WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1857.

MEMORIALS OF EDMUND THOMPSON, ESQ.,

FORMERLY OF ARMIN, LATE OF SCARBOrough.

"A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." (Acts x. 2.)

THE honoured and beloved subject of these pages was the second son of Thomas and Alice Thompson, of Armin. His mother was the sister of the late Thomas Hinderwell, Esq., of Scarborough, whose memory is associated with all things that are excellent and of good report.

Edmund was born at Armin, June 24th, 1781. The village, pleasantly situated by the river Aire, is in the midst of a rich agricultural district, the property of the Earl of Beverley. The adult population is about two hundred and fifty, and consists of a few families of respectability, (occupying farms under his lordship,) of farm-labourers, and of village-artisans. Sixty years ago it was not distinguished, in cultivation of manners, or religious knowledge, from the neglected rural districts of England: if notorious for anything, it was for ignorance and wickedness. There were four or five publichouses in the place, and but one religious service on the Sunday at the village-church, attended by a few careless listeners. For a number of years it has now been remarkable for order and decorum. Only one inn is permitted, kept by a creditable family, by whom the sign is taken down at the annual feast. Drunkenness and rioting have been long unknown; consequently, abject poverty is unknown also. The religious history of the village is intimately associated with the life and labours of Mr. Thompson, to whom the epithet of "the Village Pastor" has been often and not inappropriately applied.

His own earliest recollections bespeak that "the child was father of the man." A peculiar veneration for the Divine Being was the most striking characteristic of his religious life; and a kindred sentiment was early developed in his feelings toward his father,—of whom, to the latest, he would speak with profound reverence and love. The son believed there was no such parent, and the parent responded that there was no such son. Those habitual and impressive views of eternity, for which Mr. Thompson was distinguished throughout his Christian course, had their beginning in his childhood. But a few weeks before he died, he said, on reviewing his past life,

VOL. III. FIFTH SERIES.

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"While sitting by my father in my little chair, I have thought on the word eternity until I trembled."

His educational advantages were not great. As a child he attended a school kept by the Clergyman for the farmers' children, and held in the kitchen of the parsonage, while the domestics pursued their daily avocations. Quickly imbibing the first elements of knowledge, he was removed to Scarborough, where he received the rudiments of a regular classical education. To his own regret, he was removed at

the age of fourteen.

In the following year his father died, and he became sole manager of a large farm. For four years his conduct was good: he was diligent in business, dutiful to his mother, and attentive to the cultivation of his mind; his taste leading him particularly to the study of history. Unhappily, an elder brother, of gay tastes, returned home, and the younger was led away by the evil example. His society was much sought, and many are the anecdotes that prove him to have been the pride and delight of his associates. Several years thus passed, after which a new era dawned on Armin and its residents, by the introduction of Methodism.

Two ladies resident in the neighbourhood, and interested for the village, obtained the promise of a barn for public service, and invited the Rev. Robert Newton, then stationed in the Howden Circuit, to come and preach. On his arrival, however, the owner of the barn withdrew his promise. In great distress, a good old man from Howden complained to Mr. Thompson, who immediately responded, "They shall have mine;" and set his men to prepare it. He himself attended, out of curiosity, and was impressed with the eloquence of the Minister while he declared, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." This sermon awakened much inquiry. Several hearers were seriously and lastingly impressed; one of whom still lives, "poor in this world," but "rich in faith," and distinguished for fifty years' untiring labour to advance the interest of religion.

Mr. Thompson continued to hear Mr. Newton with increasing pleasure and interest. The late Rev. John Brown succeeded him; and, out of curiosity to know if Mr. Brown "spoke as well" as his predecessor, Mr. Thompson went to a cottage-preaching. To this scrmon he traced an irresistible conviction that he was a sinner condemned of God. He left, not to criticize, but to resolve that henceforth he would give up sin, and serve God. Whether there were fifty or five thousand Methodists he knew not, or what were their peculiar tenets; but so assured was he that they were the people of God, that, had he been invited that night to become one of them, he would have joyfully complied. Mr. Brown's notice was arrested, and he asked a Christian lady who that serious and interesting youth was. "The wickedest lad in Armin," was the reply. Mr. Brown continued to observe his attention, and introduced himself to the eager listener, who gratefully received his counsels, and who, through life, was accustomed to speak of him as one of the wisest and best men he had known. For some weeks his mind was

unsettled; he gave up all he knew to be wrong, but could obtain no assurance that he was on the right foundation for eternity. The sins of his youth weighed grievously on his spirit; and he secluded himself for prayer in his own room three successive days, having his meals brought to the door. At the end of that time, light and peace came. Thus he often expressed himself: "The words that I was enabled to rest upon as a sheet-anchor to my soul-and such they have been ever since were, Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.' Wilt Thou not, Lord Jesus?' I earnestly exclaimed: then I am as sure I come as I am of my own existence. For a long period I lived in so happy and holy a state of feeling, that my temper was never ruffled; all sermons and services were good; and I used to wonder what people meant, when they complained of wandering thoughts."-His decision was immediate; he united himself at once with the little band of forty who were formed into a Society by Mr. Brown. Many of these, who for a long course continued eminent Christians, have passed away from earth to heaven. Three only

remain.

Gay associates and habits were at once and for ever relinquished; and, regardless of ridicule, temptation, or fear, the young Christian acknowledged himself in all companies "a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God." The purpose of his life henceforth found expression in the words of Gambold, which he much admired :

"From various cares my heart retires;
Though deep and boundless its desires,
I'm now to please but One;
Him before whom the elders bow,

With Him is all my business now,

And with the souls that are His own."

His religious decision was made in 1804; so that his year of jubilee is the first he spends in the world where

"They measure not by days or years."

At once he commenced those exhortations to the people which were long the most memorable and useful of his many endeavours to serve his generation. "He used to write his prayers and exhortations," says a lady, one of the three survivers; "but we had not been accustomed to extemporaneous effusions. He and Mr. P. (long since gone to heaven) were joint-occupants of the pulpit. The latter could not read, and we used to be not a little startled with strange diction. Think of the contrast,-Mr. Thompson, a clever, reading, and (until now) dashing young man, side by side with Mr. P., finding his places, and a patient listener with us all." No chapel could be erected in the village the services were held in cottages or farmers' kitchens, which were crowded to excess.*

For several years past, a commodious school-room, erected by Lord Beverley, has been kindly allowed for evening service.

Meetings for prayer and Christian improvement were held each evening in the week. Members of three or four of the principal families in the place professed Methodism; and with glowing hearts, and often with weeping eyes, united with the humblest followers of Christ in speaking of the wonders of His grace, and the glory of His power. After worship, Mr. Thompson would detain two poor men to teach him to sing-an accomplishment he could not learn before; and if he never attained a correct ear, or knowledge of musical arrangement, his voice was in general heard above others, reverently chanting the high praises of Heaven.

The whole village was astir. Why are you not going to church?" asked two of his friends,-who soon followed to ascertain the reason, and became "partakers of like precious faith." Those were wonderful and happy days. Armin became-what it continued to be-“ a praise in the earth." Such is the testimony of those who remember the simplicity, fervour, and activity of its early Christians. Mr. Thompson was appointed Class-Leader, and the village was added to the Howden Circuit.-Mr. Brown corresponded with his young friend for some years. He died in the prime of life, full of honour and successful labours. His letters testify his interest in "the lovely Society at Armin."

After two years Mr. Thompson was received as an accredited Local Preacher. Energy and zeal were not wanting; and, if his mind was comparatively unfurnished in scholastic theology, one thing he knew, and that perfectly, that "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." From first to last he gloried in "the cross of Christ," by which he was crucified unto the world, and the world unto him. After one of his early sermons, he overheard an old man say to another, "There's a deal o' zeal, and a bit o' knowledge." This could not long be asserted. Habits of thought and study were soon formed. It will not be a subject of surprise that, to those early believers, Methodism and Christianity were hitherto synonymous terms. But new questions arose. The young Preacher surrounded himself with the best authors on the controversy between Arminians and Calvinists; and his mind was so intensely engaged in the search after truth, that (he said) he would at any time have ridden fifty miles to hear the question debated. He thought profoundly on it; and, when he became a firm Arminian, he had fairly examined and carefully weighed the other side.

No one gave more prominence than he, in his teaching and preaching, to the absolute depravity of the human heart in its affections toward God, and the consequent necessity for a new creation by the Divine Spirit. His sermons and conversations on the danger of lightly regarding visitations from above led many to yield themselves unto God. It was a favourite idea with him, corroborated by observation, that in each person's life there are occasional periods of special influence, which, if improved, will result in scriptural conversion. On the subject of Christian holiness, his views were of a most exalted order. He delighted to dwell on the holy nature of

faith, reiterating the maxim, that the faith which has not a sanctifying effect cannot be genuine. His principles became fixed-there was no vacillation in his creed. At the same time, he was liberal and enlightened in a remarkable degree. The leading periodicals of other churches were regularly taken by him; he knew all their movements, rejoiced in their days of prosperity, and mourned with them in times of depression, earnestly remembering them in his prayers. If one thing more than another excited his wonder, it was that true Christians should be divided in feeling by any difference of opinion. "Wherever I meet a saint," he was wont to remark, "he is God's workmanship!" All the good and true found a welcome under his roof. With Clergy and members of the Church of England he had pleasant intimacy, as also with those of Dissenting communions. He became known as a lover of hospitality, and a lover of good men ; and many a wayfarer has turned aside and tarried for a night, with no other introduction. A beautiful record it would be, to number and portray the holy, happy meetings which so constantly occurred in his house. Doubtless one is kept, in the "book of remembrance," for those who "fear the Lord' " and "speak often one to another." "You will be no stranger in heaven, Mr. Thompson," was the touching farewell of an eminent Baptist Minister, (Dr. Winslow,) a few months before this "well-beloved Gaius" of modern days entered on the friendships and undying joys of a brighter world.

"True to the kindred points of heaven and home," he entered upon plans of devotion and usefulness which so filled up his time that it was difficult to induce him to quit his post for change or recreation. He shunned popularity, and mostly declined invitations to preach or lecture out of his own neighbourhood, under the conviction that his duty lay near home. Rarely did he yield to the tendencies of an impulsive nature; his feelings were under severe control in all cases where he discerned the will of God. For a short period a question occupied his mind, (which was also suggested to that of his faithful adviser and correspondent, Mr. Brown,)-whether he should devote himself entirely to the ministry. After mature and prayerful consideration, he was convinced that "the bounds of his habitation" were fixed of God in the home of his fathers. The people of Armin were henceforth laid on his heart in a remarkable manner. It would be difficult to find a parallel instance of a man, actively prosecuting the business of life, who so solemnly, faithfully, and unweariedly fulfilled the office of a Teacher, ministering to the spiritual, the intellectual, and the temporal wants of the people among whom he dwelt. His inward sense of duty ripened into an affectionate and tender interest, only to be compared to the love of a father to his children.

As a Class-Leader he was greatly reverenced and beloved. Inconsistent professors were rarely found in his classes; or, if they were, they met with serious rebuke. His look was known to inspire awe; and any who had departed from the way of righteousness would evade his presence. He acknowledged none as members of Christ's