WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1866.

MEMOIR OF MRS. LEACH,

LATE OF WAKEFIELD :

BY THE REV. ROBERT M. WILLCOX.

AMONG the most honourable of the spiritual ancestry of Methodists are numbered not a few holy and godly matrons, who, alike in the secluded family circle and in the activities of Church-life, have worthily filled their allotted spheres: their children, both natural and spiritual, arise, and call them "blessed." To this worthy line belonged the venerable relict of the Rev. William Leach. She was born December 10th, 1783, in the suburbs of Manchester. Her father, Mr. Fildes, occupied himself in business, without confining himself to it, allowing much time for the discharge of benevolent duties to the distressed and dying. He was one of the founders of the Manchester "Strangers' Friend Society," and was among the most diligent and devoted agents in carrying on its merciful plans. With a large heart he cared not only for adult sufferers, but sought, by commencing Sabbath Schools, and by engaging himself in the working of such institutions, to prevent sin and to abate ignorance.

Both Mrs. Leach's parents were Wesleyan Methodists: but she was early deprived of their parental care and example. Mr. Fildes fell a victim to a disease caught while visiting some who were ill of malignant fever. It is probable that he did not use proper precautions, in consequence of being in great haste to attend the meeting of a Committee. About fourteen months afterwards Mrs. Fildes too passed away to rejoin her sainted husband. Six orphans were thus left to the tender providence of God. He graciously fulfilled the promises which had cheered the departing souls of the parents, and provided for the bereaved children.

Her elder sisters having married, the management of the household devolved upon Miss Fildes, though she was not then eighteen years old. How this early introduction to the duties and responsibilities of such a position would tend to strengthen her natural prudence and foresight, afterwards so valuable to her husband and family, may easily be perceived. Thus it is that God leads His people by a way they had not known, and would never themselves have chosen. A less onerous charge at the outset, though more pleasant at the time, might VOL. XII.-FIFTH SERIES.

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have failed to teach the lessons which gave tact and strength for successfully treading many a painful and perilous path, through which the pilgrim had afterwards to plod.

Left much to herself, it was only likely that the fascinations of the gayer scenes of the world would exert an influence upon her; yet, partly from the recollection that her deceased parents would have disapproved of her going to places of public amusement, and partly restrained by the gracious power of God's Spirit, she firmly resisted the tempta tion to mingle in assemblies for pleasurable sin. Once, however, she was so far vanquished as to consent to visit a place of fashionable resort. In her journal she says :—

"I was strongly pressed to go to a ball; and a ticket having been given me, I consented. I got my dress conveyed to a friend's house, to avoid being seen; but I was very unhappy, and would have done anything to be free from my engagement. My conscience smote me; but I had promised. I knew I was grieving my dear sister E, who wished me not to go, and I was sure I should have no pleasure. I felt a strong desire that something might prevent. After much conflict and pain of mind, the Lord made a way for me a companion with whom I should have made the visit was not able to go. Of this I gladly availed myself, and resolved never to frequent places of amusement; and by the help of God I never did.”

The beginnings of her spiritual life date from a period while she was still young. That useful book, Janeway's "Token for Children," produced excellent impressions on her mind, though fluctuating and fleeting; the "foolishness bound in the heart of a child " prevailed over the early goodness. Yet God's good Spirit was not judicially withdrawn, but returned with gracious drawings, and led her to godly grief on account of sin. For two years she sought the Lord sorrowing. During this penitential season, on the invitation of her brother-in-law Mr. Johnson, who was a Local preacher and leader, she joined his class. Her natural timidity hindered her from expressing herself freely; so that she did not derive from that means of grace all the advantage it is calculated to yield. She received her first Society-ticket December, 1802, from the Rev. C. Atmore. As to her state of mind at that period she thus writes:

"I determined to persevere, and not to rest without a full assurance that I was a child of God, accepted by Him through Jesus Christ. I have often gone to the house of prayer with a sorrowful heart, hoping to find Him whom my soul longed for. Returning in sorrow, I have retired into secret, there wept, and prayed, and wrestled with the Lord, alternately hoping and fearing sometimes afraid to go to sleep; sometimes terrified by dreaming that the end of the world was come, and my soul unprepared."

Though feeling discouragement she never so far gave way to it as to neglect the class-meeting. At length her perseverance met its

reward.

One evening her soul was unusually affected during the first prayer; praise speedily succeeded, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour. Her fears were banished, and she had joy and peace in believing. She now wondered, as many pardoned souls have wondered, that she had not believed sooner. Having long been in the darkness of sin and sorrow, she was brought into "marvellous light." In it she lived and walked for the remainder of her days, "having never lost the sense of God's favour."

New scenes now opened before her. "At this time,” she writes, "I had several offers of marriage. Having no parents to consult with, I felt much perplexity. But I resolved not to marry any one who did not love God. I sought counsel at His hand; praying that He would direct my steps. The Lord heard my prayer and made my way plain; but not as I expected: giving me to see that His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts as our thoughts. When my dear husband first spoke to me of marriage, I was much surprised, not expecting to be called to so public a position. A great struggle took place in my mind at the prospect of leaving my friends and native place. After prayer and due consideration, believing it to be in accordance with the will of God, we were married on the 16th of October, 1806, at the old Church, Manchester; the Rev. Walter Griffith and several other friends being present."

Mr. Leach was then stationed in Manchester, but at the following Conference was appointed to Blackburn. The change, as to house and household comforts, was great, and the young pair had privations to endure which sorely taxed their piety and patience. Among other discomforts, one of the least was, that there was scarcely a piece of carpet in the whole house; yet love and faith in God made the bare dwelling a home of happiness, though not without some sighs at the outset on the part of the young wife. She needed, indeed, all her native strength, and firm reliance on God, to pass unscathed through other trials which she soon had to encounter. Mr. Leach's health gave way, and a nervous fever confined him for six weeks to his house and bed. His devoted wife watched day and night with trembling anxiety, until she too was prostrated. The people around them were not wanting in kindness, but were poor. Sorrow followed upon sorrow. For some two months after the birth of her first child, a complication of disorders threatened her life. Yet she thus writes in her journal: I have often felt thankful for that affliction, painful as it was: the Lord was my support and comfort, laying on me no more than He gave me strength to bear; applying to me, when in great suffering, the words He gave to St. Paul, My grace is sufficient for for My strength is made perfect in weakness.""

thee; Though there was much here which might have induced an earlier removal, the usual term of two years was spent at Blackburn. Their next residence, in the Todmorden Circuit, was on the breezy hill-side

of Heptonstall, in many respects a pleasant, and, as it soon proved, a healthful change from the former one. She acknowledges, during this biennial stay, "many mercies, more comfort, improved health, favour in the eyes of the people, and," what to the minister's wife is the climax of desire and joy, "the prosperity of the work of the Lord." In 1811, by a short stage of eight miles, Mr. and Mrs. Leach reached their next Circuit, Halifax, and were again associated with the Rev. Jabez Bunting in the co-pastorship, as formerly in Manchester.

Then followed a removal to the ancient city of York, where the fervent piety and the kindness of the friends told sweetly and powerfully on her soul's health and prosperity. An anniversary of her wedding-day drew from her pen the following pleasing review:"October 17th. It was seven years yesterday since I was married to my dear husband. I thank God for him. He was given to me, I believe, from the Lord. I had yielded myself to God; and my prayer was that He would choose for me, and direct me aright, and that I might have one to help, and not to hinder me, in my heavenly course. May our union still be blessed by Him!"

The further consecration of herself to God was thus clearly testified :

"November 7th.-I believe the Lord has taken full possession of my heart."

It is not given even to the most devoted to escape trials, but the higher the spiritual state, the deeper, not seldom, are the exercises of mind, the heavier and sharper, even to scourging, are the chastisements of the Lord. It excites no wonder that after the richer baptism of the Holy Ghost, we find such entries as these:

"September 14th, 1814.-I bless God for the encouragement and comfort which I find in His service. He has been my support and helper in the various exercises and afflictions which I have had in my little family. I can say, to the glory of God, that I found my mind very happy, and felt not the least degree of a murmuring spirit. My mercies outweigh my troubles.

"18th. I have been cast down through various temptations; but I feel determined, in the strength of God, to persevere; and I hope at last to come off more than conqueror.'

"October 9th.—I have not felt so happy lately as I did some time ago. It has been caused, I fear, by listening to the enemy, instead of looking to the Lord in the time of temptation. Help me, O Lord, to look to Thee for strength in every time of need!"

Again the itinerancy necessitated a change, and Mr. Leach received an appointment to Burnley, in Lancashire. Strong regrets were felt at parting with the cordial people in York. These pains of severance from attached friends, doubly so by social and sacred intercourse, are among the inconveniences which mark the Methodist ministerial life.