THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE,

FOR AUGUST, 1813.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. GEORGE WALKER, OF CHESTER.

(Continued from page 491.)

S Mr. Walker rose, in process of time, to be one of the most considerable tradesmen in the city, it was the intention of the sivil authorities to introduce him into the corporate body. Applications were repeatedly made to him, which he respectfully declined, from those considerations which are known to operate on a mind studious of avoiding, rather than of courting honourable distinctions in society. "That he did not fill the office of mayor, must be imputed to this, and another reason that powerfully determined his conduct, which the confidence reposed in me forbids me to suggest. It is not for me to decide upon the wisdom of the resolution. One thing is certain, that men of religion and capacity are more competent for government, than those who seek the rank, rather than the opportunity of usefulness, which official elevation affords; and who may be said to act for themselves, and not for others.

It is not to be supposed, that a life like his could be passed without prominent displays of the providence of God, and strong intimations of a divine interposition. His family had wished to possess a "frail memorial" of a resemblance so dear to them. They had frequently requested him to sit for his picture, but without effect. At last, as it embraced an act of beneficence to a poor artist, he consented. The circumstance is perfectly within my recollection. During the first sitting for the portrait, according to his customary practice, he soon directed the painter's attention to the subject which was nearest his heart. He listened with apparent interest, but discovered a total ignorance of the work and worth of the Redeemer. The second time he attended, VOL. XXXVI. AUGUST, 1813.

he was not invited to the conversation, but immediately introduced it. Mr. Walker then perceived that the former interview had produced a happy effect, and was proceeding to explain to him the nature of salvation through faith, when his progress was awfully suspended. Suddenly an alteration appearing in his countenance, Mr. Walker instantly said, "Are you well, sir?"" The words were scarcely pronounced, when the palette fell to the ground-the pencil flew from his hand upon the unfinished resemblance, and impressed a conspicuous part; and, calling upon the name of Christ, he sunk almost breathless upon the floor. Mr. Walker took him to a bed in an adjoining apartment, and immediately hastened for medical assistance. Returning with a physician, he arrived in time to hear the dying artist exclaim, "Oh! my head! my head! Oh! my Christ! my Christ!" and, not many hours afterwards, he expired! This relick which remained incomplete, was never suffered to be finished, but was preserved by Mr.Walker, with the pencil mark upon the nose, to perpetuate the remembrance of a fact so singular and awful. Surely it cannot be thought impossible to the gracious interference of God, that a combination of incidents such as these, was directed for the enlightening and salvation of this artist's soul. Another instance, which distinctly marks Mr. Walker's character, is observable in an anecdote of his son, Mr. Geo. Walker, who, happily, since the decease of his father, has turned to the Lord, is now employed as a Local Preacher, and affords the highest hopes, in his present connexion, of supplying the place of his amiable father. Young Mr. G. Walker, at the period of the event, was about ten years of age. One Lord's-day his father indulged him with a ride to Saughall, a village a few miles from Chester. Ho was placed on a pack-saddle, behind him. After the conclusion of the usual services of religion, they proposed returning by a nearer road, which afforded a considerable variety of scenery. It led through lanes, narrow, steep, and full of loose stones, to a river, formed by the overflowing of the Dee, which at ebb tides is fordable. Mr. Walker was mounted upon a spirited mare, which, from the obstructions in the way, took fright. She reared, and threw Mr. Walker with such violence, that, from the contusion occasioned by the fall, he suffered long and considerable pain. The shoe-buckle of the child, catching the iron stirrup of the pad, and the mare darting forward at full gallop, presented an alarming picture of distress. Words cannot convey the acute feelings of the father, when he rose from the ground, and saw his son dragged at her heels, and recoil from the dash of every stone. Nothing but death in its most afflictive forms was to be expected. His only resort was in his God. No sooner did he address his prayer to heaven, than he perceived

the mare fly off without him. The buckle giving way, he was instantly delivered from the frightful entanglement. With a struggle of contending emotions, Mr. Walker hastened to his. assistance, and found him stretched upon the ground in a state of insensibility. He took him up in his arms, and placed him in the best situation he could find. In a few minutes Mr. Walker had the gratification of perceiving he had only swooned, and that there appeared every symptom of returning animation. During the revival of the animal functions, with weeping solicitude, he examined every part of the body. To his astonishment, he found no fractured member, and that the only exterior injury sustained, was a severe laceration of the muscles of the back. On the return of recollection, the lad exclaimed, "Where am I?" and found himself in the embrace of a parent, who was praising God aloud for the intervention of his niercy, in so singular a preservation. It will not be doubted by those who accredit angelic superintendancy, that,

"Those holy beings, whose unseen direction,

Guides thro' the maze of life, the steps of man,"

had charge concerning him, and were the immediate instruments of heaven. This admonitory visitation was neither forgotten nor unimproved.

I regret that my scanty materials will not admit a more minute detail of so valuable a life. He continued to walk with God and his people. His regular employment, his ministerial labours, the concerns of his family, with their usual interests, continued to occupy his time. Had he been diffuse in his communication to his friends, the compass of his mind, the clearness of his conceptions, and the depth of his piety were such, that his letters must have abounded with both information and instruction. But either a disinclination to correspond, delicacy, or a love of brevity, has prevented our knowing more of him by his writings. However I have been able to collect a few specimens. In a letter to Mrs. Walker, which bears date, July 14, 1788, when on an excursion, with my much lamented relation, the late Mr. John Sellers, of Chester, he says: "Ye all belong to Christ. Oh, happy relation! Be this the highest ambition of your souls. Ye belong to Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed, the sinner's Friend, the great God, and our Saviour. Oh, put your trust under the shadow of his wings, so shall his loving kindness, as a shield, defend you." In another, dated Nov. 20, 1788, addressed to Mr. George Walker, of Burslem, and his wife, his oldest daughter, and first fruit unto the Lord; he says to the latter,

I rejoice to hear that the Lord comforts you. Yes, I am assured, if you cleave to him, he will strengthen you, and will #4 B 2*

establish you; he will guide you in the truth, and the truth shall make you free." To the former, he adds, "My dear George, be thou steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord; and happy experience shall abundantly prove thy labour is not in vain in the Lord. He will bless thee in thy basket and in thy store, he will guide thee with his counsel, and, afterwards, receive thee to glory. Inexpressibly great is the felicity and security of God's people,

Happy beyond description he,

Who knows the Saviour died for me.'

St. Paul touches on the happiness of persons in a state of grace, Rom. vi. 22, and tells us, 1st, They are made free from sin. Blessed exemption from the greatest of evils! 2dly, They are servants to God, the best and kindest of all masters. 3dly, They have their fruit unto holiness, holy faith, holy love, holy obedience; and, 4thly, Their end is everlasting life, eternal felicity, eternal security, eternal glory! Oh, may my God bring all the children he has lent me into that happy, happy state!" To Mrs. George Walker, of Burslem, he wrote, May 31, 1798, "I know many people who have an unhappy talent for distressing, themselves on every trivial occasion; nay, often without any cause at all. Do not let this be your case. Be assured, that no real evil can befal the righteous. The certain cure for every complaint; the only heart-ease-giving medicine in every trial, is an unshaken confidence in that promise-making God, who has said, (and heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one tittle of his word,) All things work together for good to them that love God.' The infidel or rebel against God, has all evils to fear; but the righteous have all the good that God can do them to hope for. Read the heart of your redeeming Lord, and say, Away sad doubt and anxious fear,

Mercy and love are written there!"

Would you be happy? Who, say you, would not? Then be thankful to God for his manifold mercies. Trust with unshaken confidence in the death and intercession of his beloved Son; and the stability of his unchangeable promises. Be strong in that faith which works by love, and then you shall rejoice in hope of the glory of God. You know that

To patient faith the prize is sure,

And all that to the end endure

The cross, shall wear the crown.'"

On my return from a visit to Namptwich, in Cheshire, in the autumn of 1808, a few months before his death, I had the painful pleasure of conversing with Mr. Walker. Nature appeared to