Extracts from the 'Methodist Memorial'

The following are the entries of those Preachers who are in some way connected with the Isle of Man.

The Methodist Memorial by Charles Atmore was first published c.1825 (the author died 1826) and was reprinted 1871 from which edition these excerpts are taken

• Burbeck, Edward (IoM 1783/4)
• Harris, Samuel (IoM 1795)
• Murlin, John (first TP to visit the Island)
• Robinson, Jasper (IoM 1782/4)
• Willis, Mark (IoM 1789)

EDWARD BURBECK.

FROM his childhood he was eminent for uprightness, industry, and the fear of God. He was converted to God at an early period of his life, and was soon called to bear a public testimony for Him in the world. He was admitted on trial as an Itinerant Preacher at the Conference in 1783, and finished his course in the North of Scotland, in the year 1788. His last circuit was Inverness, where he obtained a good report from all men. He was remarkably serious, eminently devoted to God, and zealous in promoting the best of causes.

[see also Rosser Chapter 5 p 110]

SAMUEL HARRIS.

HE was a very pious, steady, promising young man : his heart was truly engaged in the work of God, and much united in love to his brethren in the ministry. He cheerfully exerted all his strength in promoting the honour of Christ, and the salvation of immortal souls. But the work was too great for his weak frame, and after spending about two years in doing the work of an Evangelist, he fell into a deep decline, of which he died remarkably happy in God, in the year 1797

JOHN MURLIN.

HE was a native of Cornwall and was born in the year 1722. In February, 1749, by hearing the Gospel, he was brought under deep convictions. He used frequently to wrestle with the Lord in prayer till midnight, and sometimes was afraid to lie down in bed, for fear he should awake in hell. In the month of April he heard a sermon from Mr. Downes, and it pleased God to grant him deliverance from that extreme distress, which returned no more, but he had not the witness that his sins were forgiven. He enjoyed a calm serenity in his soul, but he wanted a clearer manifestation of the pardoning love of God ; and this the Lord graciously gave him under the ministry of Richard Trather, a local preacher. He was then enabled to say, Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust and not be afraid ; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and. my song ; He also is become my salvation.

A short time after this, he was made the Leader of a Class. He felt himself very unfit for this employment, but as the Preacher insisted on his engaging in it, he applied himself to prayer and the reading of the Holy Scriptures, that he might be profitable to the souls committed to his care. How well would it be if every Class-leader in the Methodist connection would go and do likewise ! He now met his Class constantly, and sometimes gave them an exhortation ; and in a short time he was invited to other places to exhort there. His sphere of usefulness was now enlarged, and the Lord con-descended to bless his labours to many souls. October 14th, 1754, he commenced an Itinerant Preacher, and laboured faithfully and successfully for a series of years in this and the neighbouring kingdom. He was for many years severely exercised with rheumatic pains, yet he continued to travel as long as he was able ; and as by marriage he had obtained an independent fortune, this may be considered as an indisputable proof of his disinterested, unfeigned zeal and attachment to the best of causes.

In the year 1787, however, he was constrained to yield : he settled at High Wycombe, where he still exercised his talents to the utmost of his strength. In the beginning of 1799, he was suddenly seized with a paralytic stroke, which deprived him of the use of his limbs, but his reason and understanding remained with him, and he patiently waited for his solemn change.

He was a primitive Methodist, a man of great integrity, sincerity, and simplicity. He died, as he had for many years lived, happy in the enjoyment of a hope full of immortality. His remains were removed at his own request from High Wycombe to London, and deposited in Mr. Wesley’s vault, in the New Chapel Burying-ground, City-Road. His executors erected a neat marble monument to his memory, in the chapel, with the following inscription :—

Sacred to the Memory
Of Mr. JOHN MURLIN, Minister of the GOSPEL,
Who was called by the great Shepherd
and BISHOP of Souls,
To labour in His Vineyard;
This he was enabled to do as an Itinerant Preacher,
In the most faithful, affectionate, and successful manner, For near Fifty Years.
He was always so deeply affected with his subject
That he justly acquired the name of the Weeping Prophet:
Worn out by age, labour, and infirmities,
He died as he had lived,
Full of faith and love, with a pleasing prospect
of a glorious immortality.
He finished his course at HIGH-WYCOMBE,
July 7, 1799, Aged 77 Years.

As a just tribute of love to his character,
his Executors have erected this Tablet.

JASPER ROBINSON.

HE was born at Wooburn Green, near High Wycombe, Bucks, in the year 1727. He lived without God in the world till the year 1759, when he yielded to the convictions of the Spirit of God, and sought in good earnest the salvation of his soul. He was then at Liverpool; the year following he removed to Leeds, in Yorkshire, where he became acquainted with the Methodists, joined the Society, and soon found the pearl of great price. In the year 1763 he received a larger effusion of the Holy Spirit, and was enabled to believe to the full salvation of his soul ; which blessed state he continued to enjoy, with little intermission, till his happy spirit returned to Abraham’s bosom.

He officiated as a Local Preacher in the Leeds circuit for several years, and was eminently useful in visiting the sick and poor. In this work he spent a great part of his time, and was unwearied in his attempts to alleviate their distresses, and to lead their weary souls to God. In the year 1776 he gave himself wholly to the work of the Ministry, and came out as an Itinerant Preacher, and continued his labours till near the period of his life. His zeal for God, and his great love for souls, his meekness of spirit, and his unaffected piety, rendered him acceptable and useful in all the circuits where he laboured.

He departed this life at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, December 6, 1797. On the last day of his life, he joined in prayer with some Christian friends with great fervour of spirit ; and his soul was filled with the love of God. He said, " I am quite clear from all distressing doubts respecting my acceptance with God. I feel as free from condemnation as if I had never sinned at all. The Lord," said he, " encompasses me about with mercies, and He makes all my bed in my sickness ; ii is my bodily trouble which I feel. " Towards evening he repeated,

" I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath," &c.

And then looking up, he said to one present, " Remember, you must die." The next morning, about five o’clock, his happy spirit took its flight to the Paradise of God. It is remarkable that the last words he wrote in his journal were, Thanks be to the Lord for all His mercies.

He was an Israelite indeed in whom there was no guile. He was a Travelling Preacher for twenty-three years ; during which time he was most affectionately regarded by all the pious who knew him. His whole heart was engaged in the work of God, and many will praise the Lord for his labours for ever.

[see also Rosser Chapter 5 p102 et seq]

MARK WILLIS.

HE was a native of the city of Norwich, and was admitted upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher at the Conference in 1788. He was a sensible, pious young man, and was possessed of considerable ministerial gifts. He continued to travel about seven years, and then, in the year 1795, the Lord was pleased to take him hence by a consumption, in the prime of life, and in the midst of his usefulness. Yet, righteous art Thou, 0 Lord ! Just and true are Thy ways, O King of Saints !