THE

WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION

MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1843.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. MICHAEL DONLAN, By Mr. A. Gilbert.

THE subject of this memoir was born in the year 1807, in the county of Kildare, in Ireland. When he was a child his father died, and he was left to the sole care of his mother, who did not behave to him with usual maternal affection. When he was in his eighteenth year, not being comfortable at home, and being out of employment, he left Ireland, and came to England; and the good providence of God directed him to Leeds, to which place he went a stranger, seeking employment, and not knowing a single individual. This was in the early part of the year 1825. Shortly after his arrival in Leeds he succeeded in obtaining employment. At first he occupied only an inferior situation, but he conducted himself with such propriety as commended him both to his employers and to those among whom he laboured; and in a short time he was advanced to a better situation.

His appearance at this time was such as to excite the notice and sympathy of several individuals, who became his sincere friends. Though sickly and haggard in his looks, his youth and his desire to please, combined with his simplicity and mild disposition, won for him the esteem of all by whom he was surrounded. His activity and attention was such, for the fourteen years during which he remained in the employment of one firm, that the person under whose superintendence he was, says that, he does not recollect one single complaint brought against him; but that, he was, from first to last, and in each department of the works, beloved and esteemed by all.

About three years subsequent to his coming to England he entered into the marriage state. His wife, who now mourns his loss, ever found him to be a faithful and affectionate husband, as well as an indulgent and attentive parent. Before his death his children were removed, one after another, by a wise, but inscrutable providence, into another world.

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His mother-in-law, when asked, by the writer of this account, what particulars she could furnish concerning the history of Mr. Donlan, very sympathetically said, 'I know nothing bad of him-but every thing that is good; and I can say no more.' Such testimony, from such a quarter, is, indeed, most satisfactory. At the time of his marriage, his partner, with her parents, were in the habit of attending the Wesleyan chapel in St. Peter's Street, Leeds; and he, as a matter of course, accompanied them there. Of this, however, he soon became tired, and then went with them only occasionally. When the Stone chapel, in Leeds, was opened, by the Protestant Methodists, he became more attentive to the public means of grace. His wife's parents having become members of the Protestant Methodist Society, worshipped at the Stone chapel, and he went there with them. In November, 1828, while Mr. Sigston was preaching from 1 Cor, xvi. 22, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha." The word reached Mr. Donlan's heart, and he became deeply affected, and during the prayer meeting, which was held after the preaching, he found peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Without delay he then became a member of the Society, and in December following, received his first ticket.

The change which had taken place in his mind was soon made manifest in his walk and conversation; and having tasted the word of life, his first desire was to promote the spiritual interests of others. The first step he took for the accomplishment of this object was to offer himself as a teacher in the Sabbath school; and though his attainments were then but slender, yet he was thought to be adequate to take one of the junior classes, and, therefore, was appointed to this work. He now laboured with so much attention and assiduity to improve himself, that he became a most efficient teacher, and had committed to his care one of the senior classes. He was made instrumental in the conversion of several of the scholars, some of whom died triumphantly in the Lord, and are now with him in glory, while others are marching on in their way to heaven.

The Society observing his activity and zeal, he was soon appointed to the office of a leader, which he filled with credit and success. He had not only ability to raise a class, but could also keep it together when raised. The class he had in Leeds was a most flourishing and piously devoted circle; and on removing to Armley, notwithstanding opposing circumstances, he raised in a few months, and out of the world, a class of more than twenty members. He was peculiarly fitted for this work. Visiting and praying from house to house, he won the hearts of the people, and brought them to the house of God, and afterwards into his fold and family.

No eccentricities, no sullenness, or spirit of litigation ever shewed itself in him. He was peaceable, and active in his endeavours to do good.

In the early part of the year 1837, he commenced labouring as an exhorter, and generally he was favoured with acceptance and success. Soon after this, he had a few Sabbath preaching appointments given to him, which he also fulfilled with satisfaction to the people.

About this time he accompanied one of the senior preachers to

Armley, to make trial of his gift for preaching; and from the manner in which he addressed the people, and the pleasure and profit they seemed to derive from listening to him, it was thought that he should have a note from the Superintendent, authorizing him to preach occasionally in the circuit. After due time of trial, he was regularly brought on the preachers' plan to the entire satisfaction of all his brethren, and of the people amongst whom he laboured. Considering the limited means he possessed for improvement, and the sphere in which he moved, it may be said, that he made considerable progress in acquiring qualifications for the work of the ministry; and the Lord crowned his labours with much success.

In all he had to do for God he was fervent and energetic. Frequently he was spoken to concerning his zeal and application, and the injury which by excessive labour he might probably do to himself and family; to which he has been heard to say, "I had rather die than cease to labour!"

His brethren sometimes thought that, God designed him for a more extended sphere of usefulness than that in which he was then engaged, and the removal of his children to the heavenly world strengthened this opinion. When this subject was named to him, he invariably manifested the utmost passiveness; there were no indications of impatience or desire; indeed, on all occasions he was especially characterized by submission.

His disinterestedness was remarkable. When asked about eighteen months ago to enter upon the school at Providence Chapel, Armley ; he instantly acceded, although it involved the sacrifice of his personal interest, in relinquishing the situation he then held; and he continued to labour at Armley until within about two or three months of his death. By the amiability of his disposition, and by his truly Christian conduct, while labouring there, surrounded as he was by the most trying circumstances, he obtained the esteem and affection of all. On my asking one of the Society officers at Armley, what were Mr. Donlan's most remarkable traits of character? he replied, Patience, peaceableness, and zeal, were prominent parts of his character.'

Such was the confidence his brethren the leaders and preachers of the circuit placed in Mr. Donlan, that when, in consequence of the removal of Mr. Baxter to Jamaica, a circuit preacher was wanted to labour in Leeds, he was requested to serve the circuit by taking the appointment of a third preacher; with which request he complied. In this new sphere he laboured with acceptance until laid aside by illness. Some have thought, and said, the labour was too great for him, but he has distinctly stated, the work did him no harm, but good. It was his appointment on the plan to preach at the time, and in the chapel in which his funeral sermon was preached.

The complaint of which our dear brother died was consumption; those who were best and longest acquainted with him have said, that from the time he came to England, he never had a healthy appearance; notwithstanding, he was always able to attend to his employment. About three months ago, he became unable longer to attend to his school at Armley, and was advised to remove to Leeds for the benefit