An Unsung Hero of the Evangelical Revival
All throughout history, we see that the Lord delights to use the faithful, unheralded labors of consecrated, ordinary saints to advance His gospel. One such unsung hero of the faith was a man named Thomas Collins. Collins (1810-1864) was an old-school Methodist who tirelessly labored in gospel ministry for over thirty years as a circuit riding preacher. I recently learned about his life and ministry while reading Iain Murray’s “Wesley and Men Who Followed.” Murray highlights a number of excepts from Collin’s letters that shed light on the deep godliness and ministerial fruitfulness of this unsung hero of the faith. Below are a few of Collin’s “ministry maxims” that challenged me (and I trust will challenge you) to pursue greater nearness to Christ and usefulness in His service.[1]
Counsel for Preaching
“Be a preacher, not a reciter. Admit no anxiety about mere words. Sound doctrine, godly unction, manly reasoning, and free speech, answer all evangelical ends. Whatever else you be, be holy.”
“Be always tenderly yearning for sinners. This is a happy unhappiness. A man full of Christ-like tears is a noble creature. Such concern melts men, and tells with God.”
“In preaching I deal with man… In prayer, on the contrary, I deal with God, and ask the gift, the plentitude, and the continuance of the Spirit. Addressing the penitent, I bid him believe: addressing the Lord, I say, ‘Lord, help this poor creature'” (183).
Counsel About Study
“As to study, calculate your time, prize it, consecrate it, apportion it. Every man can best form his own plan. Let your system be simple and easy to be practiced. Remember, the master rule of all is, ‘Stick to it.’ But whatever else you do, deal much with God. People say, ‘This man has talent,’ and ‘That man has talent;’ depend upon it, the great secret of usefulness is close dealing with God.”
“Make whatever you read thoroughly your own. Have a book always in use for analysis, reviews, and extracts.”
“Carry paper with you everywhere; and if God gives you a good thought, nail it immediately.”
Counsel for Ministerial Usefulness
“I must have more of the Divine image, more of the Divine power, and more of the Divine fellowship if I am to successfully labor [for Christ]” (186).
“When we are fully devoted to the work of God, then we are happy; then the Spirit comes and fills us with intelligence, purity, tenderness, energy, and bliss” (190).
“In these evil times, Christians need more closet work. The dovelike Spirit retires from strife to nestle in the hearts of sons of peace” (195).
“The old power can be obtained by three things: experimental consistency with our teaching of truth; freedom from the manners, maxims, and spirit of the world; and passion for souls.”
“Never doubt either God’s presence, God’s Word, God’s pity, or God’s power.”
“Have a horror of sinking into a tattling, twaddling, trivial sort of man, talking much and achieving nothing. Steer clear of a young man’s rock, self-importance. Walk humbly with God. Acts of self-condemnation are, next to acts of faith in Christ, the most profitable of devotional exercises. I have grown best and done best when most frequent in them.”
Conclusion
Thomas Collins exemplifies the kind of men the Lord delights to bless and use in His service. May the Lord grant us grace to follow the example of this godly, unsung hero of the faith.
[1] Unless otherwise noted, quotes are taken from pgs. 211-212 of Iain Murray Wesley and the Men Who Followed. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2003.
