When Mr. Casson was approaching the close of his engagement at Gateshead, he received a pressing invitation from his old friends at Barnard Castle to travel in that Circuit. They had frequently been favoured with his assistance on special occasions, and were very desirous of securing the enjoyment of his stated ministry amongst them: though the invitation was heartily reciprocated by him, yet all the influence which his friends could exert failed to accomplish their object. In a large connexional body, like that under the direction of the Wesleyan Conference, circumstances will from time to time occur in certain localities, which require careful discrimination in the selection of suitable Ministers to meet the peculiarity of the position. These remarks will apply to the case of Durham, at the period when Mr. Casson’s three years’ labours in Gateshead terminated. It was with painful emotions that he was called in the order of Providence to leave a spot where his Divine Master had greatly honoured him, and to which he was closely linked by many endearing ties of friendship and affection, the recollection of which was so deeply engraven on his heart, that neither the stern arm of affliction nor the hand of cankering time could ever efface it.

The cause of Methodism in Durham was struggling for existence against the efforts of some who ranked high in station and influence; but who, because of some petty annoyances, had been led to dissever their long connection with the church of their fathers: in consequence of which, under their patronage and support, the Kilhamite, or New Connexion Preachers, had been invited to form an establishment in the place. A Society was soon raised, consisting principally of members who had seceded from the old body, the number of whom was so considerable, that Mr. Casson, on his arrival, found Methodism, to adopt his own language, in “a state of bankruptcy.” However, he addressed himself to his work, knowing his resources, and confidently relying on the promise of Him who hath said, “Lo, I am with you always.” He cordially united with his excellent and highly esteemed Superintendent, the Rev. Edward Jones, who had already been one year in the Circuit, in devising plans and schemes for ministerial usefulness. Prayer-meetings, which for some months past had been dwindling away, were again revived, and soon began to assume a more healthy aspect. Mr. Casson’s fame, as a revivalist, had preceded him; and, in a little time, the avenues leading to the almost deserted house of prayer were seen crowded by numbers of persons, eagerly flocking together to hear the strange man of whose eccentric proceedings they had received so many marvellous reports. But whatever might be the primary motive which led men to the sanctuary, to numbers the Gospel proved the power of God unto salvation; and the earnest inquiry was heard proceeding from the lips of many a sincere penitent, “What must I do to be saved?” It soon became the delightful task of the rejoicing servants of God, to point the anxious inquirer to “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” Never was Mr. Casson so much in his element as on these hallowed occasions: surrounded by the cries of distress, and the triumphant rejoicings of new-born souls, he could not refrain from giving full play to the joyous emotions of his spirit, mingling his songs with the glad exultations of those who, had obtained mercy through the atoning blood.

The deep anxiety of his mind to witness the revival of the work of God, and the intense fervour of soul with which he entered into it, preyed upon his physical strength, and in all probability led to the recurrence of those epileptic attacks, which, for about three years, had been mercifully suspended. These now returned with their former prostrating influence, and in a greater or less degree affected him during the remainder of his life. His zeal outstripped his prudence: he exerted himself beyond what even his giant strength could bear, heedless alike of the indications of his own sinking frame, and the kind remonstrances of affectionate friends, who, deeply concerned to witness the too visible effects of his labours upon his constitution, earnestly entreated him to spare himself a little, and more economically husband those resources, which, under judicious management, might long have been perpetuated in ministering to the edification of the church. Unhappily, to such entreaties he turned a deaf ear, and would calmly reply, “I intend to have my work done soon, and go to glory; and therefore I serve God with all my strength.” In this point, the soundness of his theology was sadly in fault, notwithstanding the unquestionable sincerity and purity of his intention. In his public ministrations, whilst enlarging on the obligations of the first and great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and mind, and soul, and strength.” he scrupled not, publicly to assert. that unless he had in the services of the Sabbath preached, prayed, and exhorted until he was so far exhausted that only sufficient strength was left to enable him to undress, and creep into bed, he suspected himself of not having loved God with all his strength. His was truly a self-sacrificing or self-consuming zeal. His heart was set upon the conversion of sinners: he lived—prayed—laboured incessantly for this; and, to accomplish his purpose,

“No slight bodily indisposition,” says his intimate friend, “no atmospherical inclemencies, ever kept him from his preaching appointments; and my firm conviction is, that had he known how to take care of his health, he might have been alive at this day?’ And the testimony of another friend, often associated with him in hallowed labour, is in unison with the sentiments just recorded. “His was labour which the Lord of the vineyard crowned and blessed, not I only in his own appointed sphere, but in many of the neighbouring Circuits. His life was shortened by excess of labour: but the crown of glory is now associated with the cross of the martyr; and the throne of grace he so much delighted to approach by faith and prayer ‘without ceasing,’ is now seen by him as it is.”

Allusion has been made to his eccentricities, as possessing an attractive influence in increasing the number of his hearers. That he had eccentricities cannot be denied. Possibly some may be disappointed that they do not form a more prominent feature in this memoir: but though the relation might have been amusing, it is questionable whether a minute detail of them would have been attended with any permanent benefit. Yet as many strange accounts have obtained circulation, which are calculated to detract from the general excellency of his character, it is only fair to state that many of these descriptions have been greatly overcharged. Some of those friends who knew him best, and whose opinions on this point are deserving of respect, have no hesitation in affirming that many of the anecdotes which have obtained currency are pure inventions, whilst others are strangely caricatured and distorted. He grew in the estimation of the discerning, in proportion as he came in close contact with them. The Rev. William Jessop remarks:— “My personal acquaintance with Mr. Casson immensely exalted my opinion of him. He seemed in the distance somewhat fanatical; but half a day’s conversation with him, convinced me, that in his ease, some courses which appeared most exceptionable, were pursued under the influence of a zeal for souls unusually intense, and a noble disregard for the objections of the captious crowd. His own responsibilities,—the condition of the wicked,—and the Saviour’s love,—rested on his heart with such commanding power, that he seemed deaf to the objections of the fastidious, and the jibes of the profane; being content to be accounted a fool among men, so that he might win some to Christ.” The sentiments of his brethren in the ministry, in the short but graphic outline of his character, inserted in their Annual Minutes, are sufficiently full and expressive on this subject: and we copy their testimony the more readily in this place, because it was so strikingly confirmed in the course of his ministry in the Durham Circuit:— “Conscious of the purity of his intentions, and guileless and unsuspecting as to others, he allowed himself occasionally, in his fervid public addresses, to adopt modes of expression not in accordance with good taste, or with the reverence which becometh the house of the Lord. Such peculiarities exposed him to censure, especially on the part of those who did not understand his character, and who had not come within the influence of his warm and genial friendship, and his pure and hallowing piety. But few can doubt that many souls will be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Thus whilst crowds were drawn to the Wesleyan chapel, there were some of the more sober minded of his Durham congregation, who did not derive that edification from his pulpit addresses which was desirable. But it was far otherwise in the colliery villages: there he was hailed with the liveliest demonstrations of joy; his style of preaching was just adapted to gain their attention, and win upon their affections: and it was an interesting sight to mark the interest with which they listened to those glowing descriptions of Divine truth which he brought before them; the tears ever and anon coursing each other down their black faces, affording decisive evidence that truth had secured a lodgment in their hearts. Some of this class of men are yet recognised as the seals of his ministry, who are now sustaining important and useful offices in the church of God, and to whom the name of the instrument of their conversion “is as ointment poured forth.” At the close of his first year’s ministry it was a source of satisfaction to find a small increase of members throughout the year, amounting to twenty-six, after supplying the chasm made in the ranks by the number of those who had seceded.

At the Conference of 1831, he was re-appointed to Durham, along with the Rev. John Shipman. His colleague was soon laid aside by a painful and protracted affliction, and was obliged to call in a supply. But Mr. Casson was always ready to assist him to the utmost of his power, whilst his kindness and sympathy, his cheerful and lively disposition, his heavenly conversation and fervent prayers, tended greatly to alleviate the sorrows and sufferings of his friend. The recollection of the interest he displayed is still cherished in the mind of his esteemed Superintendent, awakening in his soul the liveliest feelings of love and esteem. He cannot forget the genuine piety and untiring zeal of his devoted fellow-labourer, and particularly his attendance at the prayer-meetings, where he was ever found amongst the first in the morning, and the last at night. At the commencement of his second year he received a pressing invitation from Barnard Castle, to attend the celebration of the Sunday-school Jubilee, and to preach on the succeeding Sabbath in aid of the funds of the Wesleyan School in that place. His reply, addressed to Mr. J. Steele, is characterised by that innocent humour and ingenuity which were natural to him, and will be read with interest.

“Durham, August 31st, 1831.

“DEAR BROTHER,

“Your kind pressing letter found its way to my house,—has never been out of my pocket since, but when taken out to read, pray over, and think about. Its contents, by this time, are well engraven on my heart. If I had written from the first impression it made there, I would have positively said ‘No:’ and often since, when the subject has been turned over, and when the visit to Barnard Castle was proposed and put to the vote, the show of hands against it was nearly unanimous. Present state of health said ‘No;’ the places that I should miss that day, were missed on the 21st of August, by my being in Sunderland, and the thought of their being missed again, cried ‘No;’ the bustle of renewing tickets, and other Circuit concerns, preparatory to the Quarterday, cried ‘No;’ any counsel I have had from friends and brethren has been ‘No.’ A whisper from one was, ‘Perhaps brother Aslin will act Mr. H— over again, and run home before his work is done;’ which suggestion of course, said ‘No.’ My being so often out of the Circuit of late, and other circumstances, with one voice cried, ‘No, no, it cannot be; you must not go.’ These things, with an increasing consciousness of my inability to take any part in your grand jubilee, so shook my nervous feelings that I dropped the tear, and groaned, ‘No, no.’ Yet after all that could be said, ‘Ardent desire to serve all’ kept the chair in the meeting, proposed the question again and again, and having ‘Will be Will’ at his right hand, seconding all his motions, in the and gave the casting vote. So that if you cannot be served by some more able (not more willing) brother, I consent to visit Barnard Castle according to your warm wishes, and try to serve your jubilee as well as I can.

“I am, your Brother in Jesus Christ,

“HODGSON CASSON.”

After he had made this arrangement, he found some difficulty in carrying it out, in consequence of the inroads of death in the family of one of the principal friends in the place, where, according to the regular plan, he should have been on that day; and where he was expected to improve the occasion, by a funeral discourse. Finding that he must be firm to his engagement, he poured out the feelings of his soul to the bereaved family, in the following sympathetic strains:— “My earnest prayer to the God of all consolation is, that you, and your affectionate family, may ever be supported under all, and through all, which you are providentially called to pass. One of the greatest trials I have had lately was, that it was not in my power to meet your wishes.” He then entreats forgiveness, and promises to do better in time to come. The writer has a pleasing reminiscence of his visit to Barnard Castle. On the Sabbath forenoon, September 18th, he ascended the pulpit, and proceeded to give out the first hymn, which had been, specially prepared for the occasion:—

The fine feelings of his soul were overpowered by the sentiments ; his full heart could no longer contain itself; and he was compelled to sit down, while a friend gave out the remainder of the hymn for him. After this he went on with the regular service, selecting as his text the impressive petition “Thy kingdom come!” A holy, heavenly influence pervaded the whole of the discourse. He alluded. in a very touching manner, to the overwhelming power of the Spirit, which had at the commencement filled his frail earthen vessel to overflowing. In the conclusion, he made his text tell on Sunday-school operations, and seemed to hear the words, “Thy kingdom come!” not only breathing out in the fervent morning devotions of the teachers, but he heard the response reiterated by the music of the “clogs” of the little fellows, clanking along the chapel-yard, as they cheerfully ran to resume their work at school.

Mr. Casson’s visits on occasions like the above were received with a high relish, and always awakened great interest. Not only in the services of the sanctuary was he cordially hailed, but at the fireside of his host he was welcomed as a cheerful guest. He was indeed a happy companion. There was nothing of the cynic or the stern ascetic about him in conversation. He delighted to talk of the revival of religion, and the spread of the work of God; but he did not restrain himself from relating any innocent occurrence that he met with, though it might assume something of the comic, and excite a smile.

We may relate in this place the remarkable conversion, effected through his instrumentality, of a poor but wicked man, who had, like others, been induced to come and hear the strange preacher, of whom he had heard so many wonderful accounts. This individual was lame, and earned a precarious living by carrying coals with two donkeys, from the pits to the city. The poor animals suffered many an unmerciful beating at his hands, a huge staff being carried for the purpose, and used amidst volleys of oaths and imprecations. This man, however, obtained mercy, and for some years “walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.” Mr. Casson meeting him one day after his conversion, kindly saluted him, and inquired, What has religion done for you?” The man, looking to the companions of his daily toil, who now met with a different course of treatment, significantly replied, “Ask my donkeys there!” The reply, it is said, afterwards furnished a new and extended idea to the preacher, in illustrating that passage, “Godliness is profitable to all things.” This humble individual began to rise in the world: the two donkeys disappeared to make room for a pony and cart; and, had he continued faithful, he would no doubt have realised to a greater extent the blessedness of true religion.

The second year of Mr. Casson’s ministry at Durham was crowned with more abundant success; so that at its close, the number of members is reported to have been 1,249, being an increase of 319.

In 1832 he was re-appointed for a third year, with the Rev. Richard Ellidge as Superintendent, of whom it may be truly said, “he was a man of God, and a good Minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine.” That afflictive scourge, the Asiatic cholera, had a few months previously made its appearance in the north of England, and was still lurking about, and occasionally breaking out in the colliery villages. Though but comparatively few cases occurred in the Durham Circuit, yet, to the great grief of his family, and the severe loss of the church, Mr. Ellidge was numbered amongst the victims of that destructive malady. It found him engaged in his Master’s work, at Kip-Hill, and its neighbourhood, ready at the demand of Him who sent him, to lay down his work and his life together. He had remarked to a friend before he left Durham, as though he had some presentiment of the near approach of the last enemy, “You and I have nothing to do but to be ready for heaven;” adding, “I have a powerful impression on my mind, and it increases every day, that I shall die soon, and suddenly.” He had left his family on Saturday, October 20th, preached three times on the Sabbath, and on the two following evenings, warning the people in his last sermon, that, in all probability they would never again hear his voice inviting them to accept salvation. On the following morning the seizure took place, and, resisting every effort to restrain its virulence, on the Thursday evening removed him from this world of pain and suffering. He died in great peace. The whole Circuit was moved at the loss of their Pastor; they felt that a “great man in Israel” had fallen. During the two months of his short residence amongst them, he had greatly endeared himself to his colleague, and won the esteem and confidence of his flock. Pleasing anticipations had been entertained of his ability to build up in faith and love those who had recently been gathered into the church of Christ; but, by this sudden stroke all these expectations were dashed to the ground. By no one, excepting the circle of his family, was the blow more deeply and keenly felt than by his beloved colleague, on whom the care and management of the Circuit devolved. But he put his shoulder to the work; and, whilst the minds of the people were softened by this awakening visitation, and the places of Divine worship crowded with serious and attentive hearers, he engaged with all his heart, and with corresponding success, in the one business of his life.

The Rev. James Carr, now (1853) of Halifax, was sent by the President to his assistance. This was the commencement of his itinerant career. Though, from the extent of the Circuit at the time, the Preachers had little opportunity for personal intercourse, yet he was soon led to form a high opinion of the piety and devotedness of Mr. Casson. “I have no hesitation,” he remarks, “in saying that he was a good man, full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost. He was a man of one business, and valued everything in proportion as it tended to the advancement of that business,—saving souls. He seemed to me to have a more ready and easy access to God in prayer, than any other man I ever met with. I never spent a quarter of an hour with him without receiving the impression that he lived in the spirit of prayer,—that he was in reality a man of prayer,—that his sole delight was in God, and doing His will; and I always left him with a deepened conviction of the value and importance of prayer, and with an increasing and longing desire for more of the spirit and purity of the Saviour whom he loved and served.”

At one time, during his residence in the Durham Circuit, he had an impression on his mind that some affliction had overtaken the family of Mr. and Mrs. S., with whom he was very intimate. Acting upon this impulse, he proceeded to the residence of his friends, and found their daughter dangerously ill. The physician and medical men who had been called in, had pronounced her case hopeless. Mr. Casson, after a little inquiry, proposed prayer. Mr. Morland, his intimate friend, who accompanied him, and the members of the family, knelt down, and Mr. Casson pleaded with God with extraordinary feeling and power. When they rose, he turned to the mother of the young person, saying, “The girl will mend.” From that hour she began to recover. When the medical men repeated their visit, they were astonished to find her alive, but more so at the change which had taken place in the interval; one of them declaring, “It is not in the power of any medicine which I have given, to produce such results; —it is a miracle!” The young woman rapidly recovered her health and strength. She afterwards married, and is now the mother of a family. Her parents to this day acknowledge the efficacy of “the prayer of faith in saving the sick.”

The preceding incident is valuable, as exhibiting one striking trait in Mr. Casson’s character, which has already been alluded to in the course of this narrative, but which deserves bringing out more prominently into view, namely, his habitual comniunion with God. This is fully supported by the united testimony of those of his friends who had the best opportunity of knowing him, and is expressed in language more forcible than any which his biographer could adopt. The Rev. John Bolam states:— “Although Mr. Casson was ever anxious to crowd as much devotion to God, and usefulness to man, as possible, into the brief and uncertain day of human life, yet it may safely be asserted that he was eminently a man of prayer. Prayer was his element,—his delight. Sometimes he would spend whole hours in holy wrestlings with God; and, occasionally, when I have slept with him, I have been awoke during the watches of the night by his pouring out his soul to God. Through his frequent kneeling his knees were literally horned over, and the knees of his small-clothes were frequently patched before they had been long worn.”

The Rev. H. Stephenson says, “Mr. Casson may truly be called a man of prayer. He prayed for everybody, for everything, and on all occasions. With him, prayer was always seasonable, in all companies, amongst all classes of people, in all places, shapes, and forms. And he also loved praise to God. When he shouted, ‘Glory be to God!’ it was not a wild unmeaning rant; the soul of Casson was in the words of his lips. There was spirit and power felt, and frequently acknowledged by persons who did not admire anything in religion which appears like the grotesque.”

The Rev. R. Cooke also says, “He appeared to live in the spirit of prayer, breathe in a pure atmosphere, and keep up a constant intercourse with heaven. His conversation was spiritual and edifying, and his whole conduct indicated the robustness and vigour of his faith, the manliness and maturity of his piety, and the fulness of his spiritual enjoyment. He was always ready for the exercise. And O, the unction, the power, and blessedness which often accompanied his approaches to the throne of grace! He was mighty in prayer,—he had power with God and prevailed,—he seemed to enter within the veil. The heavens were opened, and showers of blessings came down. I shall never forget those seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,—seasons of spiritual power, profit, and joy.”

His friend, Mr. Spensely, of Reeth, also remarks, “I never knew a man who seemed to be so much in his element in prayer as he was, nor one who had so much power in prayer; the influence was always strikingly manifest; cold formalism never seemed comfortable in his presence. You will receive this description of him from every Circuit.”

And Mr. Atkinson adds, “He lived as if absorbed in the spiritual kingdom, breathing in its holy atmosphere without interruption, weaned from this earth, and dead to the world, with all the features of a child of heaven.”

But, to resume the narrative.—It was a circumstance unfavourable to the spiritual prosperity of the Circuit, that a partial “strike” amongst the pitmen took place about this time. Mr Casson used all his influence to divert the minds of the people to better subjects; but the bitter strife and agitation to which such events give rise, and the removal of families to other parts of the kingdom, cannot but be detrimental to the prosperity of the work of God; and probably to this, principally, may be attributed the decrease in the number of members, as recorded in the Minutes of 1833. That his ministry in this Circuit was, upon the whole, successful, appears from the fact that, notwithstanding the diminution just referred to, and the unpromising commencement of his labours, the net increase for the three years amounted to 189: and the financial department was so prosperous, that, after increasing the salaries of the Ministers, the Stewards were able to purchase a Circuit-horse; and, at the expiration of Mr. Casson’s third year, they called out an additional Preacher. A friend, who had the opportunity of observing his manner of life, during his residence in Durham, gives the following pleasing testimony, with which we shall conclude this chapter:— “He always appeared the same devoted, loving, earnest, happy man. He frequently said to his people, ‘Strive for a high place in glory. Some people are so humble and lowly in their views that if they just get into heaven they will be content; but, as for me, I want to be as near John Wesley as I can get.’ Several years afterwards the writer met with him when on a journey; he inquired minutely after all his Durham friends, and more especially how the work of God prospered. At the conclusion of the interview he said, ‘Tell all my friends I am on the highway to glory, and they must all meet me there.’”