this excursion was of great benefit both to his body and mind. Having experienced the great advantages arising from a pious wife, whilst at Philadelphia he again entered into the marriage state with a Mrs. Short, a widow lady of that city, in whom he found, unto his death, kindness and affection in an eminent degree. Reviewing the providential path through which the Lord had brought him, in a letter to a friend in the Windward Islands, he writes-"I have altered my state twice since I saw you. You had a description of my first wife's character: she died happy in the Lord: at her death I was supposed to be in a dying condition. I took a voyage to America, which was blessed to me, and was again raised. After my recovery, on certain conditions, I took another wife: namely, she was not to expect my stay in America. Secondly, I had engaged as a Methodist minister, from which I would not depart. Thirdly, the place of my appointment was a place of poverty and distress, but the immortal souls of the inhabitants were my care; and if Conference kept me in that place all the days of my life, I would obey. To these conditions she agreed, and we were married, Nov. 6, 1808. Blessed be God, I have reason to be thankful to him again, and do praise him for giving me such a partner." On our good brother's return from America, he immediately repaired to the poor destitute people of Eleuthera, and laboured among them with much success and pleasure, until 1811, when the number of missionaries being increased, and the missionary field extended, the brethren agreed on a regular exchange of circuits. When leaving his circuit, the tie formed by this faithful minister and loving people was hard to loose. "On Wednesday, April 15," (he observes) "I took leave of Rock-Sound, after having laboured there from May 10, 1805. The people were all in tears, I also felt much affected, but duty called, and I believed it to be for the good of the church." It is still pleasing to witness the effects of his labours on Eleuthera, in the affection which the people manifest whenever he is called to their remembrance: the tears of affection flow, and we hear warmly expressed from the heart, "Ah! dear Mr. Turton! he was indeed a man of God! he was as a father to us!" As his papers are not regular, and this memoir has already exceeded the length at first intended, the following summary account, drawn up by himself, giving a view of the progress of this mission, until the time of his becoming a supernumerary, shall close the account of his active labours. "In May, 1809, when I returned to my charge, I found the work going forward under the care of brother Rutlidge; and although the people on Eleuthera had been deprived of a preacher, * He meant Eleuthera, they had gained four members, and had begun to build a chapel. I went with strength renewed to the work, and took in a new place, Savannah-Sound. God graciously blessed my labours, in sealing my ministry by many triumphant deaths; and a steady society gathered of 340 members. "In March, 1812, the Lord was pleased to send additional help; Mr. Dowson came from the Carribee Islands. Our first District Meeting was held at Rock-Sound: we had a display of mercy and love: God blessed his people, and they shouted forth his praise. Their experience animated the preachers, and our voices made one glorious harmony. Our stations for this year were as follows:-I was to have New Providence, brother Rutlidge to spend the three first months of the year on Eleuthera, and afterwards endeavour to plant the gospel on Harbour Island brother Dowson, as I had to finish a new chapel which was begun at Nassau, was to spend the three first months at New Providence, and the remaining part of the year on Eleuthera. God was with us, and we were enabled to finish the chapel, and a few were added to the society. "The next year I spent at Harbour Island, at which place I found 34 sincere souls in society, and had the happiness of experiencing the blessing of the Lord to attend my feeble labours; so that, at the close of the year, the society had increased to 184 members. "1814. The chapel in Nassau being thrown down by the dreadful hurricane in 1813, I was appointed for that place till a house which had been purchased was fitted up, and then to take Eleuthera. Brother Rutlidge, though a residentiary preacher, took Rock-Sound whilst I was in Nassau. Brother Dowson was stationed at Harbour Island: his labours were abundantly blessed: the society under his care increased to upwards of three hundred. At the close of this year, God sent us additional help viz. brother Ward, from England. "In 1815, I was appointed to make an half yearly change with brother Ward, of New Providence and Harbour Island circuits. My first half year was on Harbour Island: here the Lord made a way for the erection of a chapel, which, through the same channel, has been greatly improved by brother Moore. Having obtained liberty, I went again to America; but finding myself nothing better, knowing Abaco was in want of help, I was led, in my poor state, to return to visit that place; but, before I left New Providence, while reflecting on what I should do in my office as Chairman, with my distracted head and weak body, brother Wilson providentially arrived to my relief, and I was appointed to a supernumerary station. Our good brother has made a good beginning; I hope the pleasure of the Lord will prosper in his hands. I am sorry to lose my dear brother Dowson, who returns home. He has laboured faithfully in his Master's vineyard; with him I have had many happy days." To the honour of this man of God, (brother T.) it should be observed, that although he was appointed to a supernumerary station, he could not content himself to sit down, and not visit the place which rested on his mind while in America; he therefore set out for Abaco, and remained there until the District Meeting, and had the pleasure to witness that God still honoured his ministry in giving him souls for his hire. At the District of 1817, Abaco was supplied with an active Missionary. As the people of Harbour Island were desirous to have brother T. reside among them, and, as the brethren considered it the most proper place for him, in his supernumerary situation, it was recommended to him to reside there, at least for that year. This appointment, which he accepted, was indeed providential, for as brother Wilson and our late worthy brother Ward were that year to make a half-yearly exchange of circuits, by the death of the latter Harbour Island would otherwise have been deprived, the last half of the year, of the counsel and help of a preacher, and consequently would have suffered much. The charge of the flock having devolved on our aged brother, he exerted all his powers to do them good. He not only supplied the island, but extended his labours to some of the out places. These exertions were, however, too great for him; his infirm constitution sunk beneath this increase of labour, to rise no more in the sphere of usefulness here. This he felt much: in a letter which he wrote to brother Moore, on the subject, he observes:"I am like an old soldier, looking on the field of battle; every flash and report of the cannon-every sound of the trumpet and drum, fills him with fresh animation, and makes him think he is fit for the field; but, before he reaches the ground, he feels his debility, and sinks beneath the weight of his infirmities. So I feel, and so I strive; but every attempt discovers to me my imbecility, and tells me I am not as before." Prior to the close of the year, brother Ward paid Harbour Island a visit, and found brother T. a prisoner of affliction, confined to his bed. As no proper assistance could be afforded him in his afflicted state there, he persuaded him to go with him to Nassau; having a desire to see his brethren before his departure, he complied; but his affliction having increased, he was denied the pleasure, and the District Meeting of the pleasure and profit of his presence. As soon as the District Meeting of 1818 was over, the preacher stationed in town had him removed to his house, and flattered himself that, although nature was visibly declining, he should, for some time, be privileged with his sage and judicious counsel. His affliction being considered a debility of the nerves, every thing was done to raise his mind, and keep him cheerful. The frequent visits and pious conversation of religious friends, appeared to rekindle the expiring lamp of life, so that he was not only enabled to walk in his room, but to accompany brother Rutlidge in a chaise to the eastward chapel. While hearing the word, he felt his soul particularly blessed; and the small exertion, although he appeared fatigued, was evidently of use to him. It was, however, the last time he was permitted to attend on the publick ordinances of God's house. About a week prior to his death, his friends wishing him to make every exertion to throw off that gloom which his affliction necessarily tended to bring on his spirits, he received an invitation from a lady in the society, for whom he had a high esteem, to pay a visit to her house, it being adjacent. With the assistance of some friends, he was enabled to comply. While there, he appeared particularly revived, and conversed cheerfully about Divine things: this created a hope that he might be enabled to make yet greater exertions, and attend again the ordinances; but the weary wheels of life were soon to stop. On Friday, May 7, 1818, he was seized with a kind of apoplectic fit, which deprived him of his speech, and, on Sunday the 10th, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and twentysecond of his ministry, he gathered up his feet, and, without a lingering groan, rendered up his spirit to his God. The awful ness of the visitation deprived us of the benefit of his last moments addresses, but not of an evidence of the happy state of his mind 1; for, while his friends were turning him in his bed, just before he expired, his benumbed powers were for the moment restored, and he exclaimed, "Glory be to God---Glory be to God--Glory be to God." Thus, while we mark the perfect, and behold the upright, we find that not only his end is peace, but gloriously triumphant, His mortal remains were on Monday the 11th deposited near the door of our eastward chapel. His death was improved by an appropriate address from brother Moore. The service was read by brother Rutlidge. The manner in which this servant of God was respected, was evidenced by the vast multitude which attended his funeral, and the interest they took in the solemn service which was performed. Many were constrained to say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." DIVINITY. SERMON ON PROVERBS XI. 16. The compass of a sermon will not admit the numerous extracts which might be made from her diary; these, I expect, will ap pear in their proper time and place to edify the Church of Christ, and to comfort her afflicted friends: one quotation more will close these extracts. On the first Sunday in May, 1819, which ends her diary, she says, "Through the mercy of God I was again enabled to worship in his house, and pay my vows in the midst of his people, while I took the cup of salvation; O! that my soul may be refreshed thereby, and my spiritual strength renewed; I feel myself a worm of the dust; weaker than a bruised reed, help I every moment need.' Lord, grant me this help, I beseech thee! O sanctify my soul, body, and spirit; cleanse my heart from every pollution, seal me thine eternally, give me a constant spirit of devotion, A heart in every thought renew'd, And full of love Divine; Perfect and right, and pure and good, A copy, Lord, of thine.'" From this time forward it does not appear that she committed any thing to paper, except some epistolary correspondence with her friends at a distance, as her health declined very fast, notwithstanding all the means used for her recovery, and the solici tous care and affectionate attention of her husband, daughter, and other friends: her disorder had taken too deep root to be removed by human help, and the Lord had determined in his inscrutable Providence, speedily to take this " gracious woman" to that happy country, where the inhabitants no more say, "I am sick." This she was conscious of more and more, and though willing to use all the medicine prescribed for her, she despaired of recovery, and seemed anxious to prepare the minds of her family and friends for the painful stroke of parting for ever in this world. This she did with great composure of mind, and gave many affectionate admonitions and Christian counsels to those who were about her, which will, I trust, be long felt and remembered. 6 As to her own state, she gave evident proofs that her affections were weaned from the world; and her mind became more spiritual and heavenly as the moment approached when she was to bid a long farewell to all below the skies. She manifested much patience and pious resignation to her heavenly Father's will; no murmur escaped her lips, but her language was, Good is the will of the Lord. The word of God was her delight, which she requested to have often read to her; with those most profitable memoirs of dying Christians, (found in that very valuable work the Methodist Magazine) whom she longed to imitate: and was anxious to add her dying testimony with theirs, that Christians "do not follow cunningly devised fables." She enjoyed great calm ness and tranquillity of mind, especially the last three weeks of her life, and often said she had a peace in her soul, which the world could not give, that death had lost its terrors, and that Christ was VOL. XLIV. FEBRUARY, 1821. *L* |