Part 5
A third point worthy of consideration in the history of Jolin, is, _the means_ by which it pleased God _to open this young man’s mind_; and this, I may venture to affirm, was _the Holy Scriptures_. It was the simple exhibition of the fifty-first Psalm, which at first seemed to expose his real state to him. It was the promises of the New Testament, and the types of the Old, which gave him his first clear notion of faith, and which conveyed to his mind a hope of pardon. The Scripture then became the subject of his meditation day and night. It was as a “lamp unto his feet, and a light unto his path; a treasure more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb.” The value of Scripture arising from its clearness, authority, and its peculiar power, under God, to fasten truth on the soul, are remarkably conspicuous in the case of this guilty person. He heard, marked, learned, and inwardly digested its all-important truths, and they made him wise unto salvation. But in connexion with this, and every other means employed, is to be noticed the _influence of Divine grace_. The Almighty power and sovereignty with which this was exercised, was frequently acknowledged, and continually felt by Jolin. He perceived it in all the remarkable circumstances of his life—in his various escapes from death—in his final allotment—in the events which occurred in the prison. And whilst all this distinguishing mercy was shown towards him, he could discover nothing in himself which deserved any such remembrance at God’s hand. Why was he called, and not his father, was one of the points which first struck his attention on the visit of his friends. But to those around him some other circumstances, illustrating this influence, were perhaps more obvious than even to himself. The manner in which he was enabled to receive the truths of the gospel; the gift of spiritual understanding; the willing heart; the subdued spirit, and sanctified heart, were all circumstances to be referred only to the sovereign grace of Him who worketh in his people to will and to do of his good pleasure. “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
A fifth lesson to be learned from this history, is the _benefit of education_. Here was a young man most unlikely to profit from the early instruction he had received; and to what account did it turn? In his worst times he was enabled to read the word of God, and this he was led to do in the tediousness of his sea watches. In his imprisonment, the blessings of his previous learning was incalculable. In his last exhortations on the scaffold, he pressed upon his youthful auditors the advantages of attendance upon a Sunday school, and the public means of instruction. It is impossible to say how much, or if any of the preparatory work of religion, had, by means of education, been going on in Jolin’s mind. But information had been given—a desire for instruction had been implanted—the wretchedness of a sinful course had been taught—the Scriptures had been read—the scaffolding, in fact, had been put together, by which the future edifice might be erected. How striking is the lesson of encouragement derived from this history, to those who are labouring in the school or in the prison. Who could have thought that in either case, as it concerned Jolin, the event would have been what it was? But who knows what the most untractable child may yet become, or how far the seed which is sown, may, even a long time hence, produce the desired fruit. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that, or whether they shall both be alike good.” We may, in our efforts to instruct, meet with many disappointments, but it is plainly our duty to proceed, with becoming care indeed, but in the remembrance both of God’s almighty power to teach the heart, and of instances, such as this, in which that power has been so remarkably exerted. The state of prisoners is one which invites, as it has in general received the peculiar commiseration of our countrymen: men are often to be found there in Jolin’s state of mind. The prison is, perhaps, their first resting-place in a career of ignorance, and sin, and misery. The visitor may too often, in his researches, discover the man, as Mr. Pinel did Jolin, “without hope for this world or the next,” and may lead him to discoveries of what, perhaps, never entered his imagination. At all events, the circumstances of trial and affliction are those most favourable to seriousness of reflection; and this is the course by which the sinner is most often led, by the grace of God, to turn from the error of his ways, and to seek the hope offered in the Gospel. The event is always in the hand of Him who directs the heart. But, under all circumstances, we work with the blessing of the Almighty, and with his promise, that our labour shall not be in vain.
A sixth lesson to be learned from this history, is the _happy effects produced by the possession of true religion_. In the case of Jolin, how speedily did it tranquillize and cheer his mind. It was like the word of its holy author, when he said, “Peace, be still, and there was a great calm.” Those who visited the chamber of death, where he dwelt, could not but feel a degree of surprise at their own feelings, when they remembered that they were with one who had been a drunkard and a murderer. But religion had softened his character, and created in him those genuine fruits which, as we are taught, spring from the work of the Holy Spirit. “The wilderness had become like Eden, and the desert like the garden of the Lord. Instead of the thorn had come up the fir-tree, and instead of the briar had come up the myrtle-tree; to be for a name, and for an everlasting sign that should not be cut off.”
Lastly, there _is a lesson of application to our own souls_. It may be asked, What is the intimate acquaintance which we have had with the experience which this poor dying criminal passed through? He, being dead, may speak to many of his own age, who have, perhaps, had far greater advantages of education and example; or he may speak to those who have seen more years, and yet have not attained to that ripeness of faith, and that full assurance of hope, which made Jolin climb with such eagerness the gallows hill, and long for the time when he should be with Christ.
This history applies most emphatically to the case of _young men_; teaching them to avoid sin, even when it may have the sanction of parental example. The Bible, they must remember, and not men, especially ungodly men, should be their direction. By this law we shall all be judged, and must stand or fall. In Jolin’s last address, he said, “Avoid bad company, drinking spirits, vicious habits.” “I exhort young people not to violate the Sabbath, but to frequent church, and attend to their religious duties. Would that this tremendous example of punishment might lead every young person who hears it to inquire into his own state, and to remember how soon one act of sin may bring judgment upon him; and how tremendous will be his judgment, if, after this warning, he is found unprepared.”
This history also speaks most loudly and awfully _to parents_. “You see in me,” Jolin said from the scaffold, “the effect of bad education and example. From early youth I have been addicted to intemperance. My duty to God was never pointed out to me. Those who have children committed to their care, I beseech to send them regularly to church, and to the Sunday-school, and teach them their duty to God and man.” Let those, then, who are teaching Sabbath-breaking, swearing, passion, habits of drinking and vice, to their children, by their own example, look at the horrible instance of sin and its consequences, which this case presents—a parent, murdered, and a son hanged! from the _effects of a father’s example_! The case speaks for itself: and may the Holy Spirit enable us to learn the lesson which it teaches.
May we all who read or hear this account, apply its lessons to ourselves. Let us adore the astonishing love of God in the case of this poor outcast sinner; His sovereign power, His boundless mercy, His all-sufficient grace. May we seek to lay all the burden of our transgressions upon that Sacrifice in whom Jolin trusted. May we, with him, find the Holy Spirit making us as fit to live, as, we trust, he was fit to die: so that when we have fought the good fight, we shall receive the crown of glory, which, we may trust, this believing penitent has been called to wear in the presence of Him who gave him the victory, through his own blood.
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LONDON: IBOTSON AND PALMER, PRINTERS, SAVOY STREET, STRAND.
Footnotes
{45} Durell’s account.