RICHARD BOARDMAN AND JOSEPH PILMOOR.

THE celebration of the Centenary of Methodism in America led some earnest friends in the Pickering Circuit to resolve that something should be done to honour the memory of the worthy men sent by the venerable Wesley "to assist our brethren in America." After careful deliberation, it was determined to make a vigorous effort for the extinction of all chapel-debts throughout that extensive Circuit. By extraordinary and persevering exertions, and VOL. XIII.-Second Series.-SEPTEMBER, 1867.

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by the aid of the Chapel-Committee, about £3,000 will be raised for the accomplishment of this important object. In addition to this truly noble effort, a neat memorial chapel is in course of erection in the neighbourhood from which Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor were called into the Methodist itinerancy. Lord Feversham has granted a lease of the land, and has kindly given stone for the building, and timber for the roof.

The residence of Richard Boardman is said to have been in the village of Gillamoor, about two miles from Kirby-Moorside; and it is certain that Joseph Pilmoor resided in an adjoining village. The ruins of the humble dwelling in which he was born still remain; and in one of his letters there is reference to his native Fadmoor.

It is nearly ninety-eight years since these excellent men "willingly offered themselves" for the mission to America, and were accepted by Mr. Wesley and the Conference as suitable for that great and important work. The circumstances under which the offer was made were peculiar. By the extraordinary exertions of Philip Embury, Captain Webb, Barbara Heck, and a few others, a small chapel had been erected in New York. The noble Embury, who worked with diligence at his trade, preached three times a week in the new chapel; but the task was too great for him, and he desired help from England. Letters were addressed to Mr. Wesley on the subject. One of them was of a remarkable character, as the following extracts will show :"Before we began to talk of building, the devil and his children were very peaceable; but since this affair took place, many Ministers have cursed us in the name of the Lord, and laboured with all their might to shut up their congregations from assisting us. But He that sitteth in heaven laughed them to scorn." "Some of our brethren proposed writing to you for a collection in England; but I was averse to this, as I well knew our friends there are overburdened already." "There is another point far more material, and in which I must importune your assistance, not only in my own name, but in the name of the whole Society: we want an able, experienced preacher, one who has both gifts and graces necessary for the work." "I have thought of Mr. Helton; for, if possible, we must have a man of wisdom, of sound faith, and a good disciplinarian,-one whose heart and soul are in the work; and I doubt not but, by the goodness of God, such a flame would be soon kindled as would never stop until it had reached the great South Sea. We may make many shifts to evade temporal inconveniences, but we cannot purchase such a preacher as I have described." "With respect to the money for payment of a preacher's passage over, if they could not procure it, we would sell our coats and shirts, and pay it."

The Conference, held in Leeds in 1769, set apart two brethren for America, and subscribed about £70 for their passage, and towards payment of the debt on the chapel in New York. The men appointed

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to this most important mission must have been regarded as preachers of more than ordinary ability.

Of Mr. Boardman comparatively little is known. He spent six years in preaching the Gospel, in various parts of England, prior to his going to America. In 1768 he was appointed to the "Dales" Circuit, of which Barnard-Castle was the head. His appointment was hailed with great delight by multitudes of admiring hearers, who considered it a privilege to be favoured with a preacher so universally acceptable. While endeared to the people by his amiable disposition, eminent piety, and successful ministrations, he was painfully exercised by domestic affliction and bereavement. He had to mourn the loss of

his wife and child during that year. In August, 1769, this solitary, sorrowing Minister bade farewell to a loving and beloved Society, to preach in a distant land "the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Having fixed on Bristol as the port from which to sail, Mr. Boardman resolved to travel on horseback the whole distance, above three hundred miles. While journeying through the Peak of Derbyshire, he arrived at a quiet little place called Moneyash, and was welcomed for the night, as a messenger of Christ, by a cottager who was a Methodist. In this quiet hamlet Mr. Boardman preached in the open air, to a few wondering peasants, from 1 Chron. iv. 9, 10:-“ And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, O that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." By the sermon preached on this memorable occasion Mary Redfern was led to seek earnestly the blessing of salvation. She became at once a thoroughly decided Methodist, and soon found peace with God. Her conversion was followed by results of no common importance. Her only son, born about ten years after Mr. Boardman's visit, was called Jabez, as a memento of the sermon before referred to. In Jabez Bunting Methodism had a man "more honourable than his brethren,"—one whose devoted life, powerful preaching, and peculiar administrative skill, proved a rich blessing to the Church, and called forth the admiration of those who really knew him. If Mr. Boardman had done no other service to the Church than to lead Mary Redfern to Christ, he would have lived to good purpose.

It is probable that, on arriving at Bristol, he sold his horse to aid in paying his passage-money. "After a nine weeks' voyage of great difficulties," and rough, stormy weather, together with strong temptation and great dejection, the Missionaries safely arrived at Philadelphia. They found a people prepared of the Lord, and for more than four years the pleasure of the Lord prospered in their hands. During that time nearly two thousand members were added to the Society. When war became inevitable, loyalty to the British Govern

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ment led them to return home. They left America on Sunday, January 2d, 1774.

Mr. Boardman afterwards travelled in Londonderry, Cork, Limerick, and London. In 1782 he was again appointed to Cork; but before he had been there three weeks he suddenly passed from his toil on earth to the rest and enjoyment of heaven, in the forty-fifth year of his age. Mr. Wesley says, "he was a pious, good-natured, sensible man, greatly beloved of all that knew him." Mr. Yewdall, who preached his funeral sermon, says, "he was an excellent and useful preacher, a kind friend, and of an amiable, engaging disposition; his life was devoted to the service of God, and employed in promoting the salvation of souls." His appearance and bearing were truly dignified. Of Mr. Boardman Mr. Charles Wesley thus writes:

"With zeal for God, with love of souls inspired,

Nor awed by dangers, nor by labours tired,
Boardman in distant worlds proclaims the word
To multitudes, and turns them to the Lord:
But soon the bloody waste of war he mourns,
And, loyal, from Rebellion's seat returns ;
Nor yet at home, on eagle's pinions flies,
And in a moment soars to paradise."
(To be concluded.)

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DUTY.

"This do in remembrance of Me." (Luke xxii. 19.)

HAVE you ever thought, Christian reader, of these words as containing a universal command, or ever regarded the observance of that command as one of the Christian's most precious privileges? For such it is; and it is ever felt by the devout disciple to be a hallowed and eminently blessed means of grace.

That there are many professors of religion-those, too, who may often be found at a class-meeting-who but seldom come to the table of the Lord, is too true to be denied. This must indicate either an ignorance or misconception of the nature of the ordinance, or an indifference to its paramount claims.

It is now more than eighteen hundred years since the words that stand at the head of this article were uttered

by the blessed Saviour when taking His last supper with His disciples. It was a sorrowful gathering. The disciples felt awed and saddened by a mysterious solemnity that rested upon their hearts. And who can estimate or understand the emotions that filled the breast of their Divine Master, as His omniscient eye read every scene in the dark and gloomy future that lay before Him? Though He was about to offer up His pure and perfect life for the world, how indifferent, how ungrateful did that world appear in His eyes.

Yea, they were then plotting to destroy Him, panting for His blood. What a night of suffering was that to the blessed Redeemer! Who may tell the meaning of that "sore amazement," that "heaviness," that wrung from His unmurmuring lips those mournful utterances," soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: never

"My

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