THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE,

FOR JULY, 1816.

BIOGRAPHY.

SOME FURTHER ACCOUNT OF MR. T. PEARSE, OF CAMELFORD.

TO" gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost," must certainly apply to whatever Christ has blessed for the benefit of mankind. Under the influence of this conviction, the following particulars respecting Mr. Pearse, are added to those already transmitted. And surely, if the process of vegetation, in a fruitful tree, so worthily engages the attention of those, who "look through nature up to nature's God;" this tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, will admit of a review, not altogether destitute of interest. Its fostering soil, its early developement, and rapid growth, its ornamental foliage, and fair blossoms, its abundant fruit, and protecting shade, all give glory to God in the highest, by evincing his good-will towards men.

Of Mr. Pearse's family, education, and early seriousness, his brother of Launceston speaks thus: "Our parents were Dissenters, natives of Hatherleigh, in Devonshire, and their ancestors were Puritans. On removing to this place, there being at that time no Dissenters here, my father with his family regularly attended our parish church; kept up family prayer, and reading -the Scriptures; and they were very strict in the observation of the Sabbath. I have heard my brother say, he thought that the foundation of his after piety, was laid in the restraints to which we were then subject. In his growing up, he was of a delicate constitution-much inclined to read History, Travels, and other moral and entertaining publications; and he was preserved from those immoralities, into which youth too commonly fall. From these circumstances, his mother frequently said that she thought Thomas would make a very good minister, provided a suitable VOL. XXXIX. JULY, 1816.

education were afforded him; but his father, on mature consideration, deemed it more prudent to engage him in some secular calling. During his apprenticeship at Tavistock, he regularly attended all the ordinances administered at the Presbyterian chapel, and was considered a very religious young man; though according to his own account, he neither enjoyed the power of religion, nor even conceived such a thing attainable."

From this testimony of filial respect, we are led to observe the importance of parental authority; and the advantages which result from a due exercise of it. Unlike Eli, who, when "his sons made themselves vile, restrained them not," those exemplary characters mentioned above, uniformly employed their influence in checking sin, and enjoining all relative duties. Hereby, the deformity of vice was rendered conspicuous; time became justly prized, and well improved; habits of serious thoughtfulness were early formed; the parents, though dead, yet speak instructively to us; while their children arise up and call them blessed.

About two months before Mr. Pearse's death, his youngest daughter, except one, was brought under a serious concern for salvation; joined the Methodist society; and being then at Liskeard, wrote to her father, desiring his counsel and assistance. In the following answer, by way of encouraging her, he speaks of the means, origin, and progress of God's gracious work in his own soul. "My dear Betsy, you ask me to assist you; but alas! all I can do for you, my dear child, is to point you to Jesus. He is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour; and whosoever believeth on him, is justified from all things. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Enter into your closet, and pray to your Father in secret; and your Father, which seeth in secret, will reward you openly. You ask what will my heavenly Father give me? He will give you repentance and remission of sins. You say, 'O! that I knew this! O! that this were my experience! You should consider, there was a time, when the highest saints now in heaven were sinners on earth like you. How did they obtain grace? They asked, and received; they sought, and found salvation; they knocked, importunately, and the door was opened to them. Remember the widow, who came to the unjust judge, and the man who came to his friend for three loaves; these examples are given for our imitation, that we may ask in faith, firmly persuaded that God will give us the good things we ask, on account of what Christ, our surety, has done and suffered for us. Be diligent; let your heart be continually going out after God in prayer; and you will soon receive a gracious answer. Search the Scriptures, particularly the gospels, they testify of Jesus's love to sinners, and his readiness to

receive all who come unto him. Give him your heart; and your next letter will tell me you have found him.

"As to myself, when I joined the society, it was more through the entreaty of my friend Richard Hocken, than from a conviction of my being a sinner, and standing in need of mercy. I found many present advantages from being in society; it proved a restraint on my outward conduct. I was hereby led to search the Scriptures more diligently, and to attend the preaching more regularly, by which means I obtained a clearer view of my state, my fall in Adam, the sin of my nature, which you may see described in the 51st Psalm. I was convinced that I had forfeited the favour of God, and lost his image: of this I felt daily proof, by the evil imaginations of my heart; and the evil tempers, by which I was so often led captive, and which I endeavoured to overcome, but in vain. As this inquiry frequently arose in my mind, What must I do to be saved? I was directed by the word preached to come to Jesus, to believe in him, to behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then I thought, but I am proud, envious, vain-glorious, prone to anger, a lover of the world; when I pray, instead of having my thoughts fixed in prayer, my heart wanders to the ends of the earthwhat can I do? By attending class-meetings, I heard that others experienced exactly the same that I did; and that they obtained deliverance by frequent fervent prayer. I also remarked that those who prayed most, who kept most from unnecessary worldly company and conversation, who were most diligent in searching the Scriptures, and attending all the means of grace, made the greatest progress in the path of piety. I perceived that such seekers soonest obtained assurance of pardon; and such believers enjoyed the largest measure of grace. And this is, ever was, and ever will be the case: to him that improves what he hath, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance.

"In consequence of my being a member of society, I also became interested in the friendship and prayers of the pious, which I consider no little mercy. I have no doubt that many prayers offered up for me in the all-prevailing name of Jesus, have been answered, and are still answering in those frequent manifestations of divine love, which I have felt in my present affliction. back with pleasure on class-meetings, prayer-meetings, and the preaching of the gospel; and the Lord is now so good, that he gives me that grace of which I had then a foretaste. sister Margaret, now in heaven, when the Lord revealed his love to her soul, though confined to her bed, yet requested Mr. Treffry to give her a ticket to pin to the bed curtain, saying, 'You know all the comfort I feel, and the hope I have of heaven, came through the instrumentality of the Methodists."

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