0490 1229 Prescott, Collection, by Rev. B. Thomas.. Saint Hill, Collection, by Rev. C. Hawkins... 1 1 Sidmouth, J. Bacon, Esq. Sidclift Cottage, by R. Horsey 1 moiety) Upottery, Mr. John Rowe. Wellington:-Missionary Association Wm. D. Horsey, Sub. Mrs. Wise.. ......... Mr. John Gay... Less expences.. 6 7 1 10/1/2 11 10 0 311022 .......... ....... 0 15 2 0 2 0 0 0 44 11 11 43 11 1 Parcels of Magazines, &c. for the use of the Mission, have been thankfully received from Rev. T. King, Bedford; Mr. Symonds, Liquorpond-street; and W. Wigney, Esq. Brighton. Mr. Mack, of Serampore, requests us to announce that the Box of Fancy Articles for the Serampore Schools, from Miss Anne Sullivan and Friends, reached that station in February last in excellent order, and proved very acceptable. The Editor has to thank his young friend at Nailsworth, for sending the amount received for twenty copies of Mr. Leslie's book; and will be obliged if friends in other parts of the country will kindly imitate the example, as he is desirous of closing the account. Littlewood & Co., Printers, Old Bailey. THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1829. Memoir of the REV. W.W.SIMPSON. | a promptitude and liberality nobly (Continued from p. 3.) expressive of his love to God, and his benevolence to man, he, in the THE ardour of Mr. Simpson's mind same year, purchased premises for for the Christian ministry, to which the establishment of religious worwe alluded in the short sketch ship in the neighbouring town of given of him in our last number, Eye, a spot at that time marked was however, blended with the by almost every feature of moral most unaffected humility, in his desolation. He speaks with great estimate of his own capacities for animation in his journal respecta work so great. His past efforts ing the opening of this place, at public speaking were in the November 4th, 1802, when he form of expository remarks, and preached from 1 Tim. i. 15. "This his first exercises were addressed is a faithful saying and worthy of to the church at Diss, of which he all acceptation, that Christ Jesus had become a member. These came into the world to save sin-. were so acceptable that on the ill-ners, of whom I am chief," and, ness and death of their pastor Mr. refers to the conversion of a scoffFarmery, to whom he was most ing hearer, who came with many a affectionately attached, he was fre- confederate enemy of the gospel quently called to occupy the pul- to mock at the mercy which reachpit of his lamented friend. In ed him by the preaching of the April 1802 he preached his first cross. This consolatory circumsermon from 1 Cor. i. 26-29. stance spoke like a testimony of "For ye see your calling, brethren, the divine approbation to the heart how that not many wise men after of Mr. Simpson, an encouragement the flesh, not many mighty, not he greatly needed in the outset of many noble, are called; but God his ministry, and which he gratehath chosen the foolish things of fully acknowledges in a memoranthe world to confound the wise; dum found in his pocket bible. and God hath chosen the weak The recognition of his ministerial things of the world to confound gifts by the church at Diss, on the the things which are mighty; following Lord's day, is thus noand base things of the world, ticed in his journal. and things which are despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things which are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.' From this period he became more exclusively devoted to his public labours. Nor were these confined to the place of his residence. With VOL. IV. 3d Series. "November 7th, 1802. Lord'sday morning, I was sent out by the church to preach the gospel. Several friends engaged in prayer on the occasion, after which I gave an account of the leadings of Providence from the time that I was called by grace to my first public. attempts at speaking, and con E : Brown. I trust the Lord was with us through the day, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!" cluded by giving an account of my faith. I also preached from 1 Sam. xii. 23, 24. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against With the same unequivocal zeal the Lord, in ceasing to pray for of holy affection, he continued his you: but I will teach you the good pastoral labours for the space of and right way only fear the Lord thirteen years, till the purer fervors and serve him in truth with all your of the spiritual man seemed more heart for consider how great and more distinct than in their first things he hath done for you." The emanations, when they were blendLord graciously manifested his ed with the natural ardour of his presence with us, and I hope his temperament in earlier life. In the blessing will follow the work and year 1823 the infirmities of age so worship of the day. Glory be to far interfered with his ministerial God in the highest, on earth peace engagements, that he resigned the and good will to men.' pastorship an office sustained for Mr. Simpson continued his la-a short period by the writer of this bours at Eye for eight years, fear- memoir, who was of course inlessly enduring an opposition some-dulged with a large portion of his times characterized by such ma- social intercourse, and who looks lignity, as to threaten the life of back to this passage in his life with Him who came to them with those messages of love that brought life and immortality to light. And well compensated were these faithful labours, for at the termination of years of patient endurance in well-doing, a chapel was erected, a congregation was gathered, a church was formed, and the weapons of hostility were laid down! He himself too was ordained pastor over this people. These events are thus briefly and devoutly registered in his journal. indescribable interest and gratitude. The repose enjoyed in his domestic retirement was, however, invaded by sorrow, but by sorrow tending rather to deepen than to destroy the tone of devotion so long habitual to his mind. The sudden death of Mrs. Simpson on the 30th of May 1823, while it terminated a long and felicitous conjugal union, afforded its own ample and sublime consolation in the hope of future and eternal companionship. In the succeeding year died his amiable and accomplished granddaughter, Miss Ward, whose young and cultivated mind endowed with many of the attractive graces of this world, had taken the yet lovelier impression of the Mediator's image, "and who was on that account unspeakably dear to her venerable relative. Her death was followed in less than two years by that of her mother, Mr. Simpson's eldest daughter, whose exemplary "October 4th, 1810. I opened piety, diffusing its pure, and gentle the Baptist meeting-house at Eye, and comforting influences through and I was ordained pastor there. all the relative duties and associaThe service was conducted by bre-tions of her life, beamed out with thren, White, Munser, Cowell and unusual lustre in the triumph of "September 30, 1810. Lord's day. Baptized three persons and formed a Baptist church at Eye. I preached from Psalm cxviii. latter part of 25th verse. "O Lord I beseech thee send now prosperity." I think I may safely say that the Lord was with us in every part of our worship, for which I desire to bless and praise his holy name. Glory be to the triune Jehovah for ever and ever. Amen." |