as possible, Mr. E. set off for Wakefield, to see his venerable uncle. The day after his arrival he writes : 66 Wakefield, March 6.-Under the protection of a gracious providence I arrived here about nine o'clock last night. I found my dear uncle alive, which was more than I expected. He had made another great effort to write to me yesterday, but was unable to finish his letter. "When I entered the room, he was lying very still, with his eyes shut, and a death-like countenance. He gently took hold of my hand, and affectionately squeezed it for some time. Then he looked unutterable things, and began to speak; the first words he uttered were:— Joseph, my Joseph, my dear Joseph! I'm glad to see you; I'm very glad to see you; I'm exceedingly glad to see you. Ten thousand blessings rest on you and yours.' These words he uttered with amazing energy. After some time, he began again to speak. Amongst other things he said, 'Joseph, you know, as well as I do, how God has revealed himself in his holy word. He has revealed himself as a God of infinite love. Now, all this He has realized to me. GOD IS LOVE.' It is astonishing how he rises above pain, and how solidly triumphant he is in the God of his salvation. Time would fail to mention all the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. I am glad I came. The interview I had with him reminds me of Jacob's strengthening himself just before his death, to speak to Joseph. He is indeed a wonder to many. His illness, his holy triumph, and his striking testimony to the great mercy of God have been made a blessing to the people. Oh! what a privilege it is to see a Christian die. May my latter end be like his." After spending eight days with his venerable uncle, and being greatly edified with the spiritual conversation and holy triumph of this aged and devoted minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, who now proved in an eminent degree the sustaining and consoling power of those evangelical truths he had long and successfully ministered to others,—and after having been greatly refreshed by his intercourse with old Christian friends in the Wakefield Circuit, -as Mr. Pawson appeared somewhat better and there was no indication of a speedy change, my father took leave of his venerable relative and friend, and re turned to London. It proved to be the final adieu; for after his departure Mr. Pawson became worse, and continued gradually to decline, until Wednesday, the 19th of March, when he departed in the full triumph of faith. On Sat. 22nd, my father writes:-Yesterday arrived intelligence of the death of my venerable uncle Pawson in the full triumph of faith. We have breach upon breach. Most of the old preachers are gone to their reward. After labouring in the Lord's vineyard for fortyfour years, Mr. Pawson has furnished in his last illness additional proof of the power of divine grace over sin, death, and hell; and has left behind him a glorious testimony. O may I follow him as he followed Christ; and may my latter end be like his. 66 Sun. 23.—In the evening after preaching at Queen street, I read to the Society the account of Mr. Pawson's death. Many seemed much affected. 66 May 10, 1806.-Much of my time this week has been employed in writing Missionary accounts, &c. and in travelling. I perceive a danger of losing sight of God, though my mind is much concerned to maintain intercourse with him. I wish, as Archbishop Leighton expresses it, 'to be burnt up with desire to glorify God, and promote the good of souls.' In this I am deficient. Lord, help me to be faithful. 66 May 14.-An aged member of our society died lately in an extraordinary manner, Mrs. Kilby of Cannon street. She was eighty-three years old, and had the full exercise of her faculties unimpaired to the last. For forty years she had been an ornament to religion in private life, and had been a succourer of many. She had brought up children literally, who had been left orphans, because they were the children of one of the Lord's servants. She continued in good health till the day of her departure. On that morning she did not rise to breakfast as usual. She said to her old servant, Mary, I am poorly. 'For me my elder brethren stay, And angels beckon me away, And Jesus bids me come.' 'I come, I come, I come,' said she hastily, and immediately departed, without the pomp of dying. Blessed be God, to the Christian death is gain, eternal gain. "June 7-Yesterday with other brethren, I attended good Mr. Rutherford to the grave, and also heard of the death of Mr. Hallam. No less than ten preachers have died this year. My mind is deeply impressed with a sense of the necessity of greater fervour and zeal in his blessed service; and I am resolved through divine aid to stir up his gift within me. "July 12.-A busy week. I have had much walking and riding, and have otherwise been much engaged. Preached at Chelsea on Sunday morning, and Lambeth in the evening. Mon.-Queen street. Tues.-Deptford. Wed.-Greenwich. Thurs.-Rotherhithe. Frid.Saffron Hill. Thank God, I do not wish to spend an idle life. 0 may I be ready for every good work. "My work in this circuit is nearly finished, at least, for the present. On a review, I see much cause for deep humiliation before God and man. Have mercy upon me, O God! My desire and prayer is, that God may direct me in future; that he may appoint my station and work. "Leeds, Sun. July 27.-This morning a vast concourse of people assembled at seven o'clock. Most of the preachers are arrived. I feel a great concern for the general good and for my own individual peace. I see the need of much watchfulness and prayer, that I may preserve quietness and composure of mind amidst the hurry and bustle of Conference. I resolve to keep a watch over my lips and my heart. Lord, help me. 66 Manchester, Aug. 9.-I am now on my way to my dear family, and hope soon to be settled at Rochester, where I am stationed this year. Some of my brethren opposed my going thither, as my sphere of usefulness would be contracted, and I was invited to Liverpool and other larger places; but as the removal was short, and the people anxious for my going, I saw my way clear to go to Rochester, and am encouraged to hope I shall be of some use. I resolve, through grace, to give myself continually unto prayer and the ministry of the word. "Frid. 22.-Arrived in safety at Rochester. Here we have no continuing city. We are literally strangers and pilgrims on earth. For a while we pitch our tent in Rochester: still we are in the wilderness. This is not our rest. May we look forward to the rest that remains to the people of God, and live in a continual habit of preparation for it. I trust several things in my present situation will operate as inducements to heavenlymindedness. I am weaning, and hope I shall be like a child that is weaned of his mother. O may my soul be as a weaned child." Mr. Entwisle found the state of things in the Rochester Circuit very discouraging. His sphere of labour was the most contracted to which he had yet been appointed: there were only four societies in the circuit, at Rochester, Brompton, Gillingham, and Sheerness; and these were small, the total number of members not exceeding 375. The work of God was at a very low ebb. The people generally were poor. His colleague, the Rev. Thomas Stanley, who was then single, had a lodging-room under his roof, but had to go from house to house for his meals, this being the only provision made for his board; and Mr. E. found, that the customary allowance for his wife, children, and servant must come from the Contingent Fund, and would not be paid till the Conference. This was not an agreeable contrast with the circuits to which he had been accustomed; but he was not altogether taken by surprise: he was fully aware of its inferiority in point of temporal comfort to circuits to which he had been invited, and might have been appointed; but he felt the need of retirement; he regarded the temporal inconveniences as being far outweighed by the advantages for spiritual improvement, and he had given it the preference from a full persuasion that it was the station assigned to him by Divine Providence. He therefore entered upon his work in humble dependence upon divine aid; and notwithstanding discouraging appearances, encouraged himself in the Lord, and confidently anticipated his sanction and blessing. Ten days in each month he spent at Sheerness. The retirement of that place he found highly favourable to communion with God; there he learned many useful lessons, and there he had the satisfaction to see many sinners brought to God. 66 The history of this period will be chiefly supplied by extracts from Mr. Entwisle's diary and correspondence. Sheerness, Aug. 30.-Now I am settled in my new circuit. I find the societies in a languid state. Few of the members meet regularly in class; and there is a ge This is owing, in neral want of attention to discipline. part, to the preachers being so much absent last year, begging for Sittingbourne Chapel, and during the time. of Conference. Yesterday and to-day I have been much depressed and discouraged at present appearances; but I trust I am in the place Providence has assigned me, and am resolved to lay myself out for usefulness. Lord, help me. Sept. 13.-My heart, (if I know it,) is more engaged with God than usual; and my concern and habitual care for the work of God greater than at any former period. O how I long to see Zion built up and God glorified. Yet I feel discouraged with the present state of religion in this circuit. O Lord, arise, and maintain thy own cause, and let thy right hand and thy holy arm get thee the victory; let it bring wondrous things to pass. Sheerness, Oct. 20.-Yesterday was a blessed day. Our congregations were large. The word seemed to have free course a crowded audience, with attention still as night, hung on the lips of the preacher, while the flowing tear proved that some felt a lively interest in the awful subject. The text was Matt. vii. 13, 14. Afterwards at the Lovefeast, several declared what God had done for their souls. In this place, I think, there is a sound of abundance of rain. The promise of a shower drops already from above. Three persons have found peace with God; several are under awakenings; the old professors are increasing in the life and power of religion: and a general feeling is excited in the congregation. I trust I am in the right place. 66 Nov. 1.-This forenoon, in my study, my soul received a renewed baptism of the Holy Ghost. Oh ! what humiliation and self annihilation did I experience. What unutterable desires to live to God, what nearness and confidence, what reverence and holy familiarity did I feel! Lord, I give myself, my body, my soul, my all, to thee for ever. O may I never more grieve thy Holy Spirit. 'O God, let all my life declare How happy all thy servants are, How far above these earthly things; A heaven-born race of priests and kings.' |