From Hayloft to Temple - Arthur H Patterson

Excerpt from From Hayloft to Temple: The Story of Primitive Methodism in Darmouth; Biographical, Reminiscent, Chronological, &C
Churches have been formed, societies have been established, and houses for God erected, until now in almost every village a chapel lifts its form.
"These Temples of His grace,
In beauteous number stand,
The honour of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land."
To know such men as the Revs. S. Atterby, John Smith, Thomas Swindell, Robert Eaglen, Robert Key, and Richard Howchin, was to venerate and love them. The next thing to knowing them personally is to read of their sayings and doings. The pioneers and foundation-layers of the Methodist Churches were men specially adapted for their work, and were greatly influenced by the Holy Spirit. These men could not only preach and pray, but organise. They had acquired the happy art of working, and at the same time of giving inspiration to others engaged in the work. It would be interesting to the present generation if a few of the old discourses could be produced that stirred the hearts and moved the finer feelings of our ancestors; but then it was their manner of expression that made their discourses powerful - the right-down earnestness and physical energy that accompanied the sermon that made it go. Dr. Jessopp in his "Arcady" most faithfully paints the scene. The deathblows that were given to sin and error! With the fist clenched and brought down upon the Bible-board, and the terrible stamp of the foot, and the occasional kick of the front panel of the pulpit, this gave force to the expression. All is tame now. The dramatic effects produced by these men of the past; ah! it is a lost art. Rhetoric has had to give place to logic; energy to intelligence!
Some of these sermons the writer can remember - one of them in particular - which produced a most powerful effect upon the audience. The text was from the Apostle Paul, Romans viii.: "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, is risen again." After describing the term "elect" and how it was applied to office, nation, and character, the preacher went on to urge the question "Who?" Will God the Father? No, it is He that justifies. Will the Son of God? No, it is He that died, yea, rather that is risen again; why this rather? viewed from a human standpoint, it was the resurrection of the Christ even more than the crucifixion that was of importance to mankind.
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