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Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine:

FOR DECEMBER, 1822.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. JOSEPH BRITTAIN :
BY THE REV. A. B. SECKERSON.

THE late REV. JOSEPH BRITTAIN was born at Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, on the 22d of October, 1784. At the early age of seven years, he felt an earnest desire to be saved; but as he had not, at that time, any one to cherish his serious impressions, or lead his young mind to the only source of happiness, his goodness, like EPHRAIM's, was " as a morning cloud, and as the early dew which goeth away." In his fifteenth year, it pleased the ALMIGHTY, by the SPIRIT of his grace, most powerfully to work upon his mind; and, by the light then communicated to him from Heaven, his own darkness was rendered visible. He saw himself a sinner deserving the wrath of GOD, and this discovery produced the most distressing apprehensions. He clearly discerned, that without "repentance towards GOD, and faith in our LORD JESUS CHRIST," he must be eternally lost. He was now excited to employ himself in the daily perusal of the Sacred Scriptures, and in fervent prayer to God; and, in order to secure the opportunity of uninteruptedly pouring out his soul before the LORD, he resorted to the grave-yard of the Parish Church, where he was, on several occasions, found at midnight, having, in the ardour of his spirit, entirely forgotten the lateness of the hour-While in this state of spiritual distress, the precious word of gospel-grace, from the lips of a pious Minister of the Established Church, whose name and memory are dear to many in that neighbourhood, the late REV. MR. WALTHAM, of Darlaston, was as manna to his hungry soul. To this faithful and laborious servant of Christ, whose holy life, faithful ministrations, and triumphant death, strikingly illustrated the sanctity and excellence of the christian character, MR. BRITTAIN felt a strong and affectionate attachment; and from him he experienced much attention and kindness.

In the year 1800, he became a member of the WesleyanMethodist Society; and began to enjoy the peculiar advantage of their Class-Meetings, and other institutions for the furtherance of the soul in knowledge and in grace. Shortly afterwards, at a prayerVOL. I. Third Series. DECEMBER, 1922. 4 E

meeting, he obtained "the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of his sins," and a clear sense of his acceptance with GoD, through the death and sacrifice of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He was now "born again of incorruptible seed, which liveth and abideth for ever;" and, as he still followed on to know the LORD, he experienced a daily increase of the gifts and graces of the HOLY SPIRIT. About two or three years after he became a member of the Society, he began to act as a Local Preacher. Possessing a benevolent concern for the salvation of perishing sinners, and an ardent love to that SAVIOUR who had plucked him as a brand from the fire, he earnestly wished to be the instrument of communicating spiritual good to those around him. All his appointments were attended with the utmost regularity and diligence. He was assiduous in visiting the sick; and maintained an excellent character for piety and uprightness.

After having been recommended by the Quarterly Meeting of the Wednesbury Circuit, and by the Preachers of his District, Ma. "BRITTAIN, at the Conference in 1806, was received on trial as a regular Travelling Preacher; and appointed to the Aberdeen Circuit, where he continued two years. The following extracts from his Journal, written during this period, are pleasingly indicative of his sincere devotedness to GoD and to his work.

"July 18th.-Every thing, O LORD, engages me to be thine. I do therefore now, by thy grace, make a free and full surrender of my spirit, soul, and body to thee. This covenant, on thy part, will never be broken. O that, on my part, it may never be forgotten! May thy fear be so deeply implanted in my heart, that I may never depart from thee.

"August, 1807.-I have this day received a letter from the Conference, by which I find myself stationed a second year in Aberdeen. O that the LORD may give me grace to fill this important station to his glory, and the good of my soul. I can now say, with DAVID, 'My soul thirsteth for GOD, even for the living GOD.'

"September 10th.-I am just returned from meeting two Classes, where my soul has been abundantly blessed. I was this morning much edified and comforted, while conversing with my worthy Superintendent, Mɛ. PHILLIPS. My heavenly FATHER, help me to close this day, as I would wish to close the last day of my life.

"February 25th, 1808.-This has been a day of much exercise and trial. I consider myself as a pilgrim, travelling through a strange country; and am often reminded that this is not my rest. My heavenly FATHER, it is thy grace that has hitherto kept me. May it still keep me, until at last I shall loudly and sweetly sing, My SAVIOUR hath done all things well.'

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February 27th.-Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Though sorrow did endure for a night, yet joy sprung up in the morning. O may I ever keep a conscience void of offence towards my GOD! Yes, let "Holiness unto the LORD" be my constant motto.

"March 10th.-I am rather unwell in body, but happy in my soul. LORD, go with thy unworthy servant to thine own house; and make me

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faithful to thy people. Let thy good SPIRIT help my infirmities; and give

us a foretaste of heaven.

"July. My heavenly FATHER, notwithstanding all my short-comings and unfaithfulness, has condescended so to bless my soul, that, for monthis past, I have been favoured with a closer walk with him than I ever before experienced. O when shall I wake up after his likeness!

"September.-GoD is love; and all his dealings towards me have been in love. Various have been the exercises and conflicts through which I have lately been called to pass, but in them all I have sensibly felt his presence; and though Satan has desired to have me, that he might sift me as wheat, yet through the grace and strength of my Divine Master, I have been more than conqueror."

In 1808, MR. BRITTAIN was appointed to the Glasgow Circuit; and in 1809 he was stationed at Edinburgh, where he continued for two years. Here, as upon former occasions, it appears that he entered upon his work in the spirit of humility, benevolence, and love. The following quotation from his Journal will be read with interest :

“August 30th, 1809.—I have just been visiting the afflicted poor. 0 what a striking contrast between my situation and theirs! I have, through boundless mercy, a measure of health and strength, and plenty of every thing I want; (unless it be more grace ;) and yet what am I that I should be thus favoured above many others? May gratitude be written upon my heart for all my mercies of a temporal nature, and more especially for the riches of grace in CHRIST JESUS my LORD. O what amazing condescension, that He who was rich should for our sakes become poor, that we through his poverty might be rich!"

In 1811, he received an appointment to Sunderland. The Preacher who was then the Superintendent of that Circuit, in a letter now before me, writes as follows concerning his temper and conduct, while he was labouring in that part of our LORD's vineyard.

"I never saw any thing in MR. B., or heard any thing of him, which would not comport with the profession of a Christian, and the character of a Minister. He was mild in his temper, teachable and unassuming in his spirit, obedient, diligent, and laborious in his duty. He laboured with general acceptance, and with some success."

His next appointment, in 1812, was to the Colchester and Chelmsford Circuit; and it was there that he entered into the holy estate of matrimony. On the 10th of June, 1813, he was united in marriage to MISS JEMIMA STOAKS, a young person of amiable manners, and genuine piety, whom he received as a peculiar favour from the LORD. But this gift of heaven was very speedily resumed; for, in the October following, a severe cold brought on an inflammation of the lungs, succeeded by a consumption, which, on the 26th of March, 1814, removed her to that world," the inhabitants of which shall no more say, I am sick." She was one of the excellent of the earth; and died in holy triumph. Two days after her death, MR. BRITTAIN wrote as follows:

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