of Preston, about three miles from Hitchin, who died June 18, 1797, upwards of 90 years of age, with whom I had some conversation about David Wright. He himself did not remember him; but he informed me that he had heard his mother repeatedly speak of him, who knew him well, and was a member of Back-street Church at the time that the extraordinary affair of Wright's cure and conversion took place. He fully confirmed the account of both, and added, that after this great change, he was so remarkable for his piety, that people used to get round him on a Sabbath-day, on purpose to hear his conversation. He also mentioned a kind of verse that was made on this great convert, and which he remembered to have been current among people, the divinity of which was good, whatever may be thought of the poetry. Alluding to the time of Wright's going to hear Mr. Coles, and that of his return home, together with the change which had taken place in the interim, the lines run thus: David Wright Went in the day, and went in the dark; He came back in the night, And came back in the light." By inserting this sentiment, ascribed to Mr. Coles, perhaps inaccurately, we do not intend to sanction it. EDITOR. On this singular and interesting narrative, I had made some practical reflections; but, through fear of prolixity, I shall leave your readers to make their own. I remain, Sir, most respectfully yours, Hackney. S. PALMER. THE REMONSTRANCE OF A PULPIT-BIBLE. Beloved Friend, As you and I have been on terms of the strictest friendship and intimacy for many years, I shall take the liberty of remonstrating against a part of your conduct towards me, and which must, upon calm reflection, appear somewhat un accountable to yourself. I certainly believe you hold me in the highest esteem. You make me your principal adviser, and generally follow my counsel; nay, I know you have me engraven upon your heart. You publicly profess your high regard, and warmly recommend me to the acquaintance of others. How is it then that, at the same moment, you treat me so inde corously, and strike me with so much violence, that the blows might be heard by people at a considerable distance! "Is this thy kindness to thy friend?" You certainly do not consider me of the same sentiments with the Hottentot's wife, who, being asked why she wept, replied, "My husband don't love me; for he has not once beat me since we were married." I have heard of beating the body for the good of the soul; but, surely, you will not apply this to me? I acknowledge that I once received a most merciless banging from a cruel book-binder, who, after thumping me over the face with a large hammer for half an hour, cased me in leather, and sold me for what he could get; but Į can the more readily excuse him, for he never professed to hold me in such high esteem as you are in the habit of doing, both in public and private; and I should of course expect a different treatment from you. There was one of your profession who beat a brother of mine much worse than ever you did me, and he called upon the Lord to help him; but then he happened to be in a passion, which I have little reason to charge you with; and of course it will not apply to you. It is wise, however, to check disorders in time; which, I sincerely hope, will be the effect of this well-meant Address from your abused friend, A BIBLE. THE CONVERSION OF MR. DE LA HARPE, A FRENCH INFIDEL PHILOSOPHER. THE circumstances attendant on conversion are extre nely various. In those who have happily been favoured with the unspeakable advantages of religious education, they are seldom very 3 M XV. |