Page images
PDF
EPUB

also should animate our hopes, and excite us to greater exertions. A foundation for increasing usefulness hath, we trust, been laid, not only in the many religious institutions recently established, but likewise in the correspondence opened in all parts of the Christian world and many impediments to an extensive progress of religion are now happily removed, by the cessation of hostilities, and the relief of internal distresses. Authentic information has been received of the favourable disposition of many persons in France, and other parts of the continent, towards the genuine principles of Christianity, as embraced and professed by Protestant churches. To detail particulars, would be premature and inexpedient; but, in the course of the present year, some interesting intelligence, respecting this subject, may be expected.

We feel it, therefore, our duty and privilege, in entering upon a tenth volume, to call upon our numerous friends to unite with us in praise to God, for the past goodness we have experienced, and for the encouraging circumstances with which we are favoured. As Editors of this Magazine, we ourselves have cause for peculiar thankfulness, that while numerous periodical publications, resembling our own in the plans upon which they have been conducted, have sprung up, we have suffered no diminution in the extensive circulation of our numbers; nor has the enormous advance in the price of paper and printing deprived us of the opportunity of relieving the distresses of the Widows of pious Ministers. None, whose cases came properly within the limits of our plan, have been rejected. In this respect also, we have been enabled to carry into effect our original professions, in their fullest extent, to the gratification of our own feelings, and the consolation of many necessitous and deserving objects.

THE

[merged small][graphic][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

THE

Evangelical Magazine,

FOR JANUARY, 1802.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. MR. THOROWGOOD.

W E are sorry to have the occasion of recording the departure of so many worthy and useful characters out of our world. At the same time, it is matter of pleasure to have the opportunity of inscribing the names of so many excellent men on our biographical monument. Their names are registered on the more durable leaves of the Book of Life, and " their works follow them" to the world of glory; but yet we wish to hand down their amiable and useful qualities to posterity, for the instruction of others, by way of exciting them to be " followers of them who, through faith and patience, now inherit the proanises.".

Death has not "hung his sated lance on high;" but is every day dealing round his fatal stroke, and cutting down the children of men. How often have we to exclaim, Our "fathers, where are they? and do the prophets live for ever?" The subject of our present biographical sketch, is the late Rev. John Thorowgood of Bocking, in Essex, who, though he never wished to be known to the world through life, may now be respectfully spoken of, since he is numbered with the dead.

Mr. Thorowgood was born in the year 1748, at Basingstoke, Hants, being one of twins; but the other little associate did not live. He was of respectable parents, who gave him a religious education. His mother, in particular, was another Eunice, whose particular care it was to instil the principles of religious knowledge into the minds of her children; so that "the unfeigned faith which dwelt first" in the excellent parent, we are persuaded, was afterwards' found in all her children, consisting of two sons and three daughters.

There might be nothing very particular in the earliest life of her son John, except a fondness for books; and this was a trait in the boy's character, that gave a turn to the direction of his mind through the succeeding years of his life. When he was about seven years old, he wished, and cried to his parents, that they would permit him to

[blocks in formation]

learn Latin. Permission was granted; and he had an excellent opportunity of becoming a classical scholar, under the Rev. Mr. Loggon, at the Free Grammar School of his native town. His merit was soon acknowledged by his school-fellows; so that when playing at soldiers, he was appointed recruiting serjeant, to make a Latin speech at their head. The father of our young scholar, being a draper and clothier, designed this son for his own business; and with the view of having him instructed in the manufacturing part of the employment, he was sent to Whitchurch, in his own county. There were some very eminent Christians at that place; and his own maternal grandfather had been himself a minister there. It was here that our young tradesman received very useful impressions of religion, and particularly from the conversations of a serious friend, a good woman. The machines, and counter, and profits of the tradesman, were not so congenial to the young man's mind as books and studies, and greater usefulness. His thoughts now began to be directed towards the work of the ministry. When he was about eighteen, by the consent of his parents, and with the approbation of the late Rev. S. Ridgeway, of Basingstoke, he was sent to the academy at Mile-End (afterwards at Homerton) to gratify his wishes, and to pursue his favourite studies under the direction of Drs. Walker, Conder, and Gibbons. Having made remarkable proficiency in classical learning previously to his reception, he was soon admitted to academical, or divinity lectures. With what singular application he availed himself of the happy advantages he enjoyed under the direction of such able tutors, is well known to some of his fellow-students, who may yet survive him. Little time was allowed for sleep; and scarcely any for recreation. Wine or beer came not within his lips; animal food would not have been so proper for such a sedentary life, and such intense application of mind. Vegetables and water, accordingly became the constant food and beverage of the young academic. The penetrating eye of Dr. Walker could not overlook the genius and talents of such an extraordinary youth; and we may be sure, the very learned tutor would not do much to check the earnest pursuits of his pupil. Mr. Thorowgood's studies were directed into a variety of literary channels; his thirst for knowledge led him into almost every department of the arts and sciences, as well as the learned languages and divinity. Octavo and quarto volumes were

as

« PreviousContinue »