Page images
PDF
EPUB

cured, but in vain. The awful and melancholy fact was quickly rumoured over the whole town; and soon the sad truth was revealed to his afflicted, but not disconsolate, partner, who enjoyed a strength that was not her own, and was divinely sustained amidst a scene of the deepest affliction and sorrow.

To short-sighted mortals such an event is full of mystery; but we have no sympathy with those who consider sudden death, in every instance, as a calamity, and even a judgment. We know that "death follows not the order of nature, but the appointment of God." In one of the most important and solemn events he here asserts his sovereignty, and "gives no account of his matters." To the impenitent and unprepared, such a death is doubtless a judgment from God; but "death cannot come untimely to him who is fit to die ;" and to the prepared Christian doubtless it is a mercy to be suddenly called home,—to be spared the scenes of sorrow and distress which protracted affliction entails. In sudden death the servant unexpectedly finishes his toils, and enjoys at once the promised rest; the pilgrim ends his journey before he can discern the nearness of his home; and he who habitually walks with God is so favoured as not to see death, and scarcely knows that the work of dissolution is begun, before the translation of his spirit assures him that it is finished. And is not this mercy? But it is not for us to choose by what manner of dying we shall glorify God. Here, as in all things, His will is best; and to that, both for living and dying, the Christian believer will surrender himself. Happy they who are prepared by grace either to bear their testimony for God in lingering affliction, or to witness a good confession while strong pains are more rapidly dissolving the earthly house of this tabernacle; or, if their Lord so appoint, to pass at once from the activities of life, to the repose of death, and the everlasting joys of the heavenly paradise!

MEMOIR OF THOMAS HAZLEHURST, ESQ.,

OF CAMDEN-HOUSE, RUNCORN:

BY THE REV. RICHARD RYMER.

THERE is much biography which is amusing, rather than instructive. Characters are exhibited, and manners are painted, with a force of eloquence and beauty of illustration which cannot fail to arrest the attention, entertain the imagination, and please the fancy; but important lessons of wisdom and piety are either wholly omitted, or but sparingly inculcated. But the memorials of eminently holy and useful men are fraught with instruction, rather than amusement. The experience recorded, and the conduct described, furnish some of the most convincing arguments and impressive illustrations of the truth and power of religion.

This may be affirmed especially of the biographical

department of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine; and it is hoped that the following brief memoir, which is the result of the intercourse which the writer had with the deceased during the last six months of his life, and of conversations with surviving relatives and others since his death, will be found both instructive and edifying. Before, however, he proceeds to set down what he has seen and heard, he would call upon the reader not to magnify the subject of this memoir, but "the grace of God in him."

Thomas Hazlehurst, Esq., was born near Winwick, Lancashire, February 27th, 1779; and, about three weeks after his birth, he was removed, with his parents, to Frodsham, in which place he continued, and was brought up, until he settled in Runcorn. He was the youngest but two of six children, four of whom died before him one is still living. At the early and tender age of seven years he was deeply impressed by a conviction of the importance of religion, and particularly the value of the soul, through the conversations of the schoolmistress who taught him the first rudiments of learning. There is a remarkable susceptibility of religious impression in the youthful mind; and it would be well if all who have charge of the education of youth would teach them the first principles of religion. The early awakenings, however, in the case of our young friend, were transient; and it was not until the age of twenty-seven that he sought and obtained "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The principal means of his conversion, under the blessing of God, whose prerogative it is to render the dispensations of Providence subservient to the operations of his grace, was the death of his infant child. This circumstance, nevertheless, did not so awaken him as to cause him to rush, like the Philippian jailer, by a mighty effort, into the kingdom of God; but, under the gracious influences of the Spirit of God, his heart was softened, like that of Lydia, by a gentle process. But still the darkness of the natural mind was so far dispelled, and the slumbers of carnal security were so far broken, that he sought "first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" nor did he rest satisfied until doubt and uncertainty were removed by the full assurance of faith. He then beheld the paternal condescension, mercy, and love of God his Father towards him; his tormenting fears were gone; and he was enabled to rely upon Him that had loved him.

At this period he, with his partner in life, became united in visible fellowship to the church of God; and, on being admitted, the Minister remarked, "The Methodist society is an hospital: those who enter are either cured, or go out incurable." How effectually the disease of sin was cured, and the health of the soul restored, in him, his future life proved; and from that time he and his beloved wife, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, "were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." He held fast his confidence, and walked in "the light of God's countenance." No

[ocr errors]

gloomy shadows hung over his views of God, or upon his prospects of
the future. Nothing was further removed from him than religious
melancholy; and while he cherished reverential and exalted thoughts
of God, he habitually "joyed in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom he had received the atonement;" and showed to all, that
the ways of Wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
paths of peace.
His was a heart at rest with God and with itself, and
which always spread the grateful influence of its own calmness and
peace upon all around. At the time of his conversion he was the
Churchwarden: the reasons which induced him to leave the Church
of England, and join the Wesleyan society, it is not necessary here to
enumerate. But "the tree is known by its fruit ;" and the spirit and
conduct of Mr. Hazlehurst evinced the genuineness of his conversion,
and the reality of his religion. He adorned the "doctrine of God his
Saviour in all things;" he walked "worthy of the vocation wherewith
he was called;" and he carried his religious principles into every
department of his daily walk. But here it will not be deemed unin-
teresting or unprofitable to follow him into the closet, the family, the
church, and the world.

Behold him in the closet.

"But thou, when thou prayest," says our Lord, "enter into thy closet; and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." And the subject of this memoir had his stated seasons for private devotion. At the appearance of morning, amidst the engagements of noon-day, and in the silence of evening, he was wont to retire for self-examination, searching the Scriptures, and calling upon God. The appointed hour of prayer he considered as sacred; nor would he allow the company of friends, or the calls of business, to occasion the omission of this sacred duty.

Follow him into the domestic scene. It is here, above all, that his footsteps shine. In the various relations of private life, as a husband, as a father, and as the Priest of his family, he may have been equalled, but perhaps never surpassed. He blessed his household by his instructions, his example, and his prayers. He taught them the good and the right way; he recommended and enforced religion not only in word, but in deed; and for more than thirty-five years he assembled his family around the domestic altar, to offer the morning and evening sacrifice. The resolution of Joshua he avowed and acted upon: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord;" and the result was, that his was a united and happy family. As the reward, too, of his zealous and unwearied efforts to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of those whom God had committed to his trust, he was dearly beloved by them, and lived to see five of his children brought to the knowledge of "the truth as it is in Jesus ;" and, the day before his funeral took place, the youngest and the last of the number found "the pearl of great price." He often referred to the affection and obe

dience of his children, and the general harmony which pervaded his family, with emotions of delight; but, more than all, he rejoiced to see them converted to God, and would often say, that he had a church in his own house. The object of his chief solicitude was the salvation of his family; and he was heard to say, with strong feeling, at a lovefeast which he attended about a month before his death, that nothing could afford him so much pleasure in a dying hour, as to know that all his children were walking in the ways of the Lord, and that he felt this more and more daily. He urged, also, upon other parents, the duty of endeavouring, by precept and example, to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

From the family circle, let us follow Mr. Hazlehurst into the church of God. For upwards of thirty-five years he was a distinguished ornament, and a very useful member, of the Wesleyan society. He sustained, with honour to himself and satisfaction to his brethren, the offices of Class-Leader and Trustee for more than thirty, and the office of Circuit-Steward for more than twenty, years. But of his character in this particular aspect the writer would specify a few leading points.

The first is love of the truth. He was convinced of its importance, he was jealous for its uncorrupted preservation, and he was concerned for its perpetuation to future times. His views of the truth were decidedly evangelical and Wesleyan; and hence the fall of man, the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, repentance, faith, holiness, and the witness of the Spirit, were his favourite subjects. Of the authority of the Wesleyan ministry, and the validity of the sacraments dispensed by Wesleyan Ministers, he was thoroughly convinced. The "Tracts for the Times," and the errors of the day, he deeply deplored; and often has the writer of this sketch heard him bewail the rapid strides of Antichrist in our beloved country, whether under a disguised or modified form.

The second point to be specified is his catholic spirit. He was a thorough Wesleyan Methodist; and he was a genuine specimen of Wesleyan Methodism. His character in this respect was strongly marked, and his predilections were clearly expressed. From the day of his conversion, to his death, his language was, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God." He was not given to change. His connexion with the Wesleyan body did not hinge on precarious, but permanent, principles; and hence, during the late attempts to subvert their constitution, he was firm and unmoved; and to his firmness, and that of other valuable friends, are mainly to be attributed the present state and prospects of the society in the town in which he lived. But while his attachment to the Wesleyan economy was both enlightened and strong, there was in him nothing of a narrow bigotry: he was "a lover of good men," however variously distinguished; he cherished a friendly feeling both for pious members of the Church of

England, and evangelical Dissenters; and names and differences, not affecting the essence of Christianity, were not regarded by him.

To these points may be added habitual cheerfulness. There is to be found in some persons a certain predisposing temperament, either natural or the result of particular circumstances, by which the mind is singularly affected, being ever inclined to despondency and gloom. But the views and feelings of Mr. Hazlehurst were free from this morbid tendency. Naturally inclined to be cheerful, grace made him happy, and his peace and joy were depicted in his countenance. The happiness which he possessed he diffused, by a vein of pleasantry which he was wont sometimes to indulge, as well as by the liveliness of his disposition: seldom, however, did his cheerfulness degenerate into levity; it was kept within proper bounds. The flow of feeling which he generally experienced sometimes abated in seasons of sickness; but his tranquillity of mind always remained the same.

ners.

Another point, too important to be overlooked, is affability of manThere was nothing repulsive about him; no cold formality: all was free, artless, and simple. He minded not high things, but condescended to men of low estate. Strangers who might be travelling with him, when he was away from home, as well as those who were more intimately connected with him in the relations of life, or the transactions of business, were pleased to find, instead of distance and reserve, the cheerful smile of one who, while he loved the brotherhood, honoured all men.

To these particulars may be added zeal in doing good. He was an admirer and supporter of that great and glorious institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society. He took a principal share in the erection and improvement of several chapels in the Circuit in which he dwelt. He presided at many Missionary Meetings, and imparted something of the gladness of his own spirit to both speakers and hearers. He highly esteemed Christian Ministers "for their work's sake," and hospitably entertained them at his house for very many years: indeed, he was often honoured by the presence and company of the most distinguished Ministers of the body to which he belonged; and by them he was much esteemed and beloved. From seven to eight o'clock, on the Lord's day, he met his children in class, from the earliest dawn of reason, until they themselves became members of the church of God. The hour of nine o'clock on the morning of the Sabbath found him meeting the class which had been committed to his care; and the faithfulness and affection with which he discharged the duties of this appointment will be long remembered. He was a Visiter of the sick; and for many years he generally devoted the afternoon of the Lord's day to this "work of faith and labour of love." He felt a deep and lively interest in the revival and extension of scriptural religion both in the church and in the world: his prayer was, "O Lord, revive thy work!" and he always rejoiced in the prosperity of the cause of God

« PreviousContinue »