Billy Bray
(1794-1868AD)
William “Billy” Bray
His drunken frolics were many, which he could not
recall without deep shame and sorrow; but his soul was stained with
viler sins than any that have been mentioned. His gratitude was lively
ever afterwards because the Lord had saved him “from the lowest hell.”
“The Lord was good to me,” he often said, “when I was the servant of the
devil, or I should have been down in hell now;” and he felt he must
praise the Lord for His goodness. His hairbreadth escapes from danger,
though he was such a wicked wretch, made an impression on his heart at
the time, and a deeper impression afterwards. He was emphatic in his
wish that all the evil should be faithfully recorded, that the great
mercy of God might be more fully known. [from Chapter 1.]
THEKING’S SON; OR, A Memoir of Billy Bray. COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM HIS OWN MEMORANDA. BY F. W. BOURNE. Twenty-fifth Edition. LONDON: 26, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.:
Preface
THE rapid sale of twenty-nine editions of this Memoir is sufficient
evidence of the truth of the remark, that no person in Cornwall, in the
humbler ranks of life at least, was better known or more respected than
William, commonly called “Billy” Bray. His witty and eccentric sayings
caused him to be thus widely known, and his deep and fervent piety to be
as generally respected.
It is Billy Bray himself who mostly speaks in the following pages,
and while his gems of thought and experience might have been made—by
cutting and polishing and more skilful setting—to flash with an intenser
light and a purer lustre, I wish to express my gratitude for the
numerous testimonies I have received as to the acceptability and
usefulness of this little work.
To several ministers whose names occur in the Memoirs, to the Rev.
W. Haslam, and to Mr. John Ashwarth of Rochdale, I tender my heartiest
thanks
I hope that, by the blessing of God, it may strengthen the faith,
confirm the love, and stimulate the zeal of many, and obtain a yet wider
circulation.
F. W. Bourne,
CONTENTS.
1.
His Conversion.
3.
Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory.
4.
Chapel Building.
5. The Prayer of Faith.
6.
Pure Religion.
7.
Sabbath Keeping.
8.
Trials and Conflicts.
9.
Drinking and Smoking.
10.
Rebuke and Exhortation.
11.
Fully Ripe for the Garner.
12.
A Dirge to the Memory of Billy Bray.
(83k) by Rev. John Johns.
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