07 Persecution Fearlessly Faced 1777
7 - PERSECUTION FEARLESSLY FACED 1777 FOR a while the work bore down all opposition. People flocked to hear the new preacher, and the revival spread till some thirty were hopefully converted. Then opposition commenced in open demonstration. The enemies of equal rights and the exercise of religious liberty began to feel alarmed, and judged that something must be done to arrest the revival. In Mr. Randall’s report of it we have this:
Now persecution grew very hot, and such threatening language was used that I really felt my life in danger. But I gave myself to prayer, and the Lord wonderfully protected me. As I was walking the street one day, a brickbat was thrown at me with such violence that it was broken in pieces on hitting the opposite fence. The aim was so accurate that it brushed the hair on my head. Had I been two inches farther back, results must have been fatal. May eternal praise be given to Him who shielded my life! I was about turning my head to see whence the missile came and who threw it, but thought I will not, I don’t want to know. Now I can pray, "Lay not this sin to his charge." Should I know, perhaps when I see him I might feel some hardness.
One evening a number came and stood before my door, reviling and cursing me, with the threat that they would throw me into the river. These, I think, were from a neighboring town.
Once I appointed a meeting in New Castle-on-the-Main, where a goodly number assembled. One of the selectmen from Rye and one from New Castle, with tar and feathers, and each leading a mob, met at a gate where they supposed I should pass, purposing to tar and feather me. But I happened to go to the place by water. They were so exasperated at their disappointment that they applied the material intended for me to the posts and beams of the gate, where it remained a long time as a memorial of their wicked purpose. Many a passer-by had them in derision.
One occasion more of attempted mob violence must suffice here. The same summer, by invitation, Mr. Randall appointed to preach in a town not far away. But previous to the appointed day he received several intimations of threats from certain of the people that, should he attempt to fill his appointment, they would mob him. The evening previous to the designated time, a brother came expressly to charge him not to venture upon an attempt to hold the service, as the town was in an uproar. But he would go, let the consequences be what they might. He was not to be daunted. His commission made no provision for danger that might lie between him and duty.
Calling at a friend’s on the way, near the border of the town, he met a report that, the day previous, parties had been about with a drum, beating for volunteers; that a band of forty men was collected at a tavern he was to pass; that a man had offered this mob a barrel of rum if they would kill Mr. Randall. To this he responded in his characteristic aptness: That is the devil’s old regiment. He raised forty men before to kill brother Paul. But he missed it then, and I believe he will now. I feel that God has called me to preach in that town, and I am resolved to go. It would be better for me to die many times over, could that be, than to desert the cause of Christ and bring reproach upon it.
All who came in said what they could to dissuade me from venturing forward, and I received no encouragement but from my ; blessed Master.
Finally the woman of the house where he was to preach came by a crossway, with face bathed in tears, and besought him not to proceed, as the mob might kill him and do; her and her house much harm. To this he replied:
Don’t be afraid, woman; you shall not be injured because of me. I must go into your town to preach the gospel, but can do without a house to preach in. I am willing to stand under a tree and there address any who will hear me.
Accompanied by a few friends, Mr. Randall went by the tavern where the mob was waiting, sure enough, but no violence was offered him. When he reached the place of his appointment he found the man of the house calm and unintimidated by threats; so it was mutually agreed to hold the service where appointed-in the house.
After waiting awhile for the mob, Mr. Randall commenced his sermon, taking for his text Acts 13:46 : "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Soon after the opening of the services the dreaded mob drew up in line in front of the house. At this the women took fright and ran out of the house, causing some commotion. But the men remained quiet, and the speaker proceeded without the least intimidation. The same spirit that inspired God’s servants, mentioned in the text, sustained and emboldened Mr. Randall. He says: As soon as I saw them I felt a most blessed degree of God’s power drop into my soul. I felt assured that it would be impossible for them to touch my person; or, if tearing the house down over my head, for one stick of its timbers to fall on me. I felt completely shielded by the omnipotent hand.
Soon after the arrival of the company a tempestuous shower arose, producing a scene, perhaps in a faint degree, resembling that witnessed on Mount Sinai at the giving of the law. While the speaker was proclaiming the truth as powerfully as he could within, the lightning’s flash and the thunder’s roar spoke in appalling accents without.
Just as the meeting closed the shower ceased, and the thunder was heard only in the distance. Mr. Randall went out and shook hands with several of the men, not one of the company giving him an ungentle-manly word. The company soon retreated, and Mr. Randall’s friends, supposing all danger past, left him to go unattended to an evening appointment on his way home.
He had not proceeded far before entering a pine thicket, where he caught sight of the band. The time, between sunset and dark, the lonely thicket, the mob blinded by bigotry and frenzied by rum, combined to give an uncanny suggestion of danger; but he halted not. If the God of Joshua whispered in his ear, the message might have been in substance the same as that given to his ancient servant: "As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee. I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Turn not to the right hand or to the left. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." In any case, Mr. Randall rode fearlessly forward. On his approach, the mob opened to the right and left, allowing him ample room and, with uncovered heads, said "Good night! " as he passed. This occurrence at once illustrates Mr. Randall’s indomitable courage and the declaration of the psalmist: " Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." He attributed this deliverance to the providence and grace of God. This is evinced by the exclamation that closes this account of it:
Oh, the infinite goodness of God to me! What shall I render unto him for all his goodness? I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the Lord.