The Life And Ministry Of J. Harlick

Earthen Vessel 1897 :

[The following interesting account of the work of the Lord in providence and grace, of our friend and brother Harlick, will, we are sure be read with joy and pleasure by our readers.—John Waters Banks]

My Earthly Race for the Heavenly Prize

The Start

In “the race set before us” we all start naked, and helpless. I was born in the parish of Somersham, Hunts., August 24, 1851. My father was a godly man, but mother spent her years without hope. There was a family of twelve out of which I am the youngest. It can truly be said of me, I was “one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:8). My mother had left child-bearing for seven years, when she gave birth to twins, one died, and I, even one “as good as dead” (Heb. 2:12) (for many times they thought I had returned), am the other. But God had a purpose of love and mercy to make known in and by me, that I should bear His name among His dear redeemed, to pilot some of the chosen vessels through life’s tempestuous seas, to the fair haven of rest. 

Natural Dangers And Providential Escapes

The hand of God was soon displayed in two marked deliverances, which shows His watchful care over one He has eternally designed to be engaged in the great work of preaching the Gospel. About the year 1854, the cottages we lived in caught fire, and if I am rightly informed, a servant of God named Hedgecomb, was preaching in a barn the same evening, when the sound of “Fire, fire,” was heard; the sermon was brought to a close in a hurry. A village fire was a great terror, and no doubt each was anxious to see if it were their own humble dwelling. By the time father arrived home the fire was doing its best to bring the cottage down; when as much of the furniture was removed out as could be, Father said, “Where is the baby?” When told he was in bed, he ventured to the top room and managed to rescue his darling from the flames just in time, as only a minute or two passed before the roof fell, which would have covered me. Thus the hand of my God was seen in holding back the fire until deliverance came. The same hand delivered David from the lion and bear, the worthies from the furnace, and unworthy me from the burning cottage. Each of us can say, ”Not unto us,” Though David and the worthies have told the tale to admiring angels for ages, yet when this “mortal shall have put on immortality,” 

“Among the rest this note shall swell, 

My Jesus hath done all things well.”

With our furniture, about as much as a handcart load, we sought refuge in another cottage at the other end of the village, known as “Rotten Row.” In a short time the same hand that delivered me from the fire, was made manifest in delivering me from the water. In those days we had to shift for ourselves as best we could. I wandered away from the house alone, perhaps to explore the new neighbourhood: and, coming to some water, called “Brook-well,” I slipped in. Not a person saw me; in vain were my cries. How I came out I know not, only since I have learned that my heavenly Father, “who hath gathered the winds in His fists” (Prov. 30:4),  He “who hath measured he waters in the hollow of His hand” (Isa. 40:12), “He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters” (Psa. 18:16). Thus Almighty God saved me from both fire and flood, to praise Him for it all. 

Hard Trials And Poverty

In these boyhood days, winters were winters, such as people would call old fashioned ones; we knew the value of bread (that is) when we could get it. Beef and mutton were out of the question, unless the forejoint, where the noise comes from, or that quarter which looks after the shepherd. Some of our boys grumble now-a-days, but if they had lived then and there, they would prove the law of a hungry belly, “Get what you can and run.” Times were then so hard we were brought to nothing, and everybody knows that has no taste. But God who took care of the poor woman, though only by a handful of meal and a little oil, took care of us, under the protection of the Workhouse; to that place we had to seek shelter, until He brought us out. “Who giveth snow like wool.” &c. (Psa. 147:16,17). Elihu says, “By the breath of God frost is given” (Job 37:10), and by the same power it melteth away. The purpose of Jehovah in these trials is best known to those who are passing through them; yet it teaches us to see how God can bring an instrument of His out of the depth of poverty, as Gideon from the threshing floor, Jeremiah from the potter’s field, and worthless me from the Poor-house, “to rehearse the mighty acts of the Lord.” When the winter began to depart, and the ice disappear, the men were sent out of the Workhouse to see if they could find work, before the women and children were let go. Some of them, like Noah’s raven, returned not; others, like the dove, came back to the ark, finding no rest for their feet, and nothing to eat. A few of these winters used to make them long for the sun to shine on both sides of the hedgerows. Of course I was but an infant of three or four summers: so during our visit at the above establishment mother was allowed milk for me, as the guardians of the poor believed in the good old Book, which says, “milk for babes.” But the meat was for strong men, when they could get it. But they had little trouble for their teeth, as most of their meals were served up with basin and spoon. But time flies, so it did in these “good old days,” and I grew up as did other boys, not the best I am sorry to say. I was sent to a school in a cottage, where we learned more about eating apple-parings than the alphabet; the National School was too expensive (2d. per week), but in a few years I was sent there to finish my education, and when I left for work I knew just as much as when I started, only a few more boys’ tricks, while the schoolmaster was out fishing. 

The next thing is work; and this I looked forward to with great delight. I started on a Friday, and at night went with the other boys for my hire, as they used to pay on a Friday night. My first day’s pay was 4d.; the foreman gave me a threepenny piece, and the rest in copper. My brother “Will,” who was seven years older than myself, would carry home my piece of silver. But alas! he lost it before we reached home, and I, poor me, had my penny. Master ”Will” had to make the best haste he could to bed, to save his back, while I sat and cried at the loss. Many things might be said here, but I must not dwell, only to bless God for all His goodness, that He kept body and soul together in such times of adversity, until the time came that He should work mightily in me by His grace to make His love known in one of the most unlikely. “How wonderful are Thy works, O God,” to take the fool, and teach him the mysteries of redeeming grace, and to open “the dark sayings upon the harp”-i.e., the Gospel—the pure, simple truth of God. Many that say, “Lord, Lord” do not know the deep things of God, and dwell upon the letter of truth, while the hidden things are revealed unto babes. We must take a long step here and pass on to notice next, leaving him, seeking all the pleasures of the world.

Leaving Home, Seeking All The Pleasures of the World

Worldly delight now seemed the bent of my mind, and to find its vain baubles I left home and went into Lancashire. There I soon fell in with bad. company, which led to song-singing, swearing, dog-racing, wrestling and all sorts of public-house abominations: yet through all this evil, I still had stings of conscience, though I would not go into a place of worship. 

May I say a word to our young readers? Shun bad company, keep thy foot from evil, as you will feel it all your life. I feel sure God has forgiven me through Jesus Christ, yet O how I wish ten thousand times over I had not gone to such lengths of sin. This sort of life was indulged in for a time, until I had drunk all the bitters of the world, attending theatres nearly every night, then on Sunday wandering about the fields after all kinds of mischief, and at the same time knowing there was a God, and at times feeling very miserable, yet trying to brave it out by drowning convictions with worldly pleasure. It pains me to write these things, and I believe God has caused me to wade through deep waters for it. 

Marriage

Being in lodgings, I did not feel very comfortable, so thought a little home of my own would be much better, also it would be a nice place for my worldly companions to come and play cards. I entered wedlock with little or no thought of the future, on the 5th of August, 1871, hired a little house and begun as I had determined. Bad beginning. I took home a pack of cards, and our so-called enjoyment began. One night I asked my wife where she had put them; her answer was, “On the fire.” This was not quite in accordance with her new promise, “obey.” She said, “I shall not allow you to bring that party here playing cards, dirtying my house.” By this act I learned a lesson on “home-rule,” and one of the best I ever learned. It was the first pack of cards I ever bought, and the last; and I thank God He gave me such a good wife, with a determined mind of her own. “A prudent wife is from the Lord” (Prov. 19:14), and we have struggled on for six-and-twenty years. Sorrows and joys, trials and afflictions, have been our lot, but He that joined us together said, “they shall be one flesh,” though spirits differ at times. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord” (Prov. 18:22)

Call By Grace

Soon the Lord determined to change the whole course of my life. I had been out all night at a Club dinner, returning home about mid-day, when the Lord sent the first arrow into my soul. I fell as dead at His feet and cried, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” I felt a few days of misery were appointed for me, then I should die and go to hell. Such was the trouble of soul no tongue can tell; the sin of my past life, the law of God, the fear of hell, w~s all I could think of. Sleep went, and food was no use, as I could not enjoy it. All I can remember was crying for mercy, if there was such a thing for such a guilty sinner. In this state I used to go out and wander alone in the fields on a Sunday, crying, begging, praying that God would not send me to hell. I bought a little Bible, and began to read as well as I could, spelling all the words, when I felt all of a sudden, that I could not go to heaven, nor have peace in my soul, if I did not go to Chapel like other good people. So one Sunday morning I dressed up, and alone I strolled up the street of Rawtenstall, in Lancashire. People were going to their respective places of worship; at last I felt go I must, or be lost. I turned into an Unitarian place, and came out worse than I went in; all I can remember is, the preacher said, “Jesus Christ was a poor young prophet, and met with a shameful death.” So I concluded they were all good, and I was all bad, so would never go anywhere again. The next Sunday I heard of a love-feast at the Primitive Methodists, so turned in. Here they all seemed looking at me, I thinking they could see what a sinner I was. After the service a man by the name of Warburton, who worked at the same mill, came and shook hands, and wished me lots of blessings; their appearance of happiness made me think if I joined them I should soon be happy likewise. At length I did so, and attended every service, and worked hard for life and peace, though never felt it. They told me I must have done something very wrong; this I knew before they told me, and by this time I had begun to read my Bible, which, often condemned me. Text after text came in, and trouble of soul became so great I was quite ill. Now I lad to seek a doctor’s advice. But few understand a wounded soul; so his verdict was, I was going into deep decline, one lung was nearly gone, and I should have to leave Lancashire for my own native air, but no hope that I should ever recover. This was a great trouble to me and my wife, as we had hardly been married two years; still we broke up our little home, sold all the things and I came away to die. But our God meant it life, not death. We wept and prayed together, and bid good bye to our friends, who covered us with God’s blessings as we left. 

Soul Liberty

Now “the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22). We settled down at Somersham, Hunts.; lived with my father and mother, where I went to hear that never-to-be-forgotten servant of God, Mr. J. Willis, who died at Croydon. He was the pastor at Somersham. The first text I heard him preach from was Luke 11:13. Mr. Willis dwelt much upon the “gift of the Holy Spirit,” which is so little preached now-a-days. Soon I began to get better, and the preaching was often blest to my soul. The Gospel was set before us in a right way. One day I opened a little Testament, and God blessed the second chapter of Ephesians to me; there the whole of God’s electing love was opened up in such a way I had never before seen, or heard from any man. I wept and cried, sung and prayed, the liberty of soul was so great, with all the blessed truths of God which have been ever precious to my soul, and I pray will be till I die. I have often blessed God He taught me all the deepest lessons Himself, not having any man for my spiritual father, God is my Father, Teacher, and Guide. When Mr. Willis left Somersham he preached his last sermon on October 10, 1875; his text was Rom. 1:16, which was true to the letter. 

Now the Church was left, like many others, “as sheep without a shepherd.” Error soon crept in, which spoiled the vine, and today I grieve for its sad state. Now I began to go abroad to hear the truth of God, many times going to Warboys; there I had such a soul-feast under that most honoured servant of God, J. Lambourne. Never shall I forget his sermon on 2 Cor. 2:16; that was a savour of life to me. I have loved the dear man ever since. Once I heard Mr. Hazlerigg, very blessedly, and the late Mr. J. Warburton, of Southill, was a great help to me, as he traced out the path of the child of God. All this time the.Lord was making me hungry and filling me up; emptying out and pouring in. I was reading the Bible and other good books every minute I could spare, and often half the night, and at times all of it in prayer and reading. I joined the Church at Somersham under Mr. Willis. Sept. 20, 1874. By this time I was quite stong and well, and determined to return to Lancashire; so I started, and in one month my wife and two little ones followed on. When we became settled, I found the little cause at Haslingden, where I felt at home; though a long way to walk we had many happy times there; my mind was so much exercised, which kept me constantly watching and praying.

Call To The Ministry

As space is so limited I can hardly touch this important point of my life, but hope to bring up the details in some other form. Years of deep soul trial and prayer, the thoughts of preaching, having learned nothing at school. But the work was of God, and as He had called me by His grace without the aid of man, and blessed the truth of Jesus to my soul alone, I knew if He designed from all eternity that I should preach, He alone could fit and prepare for it. Thus the Almighty dealt with me. I had become very poor, family increasing, and other things appeared against me, everything looked far from it, yea, opposed to it, yet the soul trouble was so great I was almost driven to desperation.

“I Am Ordained a Preacher” (1 Tim. 2:7)

My ordination was as follows, prayer and reading the Word of God every morning before going to work. I used to rise at 4 o’clock (these were never-to-be-forgotten days). One morning the Lord dropped this word into my soul, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion” (Joel 2:1). Some time after, at early morn, God came and said, “Feed My Iambs,” “Feed My sheep.” Again He said (after many months of waiting in prayer), “Unto me who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). At this time I was working with a gang of platelayers on the L.Y.R. There came an order out that would all had to work on Sunday, at least for a few hours, and for that we should get paid 5s. This was good news to the others, but I was plunged into a deep trial. I wanted the fives perhaps more than any of the other men. There was the exercise of mind about preaching, and the blessed words God had given me, the wife with three little children; my 16s. shillings per week, to clothe, feed, pay rent, &c., was not much, so 5s. extra would be a great sum. Another trial was, that if I refused to work on Sunday I must be discharged. I spoke to the foreman. He said, ”If you don’t somebody else must.” How I sunk down, and prayed and cried unto God. I wrote a letter to the inspector, and asked him if he would kindly exempt me from Sunday work, as I felt I could not do it. O how I prayed unto my God to make it clear for me, which He did. I had a nice letter back to say, if I did not want to work on Sunday I need not, as there were plenty willing to do it. Now I cried for joy and blessed God for the deliverance. The Sunday came, and the other men had led me a lively time all the week. Some of the most wicked things were said, and Satan kept at me about losing 5s, when it was so much needed at home. Well, the day came as ordained by Almighty God. They all went to their work; I went to Chapel as aforetime. Strange to say, the supply did not come. The three deacons wished me to preach, as they had been talking the matter over, believing God had a work for me to do. So I stood in the table-pew and spoke to them: again in the afternoon I tried, but seemed to fail. In the evening we had a prayer-meeting; they all prayed for me and praised God for this timely help. The deacons gave me 5s. for the day; thus God fulfilled His own word, ”them that honour Me I will honour.” I had my 5s., and the answer to prayer, the Ion of God shed abroad in my soul, and God soon opened doors for me in many parts, and has done so ever since, to His own honour and glory. 

Many things I must leave, the work of the ministry, the deep trials in family matters, the wonderful way God fed us, and sent us clothes, and kept us to this day, and we still hang upon a covenant-keeping God, from day to day. Amen.

Sincerely yours,

J. Harlik