WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

AUGUST, 1859.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN WALSH,

LATE OF LYTHAM :

BY HIS ELDEST SON.

THE subject of this record was born at Ormskirk, Lancashire, in the year 1795. The circumstances of his early life were not by any means favourable. His parents were Roman Catholics, and the population of his native town was at that time chiefly noted for ignorance, bigotry, and dissipation. His early training was in accordance with the dogmas and superstitions of the Romish Church. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, his mind was at an early period affected with serious and salutary thought. The instruction received from the Priests tended to restrain him from what he conceived to be sinful. But (to use his own words) he was "all this time ignorant of his own heart;" and it is highly probable he would have remained in darkness, had he not been providentially drawn from the Romish community, and induced to attend where the pure doctrines of the Gospel were faithfully preached. First among the circumstances which led to this, was the death of his father. His mother, who had been a Protestant before her marriage, returned to the profession of her childhood. A maternal aunt was shortly afterwards married to a Methodist. Of these important changes the result was, that he attended the prayer-meetings and preachings of the early Methodists, who were then beginning to assail the spiritual torpor of that part of the country. He was about sixteen years of age when he first heard the Gospel proclaimed with fervour and simplicity; and he soon made up his mind to abandon the Church of Rome. It was not to be expected that this change would take place without considerable" opposition and persecution, especially from the Priests. No church visits her apostate sons with such anathemas as those of the Church of Rome. Soon did the young Protestant experience the malevolence of his late instructers. Since the death of his father, he had been accustomed to pay to the Priest a certain sum for masses in behalf of the soul of the departed. Being now convinced of the folly of this, he refused to pay any longer; and the annoyances to which he became subject, in consequence, induced the determination to leave his native town. Like many of the early Christians, however, he was driven out to be a witness of the truth elsewhere. In his removal, the hand of God seemed to direct him. He went to Liverpool, and soon found there associates like-minded with himself. At 2 x

VOL. V.-FIFTH SERIES.

f

the invitation of a Class-Leader, he went to Pitt-street chapel, where, by the Divine blessing, a favourable and powerful impression was produced on his mind. He was much struck with the simplicity, plainness, and fervour of the Preacher; as, also, with the seriousness of the congregation, and the melody of the singing. The service had such a charm, that he wished to go again; and from an occasional attendant, he became a constant one on the Sunday evening, while at the same time he frequented the services of the Established Church in the morning and afternoon. But, though thus regular in outward observances, he was still a stranger to the personal application of Divine truth. His first conviction of sin he ascribed, under Divine grace, to the conversations and prayers of a young man who had been converted by the preaching of the Rev. Jabez Bunting in Pitt-street chapel. He could not, indeed, cast off all the trammels of his early training, without a struggle. He had, still lingering, a strong prejudice against the doctrines of justification by faith and the new birth; and he stood out against his convictions. The Popish doctrine of the merit of works was in antagonism with the Christian doctrine of faith. The conflict did not, however, last long. Under a sermon by the Rev. Joseph Entwisle, his mind was suddenly and deeply affected. Now came "repentance unto life;" and the change which ensued was from darkness to light, from bondage to liberty.

Naturally of an active disposition, Mr. Walsh soon felt anxious to be useful in the church. It was his highest ambition to guide others into that light and liberty in which he himself rejoiced. His mind seems to have been early impressed with a desire to preach the truth to his fellow-men. Before his conversion he had a great respect for the sacred office, and cherished a desire to be a Minister. This feeling having been indicated, some of his family strongly wished that he should be prepared for the Romish priesthood; but this was prevented by his mother. And, like many more who have lived to bless the world, he was, doubtless, indebted to his mother for not a few of those sacred lessons and impressions which influenced his opening mind. After his conversion, his desires to be useful were much more intense, as his views of the great object were clearer and more definite. He began to feel a deep concern for the souls of men; which led him often to reprove sin, to warn transgressors of their danger, and to insist on the necessity of a change of heart. He was invited to take part in conducting prayer-meetings, and erelong began to preach. Several friends urged him to devote himself to the ministry, and, after much consideration, and a lengthened interview with Mr. Entwisle, (for whom he ever entertained high veneration and affectionate regard,) he thought it his duty, if the way should open, to comply with the call. In 1814 he was appointed to the Lancaster Circuit as a "Missionary," having for his first Superintendent the late Rev. John Beaumont. Shortly after the Conference of that year, the second Preacher retired from the Circuit, and Mr. Walsh took his place.

His feelings on this occasion are expressed by himself, to the effect that if he saw fruit of his labour, he should conclude he was in the

right place; if not, he should return home, and enter into business. The success vouchsafed in this his first sphere was abundant. During the year one hundred and thirteen individuals were added to the Society. The chapel became too small, and Mr. Walsh obtained leave to visit the neighbouring Circuits in order to raise means for its enlargement. This was soon accomplished, and a gallery was added.

About two years after his appointment to Lancaster, the Missionary Committee resolved to send six additional Ministers to the island of Newfoundland, and Mr. Walsh was invited to be one of the number. After much prayer and consultation, he came to the conclusion that it was his duty to go. His simple, earnest desire was to preach Christ crucified to perishing sinners wherever they might be found; and, in leaving his country and friends, he was impelled only by the love of Christ. In prospect of departing for his new field of labour, he married Miss Jane Harris, of Borwick, near Lancaster; a devoted Christian lady, and one of the numerous seals to his own ministry. Animated by the same spirit, they sailed from Poole in 1816; and for nine years Mr. Walsh laboured unremittingly among the population of that wintry region. Whatever hardships he was called to endure, he considered amply recompensed by the measure of success which he was still permitted to witness. Many were the converts who claimed him as their spiritual father. On one occasion several British officers, visiting the island, were through his instrumentality brought under the influence of Gospel truth, and became decided Christians. It was gratifying to him to receive from St. John's, a few months only before his decease, and after an absence from Newfoundland of more than thirty years, substantial proof that his ministry there was still held in affectionate remembrance.

On one occasion, when going from St. John's to one of the distant stations on the coast, he experienced in a remarkable manner the interposition of an overruling Providence. Most of the villages are fishing-stations, and situate on the sea-coast; and as roads were then few, and land-travelling was difficult, it was common to go by sea. On one of these coasting-voyages, the boat was wrecked, and all on board, with the exception of the Captain and the young Missionary, found a watery grave. Escaped the perils of the deep, Mr. Walsh bore fresh testimony to the mercy and goodness of an Almighty Saviour.

At the end of nine years, he sailed, with his family, for England. One who was present still retains a vivid recollection of the partingscene. The Mission-house at St. John's was filled with weeping friends. Many of the Ministers and their wives were there, to bid farewell to a fellow-labourer whom they all loved and respected; while many who had profited by his teaching were there also, deeply sorrowing at his departure. Mr. Walsh always referred with peculiar satisfaction to that scene of his labours. In everything connected with the cause of God in Newfoundland he cherished a deep interest; and one of the last exertions he put forth, just before his fatal illness,