EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1808.

MEMOIR

OF

THE REV. PHILIP OLIVER.

THE late Rev. Philip Oliver was an eminent minister of Christ, and an exemplary ornament to the doctrines of the gospel. His father was an opulent citizen of Chester. His mother was daughter of Dr. Ferneough, a physician of high repute in that city. Mr. Oliver, when a child, was distinguished by remarkably amiable manners. Early in life he imbibed an idea, that he should one day become very religious: one effect of this persuasion was, that he paid particular courtesy to poor and pious people. He received the first part of his education in the Grammar School at Chester. That he was early inclined to devotion appeared from his leaving his juvenile companions immediately upon coming out of school, to attend the evening prayers in Chester cathedral.

It does not appear that he was designed for any profession; but he always discovered a predilection for that of a clergyman. He would frequently say to the Rev. Mr. Broadhurst, one of the clergy of Chester, that he would be his curate, and officiate for him at Churton-Heath Chapel: a speech (as it will appear) almost prophetical. Having completed his course at the uni versity, he returned to Chester, and received ordination from the hands of that eminent prelate Dr. Porteus; and to no other place than the chapel before mentioned. Though yet a stranger to the truth and power of the gospel, he displayed in this new sphere of action considerable excellence of moral character; and the want of that charity which is a fruit of the Spirit,' was supplied by the natural charms of a sweet and gentle temper. It is true, however, that at some periods of his early career, he discovered, like most young gentlemen, a propensity to the gaieties of the world: but now his character began to receive that decisive stamp which marked it to the day of his death. Previously to his taking priest's orders, he became sensible of permanent religious impressions; some of the circumstances of which were as follow:

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At Churton-Heath, he frequently dined with Mr. Colley, one of his most respectable parishioners, and a professor of vital godliness; but knowing Mr. C. to be a serious character, and retaining his gay turn of mind, Mr. Oliver studiously avoided religious conversation, and declined every book that Mr. C. offered to lend him; alleging that he now read no book but the Bible. He afterwards, indeed, acknowledged, that he had been cautioned not to look into any book which Mr. C. was in the habit of reading. His affectionate friend, however, would often lay snares for him, putting some evangelical treatise behind the door, or at some unsuspected part of the room in which Mr. O. was to sit. It appears that his charity was at this time nnbounded; he abhorred to think that salvation could be confined to believers in Christianity. He once said to Mrs. Colley, That if he thought the Heathen were not in a way to be saved, he would relinquish his gown The above-mentioned friend at length happily succeeded in prevailing upon him to put into his pocket Vivian's Dialogues, extorting from him a promise of a perusal. This promise, there is reason to believe, was fulfilled with the most happy effect.

At the time of his being ordained priest, he was appointed to preach the sermon on that occasion in the Cathedral of Chester. His discourse drew from the bishop, and in the presence of all the clergy at the dinner, the following warm and emphatic eulogium: I thank you, Mr. Oliver, for your very evangelical sermon." Such, indeed, was now the character of all his discourses.

Thinking it proper to take his degree of A. M. he went to Oxford for that purpose. His pious friend, secretly considered this as a crisis which would determine him either for the church or the world. Sovereign grace determined him for the former; and he now shewed proofs that he had felt its power. During this journey he made a visit to London; and was here providentially introduced to the venerable Mr. Newton. Mr. N. at first received him with an air of shyness; but his conductor, the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, making known his connexions and character, a friendship commenced; and that holy man enlisted him for his pulpit on the following Wednesday. This was probably the first extempore sermon which Mr. Oliver delivered. He entered the pulpit with considerable timidity, and proceeded in his sermon with much confusion. Observing a person of clerical appearance to stand near the door, and after a while withdraw, so completed Mr. O.'s embarrassment, that he quite lost himself. Lamenting his perplexity to Mr. N. that gentleman assured him, that he could say to him what he would not to every one,-That he should be happy to admit him into his pulpit a second time.

Being of a very delicate habit of body, he found the duty of Churton-Heath too much for his strength. He therefore cherished a wish to occupy a church in Chester. He applied to the corporation of that city for a small chapel in their gift. Before

he received their answer, the Rev. Mr. Ryland, of Birmingham, requested him to come thither, and act as his successor, in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Burn; as he (Mr. Ryland) was about to relinquish that situation for another at Sutton-Coldfield. This invitation Mr. O. accepted. After labouring there a short time, he had again to lament that his strength was inadequate to the duty; and wished to remove from that sphere. Leaving Birmingham, he went, for the benefit of his health, to Barmouth, in North Wales. During his stay here, his attention was directed to Shrewsbury, feeling pleasure in the idea of acting as assistant to the Rev. M. de Courcy; and a house was actually engaged for him in that town. But while at Barmouth, he had expressed a wish to see one of his Chester friends; and whom, for the benefit of his advice, he had appointed to meet at Bala. Having intimated his intention of going to Shrewsbury, his friend offered some arguments for his returning to his native place; but Mr. Oliver objected that his mother had expressed an aversion to any further residence in that city.

Dr. Porteus was now translated to the see of London. Mr. Oliver had written to his successor, Bishop Cleaver, intimating his desire to serve some church in Chester; but as his character had become known for a style of preaching not very fashionable, it is no wonder that his request, in this particular, failed of success. It had happened too, that the corporation had never returned a proper answer to his application respecting St. John's Chapel. The clergy of the city also, apprehending that he was tinctured with Methodism, had signified an unwillingness to admit him into their pulpits. This, it is suspected, was in consequence of a hint to that effect from the Episcopal throne. Mr. Oliver's mother justly felt herself aggrieved to observe, That any northcountry candidate could obtain not only orders, but preferment, in the city; while her son, a native, of a respectable family, and who had received an university education, was treated with marked inattention,-in fact, rejected!-Mr. Oliver's own mind, however, notwithstanding these discouragements, gave Chester the preference; and he made his removal thither to depend on the event of obtaining a certain house at Boughton, in its vicinity,

for the engaging which he gave his friend commission. As this house was the property of a lady intimate with his family, no impediment obstructed this scheme; she readily complied with bis wishes. In little events we pursue the footsteps of great providences. Before the house was purchased, Mr. Oliver came to Chester, in order to inspect it. It being suggested by his friend that the out-buildings would make an excellent chapel, he was stimulated the more eagerly to conclude the bargain. This done, he very soon came, and took possession. His family generally consisted but of himself and his mother, who was peculiarly fond of her son Philip; and who was not a little gratified, as the house was so small a distance from Chester, that she could still

be said to live at that place, without violating her former solemn resolution.We have now followed this interesting man through the mazes of his short journey, to the spot where it pleased the Lord to crown his ministry with such remarkable success.

Upon entering this new, this last earthly scene, he again found that his health was such as to prohibit any great exertion; but his soul was in health. He had clear views of his acceptance in Christ; and walked humbly and closely with him. He discovered a very amiable and candid spirit towards his people. Those with whom he now held Christian intercourse, and that too at the sacramental table, were the members of the congregational church, under the Rev. Mr. Armitage, whom, indeed, he offered to assist in the ministry. His friendship for the Lord's people, in that connection, continued throughout his life. Recovering a degree of health, he opened his own house for divine worship on Lord's Day evenings. At first it was only in a way of family prayer, attended with singing and expounding the Scriptures. The house soon proved too small for the crowds that attended; and now it appeared necessary to put in execution his plan of converting the out-building into a sanctuary. The barn was first appropriated to the sacred purpose. This was soon after enlarged by taking in the stable. The granary was then pressed into the service. Two galleries were next erected. But all together proved insufficient to accommodate the multitudes who eagerly flocked to his ministry.

In the summer of 1799, indisposition began again to make serious advances upon his delicate frame. He was urged to try the air of Park Gate, a bathing-place of considerable resort on the bank of the Dee, and where his brother then had lodgings. On his setting out for this place, he called on several friends, to bid them farewell. In his manner of taking leave there was something so peculiar, that his friends could not but remark it to one another there seemed to be a mutual presentiment of the event. While he was at Park Gate, the old servant who was with his mother at Boughton, had a dream, the particulars of which we have not learned; but the effect of which was to request leave to visit her master. She instantly set out for ParkGate, where she found him, not indeed dead, as perhaps she expected he was contemplatively sitting alone in the parlour, but worse in bodily health. She persuaded him to accompany her in a chaise to Boughton. He consented; and thought himself better for the ride. He had that evening a faney (and seemed, with the rest of the household, highly pleased to find himself able) to take his little supper of gruel by the kitchen fire-side. Both he and they retired with some hope that a degree of health might yet be regained. The middle of the night undeceived them; and the following day confirmed their despondency. even o'clock in the evening proved the limit of his militant state: at that hour he was wont constantly to retire (even from company)