Chapter II: Correspondence and Covenants

The following letter was written to his mother while an apprentice as a printer in the city of Belfast, Ireland:

BELFAST, January 15, 1829.

DEAR MOTHER:--I write this letter to you for the purpose of letting
you know how I am doing. I am devoting the most of my leisure hours
to reading and improving my mind, some way or other. Indeed, it is
not much time I have to devote to things of that nature; but all the
time I have I am busy. I meet with a good many advantages in every
respect, where I am now. I have the advantage of having a room to
apply my time to whatever study I resolve to persevere in. If I had
time, I would give you a more correct account of my transactions
through the day; but if I have time to meditate a little, I hope I
will be enabled to give you some account of the sermons that I hear,
as I think it would be greatly to my own interest, for if I pry into
that part of information, there is no danger but that I will have
success in whatever situation I am placed in life. I may be thankful
that I have a room to read my Bible in on Sabbath days. I have none
to speak to me or give me annoyance of any sort whatever. I hope the
next letter I write you, that it will be in a more correct sense. I
hope you will write me by Johnny, when he is coming back to town,
and let me know how you are succeeding in work, and how Jane is
succeeding in the business of the shop. I send my love to all my
friends (everyone in particular), I hope you will let me know how
they are all doing; but I have nothing more to say at present. But I
trust you will write me in the beginning of the week. I must
conclude, as it is now too late for me to say anything more. All
here are well, but Mrs. L----, who is in a bad state of health.

JAMES KNOWLES.

* * * * * *

The following letter is a sample of many to his old pastors, showing his strong attachment to those who labored with him in word and doctrine:

NEW YORK, March 26, 1883.

MR. PHELPS--Reverend and dear friend and Christian brother: It has
been my purpose for some time to write to you and yours, even if it
should be but a few lines, to assure you that you are not forgotten
by us; for although you are absent from us, yet your faithful and
earnest appeals still live in our remembrance, and I have no doubt
will continue to do so; and while I may not be able to recall much
of the many sermons which I have heard you deliver, yet the
impressions made upon my mind while sitting under them are retained.
I might, however, state here, that I was sorry to part with you and
your family, and to feel that your pastoral relationship with us
would soon be broken up; I had made up my mind to stay by the Church
while you remained, if I lived, as I was attached to you and your
family as to personal friends.... My wife and I unite in love to you
and Mrs. Phelps and your son.

JAMES KNOWLES.

* * * * * *

COVENANTS WITH GOD.

"Dear Lord, and shall Thy Spirit rest
In such a wretched heart as mine?
Unworthy dwelling! Glorious Guest!
Favor astonishing, Divine!"

* * * * * *

The following acts of consecration will, no doubt, be of interest to the reader:

NEW YORK, Thursday, June 21, 1860.

I do solemnly resolve from this day onward to endeavor, relying on
thy Holy Spirit, to serve _Thee_ better. This is my covenant, and I
would ask Thee to own and bless me with peace and joy in believing.

* * * * * *

NEW YORK, Saturday, October 6, 1860.

I now promise, as I have formerly promised to do, from this day
onward, to serve God better than I have been doing; depending on
God's spirit for assistance; and will now ask to be prospered as
God may see good for me.

JAMES KNOWLES.

* * * * * *

NEW YORK, Friday, October 18, 1861.

I resolved to serve God with renewed efforts, determining to look
alone to God for help.[1]

JAMES KNOWLES.

[1] The Fulton Street Noon Prayer Meetings found him an
occasional visitor during these days of national peril, anxiety,
and prayer.

* * * * * *

NEW YORK, Thursday, April 9, 1863.

Entered into an agreement with my Heavenly Father that, through the
strength of His divine grace, I will live more for the glory of God
than I have ever done.

JAMES KNOWLES.

* * * * * *

NEW YORK, Saturday afternoon, April 22, 1865.

I renewed my covenant with God in the City Hall Park while standing
there, which I some years ago made, and now I again renew it, that
I would serve God better than formerly.

JAMES KNOWLES.

* * * * * *

NEW YORK, Thursday, April 19, 1866.

Renewed my engagement with the Lord to serve Him better than I had
done before, after having prayed to Him to be justified through
faith in the righteousness of Christ; and asked for other blessings
which I felt satisfied I would receive, for I feel my great need of
these, as I felt very helpless in myself, but that there was
abundant fulness in Christ.

I write this and the above on this Saturday night, the 22d of
April, 1866.

JAMES KNOWLES.

* * * * * *

NEW YORK, Wednesday, December 5, 1866.

My birth-day, and a fine day.

I resolved on this day to endeavor to serve the Lord better, and
renewed my covenant with the Lord, which I formerly made, and have
again and again sought or attempted to renew. May the Lord aid me
in the future.

And thus, from these few specimens of his constantly self-convicted
weakness and appeals for more spiritual strength, we get a look at
the inner life of a practical Christian worker which it is rare to
find among us in these days. He could not stand alone; his last
self-examination always found him short, though it consisted of but
a few questions put by the spirit to the flesh at the end of every
devotional service incidental to the life and work of each day,
thus:

Did I this morn devoutly pray
For God's assistance through the day?
And did I read His sacred Word,
To make my life therewith accord?
Did I for any purpose try
To hide the truth and tell a lie?
Did I my time and thoughts engage
As fits my duty, station, age?
Did I with care my temper guide,
Checking ill-humor, anger, pride?
Did I my lips from aught refrain
That might my fellow-creature pain?
Did I with cheerful patience bear
The little ills that all must share?
For all God's mercies through this day
Did I my grateful tribute pay?
And did I, when the day was o'er,
God's watchful aid again implore?