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Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1826.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. ROBERT WRIGLEY,

of Derby.

MR. ROBERT WRIGLEY was born at Rochdale, in Lancashire, March 26th, 1756. His ancestors were Protestant Dissenters. His father died when he was very young, leaving his mother with two sons and two daughters. On the death of his father, the care of the family principally devolved on him. When about sixteen years of age, he became a member of the Methodist Society. His convictions of sin were deep and pungent. Sometimes he was afraid to close his eyes in sleep, lest he should awake surrounded by the flames of hell. But under what circumstances he obtained a sense of pardon, whether while engaged in the exercise of private devotion, at the public means of grace, or while reading the sacred oracles, the writer of this memoir cannot say but this he knows, having heard Mr. Wrigley state it, that the manifestation he received of the divine favour was clear and satisfactory, so as to remove all guilt and condemnation from his mind, and fill him with peace and joy and love. It may not be amiss to observe, that on Mr. Wrigley's becoming serious, he was made the honoured instrument of bringing the whole of the family to the enjoyment of real religion. They all united themselves to the Methodist Society, died in the faith, and left a most pleasing assurance of their eternal felicity.

Soon after his conversion, he was appointed to the office of a ClassLeader, the duties of which he faithfully and conscientiously discharged till his death; and we believe there were many to hail him in the world of glory, who had been greatly benefited by his pious instructions and fervent prayers.

He had not long been appointed to the office of a Class-Leader, before he was called to exercise his talents in a still more public manner. The circumstances by which he was led to enter upon the sacred work of preaching the Gospel, were of a peculiar nature. A young man with whom he was acquainted, fancying himself called to preach, made an engagement in an adjacent village, and requested Mr. Wrigley to accompany him. On their arrival, they found the congregation assembled ; but the young man, feeling himself incompetent to the task, turned to Mr. Wrigley, and said, "You must address the people, for I cannot say a word." Mr. Wrigley, though entirely unprepared, feeling VOL. V. Third Series, NovEMBER, 1826. 3 F

that it would be improper to dismiss them without a word of exhortation, made the attempt; and he was heard not long ago to say, that he believed on that occasion he preached as connected and useful a sermon as he ever delivered in his life. Soon after this, the young man again became restless in his mind, and said he still believed he ought to preach, and would therefore make another effort. The result was the same as before. Mr. Wrigley was grieved the second time, and expostulated with him; but to no purpose: for a third time he said he was certain he ought to attempt to preach. Mr. Wrigley was again prevailed on to accompany him, and was again obliged to officiate. The young man was now convinced that he ought to give up all thoughts of preaching; but the people would by no means suffer Mr. Wrigley to remain silent, as they were fully persuaded a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to him. He listened to their entreaties, and became an acceptable and useful Local Preacher. In this capacity he laboured with success for more than half a century; a divine unction attended his ministrations, and he had the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand. Sinners were convinced of their guilt and danger, mourners were comforted, believers were edified; and no doubt many will be his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The venerable Founder of Methodism has observed that three things are found in all whom God calls to the work of the ministry: Grace, Gifts, and Fruit: "We can," says he, "receive no man without these, nor continue him any longer than he continues to possess them." And a greater than Mr. Wesley says, "I have ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain."

The friends of Mr. Wrigley, perceiving that he possessed the requisite qualifications, were of opinion that he ought entirely to devote himself to the work of the ministry; but as he was naturally unassuming, and diffident; as he entertained very humiliating views of himself, and the most exalted ones of the great work of saving souls, he required to be "thrust out" into the vineyard of the Lord.

During the greater part of his life, Mr. Wrigley was a subject of the most severe and complicated afflictions. A few of his last years were attended with peculiarly distressing circumstances; but we cannot enter into a particular enumeration of them. Suffice it to say, that, although he felt these painful occurrences most acutely, nay, it is believed they were ultimately the cause of his death, yet he bore them with entire resignation to the Divine will, knowing that all things, whether prosperous or adverse, joyous or afflictive, would work for him "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Of late, a peculiar spirituality of mind was manifest in him. This increased as he drew near the confines of the tomb; so that it appeared

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as if his soul had caught the first beams of that cloudless day which has now burst upon him with its ineffable and unfading splendour.

Though sensible that his end was approaching, and that the event would in all probability be sudden, he betrayed no fear of dying; nor, amidst the severe bodily suffering, which he endured almost without intermission, did the slightest expression of murmuring or impatience ever escape from his lips.

having been at his Classand was for a considerable But during this affecting

A few weeks previous to his dissolution, meeting, he returned home exceedingly ill, time apparently on the verge of eternity. season, his soul was filled with holy joy; death was deprived of his terrors, and he could look beyond the ravages of mortality with the most delightful anticipations. Addressing himself to his beloved and afflicted partner, who lay only a little distance from him, he said, "Now, Mary, which of us shall get to heaven first? there appears to be a strife between us." His daughter, bursting into tears, said, "Father, I hope the Lord will spare you a little longer." He locked at her with a smile, and said, "Why? what can be better than to go to heaven?" To which she replied, "If he do not spare you for your own sake, I hope he will for ours." He then expatiated most emphatically on the love of Christ, and observed, "Well might St. Paul rejoice in his sufferings, with so glorious a prospect before him;" and added, "Come, let us sing once more." He then sang with peculiar interest and feeling, a beautiful hymn on the pleasures of religion and the joys of heaven.

On Tuesday evening, Oct. 11th, 1825, though much indisposed in regard to his health, he met his Class, and spoke particularly on the solemnities of death; observing, that as we frequently hear of persons who are suddenly called into eternity, we ought to be in a state of constant readiness for our great change. On the Thursday evening following, there was a remarkable placidity in his countenance, which strongly indicated the calmness and tranquillity of his mind; and he retired to rest apparently as well as usual. About four o'clock in the morning he became exceedingly ill. His medical attendant was immediately sent for, and found him labouring under the deadly symptoms of a suspended action of the heart; and the most prompt exertions to restore circulation were unavailing. The hour of his departure was come, his warfare was accomplished, his work was completed, and his happy spirit, sanctified by divine grace, was prepared to receive its crown. He endeavoured to speak; but was unable to articulate much that could be understood. One of the last sentences which could be distinctly heard, was, "All my thoughts are prayer and praise." Some time before he expired, he said, "I am going to rest;" soon after, "I am nearly there;" and then, as if his soul had caught a nearer glimpse of celestial glory, he aid, with a peculiar emphasis, "I am almost there now." Not long after, his

happy spirit took its flight from this scene of conflict and trial, to the mansions of light and joy. Thus died Mr. Robert Wrigley, October 14th, 1825, in the seventieth year of his age, leaving a widow and a daughter to lament his loss.

On the following Monday his mortal remains were interred in the burying-ground connected with the Methodist Chapel in King-Street, Derby, in the presence of a numerous concourse of spectators. On Sunday evening, Nov. 6th, the occasion of his death was improved in an impressive discourse by the Rev. Henry S. Hopwood, from 1 Cor. xv. 55-57, to a crowded and attentive congregation in the King-Street Chapel; and another excellent Sermon was preached on the same evening, by the Rev. Joseph Taylor, sen., in the Green-Hill Chapel, in reference to the same lamented event.

This sketch of Mr. Wrigley's personal history is unavoidably defective, in consequence of the want of original documents, descriptive of his religious experience, and of the principal events of his life. The fol lowing were the more distinguished features in the character of this good man.

1. With regard to Mr. Wrigley's religious opinions, he was a decided Methodist. He cordially embraced our doctrines, and approved of our discipline. Few men had more clear and scriptural views of the important doctrines of justification by faith, the direct witness of the Spirit, and entire sanctification, which as a religious body the Methodists consider it their glory to maintain.

2. His talents as a Preacher were very respectable. He possessed a clear understanding, a correct judgment, and a retentive memory. He had read much, but had thought more. His great object was, to deliver the important verities of our holy religion in plain and impressive language. Few persons could sit under his discourses without being edified.

3. He possessed a benevolent disposition. "He had a tear for pity, and a hand open as day for melting charity." The applications of the distressed, and the claims of the cause of God, were met by him with acknowledged liberality. The writer of this memoir has sometimes ac companied him on his errands of mercy, to the abodes of poverty and disease, and listened with delight to his fervent prayers for the afflicted and the dying. He seldom, however, communicated spiritual instruction without affording pecuniary assistance.

4. He was a man of retired habits, and hence few could form a just estimate of his character. Yet when his health would permit, he could enjoy the society of his friends; and when the conversation turned upon the truths of the Gospel, or any subject calculated to improve the under standing, and amend the heart, he was open and communicative. Those who knew him best prized him most. But from his naturally reserved

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