confidence!" Under whatever form of metaphysical refinement such errors are presented to the Christian public, they appear to us to be antiscriptural. Without either fear or flattery, we shall deem it right, therefore, whenever the necessity occurs, to expose their fallacy. Our attempts of this kind, already have not been, we believe, either unwelcome or unavailable. As soon as it can be done correctly, the Editors intend to furnish a list of all the Baptist churches, the names of their pastors, the number of their members, or other particulars of an interesting kind. similar detail was given by us some years ago, but as great changes are continually occurring, it is desirable from time to time to review and amend these important documents. Ministers need scarcely to be reminded, that they would essentially contribute to the more extended circulation of the Magazine, by announcing from the pulpit, the object for which it is published, and soliciting the patronage of their friends; and by pointing out the fact, that benevolent distributions are actually and regularly made. So that we need not announce it in the form of a promise, that "the profits of this work will be given," &c. for it might be truly stated, that they "are devoted" to their professed object of benevolence; a mode of expression we have sometimes read on the covers of publications, which-curious as it may appear-seem to have really nothing whatever to give. We shall not speak, as some are accustomed to do, of improvements in contemplation, but request the public to see if our future pages might not justify, had we chosen to hold it out, such an assur ance. BAPTIST MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1830. out divine assistance, to come MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. W. HURN.* WILLIAM HURN, minister of the Gospel, pastor of the church and congregation assembling in the chapel, Woodbridge, formerly Vicar of Debenham, and Chaplain to the late Duchess Dowager of Chan-he thus writes to a friend, who exdos, was born at Breccles Hall, Norfolk, Dec. 21, 1754. Endowed with a superior intellect, he pursued his preparatory studies with uncommon facility and success. In the year 1777 he became Classical Tutor in the free grammar school at Dedham, in Essex, then conducted by the Rev. Dr. Greenwood; entered the army in 1797; resigned his commission in 1780; was ordained deacon, at Norwich, by Bishop Yonge, in 1781; and admitted to priest's orders the following year. He officiated successively in the parishes of Beighton, Broome, Rattlesden, Stowmarket, &c. in Suffolk. In a letter, dated July 24, 1787, pressed the satisfaction and entertainment derived from a recent pleasurable excursion:-"I believe that true felicity is to be obtained but one way; that there is no permanent peace or rest for any one, but that which is revealed in Scripture- the rest which remaineth for the people of God;' which springs from a right knowledge of God, as he shines forth, all merciful and lovely as he is, in a crucified Saviour." In the year 1788, he was appointed, by the Most Noble Elizabeth, Duchess Dowager of Chandos, one of her Grace's domestic chaplains; and the following year In the year 1786, through the was united in marriage to Sarah, abounding grace and mercy of second daughter of the late ThoGod, his mind became susceptible mas Wharrie, Esq. Hull. In 1790, of religious impressions, to which he was presented, by Dame Anne he had hitherto been a stranger. Henniker and the Duchess DowaHe became a resident on his cure ger of Chandos, to the living of at Rattlesden in 1787. From this Debenham, a small market town period he evinced a total change in the central part of Suffolk. Here of character and sentiment. Con- he continued to labour indefatigvinced of the natural depravity of ably, "in season and out of seathe human heart, of the necessity son," during a long series of years; of the atoning blood and righte- faithfully and fearlessly proclaimousness of Christ, of the renovat- ing the truth as it is in Jesus. ing and sanctifying influences of Earnestly pursuing but one object, the Holy Spirit, he resolved, with the glory of God in the conversion of immortal souls. The Lord abundto our correspondents to print it, notwith-antly blessed his labours, and made standing it has appeared in another peri- him instrumental in turning numbers from darkness to light, and VOL. V. 3d Series. As this article was sent us, we owed it odical. B from the power of Satan unto courses, with the view of resigning God." Many who are now pro-his living, and seceding from the mulgating the glad tidings of the Established Church. This extraGospel, first felt its divine influ- ordinary determination, he assured ence while listening to its gracious his weeping audience, arose purely truths from his lips. The juvenile from conscientious motives, which, part of his flock, also, eminently with divine permission, he intended benefited by his labours. He re- to make known at a future period. gularly devoted the Sunday even- In April, 1823, he received from ing to a catechetical exercise, and the congregation at the chapel, often reminded his clerical bre-Woodbridge, an invitation to supthren of the necessity and import-ply their place of worship; with ance of training the rising genera- which request he complied, and tion in the knowledge and fear of preached his first sermon after seGod. A truly Christian philan- cession, April 27. Proposals for thropist, he was ever found the his continuance amongst them were ready advocate and friend of any soon issued from the church and institution which had for its object congregation, to which, after earthe extension of true religion. nest prayer and deliberation, he consented; and became their resident pastor in July of the same year. Anxious to promote the spiritual welfare of immortal souls, he undertook, in the year 1814, the curacy of Ashfield-cum-Thorp, where During his life, this distinguishhe laboured some time gratuitously, ed minister of Christ, though not and presented the emolument to a exempt from trials, realized pepoor clergyman, then resident in culiar blessings, the greatest of the neighbourhood. In the sum- which was peace of mind, arising mer of 1817, he was called to en- from a sense of the divine favour dure a heavy domestic trial, in the and approbation. With a holy decease of his beloved wife; but disinterestedness, which characterwas supported with the recollec-ized his Christian course, he pertion of her having died in the Lord. sisted in his accustomed acts of In the autumn of the same year, liberality and benevolence, conthe bereaved and sorrowing writers firming a declaration made to the of this Memoir had the unspeak-people of his charge, I seek not able privilege of becoming his yours, but you. The continued adopted children; and continued orthodoxy of his sentiments may to enjoy his paternal solicitude, be best conceived by a reference earnest prayers, and Christian in- to his "Farewel Testimony," which struction, throughout the remain- contains an epitome of the sacred der of his life. Under all the truths he so long laboured to inculpainful vicissitudes incident to hu- cate. In the preface to this work man life, he experienced peculiar he observes, "Should it be insinudivine support. The period now ated or reported by any, that my approached, when his faith and views of the Gospel, in any points Christian fortitude were to undergo of vital importance, are erroneous, the severest test. God demanded they may be referred to what I a sacrifice, which his faithful ser- have written and made public. If vant, through grace, was resolved they will condescend to read the to make. On Sunday, Oct. 6, following pages, they may find my 1822, he publicly announced his principles in them, and learn what intention to preach, on the follow- my creed is. To the best of my ing Lord's day, his farewel dis- knowledge, I have flattered no man : here, nor sought to please any man | the mercy of God through Christ. or body of men at the expence of He frequently said, "I am a poor truth. It is now a long time that unworthy sinner, an unprofitable I have not dared to lean on any servant: I must have the lowest human authority for any thing I am place in heaven. O that I had to believe and teach, concerning served God better, and glorified the religion of Jesus Christ." This him more!" Often in the midst opinion he maintained through life, of extreme bodily pain, he said, and continued to dispense the sa-" The Lord is good; he deals cred ordinances of religion, uncon- gently and kindly with me. Bless nected with any existing denomi- the Lord, O my soul," &c. He nation of professing Christians, yet repeatedly addressed those who cultivating an esteem for all who were the most concerned for the love our Lord Jesus Christ in sin-preservation of his life, thus:cerity. "Be resigned to the will of God; On Sunday, Sept. 13, 1829, he his will is best. I have no wish to delivered, in his accustomed ener-recover; if I had, I should be afraid. getic and impressive tone, two dis- Whether I live, may I live to the courses, founded on Luke ix. 11. Lord; and whether I die, may I and Romans vi. 2.; and in the die to the Lord. Pray for me, that evening, as usual, when not pre- I may humble myself under the vented by indisposition, engaged in hand of God. I am resigned to the catechetical instruction. This, his will; that I think a token for to the regret of his congregation and good." friends, was his last public attempt He made frequent confessions of to "turn the sinner from the error his faith in the Redeemer: "Christ," of his ways," and direct the weep-" he said, is all my salvation and ing penitent to "the Lamb of God, all my desire; my only refuge is who taketh away the sin of the in Him; I have had no other hope world." On the 18th, it pleased for years; ' I know in whom I have God to visit him with a disease believed,' &c. (With great emowhich proved fatal. Of its serious tion) O the infinite, the incomprenature and consequences, the pa-hensible love of Christ, to become tient and afflicted sufferer was soon incarnate, to die for such rebels ; aware. On Monday, the 21st, in and to procure for them eternal answer to an inquiry respecting the redemption! O the wonderful love state of his health, he said, “I am of God in Christ Jesus!" sick and near to death;" and intimated his conviction, that a few days would probably terminate his mortal existence; which, to the inexpressible consolation of his deeply-afflicted relatives, was mercifully protracted. Throughout the day he continued to address his sorrowing family and friends in the most solemn and affectionate manner. The efficacy of divine grace was eminently displayed in his deep humility, patience under bodily sufferings, resignation to the divine will, and entire reliance on The fervour of his devotion was remarkable. Often, with uplifted eyes and extended arms, he prayed, "O Lord, have mercy on me, a poor, vile sinner! Lord Jesus, undertake for me: be thou my righteousness, my all! Lord, keep me-keep my soul-keep me till I come into thy presence, and bow before thy throne!" Those who claimed his tenderest sympathy and affection, were the frequent subjects of his petitions; and he occasionally said, “I am praying, not for my friends only, but for my enemies." At intervals he requested various portions of the sacred Scriptures to be read to him: adding, "I have committed a great deal to memory, and can meditate upon it when scarcely able to bear reading. The word of God is the food and nourishment of my soul." As this venerable saint approached the eternal world, his desire to depart and to be with Christ increased. He often said, I want to be perfect-to have my sanctification completed to be entirely conformed to the image of my Saviour. I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." 66 66 On Monday, Oct. 5, it was evident the vital powers were fast sinking; in his own language, life was ebbing-mercy was overflowing." He entreated his afflicted relatives to moderate their grief in his presence, adding, "Let there be peace. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." He retained his faculties entire to the last, for which he frequently expressed gratitude to the Father of mercies; observing," the Lord deals with me as seemeth good in his sight. Let patience have its perfect work. I want to do the will of God through his strength, and then enter into light-into his glory." dence, Woodbridge, attended by numbers of his attached hearers and friends, and sepulchred in the parish church of Debenham, the scene of his former ministerial labours. The respected incumbent delivered an animated and appropriate address to the numerous sorrowing spectators. At the request of the bereaved congregation, the Rev. W. Ward, of Stowmarket, preached an impressive funeral discourse on the following Sunday, from 2 Cor. v. 10. Previously to the fatal seizure, this indefatigable minister of Christ had been occupied in composing, revising, and preparing for publication, his Reasons for Secession, which will be in the press as soon as practicable. He possessed a talent for poetry, and published in 1777 a descriptive poem, entitled" Heath Hill;" and in 1784, "The Blessings of Peace, a lyric Poem," &c. He was the author of the following religious publications:-"The Fundamental Principles of the Established Church proved to be the Doctrine of the Scriptures;' introductory Discourse, preached March 7, at Debenham. Bury. 8vo. "Men warned to examine the Ground of their Religion; or, False Foundations removed, and On Thursday, the 8th, he made the true one pointed out:" a Serseveral attempts to articulate.— mon preached in the Cathedral About twenty minutes after twelve Church, Norwich, on Sunday, Oct. o'clock, he said, "All-all (with 17, 1790. Ipswich. 8vo. "Preemphasis) sweetness!" These words, paration for Death," &c. preached indicative of the peace and serenity at Debenham, Feb. 26, 1792, on of his soul, were the last he was occasion of the sudden, but reheard to utter. On Friday morn-markably triumphant departure of ing, Oct. 9, he fell asleep in Jesus, To which are and entered into the joy of his added, some lyric verses, entitled Lord, to receive an inheritance in- Laughter in Death. Ipswich. "The corruptible, and undefiled, and that Divine Government a ground of fadeth not away. rejoicing at all times;" and "The Tears of England, or a Word in Season to the People;" the former preached on Tuesday, Dec. 19, On Thursday, Oct. 15, the mortal remains of this exemplary Christian were removed from his resi William Patrick. |