By William Huntington.
Gleaning of the Vintage or, Letters to the spiritual edification of the church of Christ.
Part 2
William Huntington.
William Huntington’s last illnes and death: as described in Part 1:
The loss of a distinguished minister, raised up and set for the defence of the gospel, who feared not the face of man, who shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God, who ceased not to teach and preach Christ Jesus, both in season
and out of season, must have been felt and acknowledged by the church of God in every period of time.
But in the present day, when the shadows of the evening are stretched out; when mere profession abounds, and the love of many wax cold; when animosities and heart-risings against brethren are so rife, and cherished with such unbecoming zeal; when so many are not doers of the word, but hearers only, deceiving themselves; when goodly apparel and the gold ring take precedence of the poor, thereby constituting themselves judges of evil thoughts; when so little of pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is known by its fruits, namely, in visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keeping themselves unspotted from the world; when the faith of many ceased to be evidenced by their works–at such an alarming day as the present, the decease of so faithful a pastor must be doubly distressing to the poor and needy flock of Christ.
Under these impressions I cannot but observe, and give due weight to, the counsel of the apostle: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope.” It is said also in the Acts, “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.” And Paul elsewhere remarks of Abraham, what is alike applicable to every true believer in Christ, “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Seeing that it is appointed unto men once to die, the happiness of the children of God results from this, that the high priest and apostle of their profession must continue, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, Heb. 7: 25.
For many months previous to the last sickness of so revered a parent, it was visibly apparent his health was declining, his constitution breaking up, and that much bodily weakness attended him; yet his exertions for the welfare of the church did not abate. That he was much blessed with the supporting and comforting presence of God in his latter exercises, a large portion of his hearers can testify; and truly this passage of holy writ was abundantly verified in him: “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright.” I shall ever have cause to remember with the warmest feelings of gratitude and loving-kindness to God, that within the last twelve months of his tabernacling upon earth, Satan had succeeded in estranging the affections of the best of fathers from me, and that he knew me not.
Within that period it pleased the Almighty to root out and destroy all confidence in an arm of flesh, and bring me near to judgment; and I still maintain that he will got leave me, until he has done that which he has spoken to me of; for his word declares–”Upon all the glory shall be a defence.”
The last Sunday morning he exercised in the church of God, he spake from the following words, “But if any man love God, the same is known of him,” 1 Cor. 8: 3; and concluded his sermon earlier than usual, through weakness. In the afternoon of the same day he administered the sacrament, delivering a discourse from these words, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” 1 Cor. 10: 16. In the course of the administration he uttered the following words, coolly and impressively, “My time here will not be lone, the Lord tells me so.”
On the Wednesday following he closed his ministerial labours; and made choice of the most appropriate passage in the whole word of God: “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If, therefore, thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee,” Rev 3: 3. The kind indulgence of God has answered the prayers of many of those who heard it, and enabled me to put this his concluding testimony into your hands.
My elder brother, the day following, called upon him, and spent several hours in his company, with much comfort and satisfaction, and some profitable conversation passed between them; this proved to be their parting interview. The next clay, June 11, he arose at an early hour as usual, but was shortly after seized with those symptoms that indicated great danger. One observation he made at this time, when they were endeavouring to warm his feet, I hope ever to remember: “These feet, said he, “have carried me many miles to preach the gospel of Christ.”
Mr. and Mrs. Blake called on the Saturday morning to see him, but were given to understand that it was ordered by the doctor that he should not be disturbed; and I can testify the concern and anxiety of mind my sister experienced on that occasion. Other branches of the family called at Hermes Hill, on the following days, for the same purpose, but were equally unsuccessful in obtaining a sight of him.
In the following week he was removed to Tunbridge Wells. After he had been absent from town some days, as no part of the family received any intelligence of the state of his health, under a particular impression of mind, my two elder sisters, and Mr. Blake, came to a conclusion to take an immediate journey to Tunbridge Wells, that they might have the satisfaction of seeing him once more. I encouraged them in this purpose, and we have all evidently seen, and thankfully acknowledged the peculiar providence of God in this instance, that every circumstance should conspire to assist them at the latest period of time, that the ends and purposes of the visit might have been answered. I have solicited my elder sister, being one of the party, to favour me with the particulars of the conversation that took place at this meeting, which I consider of some moment, it being the day before his decease; I shall therefore insert her letter, without thinking it needful to offer any apology.
Dear Brother
I HAVE complied with your request in forwarding to you the particulars of the conversation which took place at the last visit, which Mrs. Burrell, myself, and Mr. Blake, paid to our affectionate father, as far as I am able to call the same to mind; and for this purpose I have addressed the following’ lines to you.
On Wednesday, June the thirtieth, we arrived at Tunbridge Wells about four o’clock in the afternoon, and after taking some refreshment, we hired a post-chaise, it being extremely wet, to take us to Mount Ephraim, where he had taken up his abode. Inquiring after my father’s health, the servant informed us he was sometimes better, and at other times worse, but very happy; we desired her to inform him that his children were come; he smiled and said “Are they? tell them to walk up” No one can express the sensations we felt on entering the room, but those who have experienced the like: we clasped our arms round his neck, and kissed him, which he returned; but we were scarcely able to speak.
He then made particular inquiries after the family, asking us also, how we came, and where we intended to sleep; saying, “Why did you not come here first, that we might have procured you private lodgings?”
We replied, “We did not come to trouble you, but to see you, and we have engaged beds at the Sussex Hotel. Mr. B. said to him, “I hope, Sir, your work is not done, as there are many brought to the birth, but not able to come forth:” he shook his head, and said, “My constitution is broken up,” and so it evidently appeared to us; we were assured in our own minds, he would never come out any more; and so I gave you to understand, when you met us at the stage on our return.
I said, “Dear father, I wish I could follow you, as that is all I desire;” he replied; “Keep there, and you will not lose your hire.” After partaking of tea, he sent for us up again, and informed us he had not settled his affairs, but thought he should just live long enough to accomplish it, adding, “A prudent man guideth his affairs with discretion.”
We drew nearer to him, as it was with difficulty we could hear him, he being so weak, and his mouth parched with fever; after which he made a motion for some water, which was immediately given to him by Mr. B. He stretched out his hands, laying one on my sister, and the other on myself, and said, “You are my dear children, and I am glad to see you:” we were sensible that he had more to say, but we were anxious not to distress him. It being near his time of retiring to rest, we took our leave of him, he kissed us, and gave us his blessing, and we parted never to meet again in this world; he followed us as far as his eye could reach, and, bowing, we withdrew. Does not this shew that we were near and dear to him?
Thus have I endeavoured to give you a short statement of this mournful visit, the truth of which can be attested by the mouth of three witnesses; and more was not required under the Old Testament. My earnest prayer is, that the Lord will keep us low and humble in his sight, and cause us daily to know our utter unworthiness. I have felt my sins a sore burthen, too heavy for me to bear, and none but God can remove them, and set me down happy in him. Hoping to have an interest in the merits and death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
I subscribe myself,
Your affectionate Sister,
R. BLAKE.
The day following, the first of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, in the evening, he breathed his spirit forth into the hands of his Redeemer; and was interred, on the eighth of the same month, in a plot of ground belonging to, and adjoining Jireh Chapel, Lewes, Sussex. A short time previous to his death, he expressed a desire that no words should be spoken over his grave, no funeral sermon preached on the occasion; and that the pulpit should not be hung in
black. He also endited his own epitaph, in the following words-
–
HERE LIES THE COALHEAVER,
BELOVED OF HIS GOD, BUT ABHORRED OF MEN,
THF OMNISCIENT JUDGE,
AT THE GRAND ASSIZE, SHALL RATIFY AND CONFIRM
THIS,
TO THE CONFUSION OF MANY THOUSANDS
FOR ENGLAND AND ITS METROPOLIS
SHALL KNOW
THAT THERE HATH BEEN A PROPHET
AMONG THEM.
Thus have I endeavoured, with the limited means that I possessed, to give you a naked account of his last illness. His memory, while life lasts, I shall ever have cause to revere; I desire ever to tread in his steps, and pursue the same track that he unceasingly followed for the space of forty years.
And I hope never to be ashamed to acknowledge that I am the son of a Minister of the gospel, at once so laborious, and so abundantly useful.
E HUNTINGTON.
Christian Reader,
I DESIRE to render thanks to Almighty God for ms manifold and repeated kindnesses, in appointing the means, removing obstructions, and enabling me from time to time to lay before thee so instructive a body of epistolary correspondence as the GLEANINGS OF THE VINTAGE contain; and that devoid of flattery, or any other motive base in itself and dishonourable to the God that formed me. The sacrifice of praise is well pleasing and acceptable to the Father of all mercies, but we cannot expect a continuation of those favours, if we follow the objectionable conduct of King Hezekiah, who rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up.
That the blessing of heaven may attend these communications, to thy soul’s welfare, is the earnest prayer of
E HUNTINGTON
High-street,
Jan. 19, 1814.