CHAPTER XIV. FOR some time prior to this general agitation, Dr. McAll withdrew from public engagements not immediately connected with his ministerial work. He was accessible to all, and interested in the movements around him, but, Dr. McAll in retire ment. as by a special call from heaven, "the whole force of his mind was collected and poured out on the attainment of more eminent spirituality and greater usefulness." It was a delicate and difficult matter to incite others to seek higher spiritual attainments, without the apparent assumption of superior sanctity. The steps he took, therefore, for the promotion of his object, in the first instance, were of an almost confidential character. He gained one and another to his views in private conversation, and then more openly, in the Manchester fraternal association, opened his heart with great simplicity and fervent affection on the subject, and found them all prepared to concur in his views, and ready to convene a meeting for the purpose of free conversation and united prayer. Prior to their invitation by circular, he wrote to Dr. Raffles to prepare his mind for the thoughtful consideration Meeting for and Prayer. of the matter, and to ask his aid at the proposed meeting. Letter to 1833. "MANCHESTER, January 1, 1833. "MY DEAR FRIEND, -You will receive in a day or two a circular bearing the signatures of all our brethren, inviting you to a meeting for the purpose of ministerial conference Dr. Raffles, and prayer, on Wednesday the 8th of January next, and also to a preparatory meeting on the evening before, and a public breakfast on the morning of the 9th. The nature of our object will be perfectly understood when you look into that document, and I need not, therefore, distinctly describe it. My reason for writing now is one more particularly relating to yourself, and I most earnestly hope that nothing will prevent the success of the application I am instructed to make, in the name of others, as well as prompted by my own feelings to press on your attention. We are all most anxious that you should deliver a discourse on the first or second of the evenings above-mentioned, having reference either to the improvement of ministerial character, or, the cultivation and increase of religious zeal amongst our congregations, or to any other subject which you may deem adapted to the occasion. The meeting generally will be of ministers alone, but at that service we propose to invite the attendance of all the members of our churches. As to the topic, you cannot choose amiss, and we are certain that the very highest advantages will result from your compliance with our solicitation, and the largest gratification be universally experienced. You will kindly undertake, in any way you may yourself prefer, to address us on either of the nights referred to. For a long time past we have been very desirous that such a meeting should be held here or in Liverpool, and had hoped that it might be followed by others similar to it-perhaps once or twice in a year, not, like our present periodical convocation, for the mere despatch of business, itself in a great part secular, however sacred in its issues. These we are concerned to have conducted so as to bring under our consideration, in the manner of the earlier Nonconformists those great practical principles which peculiarly bear upon the exercise of our ministry, and on which the piety and prosperity, both of pastors and their flocks are so essentially dependent. From the first moment at which the design began to be cherished, our thoughts and wishes have been naturally and instinctively directed to you-for to whom besides could they be directed ?-to offer to ourselves and to our brethren such counsels, and exhortations, and encouragements as the season and the purpose might demand. Do not refuse our entreaty." Dr. Raffles complied with the request of his friend, and the meeting proved to be one of extraordinary interest. A letter before us, dated January 13th, 1834, contains the testimony of one who was present on the occasion : Meeting in "Fifty-five of our ministerial brethren willingly answered their affectionate summons, and were present at a meeting for prayer on Tuesday evening; and on the morning of Wednesday, at ten, assembled to converse with each other on the state of the Churches, and on the varied temptations, difficulties, and trials incident to the work of the Christian ministry. I can give you no description of the unction and solemnity that pervaded the hearts of all present. There were many present of eminence in the Church, and of extraordinary gifts (Dr. McAll, Dr. Raffles, and others), but every one felt as in the presence of Him who searcheth the heart, and nothing could exceed the deep humiliation of the greatest amongst us. It would have powerfully affected you to have witnessed so many prostrate at the throne of mercy, confessing their sin, and imploring with strong cries and tears that God would have mercy upon them, and upon the people of their charge. In the history of those most advanced in years and in experience, such a season was never remembered, and while the sympathies and supplications of all were blended, and they alternately wept together in the bitterness of the soul over the iniquities of our holy things, and mourned over the desolation of Zion, or their countenances were suffused with the light of holy exultation in the presence and blessing of the Spirit, each felt that there was magnitude in our responsibility, and solemnity in our obligations we had never known before; and under the force of emotions none could control, no relief could be obtained, but in repeated, importunate, and protracted prayer to God. We vowed in the presence of the Most High, that we would regard nothing so much as the glory of the Redeemer, and that we would seek nothing so ardently as the special illumination and grace of heaven, and as we commended one another once more to the care and guidance of Jehovah, bade each other a solemn farewell. We promised to entreat of God that we might impart to the Churches the blessings we had received." Similar meetings were held in Liverpool on the 21st of February, 1837, and two following days. The Congregational ministers of Manchester and the vicinity gathered around Dr. McAll with affection and confidence, desired and anticipated for him many years of growing usefulness. When the design was mentioned that a new chapel would be erected for him on a more Attachment of ministers to Dr. McAll. eligible site, his brethren rejoiced in the prospect of an enlarged sphere of service, but in connection with that project untoward circumstances arose, and protracted trial which shook irreparably his already enfeebled constitution. A memorandum left by the Rev. Elijah Armitage (for many years a missionary in the South Seas, who spent his last days in Manchester), explains the trying case: Trials at "About the commencement of 1835," he says, "the schoolroom of Mosley Street Chapel, being found inconvenient, and being wanted for other purposes, serious thoughts were entertained as to the propriety of selling the chapel, and building a more convenient place of worship. Its immediate vicinity to a considerable thoroughfare was certainly a disadvantage to hearing, whilst the increased value of building ground in Mosley Street for warehouses, formed a strong temptation to sell. Several meetings of the male members were accordingly held, and various questions connected with the proposed change were amply discussed, till at length it was agreed that the present chapel should be sold, provided a suitable price could be obtained, and another site at a moderate expense could be procured in the same neighbourhood. A committee of inquiry was formed, who soon found that their chief difficulty arose from the latter provision. On that occasion it was determined that a piece of ground on the south side of All Saints Church, Chorlton upon Medlock, recommended by the committee should be purchased. Although the distance from the present building seemed quite at variance with the proposals under which consent to sell the present chapel had been obtained, no serious objection was made. It should be remarked, however, that a considerable number of influential persons residing in the neighbourhood, had evidently made up their minds on the subject, that several who were adverse to the scheme, did not attend the meeting, and that some who were indisposed to sanction the proceedings, withdrew before the final vote was given, so that ultimately consent was given without much expression of opposing views. "Amongst the objections entertained by some of the members might be mentioned the following. Although the removal would be highly convenient to many of the hearers, it would be quite the reverse to others, it would prevent numerous strangers from the principal inns, it would interrupt the operations of the Christian Instruction Society, and, it was likely, would interfere with the welfare of Rusholme Road Chapel. "Shortly after the period mentioned above, a great depression in trade took place. Additional warehouses were not wanted, and scarcely any prospect remained of selling the chapel but to a great disadvantage. Difficulties, not previously apprehended, now presented themselves, and the number of the persons, within the church and congregation who were indisposed was greatly increased. The doctor, however, who at the first had scarcely expressed any opinion on the subject, became exceedingly anxious for a removal. In the view of many he was far too urgent, and this urgency there can be little doubt led to the resignation of all the deacons. It now became necessary to fill up the vacancy which had thus occurred. It was determined that there should be nine deacons, and that they should be elected for seven years. At a subsequent meeting, convened for the purpose, Messrs. Harbottle, Day, Kershaw, J. R. Heron |