Memoirs of the late Rev. Samuel Pearce, A. M. ...

Introduction

IT was observed by this excellent man, during his last affliction, that he never till then gained any pert sonal instruction from our Lord's telling Peter by what death he should glorify God. To die by a consumption, had used to be an object of dread to him : but, . " Oh my Lord, (said he,) if by this death I can most glorify thee, I prefer it to all others." The lingering death of the cross, by which our Saviour himself :. expired, afforded him an opportunity of uttering some of the most affecting sentences which are left on sacred record : and to the lingering death of this his honour-* ed servant, we are indebted for a considerable part of the materials which appear in these Memoirs. Had he been taken away suddenly, there had been no opportunity for him to have expressed his sentiments and feelings in the manner he has now done in letters td his friends. While in health, his hands were full of labour, and consequently his letters were written mostly upon the spur of occasion ; and related principally to business, or to things which would be less .nteresting to Christians in general. It is true, even n them it was his manner to drop a few sentiments, towards the close, of an experimental kind ; and many

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M INTRODUCTION.

V v nts^Pll b%interspersed in this brief account

of him. But it was during his affliction, when, being laid aside nearly a year, and obliged to desist from all public concerns, that he gave scope to the feelings of his heart. Here, standing as on an eminence, he reviewed his life, re-examined the ground of his hope, and anticipated the crown which awaited him, with a joy truly unspeakable and full of glory.

Like Elijah, he has left the chariot of Israel, and ascended as in a chariot of fire ; but not without having first communicated of his eminently Christian spirit. Oh that a double portion of it may rest upon us !

MEMOIRS

OF THE LATE

REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, A. M.

Chapter I

His Parentage, Conversion, Call to the Ministry, and Settlement at Birmingham.

Mr. Samuel Pearce was born at Plymouth, in England, on £0th July, 1766. His father, who survived him, was a respectable silversmith, and was many years a deacon of the Baptist church in that place.

When a child, he lived with his grandfather, who was very fond of him, and endeavoured to impress his mind with the principles of religion. At about eight or nine years of age, he came home to his father with a view of learning his business. As he advanced in life, his evil propensities, as he has said, began to ripen ; and forming connections with several vicious school-fellows, he became more and more corrupted. So greatly was his heart, at this time, set in him to do evil, that had it not been for the restraining goodness of a 2

God, which somehow, he knew not how, preserved him in most instances from carrying his wicked inclinations into practice, he supposed he should have been utterly ruined.

At times he was under strong convictions, which rendered him miserable; but at other times they subsided; and then he would return with eagerness to his sinful pursuits. When about fifteen years old he was sent by his father to inquire after the welfare of a person in the neighbourhood, in dying circumstances, who, though before his departure he was in a happy state of mind, yet at that time was sinking into deep despair. While in the room of the dying man, he heard him cry out with inexpressible agony of spirit, " I am damned for ever!' 9 These awful words pierced his soul; and he felt a resolution at the time to serve the Lord : but the impression soon wore off, and he again returned to folly.

When about sixteen years of age, it pleased God effectually to turn him to himself. A sermon delivered by Mr. Birt, who was then co-pastor with Mr. Gibbs, of the Baptist church at Plymouth, was the first means of impressing his heart with a sense of his lost condition, and of directing him to the gospel remedy. The change in him appears to have been sudden, but effectual; and the recollection of his former vicious propensities, though a source of bitterness, yet furnished a strong evidence of its being the work of God. " I believe," he says, "few conversions were more joyful. The change produced in my views, feelings, and conduct, was so evident to myself, that I could no more doubt of its being from God, than of my existence. I had the witness in myself, and was filled with peace and joy unspeakable."

His feelings being naturally strong, and receiving a new direction, he entered into religion with all his heart; but not having known the devices of Satan, his soul was entangled by its own ardour, and he was thrown into great perplexity. Having read Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, he determined formally to dedicate himself to the Lord, in a manner recommended in the seventeenth chapter of that work. The form of a covenant, as there drawn up, he also adopted as his own; and that he might bind himself in the most solemn and affecting manner, signed it with his blood. But afterwards failing in his engagements, he was plunged into dreadful perplexity, and almost into despair. On a review of his covenant, he seems to have accused himself of a pharisaical reliance upon the strength of his, own resolutions; and therefore taking the paper to the top of his father's house, he tore it into small pieces, and threw it from him to be scattered by the wind. He did not however consider his obligation to be

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the Lord's, as hereby destroyed; but feeling more suspicion of himself, he depended upon the blood of the cross.

After this he was baptized, and became a member of the Baptist church at Plymouth, the ministers and members of which, in a few years, perceived in him talents for the ministry. Being solicited by both his pastors, he exercised as a probationer; and receiving a unanimous call from the church, entered on the work of the ministry in November, 1786. Soon after this he went to the academy at Bristol, then under the superintendence of Dr. Caleb Evans.

Mr. Birt, now pastor of the Baptist church in the square, Plymouth Dock, in a letter to the Compiler of these Memoirs, thus speaks of him: — "Though he was, so far as I know, the very first fruits of my ministry, on my coming hither, and though our friendship and affection for each other were great and constant, yet previous to his going to Bristol, I had but few opportunities of conversing with him, or of making particular observations on him. All who best knew him, however, will remember, and must tenderly speak of his loving deportment; and those who attended the conferences with him soon received the most impressive intimation of his future eminence as a minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. " "Very few," adds Mr. Birt, "have enter

THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, . U

ed upon, and gone through their religious profession with more exalted piety, or warmer zeal, than Samuel Pearce; and as few have exceeded him in the possession and display of that charity which ; suffereth long, and is kind, that envieth not, that vaunteth not itself, and is not puffed up, that doth not behave itself unseemly, that seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, that beareth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things.' But why should I say this to you ? You knew him yourself. "

While at the academy he was much distinguished by the amiableness of his spirit and behaviour. It is sometimes observable that where the talents of a young man are admired by his friends, and his early efforts flattered by crowded auditories, effects have been produced which have proved fatal to his future respectability and usefulness. But this was not the case with Mr. Pearce. Amidst the tide of popularity, which even at that early period attended his ministerial exercises, his tutors have more tfyan once remarked that he never appeared to them to be in the least elated, or to have neglected his proper studies; but was uniformly the serious, industrious, docile, modest, and unassuming young man.

Towards the latter end of 1789, he came to the church in Cannon- street, Birmingham, to which he was recommended by Mr. Hall, now of Cambridge, at that time one of his tutors. After preaching to them awhile on probation, he was chosen to be their pastor. His ordination was in August, 1790. In the year 1791, he married Miss Sarah Hopkins, daughter of Mr. Joshua Hopkins of Alcester: a connection which appears to have been all along a source of great enjoyment to him.

The soul of Mr. Pearce was formed for friendship. It was natural therefore to suppose, that while engaging in the pursuit of his studies at the academy, he would contract religious intimacies with some of his* brethren; and it is worthy of notice, that the grand cement of his friendship was kindred piety. In the two following letters, addressed to his friend, Mr. Steadman, the reader will perceive the justness of this remark, as well as the encouraging prospects which soon attended his labours at Birmingham: —

" My very dear Brother, May 9, 1792.

" You live so remote that I can hear nothing of your prosperity at Broughton. I hope you are settled with a comfortable people, and that you enjoy much of your Master's presence, both in the study and the pulpit. For my part, I have nothing to lament but an insensible, ungrateful heart, and that is sufficient cause for lamentation. This, only this, bows me down; and under this pressure I am ready to adopt the words I preached from last evening: — Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest !

As a people, we are generally united. Our number of members is about two hundred and ninety-five, between forty and fifty of whom have joined us since I saw you, and most of them I have the happiness of considering as my children in the faith. There is still a crying out amongst us after salvation; and still, through much grace, it is my happiness to point them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.

I hope still that I am willing to spend and be spent, so that I may win souls to Christ, and finish my course with joy; but I want more heart religion: I want a more habitual sense of the divine presence; I want to walk with God as Enoch walked. There is nothing that grieves me so much, or brings so much darkness on my soul, as my little spirituality, and frequent wanderings in secret prayer. I cannot neglect the duty, but it is seldom that I enjoy it.

4 Ye that love the Lord indeed, Tell me, is it so with you ?'

When I come to the house of God, I pray and preach with freedom. Then I think the presence of the people seems to weigh more with me than the presence of God, and deem myself a hypocrite, almost ready to leave my pulpit, for some more pious preacher. But the Lord does own the word; and again I say, if I go to hell myself, I will do what I can to keep others from going thither: and so in the strength of the Lord I will.

An observation once made to me helps to support me above water: — "If you did not plough in your closet, you would not reap in the pulpit." And again I think the Lord dwelleth in Zion, and loveth it more than the dwellings of Jacob. S. P.

There are few, if any, thinking men, but who at some seasons have had their minds perplexed with regard to religious principles, even those which are of the greatest importance. In the end, however, where the heart is right, they commonly issue in a more decided at tachment to the truth. Thus it was with Mr. Pearce. After complaining of some perplexity on doctrinal points, he thus writes to his friend Steadman: —

" I was violently seized with a disorder very prevalent here, and which carried off* many, supposed to be an inflammation in the bowels. One Sabbath evening I felt such alarming symptoms that I did not expect to see the Monday morning. In these circumstances I realized the feelings of a dying man. My mind had been so accustomed to reflect on virtue and moral goodness, that the first thing I attempted, was a survey of my own conduct; my diligence and faithfulness in the ministry, my unspotted life, &c. &c. But ah! vain props these for dying men to rest on! Such heart sins, such corruptions and evil propensities recurred to my mind, that if ever I knew the moment when I felt my own righteousness to be like loathsome and filthy rags, it was then. And where should I, where could I, where did I flee, but to Him whose glory and grace I had been of late degrading, at least in my thoughts ? Yes, there I saw peace for guilty consciences was to be alone obtained through an almighty Saviour. And 0! wonderful to tell, I again came to him; nor was I sent away without the blessing. I found Mm full of all compassion, ready to receive the most ungrateful of men.

' O ! to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be.'

Thus, my dear brother, was the snare broken, and thus I escaped.

1 A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing.'

Join with me in praising Him, who remembered me in my low estate, because his mercy endureth for ever. Yet this is among the all things. I have found it has made me more spiritual in preaching. I have prized the gospel more than ever, and hope it will be the means of guarding me against future temptations. — Your brother, with ardent affection, in the dear Lord Jesus. S. P."

From his first coming to Birmingham, his meekness and patience were put to the trial by a pernicious error, which infected many individuals, both in and out of his congregation. It is well known with what affection it was his practice to beseech sinners to be reconciled to God, and to exhort Christians to the exercise of practical godliness: but these were things which they could not endure. Soothing doctrine was all they desired. Therefore it was, that his ministry was traduced by them, and treated with neglect and contempt. But, like his divine Master, he bore the contradiction of sinners against himself, and this while he had the strongest satisfaction that in those very things to which they objected, he was pleasing God. And though he plainly perceived the pernicious influence of their principles upon their own minds, as well as the minds of others, yet he treated them with great gentleness and long forbearance.

Among his numerous religious friendships, he seems to have formed one for the special purpose of spiritual improvement. This was with Mr. Summers of London, who often accompanied him in his journeys; to whom, therefore, it might be expected he would open his heart without reserve. Here, it is true, we sometimes see him, like his brethren, groaning under darkness, want of spirituality, and the remains of indwelling sin; but frequently rising above all, as into his native element, and pouring forth his ardent soul in expressions of joy and praise. On Aug. 19, 1793, he writes thus:—

" My dear Brother,

" When I take my pen to pursue my correspondence with you, I have no concern but to communicate something which may answer the same end we propose in our annual journeys: viz. lending some assistance in the important object of getting, and keeping near to God. This I am persuaded is the mark at which we should be continually aiming, nor rest satisfied until we attain that to which we aspire. I am really ashamed of myself, when on the one hand, I review the time that has elapsed since I first assumed the Christian name, with the opportunities of improvement in godliness which have crowded on my moments sisce that period; and when on the other, I feel the little advance I have made ! More light, to be sure, I have; but light without heat leaves the Christian half dissatisfied. Yesterday I preached on the duty of engagedness in God's service, from Jer. xxx. 21, 6 Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord.' (A text for which I am indebted to our last journey.) "While urging the necessity of heart religion, including sincerity and ardour, I found myself much assisted by reflecting on the ardour which our dear Redeemer discovered in the cause of sinners. " Ah," I could not help saying, " if our Saviour had measured his intenseness in his engagements for us, by our fervency in fulfilling our engagements to him, we should have been now farther from hope than we are from perfection. "

' Dear Lord, the ardour of thy love Reproves my cold returns.'

" Two things are causes of daily astonishment to me — The readiness of Christ to come from heaven to earth for me; and my backwardness to rise from earth to heaven with him. But oh, how animating the prospect! A time approaches when we shall rise to sink no more: to 6 be for ever with the Lord. ' To be ivith the Lord for a week, for a day, for an hour; how sweetly must the moments pass ! But to be for ever with the Lord,— that instamps salvation with perfection; that gives an energy to our hopes, and a dignity to our joy, so as to render it 'unspeakable and full of glory!' I have had a few realizing moments

THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. IT

since we parted, and the effect has been, I trust, a broken heart. O, my brother, it is desirable to have a broken heart, were it only for the sake of the pleasure it feels in being helped and healed by Jesus ! Heart-affecting views of the cursed effects of sin are highly salutary to a Christian's growth in humility, confidence, and gratitude. At once how abasing and exalting is the comparison of our loathsome hearts with that of the lovely Saviour ! In him, we see all that can charm an angel's heart; in ourselves, all that can gratify a devil's. And yet we may rest perfectly assured that these nests of iniquity shall ere long be transformed into the temples of God; and these sighs of sorrow be exchanged for songs of praise.

" Last Lord's day I spent the most profitable Sabbath to myself that I ever remember since I have been in the ministry; and to this hour I feel the sweet solemnities of that day delightfully protracted. Ah, my brother, were it not for past experience, I should say,

c My heart presumes I cannot lose The relish all my days.'

But now I rejoice with trembling; desiring to ' hold fast what I have, that no man take my crown.' Yet fearing that I shall find how

— 4 Ere one fleeting hour is past,

The flattVing world employs

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Some sensual bait to seize my taste. And to pollute my joys.'

Yours, in our dear Saviour, S. P. "

In April, 1794, dropping a few lines to the Compiler of these Memoirs, on Lord's day evening, he thus concludes: — "We have had a good day. I find, as a dear friend once said, It is pleasant speaking for God when we zvalk with him. Oh, for much of Enoch's spirit! The Head of the church grant it to my dear brother, and his affectionate friend,

In another letter to Mr. Summers, dated June 24, 1794, he thus writes: — "Nor hath the word been without its effect; above fifty have been added to our church this year, most of whom I rejoice in, as the seals of my ministry in the Lord. Indeed I am surrounded with goodness; and scarce a day passes over my head, but I say, were it not for an ungrateful heart I should be the happiest man alive; and that excepted, I neither expect nor wish to be happier in this world. My wife, my children, and myself are uninterruptedly healthy; my friends v kind; my soul at rest; nry labours successful. &e. Who should be content and thankful, if I should not? Oh, my brother, help me to praise! S. P."

b

In a letter to Mrs. Pearce, from Plymouth, dated Sept. 2, 1794, the dark side of the cloud seems towards him: — " I have felt much barrenness, says he, as to spiritual things, since I have been here, compared with my usual frame at ho me ; and it is a poor exchange to enjoy the creature at the expense of the Creator's presence: a few seasons of spirituality I have enjoyed; but my heart, my inconstant heart, is too prone to rove from its proper centre. Pray for me, my dear, my dearest friend! I do for you daily. Oh wrestle for me, that I may have more of Enoch's spirit! I am fully persuaded that a Christian is no longer really happy, and inw r ardly satisfied, than whilst he walks with God; and I would this moment rejoice to abandon every pleasure here for a closer walk with him. I cannot, amidst all the round of social pleasure, amidst the most inviting scenes of nature, feel that peace with God which passeth understanding. My thirst for preaching Christ, I fear, abates, and a detestable vanity for the reputation of a " good preacher" (as the world terms it) has already cost me many conflicts. Daily I feel convinced of the propriety of a remark which my friend Summers made on his journey to A Vales, that 6 It is easier for a Christian to walk habitually near to God, than to be irregular in our walk with him.' But I want resolution; I want a contempt for the world; I

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want more heavenly-mindedness; I want more humility^ I want much, very much of that* which God alone can bestow. Lord, help the weakest lamb in ail thy flock !

" I preached this evening from Cant. ii. 3. : 4 1 sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. ? But how little love for my Saviour did I feel ! with what little affection and zeal did I speak ! I am, by some, praised 5 I am followed by many^ 1 am respected by most of my acquaintances; but all this is nothing; yea, less than nothing, compared with possessing 6 this testimony, that I please God. v Oh thou Friend of sinners, humble me by repentance, and melt me down with love !

" To-morrow morning I set off for Launceston. I write to night, lest my stay in Cornwall might make my delay appear tedious to the dear and deserving object of my most undissembled love. Oh, my Sarah, had I as much proof that I loved Jesus Christ, as I have of my love to you, I should prize it more than rubies ! As often as you can find an hour for correspondence, think of your more than ever affectionate S. P."

Chapter II

His laborious exertions in promoting Missions to the Heathen, and offering himself to become a Missionary.

Mr. Pearce was uniformly the spiritual and the active servant of Christ; but neither his spirituality nor his activity would have appeared in the manner they have, but for his engagements in the introduction of the gospel among the heathen.

It was not long after his settlement at Birmingham, that he became acquainted with Mr. Carey, in whom he found a soul nearly akin to his own. When the brethren in the counties of Northampton and Leicester formed themselves into a Missionary Society, at Kettering, in Oct. 1792, he was there, and entered into the business with all his heart. On his return to Birmingham, he communicated the subject to his congregation with so much effect, that to the small sum of 13Z. 2s. 6rf., (S58.34) with which the subscription was begun, was added 70/., (8311. 11) which was collected and transmitted to the treasurer; and the leading members of the church formed themselves into an Assistant Societ} r . Early in the following spring, when it was resolved that our brethren, Thomas and Carey, should go on a mission to the Hindoos, and a considerable sum of money was wanted for the purpose, he laboured with increasing ardour in various parts of the kingdom; and when the object was accomplished, he rejoiced in all his labour, smiling in every company, and blessing God.

From the day of the departure of the Missionaries, no one was more importunate in prayer than Mr. Pearce; and on the news of their safe arrival, no one was more filled with joy and thankfulness.

Hitherto we had witnessed his zeal in promoting this important undertaking at home; but this did not satisfy him. In October, 1794, we were given to understand that he had for some time had it in serious contemplation to go himself, and to cast in his lot with his brethren in India. *When his designs were first discovered, his friends and connexions were much concerned about it, and endeavoured to persuade him that he was already in a sphere of usefulness too important to be relinquished. But his answer was, that they were too interested in the affair to be competent judges, and nothing would satisfy him short of his making a formal offer of his services to the Committee: nor could he be happy for them to decide upon it, without their appointing a day of solemn prayer for the purpose, and, when assembled, hearing an account of the principal exercises of his mind upon the subject^ with the reasons which induced him to make the proposal, as well as the reasons alleged by his connexions against it.

About a month preceding the decision of this affair, he drew up a narrative of his experience respecting it; resolving at the same time to set apart one day in every week for secret fasting and prayer to God for direction; and to keep a diary of the exercises of his mind during the month.

When the Committee were met at Northampton according to his desire, he presented to them the narrative; and which was as follows: —

" October 8, 1794. Having had some peculiar exercises of mind relative to my personally attempting to labour for the dear Redeemer amongst the heathen; and being at a loss to know what is the will of the Lord in this matter respecting me, I have thought that I might gain some satisfaction by adopting these two resolutions; First, That I will, as in the presence of God, faithfully endeavour to recollect the various workings of my mind on this subject, from the first period of my feeling any desire of this nature until now, and commit them to writing; together with what considerations do now, on the one hand, impel me to the work, and on the other, what prevent me from immediately resolving to enter upon it. Secondly, That I will from this day keep a regular journal, with special relation to this matter.

" This account and journal will, I hope, furnish me with much assistance, in forming a future opinion of the path of duty; as well as help any friends whom I may hereafter think proper to consult, to give me suitable advice in the business. Lord, help me !

64 It is very common for young converts to feel strong desires for the conversion of others. These desires immediately followed the evidences of my own religion: and I remember well they were particularly fixed upon the poor heathens. I believe the first week that I knew the grace of God in truth, I put up many fervent cries to Heaven in their behalf; and at the same time felt a strong desire to be employed in promoting their salvation. It was not long after, that the first settlers sailed for Botany Bay. I longed to go with them, although in company with the convicts, in hopes of making known the blessings of the great salvation in New Zealand. I actually had thought of making an effort to go out unknown to my friends; but, ignorant how to proceed, I abandoned my purpose. Nevertheless, I could not help talking about it; and at one time a report was circulated that I was really going; and a neighbouring minister

' very seriously conversed with me upon the subject

" While I was at the Bristol Academy ^ the desire remained; but not with that energy as at first, except on one or two occasions. Being sent by my tutor to preach two Sabbaths at Coldford, I felt particular sweetness in devoting the evenings of the week to going from house to house among the colliers, who dwell in the Forest of Deane, adjoining the town, conversing and praying with them, and preaching to them. In these exercises I found the most solid satisfaction that I have ever known in discharging the duties of my calling. In a poor hut, with a stone to stand upon, and a three-legged stool for my desk, surrounded with thirty or forty of the smutty neighbours, I have felt such an unction from above, that my whole auditory have been melted into tears, whilst directed to ' the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world;' and I, weeping among them, could scarcely speak, or they hear, for interrupting sighs and sobs. Many a time did I then think, Thus it was with the apostles of our Lord, when they went from house to house among the poor heathen. In work like this, I could live and die. Indeed, had I at that time been at liberty to settle, I should have preferred that situation to any in the kingdom with which I was then acquainted.