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The Life of Jabez Bunting

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The Life of Jabez Bunting ™ TMI HFI ©if? '/77 V,*- P. *«S4^i§^g n-uaJKs. 'The just and. lawful sovereignty over mens irnderstaiaahnsSTjy force of truth, rightly interpreted, is that which approacheth nearest to the sjuxihtu.de of the Divine rule ; 'THE LIFE JABEZ BUNTING, D.D., WITH NOTICES OF CONTEMPORARY PERSONS AND EVENTS. BY HIS SON, THOMAS PERCIVAL BUNTING. VOL. I. LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, LONGMANS, & ROBERTS SOLD ALSO BY JOHN MASON, 66, PATERNOSTER ROW. EDINBURGH : ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK. 3859. LONDON: PUIKTKD BT VII.MAH MCH01.S, Jl, LONDON WALL. TO " THE PEOPLE CALLED METHODISTS," TO WHOM JABEZ BUNTING OWED SO MUCH, AND IN- WHOSE FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE HE LIVED AND DIED, THIS RECORD OF HIS LIFE AND LABOURS IS GRATEFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. PREFACE. Toward the close of my Father's public life, it was his intention, frequently expressed, to look over his papers, and to destroy all which might furnish materials for his biography ; and, when casual allusions were made to the possibility of such a record, he often threatened that he would haunt the man who should attempt it. As age crept upon him, however, and he felt himself un- equal to heavy labour, other thoughts took pos- session of his mind. He gradually resigned himself to the conviction that the story of his life and labours must be told ; and, after much hesitation, he took steps accordingly. By his "Will, dated in 1852, he desired his two elder sons to examine all the papers, letters, and correspondence in his possession, at the time of his decease, and privately to destroy such portion thereof as, in their judgment, it might be expe- dient so to dispose of ; leaving his executors to M PKt exorcise their discretion as to what use should be made of the remainder. This bequest seemed to convey an intimation of his own wishes on the subject. His eldest son, of whose character and talents he was justly proud, was a Minister in the Connexion to which he himself belonged; and, should that son survive, and feel competent to the undertaking, from him might be expected this last of countless offices of filial reverence and affection. After my father's death, his family naturally turned their eves in the same direction ; none with more anxiety than myself. The uncertain state of my brother's health, however, and the pressure of duties, which appeared to him to be indispensable, induced him positively to decline the task* It was then for me to consider whether I durst undertake the necessary toil and responsibility. Unaccustomed to sustained literary effort, and occupied with a harassing profession, I, too, should have left mv honoured leather's memorv to be embalmed by those who did not bear his name, but for various and weighty considerations, some of them of a practical character. Of these the chief was, that the papers could not be placed in the hands of any other person, until they had undergone the scrutiny and partial destruction directed by the Will, and had thereby been diminished both in number and in interest ; and that this could not be accomplished without long ;; PREFACE. delaying the publication of a Memoir. In my case, however, the processes of examination, and of preparing what was deemed suitable for the press, might be carried on simultaneously. It was further to be considered that I could make some use even of papers which must be ulti- mately destroyed. That I was a son, did not discourage me ; for, if love is blind, so is justice and, assuming that my conjecture as to my Father's own wishes were correct, his faultless judgment had pronounced against the objection. Nor did I think that Jabez Bunting's biographer must necessarily belong to his own profession since no man more diligently sought the co- operation of the laity in every department of re- ligious service not exclusively clerical. I knew, too, that I might rely with confidence upon the faithful advice, and kind assistance, of my Father's oldest and wisest friends. I submit myself readily to candid criticism; and shall be dealt with, at all events by my Methodist readers, as well as I deserve. It is by way of explanation, therefore, and not of apology, that I add one observation. My chief aim has been to make the work interesting, and, as reflecting my Father's opinions, useful, to his own religious Community; but I have not for- gotten that his name and reputation extended beyond it. With the original view of avoiding delay, the first volume is now published separately, not PREFACE. without hope that it may elicit suggestions which may make the second more worthy of its subject, and of the public favour. Until that volume shall appear, I postpone the expression of my warm gratitude for the prompt and hearty aid received from so many quarters. Yet I must at once record my obligations to my friend, Pro- fessor Williamson, of Manchester, for the beauti- ful drawing which has been engraved on the title-page. The frontispiece is copied from a photograph taken in Bath, when my Father had passed his seventieth year ; and the medallion from one executed in Edinburgh, two or three years previously. Manchester, May 5th, 1859. ::: CONTENTS. FRONTISPIECE. —PORTRAIT OF BR. BUNTING. VIGNETTE.—THE CHURCH AT MONYASH. medallion portrait. {To follow Table of Contents.) CHAPTER I. parentage and kindred. PAGTDS Of humble Origin : The Peak of Derbyshire : Birth of his Parents : Introduction of Methodism into Derbyshire : John Bennet : The first Sermon at Chelmorton : The Marsdens : The Lomases : Grace Murray : John Nelson : William Grimshaw : William Darney : Conversion of Mary Redfern : Joseph Redfem : William Bunting Mary Bunting's last Days : Jabez Bunting's Sisters FilialPiety: Letters to and from his Mother 1-20. CHAPTER II. INFANCY—CHILDHOOD—SCHOOLDAYS. Birth : Wesley's Blessing : Fragments of Autobiography Schoolmasters : Marchant : Clarke : Hartley : Broad- hurst : Pope : Course of Study : Compositions in Prose and Verse : Interest in Public Affairs : Appearance Schoolboy Frolics : Early religious Habits : Dr. Cornelius Bayley : Preachings in his Father's Garret : Persecutions and Successes at School 21-28. CHAPTER HI. CONVERSION. Baptism and Early Training : Joseph Benson : Hesitation about joining Society : Decision : James Wood : First Ticket of Membership 29-39. X CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. MEDICAL EDUCATION. PAGF.S l>r. PcrcivnPs Birth: Education: Professional Career : Public Religious Tenets: I, ifr : Works: Political Opinions: Dr. Barnes : Dr. Percival's Piety : Letter as to the Sabbath-Day : Death : Jabez Bunting's Connexion with Dr. Percival : Medical Education : Manners : Dr. Percival's Descendants : Dr. Edward Percival : His Children 40-52. CHAPTER V. RELIGIOUS AND INTELLECTUAL PEOGRESS. (ieneral Training under Dr. Percival: Influences on his Character and Opinions : Religious Improvement : For- mation of a Society for the Acquirement of Knowledge : Rules : Bond of Association : Members : Subjects dis- cussed : Essays written for the Society : First Exposition of Holy Scripture : The Prayer-Meeting at James Ash- croft's House : His End : Jabez Bunting's first Public Exhojtation : A Prayer-Leader : Manchester Sunday- Evening Prayer-Meetings 53-67. CHAPTER VI. TRAINING 10R THE SERVICE OF METHODISM. Ministers in early Life . Murlin: I'awsou : Lee: Thompson: : Taylor : Rodda Hopper : Bradburn : Adam Clarke : Mather: Huthcrford : Barber: The Connexional Dis- putes of I7'.ij and 17'J7: Jabez Bunting's Interest in them: Their Klt'eet upon his Opinions and Policy ... 68-90. CII.U'TKR VII. (M.I. TO THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. A Local I'rciicher : His Doubts and Decision : First Sermon : Trial Sermon : Exercises as to his Call to the Ministry : Correspondence with Mr. Matlier: Letter announcing his intention to Dr. Percival : Received on Trial at the Conferenre cif 170'.l 91-10'J. :: CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER VIII. PROBATION FOB THE MINISTRY IN THE OLDHAM CIRCUIT. PAGES Commencement: John Gaulter: Timidity: Devotedness to Study : Miscellaneous Correspondence of Jabez Bunting, Thomas Preston, George Burton, Edward Percival, John Heywood, the Steward of the Liverpool Circuit, William Black, Dr. Percival, Solomon Ashton, John Crook, and John Gaulter : Labours and Success at Oldham : The Burtons of Middleton 110-127. CHAPTER IX. PROBATION FOR THE MINISTRY IN THE MACCLESFIELD CIRCUIT. Appointment to Macclesfield : Extensive Circuit : Difficulties : Mr. and Mrs. Allen : Colleagues : Jeremiah Brettell Thomas Hutton : Joseph Entwisle : George Morley : Methodism in the Manufacturing Districts : Correspond- ence of Jabez Bunting, George Marsden, Gaulter, and James Wood : Offer of an Incumbency in the Established Church : Letters to a Eellow-probationer and to Mr. Whitaker : Dr. McAU : Further Correspondence with Dr. Disney Alexander, Robert Lomas, Richard Reece, and others : Labours at Macclesfield : Thoughts of Mar- riage : Memoranda in reference to it : Engagement Sarah Maclardie : Ordination : Discussions as to his next Appointment : Were his Orders valid ? 128-161. CHAPTER X. HIS EARLY MINISTRY IN LONDON. Colleagues : Joseph Taylor : Benjamin Rhodes : William Myles : George Story : Dr. Leifchild's recollections of Jabez Bunting's first appearance in the Metropolis First portion of Diary, sent to Miss Maclardie : Com- mittee of London Preachers : Early-morning Services : The Penitents' Meeting : Dr. James Hamilton : The Eloquence of the Pulpit and of the Bar : William Jay : :::: xii CONTENTS. PACKS Persecution of the Methodist Soldiers : Letter from Dr. Percival : Intercourse .with Joseph Butterworth : Wes- Counsels ley's private Library : Letter from Entwisle : to an intended Wife : Joseph Taylor on Song-singing The The Christian Observer : William Huntington : Claytons 162-195. CHAPTER XI. EARLY MINISTRY IN LONDON.—CONTINUED. Further Extracts from Diary : The Persecutions in Jamaica and at Gibraltar : Mr. Fennell : James Lackington Henry Foster : Benson and the Christian Observer George Burder : Dr. Steinkopff : Joanna Southcote First recorded Missionary Sermon : Prospects of National Invasion : Richard Cecil : State of Methodism in Lon- don : Last Letter before his Marriage : Ordinary duties in the Study and the Pulpit, and among the Flock.
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