Biographical Narrative of Matthew Lanktree
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— BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE MATTHEW LANKTREE, WESLEYAN MINISTER: EMBRACING A PE11IOD OF UPWARDS OF FORTY YEARS; COMPRISING NUMEROUS CHARACTERISTIC SKETCHES OF CO-TEMPORARIES, HisTomoax notices OP THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND INFLUENCE OF METHODISM IN VARIOUS PARTS OF IRELAND. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. " Mr soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof and be glad." Psaim xxxiv. 2. BELFAST: PRINTED BY JAMES WILSON, 70, HIGH-STREET. MDCCCXXXVI. PREFACE. The Author of the following unadorned detail of minis- terial recollections, is not unconscious of the difficulties of the undertaking. He is aware that many estimable char- acters, who were well qualified for the task, have shrunk from the attempt ; and rather than become their own biographers, have consigned to the silence of the tomb, not only what would have been their most authentic attestation to the truth and pqwer of the Gospel, but names and events connected with their personal history, worthy of being transmitted to the latest posterity. He is convinced that such an excess of delicacy has no coun- tenance from the inspired writers, who uniformly encour- age the people of God to record his goodness, and proclaim his praise " from one generation to another." In accordance with these views, when the writer was compelled, by increasing infirmities, to retire from his more public and responsible duties, he endeavoured to redeem his time in private, by reviewing those manifes- tations of mercy which came under his own observation, or were transmitted to him by respectable witnesses. While thus engaged, he was induced to hope that, through the medium of the press, several descriptions of persons who were deeply impressed on his heart, as well as his own children, might, through the divine blessing, derive ad- vantage from his labours. To many of these, he is per- suaded, that several facts here stated will recall past XU PREFACE. seasons and enjoyments of the happiest description, con- nected with the name and spirit of the Lord Jesus, the exercise of faith, the ardour of love, and the glorious hope of immortality. When the Author entered on the regular course of his labours in the ministry, the second race of Methodist preachers were rapidly finishing their course. Of the devoted body of young men by whom they were succeeded, and with whom he had the honour to associate, how few are now survivors ! He has attempted, with affection and fidelity, to sketch some of their characters and delineate their virtues ; bat in this attempt he felt his great inade- quacy ; for much of what he admired in them was too personal and affecting to be inserted. In his numerous references to cotemporaries, or past events, he has studied " to speak the truth in love," and availed himself of occur- ring opportunities, to acknowledge the prety and useful- ness of ministers and people of various denominations, as well as of his own community, which he trusts will not be found unedifying to those " who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," and hold " the unity of the Spirit" with his members, " in the bond of peace." On several occasions he has used their names and correspondence with respectful freedom. For nearly half a century he has been most intimately identified with Wesleyan Methodism—" through honour and dishonour," weal and wo ; and has given ample and correct information respecting its operations through various parts of Ireland. He has witnessed many revivals of religion, and referred to the instruments and means which it pleased the God of all grace to sanction in the extension of his work, on regular circuits, and Mission stations. The early movements, successes, and persecu- tions of the indefatigable Irish Missionaries, he has been careful to rescue from oblivion ; and hopes, for the sake PREFACE. of our common Christianity—for the sake of truth—that in future, when certain men are describing the degenerate state of our country, and making speeches, or writing reports, respecting their efforts to ameliorate her moral condition, they will not forget the labours of their brethren of the Wesleyan denomination to effect the same purpose, nor designedly cast them into the shade ; —for they were first in their day to engage in the Christian enterprise; nor will they be found least, or last, amidst the evangeli- cal agencies of the present more enlightened period. But " He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." Many of the proceedings of the Irish Conference are interwoven with these pages ; those respecting the great sacramental question, in which the Author was most vitally concerned, are given more at large. To this sub- ject he calls the attention of every candid inquirer. The last few years of his life, have been singularly diversified with light and shade, to which he has only so far adverted, as to form a connecting link in the series of providential occurrences which have hitherto distinguished his probationary state, or prove useful to others, if called to encounter similar difficulties. " Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ; who com- forteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Unto Him be glory in the Church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end i Amen. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. 1770. Author's birth-place, relatives, &c, deliverances— First gracious impressions—Degeneracy of public morals, &c. — 1-8. CHAPTER II. 1789. Circumstances leading to Author's acquaintance with the Methodists — Gracious results— Experience of mercy and consolation— Concern for relatives—Introduction of Methodism into Oldcastle—Witnesses for Christ raised up— Increase of the work of God—Author com- mences local preacher,—Reasons for his union with the Methodists. —9-16. CHAPTER III, 1792, Author's conflicts and comforts—Death of the Rev, John Wesley— Of William Lanktree— Testimony of a female Quaker preacher- Author's visit to Dublin— Conversion of Mrs, Shepherd—His mar- riage—Illness and death of wife and infant—Improvement, —17-24. CHAPTER IV. 1794-5. Called out to travel the Cavan Circuit— Instructive letters— Unhap- py state of the country—Defenders—Extraordinary deliverance of two families from them— Horrid death of a drunkard— Adjutant Malone's conversion— Happy deaths—Gracious providences—First interview with Dr. Coke—His preaching—25-40. — IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. 1795-6. Journey to Coleraine and reception— Sudden death of R. Douthett —State of the Circuit—An unfaithful preacher—Affecting death of a young lady—Her character—Sermon of a Quaker friend—Disaffect- ed state of the country—State of religion— Happy deaths—Miss M'Lean— Conclusion of a year's labours—Reference to the Giant's Causeway.—41-48. CHAPTER VI. 1796—7, Agreeable journey to Sligo—A revival commences—Extent of the Circuit—Bright prospects— Opposition—Alarms of war— Mrs. Slacke—Her letters, and account of Mrs, Fleming's death— Her own sudden dissolution— Sligo Society— Sarah M'Kim—Work of God round the Circuit— First acquaintance with Gideon Ousley Curious dream respecting him— Persecution in Boyle—Miraculous influence of Christian charity on an afflicted widow— Singular Convert from Popery—Elphin—A pious family— General character of the work— Grateful close of the year, —48-62. CHAPTER VII. 1797-8-9, Interesting journey to Youghall—State of things—Feeling for the miseries of the poor— Encouraged by a dream—Benevolent Society formed—Author stimulated by precept and example—Mr. Averell's account of a Methodist garrison in the Rebellion— Horrid execution in Youghall—Account of the Rebellion in the County Antrim— Preser- vation of Coleraine—Appointment to Cork—Importance of Author's charge—Visit of missionaries, Messrs. Murdoch and Sturgeon Ac- count of shipwrecked ditto— They are generously entertained by Ro- manists in Kinsale— Comforted and refitted—Dr. Coke's letter to ditto—Author's marriage.— 62-80. CHAPTER VIII. 1799-1800-1. Appointed to Wicklow circuit—Deplorable state of the country after the Rebellion—Field of labour—Reception—Success— First attend- ance on Conference— Re-appointment—Dearth of food— Progress of religion—Rev, Thomas ]Kelly-r-His preaching in Arklow— Lorenzo — CONTENTS. V Dow's visit—His success—Letters— Eliza Steacy's account of the Rebellion—Mrs. Carley's ditto—Mr. Morgan's ditto—Mr. G. Taylor's ditto— Of the massacre at Wexford—His deliverance—Ex- traordinary deliverance of a young man—Method of extending religion — Rev. A. Moss a subject of grace— General revival of religion in the South, the East, and the North of Ireland—Ditto in America.— 80-110. CHAPTER IX. 1801-2-3. Inte resting appointment to the Waterford Circuit with Mr. William Smith—Their early anticipation of future blessings—Low state of the Circuit—Union among the preachers— Great revival— Spirit of libe- rality—Dr. Coke calls a District meeting extraordinary— Glorious celebration of the Nativity—The Lord's Supper by Mr. Averell Mr. Smith's account of the extension of the revival, and the conse- quent blessedness— Opening of Wexford chapel—Mr. M'Cormick, of Ross—Persecution of missionaries—Account from Conference—Let- ters from colleague—Introduction of the Independents into Water- ford—Letter from Rev. T. Kelly—Ditto from Mr. Smith on the subject— Christian conduct of Preachers—A letter from Mr. Smith exemplifying " The thorn in the flesh"—Author's affliction and resto- ration—Archdeacon Fleury—Dr. Stoke's farewell sermon against the Methodists— Rev. Mr. Stevenson preaches against them—Anecdote of the effects of music in the church— Letter from the Rev. H. C Appointment to the Carlow Circuit— Removal thither— 110-128.