The Black Forge Mills

The Black Forge Mills by William P. Chipman

The Black Forge Mills follows Ralph Carleton, pastor of Afton’s First Baptist Church, as he becomes aware of the spiritual poverty of the factory settlement at Black Forge Mills. After meeting Ray Branford, a daring, neglected mill boy who stones his hat yet keeps his word, Carleton draws him toward church and Sunday-school through patience, respect, and Bible stories. Ray’s dying mother asks for a Bible and dies repeating Isaiah’s promise, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee,” an event that deeply impresses him. Under Miss Squire’s kindly teaching, Ray begins attending Sunday-school, reads the Bible daily, and learns faith as trust in God’s promise. Although he still leads the Night Hawks in stealing Jacob Woodhull’s strawberries, spiritual conviction gradually grows in him. During a stormy prayer meeting, the words his mother spoke move him to seek Christ directly. He prays simply for salvation, finds assurance in Scripture, and publicly declares his faith. His conversion influences Dr. Gasque, an unbelieving physician whom Ray challenges to consider whether a man dealing with death should know Christianity for himself. Ray’s sister-in-law Betsy and Dr. Gasque’s son Harry also seek Christ. The Black Forge Mission is established, bringing Sunday-school and preaching to the mill settlement. Though many church members distrust Ray and resent the admission of poor mill people into First Church, Ray proves his repentance by paying Jacob Woodhull for past thefts. Woodhull’s testimony persuades the church to receive him. Ray longs to prepare for Christian service and leaves the mills for Long Point Farm, where George Woodhull employs him to care for livestock. In a Christian household he gains health, education, discipline, and opportunity for study. He creates rules for his life: to serve God, work thoroughly, seek divine wisdom, tithe, and win others to Christ. He saves the Woodhull children from a furious steer, becoming beloved as a son of the family. Ray is then arrested for a store burglary because his missing coat and tools used in the crime are found near the wharf where he slept. Much of Afton hastily assumes that his former wickedness proves his guilt. Carleton, the Woodhulls, Miss Squire, Dr. Gasque, General Squire, and others stand by him. At trial, it is shown that Ray’s coat was stolen as a prank by Will Adams, while a detective captures the true burglars, who prove to be Ray’s own brothers. Ray is acquitted, but grieves over their disgrace. Carleton explains that the ordeal has cleared away the lingering suspicions surrounding Ray’s past. Ray advances rapidly in school while continuing his farm work and Christian service. He returns often to Black Forge, where he leads a prayer meeting after no regular leader arrives. His earnest appeal leads Sailor Jack, a hardened man returning from years of sin after seeing his dying mother, and Ray’s oldest sister to seek Christ. Ray continues preaching at the mission, helps Sailor Jack find assurance through confession of Christ, and sees his brother George and two sisters turn toward faith. His father and fugitive brothers remain burdens of prayer. At Afton Graded School, Ray’s diligence and character make him a leading scholar. Edward Lawton, wealthy son of the mill corporation’s president, becomes jealous of Ray’s success and tries to injure him by breaking his skates, hiding his work, and stealing his boat. Edward’s sister Daisy quietly helps Ray while Ray refuses to expose Edward. When Edward takes Ray’s boat in a sudden storm and capsizes, Ray risks his life to rescue him. The act breaks Edward’s hostility; he confesses his wrongdoing, seeks the Saviour, and joins the church. Ray graduates as valedictorian and receives the school’s silver medal; John Bacon receives the second prize, while Edward is honored with a special third prize for his scholarship and repentance. As a severe business depression harms Afton, the Black Forge Mills directors decide that they must either reduce wages or close the mills. Though they explain that the reduction is meant to preserve employment, agitators such as Hyde, Blake, and Willis persuade many workers to strike. George Branford, now changed by Christian influence, defends the corporation’s honesty and refuses to join the movement. The mills close when workers reject the reduced pay. Efforts at compromise fail, and when the corporation prepares to reopen at reduced wages, threatening posters and returning strike leaders make violence seem possible. At the Branford home, Betsy hears her husband sigh heavily as the conflict darkens the Forge.

By William P. Chipman · First published 1866 · Genre: Christian Fiction, Religious Fiction, Inspirational Fiction · 26 chapters · 103,960 words

First lines

The fragrant odor of sweet fern, and of pine and hemlock came to Ralph Carleton, the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Afton, as he leaned against the low window sill of his study. As he thus leaned he looked off toward the hills, which rose abruptly just back of the busy town. A heavy rain the night before had refreshed the thirsty earth, and clothed it anew in beauty. A perfect scene was spread before him, and, accustomed as he was to it, it still possessed for him new charms.

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Christian conversion · Evangelical Protestant fiction · Sunday school · factory workers · mill town · industrial poverty · child labor · working-class family · pastoral ministry · Bible reading · faith and redemption · Christian mission work

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The Black Forge Mills is listed on Textopian as a novel by William P. Chipman, dated 1866 CE.

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