Concerning Deceased Preachers.

NOTICES

CONCERNING

DECEASED PREACHERS. 59

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1778 — QUESTION. What Preachers have died this year?

ANSWER. Thomas Hosking, a young man, just entering on the work; zealous, active, and of an unblamable behavior. And Richard Burke, a man of faith and patience, made perfect through sufferings; one who joined the wisdom and calmness of age with the simplicity of childhood. 1779 — Q. What Preachers have died this year?

A. George Shorter, an Israelite indeed; a lively, zealous, active man; a witness of full salvation, and an earnest exhorter of all believers to aspire after it. And James Gaffney, a young man of considerable abilities, wise above his years. He was snatched away by a galloping consumption; but was fully delivered from the fear of death, and was unspeakably happy, though in violent pain, till his spirit returned to God. 1780- — Q. What Preachers have died this year?

A. Samuel Wells, a sensible, honest, upright man, who put forth all his strength in every part of his work. He was particularly zealous in observing discipline, and in exhorting believers to go on to perfection. And William Brammah, who, having had much weakness and pain, finished his course with joy.

1781 — Q. What Preachers have died this year?

A. George Wawne, a young man zealous for God, and of an unblamable behavior. And Robert Wilkinson, an Israelite indeed; a man of faith and prayer, who, having been a pattern of all good works, died in the full triumph of faith.

1782 — Q. What Preachers have died this year?

A. John Norris, a lover and a witness of Christian perfection; who died, as he lived, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. And John Morgan, a plain, rough man, who, after various trials, and a long painful illness, joyfully committed his soul, his wife, and his eight little children, to his merciful and faithful Creator.

1783 — Q. What Preachers have died this year?

A. Richard Boardman, a pious, good-natured, sensible man, greatly beloved of all that knew him. He was one of the two first that freely offered themselves to the service of our brethren in America. He died of an apoplectic fit, and preached the night before his death. It seems he might have been eminently useful; but good is the will of the Lord. Robert Swindells had been with us above forty years. He was an Israelite indeed. In all those years I never knew him to speak a word which he did not mean; and he always spoke the truth in love. I believe no one ever heard him speak an unkind word. He went through exquisite pain (by the stone) for many years; but he was not weary. He was still Patient in bearing ill, and doing well.

One thing he had almost peculiar to himself: He had no enemy! So remarkably was that word fulfilled, “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.”

James Barry was for many years a faithful laborer in our Lord’s vineyard. And as he labored much, so he suffered much; but with unwearied patience. In his death he suffered nothing, stealing quietly away in a kind of lethargy.

Thomas Payne was a bold soldier of Jesus Christ. His temper was uncommonly vehement; but, before he went hence, all that vehemence was gone, and the lion was become a lamb. He went away in the full triumph of faith, praising God with his latest breath.

Robert Naylor, a zealous, active young man, was caught away by a fever in the strength of his years. But it was in a good hour; for he returned to Him whom his soul loved, in the full assurance of faith. A fall from his horse, which was at first thought of little consequence, occasioned the death of John Livermore, a plain, honest man, much devoted to God, and determined to live and die in the best of services. 1784 — Q. Who have died this year?

A. John Prickard, a man thoroughly devoted to God, and an eminent pattern of holiness. And Jacob Rowell, a faithful old soldier, fairly worn-out in his Master’s service.

1785 — Q. Who have died this year?

A. Thomas Mitchell, an old soldier of Jesus Christ.

1786 — Q. Who have died this year?

A. John Fletcher, a pattern of all holiness, scarce to be paralleled in a century. And C. Peacock, young in years, but old in grace; a pattern of all holiness, full of faith, and love, and zeal for God.

1787 — Q. What Preachers have died this year?

A. Thomas Lee, a faithful brother, and a good old soldier of Jesus Christ. Henry Foster, an excellent young man, wholly devoted to God. John Cowmeadow, a pious young man, unblamable in spirit and conversation. John Fenwick, who died, I believe, in peace. Thomas Seaward, a pious, zealous, blameless, useful young man.

1788 — Q. Who have died this year?

A. Jeremiah Robertshaw, who was a good soldier of Jesus Christ, fairly worn-out in his Master’s service. He was a pattern of patience for many years, laboring under sharp and almost continual pain, of meekness and gentleness to all men, and of simplicity and godly sincerity. Joshua Keighley, who was a young man deeply devoted to God, and greatly beloved by all that knew him. He was

About the marriage state to prove;

But death had swifter wings than love

Edward Burbeck, who from a child was eminent for uprightness, industry, and the fear of God. He was qualified for eminent service in his Lord’s vineyard, but was taken just in the dawn of his usefulness. John Roberts, who for many years was clearly convinced that God had called him to preach the Gospel. But he delayed from time to time, till at length conscience prevailed over all other considerations. It was almost too late; for, after laboring a few months, he fell into a lingering illness. For some weeks he was in utter darkness; then God scattered the clouds, and gave him to die in peace.

Mr. Charles Wesley, who, after spending fourscore years with much sorrow and pain, quietly retired into Abraham’s bosom. He had no disease; but after a gradual decay of some months,

The weary wheels of life stood still at last,

His least praise was, his talent for poetry; although Dr. Watts did not scruple to say, that “that single poem, Wrestling Jacob, is worth all the verses which I have ever written.” 60

John Mealy, worn-out in the service of his Master. He suffered much in his last illness, and died triumphant in the Lord.

John Burnet, a very pious, devoted, useful young man. He continued through a long illness in a very triumphant state of mind, and departed this life in extraordinary triumph.

1789 — Q. Who have died this year?

A. In Great Britain, Thomas Corbett, a plain, honest, pious, useful man. He endureth much in his last illness, manifested great fortitude, and died in the full triumph of faith.

In Ireland, Hugh Pugh, a zealous, pious young man, who suffered much in his illness, but died happy in God. Francis Frazier, a good young man, and a good preacher. And John Stephens, who, being little more than a child in years, was a man both in knowledge and piety, and went hence in the full triumph of faith.

1890 — Q. Who have died this year?

A. James Gore. He was a young man of good understanding, great sweetness of temper, and eminent piety; and his end was glorious. He poured out his blood and his soul together. 61 Jonathan Thomson, who died in Scotland, in the course of the last year; a young man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, an ornament and honor to our society in Scotland. His great zeal for God and the salvation of souls, united with the fervor and imprudence of youth, led him to excessive labor in the work of his great Master, which proved the cause of his death.