Extracts from 'Recollections of an Evangelist' by Robert Gribble

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In 1832 a local evangelist named Robert Gribble came to High Bickington. He had been born into a poor family and received minimal education but was able to start his own drapery business which grew large enough to support his growing family. It was about this time that he was converted and in 1815 he began to set up Sunday Schools in several villages around Barnstaple. After about a year three hundred children were attending and their parents asked Robert to speak to adults on Sunday evenings. Fourteen years later he gave up his business for full time evangelism. Gradually several house churches or cottage meetings were established. His strategy was to stay in a village for a period of time until there were twenty to one hundred believers and then move on and leave them to continue the work.

In about 1857, in his book Recollections of an Evangelist Robert Gribble wrote about his evangelism in High Bickington. The following are extracts from his book with my additions in italics.

Chapter XV A New Scene of service

After a residence of nine months at Barnstaple I saw clearly it was the Lord's will I should go to High Bickington. There was, however, one great difficulty, as no convenient house could be obtained. The health of my beloved wife was fast declining, but her heart was so much set on going there, and as we fondly hoped she might derive some benefit from the change, we were content to reside for a time in very incommodious lodgings. (His wife died on February 26th, soon after arrival but found him lodgings at “The Little Farm”, Little Bickington as her last act)

I was prepared to enter on this new field of service as a pilgrim, and was soon made to feel myself one to an extent I had not anticipated. Leaving many clear friends behind, I was cast among strangers, of whom the majority were scorners, immoral and profane; with only three or four individuals who knew the Lord.

My last evening previous to removal (January18th 1832) was spent with some dear Christians, who met with me for prayer at the cottage of S….. at Loveacot. At parting, one of them said to me, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it,”(Rev.3: 8), and it was a word of strength and encouragement to me, as from the Lord Himself. It was much in my thought while journeying the next day to my future home, where my dear wife had preceded me; and it was the text of my first sermon there. It was also prophetically true, I afterwards proved to my great joy. The Lord, who knew how much I needed encouragement and comfort, was graciously pleased soon to cheer my spirit. I had only arrived a few hours when I was informed of a great change in the conduct of a poor man who had been accustomed to attend the ministry. I called on him immediately, and found him deeply convinced of sin and anxious to find peace with God, which was ere long granted. He said he had very seldom gone to any place of worship till he was led from curiosity go to the cottage; his usual practice on a Lords day being to retain his working dress and seldom even to shave till the evening; much of the afternoon was spent in his pig’s house, where he would sit on a stool and worship his unclean idol, frequently combing it! We need not contemplate a more disgusting picture of moral depravity in this so called Christian land, yet there are many equally debased.

This man was the first-fruit of my labour in the gospel in High Bickington. My beloved wife, during her brief sojourn there, was also used by the Lord in the awakening of a dear girl who came with some others to a meeting for the reading of the scriptures which she held soon after her arrival.

My coming to High Bickington appeared to excite in no common degree the enmity of the servants of sin. Many hearts which had hitherto been under the domination of “the strong man armed’ were about to own the sway of Him who is stronger than he, and great efforts were made to retain them. Various amusements abounded more during the summer of this year than at any previous period. The village band was often engaged; wrestling and cockfighting, together with their favourite amusement of bell-ringing were frequent, and at the annual fair some low comedians were hired from a distance to take part in a masquerade, which was kept up for several successive nights. One of them was personifying Satan, (who was himself much nearer than they were aware of) and suddenly appearing in the company, one of the party was greatly frightened, and became seriously ill. There seemed to be no bounds to their sin and folly at this season, during which the Lord was working in the hearts of many, the seed of the word of God having taken root. I had been there but a few weeks, when it occurred to me that a service on the morning of the Lord’s day might be useful. I was strongly dissuaded from this, and told that as the cellar in which we met was close to the churchyard, no one would attend. But feeling assured that it would eventually work for good it was commenced. At first it was attended by only four or five persons besides the children of the Sunday school, who were instructed by two young persons who were the only believers I then knew in the village except the poor man whose conversion has been related. But the numbers gradually increased, until at the end of the summer we had from twenty to thirty adult hearers, some of whom were hopeful enquirers. On the whole had much cause for thankfulness in the prospect before me.

While thus rejoicing in the progress of the Lord’s work and the sure hope of future blessing on my labours, I was subjected to much scorn and contempt from the openly wicked; one instance of which might be noticed. When once on my way to the evening prayer meeting, I was accosted by the overseer of the parish, who requested me to go before a magistrate, and on my enquiring for what purpose, he said I was recently come into the parish, where I might perhaps gain a settlement, and eventually be a burden to them by requiring support. He therefore wished me to go and state my circumstances. I expressed my readiness and asked for his summons, he said he had no summons but thought I ought to go without one!

This poor man was made drunk for the purpose, and chose a time when the village band were near enough to be within hearing. He was a farmer, and his habits of intemperance had undermined his health. He died not long afterwards of consumption. I once called at his house and endeavoured to set the truth of the gospel before him, but my offer to pray he rejected, saying that he should give offence to his friends by permitting it. How truly was it thus made manifest that “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the Gospel of Christ should shine unto them “ 2 Cor. 4: 4.

Chapter XV1 The Little Farm

Among the earliest and most attentive hearers of the gospel were C…C…(possibly Christopher Cowman) and his wife, who lived at a small farm (in the border of the village. I have called it the little farm, being only about thirty acres in extent, and its name also was ‘‘Little Bickington.’’ The family consisted of only four persons, the parents, their young child and a servant. The farmhouse was merely a cottage, containing a kitchen, three bedrooms and a small parlour, seven feet by ten, the fireplace being in one corner. The last act of my beloved wife previous to her leaving was to seek a lodging for me there, which was readily granted. The accommodation was of a very humble character, but notwithstanding the lack of comforts which I had previously been accustomed, I spent in this lowly dwelling some of the happiest days of my life; for I had never seen such manifest blessing on the Lord’s work in so short a period. The dear farmer and his wife were most kind: they sought by every means in their power to promote my comfort, and were always willing to listen to the truth. I soon had cause to bless God that I was led to tarry under their roof. Six weeks after my arrival I was one day surprised and gladdened by seeing my kind host enter room after dinner and by his expressing a desire that I would pray with him. The Lord had deeply convinced both himself and his wife of sin, and from this time I had the fullest confidence that He would grant them the joy of His salvation, which was very soon realised. A poor woman also, who occasionally came there to work was converted. My joy at this time was such as caused me often to forget my own sorrows: for I looked on this as an earnest of an approaching harvest. Soon after their conversion it occurred to me while in bed, that my dear friends would probably have some trial of their faith, as a counterbalance to their present joy, and to prove the reality of the Lord’s work in their souls. They had but one horse, which was an excellent animal and quite young, and the thought came suddenly to my mind, ‘"What if they should lose their horse?" To my great surprise, Christopher remarked the next day that "the horse did not eat his hay last night," but as he went through his day’s work as usual no further notice was taken of it; on the following day, however, he was decidedly ill, but no danger was apprehended. On the third day the farrier was sent for, but the disease baffled all his skill and the poor animal died on the fourth day after the thought concerning him had first crossed my mind. It was a severe stroke to my dear friends, who could not replace the loss without difficulty, but they abundantly proved that "joy of the Lord was their strength," so that the sorrow which had been otherwise so great was counterbalanced by the knowledge that it was appointed by infinite wisdom and love. I was anxious to give them some small token of my sympathy helping towards the purchase of another horse. This was not then in my power, but the Lord in a very providential manner sent me the needful help. When Christopher was afterwards on his way to the farrier a letter was given to him for me containing five pounds, a much larger sum than I had ever before received at one time from the same person. I was thus enabled to show my dear friends the kindness that I desired. When I visited this place three years ago I found to my joy that their dear son also had been converted and was walking happily in the good ways of the Lord.

After a residence of two years at the little farm I felt desirous of having at least some of my dear children with me, and being unable to procure a suitable house I took a small cottage containing only a kitchen and two bedrooms, and here my dear eldest daughter resided with me until a more convenient house was erected about a year later. I was here made to prove that"a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." The great secret of happiness consists in having a subdued will, a single eye, and a conscience void of offence, the root of all being faith in Christ Jesus. Had I waited for a convenient habitation I should never have gone to High Bickington, but would have lost the blessing I enjoyed there of witnessing the conversion of many souls. The joy connected with this is lasting and eternal.

Chapter X1X Harvest Time

Those who have witnessed the cheerful operations of the harvest field in some parts of our land, where busy groups, with light hearts, are engaged in gathering the fruits of the earth, will be at no loss to understand why the scriptures allude to "the joy in harvest" (Isaiah 9:3); the Lord having used the same figure in reference to the higher joy of beholding souls gathered to Himself. If the pleasure of seeing many souls converted to God within a short period, may be as beholding "the fields white unto harvest," it has been my privilege on different occasions to realise it, and this was especially the case at High Bickington towards the close of 1833.

This happy season commenced about nine months after I came to reside there, and continued through the dreary period of the succeeding winter, during which a week seldom passed without hearing of one or more cases of deep conviction through the power of the Spirit accompanying the word of truth.

There was a small hamlet consisting of only three houses, one mile and a half from the village, where this power was especially manifested. The occupier of one of these was a tenant of a small farm, and a great favourite with the pleasure loving inhabitants of our village, to whose amusement he largely contributed. He was the chief ringer of the church bells, the leading singer in the church gallery, and a performer in the village band. Being cheerful and of a ready wit the alehouse soon filled when it was known that he was there. The calling of such an one to follow a rejected and despised Saviour, and to be a faithful witness for His truth, caused great alarm in the ranks of the enemy, for it was made manifest that there was a power at work among them such as they could not resist.

It was scarcely two months after his conversion when, on a Lord’s day evening, he told me with much joy that his wife had received blessing through the ministry in the morning from Mark 4:26-9, and it proved to be a work of real conversion.

A circumstance which occurred soon after showed how truly he desired to honour the Lord by his testimony. A gentleman who had come to the village to hunt and shoot on his estates, which lay near it, wished him to be a witness against another gentleman whom our brother had seen trespassing on his grounds. But this new convert felt constrained to refuse, and in a long conversation with the gentleman (who had power to do him much injury), showed him from the Lord’s Prayer, that if we expect forgiveness we ought to forgive others. Although the gentleman alluded to was displeased and disappointed in not being able to revenge himself on the trespasser, who was his personal enemy, the Lord did not permit him any way to use his influence to the injury of his dear servant.

In the second house of the hamlet the aged father and mother of this brother resided with their unmarried daughter. The two latter were also among the number of the early converts."(These were possibly Thomas?and Frances Hunt and their daughter Frances. Frances married Henry Richards jun. Frances Hunt sen. was buried in the North Road Chapel graveyard)

(These recollections give an insight into life in High Bickington in 1833 but the following extract concerns the family of Henry Richards and his wife Ann who were the parents of my Great Great Grandmother Rachel Payne, the wife of Robert Payne.)

"Of the third family, the greater number were brought to the knowledge of Christ during this winter. That portion of it which resided at home, was the father, mother, and only son(Henry), and three daughters (Anne, Mary and Rachel), two other daughters (Honor and Elizabeth) who were married lived in and near the village. Of this number, four of the daughters and their aged mother were early converted, and the other daughter and her only son some time after. The son (Henry jnr) became so deeply convinced of sin that he could no longer continue with the ringers, and being the second best of their number, the loss of their two best men prevented them from ringing for the prize after this time, which they had hitherto done with much renown, He was first awakened through hearing a sermon on the power of conscience, as exhibited in Felix when Paul reasoned before him on “righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come.” Acts 24:25. On leaving the room, I was laid hold of by someone who said he wanted to speak with me. It was quite dark, and this young man (who was noted for fighting and quarrelling, and used to boast that he had never been beaten) accompanied by some vain companions, began to tell me what he had felt during the sermon. The only expression used by him that I distinctly remember, was sufficiently indicative of his natural character, which was bold, daring and honest. “I tell you what, sir, I have got a conscience, and I can’t obey it.” Never were words more truly spoken, as his whole course has painfully proved, while there is yet confident hope that he has never altogether lost the impressions of that evening.

Of these three unmarried daughters, the two youngest were twins, and being the children of her old age they were the especial favourites of their dear mother. The grace of Rachel and Mary was observed and acknowledged by all.

But I shall have occasion to write about the dear mother and her daughters very soon. At the time I wrote this (1857), Rachel had just taken to be with Christ, only one week previous to the expected arrival of her beloved sister, (from whom she had been at some distance since the marriage of the latter) to come and reside once more near her former home. Her sorrowing husband (Robert Payne) in a letter received from him a few days ago, writes that “after being four days in bed, she was taken to be absent from the body, present with the Lord.” During this time, her soul was so happy, so quiet, resting on the finished work of Christ, that she was enabled to triumph over death. “She has now no more the mingled cup, but is for ever with the Lord.

The eldest daughter (Honor Parker) of this favoured family lived in the village, and with her husband (Thomas) and their two children (John and Elizabeth), was also converted. Like Martha she was “careful, and troubled about many things.’’ So thrifty and industrious was she naturally as to be often at her gloving work at three in the mornings: and if she was expecting to wash on Monday, the water was fetched from the well on the Lord’s day evening. Of course it was out of the question to attend a week evening service, as time in her estimation was so precious. (In 1841 Honor was widowed. She was a glover and lived in a poorhouse with her daughter Elizabeth. John was a servant living on a farm). It is however written, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power.” Psalm 110:3, and this is as true respecting every sinner called by divine grace to follow Christ now as it will he of the whole Jewish nation when that Psalm has its fulfilment. It was one day impressed on her mind that she must go to the room that evening, and from that evening she dated her conversion to God. She became indeed “a new creature,’’ called to follow Christ so fully that the change was manifest to all. We do not always behold, even in advanced Christians the graces that are directly opposed to their former character, but in the present instance the over carefulness about worldly things vanished away, and it was succeeded by the most generous hospitality. For many years she delighted to deny herself during the week, that she might keep an open table at tea time every Lord’s day for all saints who night have come from a distance and wished to be present at the evening service. I have oftentimes met the happy company on these occasions. Precious also were the prayer meetings at Shutely, the hamlet where three fourths of the adult population had recently been converted to God, and were just in the enjoyment of their first love. But changes have since taken place, and the three families have all removed elsewhere. (The Richards family lived at Shutely in 1841 and 1851 It was near the village. Henry died in 1856 before this was written).

I have dwelt chiefly on these conversions, as being the most interesting, but they are only a part of the many. Three dear youths, of the several trades of mason, carpenter and shoemaker(Robert Payne), were converted nearly at the same time, in this winter; and one of them, (shoemaker Robert Payne) the bereaved husband of Rachel, has been a greatly honoured instrument in carrying on the work of the Lord, during the eighteen years I have left them.

Nothing has yet been said of the poor father (Henry Richards sen.), of that dear family, whose hardness of heart and bitter enmity to the truth formed such a painful contrast to the grace he constantly witnessed in his dear wife and children. The innumerable trials they endured for their attachment to the gospel can only be known to themselves and to Him whom they confessed and served with unflinching firmness, and who was dearer to them than all besides. The father was generally absent from the home on business nearly half the week, and then only they had peace; if the scriptures were attempted to be read at night, the candle would he blown out; one of his daughters was thrown down the stairs, when found by him on her knees; he rarely returned from the village sober, and on market days we generally heard him on his return roaring and blaspheming, long before he passed our door. I was the especial object of his hatred. He always spoke of me as the devil, and called our chapel the gaol. When he once heard that I was passing through the hamlet late on a summer’s evening, he left his bed nearly naked, and came to his door to curse me as I passed along. On two occasions his poor wife was dragged from our place of meeting, and he once came into the house opposite his own while we were holding a prayer meeting and forced away his two daughters, one of whom soon returned with her head bleeding from being knocked against a wall. As I did not fear his violence, I never went out of my way to avoid him, though sometimes entreated to do so, and only once did he attempt to do me injury. He was at that time much intoxicated, when he got hold of me, threw me down, and was beginning to kick and beat me. He was, however, hindered by his son, who collared his poor father till I was out of his reach. In consequence of this he sustained much injury from the kicks and blows of his enraged parent, so that for two or three days he was unable to return home, and remained at my house which was not far distant. On becoming sober the poor man told his son he had saved him from the gallows, as he believed he would have killed me had he not been prevented by his interference.

I omitted to state in its proper place, that the daughter (Honor Parker nee Richards) who was so worldly minded previous to her conversion, was after a few years unable to pursue her needlework through the growing imperfection of her sight. At this time a Christian lady offered her a home in her house, which she declined, as she did also the kind offer of the loan of a sum of money to enable her to support herself by a small business. She preferred waiting on the Lord about her future path, and He directed her in the way which she should go. By the death of her husband she became possessed of a few pounds which were due from the club of which he was a member, and with this she opened a small shop, desiring to conduct it in the fear of the Lord. And it may truly be said that the Lord was with her. She fully proved the truth of the promise "Them that honour Me I will honour," I Samuel 2:30, being so prospered that from a very small beginning she had at length the largest shop in the village. She determined to act on the principle of owing no man anything, and with the exception of one article which is paid for quarterly when the traveller comes to her house, every particle of her stock is her own. She seeks to honour the Lord with her substance according to her ability, and she has realised the truth that “there is that scattereth and yet increaseth,” while many alas! are equally proving to their sorrow that “there is that witholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Prov. 11:24. (In 1851 Honor Parker had a grocers shop)

Chapter XX The Baptism

I have seldom anticipated a day of trial with more anxiety than that on which I expected to baptize a few of the saints who had been lately converted. They were to be baptized in a river two miles from the village, on Good Friday, being the anniversary of the day when I had myself confessed the Lord in the same river, in the presence of about a thousand persons. Many things occurred to depress my mind on this occasion. It was the first time I had been asked to baptize any of the Lord’s people, and I knew that this solemn ordinance was exceedingly despised by the ignorant and depraved population around me who had never yet witnessed this new thing; added to this I had a severe cold and the weather was bleak and wintry. Two of the candidates had colds also. I doubt not that much of my own feeling arose from temptation, which a stronger faith would have resisted and overcome; there was however a bright contrast between the fears of the morning and the happy conclusion of that memorable day.

Rachel and Mary (Richards) were among those who wished to make this open profession of their faith in Jesus to the great sorrow of their affectionate mother. She had no apparent prejudice on the subject, but had been told that her dear children were in danger of being drowned, the water it some parts of the river being deep. She was weak enough to believe this, and alluded to it in her conversation with me with much apprehension, but with no feeling of prejudice or unkindness. The poor father had also threatened to be present and hinder them, but the Lord suffered him not.

Another of the candidates was the brother who had hitherto been the village favourite. He had some complaint in his eye which he was tempted to fear would be increased, but faith eventually got the better of his unbelief. A beloved brother came from Barnstaple to preach the gospel, and as we walked together and conversed on our way to the river, the Lord graciously dispelled all my previous fears.

A large multitude assembled to witness the strange sight, and the ministry of the word was with power, so that not the slightest disorder was permitted to disturb the solemnity of the scene. A body of unruly men had gathered on the opposite side of the river, having come from Chittlehamholt with the avowed intention of annoying us, but they were overawed and restrained by an invisible power. One of these, E.M. said afterwards, ‘We out our side meant to have begun when the dipping went on, but somehow or other we couldn't do it. The man subsequently became a subject of divine grace and some time before his conversion he saw me baptize his wife in the same river: he has now for many years been with Christ.

The aged mother who accompanied her beloved daughters with such an anxious mind was herself destined to share in the blessings of that day. The cottage in which we changed our dress was half a mile from the river, and when I met her there after the baptism she was in tears, and at first I attributed them to the joy she experienced at the safety of those so dear to her. But it was soon evident that there was another and deeper cause. Whether they were tears of sorrow for sin, or of joy at finding peace, I know not; perhaps both night have caused them to flow. However it is certain that the season proved to be a time of life to her soul, and from that time she became a faithful witness for the truth, enduring persecution of the most painful character with great submission and commending the gospel by her testimony. When she was herself afterwards baptized, her unfeeling husband used horse-whip on her return home without her uttering a word of complaint. While suffering as a Christian she was not ashamed but was able to glorify God on this behalf (See 1 Peter 4:14-16).

Chapter XX1 The Chapel

(records the building of a chapel at High Bickington)

The room in which our meetings were held during the winter was merely a back cellar, with but little light, and much too small to accommodate the hearers; so that a more convenient building seemed indispensable. My first step about this matter was taken in January 1834, when a short statement of our need was printed, and circulated among some Christian friends. My reasons for adopting this plan were thus stated:-

1st. - Because it is desired that this building may be erected by the free will contributions of the Lord’s people.
2nd. - Because it is not considered scriptural to leave important labours in the gospel to solicit subscriptions in person.
3rd. - Because the whole amount now given will he devoted to its proper object, and no part expended in travelling expenses. It was also stated that no debt would be contracted, nor work begun, until sufficient subscriptions had been received to complete the walls and roof of the intended building.

The common practice of erecting chapels with borrowed money appeared to me very unscriptural. If I had faith to trust the Lord for my own support, it must surely be wrong to mistrust Him for anything needful for the promotion of His glory in the salvation of souls. I am fully aware that debts of this kind are not only justified, but considered by some to be necessary, as furnishing a plea for appealing to the liberality of what is termed “the Christian public.” But surely this is miserable sophistry, and a libel on the church of God.

I determined therefore to leave the matter in the Lord’s hands, and build only as He sent supplies; and my confidence in Him was amply rewarded. Almost the first donation was from a man who heard me preach in the open air near his house, and remained in conversation with me some time after. Twenty pounds were next sent from the late Sir J. K… whom I never saw, or corresponded with; and twenty more was given by another Christian, who told me that he considered it an honour to support such a work. Indeed supplies came much faster than I had anticipated, according to the grace of Him who is able to do for us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Eph.3: 20. Within a few weeks one half of the hundred and fifty pounds required for the building was sent to me. It may be thought by some that this was owing to the printed statement of the case, but if this only was needed, or believed to be so, the plan would be universally adopted. I then regarded it, and still do so regard it, as the Lord’s gracious approval of our dependence on Him for all we needed. If we had grace more entirely to honour Him by leaving Him to do His own work in His own way, very many of the difficulties we now labour under would soon vanish.

An interesting circumstance which proved the Lord’s watchful care over us, in meeting our need, occurred at this time. When the work was nearly completed, our funds were exhausted, and for about a fortnight the work ceased. Just at this time a small party of Christian friends came to see me. One of them was a Christian brother of ample means, whom I had not known before, and who had come from Ireland to visit in that neighbourhood. They remained at our prayer meeting, where the prayers of the young converts especially interested the brother alluded to, and a few days after his return he sent ten pounds towards the building, which was just about the sum we required to complete it.

The three youths, whose conversion has been stated to have occurred nearly at the same time, were baptized early in the morning of the day when the building was first used for worship. One of them was greatly opposed by his father, who was a very depraved character. As the dear youth escaped from home by stealth, he was pursued, met on the road and beaten. Not being permitted to return to his father’s house after his baptism, it was my privilege to shelter and support him for a time. He was thus early made to know persecution for the truth’s sake; after some weeks however, shame constrained the poor father to receive him again under his roof. T.K… (possibly Thomas King)has now for many years been entirely engaged in the work of the ministry, in which 1 have been informed that the Lord has greatly blessed him.

Chapter XX111 Removal

(Robert Gribble leaves High Bickington in the safe hands of Robert Payne)

After a residence of six years in High Bickington my mind became exercised about removal. I was not able to account for this feeling, being truly happy in my intercourse with the dear saints, to whom also my service was acceptable. But I have since clearly seen it to be of the Lord, whose purpose it was lead me elsewhere, to break up the fallow ground in some places where the gospel was little known.

I was the more confirmed in this opinion, as R P…., (Robert Payne)one of the young brethren baptized in September 1834, had for some time been accustomed to minister, and there were evident tokens that the Lord had called him to the work of edifying the saints; so that there would be no lack of the ministry of the word by one who had their full confidence, and who was beloved by them for his work’s sake. At this time there were about thirty meeting in communion; many others who had been converted had either left the village, or had been taken to be with the Lord. A still larger number had been gathered at Chittlehamholt where the saints were under the oversight of a dear servant of the Lord, who had gone to reside with them after W. C…s departure, and his labours had been owned to their souls blessing.

From Recollections of an Evangelist or incidents connected with village ministry by Robert Gribble Second Edition Publisher Yapp 1858

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