Memoir of the life and correspondence of the Rev. William Lavers, late of Honiton, Devon

Front matter

MEMOIR

OF

THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

Preface

Or the divers modes in which truth may be represented, that of biography has ever proved peculiarly impressive; since it arrests the attention, and chains the heart of the reader, by awakening in his soul the sympathies of our common nature, and insensibly leading him to associate with the subject of the narrative, the principles he professed, and the result which those principles produced.

The propriety of laying before the public a biographical sketch of any man occupying a comparatively humble station, is at least doubtful, if there be nothing remarkable in the subject: if he be a Minister, it is decidedly objectionable, unless his doctrine be so pure, and his conduct so blameless, that he may safely be held up as a model for imitation. Whether the character exhibited in these pages will be found to comport with such a standard, and whether the tendency of his writings to promote the true happiness of his fellow men will more than compensate for the absence of adscititious ornament, is confidently submitted to the candid and reflecting reader.

True delineations of devoted and useful men are valuable, as affording additional evidence of the power and grace of God, and as calculated to call forth lively gratitude to " the Giver of every good and perfect gift;" since on every successive monument of the Redeemer's power to save, the imperishable motto is inscribed, " To the praise of the glory of his grace!" Nor can a doubt be reasonably entertained

VU1 PREFACE.

of their tendency to produce a salutary influence on the mind, either from a grateful sense of kindred feeling, or from the bitterness of a contrasted experience.

May not a hope likewise be cherished, that some young readers of this record of early piety, may thereby be induced to consecrate the prime of their days to the Lord, who claims the first-fruits as peculiarly his own 1 that such as are called to suffer for righteousness' sake may he consoled and encouraged by a recital of God's gracious dealings towards his faithful and tried servant? and that those in humble life may learn from the example herein exhibited, how they may become truly wise and honourable, and instruments of extensive good?

No mere teaching is so instructive as a bright and consistent example ; hence the aphorism, " Either teach not at all, or teach by living:" neither is anything so well calculated to convince men of the practicability of living the Christian, as acquaintance with characters eminent for exalted piety. It were easy to cite the authority of distinguished theologians ' and moralists in confirmation of this truth ; but an illustration from the pen of Professor Campbell will suffice, as at once conclusive on that point, and as appositely describing the design proposed in the following memoir: "If," says the Doctor, " in order to avoid some imminent danger, or to attain some valuable end, I must climb some steep and craggy mountain, whose summit is to appearance inaccessible ; or must pursue my way through some lone and dreary desert ; do but show me the prints of a human foot, or rather point out others who have successfully engaged in the same arduous enterprise, and I shall sooner be prevailed upon to attempt it, than by a thousand arguments."

Since it may be proper, from a becoming regard to public opinion, to offer some reasons which induced the writer to prepare this Memoir, he shuns not to express a conviction that the constraining principles were the glory of God, and the welfare of immortal souls ; whilst an intimate knowledge

PREFACE. ix

of the character and manner of life of the subject of the narrative, together with the possession of numerous documents, appeared in the light of a talent, for the faithful employment of which he was deeply responsible.

To those friends whose communications have enabled the Editor to constitute the subject of the memoir, in no small degree, his own biographer, he tenders his grateful acknowledgments.

It remains only to commit the work to the blessing of God, and the prayers of the faithful : and to state, that whatever profit may accrue from its publication will be devoted to the cause of Christian Missions.

Preface To The Second Edition

This Second Edition is, at the suggestion of several friends, submitted to the public in a somewhat compressed form, with a view to a more extended circulation. Each sentiment still bears the impress of the subject of the memoir, whilst needless repetition has been avoided, and inaccuracies have been corrected. If, happily, a perusal of this little volume be attended with profit to the reader, the Editor earnestly solicits an interest in his prayers for the blessing of that gracious Being to rest upon it,

" Whose frown can disappoint the proudest strain, Whose approbation prosper even mine."

June \Sth, 184S.

Contents

Page CHAPTER I.

Early life of Mr. Lavers. — His conversion to God, with the persecution it excited. — His banishment from the paternal roof. — His appointment as a Local Preacher. — Commencement of his labours, and his favourable reception 1

Chapter II

His call to the ministry. — He is instrumental in erecting a Chapel in his native village. — His appointment to Dartmouth.— His call to labour at Ashburton. — His removal to Maidstone 10

Chapter III

Extracts from Mr. Lavers's Journal and Correspondence whilst in the Maidstone Circuit 41

Chapter IV

Mr. Lavers is appointed to the Dover Circuit. — His diversified labours, with some instances of success. — A Minister's sick chamber. — Narrative of a Backslider restored — Interview with a young Scotsman. — Tribute to the memory of an old disciple 72

Chapter V

Kxtracts from Mr. Lavers's Correspondence whilst in the Hover Circuit lO.'l

XII CONTENTS.

Page CHAPTER VI.

Mr. Lavers visits London. — He retires from the Itinerancy in consequence of ill-health. — His zeal and efforts for usefulness. — He is instrumental in forming a Society at Norwood. — His partial recovery, and his labours in the Dartmouth Circuit. — Extracts from his Correspondence .. 124

Chapter VII

Mr. Lavers's appointment to Ottery St. Mary's, near Exeter. — His efforts for the revival of the cause at Honiton. — His marriage, and subsequent removal to Ottery. — Extracts from his Correspondence 151

Chapter VIII

Mr. Lavers ministers at Ottery St. Mary's. — Some remarkable seals to his labours. — He proves instrumental in obtaining a Chapel at Honiton. — His health declining, he removes to that town ; and, after visiting Kent, settles at Honiton. — Extracts from his Correspondence 165

Chapter IX

Mr. Lavers takes the charge of the society at Honiton. — His declining health. — Extracts from his Correspondence.— Some particulars of his last severe illness and triumphant death. — Tributes to his memory and worth. . . . 201

MEMOIR

REV. WILLIAM LAYERS.

Chapter I

Early life of Mr. Lavers. — His conversion to God, with the persecution it excited. — His banishment from the paternal roof. — His appointment as a Local Preacher. — Commencement of his labours, and his favourable reception.

It may safely be asserted, that of all the fruits of biography, as well as of friendship,

" The fruit most fair Is virtue kindling at a rival fire."

There is something peculiarly encouraging in tracing the progress of individuals who, like the subject of the following memoir, have risen, by the weight of moral and spiritual excellence, from an obscure station to one the most honourable and useful in society, that of a faithful Minister of the Gospel of Christ. From the character here presented to their view, Christians in humble life may anticipate what the grace of God can enable them to effect by an entire and unhesitating dedication of all their powers to the glory of their Creator, and the service of mankind.

The career of this servant of Christ was short, for his sun went down at noon : but if it be viewed in the light of revelation, it will prove to have been sufficiently long and brilliant to guide the Christian pilgrim to Mount

Zion. And, surely, to creatures of a day, and yet the heirs of immortality, his early tomb may convey an important admonition ; since, if it be allowed that he trod some valleys which we may not be called to pass through, assuredly the valley of the shadow of death is not one of them.

Mr. Richard Lavers, the father of the subject of this memoir, was a respectable farmer, whose habits of regularity and persevering industry enabled him, by the blessing of Providence, to bring up a large family with credit, and to procure for them such moderate advantages of education as the vicinity of his residence afforded.

William Lavers, his youngest son, was born at Blackauton, near Dartmouth, in Devonshire, on the 14th of January, 1797- There were at least two periods during his infancy when his life was in imminent danger. To one of these he occasionally referred, as an instance in proof of a particular providence.

The week following that in which he had been baptized, his two brothers who had been present on the occasion, conceived the idea of again realizing the pleasure they had enjoyed in witnessing the ceremony, by performing it themselves in a somewhat similar manner. Having found a favourable opportunity, they carried their brother to the pump, and poured the water upon him in so copious a measure, that had not their mother rescued him at that critical moment, his life must have fallen a sacrifice to that innate but often dangerous propensity in children, the love of imitation.

He has been described by one of his relatives as distinguished, when very young, by an open and prepossessing countenance, which proved the index to an amiable and engaging disposition. It has also been remarked by the same individual, that at an early period he gave indications of an intelligent and reflecting mind, and manifested considerable aptitude in learning, although his advantages were few, having been early removed from his favourite pursuits to assist in the farm, for which occupation his father appears to have designed him.

Concurrent testimony establishes the fact, that from a very early period of life William Lavers became the subject of serious impressions ; and he has himself observed, that so far as memory could retrace the days of childhood, there had been seasons when, with more or less distinctness, thoughts of death and of eternity engaged his mind, producing mixed emotions of pleasure and of dread.

The free grace of God, and the fidelity of his youthful servant to the measure of light imparted, will appear more conspicuously when we refer to the unfavourable circumstances by which he was surrounded.

The pure light of the Gospel had not illumined the vicinity of his father's dwelling ; no Sunday-school with zealous Teachers had risen to instruct its youth in the way of salvation; nor was the lamp of scriptural truth nor the light of a holy example exhibited under the paternal roof, to dispel the moral darkness, and afford the best supply for the absence of pastoral and catechetical instruction. His infant ear never listened to the precepts of the Gospel from a mother's lips, nor was he allured to accept its invitations by the powerful influence of maternal love ; no father, blending a wise restraint with winning kindness, led him to recognise a Father in heaven ; his ear was not saluted betimes with the voice of joy and of thanksgiving, which is in the dwellings of the righteous ; nor did he witness those blessed fruits of the Spirit which convert them into the porch of heaven. But that love which far surpasses a father's watchful care and a nursing mother's tenderness, visited and preserved him when as yet he knew it not, until it secured his best affections, and early bound him a willing disciple to the cross.

From a tender age he experienced much pleasure in accompanying his parents to church, where the singing particularly engaged his attention ; and in that part of the service he joined with apparent earnestness.

One of the earliest motions of the Holy Spirit on his heart, which he could distinctly recollect, was connected with his hearing a lady highly commend Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress;" which induced a desire to possess the work, and a resolve to purchase it as soon as he was able. The next indication of an incipient work of grace was, that there were seasons when he felt convictions that all was not right within, that some change was needful, and that religion was a subject of such importance as justly to demand serious consideration and inquiry. These reflections were not inoperative, as they led him frequently to withdraw from his thoughtless companions, that he might occupy some portion of his time in reading the word of God and in prayer. He now began to remonstrate with his young playfellows on any impropriety he observed in their conversation or behaviour, and to admonish them, chiefly in Scripture language. He could remember feeling an interest, even from his childhood, in attending funerals at the parish church, where the peculiar solemnity of the burial-service became from time to time increasingly affecting and impressive, and the solemn echo of that sublime and appropriate Scripture, " I am the resurrection and the life," never failed to excite a peculiarity and intensity of feeling which he was unable to describe, and for which he could not account.

When about the age of sixteen, a circumstance occured which, though apparently trivial, was fraught with consequences the most momentous ; since it eventually led, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to that decisive change in sentiment and conduct designated in the Scriptures, " the new birth," which proved the foundation of Mr. Lavers's exalted character and extensive usefulness.

Early one morning, a milk-woman, passing by his father's house, arrested William's attention by exclaiming, " Now is the time to save your souls ; for there is a Methodist in the town, preaching with all his might." He no sooner heard the welcome sound, than he set off for the place which she had pointed out. On entering the room he contrived to get as close to the Minister as he could, and so powerful was the impression made upon his mind by his benign countenance, and the deep strain of fervent piety which flowed from his lips, that young Lavers eyed him with admiration and astonishment as though he were of a superior order of beings, and not one of earthly mould. His discourse was founded on Acts xxiv. 25 : " Go thy way for this time ; when I have a convenient season, I will send for thee."

The fervency of the Minister's manner riveted his attention. He thought as he listened that he was the person particularly addressed, and his whole frame shook with fear and apprehension, whilst he conceived that the Minister's eye was constantly fixed upon him. Notwithstanding these painful convictions, he found his heart insensibly drawn towards him, so that had he been invited, he felt he could have followed him to any part of the world. Unhappily the young convert neglected to cherish these serious impressions, and to follow the dictates of an enlightened conscience : no marvel, therefore, that his volatile spirit again sought enjoyment amongst his worldly associates. The convictions he then received, however, were never from that interesting era entirely effaced : and when, as was his custom, he rose early to pray, read his Bible, and Baxter's " Saints' Rest," which had lately been put into his hands, his former feelings and resolutions revived.

After the lapse of some months, having risen early one morning for the purposes of devotion, the thought suddenly darted into his mind that the fair would be held that day : he immediately felt powerfully tempted to visit that scene of carnal merriment, notwithstanding the remonstrances of conscience. Had he at once resisted, crying to the Lord for strength, he had prevailed ; but he parleyed with the tempter, and consequently fell.

It has been well said, that indecision stands like a door half open, and tempts the tempter ; whilst resolution bolts the door, and, by resisting, causes him to flee. Ignorant of the devices of Satan, and neglecting the duty of self-examination, he had imperceptibly departed in heart from the living God ; the heavenly visitant had doubtless been grieved, and the strong man armed had, previously to that unhappy morning, regained somewhat of his former ascendancy.

Resolved to transgress, although conscious that the eye of God was upon him, he yet dreaded the observation of a pious neighbour,, to whom he had frequently communicated his religious experience. Satan, having fc gained his assent to this act of transgression, now assisted him in its execution, by suggesting that if he associated with a party who were enlisted in the same service, he should escape detection in the crowd. But although he eluded the observation of his neighbour, he soon found he could not run away from himself, nor escape the reproaches of conscience. He had scarcely reached the place, when he pungently felt that the way of transgressors is hard ; for the judgment of God appeared to follow him, and he feared every moment lest the ground should open and swallow him up. He soon returned in agony of spirit, ashamed and confounded ; nor could he find courage to relieve his mind by telling his convictions to the pious friend whom he had so recently deceived.

From this time, we are informed there was manifest declension in his experience : his attention to secret duties, although at no period wholly given up, was considerably relaxed ; and he once more endeavoured to find happiness in the company of his former gay and thoughtless companions. In this hazardous condition he appears to have continued for many months, the subject of that alternation of feeling which, except the heart be hardened and grown callous by wilful and reiterated transgression, is the ordinary experience of such as are gradually departing from the Lord. At some seasons, conscience, resuming her seat, wrote self-condemnation on his conduct and dissatisfaction on every object from which he sought delusive pleasure ; at others, the value of the favour of God, and the calm delight connected with the pursuit of true religion, beamed upon his mind with somewhat of their former brightness. >

At this critical juncture, God, who is rich in mercy, excited in the hearts of some of his faithful followers a lively interest in behalf of this stray sheep, leading them to the adoption of those means which proved successful in restoring him again to the fold, and in effecting a union both with the chief Shepherd and with the flock, which proved decisive and permanent. A relative, residing at Dartmouth, meeting him one day in the village, in an affectionate but solemn tone accosted him with the inquiry, "William, do you ever pray ?" and proceeded to warn him of the dangerous consequences of indecision, of the evil of light and worldly company, and concluded by earnestly entreating him at once to renounce the world and sin, and to seek his happiness in God. This kind and forcible address, given by one who felt and manifested the power and blessedness of the course he recommended, made a deep impression on William's heart ; and he returned home to meditate seriously on his condition, and to implore the grace of God to enable him to put in practice the resolution he had formed of henceforth making the salvation of his soul his one great object.

The light that had partially illumined the mind of this returning prodigal, and which, had he walked in it, would sooner have dissipated the remaining darkness, now penetrated the secrets of his heart, manifesting to him his real character. Being led to examine his condition by the unerring rule of Scripture, he discovered, to his shame and grief, that he was lost and ruined. That Spirit "which searcheth all things," caused him to feel that, although he had experienced compunction for sin, had become reformed in conduct, and had attended to the duties of religion, he was still in a state of condemnation, and justly exposed to God's righteous indignation. He saw that his future life, even although it should be one of perfect obedience to the law of God, could never atone for a single transgression, or entitle him to the divine favour. But he also discovered that the curse he had justly incurred had fallen on the head of his Divine Surety ; that " the Lord had laid upon him the iniquity of us all ;" and that through faith in his all-sufficient atonement, and through that alone, he might find pardon and peace , with God.

He at the same time perceived that in order to experience a complete salvation, he must be sanctified as well as justified ; and he was led to welcome the full provision made for that holiness, " without which no man shall see the Lord."

Although young Lavers had been previously the subject of strong convictions as well as of the drawings of the Spirit, he had not as yet learned " the exceeding sinfulness of sin ;" and when the sentence of condemnation was written on his heart, his distress became too poignant to be concealed, and his countenance and voice betrayed the agony within. His parents, ignorant of the source and nature of his sorrow, were no less grieved than astonished at his behaviour. In vain did he assure them that he was under no delusion, and urge with earnestness the necessity of fleeing from the wrath to come ; like righteous Lot, when warning his sons-in-law to escape from the destruction denounced on the cities of the plain, " he seemed to them as one that mocked."

The association of our ideas is so forcible, that we easily become the subjects of local attachment, as well as of aversion. Hence the spot where we first drew the vital air, or were shielded from some impending danger, receives from its connexion with those circumstances a peculiar charm, and is ever after identified in the mind with the benefit there imparted. No wonder, then, that the place where the captive to sin and Satan first listened to the glad tidings of a Deliverer, should

DO '

be endeared to him with an intensity of holy delight, analogous to that with which pious Simeon thought of the second temple, where he had taken in his arms the incarnate Saviour. When we also consider that in the gradations of love and esteem, the highest is awarded by the new disciple to him who has proved the instrument of his conversion, we shall cease to wonder that our young convert sought amongst the M'esleyans the communion of saints ; and that he soon became zealously attached both to the Ministers and to the Society.

Accordingly from this time he became exemplary for his diligent and serious attendance on the means of grace, and endeavoured to persuade his young companions and neighbours to bear him company. His cousin, who watched over him with tender solicitude, perceiving the increasing interest he manifested in the things of God, urged him, as a means of growing in grace and knowledge, to unite himself with the Lord's people. This kind friend, well knowing the difficulties which his young rolative would have to encounter, and that the greatest opposition might be expected from his own family, deemed it important that he should not be left to the danger which so many willingly incur, of B 5 standing alone in religion. He was affectionately urged to meet in class, whereby, in addition to the advice and encouragement of his fellow-members, he would secure the superintendence and prayers of a pious and experienced Leader. This judicious counsel he shortly after followed : and as the result, a deeper and more scriptural experience was soon apparent.

About this period, he one night awoke his brother, with lamentations expressive of the sorrow which at times still weighed upon his heart,, crying out, " O, brother, I am a great sinner ! Is there indeed mercy for me ? How shall I escape the judgment of God ? " Being overheard by his mother, she entered his room, when, instead of endeavouring to soothe and comfort him, she implored him to leave his serious ways and acquaintance, adding, " Your father and I expected some comfort in you ; but you are lately grown so grave and particular, you will scarcely do anything that we wish you." " My dear mother," replied this affectionate son, " I would willingly do anything in my power to » please you both, but I dare not risk the loss of my soul."

Mr. Lavers now began to enter experimentally into the meaning of that Scripture, " As many as will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution ; " and it will be readily conceived, whilst his faith and love supported him under poignant suffering for his attachment to the Lord and to his people, that it was rendered still more severe as proceeding from those whom he both loved and honoured. It appears to have been the climax of the Saviour's description of suffering for his sake, " A man's foes shall be they of his own household." (Matt. x. 36.)

Knowing submission to the will of his parents to be his duty, he yielded to them in every point which did not affect the welfare of his soul, but where that was concerned, he was fully resolved, by the grace of God, to act up to the dictates of his conscience. The threats of his father, and the tears and entreaties of his mother, who intimated that by the course he was pursuing he would bring the family to ruin, availed not to deter him for one moment from bis purpose, yet he felt the latter so keenly that he found his only safety in flight. The period now arrived when he was called upon to renounce his connexion with the people of God, or to sacrifice his present comforts and future prospects by banishment from his father's dwelling. Returning one evening from the chapel, he found the door closed against him ; and, after fruitless endeavours to gain admittance, was obliged to seek shelter under the hospitable roof of a friend who had kindly promised to receive him should his father carry his threats into execution. Even then, and for many years after, a high sense of duty led him studiously to conceal the unkind treatment he had received ; nor would any motive, short of affording comfort and encouragement to such as may be called to make a similar sacrifice, have induced the mention of it even at so remote a period. Being accustomed to no other occupation than that of assisting his father in the farm, as occasion required, he must have felt most keenly his destitute condition on being thus cruelly expelled from his home. But so graciously did the Lord cause the consolations of his Spirit to abound in this trying ordeal, that he has been heard to say he experienced at that critical period a happiness of which till then he had no conception ; his joy was full, and his cup ran over with blesssing ; so that he could with propriety adopt the language of the poet, —

" New songs of praise my lips employ, And dances my glad heart for joy."

When the clouds are surcharged with rain, they empty themselves on the parched earth ; and when the soul is filled with the love of Christ, it pants to distil it on the fallow ground of the sinner's heart. Hence this young convert was found on the day following his banishment, reading the Bible and praying with a cottager's family in the neighbourhood. An aged man, whose steps Providence had directed there, listened with deep attention, and entreated him to call the next day at the same hour. This led to similar invitations, and he was soon engaged in visiting from house to house, to expound the word of God and pray with the inmates.

That God whose favour he highly prized, and in whose service he delighted, appeared so manifestly for him in providence, that he had occasion to appropriate the language of the Psalmist, " When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." Relations previously unmindful of him, proved such real friends in this time of need, that one justly observed, " That was a good day on which William joined the Methodists ;" nor was this goodness limited to the supply of his individual wants, but, as will appear in the sequel, he was blessed with the means of assisting his parents when reduced in their old age by a reverse of fortune.

Mr. Lavers was about nineteen years of age when he fully united himself to the Methodist society. He was naturally of a sanguine temperament, and possessed great decision of character ; qualities which, sanctified by the Spirit of God, laid the foundation for his high attainments in religion and subsequent ministerial success. He now began to take a part in meetings for prayer and religious exercises with an earnestness and zeal which arrested the attention and excited the expectations of many.

Early in the year 1816, a Local Preacher in the Dartmouth circuit witnessing with delight his spirit of zeal and devotion, sent for him, with the twofold purpose of giving him some employment, and of forming a more correct judgment of his qualifications for further usefulness. The opinion he entertained that Mr. Lavers possessed talents for the ministry was soon confirmed by the intercourse thus afforded him. He invited a few serious persons to his house, and informed his young friend that he must preach there that evening : to this mandate, finding no denial would be taken, he hesitatingly assented. The little company being assembled, he attempted for the first time to address them, in a connected discourse, from Eph. ii. 8, " For by grace ye are saved, through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God." A favourable impression was made on the minds of those ' present, and Mr. Lavers was encouraged to proceed in a work most dear to his heart, and for the prosecution of which the Lord had prepared his way. His sphere as an exhorter soon became enlarged ; and the Lord did not suffer his word to fall to the ground.