THE IMPERIAL MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1831.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, D.D.

(With a Portrait.)

THERE is scarcely a more difficult task that can fall to the lot of a biographer, than to write memoirs of living characters. This is more particularly the case, when the subject of his sketch is nearly silent on the events of his life; when, of retired and unobtrusive habits, he shuns public observation,

and

"Along the cool sequestered vale of life,
Pursues the noiseless tenor of his way."

Pious, but popular ministers of the gospel, with whose early history, developing the progress of their mental attainments, and the varied means through which they pursued the paths that conducted them to eminence, the world is anxious to become acquainted, are in general of the most inaccessible character. To this, two causes perhaps conspire. Aware, on the one hand, that a censorious generation is ever ready to impute frankness to an improper motive, they hesitate to comply even with the solicitations of friendship on all topics which respect themselves, lest it should look like egotism; while, on the contrary, entertaining lowly views of their acquirements, they find little or nothing to meet that laudable curiosity, which, from these almost only genuine sources of biographical truth, seeks after innocent gratification.

Every one, however, must be aware, that although dates, and prominent facts, are essential ingredients in biographical narration, a thousand nameless incidents and occurrences are always needful, to give completion to the picture we wish to draw. These anecdotes and incidents, though trifling in themselves, and in their detached form scarcely worthy of notice, assume a very different character when combined. They throw a freshness over the general delineation, and give it an interest which more prominent occurrences are unable to excite.

In its extended outline, the biography of individuals, moving in a similar sphere of life, is much the same. Hence repetition creates monotony, and novelty in character is always diminished by resemblance. It is to the minute circumstances of individuality that variety is indebted for nearly all its charms; and when these fail, interest languishes, attention grows careless, and excitement ceases to stimulate.

Every observer of our common nature, as displayed in the character of individuals, must know, that the destinies of human life frequently depend upon incidents and events that appear in themselves insignificant, and almost contemptible; and it is only when we perceive the effects produced, and the consequences to which they lead, that we look back in retrospection, and contemplate their importance. In the lives of men who have wielded the fate of nations, this truth is abundantly apparent; but in all the descending links of human society the same principles are invariably at work, although, from our ignorance of causes and effects, we are frequently unable to trace their connexions.

2D. SERIES, NO. 2.-VOL. I.

H

146.-VOL. XIII.

To the eminence, as a gospel minister, which the Rev. Joseph Fletcher has attained, there can be no doubt, that many trifling circumstances in the early history of his life, have essentially contributed. To these, however, we can have no access. Many of these, perhaps even to himself, might have been unobserved when passing; many others may have been forgotten; and such as are remembered, no hand but that which modesty renders unwilling, can draw from

"Their death-like silence and their dread repose."

We must, therefore, be content to form this sketch of this highly esteemed servant of Christ, from such scanty materials, as inquiry, observation, and an estimate of character, have enabled us to procure.

The Rev. JOSEPH FLETCHER was born in Chester, in the year 1784, of parents who knew the value of education, and were blessed with the means of imparting a liberal portion of it to their son; but with their particular situation in life we are not acquainted. The early life of Mr. Fletcher is also equally unknown, and perhaps it furnished nothing but the common occurrences which mark the character of youth.

Advancing from the elementary principles of learning, Mr. Fletcher obtained a classical education in the city of his nativity, in a seminary, of which he was a pupil for several years. Having passed in this place through the common routine of scholastic instruction, and acquired such principles of general knowledge as prepared him for further acquisitions, in his eighteenth year he was removed to Hoxton College. In this academy he remained about two years, improving his mind by study, and gathering information from lectures, conversation, and other means of instruction..

This, however, was only preparatory to another step, which he was very shortly about to take. Already had he resolved to devote himself to the ministry among the dissenting branches of the community, and to this point all his future movements tended. In the year 1804 he went to the university of Glasgow, where he remained about three years, preparing himself for the momentous charge he was speedily to undertake. In 1807 he graduated in this university, taking his degree of A.M., and during the same year quitted the "academic groves," and was ordained to the pastoral charge of the congregational church at Blackburn. Here he remained many years, displaying talents of no ordinary character, and presiding over an affectionate people, to whom his ministry had been peculiarly blessed.

In the year 1816 the Blackburn academy was instituted; and from Mr. Fletcher's extensive acquaintance with literature in general, and more particularly with those branches which were immediately connected with theological subjects, the views of the directors were turned to him, as every way qualified to become its Divinity tutor. Of this important office he deliberately accepted, but without resigning his pastoral charge. His duties now became more arduous than ever; and no one in the least acquainted with the stations he was called to fill, and the awful responsibility attached to his official situation, can for a moment suspect that he had entered on a life of inactivity.

In this joint situation of pastor and tutor, Mr. Fletcher remained until the year 1822, when some occasions calling him to the metropolis, he was invited to fill the pulpit in the chapel at Stepney Green, in the suburbs of London, then vacant by the recent death of the Rev. Mr. Ford, the established pastor. The powerful talents, amiable spirit, and evangelical principles displayed by Mr. Fletcher on these occasions, so operated on the minds of his hearers, that he shortly afterwards received a call from the church at Stepney to become their minister.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, D.D.

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This invitation, after due deliberation, Mr. Fletcher thought it his duty to accept. He accordingly resigned his united charges in Blackburn, and removed to Stepney, which is one of the oldest Congregational churches in England. In this place he has ever since remained stationary, preaching to a large and an affectionate congregation, and evincing his love for them in return, by using every exertion to promote their temporal and spiritual welfare. Of the exalted esteem in which Mr. Fletcher was held by his congregation and friends in Blackburn, some judgment may be formed from the consternation which the announcement of his intended removal occasioned, and the general sorrow which his approaching departure excited. Many efforts were made to induce him to alter his purpose, and still to detain him among the early fruits of his spiritual labours. Every exertion, however, proving unavailing, the painful separation took place with mutual affection, and nothing but a sense of duty on his part prevented it from being with mutual regret. From that period to the present, a friendly understanding, strengthened by occasional intercourse, has subsisted between the parties, accompanied with a sincere desire for each other's prosperity, in which it is pleasing to add they have been mutually gratified.

In theological sentiment Mr. Fletcher is decidedly evangelical; not as that term is sometimes applied, to conceal the abominable stench of antinomianism, but as a preacher of righteousness, leading his hearers to place all their dependence for salvation on the merits of a crucified Saviour, and to seek with earnestness the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, as that which can alone qualify the soul for the enjoyment of heaven. The doctrines thus taught have been productive of the most salutary effects among those by whom they have been embraced under his preaching. When he first came to Stepney, on the death of Mr. Ford, the church was in a languid condition, but under his fostering care, its spiritual energies have revived, and both blossoms and fruits have since appeared. His congregation is large and respectable; and, allured by his eloquence, and the spirituality of his addresses, his chapel is frequently visited by strangers who occasionally repair to the metropolis.

Nor is the fame of Mr. Fletcher's talents, or the high respect paid to the doctrines which he inculcates, confined merely to the congregation over which he presides. The university in which he graduated so early as 1807, has not been inattentive to his preaching, his principles, his character, and the manner in which he employs his time. În each of these respects the presiding members of this great seminary of learning have been so well satisfied, that in the month of December, 1830, he was honoured by the Senatus Academicus of the university of Glasgow, with the diploma of Doctor in Divinity. This mark of enviable distinction, although it will not make him a better preacher, or a better man, furnishes a decisive evidence of the high esteem in which the individual is held on whom it was conferred. In addition to his pulpit labours, Mr. Fletcher has rendered himself more extensively known through the medium of the press. The following list comprises his principal publications :

1. Lectures on the Principles and Institutions of the Roman Catholic Religion. 8vo. Three editions.

2. A Discourse on Personal Election and Divine Sovereignty. 8vo. Four editions.

3. A Discourse on Spirituality of Mind. 8vo. Two editions.

4. A Discourse on the Protestant Reformation. 8vo. Three editions.

5. A Discourse on the Prophecies concerning Antichrist.

6. A Discourse on the Unfulfilled Prophecies.

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THE WORSHIP OF GOD.

7. A Discourse on Congregational Nonconformity.

8. Three Discourses on the Revival of Religion.

9. A Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mr. Orme, of Camberwell.

10. An Address to the Rev. John Pyer, on his Designation to the Office of City Missionary by the Christian Instruction Society.

Of several other publications we apprehend Mr. Fletcher is the author, but their names not having reached us, we conclude they are out of print.

To most benevolent institutions this excellent minister has always proved himself a steady friend. The Home Missionary Society finds in him an active and indefatigable secretary; and on the platform he has always. appeared as an able and zealous advocate, when either benevolence or religion required his aid. On these latter occasions his eloquence and arguments never fail to command attention, and to produce a sensible effect.

Of Mr. Fletcher's countenance, the Portrait which accompanies this memoir will furnish a faithful representation; and from the few observations which this biographical sketch contains, an estimate may be formed of his character as a Christian minister, an author, and a man. Equally averse to detraction and fulsome panegyric, we have aimed at fidelity in this delineation, and, confident that we have not been altogether unsuccessful, this sketch is cheerfully submitted to the impartial judgment of our readers.

THE WORSHIP OF GOD. BY THE REV. J. YOUNG.

"Persons entertain a most erroneous idea, who imagine that the sermon is a principal part of public worship. In point of fact, it is no part of worship. Worship is an act of homage, of reverence, of praise, or of supplication, addressed from a creature to the Creator. "- Dr. Raffles on Public Worship.

"WORSHIP God, (Rev. xxii. 9,) is the peremptory command, or gracious invitation of the Holy Scriptures. Of the reasonableness of such duty, or the advantages of such privilege, a single question, we apprehend, cannot exist in the mind of any thinking individual.

But while an unhesitating admission of its obligation and advantage may be verbally yielded, a cheerful obedience, or ready attention to it, is not so easily obtained. Various reasons might be assigned for the existence of the lamentable fact, at which we have now hinted; but to arrive at once at the positive cause, appears somewhat more difficult. No doubt can be entertained, that the primary cause must be traced to the depravity of the human heart, the fatal alienation of the soul in all its affections from the supreme and exclusive Source of felicity; and hence arises a consequent disobedience to his known command, and unfeeling disregard of his approbation and

favour.

From this principle flow those moral and pestilential streams by which the world, notwithstanding all its improvements, continues to be so extensively and fearfully deluged; hence, too, the correctness of the gloomy statement made by the apostle, "The carnal mind is enmity against God: it is not subject to the law of God." There is in its fallen state a moral incapacity to perform what is nevertheless an obligation and a duty.

While, however, it is allowed that the fall of man, and his consequent depravity, are the primary cause of the lamentable disregard which exists to the worship of the Divine Being; there are minor causes flowing therefrom, which it appears desirable to notice, in order, if possible, to their removal. And, perhaps, among the variety which might be enumerated, none is more prominent than ignorance, or misconception of what really constitutes the worship of God; or, in what that worship consists. To this it is proposed briefly to direct your attention.

The worship of God is one of the highest engagements to which a creature can be raised. It is that which brings him into close and most awful contact with his Maker; and places him, while in the present state, in the nearest possible union with the innumerable hosts who surround the throne of the Eternal, and who ceaselessly pour forth the swelling anthem of praise to Him who has redeemed them, and made them kings and priests unto God.

Worship is a cheerful, rational, and spiritual exercise, by which we supplicate, adore, and praise; and hence, an act perfectly dissimilar, and, infinitely superior to the mere formal services too generally bearing that appellation.

It is a lamentable, and but too general a fact, that the very means which God has been pleased to institute for the purpose of

THE WORSHIP OF GOD.