Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, FOR FEBRUARY, 1827. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR OF THE REV. WALTER GRIFFITH: BY THE REV. EDMUND GRINDROD. THIS eminent servant of God was born October 4th, 1761, near Clogheen, in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. His father, though resident in the midst of a Popish population, was a decided Protestant, and so strenuously opposed to the peculiar tenets of the Church of Rome, that he would not suffer any of his children to learn the native Irish language, lest it should, at any future period of their lives, prove an inducement to them to embrace those pernicious errors. Such was the depravity of many of his Protestant, as well as Roman Catholic, neighbours, that it was their custom promiscuously to meet together after public worship on the Lord's Day, to engage in sports and games; and on those occasions the Protestant Clergyman and the Romish Priest attended, in company with each other, as spectators, and to prevent disputes between the two parties. These profanations of the Sabbath were practised in an adjoining field, in front of the house of Mr. Griffith, senior, who used to lock up his children in a back apartment of the house, to prevent them from witnessing these scenes of folly and wickedness. The subject of this memoir, when very young, entertained an ardent desire to become a classical scholar: his father, however, designed him for trade; and did not consult his literary taste, but gave him a respectable English education. Reading was his favourite employment; and when he could procure an amusing or instructive book, he would cheer. fully sacrifice his boyish play, and even a portion of his daily food, to be permitted to read it. He was, at this early period, favoured with many illuminations and impressions of the Holy Spirit; had strong desires to save his soul; and often in private repeated, with fervour and with tears, a form of prayer which he had previously committed to memory. But he knew not that the holy influence by which he was then affected came from God; and as he had no experienced Christian friend to instruct him, and was much exposed to the company of a wicked man, into whose spirit he imperceptibly and deeply drank, his good impressions faded away; and for several succeeding years, he entirely abandoned secret prayer, and became habitually careless of divine things. VOL. VI. Third Series. FEBRUARY, 1827. G When Mr. Griffith had attained the age of about fifteen years, his father was prevailed upon to send him to Dublin, to reside with an elder brother who was in business in that city. He arrived there on July 1st, 1776; and though he underwent many hardships whilst he lived in his brother's family, in the subsequent periods of his life, he considered his removal to Dublin as one of those providential events which concurred to bring about his conversion. His brother's business proved unsuccessful, and he was bound apprentice to another master; and after having been with him for some time, he formed a resolution to enlist into the King's service of this determination, and of his proceedings in consequence, he has left the following account: "I had written to my father to supply me with a certain sum of money; but he refused to grant my request; and in the spirit of resentment, I wickedly resolved to enter into the army; being persuaded that this would greatly distress him. This, however, was not my only reason for resolving on such a step. I felt myself unhappy; and supposed that this was caused by my inability fully to gratify my corrupt inclinations ; and that the army was the only place in which I could accomplish this object. I made known my intention to two of my fellow-apprentices; and in company with them, on the following Sabbath morning, I set out to go to Chapel-Izod, where the train of artillery generally lay. On our way thither, the young men, who had a strong affection for me, used every argument in their power to dissuade me from my purpose; and added tears to their entreaties: they at last gained their point, and I returned home with them. The next Lord's Day, I resolved I would not be prevented; and therefore set out without mentioning my intention to any one. As I entered Chapel-Izod, I met with one of the Sergeants of the train, to whom I addressed myself, informing him that I intended to enlist into that regiment. He looked at me for some time, and at last said, 'Young man, you seem to want for nothing: it is probable you are going to take this step in order to grieve a tender parent, or an indulgent master. I advise you to go home again: for my part, I would rather horse whip you home than enlist you; but if you are determined upon it, you will find Sergeant Ratcliffe at the barracks, who will probably be glad to engage you.' I disregarded this friendly advice, proceeded to the barracks, and found Sergeant Ratcliffe. He said he was sorry that he had no enlisting orders; and that there was no officer in the town; but added, 'If you will meet me at the OrdnanceOffice on Tuesday at twelve o'clock, I will present you to the MasterGeneral of Ordnance, and I have no doubt he will enlist you.' I waited impatiently for the arrival of the appointed hour, and then hastened to the Castle-yard; but Ratcliffe was prevented by sickness from meeting These disappointments only served to make me the more eager to obtain my purpose; and the next Lord's Day I went again to Chapel me. Izod. The Sergeant apologized for not meeting me according to appointment; and informed me that I might now accomplish my wishes, as there was an officer in town. We waited upon him, and he agreed, that, if I came within a quarter of an inch of the standard required, he would venture to take me; but on trial, I was found half an inch too low; the officer, therefore, told me he durst not enlist me; and I returned home greatly mortified with the failure of my design. This disappointment I have since regarded as one of the happiest events of my life. Had I then enlisted, it is probable I might never have heard the Gospel, 、or have never obeyed it. What abundant cause have I to praise my merciful Father in heaven for preventing me, by his providence, from taking a step which was likely to terminate in my ruin!" In the month of August, 1780, Mr. Griffith was induced, at first from motives of a vain curiosity, to attend the preaching of the Methodists at Whitefriars' Street Chapel. At the Conference held in the same month, the Rev. Joseph Pilmoor was appointed for Dublin. Mr. Griffith heard the first sermon he preached in that city; was charmed and delighted with the Minister; and, without having then received any deep conviction of sin, he determined to join the Society. Shortly after this, he began to meet in Mr. John Dinnen's Class, and was received on trial in the same Class by Mr. Pilmoor, September 4th, 1780. From this time he became circumspect in his outward conduct, his soul was penetrated with a conviction of its guilt and depravity, and he sorrowed after a godly sort. But during several subsequent months, severe temptations, a disposition to conceal his true state of mind from his Christian friends, together with mistaken views of some important doctrines of divine truth, caused by reading books of an Antinomian tendency, greatly retarded his progress in seeking the Lord. Towards the close of Mr. Pilmoor's second year in Dublin, Mr. Griffith, and a few of the most serious young men in the Society, agreed to meet to spend an hour in prayer every Sabbath morning, at five o'clock; and at eight o'clock, three nights in every week. These were the beginnings of those Prayer-Meetings in Dublin, which have since been made of God instrumental of eternal good, to thousands of immortal spirits. This youthful band was soon joined by the most pious and useful of the Class-Leaders, and their meetings were extended to the Infirmary, Channel-Row, and many other places in the city and its neighbourhood. In these useful labours Mr. Griffithi was actively engaged, before he had received the knowledge of salvation by the remission of his sins; and often, at these times, his penitential sorrow was almost overwhelming. God, however, was pleased at length to reveal his Son in him, and to fill him with peace and joy in believing. The following is his own account of this happy event: "In the year 1782, that faithful servant of God, the Rev. Thomas Rutherford, was appointed to travel in the Dublin Circuit. I loved to |