CHAPTER I.
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CHAPTER I.
Birth--Parentage--Baptism--Defective Education--Early Conviction of Sin --Agony of Soul, and Earnest Seeking after Salvation.
WHEN the incarnate Son of God, in the sovereignty of His love and mercy, chose and ordained the apostles, that trumpet-tongued they might proclaim His triumphant resurrection from death, and evangelize a benighted world, He selected the twelve, not from the rulers constituting the Sanhedrim, nor from the Jewish priesthood, nor from the schools of the Prophets, but chiefly from among the fishermen of Galilee, and from the seat of custom, qualifying them for their exalted mission by the extraordinary gifts and sanctifying graces of the imparted Spirit, the Comforter. In this era of missions, the great Head of the Church sends forth and qualifies some of all grades and classes of society, to christianize the dark parts of the earth, and to proclaim Christ crucified and Christ glorified to them that are near, and to them that are far off. Thus, from among the cultivators of the soil, from the class of tenant-farmers--a class, it is to be feared, too generally devoid of the life of God in the soul of man--Richard Davis was providentially called to labour nearly forty years in the missionary field. God was with him. God
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wrought in, and by, and with him, to the conversion of many New Zealanders from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Many Maoris at the last day will arise and call him blessed.
Richard Davis was born in the village of Piddletrenthide, in the county of Dorset, 18th January 1790, and when an infant was baptized in the Parish Church of Piddletrenthide. In this parish his paternal grandfather possessed leasehold property, which he cultivated himself. He also rented a farm adjoining Sturminster-Newton. The father of Mr. Davis, being his only son, assisted him in his business, and on his decease succeeded him in the tenancy of this farm, where Mr. Davis passed his early years. At the age of sixteen he was confirmed by the Bishop of Salisbury in the Abbey Church of Sherborne. The family is of Irish extraction. One of the ancestors of Mr. Davis, a landed proprietor in Ireland, removed from Ireland to England, and changed his name from O'Donel, a name now and heretofore of no mean celebrity in the West of Ireland, to Davis. The cause of this migration from Ireland to England, and of this change of name, can only now, from lapse of time, be matter of uncertain conjecture. By his Irish extraction he was well suited for the New Zealand mission, the Irish resembling the Maori race in the love of figurative language, and in congeniality of character. God ever adapts His instruments to the works which His providence assigns to each.
Mr. Davis received that measure of education, which in former years so generally characterized tenant-farmers. When I first knew him he wrote ungrammatically, his
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spelling was very incorrect, and of punctuation he had little or no idea. He was self-taught. The defect of his education was gradually and amply compensated by religious reading and assiduous mental culture. He made some progress in the study of the Hebrew tongue, and in reading the Hebrew Scriptures; also in geology, mechanics, geometry, and spherical trigonometry; and in the use of the theodolite and sextant. He vaccinated the natives of his districts, and administered to them medicines, some most costly in price, and most potent in operation, both extensively and efficaciously. On one occasion I paid two pounds, the wholesale price of two ounces of medicine, which he commissioned me to buy and send to him, deeming it a specific for an epidemic then raging in New Zealand. The entire duties of the medical department in his district frequently devolved on him. On one day, 17th January 1861, he actually dispensed sixty-six doses of medicine. Few missionaries have taken abroad with them a larger or more valuable collection of works of divinity and general literature than what he possessed before his death, which he had diligently studied, and has left to his family for their instruction and edification. Most fervently did he pray, and most ardently did he labour, that he might be qualified both intellectually and experimentally for that mission to which the providence of God had called him. His estimate of the necessary qualifications for a faithful ministration of the Gospel at home or abroad is detailed in a letter to his son-in-law, Rev. Joseph Matthews, 11th February 1844:--"As a minister, your eye must be single, or your whole body cannot be full of light. In
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order to teach others, you must be taught yourself. You must be taught of God. Your body must become especially the temple of the Holy Ghost. The cares of the world darken the soul, and grieve the Holy Spirit. We must not entangle ourselves. We must live at the Throne of Grace, or we shall not breathe the atmosphere of heaven. Ministers are stewards, stewards of the mysteries of Christ. Now, in order that stewards may be faithful, they must be acquainted with what their stores contain. This knowledge of the Bible, the storehouse of Divine truth, can only be attained through the Divine teaching of the Spirit. How true is it, that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light! But this should not be. What an anomaly would it be, if a person were to act as storekeeper to a merchant, and not know what his stores contained! So with regard to the stewardship of the ministry of the Gospel."
The following statement of the quickening operations of the Holy Spirit, vouchsafed to Mr. Davis in early youth, written by him to me soon after my first acquaintance with him, clearly indicates God's gracious dealings and loving kindness in bringing him from nature's darkness to the saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Firstly, The Spirit of God convinced him of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and secondly, assured him of PRESENT salvation, and an eternal weight of glory:--
"REV. SIR,--When I was a child, even as young as eight or nine years of age, I was very often troubled and oppressed hearing my father read concerning a future state. As I grew in years, I was particularly alarmed as often as
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he read Russel's Seven Sermons concerning the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. I was sometimes perplexed for fear that I had committed this sin. I was always, from a child, very fond of reading, to which at this present time I am much attached.
"When more advanced in life, a deeper sense of duty seemed impressed upon my mind. But, sir, I was very far then from being what I ought to have been. In this state of mind I continued until the spring of the year 1810, when I was twenty years of age. At this time the Lord was most graciously pleased to show to me my sinful nature, and my own insufficiency, in the following most extraordinary manner. One evening I went to bed, and, before sleep overcame me, my meditations were on the sinfulness and wickedness of some of my neighbours. I thought within myself, Oh, what will become of them, if they continue in their present wicked course of life! when suddenly my own sinful state was laid open before me in the most awful manner. My sinful state seemed to fall upon me like a stone. I verily thought that I was going to die. This thought quite distracted me, because I clearly foresaw, that were I to die, I should be miserable for ever. O sir, I resembled a man sinking in deep waters, catching at straws to preserve him from drowning, How precious would have been such a friend as you, sir, to me in that most awful state! Immediately I got out of bed to pray, as I thought. But, alas! I could not pray seemingly more than I could remove mountains. The spirit of prayer seemed parted from me. O sir, how wretched must their state he who know not their need of a Saviour! By re-
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fleeting on my sad and lost condition, my breast seemed to me to be all on fire. My sleep left me during the greater part of that night. Towards the morning I slept for a short time. But when I awoke, my depression remained the same. I only opened my eyes to behold my most deplorable state. I arose, went through my usual morning's work, sat down to breakfast, but, alas! I could not eat. Thus I continued all through the day. Oh, how many times I tried to pray, but I could not! The gate of mercy seemed for ever closed against me. Towards night my distress of mind became so excessive, that I was obliged to unburden myself to my mother, and tell her all my trouble. She, poor woman, condoled with me, and gave me all the comfort in her power. But, alas! all was the same; all was the same. A wounded spirit who can bear! I knew that I had been a sinner, a great sinner. Yet, when I saw people, whom I knew to have been far greater sinners than myself, live in ease and free from trouble, I thought my case a hard one. I had often read of the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction. I verily thought that I was one of these vessels. Oh, sir, how did I wish to find out another way to heaven! But, alas! no other way could I find.
"But my greatest trouble was not yet come. After continuing for some time in this despondency, what wicked thoughts would crowd and thrust themselves into my mind, even to curse my Maker! Oh, how horrible it was to my soul! I sometimes was obliged to begin to talk to myself, or to occupy myself about some business, which I thought might divert my mind from these sinful thoughts. Having judged myself lost before, I now seemed certain of
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perdition. How much did I envy those who appeared to walk with God! I imagined that none had ever been in my state before; so that I absolutely gave myself up to despair. Yet I made a resolution, that the remaining miserable portion of my life should be spent in warning others to flee from their sins, and to take warning from my example. Furthermore, I resolved that, as the devil took so much delight in troubling me, I would do all I could, while living in this world, to pull down his kingdom, and exhort other people to perform their duties, even if I was lost.
"During all this time I prayed in the best manner I could, I may say almost continually; for I went heavily all the day long, and when I was quite alone, nothing but sighs and groans proceeded from my heart. When I heard other people swear, or do anything else not according with the word and will of my God, their conduct penetrated my heart, and pierced it as with a dagger. I again conversed with my mother, and insisted that I would unburden my mind to the Rev. Robert Frome, who then preached at Lydlinch. But she dissuaded me from so doing, because, she said, this would cause him to think that I had been a wicked sinner. Alas, he could not think worse of me than I did of myself. Thus I continued in this anguish of soul for about a month. I prayed as well as I could, and diligently read my Bible. My mother wished to keep the Bible from me, but I was determined to read, whatever the issue might be. Continuing in this state of mind for nearly a month, I was afraid that I should lose my senses. The Gospel seemed to me to be a sealed book, all but the threatenings, which, with their full force, agitated my soul.
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Oh, sir, with what a greedy eye did I look for the promises, and avoid the threatenings, as anxiously as the mariner does the rocks! But, oh, the free grace of the ever blessed God! How little did I then think what great works He was all the time doing for my soul. As I was reading in the New Testament, I lighted on that precious promise: 'My brethren, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as if some strange thing had happened to you, for nothing has befallen you but what is common to man.' And whilst turning with eager expectation the pages of the sacred volume, this other text opened to my view: 'God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able to bear, but will with the temptation make a way for you to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.' Oh, now, sir, my comfort was come. A bright ray of Divine grace seemed to dart into my poor desponding soul. The eye of my faith was opened. Now I could see the mercy of the ever blessed God. The despondency of my heart was obliged to give way to the greatest joy ever mortal man can feel on earth; such joy as I shall never be able to express, and which can never enter into the heart of man to conceive, unless he himself had felt the like. It was so great that I can never find words to express it.
"Alas! this heavenly joy was only of short duration. My troubles returned upon me, and I was very sad. Nevertheless, I was as often refreshed in the same way with that unspeakable comfort. These alternations of joy and sorrow continued for some time, until one day meditating, whilst hay-making, on the greatness, goodness, and mercy
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of a Saviour, methought I could see with the eye of faith my Saviour shedding His precious blood for me. My heart was directly melted with love and tenderness. My whole soul seemed melted within me. Oh, how great are God's mercies to me! Sir, I feel that nothing but free grace can save the sinner's soul. After this manifestation of God's love to me, my mind seemed more settled and established. Nevertheless, I had frequent attacks of fear and despondency. But I found, them to grow weaker and weaker. My conscience, however, was tender; and if at any time I said or did anything which was not conformable to the Word of God, I had great grief and sorrow of heart.
"Another and greater trouble, and by far a more dangerous temptation, now beset me. Hitherto, my mind had been occupied with religious meditation, and I had spent much time in reading the Bible. My mind had been, I may almost say, continually heavenward. But now I became dull and lifeless in religious matters. Now I seemed to care but little for high and heavenly things. This vexed me, and I was sorry that I could sorrow no more. I had recourse to the blessed sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. My spiritual dulness continued. But I thought that I derived some spiritual benefit from communicating. The Rev. Robert Frome gave me great encouragement when I was at the sacrament. Nevertheless, I was not what I wished to be. Moreover, I thought there never had been a person so tried as myself. For a length of time, how often did I wish to know whether there ever had been any one else who had been so tempted! At length, I happened to meet with the
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Life of Bunyan. In his life I read, as I may say, the history of my own temptations. Hence, I derived comfort; nay, I may say, now I had hope, that as he weathered the storm and arrived at the desired haven, so I might likewise, through God's strengthening me; for I felt that I was nothing in myself. This spiritual dulness was my severest trial; for my soul was more laid open and exposed to temptations, and I often fell into sin, for which I paid very dear. After sin committed, it was sometimes laid before me in a frightful manner. At other times when my foot slipped, the love of a compassionate Redeemer was laid open to my view, and my soul found comfort, that comfort which the world cannot give.
"In the twenty second year of my life, I took my partner for life, Mary Crocker, the daughter of a substantial farmer. We were married by Rev. Robert Frome, in the Parish Church of Lydlinch, in the county of Dorset, the 11th February 1812. After a short time, we became more established and steady in the service of our Creator. About three months after our marriage, it pleased God to take to Himself my dear and only brother. I have reason to hope that my brother is beyond all sorrow. His death tore up my affections, as it were, by the roots, and for a while severed me from the things of this world. So that ever since I trust I have been more settled in my duty, and have lived nearer to God; but, alas! not without a great many slips and infirmities. But these sins make me abhor myself, and I find that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. I could write, sir, and prolong this narrative to much greater lengths, were I to minute down the whole of
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God's dealings with me. My hope, my confidence is, that the Lord will strengthen me in His service by His grace to do His will from my heart.
"Since I have had the honour of a correspondence with you, sir, I feel myself much more, I hope I may say, confirmed in the way of the Lord. The religious tracts and books, which you have sent to me to lend to my neighbours, have done good to my own soul, and I hope will benefit the souls of others. My heart is much set on the establishment of a Sunday-school. May the Lord grant me grace to proceed in the great and all-important duty of instructing the poor ignorant children of this parish, not only in reading, but, as far as my poor weak abilities will admit, in their duty as Christians.
"I humbly beg your prayers for me, dear sir, may I be permitted to say, that I may be meek, charitable, humble, lowly, and teachable; and that my walk and talk may be such as become a creature to his Creator. For I greatly suspect my own heart, and the corruption of my mortal nature. But I trust God is faithful, and will not suffer me to be tempted above what I may be able to bear.
"Pardon, sir, the imperfect state of my writing. I hope you will be so kind as to send me some remarks upon this my past experience, if not too much trouble to you to do so. For sometimes I fear that all is not right. Speak your mind fully on the subject, if this will not intrude too much on your time so much better spent.--Sir, from your unworthy servant,
Richard Davis."
(No date, but written from Stourton Caundle.)
