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THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE,

FOR MARCH, 1817.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. E. GRIFFITH,

Extracted from one published by the Rev. J. Riles.

MR. EDWARD GRIFFITH, who was born at Frome, October 2, 1760, was the son of honest, industrious parents, whose history was not polluted by fraud or oppression: and though his name may not be found in the works of future historians, yet among the "Worthies of Somersetshire" he may occupy a chief place; for in virtue, extensive usefulness, and genuine religion, we have seen few by whom he has been equalled.

When very young, the well-known benevolence of his heart began to unfold itself; the object of his attention being a bear, a creature so frequently the victim of man's cruelty. In his way to school, he usually passed an old stable, in which a large black bear was confined, and very scantily fed. The sufferings of the animal induced Mr. Griffith to divide with it his luncheon, which he generally carried with him to school. A singular providence occurred on one of these occasions. Approaching one day too near the animal, it seized him, and according to the usual manDer of attack of these creatures, would, probably, have crushed him to death, had not one of his companions been passing at the same instant; this youth, with a remarkable courage, threw a stone, at which the bear endeavouring to catch, quitted its hold, and Mr. Griffith was thus released from his perilous situation, This singular deliverance was remembered by him ever after, with the liveliest gratitude to God; and he perpetuated the circumstance by a neat engraving of the scene, with this appropriate motto, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the bear." At another time he narrowly escaped drowning,

VOL. XL. MARCH, 1817.

We have not been able to learn that, during his juvenile days, any other incident occurred uncommon to youth in general; yet there is reason to believe that the moral instruction of his parents, and the force of their example, contributed, under the blessing of God, to preserve him from those extravagances and follies which mark the steps of untutored youth, who are left to roam at random, under the impulse of passion, and an unbridled appetite.

He married early in life; but as Mrs. G. did not long survive their union, there was no opportunity for his proving that domestic felicity which all who make a prudent choice, experience; he remained a widower to the end of his days, of the reason of which, his most intimate acquaintance are ignorant.

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About the year 1792, Mr. Griffith was introduced to the Methodist society, at Frome, by Richard Marchant, who was a member and a leader. The first ordinance which he attended amongst them, was a class-meeting, on the Lord's-day. questions were proposed to him during the meeting; he heard all that was said; and while a member of the class was concluding with prayer, his mind was deeply affected with a sense of his lost condition. This same person he afterwards acknowledged as his spiritual father; and from this period, commenced his warm and zealous attachment to the Methodists.

Sometimes circumstances, apparently trivial in themselves, both in civil and religious life, are pregnant with important events, and have a strong bearing upon every subsequent action. Without any previous plan, a man is frequently led into a new train of reasoning; principles are developed, errors are detected, and the mind claims its right to think and decide upon all points connected with moral character. As the parents of Mr. Griffith were members of the Established Church, he had early imbibed a strong predilection for her worship. His sobriety intitled him to the character of a good liver, and a good churchman. By his own confession, he embraced, from education, a liturgy which he had been at no pains to compare with the word of God; engaged in a form of worship without any regard for its power; and that he had professed a religion with which he had no other acquaintance than merely going his round of duty. He often said of himself, "Entirely ignorant of the plan of salvation, I went about to establish my own righteousness, and was as complete a Pharisce as ever existed." How a change was effected in his views, he informs us, in a tract which he published, entitled, Why am I a Methodist?" observing, "I had early entertained the most unfavourable opinion of those so called, which principally arose from the general prejudice of the neighbourhood against the But owing to a providential circumstance, I was led to suspect that my sentiments concerning this people were not cor

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rect, or at least not charitable and just. This reflection induced me to hear for myself, and much to my surprise and confusion, I soon found that my judgment had been strangely misled, and that my mind was influenced by bigotry. Their mode of worshipping their Creator was rational, solemn, and divine; the doctrines I heard them advance, were holy and scriptural; and the effect produced by them was, an impression on my mind that I hope will never be forgotten."

Soon after Mr. Griffith became a member of the Methodist society, he was appointed a class leader; for his zeal and piety, united with his good sense, soon introduced him to public notice, and he took an active part in promoting the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom. His talent was particularly adapted to comfort mourners, and to assist the tempted: he invariably directed all to cast their care upon the Lord, and to look to Jesus, their advocate and mediator, for help and support. Many can bear their testimony to the sympathy and concern he felt for their spiritual improvement. He was not a mere speculative Christian: he recommended a religion which he felt, and pointed out a way in which he himself walked. His assiduity and attention in promoting the eternal happiness of his neighbours, were unabated to the close of his life.

Feeling the happiness of religion, and knowing the worth of his own soul, he began to regard those who sat in darkness and in the shadows of death. His bowels yearned over them, and the love of Christ constrained him to surmount his natural modesty, in calling sinners to repentance. From this time he became a local preacher among the Methodists. His abilities, as a preacher, judged by the general standard of pulpit qualification, will not rank above mediocrity. In his discourses and exhortations, his mind was seriously affected with a sense of the wretched condition of sinners, and the awful consequences of their dying in an impenitent state, unprepared to meet their God and Judge: regardless of ornamenting his style, which was by no means despicable, his pious mind was entirely occupied with his subject, in crying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins. of the world." Mr. Griffith did not undervalue attainments necessary to give respect to public instruction, but conceived he was called in a humbler way to be useful to his fellow-creatures. He preached in every street at Frome, and at every village in its neighbourhood. The Lord's-day was fully occupied with these labours of love, and frequently the week day evenings. Few men have been instrumental in doing more good, received with greater affection, or heard with more attention.

Though Mr. Griffith met with, comparatively, little opposition, yet he was not without persecution. He says, "I was never branded with being a Methodist, until I became rational and

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