Torquay, Mrs. Walker, for Books for Nat.Teachers 2 0 c Durham, gen. pur.......... 29 15 Somersetshire. 6 Bath Aux. Soc. ............ 90 0 0 0 Frome, Zion Chapel.....100 0 0 Rook-lane.................. 14 8 9 Surrey. Aux. Soc. on account......104 0 0 Camberwell, Legacy of Totton Hampshire. Hertfordshire. Aux. Soc. per G. Starkins, Esq.: 5 26 Bishop's Stortford ...... 80 G. Starkins, Esq.(D.) 20 Buntingford.................. Hadham Hertford 18 11 0 6 58 35 3 9 late Mrs. Jennings, less duty, 3 per Cents. Red. 45 00 Omitted in the August Magazine. Warwickshire. Aux. Soc. on account... 1000 0 0 Westmoreland. Kendal, Legacy of late Miss M. A. Flintoff, less duty, to be applied for the benefit of the Caffre nation ............. 90 0 0 Yorkshire. 4 15 0 0 Collections by Rev. Jas. Scott: Hornsea 14 6 6 6 0 0 10 0 0 Pickering Lancashire. Rillington.... 0 Leicestershire. Kirby Moorside Isle of Wight. Ryde, W. W. per Rev. T. Bardon Park, Mrs. J. Hood, for an Orphan at Chinsurah Lincolnshire. Long Sutton, Master W. Edwards 0 10 0 5 0 0 0 2 0 6 Lincoln Aux. on account 100 0 Middlesex. Edmonton, Rev. S. Mum mery's Pupils ............ English Independent As sociation: Newport, gen. pur....... 31 15 10 For Chinese Mission 1 5 6 Monmouth Pontypool.................. For Native Schools... Malton 94 8 5 751. previously acknowledged. WALES. Swansea Lady Huntingdon's Ch. 7 3 2 Castle-street Chapel... 11 10 0 Public Meeting Less exps. 178. 26 0 0 Ruthven, per Mrs. East 4 0 0 man 300 SCOTLAND. 0 12 8 Grahamston, for the Na Chepstow Usk Brecon 2nd ditto, per Rev. A. Sorley 2.10 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 4 4 0 0 40 2 0 0 Elizabeth Nicol, per Rev. J. Hay.... Legacy of late Miss I. A. Gairden, per J. Peddie, jun. Esq. less duty and exps..... 44 10 0 Dr. R. Huie..................................... 0 10 6 138 2 0 IRELAND. 7 12 6 Stewartstown, Collec. by 25 8 8 600 9 4 7 tive Teacher John Craig 1000 G. Yule, Esq. :Pittenween, Relief Ch. Medhurst, at the Tait- ST. PETERSBURGH. Legacy of late J. Meybohm, Esq. .................. Ro. 500 0 W. Tyler, Printer, Bolt-court, Fleet-street. SUPPLEMENT TO THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. FOR THE YEAR 1838. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES F. PENMAN, M.A., LATE PASTOR OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH, PETERBOROUGH. AMONGST various delightful contemplations which engage the thoughts of those who take pleasure in marking the gradual development of Messiah's empire, is that of his devoted servants, one after the other, commencing, prosecuting, and completing their appointed labours, for the extension, advancement, and final triumph of his cause in the world. The Christian is truly grateful for the testimony he receives, from time to time, of the liberality and devout aspirations, in the cause of godliness, of those who give evidence that they have enrolled themselves among the number of the members of the church militant. With what ecstacy does he hear them exclaim, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" But gratification of the highest order is afforded him, when he beholds the rising generation becoming faithful and zealous for the special purpose of " coming to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." The heralds of the cross, who have stood pre-eminently from the rest, have, in every age of the church, been comparatively few; so that were we to confine our attention to them, we should be entirely overlooking the manifold dealings of Jehovah, which embrace the great body of his ministering servants. If the VOL. XVI. present humble memoir were a sketch of one who had been renowned for the sublimity of his genius as a minister of the Gospel, it would, no doubt, excite the curiosity of the learned; being, however, only a sketch of a young Christian minister, of plain and unpretending character, (but whose labours in the cause of Christ gained for him the affection of the church, and even the good will of the world,) it will, no doubt, be passed over by the learned; but it will be regarded with interest by not a few, who will find in it the expression of thoughts and feelings harmonising with their own. They will see in the publication of this sketch, no vain-glorious desire to perpetuate the memory of the deceased, but a just though humble tribute to departed worth. They will regard it as a token of remembrance to the people over whom he was placed as their pastor, and by whom he was affectionately esteemed. James F. Penman was born at Arbroath, on the 15th of August, 1809, but was brought up at Aberdeen, under the paternal care of his father, the Rev. Richard Penman, pastor of the Independent church assembling in Frederickstreet Chapel, in that city. The first twenty years of his life were spent in listening to and receiving the principles of our holy religion from the lips of his 3 D parents, and, being of a thoughtful habit, they were the more easily instilled into his mind. He would, when a boy, instead of joining in those sports and amusements in which young persons find so much delight, occupy himself in reading little biographical sketches, displaying the operations of Divine grace, it was when he was thus occupied, that he became acquainted with those great truths which it was his ambition and sincere delight since to inculcate upon others, so that it may truly be said of him, he knew the Scriptures from his youth. But whilst the truths of religion were being impressed upon his youthful mind, the other necessary branches of education were not neglected. After attaining a very respectable proficiency, he was entered a student of Marischal College, Aberdeen, but having gained a bursary at the competition at King's College, Aberdeen; it was thought necessary to transfer him to King's College, which was done accordingly, and he recommenced his course, agreeable to the regulations for bursars. Here he gained the approbation of all, as well for his literary merits as Christian conduct, and took the degree of M.A. in the year 1831. Being now furnished with a superior education, and displaying true piety, and an aptness to teach in a promising degree, it was deemed best for him to seek some situation in connexion with the Independent body, in England, and he proceeded to London in September of the same year. There is sufficient evidence for believing, that he was not induced to devote his life to the ministry of Christ, because it was a genteel profession, or on account of any emoluments he might anticipate for himself, or because herein he would be in a situation in which he might display his talents to the best advantage-far from it: his views were directed towards this high calling, because he considered it high, and as having for its aim, the glory of God in the salvation of a fallen world; as involving duties of the most awful responsibility, and as demanding of him that would discharge those duties effectually, a deep concern for their results which would not terminate in time, but extend through a blissful eternity. These were the impressions on his mind when he entered Highbury College, and here he enjoyed as much satisfaction as at any prior or subsequent period of his life. He was now more than ever following out those important objects that were so congenial to his feelings. He had now wholly devoted himself to the study of sacred things. In several of his letters about this time, be mentions with gratitude the kindness he received from the heads of the college, as “being such as a father might show to his dutiful offspring." Not unfre quently was he sent to supply for a Sabbath or two, some vacant charge, in the suburbs or more distant places; and on these occasions he felt uncommon delight, occasionally mixed, however, as the time drew near, with a good deal of uneasiness. I shall not pretend to say whence the alacrity might arise. Every servant of Christ may recollect how he felt, when similarly circumstanced, and will not therefore judge uncharitably of him. He himself described his peculiar feelings, in a very playful manner, in a letter to his friends. "I know," says he, "that I am often justly afraid of some grievous defection." And again, amid all his difficulties, he would, like David, encourage himself in the Lord. "I mean,' he continues, "to preach Christ; to hold him forth to a perishing world; and, as long as I have a tongue to lisp, hands to move, and a mind to exert, I shall publish the way of salvation, and leave success to God." A vein of good nature, affectionate regard, and deep-seated piety, ran through all his letters to his parents; and, though he abounded in numerous narratives, humorous recollections of family scenes and arrangements, and a happy turn for innocent raillery, yet he always closed them with something pertaining to "the one thing needful." "To find Christ," he would say, "is to find the pearl of great price, it is the happiness of earth, the joy of heaven, and the source of that gratitude, that will, throughout eternity, sing, Worthy is the Lamb!' Our hearts are hard, his love can soften them; our wills are stubborn, his compassion can draw them; our understandings are dark, his Spirit can enlighten them. Simple as this is, it is religion." It was when such sentiments as these were in full operation, that he would carry his anticipations beyond the present scene, and hope for interminable bliss in eternity. "You are dear to me as relatives and Christians individually. We are going down the stream of time. We have embarked, I hope, in the vessel of mercy, bound for the haven of rest, having inscribed on her flag, "Glory to God in the highest.' In 1833, he proceeded to Topsham, in Devonshire, by the appointment of the Treasurer of Highbury College, to supply a vacancy, occasioned by the death of the late minister, from which church he received an invitation to fix his residence with them. But the general tone of mind and feeling there, did not beat in harmony with his own, and he questioned very much whether he should long continue to be acceptable; the situation, too, was remote and inconvenient as to his relatives; but weighing more seriously than either, the labour of preaching three times on the Sabbath, which he feared would be too much for his delicate constitution, he, with much regret, declined. He, however, continued his services among them some time While he remained at Topsham, he received a cordial invitation to officiate at Ringwood, Hants. He accepted this invitation to supply the vacant charge, till they should fix on a successor; and, having appeared before them for four Sabbaths, he himself became the person they wished for their pastor. however, the same difficulties presented themselves as at Topsham, particularly the one, that three services were required Here, a requisition not so far beyond his inclination as his strength, and in opposition to the repeated wishes of the church, he declined the call. By Having visited his friends, he applied to the treasurer of Highbury College, and was appointed to Peterborough, to take a vacant charge there for a time. This was at the end of 1834. Difficulties, however, he had to struggle with; and he did not see his way so clear as to make up his mind at once, and fall in with what was the general wish. degrees, however, his mind became more confirmed, and inclined towards the place and people; and, accordingly, after much prayerful consideration and advice, he consented to take upon him the solemn charge. Owing, however, to circumstances, that at that time ministers could not conveniently attend, his settlement was postponed till the 3rd of February, 1836, when he was ordained and set apart to the pastoral office.* He had now entered into the full The particulars of the ceremony may be known by referring to the notice of the ordination in the Evangelical Magazine for that year. discharge of the Gospel ministry--the sphere in which all his acquirements were to be displayed in his Master's cause. "In undertaking the pastoral charge, my humble desire is to abstain from worldly company, and the entanglements of life, to be an example to the flock, that God in all things may be glorified, and to preach a free and full salvation to all, that while some believe to eternal life, others may know that they perish, not from any deficiency in the Saviour's blood, but from their own unwillingness to comply with the terms proposed." * From the time he began his ministry, his people became increasingly attached to him, which attachment was manifested in a regular attendance upon his ministrations. His great delight was in seeing them happy-happy in the Christian sense of the word. It was not theirs, but them, that he sought; and if he was thus attentive to their better state of being, they were not slow in appreciating it. But his pulpit ministrations were not all that bound him up in the affections of his people. Besides preaching twice on the Sabbath, and once on the Wednesday evening, conducting a weekly prayer-meeting, and latterly also a Bible class, he frequently visited the sick of his congregation, as well as those who were in the enjoyment of health, encouraging the fearful, and supporting the weak mind. But what endears a person to our memory more than many of the virtues is the strength of friendship: and it is not too much to say of the departed, that his was lasting and sincere. Still he did not excel in conversation as he did in letter-writing, nor in general intercourse, as in the immediate circle of relatives and friends. There was a natural diffidence, which sometimes sat awkwardly enough upon him in promiscuous society; but his deficiency arose partly from a reluctance to investigate the true characters of men, and partly from his attention having been continually directed to the study of books and systems. His body and mind being of a delicate and sensitive make, he had not the power to manage in the affairs of others, and speak face to face with every class. Yet so much of sociality was about him, and so much did his desire to promote the good of his flock shine out, that he was greatly es * Extract from the "Answers" given by him at his ordination. teemed, and deservedly dear to his people. Is generosity an endearing quality of the heart-that quality which consults personal advantage less than the advantage of others? Then he was generous. His own good and the eternal welfare of all his flock lay near his heart, and joy of no ordinary kind was imparted to him when he knew them to be " abounding in the work of the Lord." But it was soon perceived that his labours, combined with the anxiety which too often accompanied them, were undermining a constitution that had never been thoroughly established. He himself never complained; but it was evident to his friends at Peterborough, from the general lassitude that sat upon him, and to his relatives at Aberdeenfrom the lack of cheerfulness and humour in his letters as formerly, that all was not right. He had caught cold in October last, which from that period never left him, and affected his lungs, as was, alas! too evident from the circumstance, that in the commencement of his public services, he was greatly annoyed with irritation in his throat. It increased, and began to be accompanied with the usual symptoms of a confirmed decline. Under these circumstances, a medical adviser was consulted, and the worst fears as to the state of his health confirmed. A communication was forwarded by the deacons to his friends at Aberdeen, in such a manner as displayed the deep interest the congregation had in him; and when he had given in his resignation, feeling unwilling to be a burden where he could no longer be of service, his resignation was not accepted, so grateful were they for his past services, and so reluctant to entertain the idea, that they "should see his face no more." It was at length, however, consented to, that he should be taken to his father's house. His brother forthwith proceeded to Peterborough, where a most affecting interview took place-the one, glad to behold a brother-the other feeling that he had come to remove him for ever from the scene of his labours. Need it be mentioned, how he felt upon his removal? Need it be told how his people wept at his departure? The scene is better imagined than described! Although his services among them had been of short duration, (scarcely more than three years,) yet they had been blessed to their souls, and they felt they were losing their earthly spiritual guide. He spoke but little from Peterborough to London, and sustained the fatigues of a passage from London to Aberdeen, with exemplary patience, and his conversation, little as it was, partook much of Christian hope. He reached the loved abode of his father-the scene of his boyish days-but oh, how changed! That change was seen and felt by the family with a feeling that almost extinguished the hope of his recovery; and all that could then be done was to smooth his passage to another world. He During his last illness, he spoke little, but that little was indicative of a mind that experienced a peace which came from God, and the believer's great concern formed the theme of his partial conversations. It was usual with him to address his father at their first interview in the morning, with kind inquiries after his health, sometimes touchingly adding, "You will not long be my father, I am going to my heavenly Father." would likewise address his mother, thus: "I am no more your son-I am Christ's property." He was becoming filled with that divine principle which in heaven absorbs the natural love which a son owes his indulgent parents. When he was reminded by his sisters that their efforts were comparatively little, and that he must derive his support from a higher source, he replied, "The Gospel is all my support; it is balm to my weary soul." On being told that he had been enabled to preach the Gospel, (though his labours were of short duration,) and consequently honoured by so doing; his answer was, "That his labours though poor, had, he was convinced, been blessed." Such was his conviction" his heavenly Father had smiled upon them, humble as they had been." A friend, on one occasion, reminded him that he was going to exchange a continual scene of trials and sorrows, for an immortal and, he trusted, a blissful eternity-the services on earth, in which he had joined with so much pleasure and so much devotion, for the praises of the Lamb on high. To which he replied, with an earnestness which bespoke his whole mind to be in rapture at the thought: "That is my consolation;" at the same time requesting him to repeat a scripture assurance which had been formerly uttered before |