THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE..

MARCH, 1847.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. ISAAC ATKIN, OF STAPLEFORD,

NOTTINGHAM CIRCUIT.

OUR late Brother, Mr. Isaac Atkin, was born at Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, October 3rd, 1774. His parents attended the Established Church, and were accustomed regularly to take their children with them; but whether they were made partakers of salvation through faith in Christ, the writer is unable to state. Our friend while young, appeared to be attached to the church service, and became a member of the choir, which position he occupied until his conversion. During this period, though not guilty of those gross vices practised by many young men, and even strictly moral in his conduct, he was, nevertheless, entirely ignorant of the plan of salvation as revealed in the Gospel, imagining that mere morality was sufficient to qualify him for heaven. His state at this time is well described in the following lines, which, after his conversion, ranked among his favourite verses:

"Wrapp'd up in self-deceit and pride,

I shall have peace at last, I cried."

In the year 1798, when at the age of twenty-four, he was induced to attend the chapel which our Connexion then occupied in Stapleford, but which now belongs to the Wesleyan Body, and was powerfully convinced of his state as a sinner under a sermon preached by the late Rev. J. Grundell, from the words "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." It was then that he became decided for God, and was led to pour out his soul in fervent prayer for the pardon of his sins. While thus engaged it pleased the Lord to speak peace to his troubled soul, and to assure him of his interest in the blood of

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Christ. He immediately joined our Society, and to the time of his death endeavoured to walk in the fear of the Lord, and to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Having espoused the cause of the Methodist New Connexion, which was then in its infancy, and believing it to be of God, he became an ardent admirer of its principles, and laboured to the utmost of his ability to maintain its discipline, and to promote its prosperity. He was not a man given to change, but was stedfast and immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Having received what he believed to be the truth as it is in Jesus, he did not suffer himself to be carried away with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. He held fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast unto the end.

Some time after his conversion, he was recommended to the quarterly meeting as a proper person to be engaged as an exhorter, and was received accordingly. Afterwards, his name was placed on the Plan as a local preacher. In this department of usefulness he was very laborious, both at home and in many parts of the Circuit. He had frequently to occupy the pulpit at Stapleford, when the preacher who was appointed did not attend, and in addition to fulfilling his appointments on the Plan, he preached from time to time at Sandiacre, Ilkeston, Heanor and Derby, and wherever he had an opportunity of so doing. The good resulting from his labours will only be fully revealed on the last great day. His liberality in supporting the cause of God will be acknowledged by all who knew him. It was such as to shew that he was ardently attached to it, and that he fervently desired its prosperity. He was remarkably punctual in attending to all his engagements, and these were not a few; for he sustained the important offices of Society and Trust Steward, Sabbath-school Teacher, Class-leader and Localpreacher; indeed, he was ready for every good work. To his zeal, enterprise and liberality, connected with the laudable efforts of others of a kindred spirit, may, under God, be attributed the respectable position now occupied by our Community at Stapleford. The high estimation in which he held the ministers of the Gospel is well known, and many can testify concerning his anxiety to promote their welfare.

It would be wrong to say that our Brother was without faults, nor is it the intention of the writer to hold him forth as an example of perfection. Of his imperfections, he was deeply conscious, and like all other good men, he frequently mourned on account of them. But whatever his failings might be, his brethren believed him to be sincere and upright, aiming to glorify God, and to promote the salvation of men. The high estimation in which he was held is seen from the fact of his being chosen three times to represent this Circuit in Conference, viz., in the years 1817, 1822, and 1834. Here it may be proper to insert the following testimony to his zealous character, Christian liberality, and persevering efforts, borne by our worthy and highly esteemed friend Mr. Sutton. "Our brother Atkin," says Mr. S. was a warm-hearted Christian, always ready to respond to the call of duty, and cheerfully making use of the talent God had committed to him, for the benefit and service of the Church. For many years he discharged the onerous duties connected with the office of Steward of this extensive Circuit. To his cautious counsels and unwearied exertions in seasons of difficulty and depression, this Circuit has on several occasions, been deeply indebted. In the Stapleford Society he personally set an example of liberality,

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provoking his brethen to love and good works, and then coming to the quarterly meetings, would shew to the officers and representatives of the Societies what Stapleford had done, and thus stimulate them to make corresponding exertions for the support of a preached Gospel. He had nothing of despondency in his nature or disposition. Onward was his motto, and to his untiring efforts, under the blessing of heaven, may be mainly attributed the building up of the Derby Society into the head of a prosperous and advancing Circuit. His activity, his zeal, and tried attachment to the cause of Christ, induced the friends in Nottingham, in 1816, to solicit him to become one of the original trustees of the present chapel, only three of whom survive him. Firm in friendship, judicious in counsel, zealous in effort, full of faith and good works, our deceased Brother, in these respects, set an example worthy of imitation. Having fulfilled the work his Lord and Master gave him to do, when no longer permitted to labour, he cheerfully and patiently suffered and endured, and is now gone to his reward; he has 'entered into the rest which remaineth for the people of God.'"

Our Brother suffered long and severely from an asthma. For several winters prior to his death he was confined at home, and for the last eighteen months was unable to lead his class. Occasionally, when the weather was very fine and mild, he might be seen going up to the house of the Lord, and while worshipping there, might be observed leaning on the top of his staff. As he advanced towards the gates of death, it is believed that his soul progressed in holiness, and thus acquired a meetness for the kingdom of heaven. He bore his long and painful affliction with Christian resignation, being enabled to say "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." "Not my will, but thine, O God, be done." One who had frequent opportunities of visiting him in his affliction, speaks to the following effect. "I always found him having an eye to the recompense of reward. There were certainly not those bursts of rapture and of ecstatic joy which have marked the experience of some, but I always found him with a well-founded hope of glory, trusting entirely to the blood of atonement for salvation and eternal life." On the Sabbath on which he died, he was visited by several of his Christian friends, but owing to the great pain which he felt he was scarcely able to converse with them. In the afternoon he rose, but seemed very much inclined to sleep. He again retired about nine o'clock, and two hours after, without any apprehension on the part of his friends that his end was so near, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, March 22nd, 1846, in the seventy-second year of his age, having belonged to our community nearly forty-nine years. His death was improved at Stapleford by the Rev. S. Jones, and at Nottingham by the Rev. W. Mills. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit; they rest from their labours, and their works follow them."

Nottingham.

T. RIDGE.

[P.S.-It is deeply regretted by the writer that a more particular and interesting account of our deceased friend could not be furnished. The deficiency arises from his not having left any papers from which to collect the requisite information, and from no other source could it be obtained; of such materials as have been supplied the writer has made the best use within his power.-T. R.]

DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.

THOUGHTS ON OUR JUBILEE.

BY THE REV. P. J. WRIGHT.

The deeply interesting fact that the present year is our year of Jubilee ought not to be regarded coolly, ought not to be treated lightly, ought not to be spoken of with apathy and unconcern. Every allusion which is made to it ought to excite serious thoughts, grateful feelings, and generous intentions. We regard that section of the Church of Christ to which we belong, as our spiritual home; we profess to love it, and we often say that we feel strongly interested in its prosperity. If soand our professions are not mockery and falsehood-we should hail its jubilee with joyous emotions, and render suitable thanksgivings and vows to the Keeper of Israel, for its preservation and well-being these fifty years in the wilderness.

The dispensation under which we live is emphatically designated the dispensation of the Spirit. This emphatic designation is full of meaning. It indicates that the existing economy is vastly superior to the economy which has passed away. It indicates that we possess privileges which the ancient people of God did not enjoy; that we are favoured with unspeakably precious blessings of which the Jews were utterly destitute. Mercies of highest worth involve weightiest obligations. Where much is given, much is required. If God has given us more than He gave the Jews, He doubtless expects of us not a less, not an equal merely, but a larger repayment of gratitude. Under the olden economy, the people of God were commanded, in grateful acknowledgment of their manifold mercies, to keep a sabbath of days, a sabbath of years, and a jubilee of fifty years. Under the new economy no command is given, save that which relates to the sabbath of days. But the free nature, the liberty-breathing spirit of the Gospel dispensation, does not exempt us from the discharge of our numerous and weighty obligations. The difference is this-and O! it is a fine and exciting difference-formerly the adoring recognition of blessings was compulsory, now it is voluntary. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. He does not bind us in relation to the time, the manner, and the extent of our thankful expressions and offerings. He gives ample scope for the freest and fullest outgush of gratitude; and He expects us to cry out "When and what shall we render unto the Lord for all the benefits He has conferred upon us?" Seeing that the Jews, with privileges inferior to ours, remembered the loving-kindness of the Lord, and kept a joyful jubilee every fiftieth year, no period can be more suitable than the present for the rendering of grateful offerings by ourselves unto God, our benefactor.

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Among the Jews the year of Jubilee was kept holy. The people were required to hallow the fiftieth year. They were to set it apart for sacred purposes. A jubilee shall the fiftieth year be unto you; ye shall neither sow nor reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather in it the grapes of the undressed vines, for it is the jubilee, it shall be holy unto you. And if ye inquire what shall we eat in the fiftieth year, behold we shall not sow nor gather in our increase? thus saith the Lord, I will command my blessing upon you in the nine and fortieth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years." In obeying the command of

God they would find the path of duty to be the path of safety. God would give them all things richly to enjoy, while they rested from toil, and spent the year in sacred exercises and rejoicings.

Holiness unto the Lord should be inscribed on our year of jubilee. We should sanctify it in our hearts and lives. We should be careful to maintain good works; and so let our light shine before men, that they seeing our good works, may feel constrained to glorify our heavenly Father. If ever we lived near to God, made diligent use of the means of grace, and walked worthy of our high vocation,-we should do so this year. The will of God concerning us is, that from day to day, through the whole of our jubilee year, we should "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks."

Among the Jews the jubilee trumpet was sounded. The jubilee trumpet was made of beaten silver. Its length was little less than a cubit.

It had a narrow tube or pipe, somewhat thicker than a common flute. Its mouth was only wide enough to be blown into, and its end was like that of a modern trumpet. It was blown by none but the priests, and its tones, heightened in effect by the good news they sounded forth, were confessedly, most pleasant, most musical.

The blowing of the trumpet of Jubilee was typical of the blowing of the Gospel trumpet. The silver trumpet was blown in the hearing of the Jews on many occasions, but on the occasion of the jubilee it was blown with more than ordinary interest and pleasure. In like manner, with more than usual joyousness in this our year of jubilee, do your ministers uplift the Gospel trumpet, and sound its entrancing music on your ears. To you that believe, its thrilling notes, calling you to rejoice with exceeding great joy, to be grateful for mercies without number, to love, adore, and serve your Saviour and your God, are sweeter far than the most charming sounds of earthly minstrelsy.

Among the Jews the jubilee trumpet was sounded on the day of atonement. The great day of atonement was the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. On this day the high priest killed a bullock as an atonement for the sins of himself, and of his house. He then killed a goat as an atonement for the sins of the whole of the children of Israel. Having sprinkled the blood of these sin-offerings on the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat, in the holy of holies, he confessed the sins of the people over the head of a live goat, which was afterwards led away into the wilderness, and the people were assured by this symbolic act, that they were reconciled to God. When these solemn and impressive rites had been attended to, on the day of atonement, in the year of jubilee, and Jehovah shone forth graciously from between the cherubim on the multitudes of Israel, the silver trumpet was sounded, filling the land with high and holy gladness.

Ere the apostles went forth to sound the trumpet of grace on the ears of all nations, the great atonement had been made in the shedding of the blood of Christ on Calvary, for the sins of the whole world. The blood of Christ avails for us in this our year of jubilee. It has lost none of its efficacy. And though it reminds us of our guilt and unworthiness, it indicates that our guilt is expiated, and that mercy is as free as the air we breathe. Because Christ has died, and His blood still speaks in our behalf before the throne of God, the Gospel trumpet is sounded with a loud, inviting, and delightsome voice. Among the Jews a proclamation was made in the year of jubilee. The proclamation attested throughout the land that all who had been in slavery or bond service were released