Page images
PDF
EPUB

ens the town and all its inhabitants with destruction. This place cannot long, I think, maintain its present position. I am fully of the opinion that the Akus, who have made several discoveries of the hypocrisy and deceit of the Chiefs, and of their dangerous character as allies in a case of war, will bring it under themselves, and introduce their laws and regulations. Then might Europeans residing here hope for peace with the country around, and the Mis sionary might visit the neighbouring towns and villages for religious purposes, which he cannot do now, if it is in the power of this people to prevent it.

A case of this nature has just transpired, which clearly proves the above

statement. It was talked of and nearly determined by Mr. Hutton to establish a factory at Aggido, as soon as the country should become a little more tranquil. This intention, having been made known to the Chiefs, has operated in such a manner, and called forth such feelings of envy and jealousy, that Captain Parsons has just informed me that the plan must be entirely frustrated for the present, as to carry it out would immediately create war between the two places. This, of course, has come from Wawu, and the other Chiefs, whose covetousness and indolence are such as would lead them to starve another, rather than make any effort, or give him equal privileges with themselves.

(To be concluded in our next.)

POSTSCRIPT.

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

VALEDICTORY SERVICE AND ORDINATION OF MISSIONARIES. LAST evening, the 17th, a valedictory and ordination service was held at Brunswick chapel, Milton-street, Regent's-park. The Rev. W. B. Boyce, formerly of South Africa, but now appointed as General Superintendent of the Missions in Australia and Van-Diemen's Land; the Rev. Hilton Cheesbrough, returning to the West Indies; and the Rev. Thomas Raston, returning to Sierra-Leone, Western Africa; with their families, were solemnly commended to the care and blessing of Almighty God.

The Missionaries ordained were, the Rev. Thomas West and the Rev. Joel Bate, for the Friendly Islands; and the Rev. Thomas James and Samuel Brown, for the West Indies.

DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES.

THE Rev. W. B. Boyce and family, the Rev. Thomas West and Mrs. West, and the Rev. Joel Bate, embarked this day, Saturday, the 18th, on board of the "General Hewett," for Sydney, in New South Wales.

CONTRIBUTIONS.

** Contributions to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers at the Mission-House, from the 17th of September to the 14th of October, 1845, £464. 14s. Od. Special contributions towards the extraordinary expenditure for the Missions at the Gold Coast, &c.: amount advertised, £5,432. 18. 9d.; additional received, £292. 11s. Od.

LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE.

[graphic][merged small][merged small]

THE

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1845.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. WILLIAM DICKINSON,

OF BRIGHTON :

BY THE REV. JOHN CROFTS.

THE remark has sometimes been made, that "lives can be written only from personal knowledge ;" and that "the incidents which chiefly give interest to biography are often of a very evanescent character, so as to be rarely transmitted by tradition." The writer of the present memoir therefore feels the difficulty of the task which he has undertaken, occasioned by the absence of an extensive personal acquaintance with the deceased, and by the want of opportunity to obtain such traditionary notices as might have supplied materials for a characteristic and useful biographical statement. But he wishes to preserve from oblivion the memory of a good and amiable man, and has therefore collected the facts and observations which the following account will comprise, for the most part, from Mr. Dickinson's own papers; adding such remarks as have been suggested by the knowledge derived from a close, though short, acquaintance with him.

William Dickinson was born March 2d, 1783, at Netherton, near Wakefield. His father was a respectable farmer in that village. Both parents were pious; and under their hospitable roof the Wesleyan Ministers were long entertained; so that their regular visits were among the earliest facts which Mr. Dickinson could remember. He knew the Methodist Preachers as soon as he knew any persons not immediately belonging to the domestic circle; and has often, in later life, thankfully adverted to the advantages accruing to himself and the other members of the family from these systematic ministerial visitations, Religion became thus associated with personal friendliness and to be permitted to accompany their parents to "the preaching" was, to the children, a sort of holiday, anticipated, as well as received, with pleasure. In their earliest days they were "glad when it was said to them, Let us go up to the house of the Lord." Great are the advantages enjoyed by the young in those families in which domestic training is thus connected with pastoral care. The parents teach diligently to their children the words which they have received into their own hearts; and the true successors of Peter, who, like him, love their Lord and Master, are glad to feed his lambs. It was thus in the family of which young Dickinson was a member; and, by the blessing

VOL. I.-FOURTH SERIES.

4 K

of God, he was brought to remember his Creator in the days of his youth. At a very tender age he became decidedly pious, and, when about twelve years old, he joined the Wesleyan society.

His father wished him to engage in the medical profession, and for some time he was educated accordingly; but, after a while, it was resolved that he should devote himself to mercantile pursuits; and, to prepare him for these, he was, at the proper period, placed in a respectable family.

Through the eventful years of early life, and while walking in what are justly called "the slippery paths of youth," he maintained his piety; and his connexion with the Wesleyan society was uninterrupted. He appears to have been distinguished by habits of early rising, and industrious application to business, with great punctuality and order. All this, connected as it was with strong religious principle, secured him the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends. What the general state of his mind was, when he arrived at manhood, may be gathered from two or three brief extracts from a diary which in early life he began to keep.

66

"July 29th, 1806.-This day I have found my soul quickened by the Holy Spirit, so that I have a stronger thirst for heavenly things.” August 14th.-I have read much in the Scriptures to-day. I was enabled to begin it earlier than usual, and found the good effects of it. An observation I have met with, has much impressed me; I will endeavour henceforth to make it my motto: The wise and prudent conquer difficulties, by daring to attempt them. I must look at duty, not difficulty, and, in the strength of my God, do what I ought to do."

"September 4th.-I have found it useful to begin the day by committing to memory a few verses of Scripture. I feel that I often need to pray; and when I can plead the divine promises, I seldom fail of a blessing. May I never lose sight of this, but be always prepared to call upon the Lord for what he has promised to bestow.'

We thus see how he began life, looking for divine influence to quicken and establish him, loving the word of God, and devoutly perusing it, and especially reading it for instruction and encouragement in prayer. A few more extracts will show the general character of his religious experience for the next two years.

66

April 6th, 1807.-I have resolved to renew my old plan of committing to memory those passages of Scripture which particularly strike me in my morning exercises. I shall thus have subjects for meditation and helps in prayer through the day. O my God, seal thy blessed word upon my soul!"

"June 22d. What calmness of mind have I this day experienced! What happiness, from different sources, have I enjoyed! The world smiles upon me, and would twine itself round my heart. Blessed be God, I believe I should feel neither reluctance nor fear in leaving it, should he call me to a change in the place of my existence. Let me only be with Him, and, whether in this world, or in the world to come, all shall be well with me."

"October 17th.-Blessed be God for his goodness! In the course of the past week, I have frequently found sweet intercourse with him. O, how pleasant it is to feel the power of godliness in the soul! to find that our thoughts are delightfully drawn out after God; that our soul is daily hungering and thirsting after righteousness! Happy are the

« PreviousContinue »