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not easily reconcileable with some popular notion, or favoured article of man's concoction. He took the word of God as he found it written by the Eternal Spirit; received it in all its length and breadth; and, where any thing seemed wanting to a full apprehension of the Divine mind in any passage, looked, in the use of means, to the great Interpreter to make it clear in His own time and way. You will conclude, therefore, most justly, that our revered friend was a steady, though a calm and dispassionate, opposer of all the crudities (I say not novelties, for they are defunct monstrosities revived, hydras beheaded again and again, but sprung to life anew) which have of late troubled the church of Christ. He pretended not to be wise above that which is written; and as to signs and wonders, he attentively marked the hand of God in his providence, and in the works of his grace, not forgetting that false signs and false wonders may be shewn so plausibly as to endanger the deception of the very elect.

He was eminently a lover of all good men. The instructive memoir before mentioned gives many incidental proofs of this, extending through the several periods of his life. For myself, I can truly say, that during many years of habitual intercourse with his domestic circle I never saw in him any symptoms of a narrow and sectarian spirit. On the contrary, I happen to know, that at a very late period of his life, in a correspondence with the Bishop of Lichfield, official on the part of the latter, in reference to a Chapel of Ease which was needed in the parish in which one of Mr. Burder's estates lay, he told that excellent Prelate, that if any piece of ground in his possession should be found to be the most eligible spot for the erection of such a building, he would gladly make a present of it to the Commissioners for that purpose. The very fact of Mr. Burder's being addressed on such a subject, is a strong testimony as to the opinion entertained of his catholic spirit; and the answer proved that the opinion was just. At the same time he was very decided in his own views of ecclesiastical polity. He seemed to rejoice unfeignedly when good was done, whoever had been instrumental in effecting it. If Christ was preached, and his kingdom advanced, he looked not so much at the agents, as at the labours which were blessed; from these he seemed to derive real pleasure.

I should be sorry to trespass too much upon the patience of your readers, but I hope I may be allowed to notice a few additional particulars. Mr. Burder seemed always tenderly alive to the circumstances of others; and was used to shew the nicest attention to their feelings. He was indeed a Christian gentleman, and a man of sympathy. If friends were afflicted, his letters or his visits, his conversa

tions or his prayers-in short, his welltimed kindnesses of every descriptionwere such as could not but add to the esteem already entertained for him, and increase their respect.

It might be expected that the character of such a man would be seen to great advantage in the day of adversity. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor" (the weak or sick, says the margin); "the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble" ("the day of evil," margin). This was eminently fulfilled in the case of this faithful servant of the best of Masters. The writer of these lines saw him under circumstances calculated to put every feeling of nature, as well as every holy principle, to the severest test. And what did he then witness? Religion, as it were, embodied the deepest feeling, with the most gracious self-possession; a heart that bled, with a mind and tongue that vindicated the ways of God. The faith; the patience; the accurate discrimination between the Divine ordinance and permission; the matured experience of the fifty years' learner in the school of Christ; the adoring submission, with the humble inquiry, implied at least, Why is it thus with me?" made an impression, it is hoped, never to be effaced. Surely, in the fires he was enabled to glorify God; and to that end he was placed there. Through a long succession of years, ending only with his peaceful departure home, tribulation was working patience, and patience having its perfect work. This is not meant as panegyric. In such instances the great God our Saviour is magnifying his own grace, teaching his church by examples of his own creating and maturing; and the interior of the strong believer's chamber is unveiled only to prove that religion is not a matter of show merely in public places, but the secret spring and principle of action and endurance in all the varying circumstances of the most retired scenes.

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He was a wise counsellor. May the great Head of the Church raise up many such, both in private and public life! He was a quiet but a thoughtful and sagacious observer of men and things; and had acquired knowledge, not so much from books (one book only excepted), though he had many books, and used them well, as from the ripened experience of an active, considerate, and prayerful life.

He was not only disinterested, but truly generous. Almost unaccountably, a report was spread that he died rich; and reflections were cast upon him (although he had been sacrificing income by hard gratuitous labours for a large portion of his life), as upon one who, having amassed money, left all, or nearly so, to his family (three sons, there being nine grandchil dren), and none to public charity. Never was censure more unjust. He had been giving largely, in money or in sacrifice of

it and labour, to public institutions during his life; and in respect to accumulation of money, none had he accumulated, but even his patrimonial inheritance had in some measure been diminished. No man could be charged more undeservedly with the love of money. It may he proper to mention, in connexion with this subject, that the copy-right of the Cottage Sermons, of which nearly a million of copies were circulated in a few years, as of the Ten Sermons and Sermons to the Aged, was given by Mr. Burder to the Religious Tract Society.

Mr. Burder was born in London, on June 5, 1752, and entered on the work of the ministry in his 26th year. His first pastoral charge was at Lancaster, from whence he removed, after about six years of considerable usefulness there and in the neighbourhood, to Coventry. Here he laboured zealously and very successfully for twenty years; about the expiration of which time he quitted Coventry for that wider sphere of action which he occupied so long, to the honour of his great Master and the benefit of many, in the metropolis. During the last seven years of his life, declining health and strength made comparative retirement from public engagements actually necessary; but his judicious labours in the pulpit (acceptable to his hearers very much in proportion to their experience and discrimination), were not wholly discontinued till within three months of his death.

And here I had intended to close my remarks, but having had occasion since I penned them to refer to the instructive and faithful Memoir above alluded to, I beg your insertion of a few extracts from it. They are principally taken from his own memoranda.

"I must never forget June 5, 1762; it was my birth-day (ten years old); which, if I am correct, was on the Lord's-day. After tea, and before the family worship, my father was accustomed to catechise me, and examine what I remembered of the sermons of the day. That evening he talked to me very affectionately, and reminded me that I was now ten years of age; that it was high time I began to seek the Lord, and to become truly religious. He particularly insisted upon the necessity of an interest in Christ, and shewed me that, as a sinner, I must perish without it; and recommended me to begin that night to pray for it.

"After family worship, when my father and mother used to retire to their closets for private devotion, I also went into a chamber (the same in which I was born), and then, I trust sincerely and earnestly, and, as far as I can recollect, for the first time, poured out my soul to God, beseeching him to give me an interest in Christ, and desiring above all things to be found in him. Reflecting on this

evening, I have often been ready to con clude, that surely I was born of God at that time-surely I was then brought to believe in Christ-surely there was something more than nature in all this.

"And yet, when I consider the sad mixture of sin and vanity that prevailed for several years after this, I call all in question, and say, Could this be grace? Could grace live in such a heart as mine, an inmate with so much sin? And to this hour (1796) I cannot decide."

Two notices of this kind, on his fifteenth and sixteenth birth-days, are recorded. In reference to a period of some few years succeeding this time, he says, "I cannot find any memorandum of this sort for several years. I am inclined to think I was much injured by the vain conversation of some of the artists (painters and engravers) with whom I had occasion to associate; this fanned the flame too natural in youth. I found also an inclination to the dangerous scenes of the theatre. When I reflect on this part of my youth, I am amazed at the goodness of God in keeping me from those gross vices into which many young men fall. Fear of disgrace was, I doubt not, a considerable preventive, under the restraining hand of God.

"On the 4th of November, 1768, about five o'clock in the afternoon, as I was passing through a narrow street (now a part of Newcastle Street, Strand), an old house fell, which filled up the whole breadth of the street, immediately after I had passed it but a few yards. Ŏ what a deliverance! Let me never forget it!

"By some memoranda in short-hand, made at Christmas this year, I perceive I was spending my holiday time at some friends' houses, and with children of persons professing religion-Dissenters and Church members-in a very idle manner, with much vanity; from which I conclude that a sense of Divine things was much weakened in my mind about this period."

In 1774 he had a severe illness, which he considered as a merciful dispensation of Providence to check his too eager pursuit of worldly things. About this time he very frequently heard the late Rev. W. Romaine at St. Anne's, Blackfriars, and St. Dunstan's, as well as Mr. Whitfield, and others. This year, going with his pious, sensible father and his mother to Shropshire, he heard Mr. Fletcher, in his church at Madeley, and "was surprised at the vivacity and energy of his preaching." He heard him also in a house (probably at a kind of cottage lecture), "it being the time of the Wakes, and was much pleased with the spirituality of his conversation." This journey seems to have been made very useful to his mind.

A paper, written on the 24th anniversary of his birth, when compared with previous documents, seems to manifest considerable progress in religion. He

seemed now to have fairly entered on that course of self-dedication to his Saviour which continued to the end of life.

Dec. 31, 1779, I find this reflection: "Thus do I spend my years as a tale that is told. Another year is fled-is gone gone for ever! Oh, how much time lost -lost for ever! I am another year nearer the grave; I hope, and believe, nearer heaven. If I live another, may I live to the Lord; if not, may I die in him, and live with him for ever. Amen. O Lord, make me next year (1780) more holy and more useful.

"On a review of my journeys, I find I have ridden on horseback this year about 2,500 miles, and have preached 254 times, besides a variety of exhortations at prayermeetings and church meetings. Lord, I desire to give thee the glory of all the strength, health, and ability, enabling me to do so.

April 1781, I was in company more than once with Mr. John Wesley. I heard him four times, twice I liked him much, a few things excepted. He has the ear and heart of such numbers, that one might hope great things from his diligence. I hope I have learned some things from him. He is concise, very logical and regular; yet not formal. He illustrates almost every thing with an anecdote. He keeps up great attention. He rises very early, and preaches at five o'clock. He preached much of love in whatever he is wrong, he is right in preaching that. O that the Lord would direct our hearts into the love of God! Faith, hope, and love, are the whole of religion. We err, at least we come short, in the first, consequently in all."

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April 26. I attended the execution of three men; one was a coiner, the other two were housebreakers. One circumstance affected me deeply: all the three were on ladders (then the mode of execution), with the ropes about their necks about to be turned off, when the coiner, endeavouring to fortify his mind in this awful situation, uttered words to this purpose, which I distinctly heard, being at a short distance, I never killed any body, I never hurt any body; I hope the Lord will have mercy upon me.' This poor creature seemed to die exactly in the spirit of the Pharisee: I thank God that I am not as other men are, or as this Publican; 'for I thought he alluded to the two thieves suffering with him, who had robbed the Bull Inn, I think, in Birmingham. I was so deeply affected I could scarcely refrain from crying out to the man, 'Do not trust in your own righteousness, look to Christ.' It has often occurred to me as one of the most glaring instances of a self-righteous spirit that I ever knew."

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"In the month of April I attended William Summers, a young man under sentence of death; he was executed on

Whitley Common, Wednesday April 28. He appeared very penitent, and I was not without hope of his having obtained mercy, especially as he felt great concern for others, and desired me to speak to the people just before he was turned off, and to warn them in his name; for he was too weak to speak."

In a letter to a son he names the four following circumstances, as requisites in a candidate for the Christian ministry.

1. "That the person be really and truly converted to God; a new creature, born of the Spirit; and it is requisite that piety be not only real, but eminent.

2. That there be competent abilities, natural or acquired, and both if possible; for the preacher should be the superior of most of his hearers in mental powers.

3. "There must be a prevailing, a strong, an unconquerable inclination and desire to the work; so that the person shall prefer it infinitely above all other employments, and that for the best purposes, the glory of God, and the salvation of souls.

4. "The sanction and approbation of competent judges; for men may think they have all the requisites; but as we are all partial to ourselves, it is well to have the approbation of wise and good men it is very satisfactory to a humble person."

The recurring anniversaries of his birth were usually marked by some solemn and interesting reflections added to his written memoranda: the following is part of a paper which he addressed to his family on his seventieth birth-day.

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'My dear family, looking forward to this day, when I should arrive at the age of seventy, I felt desirous of seeing as many of you together as I could; that I might offer to God in your presence my devout and grateful acknowledgments for His great goodness in lengthening my days to this period-a period far beyond that which in younger life I expected to reach; many infirmities then, according to my own apprehension and that of my friends, threatening to close my days at an earlier date. I ascribe it to the unmerited favour of God, who has thus indulged me with a long season of enjoy. ment, and protracted opportunities of usefulness in the cause of Evangelical religion: He who, I trust, put me into the ministry,' has enabled me to continue to labour in his church, with little interruption, for about forty-five years, and not without success.

"For about twenty-eight years past the predominant desire of my heart has been to aid the propagation of the Gospel among heathen nations; and I bless God, who has favoured me with opportunities of promoting this grand object, for the last nineteen years, as one of the officers of the Missionary Society. I account this one of the highest privileges I could

enjoy upon earth; and it affords me comfort, in the prospect of leaving the world, that the rising generation, including those of my own family, will not relinquish the work. To have been spared so long with continued powers of activity, demands my cordial thanksgivings.

"Nor must I omit to call upon you to join me in praise to God for directing my mind to the publication of the Village Sermons. The first volume was published in the year 1797; and, proving acceptable, I was induced in successive years, to add volume to volume, till one hundred discourses were completed in 1820. I bless God with all my heart, for accompanying the reading of these discourses with the power of his Holy Spirit, to the conversion of many; and among others, of some clergymen and other ministers; as well as for rendering them useful in families and in villages, making them the occasion of the introduction of a regular Gospel ministry. To God alone be all the glory."

"In the firm belief of the truths contained in these volumes I desire to die; and my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that not only my children, who, I trust, have already embraced those truths by faith, but my grandchildren also, and succeeding generations, may know and profess the same; and I could wish that each of my grandchildren might, on coming to years of discretion, be furnished with a copy of them.

"Persuaded as I am that in these sermons, as well as in my stated ministry, I have, though very imperfectly, and in a very humble style, maintained the faith originally delivered to the saints, I earnestly desire that my posterity may likewise maintain it. I have confidence in those of my family who are parents, that they will bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;' and my prayer is, that they may follow their parents' faith.

to create differences among you. Nor need I add, that I feel a full reliance on your filial duty towards your dear mother, should she survive me. " Live in peace, and the God of love and peace be with you.'

"These hints of advice I offer in sincere love and affection, together with my tribute of thankfulness to the God of my life, who has led and fed me all my days. I can scarcely say with Jacob, few and evil have been the days of my pilgrimage;' for although (together with my dear partner and fellow-traveller through life) I have had my trials, yet goodness and mercy have continually followed me.' Of the future we know nothing; this is left in the sovereign hand of God; and I humbly rely on his promise, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'

"Farewell. 'Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.' And now, holy and blessed God, accept my thanksgiving for the innumerable benefits of threescore years and ten, and graciously conduct me through the remainder of my pilgrimage; leave me not at the last, but smile upon me, that I may smile upon death.' To thy most holy guidance and support I commit myself and my family, casting all my care upon thee, who, I humbly trust, unworthy as I am, carest for me. Amen."

Mr. Burder was buried on the eightieth anniversary of his birth; subsequent to which a funeral sermon was preached to the congregation among whom he had ministered, from the following words, chosen by himself (Jude ver. 21)" Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." So he had lived, and so he died; the Lord Jesus being his hope-mercy his desire and his theme-eternal life the object of his pursuit. May you, Mr. Editor, with all your readers, including myself, the unworthiest of them, steadily pursue the same end; give diligence to the full assurance of the same hope; and faithfully serve the same Lord. He is our God, and we will praise him; our fathers' God, and

"Confiding in the power of those holy principles you have imbibed, I rest assured that you will conduct yourselves towards each other in the most kind and affectionate manner, and never suffer pecuniary matters we will exalt him.

SUPPLEMENT TO RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

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1. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. We have perused with much sympathy the just and eloquent tribute of the Committee of the Bible Society to the memory of Mr. Hughes. How well that token of respect was merited, is not unknown to any who are acquainted with the rise and progress of this invaluable institution, of which he may justly be considered the founder. To the brief notice of him in our last Number we take this opportunity of adding a few passages relative to his last hours, from an able and interesting discourse delivered on occasion of his death by Mr. Sheppard, a writer whose "Thoughts on Private Devotion," and his learned, original, and powerful treatise on "The Divine Origin of Christianity," are well known to our readers.

"When the announcement of approaching mortality was distinct and unequivocal, he was at once ready to be offered;' when he knew and felt that the time of his 'departure' was indeed at hand,' he was possessed with a strong and earnest desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is incomparably better.' This desire was expressed (as I learn from the record of a pious friend, who loved his graces and watched by his

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death-bed), in close combination with a deep humility. On that occasion, when he had said, Pray that an abundant entrance may be administered into glory,'-the writer replied, We are sure, dear sir, you will have an abundant entrance, but the churches all pray for your restoration to health; we cannot spare you from earth yet.' On which he rejoined, Do not be sure on the ground of merit; never for a moment connect such an idea with any unworthy services of mine. When I am with Christ, I would come again to you, and tell you how much better it is to be with Christ; but this cannot be.' At another time he said to the same friend, Oh, that precious blood!' then, after a short pause, and agitated with much feeling, he added, I have no wish, no wish to be restored to greater usefulness would be indeed a blessing; but to be beyond the reach of transgression, never to have a cloud pass over the mind—to be filled with the fulness (he again repeated)-to be filled with the fulness of God: think what those words contain.' Nor were his best earthly affections quenched or obliterated, as some would unnaturally have them be, in the transcendent hope of being with his Saviour and his God. When his son had read to him some passages of the invaluable Howe, he quoted a simile of that great man, whom he termed a kindred spirit with Hall, on the key being turned to admit the soul into Paradise,' and then added, with an inexpressible look of anxiety and tenderness, 'Oh, to meet children and grandchildren there!'

"The before-mentioned friend and her husband coming to take leave of him, he raised both his arms, and laboured to express his joy at embracing them once again;then, with extreme difficulty (for breath and voice were nearly gone) he said, If we are the children of God, we are indestructible.' His son relates, When he perceived that his case was deemed hopeless, still the abundant consolations supplied by the God whom he had served, endued his mind with more than resignation to his will.' If,' said he (on Sunday, Aug. 11), 'the portico to heaven be so ample, what must be the temple itself!'

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"When a friend observed that it must be peculiarly gratifying to know that so many kind friends felt a deep sympathy in his affliction, Mr. Hughes added, 'And shall not the Friend of my friends watch over me with his parental eyes?' On another occasion, when receiving assistance from several, he said, There are many helpers, but one Saviour.' He desired his son to write to his old and valued friend, Mr. Foster, and acquaint him that his life was quivering in the socket:' he heard with peculiar satisfaction the reply of that eminent man; and when his son read the following words from his letter, But, O my friend, whither is it that you are going? Where is it that you will be a few short weeks or days hence?'-he lifted up his hands expressively, as much as to reply, 'To heaven I am going, there to dwell with God and with Christ, and with the spirits of just men made perfect: adding at its conclusion, There is genius and piety; I am glad that you elicited that letter.' But while he well knew how to estimate and prize the union of piety with genius, he equally knew how to honour and value piety in its lowliest, simplest guise. He said to a kind attendant, Mary, a disciple and friend of the Saviour, I am glad you are come to us in affliction; this is a painful dispensation, but there is so much mercy mixed with it,O, help me to praise my God!' 'The next morning,' this pious attendant adds, 'Mrs. Hughes asked where she should read; he said, the 15th chapter of Exodus; he afterwards repeated the second verse, "The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation, &c.," and referred to the twenty-third and two following verses, saying, that "the waters of Marah, at this time, were sweetened with the consolations of the Gospel;" and adding, "Thy word can bring a sweet relief for every pain I feel." She adds,' As we afterwards stood by him, he said, " Walk in humility; live not for yourselves; live much for others; may the Lord bless you and guide you.” ' Speaking of his little flock, he said, Give my love to them, tell them I bear them on my heart.' The same kind and devout witness and helper of his faith relates, In the evening of the Wednesday week before his departure, a candle being placed on the table, I asked if the light was not too much; "No," he said, pointing with his finger to the skies, "there is a light which no mortal eye can behold; read me the 19th verse of the 60th chapter of Isaiah: I long to be emancipated!"' After asking the time of the day he would often say, 'So much nearer to the kingdom.' 'I think it was the Friday or the Saturday before his departure,' this Christian attendant continues, he said, "I am in some dismay as it regards the future; I do not mean as it respects another world; there is nothing dark behind." "I fear lest I should in the trying hour dishonour God by any expression indicating impatience." I replied, That grace which has been manifest in your life, and has triumphed in your affliction, will support you and triumph in your death. "I know," he said, "that His grace is sufficient for all things, in life and death."

2. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The Monthly Sketch of Public Affairs, Answers to Correspondents, &c. will be inserted in the Appendix, published with the present Number.

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