of sin. Some of these trophies went on to become deacons and respected members of Paisley Road Baptist Church, which was built on the spot where many of its members once gambled and fought! What a testimony to the power of the gospel, working through a man completely abandoned to the great work of soul-winning!
AN INSPIRATION TO THOUSANDS
What a sermon builder he was! His homiletic ability was marvelous. His great doctrinal sermons grew under his treatment until they appeared like a magnificent branching tree, affording shade and shelter to many a weary traveler. His wide knowledge of Puritan, theological, and revival literature enabled him to embellish his discourses in such a way as to send the hearer away with a sense of satisfaction and fullness.
How difficult it is for one to realize that this great, intelligent, earnest, enthusiastic preacher and soul winner has gone out of one’s life! All denominations mourn his loss, for his energies were freely given to all, as he didn’t know the meaning of ministerial jealousy. His life will be an inspiration to thousands, his influence will be indelible, his example infectious, and although he was struck down in the zenith of his usefulness, yet we do not grudge him his translation to higher service. To try to fill his place is to attempt the impossible, yet to be in his place is an inspiration.
He has gone to his reward, and it is for those who knew and loved him to profit by his example and try to fill the gap as far as is possible.
Farewell, my beloved brother! May your mantle as a preacher fall upon your unworthy successor, and may the passion that filled your soul control the writer of this inadequate appreciation.
Photo of Pastor Hugh Gunn
CHAPTER 5
HE COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT SOULS BEING WON
Tribute by Pastor Hugh Gunn,
John Street Baptist Church, Glasgow, Scotland
Would he not in the midst of
That panic-stricken mass of
Drowning men, women, and children
Be pointing them to the Cross,
And thus as he lived, die with that one
Name upon his lips—
Jesus! Jesus!! Jesus!!!?
OUR DEAR BROTHER, MR. HARPER, was a man of Christ. He was wholly surrendered to God. I knew him well, and I never saw in him anything to the contrary. He had no hobby and sought no recreation other than the deepening of his delight in God. Every power and passion of his being seemed to thrill with the life of God. He was on the altar continually.
A PASSION FOR HOLINESS
He was a man of intense earnestness. This earnestness was begotten of his consciousness of God. The power of the world to come seemed to rest on him at all times. This characterized him continually, whether praying, preaching, or dealing personally with individuals regarding salvation.
He was a man of prayer. I shall never forget seasons of prayer with him. He no sooner began praying audibly than everyone felt he was in touch with God. After hearing him pray, one felt the desire to go away alone and open up one’s heart before God. Prayer took a great deal out of him. He labored in prayer, praying in the Holy Ghost. It was quite a common thing for him to spend whole nights alone in prayer. He literally came from the presence of God to his people. His sermons were saturated with prayer. Hence their great power in uplifting and sanctifying God’s people and bringing sinners weeping to the Cross.
GOD’S HAND RESTED UPON HIM
He was a man of God. A holy man of God. God was all in all to him. He was always in communion with God. He reveled in the precariousness of Christ. God’s hand of power rested upon him. This undoubtedly was the secret of his constant possession of that indescribable, indefinable thing we call unction. I never heard him speak without it.
As a pastor, he was most careful in his preparation for the pulpit. He reminded one of M’Cheyne’s saying, “beaten oil for the sanctuary.” Saint and sinner seemed to be thoroughly understood by him, and each had their portion dealt out to them as
AN INSPIRATION TO THOUSANDS
What a sermon builder he was! His homiletic ability was marvelous. His great doctrinal sermons grew under his treatment until they appeared like a magnificent branching tree, affording shade and shelter to many a weary traveler. His wide knowledge of Puritan, theological, and revival literature enabled him to embellish his discourses in such a way as to send the hearer away with a sense of satisfaction and fullness.
How difficult it is for one to realize that this great, intelligent, earnest, enthusiastic preacher and soul winner has gone out of one’s life! All denominations mourn his loss, for his energies were freely given to all, as he didn’t know the meaning of ministerial jealousy. His life will be an inspiration to thousands, his influence will be indelible, his example infectious, and although he was struck down in the zenith of his usefulness, yet we do not grudge him his translation to higher service. To try to fill his place is to attempt the impossible, yet to be in his place is an inspiration.
He has gone to his reward, and it is for those who knew and loved him to profit by his example and try to fill the gap as far as is possible.
Farewell, my beloved brother! May your mantle as a preacher fall upon your unworthy successor, and may the passion that filled your soul control the writer of this inadequate appreciation.
Photo of Pastor Hugh Gunn
CHAPTER 5
HE COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT SOULS BEING WON
Tribute by Pastor Hugh Gunn,
John Street Baptist Church, Glasgow, Scotland
Would he not in the midst of
That panic-stricken mass of
Drowning men, women, and children
Be pointing them to the Cross,
And thus as he lived, die with that one
Name upon his lips—
Jesus! Jesus!! Jesus!!!?
OUR DEAR BROTHER, MR. HARPER, was a man of Christ. He was wholly surrendered to God. I knew him well, and I never saw in him anything to the contrary. He had no hobby and sought no recreation other than the deepening of his delight in God. Every power and passion of his being seemed to thrill with the life of God. He was on the altar continually.
A PASSION FOR HOLINESS
He was a man of intense earnestness. This earnestness was begotten of his consciousness of God. The power of the world to come seemed to rest on him at all times. This characterized him continually, whether praying, preaching, or dealing personally with individuals regarding salvation.
He was a man of prayer. I shall never forget seasons of prayer with him. He no sooner began praying audibly than everyone felt he was in touch with God. After hearing him pray, one felt the desire to go away alone and open up one’s heart before God. Prayer took a great deal out of him. He labored in prayer, praying in the Holy Ghost. It was quite a common thing for him to spend whole nights alone in prayer. He literally came from the presence of God to his people. His sermons were saturated with prayer. Hence their great power in uplifting and sanctifying God’s people and bringing sinners weeping to the Cross.
GOD’S HAND RESTED UPON HIM
He was a man of God. A holy man of God. God was all in all to him. He was always in communion with God. He reveled in the precariousness of Christ. God’s hand of power rested upon him. This undoubtedly was the secret of his constant possession of that indescribable, indefinable thing we call unction. I never heard him speak without it.
As a pastor, he was most careful in his preparation for the pulpit. He reminded one of M’Cheyne’s saying, “beaten oil for the sanctuary.” Saint and sinner seemed to be thoroughly understood by him, and each had their portion dealt out to them as
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