THE

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1848.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM FOWLER:

BY HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. MARY ANNE BRADNACK.

THE late Rev. William Fowler was born at Collumpton, in Devonshire, on the 4th of May, 1773. At an early period religious principles were instilled into his mind by his parents, for whom he entertained the highest reverence and affection. He has been heard to say that he never remembered closing his eyes in sleep, till he had raised them in gratitude to his heavenly Father. He felt a strong attachment to prayer, whether the incense arose from the church, the family, or the closet. The means of grace were so magnetic, that his seat in the house of God was never empty but from necessity. He felt great respect for the pious character, and thought that a Minister of the Gospel occupied the most honourable station in the world. He was taught to believe that to hallow the Sabbath was essential to the possession and retention of the divine favour. A solitary breach of the fourth commandment made an indelible impression on his mind, and was followed up by a guilty and clamorous conscience: every step was a step of shame and pain. Returning with his young companions from this Sabbath excursion, he met a person whose appearance carried reproof, and whose remarks on the evil of Sabbathbreaking went as a dagger to his heart: he hastened home, and in his distress repaired instantly to his closet: he felt he had grieved the Spirit of God, and his heart quaked like Sinai. He prayed that the Lord would forgive this sin, and he did not pray in vain.

When he was about fourteen years of age, the Bishop of Exeter visited Tiverton; and, in order to obtain confirmation, the subject of this memoir waited upon the Rev. Tanner, of Collumpton, who seriously inquired into his state of religious feeling. On the Sunday previous to the ceremony, a sermon was preached on the occasion, which was blessed to his soul. When the Clergyman remarked, "This is the seed-time of our lives, and what we sow we shall undoubtedly reap; if there be no bud in the spring, there is no blossom in summer, and in autumn no fruit; he felt these words to go home to the heart, and he determined to be on the Lord's side. On his way to Tiverton, where the confirmation was held, he thought

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much on the love of God, and believed he could do or suffer anything for the Lord. The trifling conversation of the people in general grieved his spirit; but the language of his heart was, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." He found the Bishop's benediction comforting to his mind; and when, putting his hand on his head, the Bishop prayed, "Increase our faith more and more until thou hast brought us to thine everlasting kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord," his heart replied, "Amen! so be it."

In the course of a few years, he was removed from the guardianship of a dear and tender mother, to revolve in a new sphere; but he remembered her advice, and followed her counsels.

In 1794, he left Devon for the metropolis. Having seen but little of life, he was much exposed to temptation. Yet, notwithstanding, he was enabled to keep up closet-prayer, and trembled at the idea of turning his back on God. His sister, at whose house he was entertained, was a Methodist, and had long been acquainted with divine. things. She invited him to the chapel, and from mere courtesy he accompanied her. With some of the Ministers he was well pleased : others he did not admire; he criticised their discourses, laying hold on the objectionable portions, and suffering the most excellent to pass unnoticed. He felt unhappy, yet knew not the cause; the Lord began to work powerfully upon his mind; he saw the world in its true colours, namely, "vanity of vanities, all is vanity." He now attended the means of grace more frequently, but kept his convictions and the operations of the Spirit on his mind a profound secret. His brother and sister at the family altar prayed daily for his conversion; but the personality of it gave him offence; yet when his eyes were fully opened, he felt that he must come to the point, so objected no longer, but approved of that which shamed the sinner, and exalted the Saviour. The place where God was pleased most deeply to convince him of his dangerous and wretched condition, was at the Seven Dials, under the preaching of the Rev. G. Williams, from Hebrews xi. 7. The word came to him, "not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;" and he who had long felt the drawings of the Father, now saw and felt himself to be without righteousness or strength; he had the sentence of death in himself, that he should not trust in himself; he saw that he was not in the ark of the new covenant, and therefore in danger of perishing by the flood of divine displeasure. He resolved and re-resolved to open his case to the esteemed instrument of his conviction; but there was always some impediment in the way. Under the preaching of this Minister, he was led to believe in the witness of the Spirit to satisfy the conscience of the pardon of sin, and adoption into the family of God. He had long heard this doctrine preached by the Methodists, but thought it the peculiarity of their creed, rather than the palpable inculcations of revelation: but when Mr. Williams declared it to be his own experience, and stated the way in which God had graciously set his soul at liberty, he felt as much persuaded of its truth, as he could have been by the visit of a messenger from the

grave, or glory. Faith came by hearing; and hearing by the word of God. He now felt a resolution, in the strength of divine grace, that he would never rest till he had realized this invaluable treasure. Most earnestly did he seek the "pearl of great price;" but after knocking long at Mercy's door, and receiving no answer, he grew weary and faint in his mind. While tossed upon this dangerous ocean, not knowing which way to steer his course, the Spirit of the Lord led him to St. Giles's church, to hear the Rev. Faulkner. The text was, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" This was a spur indeed he saw his unfaithfulness, and started with new resolution to know nothing among men, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. He saw more and more of his lapsed and dangerous condition; and, to use his own language, "I saw that no fig-leaf covering would do for me; I wanted the wedding garment, and I fled to my Saviour, my all, for sympathy and salvation. Like a crane or a swallow, so did

I chatter, I did mourn like a dove." About this time he was requested to take part in family worship; but, alas! such was the cup of wormwood and gall that he was drinking, he could only weep and say, "O, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?"

In

In a journal which he kept, he states: "At this time the Lord poured out his Spirit upon the congregation at West-street, and there was a shaking among the dry bones. Many cried aloud, 'What must we do to be saved?' After the preaching, prayer-meetings were held in the chapel. Being in great distress, I left home about ten o'clock, to go to the meeting. I found many gathered together praying. I entered speechless and forlorn, and fell upon my knees. Several of the brethren prayed very fervently for me, while the snares of death compassed me about, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.' this state I continued till midnight, and, the meeting being concluded, I was led home in an agony, to drag out a horrid night, in writing bitter things against myself. At five o'clock in the morning, I started again for the house of God, hoping that the Lord would be merciful to my unrighteousness; but alas! alas! I was again sent empty away. I tasted Jeremiah's wormwood, When I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.' Now I stood on the verge, the dark, awful, horrific verge of despair, and feared that his mercy was clean gone for ever! O, how I started at the idea of taking another step on earth, lest it should take me down quick into hell! The iron entered into my soul. I found that the spirit of a man may sustain his infirmities; but a wounded spirit who can bear?' In this state I remained a fortnight, the wonder of sinners, and the pity of saints. At this period the fifth chapter of St. Matthew was precious to my soul: I read its benedictions, and pleaded its promises, and the Lord avenged me speedily. This marvellous change was effected on Wednesday evening in the chapel. I was on my knees, and had a vision of divine justice ready with the flaming sword to cut me down, when Christ the great High Priest interposed, shielded the culprit from danger, and said, 'I am thy salvation.' These words ran through body and soul: it was a shock of moral electricity. And now the bones which had long been