William Grimshaw of Haworth
William Grimshaw of Haworth by Faith Cook; Banner of Truth Trust
William Grimshaw was greatly used of the Lord in the 1700's. His ministry was similar though not as broad in scope as men like Wesley and Whitfield. In fact, at one point Grimshaw was to be the administrative leader of the Methodist movement if John and Charles died before Grimshaw . . . But they both outlived him. He was a devoted servant of Christ who's life verse was played out throughout his ministry-"for me to live is Christ; and to die is gain."
I grew to love Grimshaw. The two character traits about this man that I enjoyed the most were his humility and his work ethic.
Humility: Grimshaw was down to earth. He was a humble servant and although greatly used of the Lord he considered himself and repeatedly referred to himself as an “unprofitable servant.” Once, when visiting a friend, upon realizing there were many visitors he retired for the night ahead of everyone and took the hay loft, realizing there were not enough bedrooms. The host woke early the next morning to find Grimshaw polishing his shoes. I fear this spirit has gone out of many of the Lord’s workmen in our day.
Work Ethic: The work ethic of the early Methodist preachers is a wonderful example. The Lord greatly poured out His Spirit during the Great Awakening and He greatly used the preaching of the Word in great doses (many “preachers” being sent to “preach” many times a day – viz Rom 10:14-15). We should learn that crying out for God’s awakening on our land should be accompanied by crying out to our land with the Gospel. The question of what is the cause and what is the effect is an interesting question. I think perhaps it is not possible to say. And so if we were to hunger and thirst for revival fires as Grimshaw, Wesley, and Whitefield; then we should preach the Gospel 30 times a week as they implored their students (272). Their audience was not always in the thousands. Grimshaw was known to announce on Sunday that he would be preaching the following week at such-and-such a time in the kitchen of so-and-so because he knew that they were not coming to hear him on Sunday (they were skipping church attendance).
A couple of my favorite quotes from the book show this tireless effort:
“Lord, grant that I shall never faint . . . till weakness, old age or death invalidate me. By the grace of God, I am determined never to flag while I can ride, walk, creep, or crawl” (Pg .272).
“Let me labour now; I shall have enough rest bye and bye. I cannot do enough for Christ Who has done so much for me” (Pg. 273).
I could highlight many other anecdotes and quotes to demonstrate the above two character traits. Let me mention a few other valuable qualities. He was extremely confrontational (perhaps severe by our standards) with his people yet they knew that he loved them. He excelled at discipleship, not leaving those he introduced to Christ to the wolves (read chapter 15 on this!). He loved Christ and loved to share the Gospel with sinners – this was his passion. I know I could personally learn from each of these.
Little has survived in concrete detail about his life compared to others that I have read from the same time period so I feel like I got to know him pretty well but only enough to want to learn more. Often Cook writes things like certainly Grimshaw would have been present . . . or . . . We should have no doubt that Grimshaw would have done this or that . . . So there are some gaps. But overall the quotes and accounts that have survived and that Cook has presented are enough to challenge any Pastor or Christian to work hard in the Gospel.
CHAPTER OVERVIEWS:
Chapters 1-2 overview the times and town of Haworth and what is known of Grimshaw’s parents and youth. It seems Faith Cook has to ad lib quite a bit from the sketchy knowledge of Grimshaw’s early years. The chapters are still very helpful in transporting you back into the times of the late 1700’s. Communication was slow and difficult. Grimshaw’s area was far North of London and not ‘in the loop’ in cultural, political, and even religious happenings.
His was a rough area of ministry as well. He chooses the clerical life of a minister some from a seriousness but mostly as a profession. He studied at Cambridge before going to Halifax as a cleric. Here he lived fairly free from care tending to his duties with little to no spiritual zeal or interest.
Two interesting stories:
It was said that someone going to be executed (by axe) in Halifax would be pardoned of their crime if they could slip out of the axe-man’s swing from the time the signal was given to chop and the chop came . . . And then beat this executioner’s pursuit to a river in the town.
The other story is worth quoting: “A young man in the parish had made one of the local girls pregnant. Instead of marrying the girl, the young man added to his offence by ridiculing her, putting her to public shame. Grimshaw was indignant at such behavior and determined to teach the fellow a lesson. So he dressed up as the devil donning a large and ugly mask, complete with horns. Knowing that the young man always came home over a certain stile, Grimshaw lurked in the shadows waiting for him. As the unsuspecting youth mounted the stile, this horrifying specter slowly rose up and laid hold on him with an iron grip. Believing that the devil himself had come to take him away for his misdemeanors, the youth cried out in alarm and begged for mercy. No, mercy would not be shown him; the apparition indicated that he must and would have him away to his infernal abode. At last, knowing full well the cause of the encounter, the youth promised to marry the girl forthwith and so the ‘devil’ was prevailed upon to release him (Pg. 16).”
Chapter 3 – The Pardoning Love of God
Grimshaw is struck with spiritual anxiety for his sin. Like Bunyan, Wesley, Luther and others he struggled for a long time with a sense of his sinfulness and God’s righteousness. He sought for God’s favor with all his might with no knowledge of Gospel grace. Cook recounts that this went on for seven years! He even despaired of how to counsel his people in this way. This was in a sermon: “My friends, we are in a damnable state and I scarcely know how we are to get out of it.” He wrote in a ledger all of his good deeds on one side and all of his bad deeds on the other and took stock at the end of the day to see if perhaps his good would outweigh the bad. This gave him no freedom of conscience that the Gospel brings. He did this for seven years! Now that is fruit ripe for the Gospel and one that had spent many years with the schoolmaster to bring him to Christ.
And so on a whim he saw a book at someone’s house by John Owen: The Doctrine of Justification by Faith. This book and the Gospel concept freed him and revolutionized his thinking for the rest of his life: “I was now willing to renounce myself, every degree of fancied merit and ability, and to embrace Christ only for my all in all. O what light and comfort did I now enjoy in my own soul, and what a taste of pardoning love of God! (pg. 28)”
Grimshaw gets married, has two children, looses his first wife (and suffers deep depression following his wife’s death) and marries a second time. His regeneration takes place between the two marriages.
Chapter 4 – Harbingers of Blessing in Yorkshire 1734-1742
In this chapter Cook brings us up to speed with what the Lord has been doing throughout Yorkshire surrounding Grimshaw during his seven years of conflict of soul. She briefly recounts two main vessels in God’s hand – Benjamin Ingham and John Nelson. Grimshaw was in the holy club with the Wesleys and actually went with them to reach American Indians in Georgia . . . although just as unconverted. He came to complete faith in Christ as the Wesleys did after seeing the faith of Moravian missionaries on the boat voyage. Ingham was greatly used throughout Yorkshire organizing many Methodist societies (50-100?) which would meet together once every couple months (2,000 + people). He eventually was not able to preach in Church of England churches and would organize and side more with the Moravians.
John Nelson was a Stonemason who placed his faith in Christ after hearing John Wesley preach. What a refreshing story! He ran home to share this new faith with anyone and everyone who would hear. Soon 17 friends and neighbors were also trusting in Christ. He worked all day as a stonemason and then after work ran to preach the Gospel with others – still dressed in his work clothes and leather. Here is a description from the time: “A washing tub, mouth downwards, served as a pulpit, and here among the huge rocks with which the house was surrounded, far from the din and tumult, Nelson preached and the people were much affected; a grey-headed man near eighty years of age, the owner of the house, listened with deep concern while the big tears trickled down (Pg. 44).”
Chapter 5 – Haworth – A Barren Wilderness
Faith Cook describes the lay of the land of Haworth as Grimshaw moved to become the curate in 1742. She describes the previous curates, the moral state of the people and the filthy health conditions. Life expectancy was little more than 25 years old at the time in Haworth. The church building (church of St Michael and All Angels) was surrounded by three taverns and gin (Grimshaw – “this liquid fire by which men drink their hell beforehand”) was much more popular than church as only a handful of the 2,200 or so inhabitants were ‘communicants.’
Chapter 6
Grimshaw’s first year of ministry is blessed abundantly. So much so that he they request for funds/permission to expand the sanctuary. The communicants raise from 12-50 or 60 in the first 13 months. Grimshaw worked tirelessly.
Chapter 7 – Full Assurance
Through two experiences Grimshaw gains full assurance that he is accepted in Christ. First, his relationship with a shoemaker/preacher, a Scottish man, named William Darney, who was an un-ordained and fearless man. Darney came to Grimshaw’s perish area and was not welcomed him at first. However, after hearing him speak, Grimshaw thoroughly enjoyed his company and he had a session with the Scottish preacher in private. Darney’s complete faith in Jesus and confident standing in that faith struck Grimshaw.
The second experience happened when he had labored one morning before eating and felt very weak in the pulpit. When he was dragged to a bed he suffered from legs and arms that were ‘cold as death.’ While folks tried to help him he stared at the ceiling and had some sort of vision/dream experience.. He had a vision at this point about whether or not he was going to completely trust in Christ or try to work to gain God’s favor too . . . he had to fully relinquish his own righteousness. He saw himself extended between heaven and hell wondering if he would trust Christ alone. At this point Jesus showed him His pierced hands and Grimshaw said he was healed and he sensed for sure he had completely relied on Christ.
Chapter 8 – Haworth: A Garden of the Lord
In the year and a half after the above time of full assurance, Grimshaw saw 120 people believe and show true signs of the new birth. These would be people from in and around Haworth. That is a huge number considering the small population of these towns.
In the chapter Cook follows some of the other helpers and lay preachers that Grimshaw used to help the work in Haworth and the surrounding area: Thomas Colbeck, William Darney (see above), Paul Greenwood. He also employed the use of written Gospel material. Some of his methods (using lay-men and preaching outside his own ‘jurisdiction’) were irregular practices but he did what was best for God’s kingdom rather than what was in vogue for the clergy of his day. People would travel up to 20 miles in the mountainous terrain to attend Grimshaw’s preaching in Haworth on a weekly basis.
Chapter 9 – Strains of Tremendous Eloquence
This is such an enjoyable chapter, especially for those who regularly preach or listen to the Word preached. Although no sermon’s survived to this day, Cook does a good job piecing together what we can know of his preaching. His main theme was the Gospel. His manner was simple and impassioned.
Grimshaw: “[Listen to] a minister who makes hard things easy and dark things plain. Many, to gain the vain admiration of the ignorant and the praises of men, affect in their preaching high-flying words, pompous language, rhetorical strains and philosophical terms. A sanctified heart in a minister is better than a silver tongue (pg. 90).”
If there were people in his perish that would not come and hear him speak he would announce that he would be holding a service in the next week and invite others to come to hear: “I know I am not welcome, but I will speak to every one under my care concerning his soul. If you will not come and hear, you shall hear me at home: and if you perish, you will perish [and in the broad Yorkshire dialect] wi’ t’ sound o’ t’ gospel i’ yer lugs (Pg. 96)!”
One more quote by Grimshaw: “I think, we are both agreed to pull down man, and when we have the proud chit down, to keep him down. For this is the main. – And never let him recover so much as his knees, till with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the REDEEMER raise him (pg. 98).”
Chapter 14: Days of the Son of Man
The chapter title is how Whitefield described the Lord’s working in the field of Haworth and surrounding villages during these years (late 1740’s early1750’s). Cook describes thousands coming to Christ or coming to hear the Sermons delivered by Wesley and Whitefield in Haworth. She highlights as well, the joyful Lord’s Table observances they had. But a handful when Grimshaw came – now thousands. The church would be filled several times on a Sunday to administer the Lord’s Table. Then the visiting speaker would need to go outside in the churchyard to speak where thousands would listen without a sound – people would get upon rooftops and hang from windows and press in close to hear the Gospel message preached. Grimshaw records that one Lord’s Table service they ‘sipped away’ nearly 35 bottles of wine.
Grimshaw’s daughter, Jane died while away at John Wesley’s boarding school for children. The final words of the 12 year old were recorded by her nurse:
“He hath loved me, I cried,
He hath suffered and died
To redeem such a rebel as me.”
Chapter 22 What God hath Wrought
This quotes Wesley’s account of the Lord’s work in Yorkshire during the life and ministry of Grimshaw. Cook brings out how tirelessly Grimshaw worked, knowing that it was draining him of years. Although I could quote several similar sayings I like this one the best:
Chapters 23 and 24
The final two chapters take Grimshaw’s life verse and driving theme “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” and recap his life and death. In chapter 23, “For me to live is Christ” Cook illustrates several aspects of Grimshaw’s character, his love for God, his generosity, his humility, and his communion with God. The accounts of Grimshaw’s humility and low view of himself are refreshing. He was unpretentious, according to Newton. “A stranger might be in communion with Grimshaw from morning till night, without observing anything which would lead him to suppose he was a minister; he would only think he saw and heard a pious, intelligent, plain man.” Grimshaw’s generosity was such that he seldom had money and in fact was often in debt. He gave away all his clothes but what he had on him one time. And contented himself with being able to die with nothing.
Grimshaw died well. He began to feel pain in his joints and stomach as well as severe headaches. He labored through these for some time until an epidemic broke out in Haworth. Instead of leaving because of his already weekend condition, Grimshaw stayed to help those in his parish who were ill. He caught this fever from someone he visited to comfort. Grimshaw knew that he would not recover and contentedly waited for his death. He maintained a faithful testimony to those who came to his bedside even though suffering severe fever for several days. His rebellious son John (age 27) visited him and seemed to be shaken by watching the peace with which his dad endured the pain of death. He gave his life to Christ on his deathbed three years later. His father’s death was a final testimony to a full life. On April 8th 1763 he entered his final rest and looked on Him Whom he served so tirelessly. He requested that he be buried in a poor man’s suit in a poor man’s casket with the words of Philipians 1:21 inscribed on the lid:
“For to me to Live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
William Grimshaw was greatly used of the Lord in the 1700's. His ministry was similar though not as broad in scope as men like Wesley and Whitfield. In fact, at one point Grimshaw was to be the administrative leader of the Methodist movement if John and Charles died before Grimshaw . . . But they both outlived him. He was a devoted servant of Christ who's life verse was played out throughout his ministry-"for me to live is Christ; and to die is gain."
I grew to love Grimshaw. The two character traits about this man that I enjoyed the most were his humility and his work ethic.
Humility: Grimshaw was down to earth. He was a humble servant and although greatly used of the Lord he considered himself and repeatedly referred to himself as an “unprofitable servant.” Once, when visiting a friend, upon realizing there were many visitors he retired for the night ahead of everyone and took the hay loft, realizing there were not enough bedrooms. The host woke early the next morning to find Grimshaw polishing his shoes. I fear this spirit has gone out of many of the Lord’s workmen in our day.
Work Ethic: The work ethic of the early Methodist preachers is a wonderful example. The Lord greatly poured out His Spirit during the Great Awakening and He greatly used the preaching of the Word in great doses (many “preachers” being sent to “preach” many times a day – viz Rom 10:14-15). We should learn that crying out for God’s awakening on our land should be accompanied by crying out to our land with the Gospel. The question of what is the cause and what is the effect is an interesting question. I think perhaps it is not possible to say. And so if we were to hunger and thirst for revival fires as Grimshaw, Wesley, and Whitefield; then we should preach the Gospel 30 times a week as they implored their students (272). Their audience was not always in the thousands. Grimshaw was known to announce on Sunday that he would be preaching the following week at such-and-such a time in the kitchen of so-and-so because he knew that they were not coming to hear him on Sunday (they were skipping church attendance).
A couple of my favorite quotes from the book show this tireless effort:
“Lord, grant that I shall never faint . . . till weakness, old age or death invalidate me. By the grace of God, I am determined never to flag while I can ride, walk, creep, or crawl” (Pg .272).
“Let me labour now; I shall have enough rest bye and bye. I cannot do enough for Christ Who has done so much for me” (Pg. 273).
I could highlight many other anecdotes and quotes to demonstrate the above two character traits. Let me mention a few other valuable qualities. He was extremely confrontational (perhaps severe by our standards) with his people yet they knew that he loved them. He excelled at discipleship, not leaving those he introduced to Christ to the wolves (read chapter 15 on this!). He loved Christ and loved to share the Gospel with sinners – this was his passion. I know I could personally learn from each of these.
Little has survived in concrete detail about his life compared to others that I have read from the same time period so I feel like I got to know him pretty well but only enough to want to learn more. Often Cook writes things like certainly Grimshaw would have been present . . . or . . . We should have no doubt that Grimshaw would have done this or that . . . So there are some gaps. But overall the quotes and accounts that have survived and that Cook has presented are enough to challenge any Pastor or Christian to work hard in the Gospel.
CHAPTER OVERVIEWS:
Chapters 1-2 overview the times and town of Haworth and what is known of Grimshaw’s parents and youth. It seems Faith Cook has to ad lib quite a bit from the sketchy knowledge of Grimshaw’s early years. The chapters are still very helpful in transporting you back into the times of the late 1700’s. Communication was slow and difficult. Grimshaw’s area was far North of London and not ‘in the loop’ in cultural, political, and even religious happenings.
His was a rough area of ministry as well. He chooses the clerical life of a minister some from a seriousness but mostly as a profession. He studied at Cambridge before going to Halifax as a cleric. Here he lived fairly free from care tending to his duties with little to no spiritual zeal or interest.
Two interesting stories:
It was said that someone going to be executed (by axe) in Halifax would be pardoned of their crime if they could slip out of the axe-man’s swing from the time the signal was given to chop and the chop came . . . And then beat this executioner’s pursuit to a river in the town.
The other story is worth quoting: “A young man in the parish had made one of the local girls pregnant. Instead of marrying the girl, the young man added to his offence by ridiculing her, putting her to public shame. Grimshaw was indignant at such behavior and determined to teach the fellow a lesson. So he dressed up as the devil donning a large and ugly mask, complete with horns. Knowing that the young man always came home over a certain stile, Grimshaw lurked in the shadows waiting for him. As the unsuspecting youth mounted the stile, this horrifying specter slowly rose up and laid hold on him with an iron grip. Believing that the devil himself had come to take him away for his misdemeanors, the youth cried out in alarm and begged for mercy. No, mercy would not be shown him; the apparition indicated that he must and would have him away to his infernal abode. At last, knowing full well the cause of the encounter, the youth promised to marry the girl forthwith and so the ‘devil’ was prevailed upon to release him (Pg. 16).”
Chapter 3 – The Pardoning Love of God
Grimshaw is struck with spiritual anxiety for his sin. Like Bunyan, Wesley, Luther and others he struggled for a long time with a sense of his sinfulness and God’s righteousness. He sought for God’s favor with all his might with no knowledge of Gospel grace. Cook recounts that this went on for seven years! He even despaired of how to counsel his people in this way. This was in a sermon: “My friends, we are in a damnable state and I scarcely know how we are to get out of it.” He wrote in a ledger all of his good deeds on one side and all of his bad deeds on the other and took stock at the end of the day to see if perhaps his good would outweigh the bad. This gave him no freedom of conscience that the Gospel brings. He did this for seven years! Now that is fruit ripe for the Gospel and one that had spent many years with the schoolmaster to bring him to Christ.
And so on a whim he saw a book at someone’s house by John Owen: The Doctrine of Justification by Faith. This book and the Gospel concept freed him and revolutionized his thinking for the rest of his life: “I was now willing to renounce myself, every degree of fancied merit and ability, and to embrace Christ only for my all in all. O what light and comfort did I now enjoy in my own soul, and what a taste of pardoning love of God! (pg. 28)”
Grimshaw gets married, has two children, looses his first wife (and suffers deep depression following his wife’s death) and marries a second time. His regeneration takes place between the two marriages.
Chapter 4 – Harbingers of Blessing in Yorkshire 1734-1742
In this chapter Cook brings us up to speed with what the Lord has been doing throughout Yorkshire surrounding Grimshaw during his seven years of conflict of soul. She briefly recounts two main vessels in God’s hand – Benjamin Ingham and John Nelson. Grimshaw was in the holy club with the Wesleys and actually went with them to reach American Indians in Georgia . . . although just as unconverted. He came to complete faith in Christ as the Wesleys did after seeing the faith of Moravian missionaries on the boat voyage. Ingham was greatly used throughout Yorkshire organizing many Methodist societies (50-100?) which would meet together once every couple months (2,000 + people). He eventually was not able to preach in Church of England churches and would organize and side more with the Moravians.
John Nelson was a Stonemason who placed his faith in Christ after hearing John Wesley preach. What a refreshing story! He ran home to share this new faith with anyone and everyone who would hear. Soon 17 friends and neighbors were also trusting in Christ. He worked all day as a stonemason and then after work ran to preach the Gospel with others – still dressed in his work clothes and leather. Here is a description from the time: “A washing tub, mouth downwards, served as a pulpit, and here among the huge rocks with which the house was surrounded, far from the din and tumult, Nelson preached and the people were much affected; a grey-headed man near eighty years of age, the owner of the house, listened with deep concern while the big tears trickled down (Pg. 44).”
Chapter 5 – Haworth – A Barren Wilderness
Faith Cook describes the lay of the land of Haworth as Grimshaw moved to become the curate in 1742. She describes the previous curates, the moral state of the people and the filthy health conditions. Life expectancy was little more than 25 years old at the time in Haworth. The church building (church of St Michael and All Angels) was surrounded by three taverns and gin (Grimshaw – “this liquid fire by which men drink their hell beforehand”) was much more popular than church as only a handful of the 2,200 or so inhabitants were ‘communicants.’
Chapter 6
Grimshaw’s first year of ministry is blessed abundantly. So much so that he they request for funds/permission to expand the sanctuary. The communicants raise from 12-50 or 60 in the first 13 months. Grimshaw worked tirelessly.
Chapter 7 – Full Assurance
Through two experiences Grimshaw gains full assurance that he is accepted in Christ. First, his relationship with a shoemaker/preacher, a Scottish man, named William Darney, who was an un-ordained and fearless man. Darney came to Grimshaw’s perish area and was not welcomed him at first. However, after hearing him speak, Grimshaw thoroughly enjoyed his company and he had a session with the Scottish preacher in private. Darney’s complete faith in Jesus and confident standing in that faith struck Grimshaw.
The second experience happened when he had labored one morning before eating and felt very weak in the pulpit. When he was dragged to a bed he suffered from legs and arms that were ‘cold as death.’ While folks tried to help him he stared at the ceiling and had some sort of vision/dream experience.. He had a vision at this point about whether or not he was going to completely trust in Christ or try to work to gain God’s favor too . . . he had to fully relinquish his own righteousness. He saw himself extended between heaven and hell wondering if he would trust Christ alone. At this point Jesus showed him His pierced hands and Grimshaw said he was healed and he sensed for sure he had completely relied on Christ.
Chapter 8 – Haworth: A Garden of the Lord
In the year and a half after the above time of full assurance, Grimshaw saw 120 people believe and show true signs of the new birth. These would be people from in and around Haworth. That is a huge number considering the small population of these towns.
In the chapter Cook follows some of the other helpers and lay preachers that Grimshaw used to help the work in Haworth and the surrounding area: Thomas Colbeck, William Darney (see above), Paul Greenwood. He also employed the use of written Gospel material. Some of his methods (using lay-men and preaching outside his own ‘jurisdiction’) were irregular practices but he did what was best for God’s kingdom rather than what was in vogue for the clergy of his day. People would travel up to 20 miles in the mountainous terrain to attend Grimshaw’s preaching in Haworth on a weekly basis.
Chapter 9 – Strains of Tremendous Eloquence
This is such an enjoyable chapter, especially for those who regularly preach or listen to the Word preached. Although no sermon’s survived to this day, Cook does a good job piecing together what we can know of his preaching. His main theme was the Gospel. His manner was simple and impassioned.
Grimshaw: “[Listen to] a minister who makes hard things easy and dark things plain. Many, to gain the vain admiration of the ignorant and the praises of men, affect in their preaching high-flying words, pompous language, rhetorical strains and philosophical terms. A sanctified heart in a minister is better than a silver tongue (pg. 90).”
If there were people in his perish that would not come and hear him speak he would announce that he would be holding a service in the next week and invite others to come to hear: “I know I am not welcome, but I will speak to every one under my care concerning his soul. If you will not come and hear, you shall hear me at home: and if you perish, you will perish [and in the broad Yorkshire dialect] wi’ t’ sound o’ t’ gospel i’ yer lugs (Pg. 96)!”
One more quote by Grimshaw: “I think, we are both agreed to pull down man, and when we have the proud chit down, to keep him down. For this is the main. – And never let him recover so much as his knees, till with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the REDEEMER raise him (pg. 98).”
Chapter 14: Days of the Son of Man
The chapter title is how Whitefield described the Lord’s working in the field of Haworth and surrounding villages during these years (late 1740’s early1750’s). Cook describes thousands coming to Christ or coming to hear the Sermons delivered by Wesley and Whitefield in Haworth. She highlights as well, the joyful Lord’s Table observances they had. But a handful when Grimshaw came – now thousands. The church would be filled several times on a Sunday to administer the Lord’s Table. Then the visiting speaker would need to go outside in the churchyard to speak where thousands would listen without a sound – people would get upon rooftops and hang from windows and press in close to hear the Gospel message preached. Grimshaw records that one Lord’s Table service they ‘sipped away’ nearly 35 bottles of wine.
Grimshaw’s daughter, Jane died while away at John Wesley’s boarding school for children. The final words of the 12 year old were recorded by her nurse:
“He hath loved me, I cried,
He hath suffered and died
To redeem such a rebel as me.”
Chapter 22 What God hath Wrought
This quotes Wesley’s account of the Lord’s work in Yorkshire during the life and ministry of Grimshaw. Cook brings out how tirelessly Grimshaw worked, knowing that it was draining him of years. Although I could quote several similar sayings I like this one the best:
Chapters 23 and 24
The final two chapters take Grimshaw’s life verse and driving theme “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” and recap his life and death. In chapter 23, “For me to live is Christ” Cook illustrates several aspects of Grimshaw’s character, his love for God, his generosity, his humility, and his communion with God. The accounts of Grimshaw’s humility and low view of himself are refreshing. He was unpretentious, according to Newton. “A stranger might be in communion with Grimshaw from morning till night, without observing anything which would lead him to suppose he was a minister; he would only think he saw and heard a pious, intelligent, plain man.” Grimshaw’s generosity was such that he seldom had money and in fact was often in debt. He gave away all his clothes but what he had on him one time. And contented himself with being able to die with nothing.
Grimshaw died well. He began to feel pain in his joints and stomach as well as severe headaches. He labored through these for some time until an epidemic broke out in Haworth. Instead of leaving because of his already weekend condition, Grimshaw stayed to help those in his parish who were ill. He caught this fever from someone he visited to comfort. Grimshaw knew that he would not recover and contentedly waited for his death. He maintained a faithful testimony to those who came to his bedside even though suffering severe fever for several days. His rebellious son John (age 27) visited him and seemed to be shaken by watching the peace with which his dad endured the pain of death. He gave his life to Christ on his deathbed three years later. His father’s death was a final testimony to a full life. On April 8th 1763 he entered his final rest and looked on Him Whom he served so tirelessly. He requested that he be buried in a poor man’s suit in a poor man’s casket with the words of Philipians 1:21 inscribed on the lid:
“For to me to Live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
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