THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST Magazine. MARCH, 1857. BIOGRAPHY. 1. JONATHAN TAYLOR, of Denby Dale, Yorkshire, was born August 1st, 1819. His father was a good man, a member of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, and strove to rule his household in the fear of God. Jonathan was converted when about twelve years of age, at Staleybridge, Lancashire, whither his parents had removed. But the failure of his father's health induced the family to return to. Denby Dale, where the father died in peace. After the death of his father, Jonathan was sent to reside with an uncle, at Pudsey, a populous village in the Bradford circuit, and identified himself with our small society there. Being a pious and intelligent youth, affording indications of future usefulness, when a little turned seventeen years of age, he received appointments on the plan as a local preacher. Fully impressed with the importance of the official position to which he was now called, and feeling an ardent zeal for the Lord of hosts, and a burning love for the souls of men, he laboured with great diligence to turn sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. His punctuality and ability in fulfilling his appointments quickly secured him the esteem and confidence of his brethren, and caused him to be highly respected wherever he was known. He was also called to sustain the offices of class-leader and chapel-steward, at Pudsey, and the responsibilities connected with his leadership and stewardship he well understood, and faithfully discharged his duties. Brother R. Davies, who was the superintendent of the Bradford circuit three years, during brother Taylor's residence at Pudsey, states, "I always regarded him as a sound, energetic, and laborious local preacher. He was well received in the circuit; was very popular amongst the people; and was also very useful. He was remarkably diligent as a class-leader, and very successful. He had few equals in this department of labour. I sometimes thought he laboured beyond his strength. His disposition was really Christian, and I never saw nor heard anything from him in official meetings, but what was prudent, thoughtful, and VOL. XV.-THIRD SERIES. K becoming." His popularity and usefulness led to his being frequently engaged in preaching anniversary and other special sermons, so that with ordinary and special engagements he seldom had a Sabbath at liberty. He also took a lively interest in the prosperity of Sabbath-schools, and did all he could towards increasing the usefulness of these important institutions. The missionary cause likewise found in him a true friend and an able advocate. Nor was he unmindful of the duties which devolved on him as a husband and a father; these occupied his prayerful consideration, and excited appropriate efforts on behalf of the temporal, spiritual, and eternal welfare of his wife and children. In November, 1855, he and his family removed from Pudsey to Batley, in the Dewsbury branch of Leeds circuit, where we had just purchased a chapel. He became a trustee, and otherwise assisted in the undertaking. After his removal to Batley, I had the pleasure of attending several missionary meetings, camp-meetings, and other religious services, in the proceedings of which he took an active part; and I observed that, whether in the pulpit or on the platform, in the Sunday-school or in the class-meeting, his adaptation for usefulness was strikingly apparent. His platform addresses were frequently delivered with much energy, and usually accompanied with a gracious feeling. His pulpit ministrations were plain and pointed, setting forth the great doctrines of a full, free, and present salvation; and urging upon the sinner the necessity of an immediate surrender of his heart to God through faith in the atoning blood of Christ. I conducting open-air and special religious services, he displayed great tact and power; and having a good voice, a ready utterance, great courage, and strong faith, he was often eminently useful in such services. At the last September quarterly meeting he requested to be lightly planned, because of his declining health; and this request was considerately granted, and his willingness to labour as long as he was able, duly recognized. He was prostrated by affliction in October, and his medical adviser gave little hope of his recovery. His brethren had observed a visible decline in his health for some time, and had intimated to him that, unless some effectual remedy should be obtained, his affliction would be likely to terminate in death. To these intimations he replied, "If I die, I shall live for ever; if my work is done, the Lord will take me to heaven." While confined to his bed he was, on two occasions, fiercely assailed by temptation; but the Saviour, in whom he had long trusted, was near to help him, and to give him the victory. His sufferings, for the first month of his affliction, were very severe; but after the disease had reached a certain stage, he seemed to be almost overpowered with sleep, and took little notice of anything that transpired. He lingered till the morning of December 13th, 1856, when his happy spirit took its flight to be for ever with the Lord, aged thirty-five years. He has left a widow and six children. May they trust in Him who is a Father to the fatherless, and a Husband to the widow. GEORGE NORMANDALE. 2. Died at Saham Toney, Brandon circuit, THOMAS RUDDERHAM, December 9th, 1856, in the forty-ninth year of his age. My dear father had a pious mother, whose counsel frequently led him to serious reflections when a child, and whose prudent care served to prevent him from running into many youthful follies. He became more alive to his lost state as a sinner through reading the life of an infidel, and still more through reading Mr. Wesley's sermons. He then resolved to seek the one thing needful, and found it in secret prayer. He immediately united with the Wesleyan Methodists, and remained with them for about three years, when, the Primitive Methodists having visited the place, he felt it his duty to unite with them, and he remained with them till taken to the church above. He was one of the first that was appointed class-leader to the infant society established in this place. He took great interest in the welfare of the souls committed to his care, and was never known wilfully to neglect his class. He knew his duty, and he fulfilled it as one that must give an account. Soon after his union with our people he was appointed to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, and he sustained the office of a local preacher for more than twenty years. He frequently expressed his insufficiency for the work; but he was earnest and pointed in his exhortations, and his aim was the honour of God and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. He frequently sowed in tears, believing that he should reap in joy; he moved with a trembling hand and fearful heart, yet his labour was owned of God. He endured a long affliction. He was subject to asthma from a child; but as he grew in years, it took stronger hold of his frame. For the last two years he gradually sank; but as long as health and strength would allow, he attended to the duties of the family and the church. Persons of vari In October, 1856, he took to his bed, and declined fast. ous denominations visited him during his affliction, to their great satisfaction. The clergyman of the parish was melted into tears while conversing with him. On December 6th, we perceived a change for the worse. I asked him if his prospects were bright. He answered, "I am weak, but I rest on the atonement. The Lord will never leave me. How can I doubt his word? Lord, save me from doubting." The same night he expressed himself as safe in the hands of his heavenly Father, adverting to several precious promises which he claimed as his own. A young person came to see him, whom he exhorted to love God; to others he said, "Let's join heart and hand to meet in the heavenly land." On being asked if he had any earthly tie, he answered, "No!" At another time he said, "New songs do now my lips employ, And dances my glad heart for joy." The last day of his life he spoke much of Jesus, though sorely tempted by the devil. He asked me to pray. I did so, and the snare was broken. He cried out with great earnestness, "I believe! I believe! Bless the Lord." A few hours before his death, he called his children, one by one, and gave |