WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1857.

MEMOIR OF MR. HENRY LONGDEN,

OF SHEFFIELD:

BY THE REV. WILLIAM B. STEPHENSON.

BIOGRAPHY is a description of life; and, as the arts of painting and engraving enable us to preserve the likeness of forms which by the stroke of mortality are laid in the dust, so do faithful delineations of this class recall beauties and excellencies of moral character, and illustrate the privilege of being "followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." It is by example, more than by teaching, that the full-length portrait of Christianity is brought out to view; and in the lives of good men we have a commentary upon the word of God, an ever-accumulating testimony to His grace and power. Viewed in this light, the history of an individual Christian is more interesting than the secular history of a nation. In the former, we behold the grace of God preparing man for happiness enduring as his deathless nature: the latter, however gorgeous, appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

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The name of the late Mr. Longden is worthy of being remembered, because he did not live for himself, but for the good of others. complete narrative would be a long-continued register of devotedness to God, of love to the souls of men, and of abilities, influence, and time employed, without relaxation, in promoting the interests of that communion with which he was warmly and closely associated.-He was born on the 28th of April, 1782, at Port-Mahon, in the parish of Sheffield. He was the son and biographer of the venerable Henry Longden, sen.,-a man no less remarkable for piety and energy of character, than for extensive usefulness in the church of Christ. The memoir of that father in our Israel, widely circulated both in this country and in America, has been made a blessing to many thousands. Both parents of the late Mr. Longden were converted to God within a day of each other; and from that time they lived together in acts of reciprocal affection, labouring to anticipate each other's wants, carrying one another's burdens, and to their lives' end they "walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Mrs. Longden was most exemplary as a wife and mother. The children enjoyed every comfort; yet this their father combined with more than ordinary strictness, so that none of them, after attaining the age of twelve months, could escape the salutary restraints of a real

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homo-discipline. The first object of instruction was obedience; and, this foundation laid, they were taught to know "the holy Scriptures, which are able to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The early training of Henry Longden was, therefore, strictly religious; and so strong was his love for his parents, that he esteemed it a greater honour to inherit their name, and the blessing of their example and prayers, than to be born to the highest distinctions that this world can bestow. So deep, indeed, was the veneration in which he held his father's memory, that the anniversary of his death was never suffered to pass without special noting. Filial recollections were on these days coupled with a renewed dedication, as upon his parent's grave, of himself to the Lord. The year before his own death, he made this affecting record:-"My dear father departed this life February 24th, 1812, forty years since. Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.' He laboured hard, compressed much into a day, and at fifty-eight finished his allotted toil. He entered the valley as one who feared no evil. I, for the last time, gently wiped the sweat of death from his dear face; he smiled, and thanked me. Happy spirit! thy warfare is accomplished. May I eagerly grasp thy mantle, and may thy name and excellencies be perpetuated in the church as long as the sun and moon endure!"

During a revival of religion in 1794, Henry, then only twelve years old, was thoroughly awakened to a sense of his sinfulness and danger; and, being fully in earnest, he was soon enabled to venture, with entire reliance, upon the atonement, and to rejoice in God his Saviour. This great blessing he received in Norfolk-street chapel. Tears of gratitude now overflowed his eyes, and he was "lost in wonder, love, and praise." The change was clear and decided; and hence sprang the virtues and holiness of his future life. Without wavering he could testify, that conversion is a great fact, a blessed reality. His choice now made, and his heart fixed, he was determined to serve the Lord in everything. "My Father," he joyfully exclaimed, "Thou art the Guide of my youth." Erelong he gave indications of great promise. He deported himself with a gravity beyond his years; and, his understanding being vigorous, while his zeal for the souls of men was ardent, an extensive field of effort and usefulness opened before him. For various services in which he was called to take part, he sought to qualify himself by much reading, meditation, and prayer. While he entered upon these engagements with great diffidence and humility, he resolved to put his heart into all that he did for his great Master. But God had other means of spiritual profit in reserve; and, in order, doubtless, to fit His servant for a better performance of Christian duties, He visited him with severe affliction. The nature of the attack was such as to preclude all hope of health for the future, and to awaken apprehension that he would be consigned to an early tomb. It is at such seasons that Christianity wins her noblest triumphs, and opens springs of hidden and exhaustless consolation.

Mr. Longden's sufferings at length became so great, that his medical advisers pronounced that he must either die or undergo the amputation of a limb. After much thought and prayer, he chose the former. "I felt drawn out," he says, "to praise God this morning, particularly for the kindness, attention, and solicitude of dear friends. Indeed, my affliction has been long continued, and is rendered the more painful because I am without a cheering hope of recovery or speedy dissolution: but in all this, I bless God, I have not one murmuring thought. What I am most solicitous about is this-that God would be with me in the fire, and in the water; and, if it please Him, that I may make a triumphant exit." Prayer was offered without ceasing on his behalf; and his recovery was so wonderful to himself, that he regarded his life and health as given him in direct answer. Under date of May 1st, 1809, he thus writes:" Three days ago I entered my twenty-eighth year. I know not wherefore I look forward into this year with enlarged expectations: what God has not revealed, I am not anxious to know. He that protects will also provide. The year that is past, I see, was replete with mercy; and it would be very profitable to attempt to recount [the examples]. God has redeemed my life from destruction. After several years of debility, He has at length raised me up, and made me strong. 'What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits?' I do solemnly dedicate all my health, and strength, and lengthened days to the service and glory of Jesus, to whom my more than all is due. But, O, the blessings of the upper springs! To sit at His table, to feast on His love, to receive His smiles, and execute His commands, are blessings which none can enjoy but those who are born from above, and are faithful. In my afflictions, clearer light has shone upon my mind. respecting the nature of the Christian's duty, and the great extent of his privileges in holiness, happiness, and usefulness. My eyes are opened to see the vanity of the creature, and all the toys of earth. Nevertheless, I see it possible to decry this earth, and not to fall in love with heaven; to be petulant with carnal delights, and not to be enamoured of chaste and spiritual enjoyments. I long so to be endued with power as to be inwardly and uniformly faithful to the voice of the Spirit. May I, like the Apostles, wait with ardent expectation for that great promise of the Father!"

Mr. Longden survived this record more than forty-four years; and, although called during that lengthened period to experience many and complicated trials, he pursued his course without faltering or change. His life was, truly, a religious one: whatever attention he had to give to temporal affairs, he was never so happy as when directly engaged in serving Christ in His church. He laid out for himself plans of usefulness, and, whatever the pecuniary sacrifices, was constantly ready to expend time and toil in carrying them out. He made business give place to religion, not religion to business; and it is scarcely too much to say, that he was "always abounding in the work of the Lord." This feature of his character was so prominent and commanding, that he was frequently blamed for making such