EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE,

AND

MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

FEBRUARY, 1816.

MEMOIR

OF THE

REV. WILLIAM EVANS,

LATE OF STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE, CONCLUDED.

of truth, firmness in opposing the inroads of error, - and gentleness in feeding the lambs of his flock, could magnify the office of a Christian pastor: if knowledge, diligence, piety, benevolence, and integrity, could array the character of a gospel minister, then, thine, O EVANS! beloved departed Friend and Brother! thine had an unrivalled claim to our highest estimation!

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HAVING traced the progress of this luminary in our Christian hemisphere, from its first glimmerings in the horizon of childhood, to its meridian station of light and usefulness, may we not be permitted, without the imputation of unworthy motives, to contemplate the moral beauties of his character, and the bright effects of that grace by which he was eminently distinguished? Who, indeed, of all that knew him, did not rejoice in his But, ah, how transient, how light? If the greatest suavity of fading, are the most beauteous and natural disposition, the purest fragrant flowers that ever bloom in simplicity of manners, - the kind- this vale of tears! How are we est readiness to oblige, and the taught to cease from man, whose most courteous affability towards breath is in his nostrils," by the all around him, could render any early and unexpected removal of character amiable and lovely ;— or, our brother, from such a sphere of if a strong and capacious mind, ministerial usefulness! Through thirsting after knowledge, inured the year 1812 he was often affected to vigorous exertion, free from illi- by a troublesome cough, with, ocberal prejudice, rich in various casionally, laboured respiration. learning, and unwearied in the These symptoms had long attendcourse of duty, could entitle its ed him, particularly in the winter possessor to esteem and reverence: months; but their recurrence, now, if the happiest arrangement of was more frequent and more seideas, the most classic flow of vere. Spasmodic asthma was the language, and the easiest mode original and idiopathic disease unof address, could stamp the charac- der which he laboured; the pro ter of an attractive speaker ;-or, if disposition to which was much inwisdom in explaining the word of creased, as well as the symptoms life,-zeal in promoting the cause materially aggravated by his seden

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tary habits. His zeal also as a mi- evil; while yet his mind was free nister, in embracing all opportuni- from all anxiety and discourageties of usefulness, exposed him to ment as to his eternal safety. "The sudden changes of temperature; last interview we had," says Mr. J. nor was he prudently cautious "was at the funeral of our dear and against an exposure of himself to valuable friend, Mr. Jones, of Chesthe cold and humid atmosphere ter. Mr. E. would have me to while in a state of profuse perspira- sleep with him that night; but, as tion, after public speaking. Un- he was then very unwell, neither der the influence of such exciting of us slept much. We related to causes, therefore, the malady in- each other what the Lord had creased; and, which is not infre- done for our souls; and his graciquent, dropsy supervened; first ous dealings with us by the way affecting the extremities, thence hitherto ;-and, among other partiextending to the abdomen, and ul- culars, we respectively spake of timately to the chest.--With occa- our views of death, and of the etersional interruptions, he struggled nal world. When, to the question, through his ministerial engage--Are you afraid of death? he ments till the commencement of the replied, Yes; very, when I think year 1814, when he was obliged to of the act of dying, and of the sepadesist from his delightful work. ration of body and spirit from each The last two discourses he deliver- other, it makes me shudder; though ed, were, the one on a Thanksgiv- I feel no anxiety, or apprehension ing Day, January 13, and the other at all, as to my future state.' Then on the following Sabbath, when he speaking of his very impaired state also administered the Lord's Sup- of health, he added, I shall sea per; but with such evident increase Mr. Jones (alluding to the person of disorder, as greatly alarmed the buried that day) before you : apprehensions of his people. A it is more than probable that I special prayer-meeting, therefore, shall.' About three months before was held, to implore the Divine in- his decease, however, he complainterposition for his recovery, if con, ed of great darkness of mind, and sistent with the will of God; but observed to one of his friends, that His sovereign pleasure had deter- his soul was much cast down for mined otherwise ;-and though, for want of the Lord's gracious presome time, Mr. E. had alternate in- sence. "I almost walk in darktervals of convalescence and relapse, ness," said he," and have no the gradual aggravation of his com- light." His friends judged that plaint, notwithstanding the most this dejection of spirit arose, in a assiduous exertions of medical skill, great measure, from the distressing too fully convinced his friends that nature of his complaint, and from their Elijah was shortly to be sepa- the anxiety he felt on account of rated from them. Let us now, his beloved wife and children, then, more particularly attend to his church and congregation, the exercises of his mind, as he the Cheshire Union, and his bre"walked through the valley of the thren in that connection; for at shadow of death:" in respect of this time his mind was not brought which, we shall perceive him for a to give these up; and sometimes, season passing under a cloud, then on being a little frce from pain, he filled with a joyful assurance, and flattered himself with the prospect longing for his dismission. of further usefulness in the Church of Christ. An extract from one of his letters to the compiler of this Memoir, dated June 10, 1814, will serve to confirm thiş :-" Through

It appears from a letter of the Rev. David Jones, of Holywell, that Mr. E. had for some time felt considerable fear of death as a natural

You are the subjects of God's manifold mercies; and stewards of the talents which he has given you. You are not to satisfy yourselves with negative goodness; must do good,

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the tender mercies of God," says kingdom to which I am going! he, "I still continue in a state of It is well to begin well; but it is slowly progressive convalescence. glorious to end well. I have fought It is ascending a hill,-and that a good fight; I have finished my hill very properly called 'The hill course; and there is laid up for Difficulty. I am very subject to me a crown of life; - but not to occasional depressions of spirit, me, to Him that hath saved me, which are very distressing. There and taught me these things, be alí is, indeed, great need of patience, the glory!" He then asked who I often feel much rebellion of spirit were in the room; and, their names in this respect, longing to be re- being severally mentioned, he adleased from my prison: my will is dressed them most affectionately, and by no means in that state of subjec- with great earnestness, saying, tion I could wish. At intervals, indeed, I have felt that subduedness of mind, which left no wish for the slightest alteration in the arrangements of infinite wisdom and goodness but it is not always thus with me. Much of this, doubtless, may be owing to the debility to which my disorder has reduced me; but still more to the weakness of my faith, and to the strength of sin that yet dwelleth in me. My dear Sir, pray for me!" But God, who was about to remove his approved servant, by degrees convinced him that his work was nearly finished, and his course almost run; and, for two months before his departure, he entertained no further hopes of recovery; but was enabled to resign himself, and all his connections, into the hands of his divine Master ;- from which time he uninterruptedly enjoyed the Lord's gracious presence.

On September 15, a fortnight before he died, there appeared a considerable change in him; and it was thought by his attendants that he could not survive the night; but it pleased God, after a few hours, greatly to revive him; and his conversation then was never to be forgotten. Being asked if his Covenant-God were with him, he answered with a smile, Yes, yes; I have Heaven in my eye, and glory in my heart. I see what I never saw before; I feel what I never felt before, and what I cannot express to you. How unutterable are the glories of that

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you must be use ful; and I beseech you, in Christ's stead, that you diligently improve all to his glory!" Then taking hold of his wife's hand, and gently pressing it in his own, he looked at a friend, and said with a smile,

These are great earthly ties; they are strong ties ;-but my God has enabled me to resign them, and all earthly concerns, into his hands.' His friend observing,

I hope you are leaving them with kind friends?' he answered, "Yes; with tried friends; but I am leaving them with what is far better ;

with the promises of God." He now became nearly exhausted, and several of his friends were about to withdraw; when he said," There is one thing more I have to mention, which lies near, and is very dear, to my heart, the Cheshire Union! Let it still continue, and remain long à UNION! Give up every thing but truth and a good conscience for the sake of union and brotherly love! -- Give it your support, and let it have your prayers; for I know it is the Lord's work." He then mentioned many of his dear friends in that connection, and most affectionately desired his love to them all.

A few days before his death, looking at Mrs. Evans in the most impressive manner, he said', - "In

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