[Memoirs of the life and ministry of the late Rev. Thomas Spencer

Front matter

Class

Book - w j ■•

ML.

Chap. I

The Parentage of Mr. Spencer 3

His early Couvictions of Sin 5

Inclination to the Ministry 7

Diligence in the Acquisition of Knowledge 8

He works at his Father's Business 11

Chap. II. His Removal to London 14

His Deportment, and Exercis«s of his Mind during his Residence in the Poultry 15

Is introduced to the Notice of Thomas Wilson, Esq 17

Is placed under the Care of the Rev. Mr. Hurdle, of Harwich 18

Letter IX. — To the same. His spiritual Privileges at Harwich

and his Manner of improving them. Thoughts

on ' the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man

availeth much. 1 His Experience in Divine

Things 47

Letter X. — To the same. He congratulates and admonishes his Friend on his immediate Prospect of the Ministry. State of Religion in his Soul, &c. &c. &c. 51

Letter XI. — To the same. Reviews the Dealings of Divine

Providence with them, &c. Difference between

natural and moral Inability. Encourages his

Frieudin preaching at the Poor-house. Answers

to the Questions, ' How do you prove the Existence of a God from the Light of iNature ?' ' How

do you prove the Scriptures to have been faithfully

conveyed to us? 1 and, ' What Proof have you

that Man was at first created righteous and holy?' 58

Letter XII. — To the same. On his joining a Church

Anticipates the Pleasure of studying with his Friend at Hoxton. On the Hebrew Points 67

Letter XIII— To the same. Anticipates with anxiety his Examination at Hoxton, and the Difficulties be would meet with when there 71

Mr. Hoi-die's Testimony to Mr. Spencer's Character and Talents 77

Mr. Spencer's grateful Acknowledgment of Mr. Hordle's Kindness 78

Letter XIV. — To Thomas Wilson, Esq. with an Account of his Experience — his Motives for desirivig the Ministry — and his Views of Divine Truth 80

He is admitted a Student at Hoxton 84

Part II

FROM HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE ACADEMY AT KOXTONj TO HIS SETTLEMENT AT LIVERPOOL.

CHAP. I. His Advantages on entering the Academy 86

His Diligence 88

Preaches his first Sermon at Collier's End 89

Preaches frequently in the Villages in the Neighbourhood of

Hertford 91

Advantages and Disadvantages of early Exercises in Preaching 93 Preaches his first Sermon in his native Town 96

CONTENTS. IX,

Chap. II. page

Mr. Spencer preaches his first Sermon at Hoxton 101

Becomes the Topic of general Discourse in and about London 103

Preaches at various Places in the Country 105

Visits Brighton 108

Visits Dorking for the Recovery of his Health Ill

Letter XV. — To Mr. George Medley 113

Chap. III

Letter XVI. — To Mr. John Haddon. His Regret at the

Loss of his Friend's Society 115

His Labours at Jewin Street 119

Letter XVII. — To Mr. John Haddon. Deplores the natural Levity of his Disposition, and solicits the

Fidelity of Friendship 120

Letter XVUI.— To the same. His filial Duty 123

He visits his Friends at Hertford 124

Letter XIX. — To Mr. John Haddon. On Christian boldness 126

Letter XX. — To the same. His Acquiescence in the Arrangements of Providence 128

Letter XXI. — To Mrs. . Expresses Gratitude that his

Ministry had been made useful — and encourages

to Perseverance in the Ways of God 130

Letter XXII. — To Mr. John Haddon. Entreats the Prayers of his Friend for Grace to keep him from falling 135

Visits Cambridge H. K.White, &c 137

Letter XXIII.— To Mr. John Haddon. On Fluctuations

in Religious Experience 138

Letter XXIV.— To the same 140

Letter XXV. — To the same. On the declining State of his

Health 142

Letter XXVI.— To the same. His Labours at Brighton 144

Delivers an Oration at Hoxton 147

Letter XXVII. — To Mr John Haddon, His Feelings in

prospect of the above trying occasion 147

Chap. V. He visits Liverpool 1 59

Letter XXVIIT.— To Mr. John Haddon. On his Arrival

at Liverpool 162

Letter XXIX.— To Mr. George Medley 163

Letter XXX. — To Mr. John Haddon. Account of his

Labours in Liverpool , , , , 164

*. CONTENTS.

TT PAGE

He receives and accepts an unanimous Invitation to Liverpool 166 Letter XXXI. — To the Church, &c. His Answer to their

Call

Letter XXXII. — On the Exercises of his Mind with respect

to Liverpool 170

Mr. Spencer's Engagements and Views with respect to Tonbridge Chapel 373

Letter XXXIII.— To Mr. Aicholas Hurry] .......'. '. 175

Letter XXXIV— To Mr. William Harris. On nis* approaching Separation from his Friends 177

His last Visit to his Father's House .'. 179

Preaches his Farewell Sermon at Hoxton " " ] 180

Review of his Character, at the Period of his leaving London 182

Chap. I

His Spiritual and Intellectual Endowments for the Ministry 1SS Letter XXXV. — To Mr. John Haddon. His Prospects

of Usefulness in Liverpool 187

Letter XXXVI.— To the same. On the first Sabbath of

his stated Ministry 189

Letter XXXVII— To his Father. On the Attention excited by his Labours 190

Letter XXXVIII.— To A Minister. Thanks him for his

excellent Advice 192

Letter XXXIX — To Mr. John Haddon. He feels the

awful Responsibility of his Work 193

Is called by Affliction to Brighton 194

Letter XL. — To Mr. Harris. The Exercises of his Mind

at Brighton 195

Returns to Liverpool, and lays the first Stone of anew Chapel 197

He goes to. reside in Toxteth Park 198

Letter XLI. — To Mr. John Haddon. Describes his intended Residence 200

Is called to Chester, to deliver the Funeral Oration at the

Grave of his early Friend, the Rev. E. White. . 202

Letter XL1I. — To Mr, George Medley 203

Letter XL1II.— To Mr. John Haddon. On the above

mournful Occasion 205

Letter X LIV. — To the same. His Devotedness to his Work 209

Chap. II

Letter XLV. — To Thomas Wilson, Esq. Invites him to

his Ordination 211

CONTENTS XI.

PAGE

Is ordained 212

Letter XLVI. — To Mr. John Haddon. His unceasing

Exertions and growing Delight in the Ministry 217

Chap. IV. Circumstances of his Death 229

The Sympathy of the public Feeling excited by his Loss. . . . 234

The Testimonies of the public Prints to his Worth 235

The Funeral 236

Verses on the Death of the Rev. Thomas Spencer, by Mr.

James Montgomery 239

Appendix

No. I. — Regeneration ; a Sermon, on James i. 18 i.

No. IT. — Address at laying the first Stone of the new Chapel xix. No. III.— Funeral Oration delivered at the Grave of the

Rev. Thomas Spencer, by the Rev. J. Fletcher xxiv.

Introduction

SELDOM has a task so painfully arduous fallen to the lot of a biographer, as that which, in the mysterious providence of God, has unexpectedly devolved on me. The recollection of departed excellence which a long- series of years had developed and matured, is mingled with a melancholy feeling, and not unfrequently excites the tribute of a tear: but the individual who erects a monument to friendship, genius, usefulness, and piety, prematurely wrapt in the oblivion of the grave, must necessarily prosecute his mournful work with trembling hands, and with a bleeding heart, jtind yet the mind is soothed by the communication of its sorrow ; the bosom is relieved of an oppressive burthen while it tells the virtues of the friend it mourns; and the best feelings of the heart are satisfied with the conscious-

Z INTRODUCTION.

ness, that instead of indulging in solitude the luxury of unavailing grief, it has employed its powers to pourtray, in lively colours, for the improvement of the living, the excellencies of the beloved and pious dead. For myself, with mournful pleasure, I hasten to sketch the rude outline of one of the loveliest and most finished characters the present age has known : — pausing only to express my deep regret, that one so ripe for heaven, and yet so eminently useful upon earth, should be called from the important sphere he occupied, so soon; and that to hands so feeble should be committed, — together with the solemn trust which he resigned in death, the painful duty of erecting this monument to his worth.

jHemotrfi, $c.

Part I. From His Birth To His Entrance Into The Academy At Hoxton

CHAP. I.

The Parentage of Mr. Spencer. — His early Convictions of Siu. His Attachment to the Ministry. — His Diligence in the Acquisition of Knowledge. — He works at his Father's Business.

THE Reverend Thomas Spencer was born at Hertford, January 21, 1791. — He was the second son of parents, who, placed in the middle sphere of human life, were respectable for their piety, and highly esteemed in the circle in which a wise Providence had allotted them to move. It cannot be expected that any thing peculiarly interesting should mark the early childhood of a youth, retired from the observation of the world, and far removed from the influence of any of those circumstances which might be considered as favourable to the excitation of latent talent, or the display of early genius. And yet the years of his infancy and childhood were not undistinguished by intimations of a superior mind, from which a thoughtful observer might have been induced to augur something of his future eminence. He himself observes, in a hasty sketch of his life which now lies before me, — " As far back as I can recollect, my memory was complimented by many as being very retentive, and my progress in knowledge was more considerable than that of my school-fellows ; a natural curiosity and desire of knowledge, I think I may say, without vanity, distinguished even the period of my infancy. I now remember questions that I asked when about four years old, which were rather singular, and which were confined chiefly to biblical subjects. No child could be more attached to places of worship, or could be more inquisitive about their concerns than myself; and I may add, more given to imitate the actions of the minister and clerk."*

When he had completed his fifth year, he suffered the severest earthly privation a child can know, in the loss of an affectionate mother. Though he was then too young correctly to appreciate a parent's worth, he deeply felt the stroke ; and in the liveliest manner he recalls the impressions which, at that early period, this melancholy circumstance produced upon his tender mind. " When the funeral sermon was preached, I could not help noticing the grief which seemed to pervade every person present. Deeply affected myself, I recollect, that after the seryice, as I was walking about our little garden with my disconsolate father, I said to him, ' Father, what is the reason that so many people cried at the meeting this afternoon ? He, adapting his language to my comprehension, said, ' They cried to see little children like you without a mother."* This event, which shed so deep a gloom upon his family, seems to have excited emotions of a serious nature in his mind never totally effaced.

From this time he applied himself with diligence

• MS. Memoirs.

chap i. LIFE OF SPENCER. 5

and delight to the business of his school. There was at tins early age something amiable and engaging in his manners; and this, combined with his attention to his learning, soon secured the esteem and approbation of his respective teachers, and gained him, together with the first place and highest honours of his school, the character of " a good hoy." It is pleasing to mark the early combination of superior talent and sweetness of disposition in this extraordinary young man; and it would be well did the patrons of early genius more deeply ponder the reflection, that the graces of a meek and quiet spirit are far more estimable than the rare qualities of a prematurely vigorous mind ; and that the talents they cultivate with such anxious care, if unassociated with real excellence of soul, may render the idols of their fond adulation sources of anguish to themselves, and of incalculable mischief to mankind.

Whilst a school-boy he became passionately fond of novels, histories, adventures, &c. which he devoured with the greatest eagerness, in numbers truly astonishing. The perusal of these he always preferred to play and other amusements adapted to his years. He delighted much in solitude ; nor did he know a happiness superior to that of being alone, with one of his favourite books. He took no delight in the games of his companions, nor did he ever mingle in their little feuds. His natural levity, however, was excessive ; and his wit, i'ed by the publications he so ardently perused, would often display itself in impurity of language, to the laughter and amusement of his fellows. Yet he was not without his moments of serious reflection, and that of a very deep and dreadful kind. — He was often overwhelmed with religious considerations, and the solemn sermons he sometimes heard filled him with terror and alarm. So intolerable at one period were the horrors of his mind, that in an agony of despair, he was tempted,

6 LIFE OF SPENCER. rxRTJ.

as many have been before him r to destroy himself. — Thus at an early age he became intimately acquainted with the depravity of his nature ; and from the deep waters of spiritual distress through which he was called to pass, his soul imbibed an air of humility and a habit of watchfulness, which enabled him to meet with firmness the dangers of popularity, and to maintain a steady course, notwithstanding the press of sail he carried.

To these deep convictions of his early years may perhaps be traced the peculiarly pressing and empassioned manner of his address, when he strove to arouse the slumbering conscience, or direct the weary wanderer to the cross of Christ. The sacred poems and the passages of holy writ which most he loved, were those of a cast similar to that of his own fervent mind ; and I have heard many tell, with tears, of the animation and rapture with which he would often repeat from that beautiful hymn of Henry Kirke White, his favourite author, whom in many shades of character he much resembled, and alas I too much in his early and lamented fate —

" Once on the stormy seas I rode,

7 he storm was loud, the night was dark;

The ocean yawn'd, and rudely biow'd The wind that toss'd my found'riug bark.

Deep horror then my vitals froze;

Death-struck, I ceased the tide to stem,. When suddenly a star arose,

It was the star of Bethlehem.

It was my guide, my light, my all, It bade my dark forebodings cease ;

And thro' the storm of danger's thrall, It led me to the port of peace.

Now safely moor'd — my perils o'er, I'll sing' first in nights diadem,

For ever and for evermore.

The star!— the star of Bethlehem."

e*Ar. I. LIFE OF SPENCER. 7

The bias and inclination of his mind began at this early period to be disclosed. Preachers and preaching' seemed to occupy all his thoughts, and often he would exercise himself in addressing such domestic congregations as may be supposed to constitute the usual auditories of a child. Thus, in his earliest years, he displayed his fond attachment to the Christian ministry, and the first efforts of his infant mind were directed to that sublime and dignified profession, in which the capacities of his maturerage wers so brilliantly displayed. These infantine compositions were not unfrequently entirely his own ; and when they claimed not the merit of originality, they were derived from hints collected from what he had heard or read. But his preaching exhibitions could not long be confined to the narrow circle and scanty congregation his father's house supplied. Tidings of his. early pulpit talents soon circulated through the neighbourhood; many were anxious to listen to the instructions of this extraordinary child; and most regarded him, as he himself expresses it, " a parson in embryo."

At this age also he wrote verses. He seems however to have had but a mean opinion of his talent for poetry. It certainly was not the art in which he most excelled. Though an individual may have a power of rhyming sufficient for throwing his feelings into tolerably easy verse, yet something more than this is required in a production which, under the dignified title of a poem, is to meet the public eye. Most men of an enlightened mind and cultivated taste, have solicited the muses' aid for purposes of private instruction and amusement, and the domestic and social circle have been privileged to share in both ; but it is not necessary to the perfection of the pulpit orator that he should be an exquisite poet, nor is it at all a detraction from the greatness of his character, that the world should hesitate to pronounce

© LIFE OF SPENCER. parti.

unqualified praise upon poetical effusions, on which the eye or the ear of friendship might linger with delight.

These observations will serve to account for the circumstance, that none of Mr. Spencers poetical productions are preserved in these pages. And though some partial friends, who saw with pleasure the pieces which circulated in private, may regret, for the moment, their entire exclusion, his biographer hopes that he shall render a more essential service to the memory of his departed friend by occupying their place with extracts from his papers of a more solid and interesting kind.

These early displays of talent however introduced him to the notice and friendship of some individuals of wealth and consequence. This was doubtless considered by himself and his fond parent as no inconsiderable circumstance in the history and prospects of a child, who, if he rose into eminence at all, could have no facilities afforded him by the auspicious omens of his birth, or the rank of his father's family. But alas ! the anticipations which he cherished from this quarter, and perhaps with some degree of reason, were not all realized to the full extent to which his sanguine mind had urged them. It was doubtless well for him % however, that they were not. The disappointments of childhood will give a sober cast to the, otherwise, too glowing pictures and too anxious hopes of youth ; they will excite a caution in respect to the confidence which we should place in the prospects that unfold themselves before us, and will admirably prepare the mind for the event, when the pledges of friendship lie long unredeemed, and the fair blossoms of hope are blasted and destroyed.

In the mean time he applied himself with surprising diligence to the acquisition of knowledge. In his favourite pursuit he met with the most important chap. '• LIFE OF SPENCER. 9

aid from the valuable friendship of the late Rev. Fbenezer White, then the pastor of the Independent church at Hertford. — For this amiable and pious man, so early lost to the church of Christ,* Mr. Spencer ever cherished and expressed the warmest affection; whilst he survived but a few weeks the melancholy pleasure of paying the last tribute of respect to his beloved remains, and giving utterance to the warm and authorized feelings of his heart in a most impressive oration at his grave. From Mr. White he learned the rudiments of the Latin tongue; and though the early removal of that gentleman to Chester deprived him of his kind and valuable assistance, yet his father, who had discernment to perceive, and wisdom to foster, the unfolding talents of his son, afforded him the means of more ample instruction, by sending him to the best school his native town contained. Approbation cannot be expressed in language too unqualified of the conduct, in this respect, pursued by the parent of this amiable youth. Though in circumstances most unfriendly to the object, he nobly determined to make every possible sacrifice for the cultivation of a mind which promised to rise superior to the obscurity of its birth, and consecrate, at some future period, no common share of genius to the noblest and the best of causes. It is indeed to be deplored, that many important accessions are lost to the interests of religion and of literature, from the walks of humble life, by the neglect of ignorant, or the re-

* Mr. White died Sunday, May 5th, 1811. An interesting-memoir of his life (together with his select remains) has been published by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, A. M. of Blackburn ; with a recommendatory preface, by the Rev. Dr. Collyer. of London. In the melancholy but pleasing task of selecting these papers for the press, Mr. Fletcher was originally joined by the subject, of these memoirs : — but whilst Mr. Spencer was thus engaged in rearing a monument to the memory of his departed friend — he too was suddenly removed, and it devolved upon the hand of friendship to perform the same office for himself.

b2 luctance of sordid, parents. In the one case there is no capacity to discover the talents of the child, and in the other no disposition to make the sacrifice necessary for their cultivation.

" Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear :

Full many a flow'r is born to blush unseen. And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

Gray.

At about the age of twelve years Mr. Spencer considers himself to have become the subject of serious impressions of a deep and permanent kind, and to have felt something experimentally of the power of religion. This most interesting circumstance hesimply states in the memoir of his life before referred to, but mentions no particulars respecting the mode in which these impressions were wrought upon his mind, or in what way they operated upon his character, his conduct, and his views. The general effect, however, he distinctly records to have been, that of heightening his desire of the Christian ministry, for which, it was strongly impressed upon his mind, God had destined him; whilst it reconciled him to his present situation, which was most uncongenial to the bias of his mind, and most unfriendly to the accomplishment of his ardent wishes; for the circumstances of his fathers family were at that time of such a nature as to render his assistance necessary between the hours of school, and at length to compel his. parent, however reluctantly, entirely to remove hinu But his removal from school was not in consequence of his father's having abandoned the idea of his one day entering on the work of the ministry. It was an act dictated by prudence, which afforded him an opportunity patiently to wait, and calmly to watch the leadings of Providence, and the occurrence of any cjrcumstanceswhich might tend to fix the future <destiny of his son. These prudential arrangements,.

chap. i. LIFE OF SPENCER. 11

however, were a source of the keenest anguish to the mind of Spencer. He bowed at first with reluctance to the yoke of manual labour, when but partially imposed — rapidly performed the appointed task, and leaped with joy from toils so repugnant to the elevated and ardent desires of his soul, to solitude and to books. " With the greatest grief," he observes, " I left school at thirteen years of age, and was employed at some of the worst branches of my father's business. I endeavoured to resign myself as much as possible to my circumstances, and twisted zcorsted every day with a heavy heart." But religion, in early life, assumed in him its mildest and most amiable forms. Its characters were those of uncomplaining acquiescence in the arrangements of Providence, and cheerful resignation to his earthly lot. If indeed, with humble submission to the will of God, he occasionally uttered a warm expression of desire, and allowed his imagination to dwell upon the bright visions of better days, and the animating prospect of pursuits more congenial to the tone and inclination of his mind, which hope would often give, — it was natural : nor is it incompatible with the most perfect resignation to the divine will, thus to dwell on scenes of promised pleasure with delight.

The writer, in thus recording the mingled feelings of his friend, has participated too deeply in circumstances and emotions similar to his, not to do it with the warmth of sympathy. He knows how hard it is to give a cheerful and undivided attention to one pursuit, though less repugnant than mechanical employ, when the heart is intently fixed upon another. Ill does the mind adapt itself to the narrow rules of business, the drudgery of manual labour, or the habits of commerce, when panting after study, devoted to the love of books, or eager to engage in the noblest work that can occupy the powers of man, — - the ministry of the gospel : — impressed with a con-

12 LIFE OF SrENCER. part i.

sciousness, that if it is the will of God that the desire enkindled and cherished in the bosom should be fulfilled, some event will transpire to afford facilities and point the way, — but day after day expecting that event in vain, till " hope deferred makes the heart sick," and all the visions with which she has charmed, seem gradually yielding to the influence of despair. Yet even here, religion has a power to sooth : she sheds the milder influence of resignation, when the glare of hope is gone —

" Gives even affliction a grace.

And reconciles man to his lot. 5 '

CHAP. II.

His removal to London. — His deportment, and the Exercises of his Mind duriug his Residence in the Poultry. — His Call to the Ministry.

MR. Spencer continued working at his fathers business and in his father's house, for about a year and a half, anxiously expecting some situation to present itself more congenial to his wishes: but no circumstance arose to interrupt the monotonous sameness of his every day's employ. It seems, however, that he still attended to the cultivation of his mind, and never wholly lost sight of the Christian ministry. Meanwhile business languished, and his father was desirous of seeing him comfortably settled. Their mutual anxiety increasing to impatience, and his father reading on the cover of a Magazine an advertisement of a situation which appeared to be suitable, they set out for London ; but upon an interview with the advertiser, they found insuperable difficulties in the way, and returned, with disappointment, to Hertford.

Some weeks after this fruitless journey, Mr. Spencer was recommended by a friend, who also introduced him to Mr. Thodey's notice, to place his son with Messrs. Winwood and Thodey, respectable glovers in the Poultry. The first interview between the parties was satisfactory ; every arrangement was made preparatory to his being- bound apprentice, and Thomas soon after entered Mr. Thodey's house in his new capacity. The services connected with this situation, the better part of which was far from grateful to the wishes of his heart (still panting for the ministry with unconquerable attachment) were some of them such as his spirit, at first, but reluctantly submitted to perform; yet aware that, then, the providence of God pointed out no other path, he cheerfully acquiesced, and exchanged the calm and tranquil enjoyments of an endeared domestic circle for the society of strangers, the drudgery of a shop, and the bustle of the Poultry. — But here, as formerly at school, his engaging appearance, amiable manners, and modest behaviour, soon won the affection of the family, (which was large,) whilst his fervent piety and superior talents excited emotions of a higher order. An extract of a letter, obligingly addressed to me from Mr. Thodey himselfj will best record his manner of life whilst under that gentleman's roof.

" His appearance, his genuine modesty, diligence and integrity, created an interest in our hearts, so as it were almost to identify him as one of our own children : he shared our privileges ; united with us in family devotion ; and I occasionally took the same opportunities of conversing with him on divine things which I had been accustomed to do with all those under my care. I well recollect one sabbath evening being thus engaged with him alone, when, from his pertinent replies to some questions I put to him about the concerns of his soul, and the importance of an interest in the Saviour, I perceived he possessed an uncommon share of talent and intellect. This conversation gave me an impressive idea of his gechaimi. LIFE OF SPENCER. 15

neral knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, and I saw in him the traits of a very strong- and ardent mind."

Whilst at Mr. Thodey's he conscientiously devoted himself to the interests of his employers, notwithstanding his natural aversion to business. He became peculiarly attached to the family, and receiving from them tokens of affectionate attention, superior to any thing he had a right to expect, and of which he always spoke with gratitude, he became as happy as the circumstances of his lot could possibly allow him to be. He formed an acquaintance with several pious young men, who, though rather above his station, did not hesitate to respect genius and religion, even in a lad of inferior rank in life. Several times also he exercised his preaching talents at the house of a relation of the young man who was then his fellow-servant, but was afterwards a student in the same academy with himself, and is now a useful minister of the gospel.*

He describes the exercises of Ins mind and the mode in which he passed his time, during his residence in the Poultry, with great simplicity and feeling.

" At this place my time was entirely employed, as it was fit it should be, in executing the will of my two masters: for the young man, who was active and friendly, I formed a great attachment, and was indeed interested in the welfare of the whole family. Marks of respect were shown me which were, I believe, unusual to any of my predecessors, I made myself upon the whole tolerably comfortable; some difficulties and disagreeable circumstances of course fell to my lot, yet upon the whole I had many en-