THE REV. J. BERRIDGE.
To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine.
In your last month's magazine I was not a little pleased to meet once more the signature of my late excellent friend, John Sutcliff, of Olney. The story, also, related by him concerning the pious Mr. Berridge, delighted me much; to see such zeal and firmness in his great Master's cause, persevered in, even to the end; and to perceive how wonderfully the Lord protected and delivered him, amidst the most inveterate enemies. Is not here a striking display of a good Master, and a faithful servant?
On reading this pleasing and interesting anecdote, it immediately occurred to my mind, that a long time since I paid a visit to this excellent man, of a most pleasant kind; it was in the summer of 1777, when on a journey from Yorkshire to London, through St. Neot's, where I stopped to supply the congregation of Independents two Sabbaths. Everton being but a short distance from thence, I felt a strong inclination to take that opportunity of paying a visit to this good old man, who I had several times heard preach at the Tabernacle in London, and for whom I felt no small degree of respect. Consequently I rode over to Everton, and was kindly invited by the old gentleman to dine with him; on this occasion, I well remember requesting him to inform me of his adventures as an itinerant preacher, for I knew he was employed in such services. The following case Mr. Berridge narrated to me: "I had been preaching in a village near Cambridge, at a time when there was a strong opposition in that neighbourhood to preaching out of doors. Having fixed upon the place, and being furnished with a little table for my pulpit, while I was engaged, I thought I felt something moving under me, but was not so much incommoded as to interrupt or hinder me in my work.Having concluded the service, I retired, safely, from the crowd, into the cottage of a poor woman. I had not been there long, before some person came to the door, who wished to see me; but the poor woman was so alarmed, that she dared not at first open the door, for fear I should be ill-treated. I desired her immediately to open the door, and not be afraid. Soon after a man came in, trembling, and most earnestly and humbly begged my pardon, for he fully intended to throw me down, but felt himself powerfully restrained from doing so." Mr. Berridge was not a little affected by his confession, and said to me, I had him under my table as my prisoner, for he dared not stir to hurt me: and he hoped this might be followed by happy results to this convicted culprit.
As he rode upon a high horse, which he showed me, he was often discovered at a considerable distance: and the rude people commonly cried out, "Here comes the old devil of Everton!"
On the top of Mr. B.'s clock, this remarkable motto was written, "Pay me short visits." This, I think, was no bad caution to his numerous visitants.
To conclude my story: Soon, soon all these oppositions to the invaluable gospel will cease, and the faithful labourer will enter upon his everlasting rest, when the truly wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that have turned many to righteousness (which, I doubt not, was the happy case of this faithful servant of God) shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.
R. H.K.