Memoir of Rev. Erasmus J. P. Messigner ...

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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Chapter I. Early Life And Occupation

James Messinger, as lie was always called, was the eldest son of Horace and Olive Messinger, of Wrentliam, Massachusetts. He was born June 28, 1811. His parents were in respectable circumstances but with a small amount of earthly wealth, and his early days were not passed in luxury, though with sufficient comforts for his own advantage. He had not that precious privilege either, which so many others have enjoyed, of parental piety. Neither of his parents at the time of his birth was a professed member of the church of Christ. He was thu?^ deprived of a blessing which it is impossible to value too highly. To have been the child of those who have loved and worshipped

God, and whose personal piety has been the guide and the bright example for their offspring, is certainly one of the most precious blessings in the life of man. To neglect or abuse such a privilege as this, must always make our responsibility and our guilt exceeding great. Sad is.the condition of those who were the children of parental faith and prayer, and yet have themselves rejected the blessed hope of the gospel which was so faithfully set before them. Many who have never enjoyed such means of heavenly benefit will rise up in the judgment with them to condemn them. With far less advantages, they have found and received a kingdom which these, with such precious opportunities, have still despised and lost.

This great privilege was not given to James Messinger. His parents endeavoured to instil into their children's minds the purest principles of morality. They taught them to discharge uprightly and faithfully the duties of their present earthly relations. But they did not lead them in the way everlasting, or bring them in prayer and instruction to the Saviour's feet. In their ^efforts to educate their children according to their own knowledge of that which was right, they succeeded so far that their household was restrained from outward and gross sins. And this outward good conduct w^as an advantage to be remembered with gratitude. But God was very gracious to this family in subsequent years. Others of them, beside the subject of this memoir, were brought by the Holy Spirit to a knowledge of the Saviour's truth and to an enjoyment of his favour. The Lord was pleased to choose them for his own, aud to guide their feet into his ways of peace and hoUness, though they had not been early taught his grace and love to the little ones whom he has redeemed. In this he displayed the riches of his grace, for which they had reason to praise him with thankful hearts. Yet we must never forget to prize that early Christian training which may lead a j^outh, like Timothy, to give his heart to the Lord, and to love those Holy Scriptures which God hath given to make him wise unto salvation from his earliest days.

The childhood and youth of James Messinger were not particularly marked by any unusual events. He was an amiable, quiet boy, gentle and clieerfal in liis disposition, never rude or boisterous. He seldom joined in the rough plays of his companions. He was very fond of books, and preferred the society of his mother and sisters to that of boys of his own age. His mother, who survived him, and who became a professed Christian after he had left her habitation, says of him, that his general deportment, even in his earliest childhood, was so correct, that he seldom needed correction of any kind. He was addicted to no youthful vice. He maintained a strict regard for truth, and was never known to tell a falsehood even to screen himself from censure.

At a subsequent period of his life, when reviewing his own youthful days, he says of himself: ''In looking back over my past life, I think I can see the hand of God very evidently. During my younger days, although wicked enough, no doubt, I was kept from falling into most of the grosser forms of sin. Swearing, in particular, — a habit so prevalent among boys at that time, — I never indulged in, except for one short period, when I was led away by the example of an older boy who was awfully addicted to it. I was diffident about it at first. But I soon got over that, and could utter an oath freely, ^j the faithful counsels of a friend, however, I left it off before it had gained so strong a hold as to become a habit."

He early manifested a taste for music and for drawing. His little room was decorated with the productions of his own pencil. For a long time several little books were preserved in the family, which he and a cousin of his own age had filled with fancy sketches and landscapes of their own drawing. These little productions exhibited unusual accuracy and skill, although he had never received any instruction in the art. To gratify his taste for music, his mother purchased a flute for him, and on this he learned to play with but little iiistruction from others. These recreations became sources of much pleasure and usefulness to him in his subsequent life. He delighted so much in music that he afterwards had many doubts whether he ought not to abandon it entirely, as an amusement too absorbing and unprofitable.

His fondness for books led him to pass much of his leisure time in reading. The circumstances of his family required all of its members to fulfil some part of the daily work of the household. But, though he was never unwilling to do what was required of him, he would sometimes allow his brother to perform his little required task of outdoor labour, that he might remain unmolested with his books. In his reading he had a useful taste. He took no pleasure in novels or fictitious stories, but he particularly^ delighted in biographies, travels, and histories. Before he was fourteen years old he had read several large volumes of history, both ancient and modern, and a number of works of general literature. He was sent to school when he was quite young, and he progressed with much rapidity in his studies. He was so docile, obedient, quick of apprehension, and so persevering, that it was a pleasure to others to teach him. He was never willing to leave any of his subjects of study until he thoroughly understood them. Thus he made the most of his limited opportunities ; and, though he had no advantages but those of a common country school, he gained far more than boys usually do by his faithful improvement of all the means of learning within his reach.

After the death of his father, a gentleman, under whose instruction James had been for a single term, became so much interested in his character and progress that he expressed a great desire for his complete education. But the accomplishment of this seemed impossible until another friend, who felt a strong interest in him and his family, offered to defray the expense of his further education for a longer period than any means in their power would allow. He was then sent to an academy in Wrentham, where he remained at school until he removed to Philadelphia. ^

Thus his early years passed by, in quietness and seclusion, and in the diligent fulfilment of his youthful duties. There is little that is romantic or striking in the youthful progress of such a boj^, but it is the surest education for future usefulness. There are no traits of character in a boy more promising than the patient, cheerful, assiduous performance of the regular though retired duties of his youth, and a faithful attention to the claims of his own 2

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family and home. In such a youthful life every virtue is nourished and growing for the future work and cares of earth, in any station of life to which God shall be pleased to call the man. Its course may seem less exciting as it passes, but it is far more valuable and important in its results.

"When James was ten years old, his father was suddenly removed by death. His mother was then left to provide for her own little family, of whom the youngest was an infant of a few weeks old, and also for the aged mother of her husband. This Avas a weary and toilsome task to a widowed mother. Neither of her sons were old enough to render her any assistance in the work of her little farm, and the slender income arising from it would not w^ arrant the expense of hiring needful labour. She was obliged, therefore, to leave it to others, and her whole support for her fatherless family was the small rent which she received and the avails of her own industry. Yet even with this she was able to send her children to school, and to give them all the advantages for education which their retired dwelling allowed.

These were tlie circnmstances whicb. particularly brought out the tenderness and loveliness of James's character. Daring these first years of his mother's widowhood he was her chief solace and comfort. All that he could do to relieve her burdens became his delight. Though but a child, he was ready to make every sacrifice to promote her comfort and happiness and to gratify and console his aged grandmo her. Attention to his mother's wants from this time directed all his plans of life. Her interests and welfare were a part of his constant thoughts and care. It seemed to be his highest earthly delight to increase her happiness and to relieve her trials. He never forgot his mother. He might be truly called THE BOY who always loved his mother. It was a beautiful trait of character. And Grod blessed him afterwards abundantly for it in his own character and life. After he had gone from his native home to enter upon the business of life, this trait in his character was still very constant and very remarkable. At a subsequent period, when his younger brother was about leaving home to learn a trade, James wrote to him upon the same subject: —

^'Mother informs me that you intend learning a trade. I am very glad of it, because I know that it will be advantageous to you. But before you leave home I hope you will endeavour to leave our dear mother and grandmother and the rest of the family as comfortable as possible. The desire of mother that I should come home, and in some measure supply your place, I should not hesitate to comply with, had I not been strongly impressed with the idea that I could render more substantial help by remaining here than by coming home. But I hope before you leave home you will do every thing you can for mother, and, should you be near home, that you will often visit them, and afford them all the assistance in your power. You know, dear brother, that mother has had many hardships for our sakes. Well do I remember how she used to go out in cold stormy weather to assist us about our work, in order to afford us the opportunity of attending school. May we live to enjoy the pleasure of having it in our power to return in some small degree the debt we owe her, by contributing to her comfort in the decline of life!"

Then, again, he wrote to his sister, referring to his brother's absence : —

'^ I scarcely know how yon will get along without him, as mother wrote me he was going to learn a trade this fall. You must try to do all you can to help along. Think how much trouble and hardship mother has undergone for our sakes. Surely we are old enough to take some of the burden off her hands. I hope you will not neglect these hints. Never suffer mother to undergo any hardships of which you can relieve her. Strive to do all you can to lessen the cares and anxieties which must of necessity come upon her. Be kind, obedient, and cheerful in the performance of every duty. Consider it a pleasure to do any thing by which you can render assistance to her."

To another sister he wrote: —

"I hope you will do all you can to contribute to the assistance and comfort of grandmother and mother. You have it in your power to do much for them. Take

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care that you never grieve them by folly or misconduct. If my influence will have any eflect on your mind, think how much your brother wishes you to behave well and to render yourself useful and beloved ; but remember, above all, that God always sees you, and that you never can be guilty of a fault that is not known to him. Strive, then, to be dutiful and obedient to our only remaining parent, and to be kind and affectionate to all around you."

These are beautiful exhibitions of his filial love. A remembrance of his mother's wants and sorrows was a constantly governing principle in his youthful heart. It was a spirit which never forsook him in his whole subsequent life. Even while on his bed of death in Africa, his heart still yearned over the sorrows and cares of his widowed mother. There he gave directions for the sale of his little earthly property, that the avails of it might be sent back to America to his mother. Though the sum was small, it was enough to contribute much to her comfort for her remaining j^ears. How precious is such a recollection of a boy who never forgot and never ceased to love his mother ! What a beauty does this trait add to the character and conduct of a youth! It gives also an influence, refining and exalting, to the whole of subsequent life. I know not how we could have a more valuable tribute given to the memory of a young servant of the Lord, in all his earthly relations, than ''He was a boy who never

FORGOT HIS MOTHER.''

Chapter II. Removal To Philadelphia

In the year 1826, when James was fifteen years old, an uncle who lived in Philadelphia, an umbrella-maker in very extensive business, oiFered to take him and teach him his trade, and then to establish him in the business if he desired to follow it. He was at that time at the academy in Wrentham, his native place, supported by the kindness of a friend. But the ofier appeared to be so advantageous to him, in reference to his future prospects in life, that his mother consented to part with him and to allow him to accept it. Her own income was very small, and it was necessary for James to earn his own living. This was a great trial to him. He was thus sent away, from the quietness and retirement of his native rural home, to the new and untried scenes of a large citj^, where temptations to evil would surround him on every side and snares would be spread for him in every path in which he should go. How many precious youths fall a final prey to suchan influence ! How gracious was that divine power which guarded and preserved him! "We shall find that, like Joseph, ''the Lord was with him" in all his future ways, and brought him at last to the Avork to which he had called him, though that work was so short upon the earth.

He remained in this situation in his uncle's establishment until he was twenty-one years old. But he did not find the employment agreeable, and was unwilling to adopt it as a business for life. He was exceedingly anxious to obtain a thorough education. He constantlj^ looked forward to some employment which might furnish him better means and opportunity for the exercise and improvement of his mind. He was so closely confined, during the years of his apprenticeship, to his appointed work, that he had but little opportunity for study. Much that he had previously learned was necessarily forgotten; and he grieved over what appeared to him the waste of his time and of his powers for intellectual attainment and usefulness. About the close of Ms term of engagement in his uncle's business, he described his desire and plan for future life in a letter to his aunt. He had expressed his exceeding desire to pursue a full course of studies for some literary employment. His aunt urged him to enter upon such a course of study with a view to the ministry of the gospel. In reply to this suggestion, he wrote : —

''I received your letter a short time since, but for want of time have not been able to answer it until now. The subject which you urge upon my consideration I feel to be a very important one. I am not, and hope I never shall be, insensible to the claims of the perishing world on those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot think that it is the duty of every young man who feels the love of Grod shed abroad in his heart, to thrust himself into the ministry, as if that were the only way in which he could promote the cause of his Lord and master. Nevertheless, if his circumstances are favourable, he ought seriously to consider whether he cannot do more for the cause of Christ in that way tlian in any other. His language should be, ^Here, Lord, am I; what wilt thou have me to do ?' I do sometimes feel as if I should like to proclaim to sinners the everlasting gospel, but I cannot feel warranted to fix my views decidedly upon it. Should I ever enter the ministry, I should prefer to work my way thither by my own exertions rather than to draw upon the kindness of my friends. One great, and, in fact, the greatest, obstacle in my way, in taking the course which you advise, is the claims which the pecuniary circumstances of my mother have to my consideration. This I only hinted at in my letter to her. I know that she would urge me not to let such a consideration deter me ; but this w^ould not satisfy me. Nor can I feel mj^self at liberty to relinquish all pecuniary pursuits while I know not what will be her situation and wants when grandmother is no more. To have it in my power to render some assistance, if needed, is what I hope and strive for. And this, together with some information that I have received from my relatives here in regard to pecuniarv assistance, have induced me to remain with them another year, at which time uncle contemplates retiring from the active part of the business. Matters will then probably arrive at such a crisis, as to enable me to decide as to my future course. I have not, at present, any idea of devoting my life to the business in which I am now engaged. My ultimate object is to prepare myself for teaching. While I am engaged in that occupation I shall have considerable time for study. And thus I can fit myself for higher pursuits, should I ever feel called upon to engage in them. These are my present views in regard to my future course ; I know not what may take place to change them. The Lord seeth not as man seeth. Should he open another path before me, and seem to say, by the voice of his providence, ' This is the way, walk in it,' I should feel myself called upon to act dififerently from what I now intend."

The character of this letter displays the religious aspect of his mind and feelings in advance of the narrative which we have given of his actual course. It is intended here simply to display his feelings and views in reference to his choice of employment for himself for his mature life. Thousrh he felt no satisfaction in the occupation in which his apprenticeship was passed, he faithfully fulfilled its duties till the expiration of his appointed time. In the mean time many of his friends became acquainted with his desire for study, and God was pleased to open before him the way in which he might engage in it.

He remained in his uncle's employment until 1833. Then Mr. J. H. Brown, a highly respectable teacher in Philadelphia, offered him a situation as an assistant teacher in his school. Here he could pursue such studies as he desired, and, at the same time, be employed in a line of duty w^hich Avas altogether in accordance with habits of study. He, therefore, gladly embraced the opening w^hich was thus made for him, though for the present he also still assisted his uncle, a part of each day, in his store. JS[ow his occupation became professedly that of a teacher. He was thus employed with Mr. Brown, and subsequently with Mr. T. James, who was also a teacher in that city. During a few succeeding years, his time was all occupied in the twofold effort to acquire and to impart instruction, until

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he was induced to devote Ms wliole time to the preparatory studies for the gospel ministry. He was thus constantly improving his mind, and obtaining new and important experience for the great work upon which at last he was permitted to enter, but so small a part of the duties of which he was allowed to perform. We pass over this intervening period so cursorily now, because, in succeeding chapters, we must enter more particularly into its current of events as they passed. Our Heavenly Father has a variety of ways for preparing labourers for the harvest of his glorious gospel ; and he himself fixes the time and the place of their labours in his service.