Primitive Methodist minister; born Baldhoon.
Edward Quirk, late a local preacher in the Douglas circuit, was born at Lamfield, in the parish of Kirk German, Isle of Man, in the year 1773. Forty-nine years of his life were spent in open rebellion against the Almighty; and, consequently in a manner injurious to his own spiritual and eternal interests. However, the Lord did not say of him, as he had said of Israel, " Ephraim is joined to idols ; let him alone ;" and then leave him to perish in his sins ; but He led him penitently and believingly to seek redemption in His Son. This change was effected in the year 1822, through the instrumentality of Mr. Butcher, Senior, in the first year of his missionary tour through the island. In this year our deceased brother joined our Society; and his subsequent conduct proved the genuineness of his piety, and was useful exemplarily to his unconverted neighbours.
In the year 1823, he was rendered a local preacher; and in this capacity he continued worthily and usefully to work in the vineyard of the Lord, until disabled by infirmity. His attachment to the cause of' Christ was intense, his zeal for its welfare fervent, and his anxiety for the salvation of sinners such as ought to characterize every Christian. in addition to his filling the office of a local preacher for some time, he filled that of a class-leader; three times he attended district meetings, as his circuits delegate and during the latter part of his life, he was the door-keeper for our chapel in Douglas. Punctuality in his attendance and assiduity in the discharge of his duties, were traits for which he was and, like the Psalmist, he often said, "I had rather be a door-keeper' in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
In November, 1844, he was confined to his bed, not through sudden illness, but the feebleness of old age; and here he remained till death yet his spirit free from its house of clay. I often visited him, and always found him happy in God, and exulting in the prospect of a glorious immortality Like Paul, he had "a desire to depart and be with Christ;" and sometimes he was afraid of grieving the Spirit by indulging this. desire too much, Frequently the enemy attacked him severely, and his mind became exceedingly beclouded; but he, nevertheless, retained his integrity, having a well-grounded hope in his Saviour, and was enabled eventually to triumph. In his protracted confinement, he never mar-inured nor exhibited the least uneasiness, but, till the close of life, manifested a composure and evenness of mind which nothing but true Christianity could impart. At length the period of his dissolution came, and for a few hours previously he had been unable to speak. Brother Robert Kelly, a local preacher who was present, desired him, if he felt all was well," to signify that such was the case by uplifting one of his hands; he responded in. the affirmative, and then imperceptibly fell asleep in Christ, on the 31st of July, in the seventy-second year of his age. JAMES WHITE.
