Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger: Fourth EditionHolland, E. G. (Elihu Goodwin)
History
Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger: Fourth Edition
Holland, E. G. (Elihu Goodwin)
Badger, Joseph, 1792-1852
the powerful, the eloquent preacher, under whose word converts were
multiplied "as dews of the morning;" but under his peculiar genius
Methodism had never become an organic system, to last its centuries.
Wesley, though not a great man in thought or language, was the master
builder without whom the labor of men like Whitfield had been, as it
were, "scattered unto strangers." He gave to his cause the character of
a permanent institution. Mr. Badger was no disorganizer. He believed in
organization, in system, though he sought to organize with simplicity
and on large and catholic principles of Christian brotherhood.
At Milo, N. Y., at a general meeting which, on Sunday, September 3,
1820, was held in one of the pleasant groves of that rural town, Mr.
Badger preached the ordination sermon of Benjamin Farley, James Potter
and Stephen Lamphere, from Rom. 10: 14: "How shall they hear without a
preacher?" The week following he spent chiefly at and in the vicinity of
the village of Aurora, where he preached several sermons and
administered baptism to a few believers. He then returned by way of
Auburn, preached twice to large assemblies in the Presbyterian church at
Brutus, visited his devoted friend Dr. Beman, and in the evening spoke
to the assembled citizens of Elbridge. On the morning of the 11th he
called at the bedside of Dr. Ayers, who was in the last stage of
consumption. "After much conversation," says Mr. B., "I asked him if he
desired us to attend prayers. He paused and said, '_Can_ you pray?'
(What an important question!) I answered in the affirmative. Said he,
'Does God hear you and give you answers?' I told him 'Yes.' He then
burst into tears and said, '_Once_ he heard _me_, but does not of late.'
Every heart present was moved. He was a man beloved. He bowed with us in
prayer. At nine o'clock we left him and proceeded to Camillus, where I
baptized the wife of Esquire Benedict and Mrs. McMaster, his daughter.
At evening I spoke to a multitude of weeping auditors. On my return,
agreeable to promise, I called on Dr. A., who again knelt with me at the
altar of mercy, and when I gave him my parting hand he said, 'I shall
meet you in heaven.' His countenance was as serene as a morning without
clouds."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account