THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. SEPTEMBER, 1808. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOEL ABRAHAM KNIGHT, OF LONDON. [Concluded from our last.] IN endeavouring to complete the narrative of Mr. Knight's life, we feel ourselves at liberty to notice a few circumstances which the author's well known aversion to egotism induced him to omit. The early part of his youth was so strongly marked by a dislike to literary applications, that at the age of fourteen he could scarcely read or write; but after he had attained that age, his attention to these necessary acquirements was suddenly aroused, and his application in the pursuit of knowledge was as ardent as his previous inattention had been culpable. This may appear, at first sight, a circumstance of little importance; but when we consider it as preparatory to that scene of activity and usefulness for which his gracious Master had designed him, this seeming insignificance vanishes; and we cannot fail to esteem it the first step in the leadings of that Providence, which 'ordereth all thiugs both in Heaven and in Earth.' From this period to the time of his conversion, the whole of his leisure hours were devoted to reading, or gay company; after that memorable event, his thirst for knowledge was rather increased than diminished; but as God had been pleased to show him the error of his former ways, his object in these pursuits was entirely changed. His first essays at composition were inserted in the Gospel Magazine, about the latter end of the year 1779, and in the following year, under the signatures of Philemon, and J. A. K. The Magazine was at that time under the direction of the late Rev. A. M. Toplady; for whose memory Mr. K. had the highest regard, and whose ministerial exercises had made so deep an impression upon his mind, that he could scarcely ever mention his name without emotion. We feel the more inclined to be particular upon this subject, as it will remove the imputation of precipitancy froin the conduct of Mr. Wills, in his wishing him to supply his place upon so public an occasion, in a few days after his first hearing him; as we have to remark that these essays were pointed out to Mr. W. by a friend; and, together with his hearing him, gare Mr. W. so high an opinion of his talents and piety, as to induce that request. Mr. K.'s respect for the memory of one of his relations, and a wish to avoid wounding the feelings of another still living, has doubtless led him to glance very slightly at the opposition he endured in his outset in the Christian career: these were particularly painful to his susceptible mind; but the God who gave him grace, added strength to that grace, and enabled him to persevere to the end. In this trying season he experienced the directing hand of Providence at a time, and in a manner, too interesting to permit our passing over it in silence. One Thursday evening, after the business of the day was over, he was about to leave home for Orange Street Chapel, when his relation called him aside, and expostulated with him very severely concerning his religious views; promised to be a greater friend than ever to him if he would renounce his new companions, and threatened to discard him if he still persisted. After his friend had left him, he went out, much distressed in mind, not knowing what to do; his steps led him apparently insensibly to Orange Street, where he arrived so late that the prayers were over, and Mr. Toplady had just opened the Bible to give out his text, when, under the direc tion of an over ruling Providence, he read these words, Gen. xlv. 20: Regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.' This passage, and the reflections made upon it, were, under God, so forcibly applied to his particular case, that all his doubts were removed; and he was enabled to give up all for Christ. 6 The steps preparatory to his ordination, and his subsequent engagement at Spa-Fields Chapel, are too amply noticed in the nar rative to need any further addition, except to observe, that it ap pears by his letters during his engagement there, he received invitations from several congregations to settle with them: from the church in Jewin Street, to succeed his dear friend the Rev. Mr. Woodgate; and from the congregations at Hackney, Brighton, and Orange Street; but his affection for Mr. Wills, and above all his manifest usefulness in the connection, led him to decline their offers. The separation from his much-loved friend, and the children at Spa-Fields, was a season of great affliction; but his high esteem for his venerable friend and patron, rendered this a necessary, though a painful duty. . Upon his removal to Pentonville, and during the early part of his engagement at the Tabernacle, he undertook the tuition of afew pupils; upon whose minds his paternal and endearing attentions have made impressions never to be obliterated. Before his removal from Pentonville, he used to meet his old: friends from Spa-Fields, in a room near the chapel, every other Wednesday: an opportunity which he very much enjoyed, and which he continued until within the three last years preceding his death, when his extreme weakness rendered him unable to continue it. Providence, in removing him to the Tabernacle and its connections, introduced him to a kind circle of ministers and friends, whose affectionate attentions to him when in health, but more particularly during his long illness, were a source of great comfort to him. We are now come to a later and more painful part of his life, the narration of the commencement and continuance of that fatal illness which terminated his existence upon earth. About five years previous to his death he was attacked with a very severe cold, which was followed by dropsical symptoms to an alarming degree. These were removed after a length of time; but left so great a degree of weakness as to render the rest of his life rather a series of repeated relapses and partial recoveries than positive restoration to health. In these intervals of comparative recovery, although removed from that extentive field of exertion, in which he had previously moved, yet he was always anxious to embrace every opportunity to proclaim the name of his blessed Master, and of attending the administration of the Lord's Supper; and on such occasions both his soul and body were usually much refreshed. We shall now proceed to lay before our readers some extracts. from his pocket-book for 1807; and it is to be lamented, that in consequence of the preceding ones having been destroyed, we are unable to select more, as they are sweetly expressive of his holy resignation to the will of God; which appeared, not only in the following extracts, but in every conversation during his illness which referred to his situation. sinful worm, At the beginning we find the following remark :Jan. 1, 1807. Gracious God! A worm, a poor is spared, in thy providence, to see the commencement of another year! Surely, I may say, my sins during the past year have been more in number than the hairs of my head! and my insensibility of thy momentary mercies truly awful! but thy covenant blessings in Jesus are greater than all. -O how truly may I with the Psalmist (in admiring gratitude) exclaim, Nevertheless, I am continually with thee!' &c. Ps. lxxiii. 23-26. 'N. B. This is the passage I would choose, if any of my bre thren thought fit to notice a poor unprofitable servant after his death. But let them say nothing of me, only as a brand plucked out of the burning! a sinner saved by free grace alone! - Jan. 2, 1807. As it is desirable in nature to view a prospect from a favourable point, so in experience there are certain points from which spiritual points are best seen. My present state (if rightly viewed) is the proper one to see, 1st, The vanity of the world; 2d, The weakness and sinfulness of my own heart; 3d, The folly and danger of trusting in Self; and, 4th, The happiness of that man who has a covenant God in Christ for his God. Gracious Spirit, help me so to do! Amen. Lord, my best actions cannot save; But thou must cleanse e'en them; My worst shall not condemn.' Jan. 19. The eternal God is thy refuge! how then do some say that the Church is in danger of being overthrown by her enemies? Jehovah goes before her, as her guide through the wilderness. He is a wall of fire round her; a glory in the midst of her; and, as when he stood between Pharaoh and the Israelites at the side of the Red Sea, in the pillar of a cloud and fire, her rere-ward! Be this my portion, blessed Jesus! Amen. 'I met with the following lines this day Well, let my Sov'reign, if he please, Heav'n's brighter than I can conceive; To serve God here, shall see him there.' "How sad must be the disappointment of Agag when he went into the presence of Saul, delicately and confidently, and said, Surely, the bitterness of death is passed; but was hewn in pieces! (1 Sam. xv. 32.) How awfully will many presumptuous sinners be disappointed who go delicately, in their own righ teousness, into the presence of God! O that I may never be left to do this! Blessed Spirit, let me go into eternity under the blood of sprinkling, and in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and then all shall be well. Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, On thy kind arms I fall; Be thou my strength and righteousness, Jan. 22. The following remark of a good old author was very sweet to my heart:-Though he slay me (saith Job) yet will I trust him.'-He did not say, Though I die I will trust him -though I should die a violent death I will trust him;' but, though he slay me, though his hand be lifted up, and he strike I will still trust him, and hang upon his mercy.'-O for such a faith as this!' me, Jan. 23. It is not my duty, nor would I wish to dictate to God by what means, or at what time to take me. Lord teach me to say with Mrs. Rowe, Only receive my soul to thee The manner and the time be thine I' Lord's Day, Jan. 25, 1807. I remember to have seen a coat of arms, some years ago, with this motto,- Within the ark, safe for ever.-Blessed truth! • When God sent Noah and his family into the ark, he shut him in;' while he was in it he slept, and knew not aught around him; but he was safe from the deluge, because in the ark. This thought has been a comfort to me. Many persons in my disorder have been unable to speak in death. Should this be my case, my safety does not depend on what I can say (though it is desirable to speak to God's praise in going through the river). Am I in Christ? that is the point; and that being settled, all'is and shall be well!' Feb. 1. A prisoner still: but unworthy and vile as I am, and feel myself to be, I trust, through the Lord Jesus Christ, a prisoner of hope.' Feb. 11. Twenty-five years this day since I was con strained to speak for the first time in the name of the Lord, at Spa-Fields Chapel, to the Society.-O how wonderful, that one so helpless and vile should be continued to this day! and, instead of being shut up, as I am in my chamber, that I am not shut up in Hell! O my merciful Lord, wash away all my guilty stains as a sinner and an unprofitable servant, and give me fresh grace and strength, if it please thee, that I may begin at last to live to the praise! April 16. Twenty-five years this day since I preached my first Sermon, at Mulberry Gardens Chapel.—O Lord, how great has been thy patience with me! revive and quicken my soul, for thy mercies sake! Amen.' April 23. Fifty-three years this day, a poor cumberer of the ground; yet spared in mercy !' May 16. Were it the will of God, it is my prayer, O that, without a lingering groan, I am again under the hands of the physician.-Lord, help me from the heart to say, Thy will be done!' 'Dec. 21. How suitable are the following lines to my present state: : At the conclusion of the year we find the following remarks: Under what particular circumstance it may please God to call me hence, is not for me know. But be that as it may, the blessed apostle Jude (ver. 21) expresses my present (and I trust it will 3 E XVI. |
