Broken Bread, from an Evangelist's Wallet

In Short

This book is a compilation of devotional fragments and exhortations written by a committed Methodist evangelist in 1888. Drawing on the imagery of farming, athletics, and public duty, the author critiques the spiritual complacency of his era. He urges his readers to move beyond superficial religious decorum toward a life of active, sacrificial service. By blending theological reflection with pointed observations on contemporary social life, the work serves as both a manual for personal piety and a call for a revival of earnest, practical Christian living.

The Story

The "story" of this work is the spiritual trajectory of a believer from the state of a fallow, uncultivated field to a position of productive, active ministry. The author begins with the metaphor of "draining the land," arguing that before a church or an individual can hope for a revival, they must clear away the internal obstructions—coldness, unresponsiveness, and lack of zeal—that prevent the seed of the Gospel from taking root. He insists that spiritual life is not a passive waiting for divine intervention, but an active preparation of one's own heart, like the making of trenches in a valley to receive water.

As the argument unfolds, the author moves from the internal landscape to the external world, viewing the modern life of the late nineteenth century through a lens of intense moral urgency. He examines the "Devil’s orchard," a place where the seeds of envy, strife, and lasciviousness grow into the tangled thorns of society. He is particularly concerned with the danger of spiritual decay in old age, using the cautionary example of King Solomon to warn that even those who once moved heaven with their prayers can, through infatuation with the world, end their lives in disgrace.

The work does not allow for a comfortable middle ground. The author demands a total commitment, frequently contrasting the half-heartedness of the average churchgoer with the fervor of those who pursue worldly amusements, such as electioneering or gambling. He argues that if a political partisan will go to great lengths and expense to secure a vote, the Christian should be even more relentless in seeking the salvation of a neighbor.

The climax of this spiritual journey is a total alignment with the will of God, where even storms and "so-called misfortunes" are recognized as divinely orchestrated paths toward a destination. The book concludes with a stern reminder that the Church is currently on trial. Everything from the Sunday school system to the local class-meeting is subject to the "fan" of God, which will blow away the chaff of empty entertainment and hypocrisy. The final vision is not one of ease, but of a purposeful, disciplined struggle—a life where, whether one is a young boy or an aging elder, the goal is to remain a clean, functional instrument in the hands of the Master, fully prepared to be used until the very end.

How It Unfolds

The necessity of spiritual maintenance The author establishes that personal holiness requires constant labor, comparing the soul to farmland that must be drained and cultivated to bear fruit. He challenges the reader to examine why their prayers seem unanswered, suggesting that the fault lies in their own lack of preparation and spiritual coldness.

The call to active, aggressive service Moving from the individual to the collective, the author argues that Christians should display the same enthusiasm for their mission that secular men show for sport and politics. He critiques the "decorum" that prevents believers from boldly engaging the lost, urging them to "stand treat" with charity and effort just as the world does with vice.

The warning against complacency The author provides a sobering look at the dangers of backsliding, particularly for those who have spent many years in the faith. He uses the imagery of the "broken oar" and the "faulty bayonet" to warn that reliability is the primary virtue of a servant, and that God has no use for those who have lost their edge.

The final accountability The book closes with an examination of the various institutions of the church, demanding that they justify their existence through genuine results rather than mere entertainment. The author concludes that history and individual life are part of a divine programme that cannot be thwarted, provided the believer stays committed to the "Lord’s field."

The People

The characters in this volume are less individuals than representative types. The "Sinner" is portrayed as one who has been fed by God all his life, yet uses that sustenance as a platform for further rebellion, eventually becoming a "dunce" that even the rod of God struggles to mend. The "Backslider" is the most tragic figure; the author uses the historical figure of Solomon to show how a man who once brought heaven to earth can, through the influence of the wrong companions, turn his life into a "great sewer" of pollution. Samuel stands in contrast as the ideal model for the young, representing the receptivity and immediate obedience that the author desires from every believer, regardless of their age. The author himself plays the role of the "Yoke-fellow" and the "Evangelist," acting as a direct, sometimes abrasive, counselor who refuses to sugarcoat the realities of the Christian life. He is supported by the unseen presence of his wife, Eliza M. Champness, to whom he dedicates the work, positioning her as the standard of a faithful partner in the Gospel.

In Its Own Voice

"If the men who farmed England in the olden time could return, few things would surprise them more than the condition of the land."

The author uses this observation about physical agriculture to introduce the idea that the human heart requires similar, rigorous drainage to be productive.

"There is always a way made for those who truly repent."

This comes as a direct, urgent promise to those who feel they have wandered too far into the "Devil's orchard" to ever return to favor.

"If you are absolutely friendless, so far as earth is concerned, you have your Heavenly Father."

This serves as the primary consolation for the reader who finds themselves isolated or overwhelmed by the world's indifference.

What It's Really About

The book is a protest against the "soft sort of preaching" that avoids the hard edges of repentance and discipline. At its core, the work argues that the Christian faith is a rugged, demanding vocation that requires the same intensity as physical labor or high-stakes competition. The author grapples with the tension between the promise of divine power and the apparent emptiness of modern religious practice. He asks: why is the church so often outworked by the world? Why do believers settle for "colourless, tame" lives when they have been promised a transformative, indwelling Spirit? It is an inquiry into the nature of true utility, challenging the reader to prove their worthiness through, not just words, but the visible fruits of their actions.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the direct, no-nonsense tone of 19th-century preachers will find this a compelling, if challenging, companion. It captures the distinct "muscular Christianity" of the Victorian era, offering a window into a mindset that prioritized duty, endurance, and the rigorous application of moral principles to daily life.

However, the reader should be prepared for the book’s inherent difficulties. Its prose is often sharp and occasionally harsh, reflecting a period that did not shy away from warnings of judgment or the graphic imagery of "hell and the fire." The author’s insistence on a specific, high-pressure standard of evangelism may feel alien to a modern audience, and his reflections on politics and social life are deeply rooted in the context of the 1880s.

Despite this, the book remains surprisingly resonant in its critique of "entertainment-based" spirituality and the tendency of organizations to prioritize optics over substance. If you are interested in a rigorous, deeply personal, and highly disciplined approach to faith—one that demands the reader "climb to their crown"—you will find much here to contemplate. It is a bracing, serious read that leaves you with the distinct impression that the author expected you to be a changed person by the time you reached the final page.