He was born in the year 1762, and was privileged to receive a good education according to that time; but describes himself as having had, in his youth, a strong and intractable will.
When he had scarcely reached the years of manhood, having had to leave the parental roof, and the care of a very affectionate mother, he was much exposed to temptation, and the assaults of the enemy, with but few good examples in view; yet, through Divine mercy, he experienced preservation from gross evil; and was favoured about the 19th year of his age, with a precious and powerful visitation of heavenly love. Being naturally of a grave and serious turn of mind, and keeping much in retirement, he attracted the notice of some, who had at heart the welfare and encouragement of the young; of whom William and Catharine Phillips were his kind and judicious friends. He had great regard for them both; the religious experience and cheerfulness of the one, and the powerful ministry of the other, left a strong impression on his mind.
In the spring of 1790, he married Martha Manning, of Exeter. Their union was of short duration; she survived the marriage only about two years; leaving an exemplary character for charity and good works.
Under a deep concern of mind, our dear Friend first spoke as a minister at a Quarterly Meeting at Kingsbridge, in the same year, being then under the appointment of elder. About that time, he occasionally accompanied his valued Friend Jonathan Burns, of Looe; who together with Sarah Suchett, held many meetings in parts of Cornwall and Devonshire, chiefly where Friends were but little known. These engagements appear to have been fraught with instruction and profit to himself; and he added at times, a few words of earnest exhortation to those present.
He has been heard to remark, that he believed he was the first who was regularly recorded by his Monthly Meeting in Cornwall. This took place in the year 1794. His gift in the ministry was often exercised with fearfulness; but being watchful in such movements, and desiring to depend on the Lord alone for wisdom and strength, he experienced due qualification and enlargement; and his services were attended with demonstrations of the Spirit and of power. Being also possessed of a clear understanding, sanctified by the seasoning virtue of Divine Grace, he was made useful in contributing to revive the discipline of the Church, and thus became an honourable instrument for good, in the hand of his Divine Master.
In 1794, he was associated successively with Sarah Harrison, from America; and Ann Alexander, (then Ann Tuke), of York, in many public meeting, which they held chiefly in the western parts of Cornwall. The labours of both these Friends were blessed to many; and those of the latter especially, being more extensive, proved the means of inciting others to diligence in the spiritual work of the day. She paid a religious visit to the Scilly Islands, accompanied by himself and other Friends. This, it is believed, was the first visit of any ministers of our Society to those islands. The part which he took in these services appears to have been satisfactory and weighty.
In several following years he traveled extensively in the work of the ministry, with the unity of his Friends. In 1795, with two Friends of Cumberland, he went through several parts of Scotland, and some of the adjacent islands, going northwards as far as Aberdeen, and having many religious opportunities both among Friends and others. Though his mind was often affected with depression and discouragement, yet there is reason to believe that his labours, both in this engagement, and in others less extensive, in various parts of the United Kingdom, proved acceptable and salutary to many.
In 1803, our dear Friend was united in marriage to Sarah James, of Falmouth; an event which proved of great strength and comfort to him during the remainder of his life. He had previously had a view, that it might be required of him to pay a religious visit to Friends in Ireland; and soon after his marriage, he proceeded to Dublin and entered on this important service, which closely occupied him for several months.
For many years he carried on the business of a woolstapler, and occupied a few acres of land; but he did not devote himself much to pursuits of a temporal nature, endeavouring to keep them in subservience to interests of greater moment; and he very much withdrew from business about thirty years before his death, contracting his affairs within a narrow compass.
The welfare of those around him, and the improvement of the religious and social state of his fellow-countrymen, and of mankind at large, excited his Christian solicitude; and among many other philanthropic objects, he took a lively interest in measures for promoting the unsectarian education of the children of the poor, and for elevating the condition of the descendants of Africa. The subject of intemperance also affected him much, in consequence of the fearful ravages of that evil among the various classes of the community; and when upwards of 70 years of age, he relinquished, on grounds of Christian expediency, the use of all intoxicating drinks,--a change which was made with benefit rather than injury to his health.
The interests of our religious Society were near to his heart. Frugal in his own expenses, he contributed liberally to its various objects; and earnest were his principles that its ancient Christian principles might be faithfully maintained on the true foundation, and that no compromise might be made with the spirit of the world. The many departures among us from the Gospel standard, excited his deep concern. The scriptural doctrine of the Light or Spirit of Christ, graciously revealed to all men, he felt particularly called to uphold; recommending his Friends and all others to walk therein; that thus they might have true fellowship one with another, and know the blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God to cleanse them from all sin. Having reflected and felt much on the great work of human redemption, he published, in 1834, some of his views thereon; also on Divine Worship; and on partaking of the flesh and blood of Christ. The circulation of this valuable tract appeared to afford him relief and satisfaction.
With increasing years, humility, affection, and gentleness of disposition, increased. Though of sound judgment and deep experience in things pertaining to life and salvation, he greatly valued the unity and judgment of the church, and esteemed with forbearance and deference the sentiments of his Friends; not desiring to assume the character of a lord over the heritage, but to be an example to the flock; yet he might be truly designated as one of the fathers of the Church. Uncompromising integrity and principle marked his character; and it was at all times his desire and concern to magnify the power of Divine Grace, and to acknowledge, in humility, his own deep unworthiness.
As life advanced, the religious labours of this dear Friend gradually became less extensive; but they continued highly valuable and weighty, and were blessed, it is believed, to the edification of many. He was frequently engaged within the limits of his own and adjacent Quarterly Meetings; and in company with his wife, he paid a last general visit to the families of Friends in Cornwall, and held some meeting with others, in the years 1840-1, when in his 78th year. While health and strength permitted, he was a frequent attender of the Yearly Meeting of London; and his presence at meetings for worship at home, until prevented by illness, was remarkably punctual. In these, the character of his religious communications was lively and instructive, though delivered at times, under infirmity of body, and a sense of spiritual poverty. Many who were present on the last day of his attending meeting, will not soon forget the sweetness and solemnity of his address, and the striking allusion to his own experience of Divine Goodness from early life to that day.
The final illness of our Friend was marked by hope and consolation, and was replete with much to instruct and impress survivors. Often did he commemorate that Divine and gracious Hand, which had led him from early years, had been his shield in temptations and conflicts, in heights and in depths; had upheld him through many weaknesses and short comings; and which he reverently hoped would keep him in patience to the end, blotting out all his transgressions for the Redeemers's sake.
He had had, at different times, slight attacks of a paralytic nature(1), and on the 29th of twelfth month, 1847, another of these so much prostrated his strength, as thenceforward to confine him to his bed, which he kept with little intermission for about 18 weeks. He had been wont to speak very diffidently of his future prospects; but on no occasion, throughout his illness, did they appear to be shaded with doubt or fear; he spoke of his departure most frequently as, "a day of deliverance," much to be desired and calmly to be waited for for; and there were occasions, when he could joyfully anticipate it, as the entrence on a state of blessedness and glory.
His concern for the welfare of individuals, and of our religious Society, was strikingly evinced. From many instructive remarks, the following are selected:--On the 3rd of First month, he said, "I have been much favoured with Divine mercy this day;" and alluding to one particular meeting, he observed, "Alas, how has the testimony of the Light of Christ been obscured by professors of it, yielding to the world. I believe that that testimony must be re-established, but by what means it may please the Great Head of the Church to do this, that I leave. I desire that all Friends may be faithful to the measure of light and grace dispensed to them--then I believe, light will spring up, and the church will shine forth in her ancient beauty. There is but one door into the true sheepfold. 'I,' said Christ, 'am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.'(2) 'He that will be my disciple, must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.'(3) In this way the testimonies of the Lord were originally held up; but how have they been departed from!"
It was very grateful to him to receive messages of love from absent Friends; and he generally requested, in a few words, but in a feeling manner, that similar returns might be made for himself, saying on one of these occasions, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."(4) While thankfully appreciating many comforts afforded him, he often contrasted his own lot, with that of many of his poor neighbours under suffering, and evinced his desire for their relief.
On First-day, the 23rd, there was an evident diminuton and strength; and he remarked, "What an abject creature man is when left to himself. I hope all around me who are capable of prayer, sincere prayer, will desire for me, that patience and resignation may be granted to the end." On the following day, he said to some Friends who called, "You see a poor feeble old man wiating for his change; may you become faithful examples to others to direct them to the Light or Spirit of Christ. This is what I have been concerned to recommend to my dear Friends for many years. Don't be ashamed of the cross, or seek to avoid the denial of self. The cross must be borne, and that which is of an opposite nature in us, must be subdued and brought down; then we shall stand on the sure foundation--the eternal rock, which even the gates of hell cannot prevail against." On several occasions he remarked, "I have nothing to trust to, but the mercy of God in Christ Jesus; nothing of myself;--no righteousness of my own."
On the 30th of First month, thinking that the period of his departure was nearly come, he was
anxious not to be disturbed to take nourishment; saying, "Let me pass quietly away to my eternal
inheritance." The next morning he remarked, "I thought my change would have come before now;
but it has not pleased Him in whose counsel and wisdom I desire to wait." It then appeared likely
that a day or two might terminate his sufferings; but he again revived, and his life was protracted
in a state of much helplessness for three months longer. During this time his strength gradually
declined. He was able to express but little, but still bore, by his pateince and submission, a
scarcely less striking testimony to the sufficiency of Him in whom he had believed. At a late
period, the hope being expressed that his mind was comfortable, he replied, "Depending on the
mercy of God through Christ Jesus."
"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."(5)
1. 1. Probably meaning strokes, or, more correctly, cerebral vascular accidents. -pds
2. 2. John 14:6
3. 3. From Luke 14:27.
4. 4. John 13:35.
5. 5. Psalm 37:37.