FOR OCTOBER, 1843.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. THOMAS MARSLAND,
Of Stockport:

BY THE REV. WILLIAM H. CLARKSON.

MR. THOMAS MARSLAND, the son of Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Barbara Marsland, was born July 2d, 1756, at Hamford, a village six miles from Stockport; but the family removed from that place to Bramhall, near Stockport, where his father held a small farm. Thomas, at the usual time, was apprenticed to a farmer; and in that course of life he continued until he was twenty years of age. His parents were not members of the Wesleyan society, although his father attended the Wesleyan ministry, and would often travel twenty or thirty miles in order to hear a Methodist Preacher, always taking Thomas with him.

Mr. Wesley visited Stockport in the year 1763. Mr. Marsland distinctly remembered this event: he was then only seven years of age, and sat on the shoulders of his father while Mr. Wesley was preaching on Carr-Green. He said, "Though I was then young, I thought I had never before seen such a man." He was at an early period of life much impressed with divine things; and never retired to rest in the evening, or arose to labour in the morning, without engaging in prayer. The next time he remembered to have heard Mr. Wesley was in Stockport, when he felt the word of the Lord to sink deep into his heart. "I was convinced," said he, "while listening to Mr. Wesley, that I was a sinner. Wherever I went, and whatever I did, the thought of being such a sinner troubled me, even while associating with persons who cared not for the things of God." After this, he was for a season prevented from attending the means of grace, which was very distressing to him; but the time at length arrived when he was delivered from this inconvenience; and on the week previous to Easter, in the year 1776, he heard Mr. Wesley preach at Manchester, in the chapel, and also opposite the infirmary. The word came with great power to his heart: he cried earnestly to God for mercy. Mr. Wesley endeavoured to encourage him; but he did not at that time obtain what his soul so much desired. However, on August 12th, 1778, Mr. Wesley again visited Stockport, and while he was preachVOL. XXII. Third Series. OCTOBER, 1843. 3 K

FOR OCTOBER, 185.

BIOGRAPET.

ly

MEMOIR OF MR. THOMAS MARSAT

Of Stockport:

BY THE REV. WILLIN E C

MR. THOMAS MARSLAND, the ano Barbara Marsland, was born July 21 miles from Stockport; but the fin Bramhall, near Stockport, where Thomas, at the usual time, was ap that course of life he continued mufic His parents were not members of the father attended the Wesleyannam or thirty miles in order to ha Thomas with him.

Mr. Wesley visited Stockpor tinctly remembered thi and sat on the shoul ing on Carr-Green, I had never before life much impress! the evening, or ar prayer. The nex in Stockport, whe heart. "I was that T th

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of trifling there, in I would he ts before the of the Gospel. erefore he used lis views of the the expositions of

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he was present at a d Teachers, held in ering limbs, and feeble several particulars of his a Sunday-school Teacher id, in the report given of Ivertiser," that "the appearvely interest to the meeting; sing was received with deep

is honoured saint must be laid strength, so in weakness, the age was, "I want, now that I am shades of Calvary." "Calvary," ing-stone into heaven." He was house of prayer, or to resort to the when he beheld individuals passgushed from his eyes, and he would ne by with me." The visits of his at parting he always wept. On one know how far disembodied spirits are ; but, if I be permitted, I will often