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THE

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1847.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF JAMES MUSGRAVE, ESQ.,

OF LEEDS:

BY THE REV. ROBERT NEWSTEAD.

MR. MUSGRAVE was born at Leeds, January 12th, 1777, of respectable and truly pious parents. His mother was, for sixty years, a member of the Wesleyan society. Her father, Mr. Thomas Clarke, was one of the first Methodists in the town. He was a man of piety and sterling worth. He was, for a long period, extensively useful, especially as a Class-Leader; and lived in the enjoyment of a high degree of Christian sanctification, his possession of which was manifested and proved by the consistency and excellence of his character. Mr. Musgrave was one of that happy class of persons who fear the Lord from their youth. In a brief memorandum, found among his papers, he states that he was taught by his parents to refrain from the wicked; that they accustomed him, even from infancy, to attend the worship of God; and endeavoured to awaken, among the first feelings of his heart, not only a veneration for all the outward services of religion, but a desire for religion itself, in its personal enjoyment, as his supreme duty and highest interest. These parental endeavours, which were made in humble dependence on the divine blessing, and connected with earnest prayer for it, were not exerted in vain. From a very early period he experienced the gracious movements of the Spirit of God on his mind; working along with the truths in which he was instructed both by his parents at home, and by the Ministers of the word of God in the sanctuary. He says, that when he was only six or seven years old, himself, and a companion of the same age, were accustomed to seek some private place, whither they might retire for prayer. Young as they were, they were not only sincere, but acted as they did in consequence of the teaching with which they were favoured, and to which they happily yielded. Nor was the day of small and feeble things passed over by Him who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings condescends to ordain strength. "I think I shall never forget," Mr. Musgrave wrote in after-years, so long as the Lord gives me the use of my reason, the precious seasons which we then enjoyed. God was truly with us. Indeed I had such views concerning eternity, that I wept much and often lest I should miss of heaven. In this way I went on for some time, happy in the Lord; till, joining with my

VOL. III.-FOURTH SERIES.

66

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