The man of all work. A memoir of the life and labours of Rev. James Maughan

Preface

The author, in preparing this memoir, had the advantage of knowing the late Mr Maughan intimately from the time he was a youth of 17 to the period of his death. His conversion to God, his early studies, his youthful temptations, and his first efforts as a local preacher, were known to the author by personal intercourse while labouring in the Newcastle Circuit ; and the subsequent career of our departed friend was almost as well known from conjoint labours, frequent interviews, and a constant correspondence.

In designating our brother ' A man of all work/ the author uses not the words of exaggeration, but of sober truth. He never knew a man more devoted to his work, nor many more adapted to those diversified labours which the exigencies of the present day claim from the ministers of Christ. He was fluent both with his pen and his tongue, and as much at home on the platform as in the pulpit ; and though a diligent student, he was a devoted pastor. No duties seemed irksome to him, and none beneath him. The humblest services were performed with as much fidelity as the highest of the ministerial office. He scorned to eat the bread of idleness, or to fritter away his life in evening parties and social pleasures. He lived in earnest, and he iv

PEE PACE.

lived for God and the good of man. There was energy and purpose in all that he did ; and though his life was short if counted by years, it was long if reckoned by labours.

It would have been easy to enlarge this memoir to twice its dimensions; but, following the guidance of Scripture precedent, the author thought it better to condense than to expand, and aim to interest the reader by variety instead of wearying him by prolixity.

In order that our departed friend might be known by what he said as well as by what he did, I have selected a few of his sermons and lectures ; and thus, though dead, some portion of his living utterances may benefit the living.

While this volume is prepared solely as a labour of love by the author, the beneficence of friends, who knew and appreciated the worth of our departed brother, having defrayed the cost of printing and binding this volume, has thereby rendered the book at once a memorial of high esteem for his character, and a tribute of sincere sympathy and affection for his excellent and devoted wife, who largely shared in his toils, and cheerfully sacrificed her personal and domestic comforts for his usefulness. Therefore, any friend promoting the circulation of this volume will thereby promote the welfare of the widow and her family.

The author dedicates this volume to Mrs Catherine Maughan, the widow of his deceased friend, as a memento of esteem, not only for her domestic virtues and high Christian character, but also her self-denying and exemplary, though unobtrusive labours, in facilitating and promoting the usefulness of her devoted husband.

London, March, 1872.

Contents

CHAP. PAGE

I. MR MAUGHAN'S EARLY LIFE AND CONVERSION TO GOD,

II. HIS CALL TO THE MINISTRY, AND THE PERIOD OF

Chapter I. Me Maughan^s Eaelt Life And Conversion To God, 1826 — 1847

If the development of mind were dependent on the advantages and facilities afforded by wealth and leisure, few would attain to eminence. But native energy will rise superior to external difficulties, and cut out for itself a path to high excellence through thorns, briars, and rocks. History abounds with examples of this truth, and in this class Mr Maughan takes a place, if not so exalted as some, yet one highly honourable to himself and to the Denomination to which through life he was loyally attached. Whatever attainments he reached, and in several departments of knowledge they were far more than ordinary, resulted from irrepressible energy and activity. In every sense he was a self-made man.

But usefulness is a higher attribute than knowledge, and in this Mr Maughan surpassed not a few of his contemporaries. His ministry was the means of con-

MEMOIR OF THE EEV. JAMES MAUGHAM - .

version to many and of edification to many thousands ; and assuredly he made all his acquisitions subservient to this as the supreme end of his life, as will be seen in the following brief record of his history.

The Rev. James Maughan was the son of James and Isabella Maughan, and was born October 25, 1826, in the village of Hepburn, near Newcastle-on-Tyne. His father died before the birth of his son, and the . widowed mother had to struggle with the privations of her desolate condition. But she was a woman of industry, natural fortitude, and true piety ; and her religion taught her to trust in Him who is the Husband of the widow and the Father of the fatherless. James was baptized at Jarrow, the place rendered memorable by the life and labours of the Venerable Bede. After a few years Mrs Maughan was married again, which appears to have been no disadvantage to her only child, as James was regularly carried by his stepfather to the house of God, and when old enough was sent to the village school. His good mother cheerfully lent her influence to instil the principles and duties of religion into his mind.

At an early period James showed his self-reliant disposition, for when only eight years of age he resolved to work, in order as far as possible to earn his own living. The family removed for a time to Wallsend, the village renowned for its excellent coal ; and when James was about 12 years old his parents removed further to the village of Seatonburn, six miles north of Newcastle. Here James enjoyed for a short time the privilege of education at a school in the neighbourhood, under the patronage of the Rev. Mr

EARLY LIFE AND CONVERSION.

Clayton, a minister of the Church of England ; and had this advantage been continued, he would have been better prepared to enter, at a subsequent period, upon the duties of public life. But after twelve short months this privilege was cut off by the necessity of his returning to labour for the bread that perisheth. James was resolved, however, to make the best of his position, by attending a night school, and by abridging his sleep to about five or six hours each night, and by diligent application to study during the hours he thus redeemed from his pillow and from play.

At the age of 14 he was seized with the rheumatic fever; but what effect this affliction had upon his mind does not appear. To promote his recovery he was sent to reside for a short time with his aunt at North Shields ; and while there an incident occurred which brought out his mechanical genius. Being favoured with the loan of his father's watch, one day, while sitting quietly on the sand of the sea- shore, he heard the ticking of the watch, and he said to himself, ' I wonder what it is that makes the watch tick ? Pll look inside and see/ Taking out his pen-knife, he unscrewed part of the mechanism, and whizz went the wheels, until the chain had run down. Having proceeded thus far, his curiosity was increased, and he took the whole works to pieces for full inspection. He found, however, it was much easier to undo than reconstruct the works, and after putting the watch together as he thought, he was perplexed to find that it would not tick, for he had almost as many wheels left out as he had put in. Trying again and again, however, he at last succeeded, and to his great satis-

4 MEMOIE OF THE EEV. JAMES HAEGHAN.

faction the experiment afforded him a knowledge of the construction of the time-piece ; and on his return home he bought a number of tools, and set up clock cleaner and repairer to the whole village.

On his recovery he resumed both his daily labour and his studies, and his intense application during his spare hours enabled him to outstrip those who had been his school-fellows ; and it became evident that he was destined for a position higher than that of working at a colliery. This was observed by those who were competent to estimate his natural gifts and early attainments, and at the age of 16 he was appointed by the colliery manager to be the master of the village school. Now, the difficulties which had hitherto obstructed his progress were giving way, and his path to higher attainments began to widen and brighten before him. Let young men learn from this how much depends upon themselves. Had James been indolent, he would have risen no higher than the station in which he was born. His diligence when a boy was the first step to his advancement and usefulness when a man. But something more than industry was wanted — namely, religion, without which even gifts and literary acquirements cannot develop the man. Sin, indeed, may render them a snare and pervert them to a curse. Youth has its temptations, and too often its follies. James JVTaughan was now about 1 6 years of age, and as yet he had not given his heart to God. In fact, led away by some profane youths, he had become a neglecter of Divine worship, and was in danger of sinking into vicious habits. But after living about two years as a Sabbath-breaker, he was

EARLY LIFE AND CONVERSION.

awakened to a keen sense of his sin and danger, and conviction was followed by sound conversion to God. The occasion and manner of this gracious change are best stated in his own words. Young men, just ponder what he says !

' At an early period of my life I felt the bitterness of sin, and I put the inquiry, " What must I do to be saved ? " I heard of others who had been equally unhappy with myself, but who had found pardon and peace through faith in the precious blood of Christ. I instantly resolved in the same way to seek the same Saviour, and I did not seek Him long before I found Him, to the satisfaction and delight of my soul.

' My conversion to God was effected under the following circumstances :

' I had been accustomed from my infancy to attend a Sabbath-school. When about 14 years of age I became associated with sinful companions, and was induced by them to leave the house of worship, and spend my Sabbaths in the lanes and fields. From one degree of sinfulness I was led on to another. For about two years I continued openly to rebel against God and against the counsels of my conscience. About this time a number of Christian young men had formed themselves into a Temperance Society. They urged me to forsake my companions, to sign the temperance pledge, and to join myself to their little band. I did so, and these young men were the means in God's hand of bringing me to Christ. I was at once made the secretary of the Temperance Society, and was urged by some of its members to accompany them to the house of God.

MEMOIR OF THE EEV. JAMES MAUGHAN.

' About this time a most gracious and extensive revival of God's work began in a village called Westmoor, under the labours of our estimable minister, the Kev. Andrew Lynn. I was urged by my newly-formed companions to accompany them to what was called a Union camp-meeting and public lovefeast at that place. I went to mock, but I returned to pray. Shortly after the lovefeast commenced, a youth about my own age rose up, and began to describe his miserable condition prior to his conversion. I said to myself, " That is just the condition in which I am now/'' He then went on to describe how happy he had been ever since his conversion to God. I now felt that this was the very thing and the only thing that could make me truly happy. After this another rose, and another, and another, and as they went on to bless God, and declare what great things He had done for their souls, the big tears started in my eyes, and the more I attempted to suppress them the more rapidly they chased each other down my cheeks. At length the lovefeast was concluded. I did not dare to remain at the prayer-meeting, lest I should be compelled to cry aloud for mercy. I therefore made my escape from the meeting, intending to make my way home as quickly and as quietly as I could.

' I had four miles to walk, but I had not proceeded far on my journey before I overtook some other young persons, who had been to the same place. After walking tog-ether for some distance in dead silence, one of them drew a deep sigh. " Well/' he said, u how did you like the lovefeast ? 33 I replied, " I never liked anything so well in my whole life." " Neither did I/'

EARLY LIFE AND CONVERSION.

said a second. " Neither did I," said a third. I added, " I liked it so well that I have determined never to rest until I get converted." " So have I/' exclaimed they all at once. " Well, then/' exclaimed one of the party, " if we are all of one mind let us go over into this field and have a prayer-meeting." Whether we went over the gate or through the gateway I never could recollect, but in a few moments we were every one upon our knees, pleading with God for mercy. Two of the company professed to find salvation there and then, but I continued in bitterness and bondage for many days ; I scarcely dared to sleep at night, lest I should be cut off in my sins, and perish. At length, one morning about 4 o' clock, I rose and went into a field to pray. There behind a hedge I knelt upon a stone — the place I never shall forget — and became liberated from bondage. A flood of heavenly light burst upon my soul, and from that day to the present I have been happy in the love of God. Shortly after this I became tinctured with Barkerianism, and was in danger of being led astray. But by the kind and timely counsels and by the happy and efficient ministry of my beloved friend and father, the Rev. William Cooke, I was preserved from so dire an apostasy. I have now been identified with the Church of Christ for more than ten years, and during that period have become more and more convinced that the Christian religion is a divine adaptation to man's moral necessities ; that the practice of its principles is the highest development of wisdom ; and that Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are paths of peace. If I know anything of my own heart, I would not give up the possession of religion to take possession of the world's empire.

' My greatest desire on earth is that I may adorn the doctrines of God my Saviour, and the object of my highest ambition is to become possessed of the mind that was in Christ. May God help me !

' Though I have to acknowledge' that my requitals of obedience and love have been far from commensurate with my obligation to God, yet I am thankful that I have been enabled with confidence and constancy to repose my soul by simple faith on the great atonement ; and I believe that I can testify, without the fear of presumption, that Christ is formed in my heart the hope of eternal glory/

See here, my young friends, what religion did for him ! It rescued him from bad companions and bad habits • it delivered him from conscious misery and impending degradation and ruin ; it renewed his nature and transformed his life ; it implanted within him new principles, and began in him a new history, one of virtue, happiness, and usefulness. Had he remained unconverted, who can tell what a vicious and miserable course he would have run ; how deeply he would have sunk into sin himself, and how many others he would have dragged down to perdition by his evil counsel and corrupt example ? All this evil was averted, and a life bright with happiness, honour, and usefulness was secured by early piety. The fact pleads with eloquent force — f Young men, give your hearts to God/ The clearness and the genuineness of his conversion, too, show the importance of not resting in reformation or mere profession. Young Maughan believed in the

EARLY LIFE AND CONVERSION.

knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins, and he sought night and day for the blessing until he found it. So may the reader, and so must the reader seek until he find the blessing, if he would be a strong, happy, useful Christian. Those are but poor, feeble, unhappy professors who live without a clear sense of pardon, and they are never fitted for great enterprises and abundant usefulness. They are incessantly haunted by doubts and fears, and have no heart or energy to labour. Young men, get right at first by a sound conversion and a clear sense of pardon, attested by the direct witness of the Holy Spirit, and then you can set to your seal that God is true, and that religion is a Divine reality, a transforming power, and a priceless possession. When it is your happiness to enjoy religion, it will be your element and delight to diffuse it ; labour will spring from love, and your efforts will be accompanied with power.

In the paragraph we have quoted young Maughan refers to the critical period when he was endangered by the prevalence of pernicious errors. The author of this volume well remembers the frequent interviews he had with him at that time. I was just then commencing my labours in the Newcastle Circuit, to which I was sent to build up the broken walls of Zion, and defend as well as preach the truth of God. Almost every Saturday afternoon James came in his homely round jacket to my house with a written list of questions on Biblical topics. Of course I felt pleasure in solving his doubts, answering his inquiries, and imparting such instruction as he seemed to need. Nor was this all : every time my appointments called me to

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES MAUGHAN.

preach, under his parents' roof James was sure to meet me about a mile or two on the way, and after the service it was his custom to return with me several miles on my way home. The intercourse was very pleasant to myself, and beneficial to the young man. Happily he was disentangled from the snares of error ; and be always regarded the help he then received as the means of establishing him in the truth, of fostering his piety, and stimulating his Biblical studies. If young men are troubled with doubts, let them by all means shun the counsels of the sceptic, and seek the friendly aid and guidance of some matured Christian, who is not ignorant of Satan's devices. The writer himself when a youth was sorely perplexed with doubts. On one occasion he walked a number of miles to seek the counsel of a wise and well-matured Christian, and by this means, and by prayer to God, the snare was broken, and his soul rejoiced in the light of truth and freedom.

James Maughan was now 17 years of age, and I called his attention to the duty of writing his thoughts on portions of Scripture, in hope that at a period not far distant his attainments might qualify him for the office of a local preacher. He complied with my request, and from time to time submitted his composition to my judgment ; and such was the character of those early efforts that I felt persuaded he was destined for usefulness as a preacher. He continued his studies with unabating diligence, and when about 18 he and another pious young man, named Matthew Stoves, were requested to unite in taking an appointment at the small village of Jesmond Vale. Soon afterwards he was desired to have his name put on the plan, as an

HIS EAELY LABOUES.

exliorter. This, however, was an undertaking which required some consideration. He was at that time occupying the position of clerk at the village church, and his appointments as an exhorter or local preacher would interfere with his official duties. Moreover, coincident with this, the clergyman who had previously shown much interest in his welfare proposed his going to college, to graduate for ordination as a minister in the National Church, offering at the same time to provide the necessary means. This proposal involved a conflict between principle and interest. On the one hand there was the prospect of ease, honour, and affluence ; on the other, straitness, obscurity, and hard toil. But with the latter there were purity of doctrine, Scriptural discipline, precious means of grace, and his obligation to the people to whom under God he owed his salvation. He laid the case before me, and the conversation issued in a resolve to sacrifice every advantage, and abide with his own people. He therefore respectfully declined the offer of the clergyman, resigned his position as clerk of the church, and devoted his Sabbaths to zealous labours for the interest of his own Denomination. In acting thus young Maughan displayed that high principle and inflexible decision of character which is worthy of imitation as well as commendation. He was no trimmer, no self-seeker, no time-server ; he got his religion in our Denomination, and he felt bound by gratitude and moral obligation to give it his labours and his life at all costs, and he conscientiously acted out his convictions to the end of his days. In this decision, however, he had no idea of seeking a place in our ministry. In fact, he had too

MEMOIR OF THE EEV. JAMES MAUGHAN.

low an estimate of his own powers and too exalted a view of the duties and responsibilities of the ministerial office for such an idea. Nevertheless, he continued to pursue his studies with unremitting diligence, and became increasingly acceptable as a local preacher.

Chapter II. His Call To The Ministry) And The Period Op His Probation,, 1847—1851

In the year 1847 the Rev. Jonathan Tate, a very pious and promising young minister, labouring in the Mossley Circuit, was compelled by serious illness to retire from his work, and James Maughan was requested by the Connexional authorities to supply his place. At first he positively declined ; and when at last, after repeated solicitations, he consented, he did so with much tremulous apprehension. Certainly at this period he could have no secular inducements ; for his income from various sources had lately increased to about £100 per annum, while his salary as a single preacher would be only £60. The probability is, however, that the question of income had no influence at all in fixing his decision. Higher and holier considerations than any earthly motives influenced his heart — the love of Christ inspiring him with the love of precious souls. This is the grand motive which forms a high and holy character. Just as a firm foundation is requisite for the safety of a building, so are sound principles required as the "basis of a consistent and upright character; and such were the principles of Mr Maughan' s whole life. Hence there was no instability in his connexional attachment, no wavering in his principles, no trimming in his conduct, from the beginning to the end of his career.

When Mr Maughan left home for the ministry he found his position was altogether new. He had never before been 20 miles from his own fireside, and had lived scarcely a week away from under the parental roof. But he was now among strangers, and before the end of the year he felt rather home- sick. Therefore when the Conference came he hastened to his old abode to spend his holidays there. But, if absence from home had made him a little uneasy, he soon found leisure to be intolerable. He spent the first day in chatting with his parents, the second day in conversing with his old friends ; on the third day he felt dull for want of occupation, and on the fourth he told his mother he could bear idleness no longer, and must go back to his work. Therefore, though free from obligation, away he went back to his Circuit and resumed his accustomed labour up to the day he had to repair to the new sphere of his ministry.

At the next Conference (1848) Mr Maughan was received as a minister on probation, and appointed to the Bradford Circuit. His superintendent was the B,ev. Lot Saxton. Mr Maughan resided, however, at Otley, where his labours were abundantly owned of God. There was a revival of religion in the Church, many souls were saved, and in the Otley society alone there was an increase of 54 members during the year.

HIS EARLY MINISTERIAL LABOURS .

After leaving Bradford, in 1849, he was appointed to Macclesfield with the Eev. John Addyman. We have no particulars of his labours here ; but we doubt not he and his esteemed colleague worked together in perfect harmony, and the minutes report an increase of eight members.

In 1850 Mr Maughan was appointed to Derby, the venerable Thomas Waterhouse being his superintendent. We have no special information as to his labour in this Circuit; but we find an increase of 15 members, which may be regarded as indicative of harmony between the ministers, and a proof of some success in their work.

At the Conference of 1851 Mr Maughan was stationed in the Dewsbury Circuit, with the Eev. James Henshaw as his superintendent, lately deceased. Here again our information is scanty. Mr Maughan resided at Batley, and his spirit being roused by the prevalence of drunkenness, he issued and printed two appeals to the public, and called a Conference of Sunday-school teachers to adopt the best means for saving the rising youth from the vice of intemperance. Deploring also the spiritual indifference of the people, he formed a committee for visiting the population from house to house to induce the negligent to attend Divine worship. This was preceded by writing an earnest appeal, of which 1000 copies were printed and put into circulation. A copy of this appeal now lies before me, and I reproduce it here as worthy of a permanent record.

1 Dear Neighbours and Friends,

' Our minds have been for some time past painfully

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES MAUGHAN.

exercised on account of the prevalence of a spirit of carelessness in our village, in reference to public worship. Our object is not a sectarian one, but, as the professed followers of Him who came to seek and to save the lost, we feel it to be our duty to warn you of the fearful consequences of such conduct — not in the spirit of dictation, but in that of kindness and love. And we shall be amply rewarded if we can induce those who are living in the neglect of public worship to think seriously on the subject, and promptly to attend to a duty so important and indispensable. We appeal

' 1st, To Heads of Families. — We know the deep feelings and intense anxieties of parents for the welfare of their children ; but that welfare can only be secured by their walking in the paths of piety ; for " there is no peace to the wicked." Yet are you not by neglecting the House of God, and the ordinances of Divine worship, adopting a course that directly tends to promote the impiety and consequent misery of your children ? " Train up a child in the way he should go" is a direction in the Word of God. " Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" is also a Divine injunction: and, depend upon it, these are not idle words. What, think you, is the meaning of that awful passage of Holy Writ, "I will pour My fury upon the families that call not on My name?" " Them that honour Me I will honour : but they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."

' As parents, have you no forebodings about the future ? Do you never think of the day when, with your children, you shall stand before the tribunal of

HIS EARLY MINISTERIAL LABOURS.

God ? Is it not possible — nay, is it not very likely — that if you continue to lead them in the paths of sin, they will attribute their final destruction to your bad example ? We beseech you, for your own sake — for the sake of your dear children — abandon your GoD-dishonouring practices ; revere God's blessed name ; keep holy the Sabbath-day; attend constantly and punctually upon the ordinances of God's house; join in the choruses of thanksgiving which are raised there, and thus get prepared to sing the anthems of the skies. * But we also appeal

' 2nd, To the Young. — Dear young friends — we assure you it is with feelings of sympathy for your present — and deep anxiety for your future — happiness, that we thus address you. God has said, "I love them that love Me : and they that seek Me early shall find Me." And again, He commands — " Bemember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."