Note 152 — Chapter XVI

On one of his excursions into Yorkshire, being at Leeds, Mr. Newton was requested by the Rev. Mr. Edwards to preach for him at White Chapel. He met a party of religious friends at Mr. Edwards’s house, which adjoined the chapel, and took his tea (of which he was remarkably fond) with them. When the hour of preaching approached, Mr. Edwards intimated to him that if he was desirous to retire before the service (as was then customary with most serious ministers) there was a room for his reception; but Mr. Newton declined this, saying he was so well pleased with his company, that he was unwilling to leave it; and added, “I am prepared.” At the appointed time the service commenced, and after prayer Mr. Newton read his text, which was, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” He began fluently; but in a few minutes he lost all recollection of his plan; was confused, stopped, and desired Mr. Edwards to come up and finish the service. Mr. Edwards urged him to proceed; but Mr. Newton left the pulpit, which Mr. Edwards ascended, and concluded with an address to the audience on the importance of the Spirit’s agency to help our infirmities. Such was the confusion occasioned by the young preacher’s failure, that for some time after he could not see two or three persons standing together in the street without suspecting that he himself must be the subject of their conversation. From this mortification, doubtless, he learned the important lesson, to put his trust not in his memory or preparation, but in the Lord alone. See some admirable “Thoughts on the Snares and Difficulties attending the Ministry of the Gospel”—Omicron’s Letters—Letter V.