EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE, AND MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. FOR FEBRUARY, 1851. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. JOHN PARRY. SUCCESSIVELY PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES AT EAST COWES IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT, AND AT THE CLIFFE CHAPEL, LEWES, SUSSEX. “O thou_man of God, thou hast been faithful unto death, and thine endless reward is begun. Well done, good and faithful servant; thy stewardship is taken from thee, and thou hast entered into the joy of thy Lord. Amid acclamations of men and of angels, to whom thou wert a spectacle, thy race is ended. According to thine oft-repeated prayer, and solemnly felt desire, thou hast finished thy course with joy, and the ministry which thou hast received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. As we saw thee on the confines of the heavenly world, we thought of those brethren whom thou wert about to join, and now with celestial greetings thou hast been received into their society. Happy Guyer, happy Adams, happy Wills, but lately in our circle here, may we end our course as ye have done, and all will be well!"—Mr. Parry's Funeral Sermon for the Rev. Richard Adams. Rev. Dr. Joseph Fletcher on his removal to Stepney. Mr. Thomas Parry afterwards laboured at Newport, in Monmouthshire; and at Dover, where he died in 1844.* THE graves of the young, always | Blackburn, where he succeeded the late affecting, are especially so when youth has been distinguished by high moral, spiritual, and intellectual worth-when it has given large promise of mental power when it has actually accomplished services appreciated by the wise and the good-and when, to the last hours of capability of labour, it has planned, cherished, and executed purposes of benevolence, piety, and utility. Such, in the judgment of many, are the associations with the character of the young minister, of whose short, but not useless, course these columns are designed to attempt the embalming of a brief memorial. John, who was born Nov. 26, in the year 1816, was the second son of Mr. Thomas Parry, of Abergele, Denbigh shire, in North Wales; and brother of the late Rev. Thomas Parry once pastor of the Independent church at VOL. XXIX. With many resemblances of mind, these brothers had some similitudes of constitution, and their personal history was not entirely unlike. Both were early followers of the Lord Jesus-both became ministers-both were diligent students, and careful in ministerial self-cultivation - both obtained some acknowledged eminence-both were remarkable for firmness, and for modesty -both met with honour, but also with trials, in the pastoral life-both had nearly reached the extreme of Christian simplicity-both were cut off in the *He was author of "The Christian Earnest," in English; and contributor to some important Welsh papers. F prime of their days-both died in consumption, although that disease had not prevailed in other members of their family-and both left behind them many who intensely mourned their early removal from this condition of being. The two brothers ever cherished fond and grateful remembrance of their pious mother, whose sudden death was, indeed, a heavy affliction to the subject of this memoir. He referred to it repeatedly, through his subsequent life; though he recognised the conversations and example of his elder brother, as the immediate means employed by Providence for his decided conversion to God. At this time there was no Congregational church in the town of Abergele; and the brothers therefore walked every Sunday, several miles over the mountains, to a village chapel—there to worship in a form and on principles which they had learned to love. Of this church "amongst the mountains," John became a member at the age of thirteen years; and soon after followed his brother, 66 as a lamb follows the shepherd," to the surrounding towns, to which they were invited, the elder to preach, the younger to conduct devotional services. Encouraged by the church and by neighbouring ministers, the youth was admitted a student of the Blackburn Academy, at the age of seventeen years. On his admission, he was addressed by the Rev. Dr. M'All, who is understood to have afterwards commended him to the especial attention of one of the tutors, as a lad whom it would be "worth while" to cherish. Mr. Parry appears to have passed his college life with credit to his diligence, and to the satisfaction of his tutors. By some fellow-students he was earnestly loved. In afterwards sketching this portion of the experience of an embryo minister, Mr. Parry gave the following passages, not undescriptive of his own: on. "Who can faithfully portray the advance, from his youth upwards, of that servant of God whom he has led to the work, and taken his own wondrous way in training and directing? There is the period of impressions got over, after perhaps hard struggles and wavering purposes. Then he essayed to join himself to the disciples;' then the church of which he was a member was charged with the responsibility of inviting or sanctioning the exercise of his gifts in public work; then 'the school of the prophets' was determined And then came the College life! with its strange experience and unutterable importance; its wondrous interest and prolific influence; with its weak and juvenile points it may be, but those that are redeeming too; its sombre moods, reveries, and buoyances; its hardy discipline and glorious excitements; its Platonic and Christian hours. Oh, if but a thousandth part of the importance, the trials, and emotions connected with this period, should have more prayers for students and were more generally considered, we certainly professors." In the year 1842, Mr. Parry became pastor of the Congregational church, at He East Cowes, where he laboured for nearly seven years, greatly esteemed by the mass of his congregation, and also in the neighbouring churches. entered on his work with becoming seriousness, very earnestly devoting himself to the welfare of his people, especially of the poor and the young; and richly was he repaid by the proHere, fiting and the love of many. however, again, without intending it, he seems to have become his own biographer. He writes: "The curriculum of study comes to a close, and what then? A new world is now entered brings over the spirit an awe more awful, a on; as it is approached, the ministerial work solemnity more solemn than before. In the position of waiting for what might appear to be the manifestation of the will of Christ, the candidate feels the comfort of faith, and the relief of prayer. The young man is chosen the 'overseer' of a church. His work is in earnest, upon him; and he feels the demand for all his piety and zeal, his learning and sense, his courage and caution, his strength and suavity, his dignity and humility, his light and love. Say not it is easy for him to be religious, for that he has nothing else to do but to be so. and no man, on the other hand, is in greater No man needs more religion; danger of having his understanding in that way familiarized with Truth-so much professional-as that its influence on the heart becomes seriously impaired. And there are all the temptations, all the solicitudes of the public man; the critical states of the mental, moral, and ministerial developments and experience Brethren, pray for us.'" preached, before the same body, his now well-known discourse on "The Ulti mate Design of the Christian Ministry," such enthusiasm of approval had never been elicited by any sermon before "The Hants Association." Not satisfied with acclamation, when ministers pro East Cowes was then a less apparently important station, than the neigh-posed "thanks, and that the sermon be bouring residence of royalty and other occurrences have since rendered it; and whether it was quite the position for a minister of his mental character, was a question which did sometimes occur to the minds of his well-wishers. He held, however, the warm affections of many in the congregation, and gratefully appreciated them-so gratefully, indeed, as sometimes to provoke the friends who desired his removal to a larger sphere of labour. His affectionate heart so regarded this, his " first love," in the ministry, that, humble as was his position, he was unwilling to exchange it, or even to become a party to the endeavours of others to facilitate his removal. While labouring in the Isle of Wight, Mr. Parry, as a minister of "The Hants Association," was, in course, appointed to preach on "the given subject," at the meeting of that body, in the spring of 1845. The topic assigned to him was of no less difficulty or importance than that included in its emphatic title, “Anti-Christ in Prophecy, and AntiChrist in Fact;" and the appointment of such a subject to so young a minister provoked a little surprise, with some fears both for the preacher and for his subject. It was not without a solemn conviction of its deep and vast importance, that the youth prepared for, and engaged in, this grave employment; and never, perhaps, was his genuine modesty so thoroughly developed as on the day of his delivering the sermon referred to. The impression produced by it was, however, such as neither he, nor his friends, had conceived of. Since the memorable day when the Rev. Thomas Binney had printed," the non-ministerial brethren rose; and, headed by their oldest and greatly respected leader, Isaac Fletcher, Esq., desired that, on this occasion, the thanks and request of the laymen should also be specially expressed; and this, to the great astonishment of the preacher, was also carried by acclamation. Mr. Parry returned from that meeting encouraged, indeed, by his suc cess; but wondering at the impressions produced by what had become so familiar to his own mind; and anxiously desiring, in this and in all other connexions, to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. It were not easy, in the space allotted to this notice, to present a fair digest of the theory, reasonings, illustrations, and appeals, presented in the discourse, which was afterwards published, and obtained some celebrity; but the following is extracted from its preface: "While prosecuting his inquiries, the writer was led to results for which he was not, at first, altogether prepared. Stereotyped impressions received from Protestant writers, conclusions on which he found himself thrown; of mostly one school, stiffly rebelled against but after some misgivings, and having received a degree of encouragement from consulting writers of different schools, the interpretation of prophecy and of history here propounded, made a deep and solemn impression on his mind. It were absurd to affect that, in this his first appearance as an author, he is entirely without anxiety; yet with regard to May they flourish or fall according to their the principles announced, he can calmly say— truthfulness or error, as they agree or disagreo with an enlightened and candid understanding of the subject to which they have reference!" The sermon being now nearly "out of print;" and, from the decease of its author, not likely to be republished, a small selection from the notices it re ceived, may supply a not improper memorial of the youthful student and preacher on prophecy. That from the EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE is placed first, because it gives a representation of its great principle:— We "As a discussion of the main topics connected with Anti-Christ, it will be deeply interesting to all thoughtful Christians at the present momentous crisis. The author has entered into a careful and laboured induction, worthy of the most unprejudiced investigation, to show that the State connexion in religion is both a palpable and predicted feature of the great apostasy. have examined it with care, and we confess surprise at the strength of the author's position. The total absence of all vituperation and unfair dealing in the essay, gives it a claim on the serious attention of Churchmen, which we trust no ancient prejudices will tempt them to withhold. We could wish to see it in the hands of every inquiring man. It will reward the most careful perusal."-Evangelical Magazine, Dec., 1845. We give our recommendation with all possible cordiality and earnestness.” Other approving notices were pub lished at the time: some of them from leading ministers of his own county; but several, also, from quarters in which he was not personally known. That from the official organ of the Methodist Conference, inferring the character of the man from that of his book, was more just than even its writer may have imagined. The italics in the following extract are ours; but the words describe John Parry to the life. Yes! the hatred of Anti-Christ, in every conceivable form, was the characteristic of the modest, but manly pastor, whose image we are trying to preserve. These are the words: "The whole discourse manifests the author's Evangelical principles; his thorough acquaintance with the topic on which he expatiates; his indomitable hatred of Anti Dr. J. Pye Smith wrote to the Christ, in whatever form it may be presented; author: 'I beg you to accept my special thanks for your Discourse on Anti-Christ. The arguments appear to me to be sound, the application just, and the whole subject treated in a manner which reflects great honour on your research, your judgment, and your Christian spirit. I must, however, guard against being committed either to an acquiescence in every interpretation of some passages in the Revelations, or to a decided difference upon them. In some cases, the difficulties are great; but, on the great argument, I am fully convinced that you have GOD and truth on your side." Dr. James Bennett wrote: "Wishing to promote investigation on a subject so important at the present time, and admiring the spirit of research in Mr. Parry's discourse, I am happy to add my recommendation." The Christian Examiner Nov. 1845 wrote "Mr. Parry is known to us only by character. We cannot be suspected, therefore, of yielding to the influence of personal friendship, if we express, in strong terms, our admiration of the ability and vigour displayed in this masterly discourse. A more able, lucid, conclusive treatise we have not read for many months. . . . . It is the result of much mature and patient investigation. true apostolic succession, and the living and dying testimony of the departed minister On most of the subjects above alluded to, it may be observed from the publication, that the writer's spirit had been "stirred within him," on public grounds. It is obvious, however, that Mr. Parry, like many other ministers of Jesus, had derived personal benefits from the Christian endeavours of the aged saint. He thus speaks of Mr. Adams; "The first visit from him with which I was honoured after my settlement here, was of about ten minutes' duration, five of which (a short time for him) were occupied in prayer on your behalf and on mine. That prayer did more execution on my heart (God forgive that the impressions have not been better cultivated) than all my reading of Baxter's Pastor, or Doddridge's Lectures, or Bridge's Christian Ministry; and assuredly this ought to mean much. The last words I heard from the man who offered that prayer -words spoken a few days before his death -were, 'Well, my dear brother, the Lord teach thy hands to war, and thy fingers to fight. To that prayer I ask your Amen." It was an opinion of Mr. Parry, that everything we do, tells on the future; and it is clear, that what Mr. Adams had done, told on him, and on those whom, living or dying, he could influence. London and Bath; but his attention was chiefly absorbed by an undertaking to which, in the order of events, he seemed to have been fairly directed. On the decease of the Rev. T. S. Guyer, of Ryde, and under the extraordinary circumstances of his inter ment, exciting unusual attention to the life and character of the departed minister, Mr. Parry was selected by the family and friends to become his biographer. How he executed that task may, in part, be estimated from the memoir; but the obstacles he overcame in its eventual publication, were such as few could as effectively have conquered. Mr Guyer's memoir, dated 1848, bears on its titlepage, the inscription: By JOHN PARRY, LEWES:--where the biographer was then the beloved pastor of the congregation worshipping in the old Cliffe Chapel. This pastoral relationship, though mournfully short, was eminently happy. That the young minister had progressively become influenced by a more intense evangelism, and that he now, on principle, aimed at greater "plainness of speech," is not to be denied. That any right-minded teacher should “ grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," is what ought rather to be expected, than the There are passages in this sermon contrary; and that a Cambrian youth, evincing what from other circumstan- who had chiefly endeavoured to form ces also, is known to have been true his English style on the model of some that the dying hours of the venerable Adams had left such impressions on the mind of the young minister as never could be effaced. It may, in reviewing the history of his mind, be doubted if he could otherwise have become so well qualified for services in which he was afterwards employed. In 1847, Mr. Parry saw reasons for resigning his charge at East Cowes; of which, however, as his "first love" in the ministry, he ever cherished an affectionate remembrance. At that time he preached, a few Sabbaths, in ancient classics, should have increased in simplicity of diction with increasing experience, was not to his disgrace. Certain it is, that the affection of the young, the esteem of the aged, increasing usefulness, and the cordial regards of an interesting circle were, at Lewes, awarded to the pastor of the Cliffe Chapel. There were strong indications that God had given him favour in the eyes of the people; and while by a holy and diligent course he endeavoured to retain their love, he sought, on the highest of all principles, to commend himself to |