Page images
PDF
EPUB

However, it was seen in his affliction that the effect of the word preached, as well as instructions of a more private nature, was not lost upon him. Whilst

in health, they had in some measure been a check upon his disposition to evil; and in his sickness, he said he reflected upon them with pleasure.

POSTSCRIPT.

Wesleyan Mission-House, London,
September 18th, 1845.

DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES.

THE Rev. George Smith and John Wilson, appointed to the Albany District, in South Africa, having been solemnly ordained in City-road chapel, on Thursday, September 4th, embarked at Gravesend the following day for their destination. They will be followed by the prayers and good wishes of the large congregation who witnessed their ordination; and we commend them to the general prayers of the church, that they may have a prosperous voyage by the will of God.

GOLD-COAST MISSION.

ARRIVAL OF THE REV. THOMAS BIRCH FREEMAN, AND THE REV.

HENRY WHARTON, AT CAPE-COAST.

WE hasten to lay before our friends the gratifying intelligence of the safe arrival of these two devoted Missionaries, and of the general prosperity of the important Missions in that part of Africa. More full particulars may be expected in a future Number.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. T. B. Freeman, dated Cape-Coast Castle, July 1st, 1845.

By a Bristol vessel which is on the point of sailing from Cape-Coast for England, I embrace the opportunity of sending a few lines to acquaint you with my safe arrival here with Mr. Wharton, on Monday, June 23d. We were mercifully favoured with a very quick and pleasant passage; and I am happy to say, that we have reached our important scene of labour in the enjoyment of excellent health. In about three days, Mr. Wharton will proceed to occupy his post at Akrah.

I am thankful to say, that I find Mr.

Brooking in tolerable health; but Mr. Chapman has been compelled again to leave his important station at Kumasi, and return to Cape-Coast, on account of ill health. I fear he may require a change to England, before he will be able to undertake any more active duties in the interior; and there is therefore but little probability of that most important of all our stations, the Kumasi station, being regularly occupied by an European Missionary, until six months after the arrival of a new supply of brethren from England.

CONTRIBUTIONS.

Contributions to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers at the Mission-House, from the 16th of August to the 17th of September, 1845, £570. 18s. 6d. Special contributions towards the extraordinary expenditure for the Missions at the Gold Coast, &c.: amount advertised, £5,194. 12s. 9d.; additional received, £237. 11s. Od.

LONDON PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE.

[graphic][merged small][merged small]

THE

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 1845.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. GERVASE WALKER,

OF HORBURY, NEAR WAKEFIELD:

BY THE REV JAMES BROMLEY.

MR. WALKER was born at Horbury, June 16th, 1779. He was the third of the five sons of Mr. Gervase Walker, farmer, of that place. The house in which he was born is the one which, with the exception of the period of his apprenticeship, he inhabited through life, and in which he died. His ancestors, for several generations, had occupied it. The younger Gervase, at the usual age, was apprenticed to Mr. William Hanson, clothier, at Ossit-street-side; and, on the expiration of the term of his apprenticeship, married one of the daughters of his master. His father died about the same time, and, in consequence of this event, he came to Horbury, and commenced business there. His dying parent gave him a very solemn charge, saying to him, in the language of Scripture, "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God." The words addressed to him at such a time, when all his feelings were awakened by the thought of the approaching separation between himself and the father whom he both respected and loved, made a deep and permanent impression on his mind, and contributed much to form the character which, through life, he happily possessed and exemplified.

In his younger days he was a scholar in the Horbury Sunday-school, where, at that period, most of the children in the parish attended: he naturally, therefore, felt a great interest in the concerns of the institution, and in 1810 became connected with it as Teacher and manager, continuing to afford it assistance and support as long as he lived. It is said that he had few advantages of education except those which were afforded him in this institution. If such were the case, he must have possessed no ordinary strength of mind to be able, under such circumstances, to fulfil the important engagements of his subsequent life in the creditable manner in which they were performed. But it is not necessary to conceal the fact, that, although his excellent natural faculties in some measure supplied the want which he often felt, his original education was defective, and he was always ready, on proper occasions, to acknowledge the disadvantages under which he in consequence laboured.

His first wife died a few years after their marriage, leaving him an 4 c

VOL. I.-FOURTH SERIES.

only child, a son, who, being a youth of great promise, was brought up to the profession of the law, and, at a very early age, entered on an extensive legal business in Old Broad-street, London. He applied himself to it with such assiduity, that his health completely failed, and he died when only twenty-nine years old. Happily, amidst the pressure of professional engagements, he had not neglected the all-important concerns of eternity. He had fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before him, and in the peace and joy of hope he fell asleep in Christ.

In 1802, Mr. Walker, in the prosecution of his business, visited the United States, and remained there two years. Whatever might be the success of this transatlantic visit, considered in a secular point of view, its religious effects on him were great. He became decided in his resolutions to seek the salvation of his soul, and to devote his life to the service of God. No particular circumstances connected with his conversion are on record. It is known that, while young, he was under the influence of very strong religious impressions; and during his apprenticeship it was evident that he was at least walking in "the fear of the Lord," even if he had not actually experienced "the comfort of the Holy Ghost." But in America he was brought to a full and permanent decision. He attended several camp-meetings; and in these he was blessed and made a blessing. In after-years he would often refer to these scenes of his earlier life, dwelling on them with great interest. It was, indeed, evident, that the retrospect of these occurrences had a happy effect on him throughout the whole of his future life.

The excellent qualifications which Mr. Walker possessed as a man of business, brought him early into notice, and led him into that public and active course of life through which he was subsequently conducted. For twenty years in succession he was one of the Trustees of the Leeds Cloth-Hall, and, by the duties of his office, was frequently called to London, and brought into personal intercourse with some of the most distinguished men of the day. Occasionally, also, he took a decided step in some of the political movements of the time; but on this part of his history we have no intention to dwell. Among those who knew him there would be, of course, much diversity of opinion on the subject; some censuring, some approving, him. We may, however, be allowed to remark, that the sea of politics is stormy and dangerous, and its navigation extremely difficult. Many have suffered great loss in it, and others have there made shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience. How far Gervase Walker safely accomplished this dangerous voyage, it is not for the writer to say; but so far as great command of temper, and unimpeachable uprightness of character, could qualify him for such an enterprise, he possessed them in an eminent degree.

He was but a young man when he was appointed by the Rev. John Gaulter, then Superintendent of the Wakefield Circuit, to be a ClassLeader. With what untiring industry, faithful counsel, brotherly kindness, and Christian watchfulness, he fulfilled the duties of an office so important in the discipline of the religious body to which he belonged, many who are yet living can testify. It is an affecting circumstance connected with the close of his life, that he should have met his class one day, and on the next be called to cease from his labours.

« PreviousContinue »