THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE,

FOR OCTOBER, 1807.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR of MR. JOSEPH HALLAM, Preacher of the Gofpel. (Concluded from page 391.)

In Mrere his days and labours were finally

N the year 1805, Mr. Hallam was ftationed with me in the

clofed.

On his arrival in this city he was fenfible of no complaint fave a little palpitation at the heart, and this, more or lefs, had been his companion ever fince his great exertions, when in the Bedford Circuit. This, however, by no means prevented him from fulfilling all his duties in the miniftry.

After we had each gone round the Circuit, we confulted together, what steps to take for the furtherance of the Gofpel, and were fully perfuaded we fhould fee good done. We had not laboured long before we had an increase of members, and had fome reafon to hope, that believers alfo were added to the Lord. This was no small comfort to the mind of our departed brother. Often have I heard him exprefs his gratitude to God, both in public and family prayer, for the profpect we had of feeing good done. And on the other hand, his pious foul was much grieved when he faw, or even heard of any improper conduct of profeffors, which had, or might have, a tendency to prevent the more general fpread of vital godlinefs.

Previous to our dear brother's laft illnefs, he took a flight cold, which evidently appeared to enervate his once vigorous body, This cold produced reftlefs nights; and brought on a decay of appetite, which contributed to debilitate his whole frame. Sometime before he took this cold he had made an engagement, the first opportunity, to pay Mr. Reece a vifit at Birmingham. An opportunity prefented itfelf: but the day on which he left Worcester was very unfavourable, being both wet and cold. VOL. XXX. October, 1807.

And

And what rendered his journey more uncomfortable, he went on the outfide of the coach. On his arrival at Mr. Reece's houfe he found him just going off for Broomwich, five miles diftant. There was now no alternative. He must either facrifice the company of his friend, or go with him. Friendship prevailed over the confideration of the effects of the cold he had taken, and of the fatigue of the journey; and he walked with his friend, and preached for him that evening. The day following they walked to Oldbury; where Mr. Hallam preached again in the evening, and after preaching, they returned together to Birmingham, a diftance of fix miles. This journey was by far too much for him, in his weak state of health. Mr. R. difcovered this to be the cafe, by Mr. Hallam's stopping repeatedly to reft, and complaining of inward pain.

The following night, he got fome reft, and rofe in the morn ing much refreshed thereby. In the evening he preached in Cherry-Street Chapel, and that in fuch a manner that his weaknefs was not perceived by the congregation. The following day he took his final leave of his friend Mr. Reece, and returned to Worcester to dinner, which he ate with a good appetite. After dinner, he read to Mr. Hemming, at whose house he dined, and to the company prefent, the account of the happy death of our late venerable Father in the Gofpel, Mr. Pawfon. The reading of which appeared to elevate his mind, and raise his affections to things above.

In the afternoon of that day I left Worcester to go into the country part of the circuit. On my taking leave of him he faid, he was not very well. Nevertheless on my return to town I found he had been able to attend to every branch of his duty. At the fame time, however, he had applied to a medical gentleman; who had prescribed for him, and whofe prefcriptions had afforded him fenfible relief. Hence he judged himself adequate to the work before him, and on Saturday, April 26th, in the afternoon, he left Worcester, and preached at Hadley on Sunday afternoon, and at Droitwich in the evening. On Monday he went on to Broomfgrove and preached there in the evening. After preaching he met the Society, and before he difmiffed them, faid, "Friends, I do not know in what ftate you find your minds, "but, with regard to myfelf, I never found it better with me: "I hope God is going to revive his work amongst you." Since then, we have had a little revival of the work of God in that place, and a profpect of its continuance.

Wednesday morning, April 30th, he returned to Worcester; and in the evening preached, for the laft time, there. The congregation then prefent, were witneffes that he did not spare his

weak

weak body, in the exercife of his ministry, for their good. And furely, being dead he still speaketh to them.

Thursday, May 1ft, he was detained in town beyond the usual time of fetting out on his journey into the country. This caufed him to ride with greater fpeed the space of fifteen miles. The day being extremely fultry, caufed him to perfpire much. When he came to journey's end, iaftead of partaking of a cup of tea then in waiting for him, he very imprudently called for a bafon of milk and water. This he drank, and foon after flood up to preach. Having difmiffed the congregation he took fome more milk and water. Our friend. Mr. M., remonstrated against this, telling him how highly improper it was for him to drink milk and water in that high ftate of perfpiration, and more especially as he was daily taking the Doctor's medicines.

The following night he felt the effects of this imprudent step, and in the morning found himself confiderably worse than he had been any time before during his illnefs. However, at the time appointed, he fet off for Poden, preached that evening with his ufual zeal; and, the next day, went on to Welford. In this journey he perceived his weaknefs to increafe, and, in the evening, as he was going to the Chapel, he said to a friend, "If I am no better in the morning I fhall not be able to preach to you." Yet, notwithstanding his very great weakness, he preached with his wonted power, and that fermon was very refreshing to the congregation. On his return from the Chapel he perceived a ftrong palpitation at his heart. This was accompanied with a very troublesome cough, and a confiderable degree of depreffion of fpirits. Thefe circumftances prevented fleep the following night, and he found himself very poorly in the morning, and his friends at Welford, advised him to return to Worcester, and not attempt to proceed on his Circuit. His answer was, "I know a little rest would be well for me; but I do not like that the congregations fhould be disappointed." In this we may obferve his love for precious fouls. Rather than difappoint a fmali country congregation, where we had no Local Preacher to fupply his place, he chofe to facrifice his little remaining ftrength and health.

Monday, May 5th, he rode to Pebworth, and, in the evening, preached for the last time, from 2 Tim. ii. 12, "If we fuffer, we fhall alfo reign with him." The congregation, who were strangers to his weaknefs could not perceive any thing of the kind by his preaching. But on his return to his lodgings, his feeble frame was fo much exhaufted, that he was obliged to stop and reft feveral times, in the fhort space of one-eighth part of a mile. The effects of this evening's exertions, were a reftlefs night and. confinement to his bed the following day.