27 Faint Yet Pursuing 1807

27 - FAINT YET PURSUING 1807 THE opening of this year found Mr. Randall at home, sick, suffering, and unable to dress himself. But he soon rallied so far as to be able, with assistance, to conduct religious services near home and even beyond. The January Quarterly Meeting was held at Sutton. Mr. Randall attended and reported "a melting season at the opening," the spirit of which characterized the entire session. General prosperity was reported from all sections. Ashby, Weare, and York churches were received. On the second of February Mr. Randall, accompanied by his son William, started for the Yearly Meeting at Sandy River, Maine. He preached at several places on the way, also at the session and on his homeward journey. He was known through all the region of his journey, and people everywhere flocked to greet and hear him. On this journey he encountered cold, deep drifts, storms, and floods; yet he reached home in safety after eighteen days. The next four months he spent almost exclusively in visiting various parts of New Hampshire, though most of the time so feeble that all movements were made with difficulty and attended with pain. On the twenty-seventh of July, under a burning sun, he set out to attend the ordination of Stephen Gibson, at Ashby, Massachusetts, and reached his destination five days later. At the ordination, though he had been much weakened by hemorrhages from the lungs, he preached the sermon, offered the prayer of consecration, and gave the charge. It was an impressive occasion. The next day rain prevented a homeward start. In the evening Otis preached, and Randall spoke awhile, giving an appropriate parting message.

Returning, Mr. Randall passed through Derryfield, where he visited General Stark of Revolutionary fame. In his account of the interview, Mr. Randall wrote: "Had much interesting conversation." In this probably. Revolutionary experiences in which both had at sundry times and different places participated, furnished subjects for interesting reminiscences. But it is not at all likely that Mr. Randall allowed to pass unimproved a good opportunity for speaking a word for his Master. The closing conversation warrants this assumption. General Stark, though professing to be a deist, was deeply affected, and with tearful eyes exclaimed: " God bless you! God bless you! God bless you! I am an old man and may stay here but a little while; but my wife is younger than I, and may outlive me. I shall charge her and my son ever to receive you and treat you with respect."

After an absence of about two weeks, Mr. Randall reached home, though nearly exhausted. He recorded: "There is not a town between Ashby and New Durham where I have not left traces of my blood in very many places." The August session of the Yearly Meeting was to occur at Adams, its new location. Mr. Randall had purposed to attend. But now that seemed impossible. As a substitute for his presence, he put some of his struggling thoughts on paper and forwarded them in the form of a letter: new durham, N. H., August 15, 1807.

Dear and well beloved in the Lord:

It is with a degree of trial and pleasure that I salute you in this manner. Trial that I cannot be with you in bodily presence, for which I have been most anxiously longing; and pleasure that this one resource is left me, through which I, while absent in body, can write, and thus bless you in the name of the Lord.

Dear brethren, the cause of God is mine. My soul’s care and delight is to see it prosper. When able I have spared no labor, either of body or mind, whether near or far, in heat or cold, by day or night, for the advancement of the same. And, glory to God! to this I have the testimony of a good conscience. But my labors are almost ended, and I am about to receive my crown. My body is now too weak for me to go to Adams. But bless the Lord that I can be there in spirit and by letter! And I will take the liberty of giving a word of advice, as a father to his children, though with humility and respect.

First, to my dear brethren in the ministry : I feel much for you. Your lot is a particular one, and much, very much, depends upon you as to the promotion or destruction of the cause. You, in a certain sense, are like a city on a hill. All eyes are upon you. You profess to be the representatives of Jesus. Consider what an example he set for his ambassadors to follow. What humility! What meekness! What godliness! What holiness! Dear brethren, follow this advice, Walk in the example of Christ. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Second, a word to all: Though enfeebled in body, my care for the cause remains un-diminished. My mind travels to every part. And when looking back to 1780, the year when this denomination commenced, how thankful I feel for what God has done for us. My soul cries out with astonishment! "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! "

Brethren, we have become a somewhat numerous people, and I fear are not so humble as we should be. Let us, I pray, strive to be most Christlike. And, withal, let us keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. Let us cleave to the Scriptures- make them our only rule of faith and practice, both in temporal life and in church government. But I have more things to utter than I can now write with pen and ink, and therefore must forbear. Your servant for Christ’s sake, benjamin randall. This letter, though expressed in the style and under conditions of a past century, is worthy of careful perusal and the most candid consideration. It is good for all time and for all classes of Christians.

Somewhat revived, Mr. Randall was carried in his chaise to the Yearly Meeting held at Edgecomb, Maine. He was five days on the road, thus reaching his destination by easy stages. The opening of the meeting was a touching scene. There was but the ghostly form of the once vigorous leader. All felt assured that he could be with them no more after this. It might seem like presumption, but the brethren were anxious for him to preach once more at their annual session, and to their pressing solicitations he yielded.

Mr. Randall was cheered and comforted by reports of prosperity from nearly all sections of the country covered by this conference. After making a few visits in the vicinity, all that his strength would allow, he took his final leave of what he had been accustomed to call his " New Vineyard."

After return from Edgecomb it might seem that he would now certainly take a rest. But the day following his arrival at home, the Sabbath, found him at the sanctuary preaching both forenoon and afternoon. Thus he kept on, occasionally recording in his journal, " Too sick to be out." In his case that meant much.

We have on record the attendance of Mr. Randall upon one more Yearly Meeting in Maine before the close of this, the last full year of his ministry. The meeting opened at Gorham, November seventh. In response to urgent requests he presided.

Among many items of business considered and acted upon at this session it was voted to grant the request of Vermont for the February session of the Yearly Meeting. The carrying of this motion into effect established the Vermont Yearly Meeting, the first session of which was held at Bradford, February, 1808. But to return to Gorham. In connection with worship on the Sabbath, "the power of the Lord was wonderful." Monday was a most solemn and interesting day. A few prayers and exhortations followed the opening, but who should be "mouth for God" ? All minds were instinctively turned toward one-the observed of all. They must hear him once more if possible. But how could he speak in his extreme weakness? Sitting-there in his easy chair, pale and haggard how could any expect to hear words from him? But no minister present seemed willing to move, though Mr. Randall urged that some brother would. For a time silence reigned in the meeting, impressive silence, broken at last by a request from Mr. Randall to one near, "Please help me to my feet."

He announced as his text 1 Peter 1:22 :

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." For the time and circumstances no words could have been more fitting. His first utterances were hoarse and hardly audible. But as he proceeded his nervous energies roused, his utterance became stronger and louder, till his words rolled out with much the force and resonance of former days. The power of God supplemented all his natural forces, enabling him for the time to rise above his infirmities. Indeed, he seemed all voice-voice right from the presence-chamber of God, bringing words of big import, with burning eloquence. When through with his final testimony for that region, and just ready to fall from exhaustion, he was gently helped to his chair. The scene was indescribable. Mr. Randall recorded in his journal: The mighty power and glory of God were very refreshing. The Lord enabled me to speak with great freedom. With deep emotion he took his departure from Maine, leaving many "sorrowing most of all, that they should see his face no more." In closing the year Mr. Randall made this record:

Here ends my journal for 1807. From being so much unwell, I have traveled only two thousand five hundred and ninety-three miles and attended only two hundred and three meetings, besides weddings and religious visits.