David Marks: Sacrificial Ministry

Like others, I spent a good portion of my years in the pastorate grieving at the amount of sacrifice that seems to be a natural part of ministry—tight budgets, long hours, overwhelming congregational expectations. But as I read the early history of the denomination, I am aware that my life is one of luxury when compared with that of the pioneer Free Will Baptist preachers of long ago.

In his memoirs, David Marks, an itinerant Free Will Baptist preacher in New England, vividly described the struggles of ministry in the early 19^th century. This was an exciting moment in American religious history. The Second Great Awakening had swept across the frontier states of Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee and the whole nation seemed eager to hear the preaching of the gospel.

The Free Will Baptists at this time had enjoyed great success in their part of the country and especially in New Hampshire and New York. In New York Marks found himself immersed in a preaching task that demanded all his energy and time. His recollection of one week in his ministry gives us some idea of his commitment and sacrifice.

Sunday, June 17, I preached to four large congregations in Rushford and Centerville. The power of Emmanuel was present in each meeting, and sinners wept as they viewed themselves in the gospel glass…Wednesday, I preached in China (New York); the day after, walked thirteen miles in the rain, and attended three meetings. My shoes were worn off my feet; and reaching the last appointment in Boston, Erie Co., I was much wearied; my feet were blistered, and so painful, that I was obliged to sit with them on a pillow, while speaking to the people. But amidst my privations and sufferings for the cause of Christ, my heart felt that more than double was rendered, by seeing one sinner this evening persuaded to turn and live. [1]