12
July. Influential North Carolinian
Presbyterian—Rev. Henry Patillo (1726-1801)
Archivist. “July 12: Rev. Henry Patillo
[1726-1801].” This Day in Presbyterian History. 12 Jul 2014. http://www.thisday.pcahistory.org/2014/07/july-12/. Accessed 12 Jul 2014.
July 12: Rev. Henry Pattillo [1726-1801]
Testify.
It
was in 1751 that the Rev. Samuel Davies, then a resident of Hanover, Virginia,
decided to journey to Roanoke for the purpose of preaching. Somewhere along his
journey, he became acquainted with a young man by the name of Henry Pattillo.
It was a providential meeting.
Henry
had been born in Scotland, of Christian parents who arranged for him to
apprentice with a local merchant. In time, seeking a better situation, Henry
immigrated to America and settled in the Province of Virginia. Working first
for a merchant, and later as a teacher, Henry was increasingly under conviction
of his sins and sought the Lord.
He
began to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Lord and
Savior. Prayer became “his very breath” and mediation on the Scriptures brought
great joy. “I used, when along, to speak out in mediation, and do esteem it an
excellent medium to fix the heart on the work.” Further, “Thus I went on my way
rejoicing and serving God for the space of a year and half; I was generally
full of warmth, nor could I take the Bible or any religious book into my hand
but I would find something suited to the present state of my soul…”
So
this was the young man whom Rev. Davies met on his journey. Impressed with his
character and gifts, he invited him to return and study for the ministry under
his tutelage. Finally in September of 1758, Henry was licensed to preach the
Gospel and so began a ministry of some forty years.
And
while we could write further of his long career, what I find notable of Rev.
Pattillo is the will which he drew up when he realized that death was near:
“I adore
the blessed Providence that more especially watched over me and wonderfully
governed my steps; that at the commencement of my manhood rescued me from the
ways of sin and the paths of the destroyer; that made it good for me to bear the yoke in my youth; that after many discouraging disappointments which I
afterwards found were merciful interpositions of divine goodness, my way was
opened to an education, and I was carried through it, though poverty and a
melancholy constitution darkened my prospects, and threatened to stop me at
every turn. The same divine goodness and free mercy that had thus far indulged
my ardent wish and daily prayer, that I might be qualified both by heaven’s
grace and human learning to preach the
everlasting gospel, was graciously
pleased to call me thereto, and set me apart by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. Having, therefore, obtained help of God, I continue to
this day, having nothing to complain of my adorable Master, for goodness and mercy have followed me all my life long; but have to accuse myself that in ten thousand
instances I have come short of the glory of God, and have been a very
unprofitable servant, in not promoting to the utmost my own salvation and that
of others. And a great aggravation of this guilt is, that wherever I have
preached the gospel God has honored me with such a share of popularity and the
favor of mankind, as have opened a door for much more usefulness than I have
had a zeal and diligence to improve. Look, gracious God, on a creature all over
guilt and imperfection, through the all-perfect righteousness, wonderous
sufferings and glorious resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ, on whom I cast
myself for time and eternity.
“As to my
mortal part, let it return, when He that built it pleaseth, to the dust from
whence it was taken, and in the next burying-place to which I may die. I commit
it to him who perfumed the grave for his people’s calm repose; who acknowledges
his relation to them even in the dust, and I am sure will new create it by his
power divine.”
Words to Live By:
Have you ever thought that your will could and should itself be a witness,
a testimony to the grace of God in your life? Perhaps it is time to re-draft
that essential document. Everything in your life should serve to give glory to
the Lord. So too, let everything in your final days give praise to God.
This
God is our God, for ever and ever; He will be our guide, even unto death.”—Psalm
48:14, KJV
.
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