Memoir of Mrs. John West, who died at Chettle, Dorset, March 23, 1839.

Front matter

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Contents

PREFACES IX

LETTERS TO HER SON .... 9

TO HER DAUGHTER . . .34

Index To The Poems

All-beauteous flower thou art All here is deceptive, and empty, and vain And wilt thou now forsake me, Lord Away from my children Come, Holy Spirit, come Forget thee, forget thee, my sweet Caroline For him no more the violet sweet In all my restless weariness I've wandered far, I've wandered long- Jesus, thou art the sinner's friend Jesu, thy love alone can bless Lord of hosts, and King of kings My God, I own thy sentence just My Saviour, my Saviour, I fly Not the rudest wind that blows Not with thy rod O God, thou most high Oh ! I long to be free from pain O Lord my God, when thou art near O Lord my God to thee belong Oh ! look intently forward Oh ! many a friend before me Oh ! many a joyous morn my love Oh ! tell me, hast thou ever known Oh ! the shadows of earth Oh ! when shall I close these eyes Oh ! where dost thou come from There is a feeling of regret The damp dews of death Though life is all a fleeting show Why should I for happiness pant What are all the joys of earth . What is this calm holy dawning

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. 147 . 134

Preface To The First Edition

The following Memoir is drawn up principally from the original papers and letters of the deceased ; and it will be found, it is believed, to pourtray the character of no common Christian, and a mind of no common order.

It is hoped, that the first letters written to a part of her family, will not be found uninteresting to the general reader. They would not, however, have been given to the public, but in the expectation that they might be read in families, where under like circumstances young persons are leaving their parental roof, for the completion of their education. They shew the tender anxiety and affectionate watchfulness of a mother's care in bringing up, and directing her children in the way to obtain their best happiness ; but the letters will speak for themselves, and the reader will find in them an affectionate correspondence, recording the joys and sorrows of a feeling heart.

It will be seen, that her character was formed under the influential principles of the Gospel of Christ ; that she

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manifested those principles in the most attractive form of genuine Christianity, throughout much suffering affliction ; that she was a bright example of the Christian faith ; and that amidst many trials in the loss of six children, whom she most affectionately loved, she was habitually, and in no ordinary degree, a cheerful happy Christian, and departed this life with an assurance of hope in Jesus of a glorious immortality.

Chettle Parsonage, April 20, 1840.

Preface To The Second Edition

The Author has been much gratified with the favourable reception the First Edition of this work has met with from the Public ; and in publishing another Edition, he has sought to make the volume more interesting and valuable, by some additional letters and poetry. Among the very many testimonies in favour of the Memoir, a highly-esteemed minister writes — " I am thankful indeed that the Memoir has been published ; I would not be without it, nor have the Church without it on any consideration. It is edifying and consoling to the highest degree. God grant, of his infinite mercy, and for the Lord Jesu's sake, that we may be enabled, when our hour comes, to triumph over the last sickness, and the last enemy, in the same way that the dear subject of the Memoir did, and by the same power."

Chettle, Nov. 1, 1841.

MEMOIR.

The greatly esteemed and lamented subject of this Memoir, was the daughter of the Reverend Christopher Atkinson, M. A. formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, from whence he was elected Fellow and Tutor of Trinity Hall, in the same university.

On his marriage in the year 1785, with Miss Leycester, daughter of Sir Peter Byrne Leycester, Bart, of Tabley House, Cheshire, and sister of Sir John Fleming Leycester, Bart., the late Lord De Tabley, he took the curacy of Bolton-Percy in Yorkshire ; having been previously presented by the Master and Fellows of Trinity Hall, to the Living of Wethersfleld, in the county of Essex, where he became resident in the year 1792.

In the spring of 1795, he died there of typhus fever, supposed to have been taken when visiting one of his parishioners : leaving a young family of six children, two sons and four daughters.

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Harriet, the second daughter, was born at Bolton-Percy, on the 22nd of March, 1789, and married the writer of this Memoir, in the year 1807, twelve years after her father's decease.

In giving this usual detail of birth and parentage, I may mention that her father, when resident in Cambridge, and Incumbent of good old Bishop Latimer's church, St. Edward's, was the means of fostering the early religious sentiments of Mr. Simeon, then an undergraduate of King's College, who was seen standing in the aisle on each returning sabbath, as his devout and attentive hearer; and this faithful servant of God began his faithful preaching of the gospel of Christ, under which so many have risen up and called him blessed, as Mr. Atkinson's assistant in good old Latimer's pulpit.

Mr. Simeon says, (in one of his posthumous papers, kindly afforded to the author,) " the way in which I became acquainted with Mr. Atkinson was this. I had endeavoured to find out some minister who preached those truths which I loved and delighted in ; and I attended at St. Mary's for a long time to but little purpose. At last I heard Mr. A. at St. Edward's, and he came nearer to the truth than any'one else that I could hear. I therefore, from the time that I became a Fellow of King's, attended regularly at his church. Being the only gownsman that attended there, I rather wandered he did not take any notice of me. I thought that, if I were a minister and saw a young gownsman attending as regularly and devoutly as I did, 1 should invite him to come and see me ; and I determined if he should do so, I would avail myself of the opportunity to get acquainted with him. At last he did invite me to come and drink tea with him, and invited Mr. D. an artist, to come and meet me. The conversation did not take an useful turn, for Mr. D. was not what I should call a religious man, and we parted without any profitable communication of our sentiments. In a few days I invited Mr. A. to come and sup with me, and asked Mr. D. to meet him. It happened that he could not come, so that Mr. Atkinson and I were t4te a t4te. I soon dropped some expressions, which conveyed the idea of my feeling myself a poor guilty, helpless sinner ; and Mr. A. was quite surprised ; for he had set it down as a matter of course, that I must be a staunch pharisee. He had even, for the whole space of time that I had been at college, noticed my solemn and reverent behaviour at St. Mary's, and had concluded, as three of his pious friends had also done, that I was actuated by a proud pharisaical spirit ; when therefore he found that I was of a very different complexion, he manifested an union of heart with me, and introduced me the very next day to an excellent man, Mr. John Venn. Here

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I found a man after my own heart, a man for whom I have retained the most unfeigned love to his last moments, and of whom I shall ever retain the most affectionate remembrance ; he, the Rev. J. Venn, soon took me over to Yelling, and introduced me to a man of no ordinary character, — his own dear and honoured father, Oh ! what an acquisition was this ! In this aged minister I found a father, an instructor, and a most bright example ; and I shall have reason to adore my God to all eternity for the benefit of his acquaintance. This blessed man had often heard his son speak of the singular gownsman of King's College, and had advised him to get acquainted with him : but God, no doubt for wise and gracious reasons, had kept far from me all spiritual acquaintance, by which means he made it to appear the more clearly, that his work in me was " not of man, or by man, but of God alone." Being now acquainted with Mr. Atkinson, I undertook the care of his church during the long vacation, and I have reason to hope some good was done there. In the space of a month or six weeks, the church became quite crowded ; the Lord's table was attended by three times the usual number of communicants, and a wind and a stir was among the dry bones." These circumstances, however, seem to have been a source of annoyance to the parish clerk, who (as Mr. Simeon used to relate the anecdote with much glee) greeted Mr. Atkinson on his return, saying, " Oh, Sir, how glad we be to see you back again ; for now there will be room for the people to sit down ; for since you have been gone, Sir, there has been no room scarcely to sit or stand in the church."

There is no doubt an efficacy in the prayer of parents, who supplicate the throne of grace with deep interest for the spiritual welfare of their children, which sooner or later will be realized. " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." They may meet with many discouraging circumstances in the education of their children, and trials may occur that may make the heart of the righteous sad for a season, yet the promises to those who " bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," are most encouraging. " I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring." Isa. xliv. 3. " The promise is unto you, and to your children." Acts xi. 39.

The subject of these pages was a child of many prayers, and losing an affectionate father in early life, the care of her education naturally devolved upon her mother, who possessed a strong and highly accomplished mind, and felt and taught the great importance of a sound scriptural education. It is due to her memory to mention, that she might have introduced her children, through her high family connections, (and was often solicited to do so, by her brother, then Sir John Leycester, who was at that time living in the leading circles of fashionable life,) into a much promising world. She knew, however, its vortex of delusion, and was anxious that they should not place their youthful confidence in it for happiness; and often in the family, and by the way, she would point out to them, that however attractive in its appearance, and fascinating in its distinctions and gaiety of pleasure, the world was only calculated to disappoint the expectations of its most ardent admirers, while it mocked the simplicity of inexperienced and unsuspecting youth.

With these just and correct views, she sought an education for her children, that would lead them to a source of happiness beyond what the world could afford. The accomplishments of life were not neglected ; but they were only attended to with a view to usefulness of character, under the full conviction of mind that they were but temporary ; while one maxim of moral wisdom, — l one sound religious principle, received, and brought forth into practice, goes forth and travels with us into eternity.'

Harriet was ever beloved in the family for her warm affectionate disposition, and varied intellectual powers, and grew up all that an affectionate parent could wish. There was a mildness and gentleness of manner, a native elegance of mind, with a simplicity and meekness of character, which won upon almost all with whom she conversed, and which has embalmed her memory in the remembrance of many friends, who in after life enjoyed her friendship, and esteemed her very highly as a bright example in the Christian faith.

It seems that her mind was very early impressed, through the domestic education which she received, with the importance of divine truth ; and that from youth up, she was led to see the evil of sin, and become afraid of offending God ; while she had a child-like dependence on his promised pardon and acceptance through the redeeming love of Christ. This appears from a memorandum found among her papers, which she made upon reading (during her last illness) a book which for the most part she greatly admired. " Erskine on the Freeness of the Gospel," which gives a very interesting account of the conversion of a young man who died at St. Helena, stating that " his faith appeared to have no mixture of imperfection in it, for he simply and sincerely took for granted all that God said in his word." " This, she noted, is my case ; I have never doubted the love of God to me, from the time I was first led in early life to seek him, and trust in his promised salvation."

As a mother, she was wholly devoted to the education and welfare of her children ; and amidst the numerous duties of the household, always found time for their daily instruction, as they successively claimed her attention. Her ability to communicate knowledge in an affectionate manner to children was remarkable ; and (let it not be thought that I am merely writing a panegyric on her character,) by her unwearied, most self-denying and tender care, she succeeded in gaining that hold on the affections of her family which gave her the greatest power, as the means of fixing in their hearts those religious principles which were nearest her own. And in training up her children in the way in which they should go, she ever cherished the hope that they would be found steadily pursuing the path of truth, and that hereafter she should hail them before the throne of Him who has given one of the most encouraging promises in the Bible to young persons ; — " Those that seek me early shall find me." Prov. viii. 17. And who, when he was Upon the earth, said with tender regard to children of the earliest age, " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Mark x. 14.

John Rowland, the eldest, was a much treasured child from his infancy, and from the earliest dawn of reason, one of fondly-cherished expectations. Her strong parental affection, however, did not lead her to overlook the human heart, as the seat of those little passions which were apparent in the infant at the breast. She combated them with the most affectionate playfulness and tenderness, and began to instruct him almost as soon as he could speak ; nor was she disappointed in her fondly-cherished hopes as to his future character. She lived to see him attain the distinction of fourth wrangler in the university of Cambridge, afterwards elected Fellow of Clare Hall, and presented by the Master and Fellows of that society to the living of Wrawby-cum-Brigg, in the county of Lincoln : but the mother's pleasure was most of all seen, when with tears of gratitude she heard him preach, as the faithful minister of Christ.

The following letters will show with what affectionate solicitude she watched over his rising years, on his first leaving home for school, and during the period of his residence at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Letter I

My dear, dear John, I shall not attempt to tell you what I feel at this separation, because it would only pain you ; but I wish for you every hour, and every moment. Your constant attention to all my wishes, even from your infancy, has rendered you very, very b 5 dear to me, and indeed, were I not fully persuaded that I should not be fulfilling my duty to you as a parent, by keeping you any longer at home, I never could have made up my mind to part with you : and now, my dearest boy, my only comfort night and morning is, in committing you altogether into the hands of your heavenly Father. May he abundantly bless you, and teach your young heart to love him. Oh, my dear child, never forget to pray earnestly night and morning for his blessing ; pray for his Holy Spirit to teach you, and to guide you, and to keep you from sin. Try to remember all I have said to you about your behaviour to your master and to your schoolfellows ; to the former be respectful and attentive, never deceive him, or let any thing induce you to say what is not strictly true, I think I need not say be diligent, for I feel sure that you will be so ; to your schoolfellows, be kind and obliging, and never be persuaded to do any thing that you feel to be wrong ; do not forget me and your dear father in your prayers.

Your truly affectionate Mother,

H. W.

Aldershott, March, 1822.

Letter II

My dearest John, I received your letter yesterday, and I bless God that you are well and comfortable. Do not be discouraged, my dear boy, at finding Homer difficult at first ; if you remember, Xenophon puzzled you a good deal when you first began to read it, and how soon it became easy to you ! so I doubt not it will be with Homer ; only apply to it in good earnest, and difficulties will soon vanish. I never knew you apply to any thing yet with all the powers of your mind that you did not soon master ; so take courage, my boy, have confidence in your own strength, I mean as to Latin and Greek, &c. aye, and writing English too — you fail in that more from being afraid of writing down what comes into your mind than any other cause. Throw away your lines too, it is a bad habit, depend upon it ; — never mind if you do write all across the paper at first, I will excuse it. Do you never find any time for Hebrew ? what Latin books are you reading ? do you want any French books to construe — shall I send you a Telemaque ? what do you do in your play -hours-— walk out or play ? a hundred more questions I could ask you, but only remember, that any thing and every thing from you will interest me : and so you need never be at a loss for a subject to write about. Well, my dear boy, once more, — God bless you. If a mother's prayers can avail to bring down blessings on a child, you will be blessed ; for mine are daily and fervently offered up for you, and that you may be kept from sin, and led to shun every evil way. Oh ! that in your youth, you may have grace given you to turn to God with all your heart. Always accustom yourself to think of me as your best and dearest friend, with your dear father, and believe me,

Your ever affectionate mother,

H. W.

Alder shott, April, 1822.

Letter III

My very dear John, You are this day so much in my thoughts that I must write to you, as I cannot see you. Your letters give me unmixed pleasure. — I have no greater joy than to see my children growing up in the fear of the Lord ; and you, my jirst-bom son, the child of my fondest hopes, of my earliest solicitude, 'twas you who first awakened a mother's love in my heart, and while that heart continues to beat, you will possess a very large share of all its hopes ; and not till the last sigh, shall I cease to pray for you. Yes, my beloved boy, most earnestly indeed do both your father and myself unite with you in your prayers at a throne of grace.

This day you complete your nineteenth year ; this day, a new year opens to you, and it is to you an important period of your life. How thankful am I to find you expressing yourself as aware of this, and also of your own weakness without the assistance of the Spirit of God. It is only in feeling our weakness that we are safe, for then we are led to flee to the Rock which is higher than us, uttering the petition of the Psalmist, " Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." This is a prayer which we need use daily ; while I rejoice over you, my dear John, as a child of God, one whom I trust God the Spirit has sealed to the day of redemption; one in whom, I do trust, the work of grace is begun, and in whom, it shall go on till grace is perfected in glory ; let me intreat you now, at the commencement of what to you is a new year, to enter by prayer into an engagement as it were with God, to devote yourself to him, in body, soul, and spirit; plead his promises — " Those that seek me early shall find me," &c. Though you know yourself to be unworthy of the least of all his mercies, yet plead with him for Jesus Chrises sake, that he will receive you as his own ransomed, adopted, beloved child, and enable you to love and serve him truly all the days of your life. You will indeed find this kind of surrender of yourself to God very delightful, and it will be a great means of strengthening you in every good feeling, and in every good word and work. One thing I particularly beg — but perhaps you do already make a practice of it — You rise very early, let your first and freshest moments be devoted to God, begin the day with reading a portion of his ivord, if only a part of a chapter, you will find it good and profitable to you. Do this, and then pray, before you leave your room. You will feel the impression go with you through the day, — and try to persuade Mr. H. to do the same. Has he got a Bible ? if not, make him a present of one.

I am quite satisfied with what you tell me of the progress you have made in your studies this month ; indeed I think it a great point gained ; the discovery which you have made yourself, of the necessity of a critical knowledge of Latin and Greek. You will now gain ground solidly in your studies ; do not try to do too much, but what you do, do thoroughly. If you try too much, you will remember nothing, and confuse yourself. My dear child, may the blessing of God rest upon you in all its fulness, in all its richness. Oh ! if a mother's prayers avail, if a mother's blessing avails, you have them both in their fullest extent, — my blessing and your dear father's blessing rest upon you wherever you are ; what more can I say ? if you are Christ's, and Christ is your's, my most anxious wishes are satisfied, — all is your's, and all in time, and eternity shall be well with you,

Believe me, Your truly affectionate mother, H. W.

Letter IV

My dear John, You cannot tell how glad we all were to hear of your safe arrival at Cambridge ; and I cannot but feel thankful, that so far, every thing seems to have been ordered for you by an over-ruling providence according to my wishes : — and now may God so strengthen you, by his Spirit, that you may be enabled to hold fast your profession ; and to persevere in the path of righteousness, for his name's sake, — for your own soul's sake, and may I not add for your parents' sake, whose prayers ascend daily to a throne of grace in your behalf, and who are now waiting with much interest to see in you the fulfilment of their fondest hopes. Write to me very soon, and tell me how you like a college life. We laughed heartily at the account which you gave of yourself as a Freshman, in going to chapel, with the arm left out of the surplice, &c. &c. I was pleased, and thankful, that you had courage to speak as you did to the person you mention ; always do so, my dear boy, when occasion calls for it. It would be a good plan to invite the person so objecting to the preacher, and forming so hasty a judgment, to come with you and hear for himself, by which means you might be of use to him. Never let a morning pass without earnestly imploring the Divine assistance for that day especially, that you may be prepared for any unforeseen temptation ; — and never be ashamed to confess Christ before men, that at the last day he may not be ashamed of you.

Tell C. firmly, though kindly, that unless he alters his mode of living, you cannot associate with him, — your own character would suffer, if you are seen with him ; this must not be, — your dear father is more anxious about you, than he is wont to be ; he knows so well the temptations and snares to which you may be exposed. May God in his mercy and love watch over you, strengthen and preserve you every day, and each moment of the day. I have written and enclosed a letter to Mr. Simeon, which I wish you to call with yourself. He will be kind, and enter into conversation with you : be very fearless and open with him ; it is the way to gain his friendship, which may be of great value to you. — Ever believe me in life, or in death.

Your truly affectionate mother, H. W.

Chettle, October 20th, 1827.

Letter V

My beloved and very dear son, I have thought more of you than usual, since the reception of your last, and have suffered some perplexity of mind respecting the tendency of your studies, and whether it can be right to persevere in reading for honours. I confess, however much I had lamented that the studies at Cambridge should be so exclusive of that one study which alone can be worthy of the whole energy of the mind ; yet I had made up my mind, that seeing things were so, it was your path of duty to press forward in your literary pursuits, in order to fit yourself for any station in after life to which the providence of God might lead ; or in which you might be most usefully employed for his glory. I see from your expressions in your last letters, that you are perplexed in your own mind in this matter. Why not speak of your perplexity to Mr. Simeon; I am quite sure he would rejoice in giving you his advice. This seems to me however the straight-forward path for you, as far as I am capable of judging. You can hardly afford to act exactly as if you had an independency. Cecil used to say to his children, and it is your dear father's sentiment, — " Do something, — have a profession, — be eminent in it, — make yourself independent.'''' But in saying this, remember I would never have you so pursue your classical and mathematical studies, as to lead you to forget God your Saviour. Your first thoughts should be His. Devote the early hour of the morning to Him, in reading your bible, or some portion of a sound religious book, and in prayer ; this would give your mind a devotional feeling, and your studies would be pursued in a different frame of mind through the day. Then again, the last hour, or half hour at least, should be devoted to God ; which would turn the course of your thoughts and feelings ; and so take off the effects of your daily studies as you retired to rest. You should strive also, very often in the course of the day, to lift up your heart in short ejaculatory prayer, which perhaps as much as any thing keeps the heart right with God. Neither should you suffer your studies to injure your health. Neither sit up too late, this is decidedly bad : and be sure to take regular exercise. I know perfectly well it is easier to advise than to act, — but this I mean to say, — so far as you can pursue your studies, consistently with what you owe to God, to your own soul, and to your bodily health, pursue them, but no farther. I quite agree with you that they must be a secondary concern. I have suffered much in my health for some months past ; but have got through the severe winter pretty well. I cannot express what a longing desire I have to see you again. Oh my child, you can form no idea, how fondly my heart loves you, — may God bless you, ever more and more.