BAPTIST MAGAZINE. NOVEMBER, 1832. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. WIL LIAM AIKIN, LONDON. "Being born of pious parents I received a religious education, and was trained to regular attendance on the means of grace, and constantly heard the preaching of the Gospel. At fourteen years of age I began my apprenticeship, and used at that time to attend on forenoon and evening, and in the afternoon Lord's days at Spa Fields Chapel, in the I heard Mr. Rippon, at Carter Lane, Southwark. I was much impressed with the following sentiment delivered in one of his sermons : "Sinner, if ever thou art saved, it must be entirely by the free and sovereign grace of There THE Rev. William Aikin was born of pious parents at East Green wich, Kent, August 26, 1770. His father, Mr. Thomas Aikin, though in humble life, was of good reputation, and many years an honourable member and useful deacon of the tabernacle at Greenwich. Our deceased friend was early instructed in the principles of Christianity; though, God, but if thou art lost, it will be entirely having lost his parents in early life, thine own fault. Not then understanding he received but a limited edu- the meaning of the word grace, and not cation. He had a brother, the Rev. knowing that I was by nature in a fallen and Thomas Aikin, deceased, who was an lost condition, I resolved to do what I could Independent Minister at Everston. to save myself, that it might not be my own The late medical Dr. Aikin and Mrs. fault if I were finally lost; I therefore constantly continued with earnestness and prayer Barbauld were his first cousins. to attend the means of grace, and had a preMr. A. was apprenticed at the usual vailing desire to understand the word of God, age to Mr. George Armstead, a glass and, I hope, I had some love to it. engraver; his master leaving busi- was an expression frequently employed in ness he was turned over to Mr. Pye, Mr. Rippon's prayers that occasioned me with whom he served the last year from my inexperience and ignorance, I could considerable anxiety and uneasiness, which, or two of his apprenticeship, and neither understand nor accede to at that was afterwards in his employ time, it was the following: We have all of about fifteen years. The morn- us, O Lord! totally ruined and destroyed ing of his days appears to have been ourselves, and it would be righteous in thee preserved from the follies and vani- to banish us for ever from thy blissful presence. This gave me much concern, because ties incident to youth, and was chaI did not then perceive that it would be just racterized by a diligent, regular, and in God to banish me for ever from heaven, moral course of conduct. He formed as a punishment for my sin. I did not think acquaintance with some serious I had been guilty of such sins as deserved it, young persons who heard the Gospel with him under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Wills, B.A., at views and feelings till the year 1792, when temperance, &c. Spa Fields Chapel. At this period hearing Mr. Rippon preach on John iii. 14, 15, Mr. A. appears to have been deeply from which he shewed that as Moses lifted impressed with a sense of the infi- up the serpent in the wilderness for the cure nite importance of eternal things, of the Israelites who were mortally stung, so and of the necessity of personal reli- Christ is exhibited and proclaimed in the gion. We learn by a brief account Gospel for the salvation of sinners-he then proved that all his hearers (whether conin his own hand-writing, the follow-scious of it or not) were fatally wounded by ing particulars of his early expe- sin and must for ever perish, if they did not rience. VOL. VII. 3d Series. for I knew I had not committed the atrocious crimes of swearing, sabbath breaking, or in I continued with similar look to and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ 3 T for the pardon of their sins and eternal life, Mr. R. solemnly appealed to all his hearers, seriously to inquire whether they were not conscious of their being guilty of transgressing the righteous law of God; if so, they were all in a state of condemnation, for the word of God declares, the soul that sinneth shall die. Deeply sensible that I had sinned against God, in thought, word, and action, the sentence of death sunk into my soul, and I was now convinced in my conscience that I had incurred the Divine displeasure, and righteously deserved everlasting death. I knew this in theory before, but never felt the power of this truth till then. Two lines of Dr. Watts immediately rushed into my mind, And if my soul were sent to hell, Oh! might I hear thy heavenly tongue, To notes almost divine.' heart-spring desire to love and serve God, without possessing a Scripture evidence that you are the subject of divine grace and shall never perish.' This greatly rejoiced my soul, because I was certain I possessed a sincere hearty desire to love, please, and obey God. Such was the satisfaction and joy I felt from a consciousness that I had this evidence of an interest in Christ, that I thought I could do, bear, or suffer any thing for God in which I could manifest my love to him and concern for his glory. Such were my enjoyments that I used to long and pray for wings like a dove that I might fly away and be at rest. I wanted to depart and be with Christ, and join the holy happy society in heaven, where I should never more sin against God. I then longed for the return of Lord's day, and was always sorry when it closed; thought I should soon be in heaven, and that all my days on earth would be crowned with joy and triumph. I conceived I could conquer all my corruptions and overcome all the temptations of Satan and the world; but, alas! I soon learnt by experience it was much otherwise that the present life is a state of probation and warfare, and that it is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of heaven. I soon found the life of a Christian to be a constant course of conflict, and sometimes feared I was not a partaker of Divine grace, because I felt so much opposition from without and within in my journey to heaven. In consequence of this, and because I could not with liberty express my case and feelings in prayer, I had much darkness and distress of mind, which induced me to think that I should dishonour my profession of piety, and apostatize; but, though depressed and discouraged, I still continued to attend the means of grace, and thereby I became better acquainted with the plan of salvation-the doctrines of divine grace-the conflicts of the Christian life, &c. I derived encouragement and comfort from pend on the state of my frames and feelings, but the conviction that my salvation did not de song,ingly great and precious promises, and the supply of the spirit of Christ Jesus my Lord. These considerations encouraged me to persevere; I reasoned with myself thus-God is faithful who hath promised grace and glory to those who sincerely seek him, and he would not have given me an earnest desire to seek his face and favour-to love, please, and serve him, if he had not designs of mercy towards me. He would not have drawn my heart, to himself and given me an earnest desire for holiness and heaven, if he had intended to separate me from himself for ever." on the immutable love of God-the exceed Under great concern of soul about this time I seemed to want and wish for something more than the revealed Word of God to rest upon for satisfaction and comfort. I waited and expected to receive, in some way or other, a demonstration of the Holy Spirit to my mind to assure me of my salvation. Soon after this I had my doubts considerably removed, and was much relieved from a ser mon I heard preached by Rev. Mr. Towers in a lecture he delivered at Walworth, in which he said, 'You cannot have a sincere Our friend's account of his early studies at Bristol, he therefore enexperience closes here, and it pleas-tered the academy, of which Dr. ingly testifies his ardent piety and Ryland was then divinity tutor. sincere devotedness to God. At a About the same period there were subsequent period he kept a diary for a little time, which familiarly expresses the conflicts, crosses, and comforts incident to the Christian life. several other brethren called to the ministry from the church at Carter Lane, who were in association with him, the Rev. Mr. Atkinson, late of Margate; Mr. Coxhead, Mr. Douglas, and Mr. Keeley; the last of whom ultimately settled in America. Mr. A. not having been accustomed to literary pursuits, did not continue long at the academy, he felt his mind encumbered and oppressed with the course of studies appointed for him. About the year 1798, he sought communion with the Particular Baptist Church, then assembling in Carter Lane, Southwark, he was accepted-baptized by Mr. (now Dr.) Rippon, and became a highly esteemed and useful church member, and continued so to the time of his death, about thirty-four years. His Christian temper, consistent conver- On leaving the academy he resation, and ardent piety, did not turned to London, applied himself, long pass unnoticed by his pastor, as opportunity offered, to reading or his fellow-members; he attended and useful intercourse, and spoke social meetings for prayer and con- occasionally from Scripture in soference, was regular in his attend- cieties of Christians. Though he did ance on Lord's day, and was also in not resume his own trade, Mr. A. was the habit of calling upon the sick successively employed in several comand afflicted poor. In those visits mercial engagements, among which, of mercy he would often speak a for about nine years, he was an assisword in season, which relieved and tant in the counting house of his consoled the sorrowful and sinking highly esteemed friend Henry Teape, mind. Esq., of Tower Hill, who recommended him to supply the pulpit in several places, one of which was Zion Chapel; he also preached at Woodford, Plaistow, Stratford, Bromley in Kent, Putney, &c. 1 In the year 1799, his pastor, perceiving him to possess promising talents, affectionately invited him to the work of the Christian ministry. Mr. A. at first declined the proposal, assigning as his reason the deep consciousness he had of his utter inability. His best friends, however, thought otherwise, and entreated him thoroughly to reconsider it. He appears to have acted on the advice given; and encouraged by his friends, he accepted the invitation of his pastor to exercise his gifts with a view to this important work. He accordingly spoke from texts of Scripture several times at meetings of the church, and was unanimously called to the ministry. Soon after this it was considered advisable that our friend should avail himself of a course of academical He married Miss Elizabeth Ann' Shanks, a member of the church to which he belonged, and the only daughter of Mr. James Shanks, late of Bermondsey Street, where he resided some years. Subsequently to the death of h's father-in-law, Mr. A. was freed from the necessity of continuing his business engagements, which enabled him to devote himself exclusively to sacred duties, and, like his Divine Master, " he went about doing good," and was always willing to render any one a service. The mildness and suavity of his temper and deportment endeared our friend to all who knew him, for he was, as one of his friends in a letter once lost his recollection, but his justly describes him, " characterized by all that is meek, peaceful, humble, and pious." physical strength rapidly declined, and he could converse but very little, yet he was evidently serene and His discourses, though seldom, or happy in his mind. He entreated never exclusively doctrinal, were his friends not to inhale his breath, truly evangelical, experimental, and lest it should prove injurious; his practical. The duties, the graces, fingers turned blue while held by his the conflicts, and the comforts of friend: he solemnly charged the fethe Christian life and character, male servant never to neglect the mingled with scriptural encourage- Saviour, of whom she had often ments and directions, were the pre- | heard him speak in reading, convervailing subjects of his sermons, which sation, and prayer. On being asked he always prepared with devout care, by a friend whether he experienced and, to secure his recollection, he Divine support and the presence of invariably wrote a pretty full outline God, he said "Yes, all is well." At of his subject, and, perhaps, scarcely another time his friend inquired ever allowed himself to deviate from what his views and feelings were it; he never seemed to venture on now he was on the verge of eternity any new or untried ground, but con--he stretched out and held up both scientiously kept in the good old his arms, having his eyes fixed uppath, which is generally the most useful His style was plain and scriptural; the most illiterate could understand him: he never aimed at ornament or pomp ; and, though seldom pathetic, he was always earnest, affectionate, and impressive, and his delivery was clear, deliberate, and regular. wards, and said, “Oh! brother, what indescribably bright and blessed scenes will soon open to my view in the eternal world ! Subsequently to this he was asked, whether he could mention any text or sentiment which consoled his mind, and might be encouraging to his friends; he replied, in a faint and feeble tone, 66 His death was sudden and un- My flesh and my heart fail, but expected: although he had, for a God is the strength of" here he short time been indisposed, no one paused, not having power to finish apprehended any danger. He had the sentence. From this time his been walking the evening previous breathing became shorter and more to the night in which he was seized laborious; he scarcely spoke afterwith the usual symptoms of malig-wards or took notice of any one nant cholera; at four in the morning around him. His pastor being inof the 16th August, the disease be- | formed that Mr. A. was dying came alarming, medical aid was obtained : the friend, who writes this, was at his bedside about nine o'clock, and perceiving his affliction, entertained little hopes of his recovery, and the physician soon afterwards confirmed this apprehension. The requisite arrangement of his temporal affairs having been settled, his friends with Coach child, no, for before the affectionate solicitude attended him through the day, during which he had powerful paroxysms of cramp in the limbs and bowels; he was quite conscious of his condition, and never (though himself very feeble) resolved to go and see him immediately, saying, it would be a holy gratification to him, if he could but place his hand on our friend's forehead before he died. On its being intimated that he was unable to walk so far, and had better have his coach ordered, he replied, horses are put to, brother Aikin may be in heaven." Leaning on the arms of two of his members, Dr. R. walked about half a mile and accomplished his wish, laid his hand on the cold and dying forehead of his | plicity of mind what the Holy Spirit friend, affectionately pronouncing his teaches. In religion, the sacred final farewell benediction, and in Scriptures constitute the test to about half an hour afterwards our brother breathed his last, without a struggle or a sigh, on the evening of August 16, 1832, aged 62, leaving his disconsolate widow to lament her loss. He was interred on Saturday the 18th, in the family vault, Bunhill Fields, and on the first Lord's day in September his pastor delivered a discourse on the occasion from 1 Thess. iv. 16-18, "Blessed are the dead who die in education, should be rejected as soon the Lord." Hackney. G. B. ADDRESS TO THOSE WHO ARE CON- which all our opinions should be brought, and no opinion, however ancient, plausible, or prevalent, that will not bear the closest application to this, should be relied on. Human authority must never be put in competition with that which is divine, and preconceived ideas in religion, however they may harmonize with the views of beloved Christian friends, and the prejudices of early as they are found to be at variance with the Word of God, otherwise it cannot be admitted that the mind yields that subjection to the will of Christ which his authority claims. The church of God, to which you are desiring to be scripturally united, is the gift of the Father; the portion his redeeming work; and by a voice from the excellent glory is charged to pay supreme regard to him (Matt. xvii). He speaks by his Gospel, requiring those that are his to come out from the world and to be separate :-to confess him before men: -to avow their attachment to each other, and to form themselves into re We congratulate you as the sub-of Jesus Christ; the purchase of jects of holy desires and affectionsas minding not the things of the flesh but the things of the spirit: as raised in affection above what is earthly, and bent on participating the honours and felicities of the family of God. We therefore take occasion to remind you of the kindness of the God of grace in putting this difference between you and the unbeliev-ligious associations, called "Churches ing world, and we beseech you to give him all the praise. We do not wonder that you should be anxious for such views of Christian doctrine and Christian practice as perfectly accord with the will of God; nor are we surprised that you should be seeking the most intimate fellowship with Christ and his church, because these holy desires and affections have ever marked those "who have received, not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God." of Christ," that by so doing they might enjoy the privileges of Christian intercourse and happy fellowship in the means of grace. Such churches we read of at Jerusalem, and Corinth, and other places, constituted under the ministry of the apostles, and of the Lord shewing his approbation of them while they continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers, by adding daily to their numbers of such as should be saved. And we hope there are many such churches in our own day and in our own land. In proceeding to answer the inquiry that now so deeply interests your best feelings, we urge upon you the importance of coming at once to the pure Source of light and knowledge, and receiving with sim-to any other subjects than professed We shall be perfectly silent, because the sacred Scriptures are, about the administration of this ordinance |