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MEMOIR OF MR. JAMES STOKOE :

BY THE REV. WILLIAM CLEGG.

JAMES STOKOE was born in the year 1753, at Barlow, in the parish of Ryton, in the county of Durham. The HOLY SPIRIT Wrought powerfully upon his mind when he was a child. When alone, he was often deeply convinced of the depravity of his heart; and, making the best use of the little knowledge he then possessed, he frequently repeated the LORD's-Prayer. Very young children are capable of understanding the principal truths, of feeling the holy sentiments, and of practising the important duties of our religion. What might be reasonably expected is found to be the truth in fact, that they are, more or less, the subjects of the gracious operations of GOD. Hence, they will generally be found listening eagerly to religious instruction, when it is given at a suitable time, and in a suitable manner. It would be well if parents, or those who have the charge of children, were always careful to improve a circumstance so favourable to the highest interests of the rising generation, and of the community at large. But, alas! it is too generally overlooked; and children are left to the workings of depraved nature, and the influence of evil example, till they are confirmed in habits of carelessness and sin, and become much more insensible to religious impressions than they were at a very tender age. Parents commonly imagine that they perform the whole of their religious duties to their children, if they teach them to remember the words of a catechism, and to say their prayers. The subject of this memoir was very properly taught to say his prayers; and he was so far benefited by this practice, and impressed with the importance of what he had been taught, that while he was young, he was afraid of going out in the morning before he had performed that duty. But as little or no attention was paid to his moral and religious improvement in other respects, he soon began to live (to use his own words) "a careless, prayerless life."

Thus he went on, till the time of his Conversion; relative to which he particularly marks the kindness of divine Providence.

"I had often purposed," says he, "when in my apprenticeship, to give scope to my passions when I was more my own master. But the LORD was good to me at that time. I met with some disappointments which frustrated all my wicked desires; and on the very day I was out of my apprenticeship, a distant relation died. I was at the funeral, and took great notice of two young men who were Methodists. I thought they did not seem like other people, and that they had something of happiness in their look. At this time, (1777,) the LORD gave both my brother and me a concern for our souls."

It is evidently the duty of all who are disciples of the benevolent JESUS, to improve every opportunity of doing good. There are few means of usefulness more successful, or more easy, than affectionate

admonition and exhortation administered in the way of friendly conversation by persons who are themselves careful to adorn their holy profession. There is reason to fear that this duty is not now so generally practised as it was by the first Methodists. The change has been attributed by some, not to a deficiency of gracious feeling, but to an increase of knowledge. Let us beware, lest what we boast of as knowledge should be the mere absence of zeal for the salvation of our fellow-men. We may imagine that we are making progress in a sort of rational Christianity, while we are but cowardly followers of that SAVIOUR Who was so ardent in the cause of our redemption as to endure the cross and despise the shame of the most ignominious suffering, while we are ashamed of him and of his word before men. "God forbid," exclaimed the eloquent and zealous WHITEFIELD, "that I should travel a quarter of a mile with a man without speaking to him of JESUS." Who can wonder at the usefulness of such a man? O that a double portion of his spirit may rest upon Christians of the present day! Let us strive to grow in knowledge; but let it be directive, and not destructive of our zeal. Many will bless God through eternity that ever some humble Christian took the charitable liberty of entering upon spiritual conversation with them; and the late JAMES STOKOE will be one of them. He notices the kindness of his pious neighbours in this respect, and was so far from thinking himself insulted by what the proud might call officiousness, that he wondered at their tender and condescending attention to his happiness. This was because he saw his own vileness. "I often thought it very strange," says he, "that the people should take notice of me."

As he and his brother had frequented the religious meetings of the Methodists at all opportunities, they were admitted into a Love-feast on the Sunday before they joined the Society. This was to him a blessed meeting. He obtained clearer views of the will of God respecting him than ever he had had before. He had been like young SAMUEL, who knew not the voice of the LORD. But now he writes, "I began to know my Shepherd's voice, to the comfort of my soul, and the voice of a stranger I had no desire to follow. The LORD wrought in my heart a hatred to sin, and drew me with the cords of his love." He laboured under conviction of sin, and consequent fear, for about five months before he obtained the blessing of justification by faith in CHRIST, but during this time he says, "I felt little or no terror."

The work of salvation is the work of God; and he will accomplish it in the manner which seems best to him. He knows whereof we are made, as well as our temptations and circumstances, and when and how to apply his grace. Hence we observe a circumstantial difference in most of the HOLY SPIRIT's operations on different souls, though all tend to the same united object of pardon, purity,

peace, and heaven, to the believing penitent. Some have more painful remorse than others; and the bitterest compunction is often seen where, by man, it would be the least expected. Mourning penitents are often found grieving that they do not feel more grief for having sinned against so much light and love, and that they have not more fear of God's displeasure. But let them consider that if they have so much sorrow for sin as to hate it, so much fear of God as to cease to rebel against him, and thankfully to receive the SAVIOUR, the great end of spiritual sorrow is attained.

There is a sensible difference, however, in all cases, between the feelings of a justified and an unjustified state. MR. STOKOE bears witness to this in the following words :

"I was very poorly in body when the LORD set my soul at liberty. But when this blessing was given, the LORD healed both body and soul; or, in other words, the joy I felt took away the pain. O that happy time! It makes my heart leap with joy when I think of it."

Still he found he was in danger, and saw the necessity of a continued use of the means of grace, in order to retain the happiness he enjoyed. On this subject he writes thus :

"I had a very clear manifestation of the pardoning love of GOD, and yet, through ignorance and unbelief, I almost gave up my confidence. But one Sunday MR. COWNLEY preached a sermon, in which he described the work of God in the soul. This gave strength to my faith, and resolution to my will, being a word in season to my fainting mind. From this time I got more light and life.”

One cannot but remark, here, the importance of embracing every opportunity of waiting upon GOD. If MR. STOKOE had neglected to hear the Minister of the Gospel whom he names, he might have fallen a victim to the ignorance and unbelief of which he complains. GoD sent him a special message of mercy by his servant: for "after hearing this sermon," says he, "I grew in grace, and for about two years lived very happy in the love of God."

His mind was now turned to the subject of that "Perfect Love" of GOD, which casts out sin and fear, and on which he writes as follows:

"I often felt unbelief, and pride, and self-will, and many other evils, springing up, and ready to choke the good seed; nor had I a clear conception how I was to conquer. But, blessed be the LORD, he suffered me not to remain long in this state. MR. JOHN BLADES met our Band, and pressed us to believe the promises of full salvation, which are found in GOD's Word. Seeing the beauty and benefit of a higher degree of faith, I took his advice; and at this time, the LORD delivered me from unprofitable reasonings, and wrought a clear and instantaneous work in my soul, and brought me into a state which I took for christian perfection. The work was plain, and the effect manifest; and I was very happy in love."

"The will of God is our sanctification." It must necessarily be so. GoD is holy, and therefore hates sin, and loves holiness; and must

be disposed to destroy what he hates, and to produce what he loves. Hence the economy of redemption, the leading object of which appears to be the re-production of holiness in human nature, in consistency with moral government; that fallen man may regain the friendship of his God, and the paradise which he has lost. It is the privilege then, it is the imperative duty, of every Christian, to seek salvation from his sins. He may rest assured, that God is as willing fully to sanctify him, as he can be to seek that blessing. If we "have not," it is because we "ask not," or because we "ask amiss." But whatever be the holiness to which the believer arrives while in the present state, he is neither exempt from temptation, nor from the liability to sin ;-witness the temptation of our spotless SAVIour, and the fall of our first parents. Not recollecting these truths, many sincere Christians have mourned when they should have rejoiced. So it was with MR. STOKOE. On this subject he writes,

"I lived very happy in the perfect love of God, till, feeling temptation, and supposing it to be remaining corruption, I gave way to evil reasoning and unbelief, which, in a degree, occasioned the return of painful fears, and damped my joys; but having no desire to indulge myself in any thing which the LORD had forbidden, I still, in a measure, confided in Him, aud felt my heart drawn out in his service."

After this, his religious experience very much varied, as the following extracts will show :

"The undue love of the creature began to spring and choke the good seed; but the LORD's eye was over me for good. He laid me on a bed of affliction. I then began to examine myself, and I saw myself coming far short in every act of duty; particularly in speaking of the goodness of Gop, his love to sinners, the benefit of religion, &c. &c. This drove me to the LORD for mercy, through the meritorious death and intercession of my SAVIOUR; and, blessed be his name, he heard my prayer, and healed my soul, and gave me patience and resignation under my afflictions. I longed to die, and go to Him whom my soul loved. But the LORD was pleased to raise me up, and prolong my life, which has been too much what I dreaded. I soon began to feel the entanglements common to youth, which, in a degree, damped my joy, and retarded my spiritual progress. But being determined not to yield to sin, and having an eminent pattern of piety daily with me, and the means of grace, and a religious family to live in, I went forward, though at a slow rate:--with shame I may speak it, considering the opportunities I had, and the LORD's visits to me.

"I often felt the seeds of mortality, but took them for tokens of love. Ever since I knew any thing of myself, and of GOD, I have seen that affliction has had a good effect upon me. It drove me to the LORD in prayer, loosened my affections to the world, and made me conversant with death and eternity. But I had various temptations at such times. It was suggested to my mind that God knew not my pain; that he heard not my prayers; and that I should have a long life of affliction. Yet these troublesome thoughts were but transient. I never durst deliberately and anxiously pray for ease. I saw the need I had of all my pain, and felt the good effect of it; and was so comforted under it, that I was often where

the sun shines continually, or as on Pisgah's top, within sight of the promised land."

Every genuine Christian desires to take others to heaven with him, and considers the means within his power to accomplish so important an object. In reference to this, after noticing the kindness of God in his afflictions, MR. STOKOE writes in the following manner :—

"My soul thirsted for the salvation of others, as well as for my own. When this is the case, we never need to want exercise. I soon found out a man who appeared to be serious; and though he was a stranger to me, I took an opportunity to speak to him, and make myself acquainted with him. By so doing I was introduced to his house, where I spoke freely and plainly to him, and his family, and neighbours, about their present and everlasting peace, and prayed with, and for them. The LORD grant that these labours may have the desired effect."

About the year 1783, he was put into the office of a Class-Leader; and, in 1787, he became a Local Preacher. Concerning the latter event, he says,

“About this time it was much impressed upon my mind, that I ought to speak in public for the LORD. This made me examine my motives, that I might learn from what source the thought came. I readily concluded there could be nothing in this inclination but what many of the children of GoD feel, who are not really called to public service: so for a short time I resisted the impulse. Although I had suffered so much by pleasing myself, at the expense of offending GOD, I fell into this snare again. This made my way rough, till I came to a resolution, by divine help, to spend my leisure hours in a way more profitable to myself and others, and more pleasing to GOD. I had sometimes spoken a few words in the way of exhortation, but it was frequently with much shame. I did not wonder that some laughed at me, and others reproached me; for I frequently was ashamed to look at those who heard me; but they bore with me wonderfully. And, blessed be the LORD, I know that my weak efforts were pleasing to him. They were a blessing to my own soul. They drove me to the LORD before I had to speak, that I might be assisted, and that he would clothe the word with power to them that heard it. And seeing my own defects, I prayed that he would take the cause into his own hand, and enable me to live according to what I taught. I was often variously troubled in my mind. I knew I was not sufficiently qualified for such an office, but conscious that my motives were pure, I went on. Yet seeing little fruit of my labour, my hands were made to hang down, and I sometimes acted the part of a coward; but it did not answer."

As a zealous disciple of Him who went about doing good, he was solicitous to avail himself of every means of usefulness. The following extract will show his views of the great object of the SundaySchool Institution, and his ardent desire to promote it.

"We began a Sunday-School at Collierly Dykes, and another at Burnop Fields. As we had but few teachers, and were but poor plain men, I feared the scholars would not be controlled by us. So I spoke to Mr. and desired him to superintend both the Schools. But he positively refused. 'Then,' said I,' we must do as well as we can.' I therefore prayed to the

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