THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1858.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM JONES.

BY THE REV. C. ATKINSON.

IT is the duty of the church to memorialize its ministers, especially those who have been ornaments to their sacred office, by diligence, uprightness, and usefulness for a long period; and it is desirable that they should leave behind them leading facts to aid in their memorialization, for the edification and guidance of those who are left behind. In the life of Mr. Jones there was but little variety. What he was at the commencement of one year, he was at the beginning of the next, except that in his personal religious experience and knowledge he continued to progress, his path being that of the just, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The following particulars have

been obtained from the most reliable source.

Mr. Jones was a native of Holywell, Flintshire, North Wales, and was born on the 18th July, 1785, and was the youngest of five sons. At the early age of two years he sustained an irreparable loss in the death of his mothér-a loss which he often deeply regretted, as by it he was deprived of a tender parent's watchful care and maternal solicitude, and, to a certain degree, of that religious training so favourable to youth. His father was a churchman, and, by his strict morality, obtained a name, and established his character as a tradesman; and, as a resident, he was highly respected by all who knew him, for his intelligence, his amiability, and suavity of manners. When our dear brother had attained somewhere about the age of fourteen years, by the opening and direction of Providence the family removed to Liverpool, which, to him, proved the turning point of his life; for there he was clearly convinced, and savingly converted. He was directed to our Zion chapel, where he became a stated worshipper. The late Rev Edward Oakes was the minister under whom he heard words by which, through the application of the Spirit of God, he was awakened to a sense of his transgressions, and was brought to humiliation, confession, and decision. The truth gradually entered his heart, and distilled gently as the descending dew on the new mown grass; and, though he could not say, "At such an hour my chains fell off," he could say, "I know in whom I have believed;" "My Beloved is mine, and I am his." So regular a worshipper, and so sedate a young man,

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could not pass without observation; he received an invitation, which he at once accepted, to join the class of the late Mr. Hanmer, of whose consistent piety, and fatherly counsels, he retained a lively and affectionate remembrance to the close of life. That excellent man had a flourishing and numerous flock to tend, which went on to increase until it numbered at least sixty members. It was at length agreed to divide it, and my excellent friend, with a few others, formed the nucleus of a new class, which, through the divine blessing, greatly prospered.

In the year 1806 the late Rev. Richard Watson was appointed to our Liverpool circuit, and remained there for four successive years. This was hailed by Mr. Jones with delight, for under his ministry his assurance of his change was greatly confirmed, and his heart established in grace. It was his habit, at the close of the public service, to return home by the most retired path to avoid entering into conversation, so that he might not be deprived of the savour or the matter of the discourse. He had the happiness of being taken partially under Mr. Watson's care, and of receiving instruction and encouragement from him.

About this time he became a teacher in the Sabbath school, and was regular in his attendance, and conscientious in the performance of its duties. He was also taken on the prayer-leaders' plan, which had then registered a good staff, and a number of houses in different parts of the town were supplied each Sabbath evening after public worship. From his ability in public prayer, in which he would occasionally give a word of exhortation, it was thought proper to place him on trial as a local preacher and, after exercising his talents to the profit of his hearers, and the satisfaction of the circuit, he was placed in the ranks of a local brother in full plan. He had not been long in this position before Mr. Watson and the church urged him to give up his secular business, and devote himself wholly to the ministry, which, after mature deliberation, he consented to do, but was unwilling to leave his father, who was then in a state of great feebleness. At his demise, however, he willingly acceded to the call of the church; and, at the Conference, was appointed to a circuit; nor did he ever afterwards regret this step, although, in the state of our circuits at that time, there were long journies, of eight, ten, and even more miles to appointments, and, from necessity, he had to return late at night; numerous services on the Sabbath, besides administering the sacraments, holding love feasts, and meeting classes for tickets.

Mr. Jones's first regular appointment was at Leeds, in connection with the late Rev. Wm. Driver. This was a happy commencement; for no part of the Connexion had more pious, liberal, and hospitable friends, nor anywhere did the preachers meet with a more cordial welcome. He laboured with great pleasure to himself, and acceptability to the people in all parts of that then extensive circuit. His next circuit was Bolton. In 1812 he went to North Shields, where he was well received; but his stay was short, owing to his appointment to superintend our infant cause at Glasgow, where he laboured for eighteen months. His preaching was duly appreciated, his judicious management greatly promoted the interests of the society, and through God's blessing attending his ministrations its numbers were doubled. From

Glasgow he removed, in 1815, to Nottingham, where he passed two happy years. He was an inmate of the family of the late Charles Sutton, Esq., Forest House, and was treated with very great kindness. Mrs. Sutton possessed a highly cultivated mind, was a deeply pious woman, who, when once known, was greatly beloved for the fine traits of character reflected by her. From her he received many tokens of esteem, and was greatly edified by her conversations.

Here my acquaintance with my excellent brother commenced, being appointed to labour together, and I found him to be an instructive colleague, kind and courteous; his company and conversation were agreeable and interesting. He was not simply acceptable to the people, but was very popular, and thought to be one of the most promising young men travelling in our Connexion. This opinion was held by the Suttons, Huddlestones, Salthouses, Bradleys, Barnsdales, and others, who spoke of him in terms of esteem and high eulogium; but better than this, he was useful, and had many visible seals to his ministry, many of which were unknown to him until the next Conference at Nottingham, when at the love feast several rose up to speak, and referred to Mr. Jones as the means, under God, of their conversion, Among these was the late Rev. Wm. Burrows, whose praise is in all our churches, and whose loss to the ministry is deeply deplored by all who knew his worth.

On Mr. Jones's removal from Nottingham to Chester, we again became colleagues. This was hailed with pleasure by us both. Our knowledge of, and affection for each other, by this appointment was increased. I found him to be a man of intelligence, piety, and discretion, and he greatly aided me in the business of the circuit. He was highly esteemed in the country, as well as the city-diligent, laborious, and punctual, and a man of order. He was at his duty in all weathers, and I know not that he omitted a single preaching appointment throughout the year we remained together. The union that commenced with esteem, and was cemented by love, has continued for more than forty years; and, although it has pleased God to remove him, and leave me a little longer in the wilderness, I cherish his memory with pleasing and tender emotions. Huddersfield and Halifax were his next appointments, and he continued to rise in the estimation and good opinion of his friends.

We now come to an epoch in his history on which much was pendant for blessing or otherwise. Being stationed at Dewsbury, and occasionally visiting Leeds, he became more intimately acquainted with the family of the late Mr. Saville, who, for more than fifty years, was a diligent and unwearied local preacher in our community, and was in labours more abundant than all. My good friend having offered himself to Frances, the eldest daughter, was accepted, and, in due time, Miss Saville became Mrs. Jones. Mrs. Saville being a woman of superior mental powers, sweet disposition, and deep piety, she imparted to her children a sound religious education, and thus, through grace, her daughter was well prepared for honourably sustaining the high and important position of a minister's wife. She was affectionate, obedient, peaceful, and patient. Although called to sustain serious affliction for many years, they were very happy in their union; and she is now left to deplore the loss of her earthly protector, and one of the most

sympathizing and affectionate husbands. She, however, sorrows not as those without hope, for she is solaced with the blissful assurance of abiding reunion in heaven.

In the year 1821 he was appointed to London. Here he continued two years, and found comfort and encouragement in his labours, although the circuit was then, and for a number of years afterwards, in a depressed and drooping state. It was indeed the day of small and feeble things; but a pleasing change has been experienced-the cords of our Zion, in that important sphere, are being lengthened. God is pouring out his Spirit from on high, and the desert is becoming as a fruitful field. Here my dear brother met with his kind and generous preceptor, the Rev. Richard Watson, who was then at the Mission House. He expressed his great pleasure at meeting with Mr. Jones; and, as a proof of his continued good wishes, presented him with the first volume of his "Institutes," which had just issued from the press. Mr. Jones's next remove was to Barnsley; and here he was disadvantageously situated, for he had to work the circuit without a colleague. The journeys were frequent and long, and the services on the Sabbath very fatiguing; but the friends were sympathizing and hospitable, and God blessed him with health of body and mind. He was full of vigour, and laboured with energy and most encouraging success, and left them with blessings on his head. A few years subsequently he was appointed to them again, when he was received with much pleasure; and after spending other two years of useful labour, he left that plain, but warm-hearted people, with many grateful remembrances.

From Barnsley he went to Macclesfield, and then to Birmingham, where he had for a colleague his son in the Gospel, the Rev. W. Burrows, in connection with whom a pleasing incident may be recorded. On one Sabbath, an individual was powerfully convinced of sin under the preaching of Mr. Burrows, and on the following Sabbath was brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of God whilst sitting under Mr. Jones. Here he passed three very happy years; and, during his stay, had the pleasure of seeing the circuit divided, and Dudley made the head of another circuit. His next stations were the Potteries, Sunderland, Barnsley (the second time), Nottingham (second time), with his esteemed brethren in the ministry, the Rev. J. Livingston and A. Lynn, senior, and then to Yarmouth. In 1839 he was appointed the second time to the Chester circuit, to reside at Hawarden, at which place, like some other parts of the Connexion, our cause had become all but a wreck, through the false teaching and example of the first heretical, and then infidel Barker. Mr. Jones, himself, had endured much from his insubordination some years before when in the north. However, the Conference, in its wisdom, thought proper to send Mr. Jones to that locality, hoping, no doubt, that by his known judicious management, and kind and conciliating disposition, he might be able to pour oil upon the troubled waters; and, through the blessing of God, some who had espoused the cause of the false prophet were convinced of their folly; and one of Barker's strongest adherents, and a leader, in a conversation with Mr. Jones, confessed that he was so powerfully impressed with a sense of his error, that he trembled lest, as a punishment, the candlestick should be removed out of its