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The thanks of the Directors are respectfully presented to the following, viz. :—

To Mrs. Spratt, for Articles of Clothing for the South Sea Mission. G. Bennet, Esq., for Ten Volumes of Scripture Natural History, for the Mission Families in the South Sea Islands. Mr. J. Aris, for Haberdashery for the African Schools. Rev. J. Saltren, for a Box of valuable Books. To a Friend, Messrs. Chariott, Scammell, Meymoth, and West, for Volumes and Numbers of the Evangelical Magazine. Friends at Leeds and Huddersfield, by G. Rawson, Esq., for Books and Apparel for Rev. Mr. Miller, Neyoor Mission.

John Westley and Co. 27, Ivy Lane.

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EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE

AND

MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

FOR MAY, 1832.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. DAVID JONES, OF HOLYWELL, Flintshire.

DAVID JONES was born at Llanuwchllyn, Merionethshire, in the month of October, 1770. His mother died when he was a child, and the family soon after removed to Bala. After serving his apprenticeship with a cooper in that town, and working for some time as a journeyman, he set up business on his own account at Llanuwchllyn, and was much respected wherever he was known. When about eighteen, a sermon, preached by the late Rev. W. Thomas, of Bala, from Eccles. xi. 9, made a deep impression on his mind.

He at once felt that he was a guilty, helpless sinner; and, concluding that he could never obtain forgiveness, gave himself up to despondency and grief; considering and representing himself as one doomed to perish. His friends, in the spirit of love and meekness, and with much Christian sympathy, did all in their power to relieve his mind, and to remove his fears; and in the summer of the year 1790, induced by their encouragements, he joined congregational church at Bala; but his spirits, for a long time after,

the

VOL. X.

continued so depressed, as materially to injure his health and constitution. Unable to find comfort in the closet or the sanctuary, and fearing that the enjoyment of gospel ordinances would only tend to aggravate his condemnation, he was often tempted to withdraw entirely from church-fellowship, to neglect all religious duties, to doubt the faithfulness of the Saviour, to disbelieve the testimonies of the Bible, and to try if he could find either peace or pleasure in "the ways of the world." These inward workings of unbelief and despair were principally occasioned by some definitions of "the sin against the Holy Ghost," which he had previously read or heard: definitions quite at variance with the express declarations of gospel truth-definitions which could have no sanctifying influence on the mind, and calculated to promote neither the happiness of man, nor the praise of the Redeemer.

After being thus grievously harassed by the tempter, and violently tossed on waves of sorrow, for about four years, his attention was direct

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ed to the descriptions given in the Bible and other books of the trying temptations and inward conflicts of believers in every age of the world; and he speedily found that they, when tried and cast down, derived all their consolations and support from the gracious promises of a faithful, forgiving, and compassionate Saviour; that they, when heavy laden and perishing, found rest and help in him; and that they, though sinful and helpless, triumphed in his strength and through his blood.

He at once

perceived that the Christian life is a continual warfare; that no victory can be expected where there is no conflict; that the rest remaineth for those that labour; and that the crown is laid up for them that conquer. This attention to the history and experience of others led to a fuller contemplation of the perfections of a divine Redeemer, to a firmer reliance on his infinite atonement, to a stronger attachment to his cause, to greater devotedness in his service, to constant pantings after humility and holiness; and thus his perplexing fears were gradually dispelled, and peace and comfort followed.

About this time his friends at Bala, in conjunction with the late Rev. Dr. George Lewis-induced by the decided tone of unaffected piety that evidently characterised his whole deportment, together with his constant assiduity in acquiring scriptural knowledge, and his usefulness in the church-directed his thoughts to the work of the ministry. With much anxiety, and after considerable hesitation, he yielded to their solicitations, and preached his first sermon, Feb. 9, 1796, from John xiv. 6, and continued through life to preach Christ to perishing sinners as the truth, and the life."

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the way,

The affecting views which he then had of the purity of the divine law,

and of the love and wisdom displayed in the gospel plan of salvation through Christ, were such as frequently to overwhelm his feelings, both while studying his sermons, and while endeavouring to tell sinners of the dear Saviour he had found, of the rich provisions of sovereign mercy, and of the danger of such as reject the offered pardon.

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In May, 1797, an application to the supporters of the North Wales Academy was made on his behalf, and in the September following, he entered upon his preparatory studies at Wrexham, under the care of the late Rev. Jenkin Lewis. few of the reflections, resolutions, and desires, recorded by him whilst a student, may assist the reader in forming an estimate of his character, and cannot prove uninteresting to young Christians, especially to such as are preparing for the work of the ministry.

REFLECTIONS.- "I find, from experience, knowledge, as well as the way of peace. that the way of piety is also the way of The neglect of religion can be of no advantage to the cause of science. The acquisition of knowledge can in no way be promoted by

forgetting the Lord. I never feel happy in the pulpit unless prepared for its duties by previous meditation and prayer. A contrite heart renders public duties both instructive and delightful. I find it best to apply the various parts of my discourses as proceeding, while the remarks are fresh in the recollection of the hearers; and think that young ministers should aim more at awakening the careless, and winning the young, than at edifying the aged. Previous to any remarkable success, there must be a proportionable enlargement of soul; and, previous to any such enlargement of soul, there must be deep humiliation, constant watchfulness, strict self-examination, and fervent prayer. I never find it well on common days when not so on Lord's days; never well abroad when not so at home; never well at the domestic altar when not so in my private devotions. The more pray, the better I study. Devotion leads to serenity of mind; serenity of mind sweetens meditation; and meditation, thus sanctified by prayer, fits the mind for public duties. How awful if, after preaching Christ to others, I have no personal interest in him; if, after encouraging others, I be found at last on the left hand, doomed to suffer everlasting

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