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Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine:

FOR JULY, 1822.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. T. LESSEY:

BY HIS SON,

(Continued from page 351.)

Ar the Conference in 1786, my dear father was called upon by MR. WESLEY to devote himself wholly to the work of God as a regular Preacher; and was appointed to the Penzance Circuit. Here he was exercised with very severe trials, from various quarters. He had, for three years, to maintain an afflicted wife, and a rising family, without any provision for them from the Connexion. This he could not have done, but for a favourable circumstance, which occurred just at that time. An uncle, who resided in Canada, died, and left him One Thousand Pounds. A part of this sum, being in the hands of a bankrupt, was lost. From the remainder, which he succeeded in obtaining, he was forced to draw largely; so that, before any provision was made for his family, nearly Five Hundred Pounds of that was spent. But his severest trials did not proceed from temporal privations. It may justly be said concerning his spiritual conflicts at this time, "Within were fears, and without were fightings." The distressing views he had of his inadequacy to the important work in which he had engaged, almost overwhelmed him; in addition to which, the incautious, and sometimes unkind treatment, which he received from those who ought to have been his comforters, and the lifters up of his head, deeply afflicted him. I will transcribe what he says relative to his state of mind at this period. It may be serviceable to those who are in similar circumstances;-who are just putting on the holy armour, and commencing that kind of spiritual warfare, in which he was preserved, and from which he has been removed with all the triumphs of victory. In the following remarks, we shall discern that humility with which he was constantly clothed, and which caused him, even in the inexperience and buoyancy of youth, to shrink back under a sense of his own insufficiency, when the magnitude of the work was gradually disclosed to his view. To the influence of this gracious disposition may be attributed the lowliness and diffidence, which marked both his public and private VOL. I. Third Series, JULY, 1829.

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intercourse with the church. We shall also perceive and admire that simplicity, which, in the formation of the christian character, is the invariable companion of humility.

"I must confess," says he, "that I was not sufficiently apprised of the requisite qualifications for so important a work. I had not fully considered, how I might fill up so responsible a station, in such a way as to promote the honour of religion, the prosperity of the people, and my own happiness. This has caused me many gloomy and distressing hours; yea, I may say, weeks and months. Many a time I would have retired from the work, had it not been for fear of leaving the path of duty, and incurring the divine displeasure. The first thing in which I found myself deficient, was a knowledge of the various systems of religion which at that time prevailed. Sometimes I used expressions, which gave offence to some of my hearers, and occasioned me much consequent uneasiness. I most sincerely wished to be able, fully and clearly, to declare the plain truths of the Gospel, in such a way as might most directly tend to the conviction of sinners, and the edification of saints. This has always proved to me a very difficult work; and often forced me to exclaim, Who is sufficient for these things?'

"I have also found self-government a very difficult task,—so to regulate and subdue my tempers, that on all occasions I might display the meekness and purity of the Gospel. I earnestly desired to be so governed by the HOLY SPIRIT, that I might be able patiently to submit to unkind treatment, even from the people of God; and at all times to manifest a willingness to be any thing or nothing, so that God was glorified.

"I found myself very defective, likewise, in a proper knowledge of human nature, so as to be always prepared against, as well as ready to make proper allowances for, the prejudices of men. This has frequently involved me in much trouble; but I cousole myself with the reflection, that the people among whom I have laboured have, in the general, considered my conduct among them as the result of a pure desire to promote their happiness. When I first entered upon my work in the Penzance Circuit, I found that many of my hearers had studied controversy more than I had. I had been connected with a people who were at unity among themselves, and had not seen the need for any other kind of preaching than that which led to experimental and practical holiness. Now, orthodoxy was the only cry, the invariable watch-word. I must be well assured that my own opinions were right, and be able to prove them so to my hearers. This induced me to read MR. FLETCHER'S Works with close attention; by which I obtained a clear view of the grounds and bearings of the controversy with the Calvinists. I also read other authors, on both sides of the question, which caused me too frequently to introduce litigated points into my public ministry. On the whole, however, I have derived real advantage from the course of reading and study into which I was thus led. I have acquired a clearer knowledge of the doctrines received and taught by the Methodists; which has resulted in the firmer establishment of my faith in them, as derived from the word of GOD. I may add, that I am better acquainted with truth in general; and, I think, not any thing less candid in my sentiments towards persons of other persuasions: while I dissent from what to me appears to be erroneous among them, I can, and do, approve and venerate their piety. I

think it a duty I owe to God, his people, and myself, to hold fast that form of sound words which has been delivered unto me. The more I read my Bible, and endeavour to explain its meaning to others, the more I know of men, by books and observation, the more I know of religion, in my own heart and among the people of GOD,-the more firmly am I established in the truth of the important doctrines taught and experienced among the Methodists, and the more fully am I convinced that Methodism is a work of GOD, and, if preserved "in simplicity and godly sincerity," will be rendered an everlasting blessing to mankind.”

About this time my father consulted MR. WESLEY concerning some of the leading doctrines of the Gospel. In reply to his inquiries on the nature of faith, MR. WESLEY thus writes to him :

"My dear Brother,―There is no one point in all the Bible concerning which I have said more, or written more, for almost these fifty years, than Faith. I can say no more than I have said. To believe the Being and Attributes of GOD is the faith of a Heathen. To believe the Old Testament, and trust in Him that was to come, was the faith of a Jew. To believe CHRIST gave himself for me, is the faith of a Christian. This faith he did give to you, and I hope does still hold it fast without any philosophical refinement. When we urge any to believe, we mean, Accept that faith which God is now ready to give.' Indeed believing is the act of man, but it is the gift of GoD. For no one ever did believe unless God gave him the power. Take it simply without reasoning, and hold it fast.—I am, your affectionate Brother,

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"J. WESLEY."

My father remained two years in the Penzance Circuit; during the whole of which time he was most severely exercised, both from mental conflicts and domestic trials. Very shortly after his matrimonial union, he was taught by painful experience that no situation in this vale of tears is exempt from suffering. The purest and most exalted human pleasure in the world, is that which is enjoyed by the wise and virtuous in conjugal life. But this state has its sorrows as well as its joys. There is, even in this cup of felicity, the unwelcome infusion of the wormwood. This my dear father soon found. My mother's health was never vigorous; consequently she was but ill adapted to the fatigues and privations attached to the new situation of life, into which Providence had introduced her. She was eminently pious, and wholly devoted to GOD. I may be allowed to say that, although my recollection of her is faint, and, at the early age at which it pleased God to deprive me of so dear and valued a parent, being but a little more than seven years old, I was not capable of estimating the great worth of her character, yet I shall never forget those exercises of maternal piety, which tenderly interested my infant heart. Frequently has she taken my sister and myself to her, and talked to us, in the most affecting manner, on the nature and importance of religion. Such conversations generally terminated in fervent prayer on our behalf. Her friends also have often testified to

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