Life of Legh Richmond ...

Front matter

r^

Book KA-r^^

..ifeli^'

Preface

The object of the present work is easily explained. It is to furnish an account of the life of the Rev. Mr. Richmond, suitable for Sunday school libraries. The memoirs by Grimshawe, is a volume far too large, and expensive for our purposes, and contains a great deal of matter highly interesting, it is true, but not adapted to a large class of our readers. To have a book valuable to Sunday school teachers and scholars, it must be both in size and price brought within a moderate compass. The following work is not to be considered in the light of an abridgment, but is rather a preparation from the documents already published; and the compiler while he has availed himself principally of the recently published memoirs of Richmond by his friend and chosen Biographer, Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, has also derived much advantage from some accounts in the' " Christian Observer," and a most admirably written article in the " Philadelphia Recorder" under the signature of "Adelphos." The compiler would wish it understood that his great design has been to adapt his book to the purposes of Sunday school libraries ; so that though its subject has passed to his reward, the

IV PREFACE.

author of the " Dairyman's Daughter'' may yet " speak" to the thousands and tens of thousands of Juvenile Readers, from whom but for preparations of this kind, the lives of many of God's choicest saints would be entirely excluded.

LIFE

L.EGH RICHMOND.

Chapter I

Preliminary Remarks. — Birth of Legh Richmond. — ■ His Mother^s Instructions. — His early Education.

The name of Legh Richmond, connected as it is, with all the great evangelical operations of the present age, is still more intimately connected with the Tract and Sunday school causes. We shall have more to say on both these subjects, before this history is concluded, but we have mentioned it in this place, to en^ge at once, the attention of our readers. There surely can be no one, who is accustomed to read the books which go out of the Depository of the American Sunday School Union, who will not feel a lively interest in the history of the man who wrote "'The Dairyman's Daughter." When such a man dies, the church of God feels it, through all her branches; and while all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, will say in pious A 2

O LIFE OF

resignation "It is the Lord, he hath done what seemed liim good," they will rejoice that through the merciful Providence of the same God, there are means, by which though ''being dead, he yet speaketh." Thus it will be, through all the years that are to come, and in all languages, by means of the " Dairyman's Daughter," and other little books; and thus also it will be, though less extensively, by means of the different '' memoirs" which have, and will be published.

Legh Richmond was born at Liverpool, in England, on the 29th of January, 1772. His father was Dr. Henry Richmond who practised as a physician, first at Liverpool, afterwards at Bath, but who died at Stockport; in 1806. His mother was the daughter of John Atherton, esquire, of Walton Hall, near Liverpool. In relation to the mother of Legh Richmond, Mr. Grimshawe who is the author of the memoir, from which this little book is principally prepared, thus writes — " It was Legh Richmond's privilege to have a most estimable mother, endued with a superior understandings which had been cultivated and improved by an excellent education and subsequent reading; and who, with considerable natural talents and acquirements, manifested a constant sense of the importance of religion. **This affectionate and conscientious parent

LEOH RICHMOND. 7

anxiously instructed him, from his infancy, in the Holy Scriptures, and in the principles of religion, according to the best of her ability; a duty which was well repaid by her son, who became the happy and honoured instrument of imparting to his beloved mother clearer and more enlarged views of divine truth than were generally prevalent during the last generation.

*'Ye that are mothers, and whose office it more peculiarly is to instill into the minds of your offspring an habitual reverence for God, and a knowledge of the truths of the Gospel; be earnest in your endeavours to fulfil the duties which Providence has assigned to you, and which your tenderness, your affection, and the constant recurrence of favourable opportunities so admirably fit you to discharge. Consecrate them to God in early youth; and remember that the child of many prayers, is in possession of a richer treasure, than the heir of the amplest honours and the highest dignities; for the child of many prayers can never perish, so long as prayer is availing. To faith all things are possible, and the promise stands firm, ' I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. ' — Isa. xliv. 3. Pray then for them, and with them. There is an efficacy in the bended knee, in the outstretched hand, in the uplifted heart, in the accents of prayer issujng from the lips of a mother, supplicating God to bless her child, which faith may interpret for its encouragement, and the future shall one day realize. There is also a solemnity in the act itself, peculiarly calculated to elicit all the best feelings of the heart, and to quicken it in the diligent use of the means best adapted, through divine mercy, to insure the blessing.

" Discouragements may arise — impressions that once excited hope may vanish — the fruit may not be apparent; yet, in after times, under circumstances of the most unpromising nature — amid scenes^ perhaps, of folly, vice, and dissipation — or in the more sober moments of sickness and sorrow; the remembrance of a praying mother may present itself with overwhelming emotions to the heart. The events of early days may rise up in quick succession before the mind, until the longlost wanderer, recovered from his slumber of death and sin, may live to be a monument of the pardoning mercy of God, and his last accents be those of gratitude and praise for a pious mother."

It will be here remarked, and we put it down as among the number of testimonies to the value of a mother's instructions, that to her was Richmond mainly indebted for those seeds of early piety, which grew up and produced such rich and abundant fruits. For although, as will soon be seen, it was some time after this, and in a manner remarkably striking and providential, that he became enlightened with clear and scriptural views of the religion of Jesus Christ, yet to his mother's instructions in his early years, he owed, under God, the foundation of his religious character. This work will fall into the hands of many mothers, and we ask them to peruse, and reperuse the foregoing extract, and let them, by this instance, be stimulated to new diligence in the discharge of their duties; and in the steady path of admonition, of consistent example, and above all, of daily prayer for their children, let them look in faith, for the accomplishment of the promise " the generation of the upright shall be blessed."

The education of young Richmond, until his thirteenth year, was conducted at home by his father, in consequence of an accident which occurred in his childhood. He injured his left leg by foolishly jumping from a wall, and it was always afterwards shorter than the other. Children often do themselves harm in this way, and never get over it during the whole course of their lives. At thirteen years of age he was sent to school, and after having completed his preparatory education, he was sent to the university of Cambridge when seventeen years old.

In his early life, Legh Richmond discovered a good deal of talent for poetry. He wrote several small pieces, before he was twelve years of age, but they were not of a religious character — though after he was converted, he consecrated this talent to usefulness in the cause of his Master. '' For one accomplishment, he was at this time particularly distinguished,— -a skilful acquaintance with the science of music. He was not only a performer, but a composer of no ordinary powers; and it may be well here to observe, m reference to this subject, that it is delightful to see how completely the attainments of the real christian, are made all alike subservient to the glory of God. When, in subsequent days, Mr. Richmond w^as surrounded by a numerous family, he made it a particular object of his attention to turn their musical acquirements into a holy channel; and in a collection of precepts, drawn up for the use of his daughters, are found the following beautiful expressions, with respect to this pleasing recreation. ' Sacred music is the true refuge of the Christian musician. I wish your ears, your hearts, and your tongues, were oftener tuned to such melodies. ' How admirably is a course like this contrasted with that of many, even among the Christian families of our country, who, while expending years of life upon the pages of Weber and Rossini, never sound one note tuned to the praises of the God of Providence, and to the celebration of a Saviour's love."*

Chapter II

Comprising the period from his entrance at the University^ till his Marriage and Settlement in the Isle of Wight.

Legh Richmond was entered at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1 789. While pursuing his studies in this literary institution, he applied himself closely; and though destitute of any decided religious impressions, he was marked by an undeviating propriety of moral conduct. The period at length arrived when it became necessary that he should decide on the choice of a profession; and his attention was directed to the ministry of the established church of England, in which he had been brought up. At this time, however, his views on the subject of the ministry, and indeed of religion, were lamentably defective. He conscientiously intended to discharge what should appear to him to be his duty, but as at that period, he had not experienced a change of heart, he of coursef had no deep sense of the vast importance and awful re-

* "Adelphos."

sponsibility of the charge which he was about to undertake — the care of immortal souls. In this state of mind, at the age of twenty-two years, he wrote to his father, who had all along intended that he should study the law, giving his ideas on the subject of the ministry, and asking leave to study the latter profession. His father gave his consent, and he pursued his studies in reference to the ministry, until the year 1797, when he again wrote to his father, setting forth more at large his views and feelings. This last letter to which we allude illustrates in a very remarkable degree ''the absolute necessity of di\dne illumination to give deep and spiritual views of the gospel, and a true perception of the exalted character and objects of the ministry of reconciliation. It discovers, it is true, a very considerable degree of zeal, and general desires to promote the good of mankind according to the best of his ability: but we look in vain for distinct apprehensions of this high office, as being the great instrument for the conversion of sinners from Satan unto God — ^for a marked love of souls — or for any large measures of that humbling sense of responsibility, which led the great apostle to exclaim, 'Who is sufficient for these things?' Mr. Bichmond is one only out of a number of instances fearfully large, of men undertaking the sacred office with inadequate views of its nature and importance; and if the present brief narrative should meet the eyes of any such, let them, with deep seriousness and solemnity, compare the vague notions here described, with those brighter views which it afterwards pleased a gracious Providence to infuse into his heart, and to which we shall soon have occasion to refer."* There are probably some few among the readers of this little volume, whose minds have been turned to the subject of the ministry. Sunday schools have proved most valuable nurseries, and have furnished many among the most useful ministers of the present day. Blessed be God that it is so, but let everyone whose mind is directed this way, look well to it, that he possesses the first of all qualifications, a heart changed and purified by grace, and completely subdued into the obedience of Christ; and with this a burning love for the salvation of perishing souls. He who enters into the work of the ministry before he is himself a Christian in the best sense of the term, does but endanger his own soul — lay up for himself future regrets, with bitter tears of penitence, even if he should, as Legh Richmond was, be subsequently changed — ^but if not, (and there is awful danger that he will not be) he can look fw

* "Adelphos."

nothing but the terrible judgments of God for souls ruined through his unfaithfulness. Ezek. xxxiii.

With such inadequate ideas, on a subject of such infinite importance, Legh Richmond was, in 1797, ordained a Deacon; which, in the church to which he belonged, is the lowest ordei" of the ministry. He was advanced to the higher order of a Presbyter, in 1798. In the intermediate time he had married Mary, the only daughter of James W. Chambers Esq. of the city of Bath, and immediately proceeded to the Isle of Wight, where he entered on the curacies of the adjoining parishes of Brading and Yaverland.

Chapter III

Remarkable conversion — with the incidents which gave rise to it. — Reflections,

It has already been said, that Legh Richmond entered on the work of the ministry without the proper deep impressions of its importance and responsibility. He appears to have had a desire to discharge its duties conscientiously, so far as his mind was directed to the subject, and he exhibited such propriety of conduct in his moral deportment, and in the general duties of his new charge, that he acquired the character of a highly respectable and useful young clergyman.

"At this time, however, that merciful God who was watching over him for good, and who had marked him out as a chosen instrument of extensive usefulness in his church, produced a total revolution in his sentiments; and that, too, by one of those apparently unimportant circumstances, whose agency an all-wise Providence is so frequently found to employ, for the accomplishment of his own purposes of love and mercy. A college friend, careless of his own soul, and of the eternal welfare of others, was about to take orders. This young man had just received from a relative a copy of Mr. Wilberforce's celebrated w^ork upon Practical Christianity: but, being too indolent to give it a perusal, sent it to Richmond, with the request that he would inform him what he was to say respecting its contents. He began it; and, through the efficacious blessing of the Holy Spirit, it opened a new world of divine truth to his vision. He perceived himself a sinner: he discovered the imperfect sense which he had before entertained, of the necessity of a complete surrender of body, soul, and spirit, to the service of God: and prostrate in humble penitence, he went to the cross of Christ for pardon, and entered upon new views of his

16 LIFE O?

duties and his obligations. The Bible became his study — he entered upon a careful scrutiny into the writings of the reformers — and, through this process, arrived at a full and stable conviction, that religion is something more tlian a mere general assent to truth, and a life of moral correctness. "*

From that period his mind received a powerful impulse, and was no longer able to rest under its former impressions. A change was eftected in his views of divine truth, as decided as it was influential. The new feelings awakened were therefore followed by a transfer of his time, his talents, and his affections, to the service of his God and Saviour, and to the spiritual welfare of the flock committed to his care.

An extract from his own account of the effect produced on his mind, by the perusal of the work of Wilberforce, will not fail to be interesting. " I feel it to be a debt of gratitude, which I owe to God and to man, to take this affecting opportunity of stating, that to the unsought and unexpected introduction of Mr. Wilberforce's book on ' Practical Christianity,' I owe, through God's mercy, the first sacred impression which I ever received, as to the spiritual nature of the Gospel system, the vital character of personal religion, the

* Adelphos.

LEGH RICHMOND. If

corruption of the human heart, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. As a young minister, recently ordained, and just entrusted with the charge of two parishes in the Isle of Wight, 1 had commenced my labours too much in the spirit of the world, and founded my public instructions on the erroneous notions which prevailed amongst my academical and literary associates. The scriptural principles stated in the ' Practical View, ' convinced me of my error; led me to the study of the Scriptures with an earnestness to which I had liitherto been a stranger; humbled my heart, and brought me to seek the love and blessing of that Saviour, who alone can aftbrd a peace which the world cannot give. Through the study of tliis book, I was induced to examine the writings of the British and Foreign Reformers. I saw the coincidence of their doctrines with those of the Scriptures, and those which the word of God taught me to be essential to the welfare of myself and my flock. I know too well what has passed within my heart, for now a long period of time, not to feel and to confess, that to this incident I was indebted, originally, for those solid views of Christianity, on which I rest my hope for time and eternity. May I not, then, call the honoured author of that book my spiritual father? And if my spiritual father, therefore my best earthly friend? The wish to B 2 connect his name with my own,* was natural and justifiable. It was a lasting memorial of tlie most important transaction of my life: it still lives amidst the tenderness of present emotions, as a signal of endearment and gratitude^ and I trust its character is imperishable."

" A very important lesson to be learnt from the preceding narrative, is the necessity of discriminating morality from religion. The principal error in Mr. Richmond's former views consisted in this, viz. that they were deficient in the grand charactjeristic features of the Gospel. Not that he actually denied a single doctrine which the Gospel inculcates; but his conceptions were far from being definite, clear, and comprehensive. They wanted the elevation and spirituality of the Christian system. They were founded more on the standard of morality, than on the principles of the Gospel; and therefore were defective as it respects the motive and end of all human actions, the two essential properties that constitute an action acceptable in the sight of a holy God. A heathen may be moral, a Christian must be more; for though true religion will always comprise morality, yet morality may exist without religion. There was a

* Mr. Richmond gave the name of " Wilberforce" to his son.

confusion also in his notion of faith and works, and of the respective offices and design of the law and of the Grospel. The Saviour was not sufficiently exalted, nor the sinner humbled; and there was wanting the baptism of ' the Holy Ghost and of fire.'^^^Matt. iii. 11. His sermons, partaking of the same character, were distinguished indeed by solidity of remark, force of expression, strong appeals to the conscience, and a real and commendable zeal for the interests of morality; but they went no further. As regarded the great end of the Christian ministry — ^the conversion of immortal souls— they were powerless; for moral sermons can produce nothing but moral effects; and it is the Gospel alone that is

mighty through God to the pulling down of the strong holds of sin; and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. x. 4, 5.

'*The moralist, according to his own creed, does all that he can, and then^looks to his Redeemer to perform the rest. On the other hand, where the moralist ends, the believer begins. With him, every work is begun, continued, and ended in God. He draws from above every motive for his obedience, every promise for his encouragement, and strength to subdue all his corruptions. Christ is the sun that illuminates his moral horizon, the living water to refresh his thirst, the heavenly manna by which he is fed, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, tlie Alpha and Omega, the 'all and in all.' He is the Prophet, by whose wisdom he is taught; the Priest, by whose sacrifice he is pardoned; the King, by whose authority he is swayed; and the Shepherd, on whose tender care he reposes all his wants. What then is the remedy for the defects to which we have alluded, and for the fatal consequences resulting from them ^ — The knowledge of the Gospel; and the full, free, and faithful declaration of its truths. There must be its tidings on the lips, its grace in the heart, and its holiness in the life of the preacher. Such was the case in the instance of Mr. Richmond, after the change above recorded; and crowded auditories, an inquiring people, and numerous conversions were the happy result. And such will ever be the case where the Gospel is faithfully preached. The same causes will always produce the same effects. The blind will receive their sight, and the lame walk, and the deaf hear, and the spiritually dead be raisea up to life eternal. "*

* Grimshawe.

Chapter IV

Effects of Legh RichmoruVs conversion. — Zeal in ministerial duties. — The young soldier.

In the preceding chapter, the conversion of Mr. Richmond has been recorded. - " In nothing can be seen more plainly the importance, to a minister of Christ, of clear views as to the corruption of the heart, the need of a Saviour, and the necessity of an inward change by the power of the Holy Ghost, than in the totally new results wliich now followed Mr. Richmond's labours in the Isle of Wight. Previously to this remarkable alteration in his sentiments, he had been like a man expending all his forces without ever hitting the mark. His sermons and endeavours all aimed at an outward reform in the habits and manners of the people; and in this he had succeeded. He had made them more regular in attention to the sanctuary: had produced order and subordination: in a word, so far as the mere decencies of life were concerned, had certainly wrought much improvement. But here the effects of his preaching had stopped. Awakened to better views, he now proclaimed the genuine gospel to his people, with all its joys, and winning hopes, and converting power: and its auditors became, what they had never yet become under the happiest of his merely moral addresses, affected, interested, and renewed. Christ, crucified for our sins, and the procuring cause of inward holiness, and final salvation, became his great theme; this topic he pressed in the pulpit, and urged to the assembled group in the cottage; this he recommended daily from house to house; while he was constantly cheered with convincing testimonies, that the preaching of the cross is indeed ' the power of God, and the wisdom of God.' Another striking effect of his conversion is to be seen in his letters, and in his diary. This last is a species of composition, in which the whole heart is laid open; and the reader, when he comes to peruse some extracts from these interesting daily records, will be struck with the deep, humble, and experimental character of the religion of this departed servant of God, after the change which has been above described. A circumstance also is disclosed to our observation, not undeserving of notice, in the mild and christian character of a controversy which he carried on in the Christian Observer, about this time. Differing most essentially in his views of the gospel from his opponent, he yet never loses sight of that charity, which is ' the very bond of peace, and of all virtues;' but exhibits the true tone and temper with which every servant of Christ should go into the field of theological conflict."*

" In his parochial engagements, we find him fulfilling all the duties of an active and zealous minister. The important and essential doctrines of the Gospel were now made the powerful and affecting themes of his public addresses. Man's fallen and ruined state, and his deliverance and redemption by Jesus Christ, formed the grand outline of his discourses; and if the degree in which the truth is preached be best estimated by its effects, he could appeal to unquestionable evidences of his faithfulness; for God blessed his testimony, and nuHitjrous converts were the seals of his ministry. In addition to the usual and appointed duties of the Sabbath, he visited his flock, and went from house to house, taking care not to make these opportunities the mere occasion of friendly and condescending intercourse, but the means of real improvement, and spiritual edification. The children of Brading were also the objects of his tender solicitude. They were in the habit of repairing to him every Saturday for the purpose of religious instruction; and his memoir of ' Little Jane' records one of the happy resuits of these youthful meetings.

**In the year 1801, he formed a society at Brading, which proved an occasion of much benefit; the rules and regulations being peculiarly calculated to promote order, sobriety, and religion. This society met every Wednesday evening, and he himself assumed the oflSce of director. The members of whom it was composed were such as had derived advantage from his ministry, and were sincerely desirous of advancing in knowledge and true holiness. A copy of the first address delivered to them, has been found among his papers, from which we extract the concluding passage : —

*' ' In a word, my dear friends, I consider you all as deeply sensible that the care of the soul is the one thing needful, which if you neglect you will perish; but which, if you Regard with an humble, devout, and sincere heart, God will receive and acknowledge you among the number of his children. I hope more will join themselves to our society, who are in this mind and persuasion. It shall be my care to do all in my power to cherish and support you in all virtue and godliness of living; to comfort you in affliction, to clear up your doubts, to reprove your faults, encourage your good resolutions, and to be, by God's help, a spiritual pastor among you, to lead you through the pilgrimage of tnis life, to the enjoyment of the glories of Paradise.

"^ All that I now ask, and beseech of you is, that you will be in earnest in your present professions, and strive with heart and soul to persevere in that good road, wherein I trust you now are going. And remember how sad will be the lot of those who, having put their hand to the plough, look back again, and are no longer fit for the kingdom of heaven. Be strong then in the Lord, and may his grace preserve you in your good resolutions, and bring you to the full knowledge of the excellency of Jesus Christ, and give you the greatest of all blessings, forgiveness of sins in this world, and life everlasting in the world to come. So be it, blessed Lord, now and evermore.'

" To the soldiers that were occasionally quartered in that part of the country, he was made highly useful by his preaching. The history of one of these men is remarkable. It is related at length in the ' Christian Observer,' for the year 1802, (p. 772.) Being too vong for insertion here, the substance of it is inserted as follows: —

'*'A young soldier introduced himself to Mr. Richmond, in company with one of his comrades, begging to know if he would kindly purchase from him, some articles of dress, and manuscript sermons. He stated, with much embarrassment, that his history was wholly unknown to his companions in arms, but that being thus urged, he would recount the painful circumstances of his past life. He proceeded to declare that he was the son of a clergyman in Wales — ^that he had been regularly ordained, and officiated during three

years on a curacy in the county of W ;

that disorderly habits, and debts, incurred without the possibility of discharging them, had brought him at length to ruin and disgrace; and that, to avoid imprisonment, he had been induced to enlist as a common soldier — that he had served in the last campaign in Holland, and was then about to proceed with the army, in the expedition to Alexandria, under Sir James Abercrombie. He added, that it was to furnish himself with a few necessaries, that he was led to offer the articles in question for sale. Mr. Richmond having ascertained, as far as possible, the correctness of his story, purchased them; and afterwards held a very long conversation with him, on the awful consequences of his past life, and his unfaithfulness to the solemn and sacred engagement he had formerly contracted. The soldier seemed to be more abashed by the disclosure of his history, than impressed with the consciousness of his guilt, and the admonitions that he received. In June, 1802, the comrade who had originally accompanied him, once more called on Mr. Richmond, and stated that he was just returned from Egypt, and that the young man, in whose welfare he had taken so lively an interest, had fallen in battle, and died a true penitent — that on the evening preceding the engagement of the 21st March, he had been seized with a presentiment that he should not survive the event of the following day; and had commissioned him, (the bearer,) should he be spared to return, to inform Mr. Richmond, that the counsel he had so faithfully given to him, though it had failed at the time to impress him as it ought to have done, had ultimately sunk deep into his conscience, andv produced all the effects that he could have wished; ' tell our dear pastor,' continued he, ' that I owe liim more than worlds can repay; he first opened my heart to conviction, and God has blessed it to repentance. Through the unspeakable mercies of Christ, I can die with comfort. ' The event that he had prognosticated was fulfilled; and it was discovered that poor Mr. E— — lost his life by a cannon ball, at an early period in the action.' " It was in the Isle of Wight that the scene is laid of those popular tracts, composed by Mr. Richmond, the reputation of which is now so widely diffused in all parts of the world.