METHODIST MAGAZINE, FOR SEPTEMBER, 1821. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR of the late MR. THOMAS BROCAS, of Shrewsbury. (Continued from page 570.) 66 April 7th, 1789. This day I received warning to leave my present situation. The only accusations preferred against me were, That I visited the prison, and held Methodist meetings. What the LORD intends by this dispensation I know not; but I shall know hereafter. I only want a spirit of prayer, and a heart to trust in Him; and then all things will work together for my ood. But at present, what we are to do, or where we shall go, cannot tell. The promise, however, cannot fail: Bread shall be given unto thee, and thy water shall be sure.' "Monday, May 18th, 1789. This day I left the WhiteHall; and after settling my affairs, set out to visit my dear aged mother at Rudgeley. I passed through Madeley, and called upon MR. HORNE, the Curate, who persuaded me to stop all night, and to preach at one of their Meeting-houses. The next evening he took me to see that mother in Israel, MRS. FLETCHER, with whom I had the honour of dining. Such a woman I never met with before: and perhaps there is not her equal in the world. Such piety, wisdom, zeal for GoD, I never before either saw or heard of. "Rudgeley, Staffordshire, May 21, 1789. Having given notice yesterday, that I intended to preach on the NavigationBridge, at seven o'clock, I went and fulfilled my promise as the LORD enabled me. Many hundreds of people were present, whom I exhorted to behold the SAVIOUR. I got the attention of many who had come from motives of curiosity, or to excite disturbance: and as it was the first time that any Methodist had ever preached in the town, many seemed amazed to find, that we could prove what we had to say from the Bible. As soon as I had done, and was coming away, a man broke through the crowd, and told me that he would serve me with a writ the next morning: I afterwards heard, that he actually went three miles to a magistrate that night. What reception he met with I know not, but I heard no VOL. XLIV. SEPTEMBER, 1821. more of the writ. Though I was charged to desist from preaching, I informed the congregation that I should address them again on the evening of the following Tuesday. I went as I had promised, and found a number of young men playing just by the very place where I intended to take my stand. As I came up, some of them said, 'Let him go; he will tell us that we shall all be damned, if we do not act as he says.' We began the worship of GOD, and curiosity soon put an end to their play. I exhorted them all to 'Search the Scriptures,' since they testify of CHRIST, and of eternal life through him." On this occasion one individual was truly awakened and converted, who has since been an esteemed Class-leader, and a useful Local Preacher.-MR. BROCAS continues: "May 29th. I and my family set off again for Shrewsbury, at which place we arrived safely on the following day. What we are now to do, or which way to turn, is only known to GOD. Our money will soon be all gone. LORD, have mercy upon us! Thou who feedest the young ravens, forgive my sins, my crying sins, and provide for my dear family. "January 17, 1790. What a scene of trials and changes have we gone through since last May! We have been persuaded to enter into business, and have taken a shop for that purpose: but being a stranger to business, my trials have been many. My mind has been agitated, and my time taken up with the cares of this world. I have lost much of that communion with GoD, which I enjoyed aforetime. How this business will answer, and how my life will be spent, GoD only knows. Undertake for me, O thou Son of MAN! What profit is there in life, if I have no fellowship with thee? Who can prosper me in my business, strengthen me in body and mind, keep me from sin, preserve my children from evil, from prison, from hell, but thou alone, Ŏ my GOD?" With these humble views of himself, and wishful for Providential guidance, MR. BROCAS entered into business nor is it surprising to find that, while he thus hung dependent upon the LORD, and first sought his kingdom and righteousness, all other things were added to him. Having clean hands, he grew stronger and stronger, and his GOD became his counsellor both in temporal and in spiritual affairs. Amidst the cares and anxieties of business he continued to care for the souls of men. "Feb. 1790. I have continued to visit the prison, and trust that my labour has not been altogether in vain. Five unhappy men suffered at the last Assizes; all of whom I attended to the place of execution. If any thing is sufficient to melt the human heart, surely it is scenes like these: and how those who are parents, can behold such awful spectacles, without pouring out their souls to GOD in prayer, that he may keep their children from the snares of the devil, I know not. It is not riches that can keep people from the gallows, any more than from hell; one of these malefactors being possessed of three hundred pounds a year. At his own request, I accompanied him and his son, (a youth of twenty years of age, who had been associated with his father in the crime of forgery) in a mourning-coach, to the place of ignominy and death. The LORD opened my mouth to speak to them: and I hope that what was said, was a word in season. "March 22d, 1792. To-day I am going to the gaol, to visit an unhappy girl of eighteen years of age, who is to be executed for the murder of her illegitimate child. She was born of respectable parents, and enjoyed a small independence of her own. She confesses the fact; laments that she has lived in pleasure; and regards Sabbath-breaking as the special occasion of her guilt and infamy. O that she may find mercy of the LORD!-I have been with her, and attended her in her last moments; but cannot describe the terrors of her mind. After the Clergyman had left her, and I had spoken to her, and prayed with her, and then spoken to her again, as I was able, she said, 'O MR. BROCAS, I am afraid to die! OI am sadly afraid of dying! O the horrors of a wounded conscience at a dying hour!' I preached to her a free salvation: mercy purchased by another; and given to sinners without money and without price. How far she laid hold of it, is now known to herself and to GOD. She died a praying, broken-hearted sinner." This was the last time that MR. BROCAS was allowed to visit the prisoners in Shrewsbury gaol, for the benevolent purpose of ministering to their spiritual necessities. "January 28th, 1804. Many years have now elapsed since I last recorded the dealings of GOD with me, in my journal. Writing on this subject used generally to bring my mind into a praying frame: I therefore solemnly resolve to resume the practice. "Feb. 1st. I am in the midst of prosperity; having plenty of business, and of money to carry it on; while I and my family enjoy tolerable health. My sabbaths are generally very happy days. I am happy when I kneel before GoD with my dear family; when I am engaged in the celebration of divine worship in the chapel; when hearing the Word: and very happy have I been this evening, while preaching to a congregation of poor people. My hands and my heart are full: I have no sleepy moments. What I want, is a closer communion with GOD. I will earnestly ask this blessing; and then my joy will be full. "Feb. 11. Another week is nearly passed away. I have had a busy day, and have sold a considerable quantity of goods: but to-morrow is the day of the Lord: may we all rejoice and be glad therein! How much does the hurry of business, though we may * 4 D2* commit no actual sin, tend to damp the spirit of holy zeal, and to stupify the affections. O LORD, quicken thou me, according to thy word! "Feb. 15. I am amazingly happy. The Bible is very precious to me: the outward means of grace I enjoy very much; and feel a degree of earnestness in private prayer, as well as with my family; and sometimes I experience much contrition of spirit, and nearness to GOD. "Sunday, Feb. 19. Three times I heard Mr. -, a pious man, but a disagreeable speaker. I never hear him, but I am sorry for him; though he generally preaches good sermons; but being ill delivered, the power seems to be lost. "Tuesday, March 20th, died my kind and very dear friend, MR. JOHN HARRIS, of Morton-Corbet, about 55 years of age. He has left a father, aged 90 years, and a mother 84: besides a tender wife, and nine children. He has been my tried and constant friend ever since I have been in business, and one of my oldest acquaintances in Shropshire. He was a great reader, a deep thinker, a wise and moderate man, who possessed a remarkable command over his words and temper. He was a lover of all good men, and deeply serious: an obedient son, a loving husband, a tender father, a kind friend, an esteemed LocalPreacher, and a strictly honest man. I spent most of last Tuesday with him, which was one of the best days I ever passed in my life. His disorder terminated in the jaundice, of which he died. The Doctors refused to administer any thing to him, a fortnight ago; and seeing MRS. HARRIS dejected, he suspected the reason, and asked, Whether they accounted him a dying man? Being answered in the affirmative, he appeared quite happy; and calling his eldest son to him, said, 'My dear John, the Doctors have all given me up, and I hope I have received my sentence with Christian fortitude and resignation.' One of his intimate friends, who sat up with him during the night of his death, gives the following account of his last hours: About one o'clock he asked what time it was? and being told, he was asked, Is Jesus precious to you? to which he replied, "O yes, very precious; or what should I do now ?' About an hour after, he again enquired what o'clock it was; and being informed, some scriptures were repeated to him, when he appeared to be very happy. Some time afterwards he asked, Who is that in white?' and then exclaimed, "Oh, GoD is doing wonders in heaven and on earth!' and then said, Hitherto the LORD hath brought us;' and lifting up his arms, he added, 'GoD is doing wonders in heaven, beyond any thing-beyond every thing: Wonders, wonders in heaven! beyond-beyond every thing and in a few minutes expired. "Thus died one of the most honest men, and one of the most disinterested Christians I ever knew. I was never acquainted with a man who felt so much for the poor, or who was so deeply affected by the dissensions among professing Christians. He was my very dear, and my bosom friend. Such another I shall never meet with on earth: but perhaps I shall not want one long; and if I do, Gon will be my Friend; and He never dies. We cordially agreed in our views of theological doctrine, in politics, in every thing only he was a very holy man, and I was very unholy. O Thou, who hast safely received him, in mercy remember me! "On the following Sunday, the clergyman of the parish improved the melancholy event of his death, by a most impressive discourse; during the delivery of which, at the bare mention of the name of JOHN HARRIS, the whole congregation wept bitterly. The minister said, Who among you was ever over-reached in a bargain by him? Who of you ever applied to him in distress, and did not find him a real friend? Who can say, that he ever injured you, in word or deed? Neighbours, servants, labourers, widows, and fatherless children, what was his conduct towards you? ، March 30, 1804. Good Friday. It is this day twenty- seven years since I first came to Shrewsbury, and first saw my dear wife. I was then not worth a guinea, excepting the clothes I wore, and these were not all paid for. But such has been the mercy of God to me, from that time I have gradually increased in worldly goods. While I lived to myself, I was always poor : but I no sooner began to seek the kingdom of God,' than all other things were added' unto me. How worthy is GoD of praise! What happy moments have I enjoyed at his house, in private, and in family-prayer ! at home, and abroad ! And shall I dwell with him for ever? "December 8th. I have been indisposed for some time: and I always find that when I am so,, my soul suffers loss; because I cannot be much in secret; and it is only in secret intercourse with God, generally speaking, that I am prepared for public worship. Alas, why do people fall asleep in the chapel? is it not because they cannot in their closets adopt the language of the Psalmist: As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O GOD: My heart and my flesh cry out for GOD, even for the living GOD? ،، April 7th, 1805. I have this day been married twenty-one years. All the troubles and temptations I have had, I looked for: but for all the mercies I have received, I scarcely durst even presume to hope. They are so much greater than my trials, that my mouth is filled with praise. What I want is, more love, more wisdom, more zeal for GOD, more delight in private prayer, more of the enjoyment of GOD in his ordinances: I want to |