REV. RICHARD WATSON
The eminent man whose name stands at the head of this chapter, was born in Barton, Lincolnshire, England, on the 22d of February, 1781. He was the seventh son of a family of eighteen children, all of whom died in early life excepting Richard, and three sisters. While an infant his health was very feeble, but at a proper age he was sent to school, and his aptness to learn caused his instructress to exclaim frequently, "Bless thee! thou wilt be a great man!"
At the age of six years, he was sent to a school, kept by an Episcopal clergyman, where through the advice of his teacher, he commenced the study of Latin. This study he pursued with great success for one so young, as he did other branches of science and literature. As an evidence of his proficiency, it is said that before he was six years of age, he had read with intense interest, sixteen, or eighteen volumes of the "Universal History," which his father had purchased for him.
Richard was blessed with an extraordinary memory, so much so, that he could get any lesson in his Latin Grammar without any difficulty. Being confined at home with sickness, he would recite his Latin lessons to his eldest sister, so that she became nearly as well acquainted with the language as himself. And on one occasion while both were confined by sickness, they committed nearly the whole of "Fenelon's Telemachus" to memory.
Richard's father was a saddler by profession, and at this period, was a Calvinistic dissenter. He was a pious, upright man, one who feared God, and whose practical motto was: "As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord;" hence his family were brought up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and as the result of such parental training, his children "remembered their Creator in the days of their youth." Little Richard, at a very early age, manifested signs of love to God, and was often found in prayer, and often delighted to sing hymns of praise to God.
When Richard was eight years of age, Mr. Watson, sen., and his family removed from Barton, to Lincoln. At this place, Richard attended a private seminary for about two years, when he was removed to the grammar-school at the same place. Here he read Caesar, Virgil, Horace, and other classical works. He also eagerly perused large volumes of classical history, as also those containing the history of England. So passionately fond was he of the latter kind of reading, that he desired permission to sit up all night to peruse his favorite works, and when his request was denied, he sometimes resorted to stratagem to effect his purpose, which practice in more mature years, he did not feel disposed to justify.
Mr. Watson, sen., had not the means to give his son a University education, so as to fit him for one of the learned professions, consequently Richard, at the age of fourteen, was apprenticed to a respectable carpenter and joiner, for the purpose of learning that branch of business. It was agreed, however, that he should, in consequence of feeble health, continue to board and lodge in his father's
house. His appearance at this time was quite singular: his height was six feet two inches; his hair was jet black, and long and lank, while his countenance was that of a mere boy. His morals at this time also, appear to have become more lax, so that he engaged in all kinds of mischief with the greatest delight. One of the worst species of mischief in which he seemed to take delight was misbehavior in the house of God, and in ridiculing, and insulting the people of God, especially those who were stigmatized with the name Methodist. So far did this love of frolic lead him, that in defiance of his parents' example and authority, he has frequently been known to pelt with stones, and other missiles, the people with whom his father worshipped, while on their way to the house of God. Connected with this course of conduct, there was of course a habitual disregard of the ordinances of religion, and the observance of the Sabbath with a love of evil company, and wicked associates. Such a course of conduct was painful in the extreme, to his pious father, who had by this time become a Methodist himself, and almost led him to doubt the truth of the declaration in reference to those who are trained up in the way they should go, that "when they are old they will not depart from it." But God, who
"moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform," had thoughts of mercy toward Richard, wicked as he had become, and in a very unexpected manner, brought his "conscience to a stand."
There lived in Lincoln a gentleman whose wife was a zealous Calvinist, and whose house Richard frequently visited. As Mr. Watson's family had forsaken the Calvinists, the good woman of the house was extremely anxious to convince Richard of the, wrong his parents had committed in joining the Methodists. This led to disputation, and as she advanced arguments which Richard could not on account of his ignorance in these matters readily answer, he resolved to attend the Methodist chapel a few times for the purpose of learning some arguments wherewith to confute and silence his opponent. He accordingly attended, and during the first sermon he was deeply convicted of sin, and learned that there were matters of even greater importance to be attended to, than those which had brought him to the house of God. His great concern now was, how he should escape "the wrath to come;" and in this State of mind he went to another place of worship, when his convictions of sin were deepened. So heavy was the load which now weighed him down to the earth, that he could not conceal his state of mind from his pious friends; indeed, he had no desire to conceal his feelings.
Such was the intolerable anguish of his broken spirit, that he gladly availed himself of the prayers of those whom he had before persecuted and insulted. And such prayers were as gladly offered up in his behalf. Indeed, there is, perhaps, no description of persons for whom pious Christians can more devoutly and sincerely pray, than for those who "despitefully use and entreat" them. And such was now the case. Fervent prayer was offered with, and for him; and in answer thereto, peace and pardon, through Jesus' blood, was imparted to the brokenhearted penitent. To the end of his life, Mr.
Watson ever retained a vivid recollection of his feelings and the occurrences of that momentous occasion. His transition from "darkness to light" was so clear and convincing to his own mind, that he never after could doubt the fact of his conversion to God.
The fruits of his conversion immediately followed. He forsook his ungodly associates; his passion for folly and mischief was entirely subdued; his love for the people of God was established; he became at once a faithful member of the Methodist society; he submitted to all the contumely and insult bestowed upon the people of his choice; and his attention to business became serious and constant. In every respect Richard had become a "new creature" in Christ Jesus, "old things having passed away" with him. His conversion, as might have been expected, excited the ire of his former associates, who became still more outrageous in their conduct towards the Methodists, and who
made Richard the butt of their ridicule; but all these things he endured with patience and resignation.
He now became a constant attendant of the class and prayer-meetings. So eager was he sometimes to reach the place of worship in proper season after his work was done, that on two several occasions he stumbled and fell, and broke his arm.
On the 10th of February, 1796, Richard for the first time publicly began to call sinners to repentance on the occasion of the death of his grandmother, whose sudden departure from time constrained Richard on the evening of the same day to arise in the congregation, and exhort his fellow-creatures to be "prepared to meet their God." At this time Richard was only fifteen years of age, and on the 23d of the same month, when he was fifteen years and two days old, he preached his first sermon in a private dwelling near Lincoln. Such was the precocity of his mind, that at this early age he was in more senses than one prepared to become a "teacher in Israel." From this period till called into the traveling ministry, he labored zealously and successfully as a local preacher. At that time on Lincoln circuit, there was but one chapel belonging to the Methodists, while there were quite a number of villages within its bounds. The traveling preachers with six other local preachers, contrived to supply the most of these villages with preaching; although for want of a house to preach in, the services were often held in the open air. These outdoor services frequently exposed the preachers to the ill-treatment of the rude and profane; and Richard, notwithstanding his youth, came in for a full share of the abuse usually given on such occasions. On his return home, his clothes often gave evidence of the rough treatment he received at the hands of his persecutors. On one occasion, he was preaching in a village where his uncle, a respectable farmer, resided and while there, was attacked with rotten eggs and other missiles. His uncle instead of protecting him, exclaimed, "Pelt him well, lads; my nephew can stand fire."
The labors of young Watson could but excite great attention wherever his name was known, so that numerous invitations were sent to him from a distance to come and preach. On one occasion, he complied with a request to preach in the Methodist chapel in Newark, where he was personally unacquainted. As the youthful preacher ascended the pulpit, his appearance excited irrepressible apprehensions of a failure on the part of the congregation. These apprehensions were increased when he announced as his text, "God is a Spirit," &c., but when he proceeded in his discourse, and unfolded to their minds with a correctness of language, and a fervor scarcely imaginable some of the more important doctrines of Christian theology, their fears subsided, and their apprehensions gave place to wonder and admiration.
As his time and attention were now greatly occupied with his favorite work of preaching, his master, who was desirous of promoting his usefulness, generously offered to release him from his indentures. Being but sixteen years of age he had still five years of apprenticeship to serve, and believing that God had called him to the work of the ministry, he thankfully received his release. At this juncture the health of one of the preachers on Newark circuit failed, and those who had been so agreeably disappointed at Richard's preaching as above stated, sent for him to supply the vacancy for the time being. He accepted the invitation and went to Newark, but here his feelings overcame him in view of the responsibilities of his calling and his own youth and want of experience, and he wept like a child. He was, however, greatly encouraged by Mr. Cooper, the preacher whose place he was expected to fill, and he commenced his labors as an itinerant with redoubled zeal and success.
On a distant part of Newark circuit where his fame had not preceded him, the family with whom he put up for entertainment could not repress their feelings of disappointment at the non-appearance of Mr. Cooper, who was indeed highly and deservedly popular, and at the youthfulness and inexperience of his substitute. Their unkind and imprudent expressions of regret were listened to in sorrowful silence by the young itinerant. He, however, raised his heart to God, and when service commenced he arose and gave out the beautiful hymn of Charles Wesley, beginning,
"How happy is the pilgrim's lot" &c.
He read it with such seriousness and emphasis, that he immediately won the hearts of his hearers;
and as he proceeded with the rest of the service, they became so delighted with him that his host begged pardon for his unkind remarks, and earnestly desired him to visit them again, even if it must be in Mr. Cooper's place.
About this time, it became necessary for Richard to obtain a certificate of his profession as a preacher, under the "Toleration Act" of Parliament. The magistrates, however, objected to giving him a certificate, on account of his boyish appearance, but being reminded by one of their brethren on the bench, that the act specified no particular age, they were forced rather reluctantly to administer the oath, and give him a license.
Mr. Watson, as we shall now call him, though not yet sixteen years of age, remained on Newark circuit until the next session of the Wesleyan Conference, in 1796. At this Conference, Mr. Cooper strongly urged the reception of Mr. Watson as a preacher on trial, but his entreaties were urged in vain; the Conference thought Mr. Watson altogether too young for such an important work. Mr.
Cooper, however, on going to his new circuit, called Ashby-de-la-Zouch, found that he could profitably employ Mr. Watson. He therefore ventured to send for him, notwithstanding the decision of the Conference. Mr. Watson at once complied with his request, and labored efficiently and profitably during the year, so that at the next Conference, not only was Mr. Cooper not censored for employing him, but the year thus spent was reckoned as one year of probation. Although his colleagues, Messrs.. Cooper and Birdsall, were men of superior talents, yet Mr. Watson commanded as large congregations as they did, and labored with equal acceptability.
At the Conference of 1797, he was appointed to Castle Donington circuit. Here he came in contact with the doctrine of the restoration of all men to final holiness and happiness, as taught by Mr.
Winchester. Against this doctrine, young as he was, he felt it his duty to raise a warning voice.
During his stay on this circuit, he had occasion to preach in Leicester, having exchanged pulpits with a preacher for one Sabbath, and such was the gratification of the people of that place at his two sermons, preached from one text, that at the next Conference they sent a request to have him appointed to Leicester circuit the ensuing year. He was accordingly appointed to that place, under the superintendency of Rev. J. Edmondson, who being a man of extensive literary attainments, proved himself a valuable friend and instructor to his youthful colleague. In 1799, Mr. Watson was appointed to Derby, a station of some importance. On the first Sunday after his arrival, two persons were converted under his preaching. During his stay in Derby, Mr. Watson began his career as an author. An Episcopal clergyman of that city, had volunteered an unprovoked attack upon the Methodists, in the form of a pamphlet, which among other hard sayings contained in it, accused the
Methodist preachers of preaching enthusiastic doctrines; of depriving men of innocent gratifications;
and subjecting them to needless alarm, &c. &c. At the request of the friends in Derby, Mr. Watson published a reply, under the title of "An Apology for the People called Methodists," &c. In this reply, Mr. Watson states, "We distress the minds of those well-meaning people, who perhaps may be at the same time drunkards, swearers, liars Sabbath breakers, &c. We distress those well-meaning people, by telling them that they are sinners, and must come to Jesus Christ for salvation, and that if they obstinately refuse, they must all perish. Is not all this Scriptural? And will they not have reason to bless God for this distress if it leads them to believe on 'him who justifieth the ungodly?' And ought not you, sir, instead of reviling, to say with the apostle when some of his poor, ignorant, well-meaning followers were distressed, 'Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance?' "
In August, 1800, Mr. Watson having traveled four years on trial, and being in his twentieth year, was received into full connection, and appointed to Hinckley circuit. While on this circuit, he commenced the study of the Hebrew language, in accordance with the advice of Mr. Edmondson, and in a month from the time that he commenced, he was able to read and translate the first Psalm in Hebrew, and account grammatically for every word. He had previously to this time, mastered the Greek language.
Thus far we have followed Mr. Watson from his entering into the ministry, until the present period, and have discovered nothing but the most flattering prospects before him, as a minister and student; we have seen his success and acceptability as a Methodist preacher, but trials awaited him of a serious nature, which it is now our duty to record.
After being on Hinckley circuit for some time, and having in the meanwhile been engaged in reading certain authors on the Trinity of the Godhead, he was led casually to make an unguarded remark in relation to the subject of the Trinity, which being misunderstood, brought him under suspicion of being unsound on that point. Reports now began to circulate in reference to his heretical opinions, as they were called; and such was the influence of such false statements, made in his absence, that on going to an evening appointment, he found the place of worship closed against him, and he was even denied a night's lodging where he had often been received as the messenger of God.
Until this time, he had not been aware of the reports in circulation, and on being informed of the state of the public feeling on this matter, he resented the treatment so highly, that he immediately withdrew from the world, as an itinerant minister. This was a hasty and injudicious step no doubt, and a step which he afterward sincerely regretted having taken; but we cannot too highly condemn the proceedings of those, who without giving him an opportunity to explain his meaning, defamed his character, and stabbed him in the dark. At the succeeding Conference, the matter came up, and the return ordered to be made on the minutes was, "Richard Watson has desisted from traveling by his own choice."
After leaving the traveling connection, Mr. Watson did not for some time, unite with any other church. He entered into business with a respectable local preacher in Hinckley, but he soon changed his mind, and went to live at Castle Donington, where he soon after married Miss Henshaw, a young lady of deep piety, and suitable accomplishments. His father-in-law was a local preacher in the Methodist New Connection, through whose influence, undoubtedly, Mr. Watson was induced to
