and all my duties of my calling and of christianity, that I am back to his kingdoms here in peace and safety, and finally to convinced I have left undone, will then be matter of sad re-an everlasting kingdom hereafter,-which has been and shall flection; I shall then wish, but in vain, that the time were to be the sincere and constant prayer of his majesty's most gratebe spent again that I have lost; but time will be no more; ful, dutiful, and faithful subject and servant, only sorrow will be my portion. "Isle of Man, May 3, 1743.” "THO. SODOR and Man. I will therefore, by God's grace, do that duty in its season which He has appointed me; and whatever my hand findeth to do I will do it with all my might, for the night cometh In proceeding to repeat the few particulars which have when no man can work; and if that night take me unawares, been transmitted to us, relative to the even tenour of bishop under what terrible concern shall I be then, under what doom Wilson's daily life, we cannot but express our regret that the shall I be afterwards! simple manners and devotional habits witnessed in his houseGrant, O God, that, having these thoughts much in my hold are so seldom seen in our own days. Before the family heart, I may not despise the day of grace, but that I may, entered upon the various occupations of the day, that is at whenever my Lord comes, be ready to give up my account six o'clock every summer morning, and at seven in the winwith joy. ter, the whole household, including the workmen and domes It is with me now as it was with the sons of Jacob, when tic servants, assembled in the chapel, and prayer was offered they were in affliction: We are verily guilty concerning our up by himself, or by one of the students who were residing brother. The many and great offences of my life appear be- with him preparatory to holy orders. In the evening they fore me in all their circumstances truly terrible; and though met again for suplication and thanksgiving. by the good grace of God (for which I am truly thankful), The bishop was deeply impressed with the necessity and and through the merits of Jesus Christ, who is our advocate usefulness of family worship. "Have you set up an altar in and the propitiation for the sins of all true penitents, I have your house?" was a question which he was wont to put to confessed and forsaken those sins, yet the remembrance of those who were just beginning to keep house. And publicly them is truly grievous unto me. he took opportunities of recommending family religion as a O that I may, from this consideration, steadfastly resolve to wholesome preservative against degeneracy and profligacy; leave no sin unrepented of till the days of sorrow and sick-asking, "How should we expect that all sorts of vices should ness come upon me; that I may not for the time to come do not abound in families where God is not owned nor his graces any thing which may be an occasion of sad affliction to me asked for ?" And he declared his belief, that if those who at the hour of death. But in the hour of death and in the day could not read would but assemble their children and servants of judgment let this be my support and comfort, that I have and offer up the Lord's Prayer, "it would plant the fear of repented of all the errors of my life, and that I have brought God in their hearts; and they would be afraid of doing many forth fruits meet for repentance. Grant this, for Jesus Christ things which they commit without any concern." his sake, O gracious God. Amen. The day then passed in works of piety and usefulness, till the hour of dinner arrived, at which time he was as remarkaThomas, the only remaining child of bishop Wilson, who ble for exercising hospitality towards his clergy and others, lived to a good old age, and survived his father, was born in as he was at all times for his liberality towards indigent per1703. He received his early education from his father, was sons. His table was abundantly but plainly furnished; it afterwards sent to a school in Yorkshire, and entered college might be described in the very words of George Herbert:as a commoner of Christ-Church, Oxford, in the year 1721. His fare is plain and common, but wholesome: what he His father's reputation disposed many persons of distinction hath is little, but very good; it consisteth most of mutton, to look kindly upon him. In 1738, he was presented by the beef, and veal; if he adds anything for a great day, or a lord chancellor to the living of St. Stephen, Walbrook, and stranger, his garden or orchard supplies it, or his barn and was afterwards made chaplain and sub-almoner to king George farm-yard: he goes no further for any entertainment, lest he the second, and perbendary of Westminster. A tablet in the go into the world, esteeming it absurd that he should exceed, chancel of St. Stephen's church records that he died on the 15th of April 1784, aged 80 years. Bishop Wilson wrote a letter to his son, on his promotion to the stall in Westminster Abbey, from which the following is an extract. who teacheth others temperance. But those which his home produceth he refuseth not, as coming cheap and easy, and arising from the improvement of things which otherwise would be lost. Wherein he admires and imitates the wonderful providence and thrift of the great Householder of the .. “I am both surprised and pleased with the world." These were precisely the sentiments of bishop unexpected favours conferred upon you, both by the king and Wilson, and it is very likely that he was led to these views the bishop of Salisbury. I hope in God you will answer the by this very passage, in a book which he admired and valued. great ends of his providence in raising you such friends, and He himself describes hospitality as not consisting "in making in putting into your hands such unlooked-for talents, in order great entertainments, but in providing a sober and suitable to improve them to his glory and your own salvation. For refreshment for such as are in want, and for such as come to my own part, I have ever received such favours with fear, visit us." lest I should be tempted to dishonour God by his own gifts; Many persons of note, whom his fame had reached, desirand it shall be my daily prayer for you, that you may never ed to enjoy his conversation, amongst whom Dr. Pococke, do so. This was the case with the wisest and greatest of after his return from his travels, went to see the aged bishop men, whose history and fall was part of this day's service of of Man in the year 1750, and sent him his works richly the church. [1 Kings, x, xi.] bound, to announce his arrival. The bishop received him with a graceful welcome, but told him that "he ought not to approach the poor bishop of Man with a present, as if he were an eastern prince." "Enclosed you have a letter to his majesty. Perhaps you may not approve of the style his, instead of your majesty, but I know it to be more becoming, and will be better accepted by a foreigner, and therefore it shall so pass. His temper was composed and calm, and he was never ex. "I have also written to the bishop of Salisbury, to whom cited to violent or unguarded language. In conversation he my most grateful service and thanks [are due]. According was remarkably cheerful and entertaining. He lived in a to my notion of writing to his majesty, I ought not to have perpetual sunshine of happy spirits. He found, as Herbert subscribed my name; but I have done it lest you should have thought otherwise." 66 says, "that pleasantness of disposition is a key to do good; not only because all men shun the company of perpetual seThe letter to the king, here referred to, is as follows: verity, but also for that when they are in company, instrucMay it please the king's most sacred majesty! to receive tions seasoned with pleasantness both enter sooner and root the most grateful acknowledgments of the ancient bishop of deeper."-Country Parson. Man, for his majesty's great condescension, and late royal Mr. Moore, one of the clergymen of the island, who knew favour, to the son of a bishop, whose obscure diocese and re-him well, describes him as being "of admirable simplicity of mote situation might justly have forbade him all expectations manners; of a most engaging behaviour, affability, and of so high a nature from a royal hand. May both the father sweetness of temper. In his private conversation he was and the son ever act worthy of so distinguished a favour! And agreeable and entertaining; lively and facetious without levimay the King of kings bless his majesty with all the graces ty; and always consistent with the dignity of his character; and virtues which are necessary for his high station, and for never at a loss for something pertinent and proper to embelhis eternal happiness,-enable his majesty to overcome all lish and illustrate his discourse; on these occasions nothing the difficulties he shall meet with abroad,*-and bring him *The king was then at Hanover. ever proceeded from his mouth but what was good to the use of edifying, and ministered not only grace but also pleasure and delight to the hearers." Mr. Corlet another of his clergy writes, that he recognizes in the devotional works of bishop is repeated in various forms of expression throughout his book Wilson, the frequent remarks of his daily conversation. "Of- of private devotions. ten, and often again, did I recollect, as I read, that I had His style, like his mind, was a pattern of simplicity; it heard from his own lips the very sentiments then before me, was so plain that none could go away from the church asking and the heavenly smile wherewith he delivered them. But one another the meaning of what they had heard; and his perhaps I tire you; better judges than I have said, and will sentiments were so eminently pure and devout, that the word yet say, more to the purpose, but not one, unless yourself, of God in his mouth was seen to be truth. He studiously from a warmer heart, recollecting the blessed man as I saw adapted his instructions to the wants and attainments of the and heard him!" Manksmen, avoiding in his own preaching, and advising his clergly to avoid, such questions as minister to disputes rather than to godly edifying. And while he thus preached the Gospel to the poor, his appeals derived no small degree of force and efficacy from an affectionate and animated delivery, and a life which exemplified what he taught. In the bautiful and valuable sermons which have beer. bequeathed to posterity, he instructs, exhorts, expostulates, entreats and warns his hearers, in a manner that can hardly fail to search and prove the heart; and it will be found that the leading topics of his discourses were the same which he recommended to others, "the bondage of man by sin,-the necessity of a deliverer, the manner of our redemption,—the danger of not closing with it, the power of grace to deliver us." And blessed are they whose purity of doctrine and holiness of life are liable to as few exceptions as his, and who labour as earnestly and diligently in the cause of their Master and Saviour. On them the second death hath no power. His biographers do not say that he ever preached in the Manks language, but they inform us that he early applied himself to the study of it, and that he was able to converse with the natives in their own tongue. As the bishop was zealous in promoting the religious edu His thoughts are full of making the best of the day, and contriving cation of the poor, so he was strongly impressed with the idea it to his best gains. HERBERT'S Country Parson. that the most important encroachments might be made upon the kingdom of darkness by the constant practice of catechising young persons; and he established it as the general usage Bishop Wilson cultivated the society of his clergy, and in the churches, after the afternoon service, instead of a serendeavoured to make them feel that the sincere servant of mon. He says, that he considers it" of more use to the souls Christ would always find in him a real and affectionate friend. both of the learned and ignorant, than the very best sermon So greatly was he averse to any appearance of the pride of from the pulpit;" and once, being applied to for permission to station, that in the ordinary intercourse of life it would have substitute a sermon, he on these grounds refused to grant it. In been difficult to discover from his demeanour that his office a charge delivered in his eighty-fifth year, he states his opinwas invested with any authority or worldly dignity; indeed ion, that "this is a truth not to be questioned, that the plainest he always wished his clergy to feel that the chief bond of sermon from the pulpit will not be understood by nor profit union consisted in their being embarked in the same sacred any who has not been well instructed in the principles of cause, as stewards of the mysteries of God; and his first Christianity contained in the Church Catechism. So that our thoughts and anxieties were ever directed to the quickening preaching is in vain to all such—which, I fear, is often the of their zeal, and increasing their efficiency in the work they case of a great part of our hearers. had to do. Amongst other plans which he pursued to this "The most unlearned know by nature the things contained end, was a frequent participation in their labours. And in- in the law as soon as they hear it read: but these are the deed he felt that though he had not the express charge of any things which they want to be particularly and often made particular congregation, yet that he was nevertheless obliged, sensible of; namely, the extreme danger a sinner is in while as a minister of Christ, still to watch for the souls of men as he is under the displeasure of a holy and just God, who can one that must give account, and that he might devote himself destroy both body and soul in hell:-how a sinner, made the more to that work, because the see (comprising only the sensible and awakened with the danger he is in, may be reseventeen parishes, into which the island is divided), required stored to God's favour;-of the blessing and comfort of a a comparatively small portion of his time for the discharge of Redeemer;-what that blessed Redeemer has done and sufthe episcopal functions. Hence it came to pass, that during fered to restore us to the favour of God;-what means of the fifty-eight years of his pastoral life he rarely failed on a grace he has appointed as absolutely necessary to preserve Sunday to preach the Gospel, catechise and expound, or ad- us in the favour of God and in the way of salvation. minister the communion, in some one of the churches of his "Christians too often want to be set right, and very pardiocese. Being an excellent horseman, he set out when the ticularly to be instructed in the nature of repentance, of that family devotions of the morning and the early meal were repentance to which God has promised mercy and pardon, ended, and arrived a little before service at the place where and of faith which is saving, and accompanied with good he intended to officiate, without having given any previous works and an holy and Christian life. notice. He thus had the best opportunities of judging whether "These are foundation principles, and such as every pastor all things were done decently and in order, as well as of using of souls is obliged to explain, as he hopes ever to do good by his personal exertions to promote the glory of God and the his other labours and sermons. salvation of souls. Often, while the sabbath-bell was call- "We say to explain, not only in set discourses from the ing the poor people together to worship God in the unorna- pulpit, but in a plain familiar manner from the desk, where mented but not unsanctified structures dedicated to his Holy questions may be asked, and things explained, so as both old Name, they descried the welcome and well-known form of and young may be edified. 66 their good bishop emerging from the defiles which intersected Preaching will always be our duty, but of little use to their bold and rugged mountains, and hastening to offer up those who understand not the meaning of the words we make with them his humble praises and prayers to God. use of in our sermons, as, God knows too many must be supAnd, in the exercise of this ministry, never preacher appears posed not to do, for want of their being instructed in their to have had less regard for human praise, or a more earnest younger years." desire to make the people wise unto salvation. One of his The public ministrations of the day being over, prayer, prayers was this: "May I, O Sovereign Pastor, always so preaching, catechising,-how shall we describe the good speak, as that my flock may hear and understand me; so con- bishop's departure from amongst the village congregation verse with them, as that I may know them; and lead such a better than in the words of Goldsmith: life as that they may safely follow me." And the same desire, *Letter to the Rev. P. Moore, dated April 18, 1781, twenty-six years after the bishop's death. The service past, around the pious man Christ, and giving fresh fervour to their prayers for such a measure of God's grace as may prepare them, before they go hence, for the glorious company of the redeemed, by changing them into the image of Christ. It becomes those who have seen its fruits thus to tell its praises. It is frequently the business of a biographer to gather, from various and distant quarters, the remarks and fragments of the conversations of the wise and good. In the little book of which we are now speaking, the golden sayings of bishop Wilson are written with his own hand; and perhaps, after all, those pages contain his best biography, since, in placing him before us as a christian man and christian minister, they do but repeat those very remarks and opinions which one of his clergy declared that he had often heard from his own lips, in the ordinary intercourse of life.* The following heads of self-examination may give us some idea of his occupation in his secret chamber. They are suggested by the words in the Acts (vi. 4), "We will give ourselves over continually to prayer, to the ministry of the word." True religion, while it leads us to reverence the outward observances of Christianity, and teaches us to reverence them "Have I done so this day? Have I been mindful of the as appointed sources of edification, persuades us also of the duties of my proper calling? Do I make it the great concern necessity of the more secret exercises of devotion, and thereby of my life to promote the eternal interests of my flock? Have kindles the light which shines in the world. And so bishop I read the Holy Scriptures, in order to instruct my people Wilson felt; he looked upon communion with God and his and to preserve them from error? Do I call upon God for own heart in his chamber, as indispensable means, under the true understanding of the Holy Scriptures? Do I deny God's blessing, of sanctifying the soul which desires to be all ungodliness and worldly lusts, so as to be an example happy in heaven, and of forming an approved and successful unto others? Have I endeavoured to keep up the discipline minister of Jesus Christ. He repeated with much satisfac- of this Church by correcting the criminous? Have I an eye tion the saying attributed by Dr. Lightfoot to some learned to such as are in Holy Orders, and to such as are designman, that he got more knowledge by his prayers than by all ed for the ministry? Have I been charitable and kind to his studies;" and has recorded it as his own opinion, that a poor and needy people? Do I make the Gospel the rule man may have the skill to give Christian truths a turn agree-of my private life, and Jesus Christ my pattern? Do I enable to the hearers, without affecting their hearts. Human deavour after holiness? Do I live as in God's presence? learning will enable him to do this. It is prayer only that Is my conversation unblameable? Do I give the praise of can enable him so to speak as to convert the heart." this to God through Jesus Christ ?" It is no small privilege to be admitted into the closet of The honesty and strictness with which he prosecuted these such a person, and to be present at the devotional exercises inquiries, and searched out his spirit, are manifest from the of one whose life bears evidence that he continually resorted subjoined memorandum made so early as the year 1699, which to this fountain for refreshment. Every purpose of his heart, gives a correct idea of the frequent employment of his solievery event which occurred, brought him to the throne of tary hours: "Upon a serious review of my time past, I find grace. His writings, many of them, as we believe, never that I have been too negligent of the duties of my calling; I intended, and certainly not written, for the public eye, show do therefore resolve solemnly, (being heartily sorry for what that on all occasions, whether he received blessings or endured is past,) that for the time to come I will rectify (by the grace afflictions, he hastened to communion with his God, as a child of God) my ways in these following instances: to his affectionate parent. When the bounty of God was en- "1st. More diligently follow my studies. 2d. Immedilarged to him, he seemed overwhelmed with a sense of his ately regulate my devotions, and attend them constantly. unworthiness of such favours, and the guilt he should incur 3d. Preach more constantly than I have done. 4th. Compose by ungrateful conduct; when sorrow came, he confessed that prayers for the poor families in order to have them printed. mercy was in the chastening of the Lord, he looked back to 5th. Endeavour with all my might to draw my heart from the discover the purposes of the Almighty in correcting him, and things of the world. then set himself to press forward more sedulously in his pre- "And that I may not forget these purposes, I resolve that paration for that world where there is no sorrow. Like the this memorandum shall remain as a record against me, until Psalmist, he could say, " Whom have I in heaven but Thee? I have thoroughly amended in these particulars. The God and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee! My of Heaven give me grace to set about the work immediately, flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my and give me strength to finish it! Amen, Amen." heart, and my portion for ever!" In his private meditations he studiously turned spiritual things to some practical account, always making such personal application of Scripture as might conduce most to his growth in grace, and taking it as a lamp to his feet and a light to his paths, in his daily walk through life. Many publications were the fruits of his hours of retirement; some of these are mentioned incidentally in other parts of this memoir, the rest are as follows: 1. A History of the Isle of Man. 3. The Principles and Duties of Christianity, published in His well known and heavenly book of private meditations, Manks and English, in 1699; and afterwards printed in an devotions and prayers, entitled Sacra Privata, is divided into altered form in 1740, and entitled The Knowledge and Pracfourteen daily portions, and presents to us, in great part, the tice of Christianity made easy to the meanest capacities; or subjects of his thoughts and petitions during that portion of an Essay towards an Instruction for the Indians; which each day of his life, in which he "entered into his closet and will likewise be of use to all such who are called Chrisshut to the door," and conversed with his Father who "seeth tians, but have not well considered the meaning of the Rein secret." And none can follow his footsteps into that retire-ligion they profess; or who profess to know God, but in ment, and muse upon the holy things upon which he em-works deny him. In twenty dialogues. Of this work he ployed his own heart and mind, without being in some degree says, in a letter to his son, "I have the poorest opinion of warmed with a kindred fervour, and feeling the truth of his my own abilities, and I can approve of little that I have done remark that "frequent prayer, as it is an exercise of holy on this head; but since it has gone so far, there is no drawthoughts, is a most natural remedy against the power of sin." ing back." It is a holy and beautiful book, and often has it soothed the anguish of a spirit tried by bodily suffering; often has it aided and enlivened the devotions of the dying Christian, and caused the Sacra Privata should now be usually printed without the obser* The writer of these pages cannot help expressing his regret that him to forget for a while the sorrows of this present life. The vations upon the clerical character. He ventures to think that good good bishop, though dead, still speaketh; his voice is still would result from their wider circulation amongst the minsters of heard in accents of counsel and of comfort; he humbles the Christ themselves, and that no harm can possibly arise from the peoreaders to the dust with a sense of sin, makes them feel their ple being led to expect quite as much from their spiritual instructors need of a Saviour, and gladdens them with the tidings that sels, but then our bishop has encouraged no expectations of any thing as is there set down. We have indeed the treasure in earthern vesGod has amply provided for that need; he leads them on from else; and what he represented to be the duty of others he scrupustrength to strength, renewing their humble confidence in lously exacted of himself. VOL. II.-3 M 4. A Commentary upon the Holy Bible. by husbandry; and by skilful management he soon made them 5. A Short Introduction to the Lord's Supper. A work produce more than was required to supply his house; a pornot superseded, perhaps not surpassed, by any other upon tion of the residue was bartered for other commodities which the same subject. Writing to his son, who had sent to him his farms did not furnish; and what remained was devoted some letters which were highly commendatory of his publi- to charitable purposes. Thus it happened that he was able cations, he says, "I am not elated with the letters you en- to employ considerable sums in promoting the glory of God closed me; if any good is likely to be done, far be it from and the good of man. me to take the praise to myself; let it be ascribed to the good He wished to act in accordance with the sentiment which Spirit of God; and let me take the shame to myself for the was thus expressed (we believe) by bishop Fleetwood, “Let many faults I plainly see in it, and for the negligence with us proportion our alms to our incomes, lest God should prowhich it is performed. May God forgive me these, and par- portion our incomes to our alms." don the things I have been wanting in, and the good I In the spirit of this maxim he always appointed a certain might and have not done in the way of my duty, in a long, portion of his income for pious uses, and at various intervals long life, and in my proper calling; and I shall bless his we find him increasing the sum thus appropriated. The following is one of his memoranda of this kind. name for ever!" 6. Short Observations on the Historical Books of the Old Testament. "Bishop's Court, Feb. 18, 1718. "To the glory of God; I find by constant experience that 7. Morning and Evening Prayers and Meditations for God will be no man's debtor, I find that I have enough and Families, and for Persons in Private. to spare; so that for the future I dedicate four-tenths to pious uses, one tenth of the demesnes and customs which I receive 8. Maxims of Piety and of Christianity. 9. Forms of Prayer for several public occasions. Amongst in monies, and of my English estate as above. And the good these is a Form of Prayer for the Herring Fishery. The Lord accept his poor servant in this service, for Christ's bishop says, in his History of the Isle of Man, that "former- sake. Amen." ly herrings were the great staple commodity of this Isle, of His charity to the poor was so enlarged that the destitute which, (within the memory of some now living), near twenty never came to his door in vain. Being told that unworthy ty thousand barrels have been exported in one year to France persons were often the objects of his bounty, he replied, “I and other places. The time of herring-fishing is between would rather give to ten unworthy, than that one deserving July and All-hallows' tide. The whole fleet of boats, (every object should go away without relief." Mr. Moore says in boat being about the burden of two tons) are under the gov- the sermon preached at the bishop's funeral, "His charity and ernment of the water-bailiff on the shore, and under one called beneficence to the poor and needy shine the brightest and a vice-admiral at sea, who, by the signal of a flag, directs most distinguished of all his other numerous virtues and grathem when to shoot their nets, &c. . . In acknow-ces. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, comforting the ledgment of this great blessing, and that God may be prevail-afflicted, administering to the distresses of all, the stranger, ed with to continue it, (this being the support of the place), the fatherless, and the widow-these acts of humanity and the whole fleet duly attend divine service on the shore, at the christian charity were the joy, the delight, the great employseveral ports, every evening before they go to sea; the re- ment and pleasure, of his soul. And to this it was owing, spective incumbents on that occasion making use of a form of that during his episcopate, no country in the christian world prayer, lessons, &c. lately composed for that purpose." This had fewer public beggars to be seen therein: for he kept the pious practice is still continued. poor from almost every body's doors but his own." 10. Instructions for an Academic Youth, and a Catechetical Instruction, both intended for Candidates for Holy Orders. In addition to these, many prayers, memoranda, and a few letters on clerical subjects, have been printed in the accounts of his Life, by the Rev. Mr. Cruttwell and the Rev. Mr. Stowell. In order to supply the poor with clothing, he kept tailors and shoemakers in constant employment at his own house.And as his pecuniary means were small, he commonly procured the materials for that purpose by bartering the produce of his farm. It is related that one day, giving orders to his tailor to make for him a cloak, he desired that it might be quite plain, and have merely a button and loop to keep it toThis chapter may appropriately conclude with an extract gether. "But my lord," said the tailor, "what would befrom a letter written by the celebrated Dr. Samuel Johnson come of the poor button makers and their families if every to the son of this admirable prelate;-"To think on bishop one thought in that way? they would be starved outright." Wilson with veneration is only to agree with the whole "Do you say so, John ?" replied the bishop, "why then butchristian world. I hope to look into his books with other ton it all over, John." purposes than those of criticism, and, after their perusal, not only to write but to live better." CHAPTER VI. His Beneficence. Unskilful he to fawn, or seek for pow'r, * But in his duty prompt, at every call Some occasions of a most trying nature occurred to draw forth all the energies, as well as to awaken the most tender feelings, of this generous mind. A small duty was paid by all vessels putting into the ports of the island, and, as the contraband trade increased, a portion of this was employed in rendering the harbours more convenient and secure. Thus many hands were drawn away from agricultural labour to carry on these works, and many more were employed about the shipping in various capacities. The neglect of the land was a necessary consequence; the consumption of corn became greater than the produce; and the Manksmen were dependent upon England for the supply of their wants. Hence in dear or scarce years they were in the greatest distress, and sometimes even experienced the miseries of famine. Such was the wretched condition of the people in the year 1740. Their crops, never sufficient, were in the preceding harvest remarkably light. The bishop writes to his son (July 15, 1739) The severest drought that I ever knew. A great deal of corn will never be mowed or reaped; and the poor farmers, not being able to dispose of their cattle, will many of them be ruined, I fear." England had equally suffered by this unpropitious weather. The dearth produced high prices, and an embargo was laid upon the exportation of corn. It was a wretched winter to the poor people of Man, and the bishop's heart was with them in their misery. He distributed all his own corn, he then purchased to the extent of his means, and sold it out at a low rate in small proportions, so as to economise to the utmost. In February 1740, he writes The small revenues of the bishopric of Man amounted in again, "Never was such a scarcity of corn! A ship laden the time of bishop Wilson to no more than three hundred with barley, was put in by bad weather. I would have bought pounds a-year, and he found that the lands annexed to it were fifty pounds' worth, but it could not be sold, the master havnothing better than tracts of pasturage for sheep. It soon ing given large bonds to land it at Whitehaven, but he was occurred to him to turn these lands to more profitable account cast away going thither. What this poor place will do, God He watch'd and wept, he prayed and felt for all. only knows. I shall give as long as I have any; and money, dear rate,) yet the people have no monies. We are perfectly if any be to be bought." drained. I have bought already near one hundred bushels, Disease is generally the companion of famine, and it vis- and shall make it up that quantity before new corn comes in, ited the island with much severity on this occasion. The besides my own growth. No prospect of a fishery. A fine bishop, who had acquired some knowledge of physic at the crop upon the ground, except the mountains and the CurUniversity, and had exercised it for the relief of his poor ragh.' neighbours all his life long, now attended the sick and pre- But bishop Wilson's charity did not confine itself to the scribed for them. They had fresh proofs of the goodness of relief of temporal necessities. Besides private exertions in God in sending a man of such an excellent spirit to dwell his master's cause, which none who have read his thoughts amongst them. on that subject can doubt, he contributed towards the general In their greatest extremity, when the corn of the island was improvement of these unlettered islanders, with a liberality nearly exhausted, the inhabitants despatched a letter to the which we can hardly tell how his means supplied. He must duke of Athol, (who had succeeded to the lordship of the often have exceeded the contents of his "poor's box," and isle, by the death of the earl of Derby,) and to Dr. Wilson, must always have administered his little funds with a singuin London, representing their appalling situation, and beseech-lar prudence and discretion. He caused parts of the Scriping them to use their earnest endeavours and their interest to tures and several good books to be translated and printed in effect the removal of the embargo which withheld from them the Manks language; he took part in founding and supplying the very means of existence. parochial libraries; he distributed bibles and testaments; put The application was made, but without success, and as the the schools in his diocese on such a footing as to render them case admitted of no delay, the duke and Dr. Wilson immedi- seminaries of strict morals and sound learning; and built, or ately contracted for two ship-loads of corn from Holland.-assisted in building and endowing, several churches and chaMeanwhile a small vessel, bound to Dumfries with a cargo pels. of Welsh oats, was driven into Douglas by a contrary wind, Nor were his clergy omitted from his schemes of benevowhere the cargo sustained considerable injury; and the people lence. He used great exertions to recover some losses, of the town, urged by famine, and knowing that the means of which without such assistance they could never have obrelief were actually perishing before their faces, boarded and tained; he increased, as far as he was able, their incomes, took possession of the vessel without resistance. The action, and repaired their houses; and established a fund for their though riotous, was conducted with good order, for they widows and orphans, contributing largely to it himself. His measured out the corn with great exactness, stored it in the own account of the clergy, given in the History of the Isle of school-house, and compelled the churchwardens to take the Man, shows that they stood in much need of such kindness care and custody of it, and to sell it out at prime cost, re- as he extended to them. serving the money for the proprietor of the cargo. "The clergy are generally natives; and indeed it cannot Thus a temporary relief was afforded, at least for that part well be otherwise, none else being qualified to preach and of the island, until the ships arrived from Holland just time administer the sacraments in the Manks language; for the enough to save the inhabitants from starving. Further sup- English is not understood by two-thirds at least of the island, plies were afterwards obtained, by the embargo being removed though there is an English school in every parish; so hard for a certain time and to a certain quantity, in consequence of is it to change the language of a whole country. another pressing appeal to the king from Dr. Wilson, in "The livings are generally small: the two parsonages which he says, Your petitioner's father, and the inhabitants are, indeed, worth near sixty pounds a-year; but the vicaraof that place, labour under the inexpressible want of provis-ges, the royal bounty included, are not worth above twentyions, especially bread-corn; so that, if not speedily relieved, five pounds, with which, notwithstanding, the frugal clergy many thousands are in imminent danger of being starved; have maintained themselves and pretty numerous families and what adds to their melancholy circumstances is, that it very decently: of late, indeed, the great resort of strangers has pleased God to afflict them with a pestilential flux, owing has made provisions of all sorts as dear again as formerly." in a great measure to the want of wholesome food." When we consider all the benevolent acts of this warm The supply now sent saved the whole people from destruc-hearted man, he seems to have looked upon the whole popution, yet still the poor would have been very scantily provi-lation of the island as his family, and to have sought out ded but for the help of their good bishop. He writes thus to every opportunity of doing them good. George Herbert, his son; "What I give at home to poor people, I give gratis; whose well-known book, entitled The Country Parson, he having, through God's blessing, about one hundred and fifty always loved and recommended, in describing the parson's Winchester bushels to spare. But my method in the four charity, presents a true picture of bishop Wilson. "All his towns has been to buy it at the market-price, (which is high works relish of charity. When he riseth in the morning, he enough indeed,) and to order it to be sold, but only to poor bethinketh himself what good deeds he can do that day, and people, and not above two pecks to any one body." presently doeth them, counting that day lost in which he hath not exercised his charity. He first considers his own parish,' (with the bishop it was his diocese) "and takes care that there be not a begger or idle person in his parish, but that all be in a competent way of getting their living." In another letter it is stated, "I have given this year about five hundred bushels of barley, which have been the support of very many families, as well as private persons, which otherwise must have perished, I verily believe." 66 Yet, with all this, the Isle of Man contained not within its *The Curragh is a large tract of land running the breadth of the island between Ballaugh and Ramsea. It was formerly a bog, which, WILSON's History of the Isle of Man. being drained, proved one of the richest parts of the island. BISHOP The year 1745 was another time of great want and suffering amongst the poor. The circumstances of their distress, and the bishop's help in their time of need, are sufficiently shown in the following extracts from his letters to his son. June 14, 1745. Our harvest last year was so difficult to be saved, that it has reduced us to as great straits as we were A translation of the Scriptures into the Manks language was in four years ago, only we have the liberty of having corn commenced under the superintendence and at the cost of bishop Wilfrom England and Wales brought to us, but at an excessive son. The Gospel of St. Matthew was printed before his death, and price; and, which is still worse, there is amongst the people the other Evangelists and the Acts were at that time ready for the very little monies to be had to purchase it. I have already press. It is related that bishop Hildesley, Wilson's successor, entered with great interest and zeal upon the completion of this ardugiven most of my own stock of all sorts of grain, and I believe I shall be obliged to lay out twenty or thirty pounds wished to live to see it finished, and then he should be content to die." ous and valuable undertaking, and that he often said, "He only more before August. Ten pounds worth of barley Mr. Mur-Through the liberal assistance of the Society for Promoting Chrisray has promised me this week, which is coming from Wales, tian Knowledge, this great work was completed. On Saturday, Noand I hope for as much more. It is generally sold for twenty-vember 22, 1772, he received the last part of the Bible, and sang, four shillings our boll: but before this came in, some of our that evening, the song of Simeon (Luke ii. 29), with much feeling, wicked farmers sold it for upwards of thirty; or five or six in the presence of his family. On Sunday he addressed his family after evening prayers on the uncertainty of life, next day he was deshillings a Winchester bushel. prived of his senses by a paralytic seizure, and in a week he was no "We have also had a very great loss of black cattle and more. Agreeably to his own desire, he was buried by the side of sheep through the whole country, occasioned by the badness bishop Wilson, wishing to be united in death with a man whose exof the fodder, and the cold and wet season, having had scarce ample he had endeavoured to imitate through life. three days together without rain or snow since September,. This was the sum of 100l. per annum granted in the reign of last. In short, I can foresee nothing but distress of one kind or other." 66 July 15, 1745. A most sad dear year, even as hard with the poor as 1741; for though there is corn enough, (at a very king Charles the Second, payable out of the excise for ever, for the better maintenance of poor vicars and schoolmasters, "that, through perform divine offices, and to instruct the people in necessary truths the poverty of the place, the church might never want fit persons to and duties. |