Joseph Beals (1752-1813), also called The Mountain Miller, lived a life of trusting in his own righteousness for the salvation of his soul. He was strict with his family and townspeople thought he was blameless. After loosing his house to a fire, he consecrated his life to Christ. His wife was very upset with the whole affair and steadfastly refused to go with him, and even dreamed of his death. She finally repented and joined him in the faith. Joseph Beals was known as a model of Christian piety.
My impression:
A testimony of the saving grace of God. A portrait of a very spiritually minded man.
Quote:
"From the time of his conversion, the language of his heart in every trying dispensation seemed to be, 'It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.'"
Excerpt:
“Her husband enjoyed a cheering hope of his acceptance in Jesus Christ—a hope which the reader will not be disposed to think unfounded, when he learns the fruits by which it was accompanied, in that best of all evidences, a holy life. Such fruits of the Spirit, I cannot but remark for the benefit especially of young readers, are evidences of saving conversion, on which we should chiefly rely, whether the particular hour of our deliverance from condemnation is known to us, as was joyfully the case with the subject of this narrative, or not. The grand question to be solved is, whether we have surrendered our hearts to Christ—whether, whereas once we were blind, now we see—whether we have now the graces of the Spirit in exercise, proving our union with Christ. The manner of the Spirit’s operations in different minds is very diverse: the radical change from sin to holiness is essentially the same in all who are truly converted to God.
From the time of the conversion of the subject of this narrative, his heart became engaged in all those religious duties which he had hitherto performed with a cold formality. His hopes of salvation, which before were grounded on his morality, now rested on the atoning sacrifice of Christ, through repentance and faith wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. His own sinfulness, apart from the merits of Christ, appeared greater than ever before; but he saw there was perfect efficacy in the blood of the Lamb of God to take away all his sins. He put his trust in that Savior, and found him ‘worthy of all acceptation.’ His irritable temper became mild, and his heart expanded in love to God and man. He became an example of meekness and devotion to the cause of his Redeemer; and early in 1791 publicly consecrated himself to him, by uniting with a small evangelical church which had been formed in the district where he resided.”
Background:
This was published as American Tract Society tract #254, in the nineteenth century.
THE MOUNTAIN MILLER by William Hallock - Paperback - $5.95.
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