The Life of Charles Morton

The Life of Charles Morton

by his daughters

Grace and Mary Morton

40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland

EPUB ISBN: 9781909803152

Also Available in print ISBN: 9781907731655

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Copyright © 2012 by John Ritchie Ltd. 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland

www.ritchiechristianmedia.co.uk

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Typeset by John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock

Printed by Bell & Bain Ltd., Glasgow

Contents

Introduction

Conversion and Early Service for Christ

Gospel Labours, and Revival Times

Inner Life and Experiences

Work in Leicester

Busy Days in the Harvest Field

Work in Nottingham

Among the Villages

Work in Scotland

Called Home

Personal Testimonies

Notes from latest Five Words Ministry

Conclusion

In Memoriam

Introduction.

The memory of the just is blessed (Prov. x. 7).

TO collect information concerning the life and work of our beloved father for the use of our own family, was our only thought in the first instance; many having, however, expressed a great desire for something in the form of a Memoir, we have sought in the following pages to glean and put together from a devoted life that which we believe will be of help and profit to all. With much prayer it is sent forth—the compilation of many rather than of one—and to each kind friend who has so heartily contributed we take this opportunity to tender our most grateful thanks.

Thinking, too, of the many in all parts of this country who can bear witness to blessing received through the ministry of the Lord’s departed servant, we feel that this little work will be welcomed and read with interest.

While of him and his work many can speak, we are deeply conscious that the best is only known to God, Who holds the full record and will publish it in the morning. May the perusal of what has been written stir up God’s beloved people to a closer walk with Himself and a more whole-hearted service for their God, and if He, Who is pleased to take up little things, condescends thus to use this feeble effort to magnify His Grace,

To Him be all the Glory.

Grace and Mary Morton.

16 Gloucester Avenue,

Lenton, Nottingham, 1902.

CHAPTER I

Conversion and Early Service for Christ.

He is a chosen vessel unto Me (Acts ix. 15).

ON a Sunday evening in June, 1862, Charles Morton, then a lad 13 years of age, strolled into the Victoria Theatre, London, at that time being used by Mr William Carter for the preaching of the Gospel. As he entered they were singing—

In evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object met my sight,

And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree

In agonies and blood,

Who fixed His languid eyes on me,

As near His Cross I stood.

Sure, never till my latest breath,

Can I forget that look:

It seemed to charge me with His death,

Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned my guilt,

And plunged me in despair;

I saw my sins His blood had spilt,

And helped to nail Him there.

A second look He gave, which said,

I freely all forgive,

This blood is for thy ransom paid,

I die that thou may’st live."

The words of the second verse especially arrested his attention. He saw the Saviour lifted up on the Cross, dying for sinners; he could not put the sight from him— it overwhelmed him. The well-known words of John iii. 16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (a text which now hangs framed upon the wall before us as we write) was that from which the Gospel was preached that memorable night, and which was the means, through God, of bringing salvation, peace, and joy to his heart. He felt he was a guilty sinner before God, and that He of Whom they sung had hung on that Cross—hung there for sinners—had bled and suffered there for him. It was enough; God Himself had spoken the word—Let there be light. The darkness was dispersed, and "the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ" (2 Cor. iv. 4) shone into his heart, dispelling the gloom. How inadequately can we describe that moment of moments, that beginning of days, the joy of that life in Christ which, in after years, he knew so much more abundantly (John x. 10).

The following letter, taken from a Work, entitled The Power of God; or, Results of Theatre Preaching, by Mr W. Carter, gives an account of his conversion:—

To Mr Carter. 1862.

"Dear Sir,

"I was converted and brought to know the love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the latter part of June. I was invited by one of my mates to come to the Victoria Hall. I promised to come the next night, but I was told not to, by one of my companions. However, I kept my promise, and was convinced of my sins by the power of God working in me. The preacher was telling out the terrors of Hell and the delights of Heaven. It so affected me that I could not answer the questions put to me by one of the brothers. On the following Sunday I came again to the hall, but could not get what I desired, but in the evening I came to the Victoria Theatre, and the words which you spoke went right home to my heart there and then; they were these—‘For God so loved the world,’ etc. (John iii. 16). When it was all over, I went home and was much scolded by my mother for stopping out so late; she said she was sure that Mr Carter did not keep me so late in the evening. I asked her to come and see. She did so, and was converted on the spot; also my sister.

"Yours truly,

Charles Morton."

He has often told us how that, bounding along the street that night, he reached home, and rushing in to his mother said, Mother, God has saved my soul to-night, and the fullest evidence of this was given by his changed life and behaviour.

God had formed him for His praise, to show forth His glory.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,

And works His sovereign will.

What a wonderful salvation is the salvation of God! Saved! Yes—That in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His Grace, in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Eph. ii. 7).

From Nature’s quarries deep and dark, with gracious aim He hews

The stones, the spiritual stones, it pleaseth Him to choose:

Hard, rugged, shapeless at the first, yet destined each to shine,

Moulded beneath His patient Hand, in purity divine.

We have heard him say, how, that one who knew him in those early days of his Christian life, remarked, as he laid his hand upon his shoulder, Morton, God was never taken in with you; He knew what you were when He saved you.

It was his custom to carry a penny Testament in his pocket to read as he went to and from his daily work; and during the hours of the night, when others were taking their needed rest, he might be found poring over the Sacred Word—that Word which was his constant study right on to the closing hours of his life on earth—that Word which God, has, through the abundant grace bestowed upon his beloved servant, enabled him to tell out to the eternal blessing of saints and sinners. Of him, it can in truth be said, his delight was in the law of the Lord (Psalm i. 2), and upon His Word he meditated day and night Through many sleepless nights of recent years, the Bible was his companion (often on a chair by the bedside) from which he found refreshment and comfort. How often, too, we have in turn been helped as the "Word in season" has fallen from his lips —the fruit of quiet meditation and communion with the Lord.

Quite recently, when referring to a very worn Bible, which had been in daily use for many years past, he remarked—Yes, it is shabby, but I don’t like to part with it, for it’s an old friend.

About the year 1862, he was apprenticed to a printer, and for some little time followed that calling. From the day of his conversion, the Lord’s work was upon his mind, and the eternal welfare of sinners upon his heart. In God’s good time a door was opened unto him of the Lord (2 Cor. ii. 12), and he was released from his term of apprenticeship.

According to one of his diaries, he gave up his secular calling in 1867, and devoted his whole time and strength to the work of the Lord, from which, having put his hand to the plough (Luke ix. 62) he turned not back, and, as with the Apostle Paul, he, having obtained help of God, was enabled to say, I continue (Acts xxvi. 22).

His ambition was, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death (Phil. i. 20).

About the year 1867, he took up work under Mr W. Carter, of London, who held Gospel meetings in the Victoria and other Theatres. Very large numbers attended those meetings, thousands heard the message of life, and many hearts were opened to receive it, but Eternity alone will reveal all the fruit of that blessed work. Men and women, young and old, of all classes, trades, and professions were welcomed—postmen one night, policemen another, cab-drivers a third, chimney-sweeps a fourth, costermongers, scavengers, etc., etc.—even the thieves and rogues had their share in the kindness and care of those earnest servants of Christ. Free teas were given frequently, and hearty words of cheer and help spoken. Very many young men gave themselves faithfully to the work, among whom was our dear father. We have heard him speak with real joy of those days, when it was not an uncommon occurrence, after a Gospel meeting, for numbers to be crying out from hearts burdened with the consciousness of deep need, What must I do to be saved? One of the first services in connection with this work that he delighted to render unto Him, Whom he loved to serve, was, to obtain a number of hymn books, and taking up a stand at the door, hand them to those who entered the building.

Content to fill a little place, if Thou art glorified.

The young men who thus engaged in this work of preaching the Gospel were sometimes sent by Mr Carter to various towns, for the purpose of holding a week or a fortnight’s special meetings. Southampton was the first place to which our dear father went, and where he had immense audiences. Crowds flocked to hear him, many- out of curiosity, for, from his very youthful appearance, he was known as The Boy Preacher.

On one occasion, when preaching along with several other young men in the streets of Southampton, a constable came up, and seeing the crowds standing around, accused the speakers of blocking the thoroughfare, telling them somewhat harshly, that they must go along with him. Stop a minute, was the reply; we’ll pray for you first, and dropping on his knees, he prayed for the man. Then together, singing heartily the words —

We’re bound for the land of the pure and the holy, etc. they accompanied the constable to the Police Station, the people thronging after them. However, after having been warned not to obstruct certain thoroughfares, they were allowed to depart, rejoicing to testify for the Lord’s Name.

Bedford was another place where his voice has been raised on very many occasions to tell out the glorious Gospel of the blessed God (1 Tim. i. II), in the Victoria Hall.

The following letters,