THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE, AND MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. FOR FEBRUARY, 1853. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. DAVID GRIFFITHS, THIS amiable young minister was the eldest son of the Rev. Benjamin Griffiths, pastor of the Congregational church at Trefgarn, near Haverfordwest. His father was married to Miss Sophia James, daughter of Edward James, Esq., of Pontygavel, in the parish of Llanfirnac, Pembrokeshire. David was born at Brynhyfryd, in the parish of St. Dogwells, March 13, 1814. His uncle, the Rev. J. Griffiths, of St. David's, observes that "there was nothing remarkable in him while a child, only that he had great delight in his books. Living at a considerable distance from any town, he had not the advantage of a good school. He was sent, however, to the best that was near. When about fifteen years of age, he went to Haverfordwest, and was, for some time, under the tuition of Mr. Traneker; after that, the Rev. Mr. Bulmer took him under his care. With him he enjoyed every comfort, and great advantages, so that he used to call Mr. and Mrs. Bulmer his second father and mother. After that he was under the tuition of his cousin, the Rev. Henry Griffiths, of East Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. From this place he went to Highbury College, but did not remain long in that institution. He had been a member of Mr. Bulmer's church before he left Haverfordwest, VOL. XXXI. was very active and useful in the Sabbath-school there, and much beloved by all who who knew him. His pastor was much pleased with his gift in prayer, which he seriously cultivated, and in the exercise of which he manifested a copiousness, pathos, and propriety, which often surprised many of his fellow worshippers. He was encouraged in his views with respect to the ministry, and began to make some attempts at preaching, both in the town of Haverfordwest and in the adjacent villages. His diligence in reading and study were creditable, and his attainments in Latin and Greek learning respectable. His memory was so good, that he was at length able to repeat Hodgkin's Greek Accidence, from beginning to end, with surprising correctness, even beyond that of any student with whom his teacher had become acquainted. His New Testament he consequently read with facility; and, without relying on commentaries, could satisfy himself respecting the mind of the Spirit in those divine oracles, which he consulted with becoming reverence. At Highbury Mr. Griffiths obtained the favour of its worthy treasurer, the late Thomas Wilson, Esq., in consequence of which he was sent, for a short time, to Ewel, and from thence to Tean, in Staffordshire, where he spent ten F years, with no little success; and, as his uncle remarks, "very comfortably." Not long after his going to Tean, Mr. and Mrs. Bulmer removed to Rugeley, in the same county; and his former pastor and tutor had the great pleasure of attending his ordination, and of delivering a charge from 2 Tim. iii. 10, 11. The introductory discourse was delivered by Mr. Schofield, of Burslem, which contained many passages from Archbishop Whately on the Kingdom of Christ, which surprised and delighted many of the hearers. The Rev. John Cook, of Uttoxeter, then preached to the people, in a very lively and appropriate manner. On this occasion his former tutor and friend was particularly pleased with the rules of pastoral conduct which Mr. Griffiths had adopted, and with his uncommon prudence in "giving no offence in anything," lest the ministry should be blamed, either by any of his own people, or those of the other denominations by which he was surrounded. In a letter from Tean, dated January 15, 1841, he thus writes: "There is not here that healthy, spiritual vigour, and activity, that I could wish; yet I have no particular reason for being discouraged. The attendance keeps up well, and our progress, though slow, is, I hope, sure, as there are some indications of religious concern." In subsequent letters to Mr. and Mrs. Bulmer, he was enabled to give a more favourable account of the state of things. He soon had a flourishing Sunday-school, in which he was aided by efficient teachcrs. He prevailed upon his young people to meet in Bible-classes, for which he found it necessary to make preparation, being frequently required, as he observed, to "answer all kinds of questions" that Bible-readers might be supposed to ask. The church now began to increase, and he became popular as a preacher; so that the members of a destitute church, in a most important part of the country, having heard of his activity and usefulness, began to think of him as their future minister. On this subject, therefore, he thus wrote to Mr. Bulmer, who had been on friendly terms with the former minister, often preached there, and become acquainted with some of the people. His letter was dated April 5, 1847, in which he says,-" It is more than probable that I shall leave Tean, and, perhaps, very soon. I have not yet fully determined on that step; but those whose counsel I have sought, have decided for me as far as advice is concerned. The question of my removal to Lichfield has been several times mentioned. Now, however, I have an official letter from the church there, to which I must give a definite answer. I shall be glad to have your opinion on the subject. It is anything but an easy matter for me to decide. I am anxious, as far as I know myself, to forget personal considerations altogether, and to think of the two places concerned, in reference to the general prosperity of the cause of Christ. I hope that Providence will give me a clear leading, so that I may not act merely on my own responsibility." The advice requested being in favour of the step under consideration, he wrote to Mrs. Bulmer, on the 31st of May, giving her the following intelligence :-" You will perceive, from the heading of my letter, that I have left Tean, and, as you may suppose, I am now settled over the church and congregation in Wade-street, Lichfield. I closed my services at Tean, on Sunday, the 16th inst., and commenced my engagements here yesterday week. Hitherto I have been domiciled at Mr. Fairbrother's, but go to my permanent lodgings this evening; and, therefore, hope to get settled down rather more than I have been as yet. You will, perhaps, expect me to say something as to how I get on, and like the place; but I must beg to be excused for the present, as I have been here but one week, and have had scarcely time to form an opinion." On the 18th of June he wrote again to the same correspondent, and had it in his power to say,-" Hitherto the friends at Lichfield have been kind to me; though I am aware that kindness for so short a pe riod is no guarantee for future peace and comfort. On this subject, however, I do not feel anxious. I shall endeavour to seek my personal comfort chiefly from activity in my official capacity, and regard every expression of kindness on the principle mentioned by Paul in Phil. iv. 17. I have determined not to know anything among them of past disagreements; but to direct my own and their attention to present duties." On March 9th, 1848, Mr, Griffiths was able to say," We are gradually improving in our chapel affairs. The attendance is increasing. The week-evening services are uncommonly well attended." He had now taken possession of the Chapel House, which he had made very neat, having furnished such apartments as he wanted for his own use, and given up the remainder to a suitable family, who lived rent-free, on condition of their waiting on him, and attending to his domestic concerns. He says, "I am very comfortable in my new house, and never was more so since I left Wales. I wish you could come and see what I have been doing." In Mr. Fairbrother, the senior deacon of the church, he found a faithful friend. Of this gentleman he says, "I have found him, and his whole family, to be very and invariably kind towards me, and he is still a useful man at our chapel." Mr. and Mrs. Bulmer having now taken up their residence in Bristol, and he being about to visit Pembrokeshire, determined to call and see them in his way. They accordingly had the pleasure of seeing him at Bristol in the month of September, and enjoying his company for the greater part of a day, being under the necessity of leaving them by the steam-packet on the following morning. He had just undergone the labour and fatigue of attending Missionary meetings at Lichfield and Rugely, and was rather indisposed, partly in consequence of travelling the whole of the preceding night. Having reached his native country, spent some time with his friends and relatives there, and preached one Sabbath evening at Haverfordwest, he returned to Lichfield, where his life and labours were soon brought to an unexpected close! His last letter to Mrs. Bulmer was written on the 5th of the following month, in which he says, "I have somehow caught a severe cold, the remains of which still linger on me. I am, however, progressing favourably, and hope to be quite well by Sunday," This proved to be the last letter he ever wrote, and is rather lengthy. He concludes by saying, "I am very far from being well at this moment. When quite convenient, please to write." In compliance with this request, a letter was speedily written, which was answered, as follows, by Miss Fairbrother : - "Lichfield, October 19, 1848. "MY DEAR MRS. BULMER, Your letter, addressed to the Rev. D. Griffiths, arrived this morning; and, unless you have seen the notice in the British Banner,' yourself and Mr. Bulmer will be much surprised, and deeply pained, to know that our highly esteemed, and greatly beloved pastor, has been removed from us, and, we doubt not, is now enjoying his reward in heaven. "The cold which affected him brought on erysipelas, which, after an illness of eight days, terminated his earthly career. The medical attendant did not apprehend danger until the last day; nor, as we suppose, did the dear sufferer, since he expressed no wish as to the disposal of any of his property, and made no arrangement of his affairs. Mother went to stay with him on Friday evening. He seemed pleased, but could not speak much. The surgeon proceeded with proper means, and had not left the house many minutes before life ebbed away, and our dear friend slept in Jesus, a few minutes past midnight, on Saturday morning. "You should have been written to earlier, but this unexpected event has overwhelmed us, so that we forgot to do it, having so much to arrange. Father wrote to Rev. B. Griffiths as soon I as possible, and we hope some relations "With our united kind regards, "H. FAIRBROTHER." Faithful to her promise, Miss Fairbrother wrote the following letter, with which, and a very few remarks, the present article must conclude, all the space that can reasonably be requested having been already occupied : "Lichfield, Nov. 1st, 1848. "MY DEAR MRS. BULMER,-I dare say you have thought me long in complying with your request, but I have not been able to write sooner. "The mortal remains of our late beloved minister were deposited in the burial-ground belonging to St. Michael's, on the day mentioned in my last. They rest by the side of such of our family as have gone before. One of our friends very kindly offered to pay for a brick grave, which was thankfully accepted. Father and mother undertook every arrangement, and all things were conducted with economy, yet consistently with the respect due to a minister of the gospel. "A hearse and mourning coach were engaged; twelve friends attended as pall-bearers and under-bearers. Mr. Hughes, of Rugeley; father, and two other friends, followed as mourners; and many sorrowing hearts assembled to witness the last sad offices performed for one whom they esteemed and loved. No relatives came; but a letter arrived on the Monday following, from an un cle, written by request of the bereaved parent, expressing deep feeling, mingled with submission to the Divine will, with confidence in our arrangements, gratitude for what had been done, and requesting that an inventory might be written and forwarded; which has been done, and we wait for further directions. "We wished Mr. Cook, of Uttoxeter, to improve the event, on Sunday, October 29th; but the friends at Tean had engaged him at the same time, for the same purpose, and could not alter the arrangement. Our long-tried friend, Mr. Salt, who supplied for us or the day after the interment, consented to undertake the painful duty; and though announced only in the morning, the chapel was crowded, and an attentive congregation listened to an impressive sermon from Isaiah Ixiv. 6: We all do fade as a leaf.' It was a solemn service, and will, I hope, be long remembered. Being comparatively a stranger, he could say but little from personal knowledge, yet he bore a wellmerited testimony to the worth of our dear departed pastor. We need no outward sign to remind us of our loss. Long and deeply will it be felt; still, wishing to show every respect, the pulpit and desk were covered with black, and many, both of the church and congregation, have put on mourning. Having so much to do with chapel affairs, we are continually reminded, by a variety of affecting incidents, of the extent of our bereavement. We shall be very glad to receive a letter from you whenever you may feel disposed to write a few lines. Father and mother unite in kind regards to yourself and Mr. Bulmer, and believe me, "Dear Madam, yours affectionately, H. FAIRBROTHER.” The above account of his valued friend would have been given to the public long since, had not changes of residence, and numerous engagements, prevented the fulfilment of a duty which the writer felt incumbent upon him. He hopes, however, that it is not too late to answer the chief ends of reli "Who does the best his circumstance allows, Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more." gious biography; and that young ministers, especially, may be stimulated by what they read, to combine with serious piety that prudence and persevering activity by which the departed He aimed at great things, adopting was peculiarly distinguished. He had proper means in order to their accomhis trials and difficulties; but they in-plishment, and was, in a good degree, variably yielded to "patient continu- successful; and, if he did not "turn ance in well-doing," together with an the world upside down," or become the amiable spirit, conciliating manners, means of doing anything very extraand a blameless conversation. Not pa- ordinary, he unquestionably wrought a tronized by the wealthy, nor remark- good work, had the approbation of his ably assisted by the talent, zeal, and own conscience, satisfied his friends, energy of those immediately connected and was, undoubtedly, approved by his with him, he had to make his way Divine Master as a good and faithful among comparative strangers; by whom servant." And, of such we are assured, he was nevertheless esteemed as the that, "when the Chief Shepherd shall instrument of their spiritual good, and appear," they shall "receive a crown of regarded as a pattern of every virtue. glory that fadeth not away." 66 THE VOICES OF AFFLICTION. "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also." or protracted sickness. So also, in the moods of the mind. How often, even in laughter, the heart is sorrowful, and the end of such mirth is heaviness. The malignant influence of an evil eye is said to be never so potent, as when it strikes its object in the moment of elevation or triumph. In a world like ours, exquisite plea- | never so delightful as after acute pain sure generally dwells in the neighbourhood of pain. How often they seem to track each other's footsteps, to cross each other's path; and to mingle and interchange as the alternate glitter of sunbeams on the surface of an agitated sea. Sometimes they are so blended that it is difficult to distinguish or separate them. Sometimes they follow each other in such quick succession, that the one seems to make way for the other, or to grow out of it, just as, on Humboldt's theory of mountains and valleys, the materials drawn from beneath, and thrown up to form the altitudes of the one, necessarily leading to the deep depressions of the other; hence, the loftiest summits are usually found near to the lowest depths. The mountains of Scotland were formed out of it Lochs, and the Mediterranean supplied the materials for the mountains of Greece, Italy, and Switzerland. We experience something of this interchange in our bodily feelings. Hunger gives a keen relish for food, weariness to repose; and ease and health are Have we never felt how difficult it was to say of some emotions, whether they were more pleasing or painful; or, have not the two been so mingled as to appear not only inseparable, but almost indispensable to each other. In a pensive mood, we have thought of the days of our childhood, and of the companions of our youth, many of whom have long since been removed by death. What was the character of the emotions so excited? Were they pleasurable or painful? or, were they not as the sound of distant music, sweet but mournful to the soul. You have walked alone through a beautiful country, and the summer's evening breeze has brought the chime of village bells on the ear; how delicious was the harmony! but |