Baptist Magazine. FEBRUARY, 1817. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN DAVIES, THE subject of the following memoir was born of honest and industrious parents, in the vicinity of Newcastle-Emlyn, in Carmarthenshire, on February 17, 1784. When about two years of age, he was narrowly preserved from being burnt to death in his father's house, which took fire, and was entirely destroyed. When about six years old, he was in imminent danger of being drowned; but the great Disposer of all events had ordered, that his life should be prolonged, and the means were at hand to rescue him from a liquid grave. His parents, being solicitous for his future welfare, sent him to school at an early age, that he might learn to read the scriptures, and be qualified for some humble situation in life: their desires were highly gratified, by the attachment he discovered to his books, and the rapid progress he made in his learning. The time of his conversion is involved in some degree of obscurity, and its precise date cannot be satisfactorily ascertained. He had some knowledge of the way of salvation when very young, and his mind was, at times, impressed with the reality and im VOL. IX. portance of the things of another world; but the serious reflections and feelings of his tender years were too much like the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away. When in the eighth year of his age, he was taken ill of the small-pox, which brought him to the borders of eternity. Several religious people visited him in this affliction, and conversed with him about divine things; and great hopes were entertained of his being savingly acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ. The solemnities of death and eternity affected his heart; his views of the sufficiency of the provisions of the gospel to answer the need of a sinner, dispelled his fears, and inspired him with hope and joy in the prospect of dissolution. Referring to the exercises of his mind at this season, "I recollect," says he, "one night in particular, my father took me on his knees, expecting I was going to draw my last breath; however, I felt myself revived, and requested one of those that were present to give me the Bible. I attempted to read a psalm, but being unable to do this, I was forced to lay aside the Bible; I then repeated a verse of a Welsh Ꮐ hymn, which speaks of salvation | so long from the pit of destruc through Christ to lost and helpless sinners; this I did with a sense of the importance and preciousness of the truths it contained." He was a great reader of religious books in his youth, and the impressions which some of them made on his mind remained as long as he lived. As he felt an insatiable thirst for reading, and as books perused in early life have a considerable influence in forming the character, he viewed it as a happy circumstance that the Welsh language does not abound with those pernicious publications which tend to corrupt the minds of youth. tion: sometimes a glimpse of hope shone upon my mind, and produced an inward calm." In the course of this year, he removed to a considerable distance from home; and, unhappily, his lot was cast among persons who were destitute of the fear of God. This had a most pernicious effect upon his mind. His convictions, pungent as they had been, gradually wore off, and he became as careless as ever about religion, and even afraid of going to a place of worship, lest his carnal repose should be interrupted, and his former convictions revived. The Lord, however, through some alarming events, roused his conscience from its slumbers: dread and horror became his companions day and night. He trembled for fear he had committed the unpardonable sin, and that divine vengeance would speedily overtake him. He was confound When in the eleventh year of his age, a violent fever prevailed in the neighbourhood, which deprived him of his father. By this bereaving event, a mother and five children were left in destitute circumstances. From this time, nothing very remarkable occurred in his life for several years. Some-ed and ashamed, and knew not times he was attentive to the means of grace, and thoughtful about his best interests; at other times he was careless about the things of another world, and fond of the society of the irreligious. In the eighteenth year of his age, his mind was struck with horror at his neglect of the means of grace, and the wickedness of his conduct, and with astonishment at the forbearance and goodness of God, in sparing him so long from merited wrath. "I looked upon myself," said he, " as a helldeserving sinner. I was obliged at times to retire, that I might groan before God under the weight of my sins; and sometimes I left my work, and sought retirement, that I might give vent to the feelings of my heart, by crying aloud for pardon, and praising the Lord for keeping me how to open his mouth before God, whom he had so highly provoked: but as a sinner ready to perish, he found relief in that blood which cleanseth from all sin. By prayer and supplication he wrestled with God; and learned by experience, as well as by the divine testimony, that he is faithful and just to forgive sin, and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. This change was accompanied with such abhorrence of sin, that he never returned to his former practices. About this time he became acquainted with some of the General Baptists, at Clydach, in Glamorganshire, and as they perceived a great change in his conduct, they encouraged him to join their society. Though, by frequent intercourse with them, he imbibed some of their distinguishing sentiments, yet he was not quite satisfied with the whole of their creed; but being afraid to continue any longer in disobedience, he joined their society, Dec. 20, 1804, in the twentieth year of his age. His friends, perceiving that his mind was furnished with considerable information, and that he possessed above an ordinary share of gifts, urged him to preach occasionally among them, which he did for a short time. As he had not fully imbibed the system of doctrines maintained by the church of which he was a member, when he heard the Calvinistic doctrines stated and defended, it excited suspicions in his mind that his creed was not altogether scriptural: and he found that his prayers and experience united their testimony to increase these suspicions. He therefore determined to re-examine all his tenets, by the infallible standard of truth; and his investigation terminated in a conviction that Calvinistic doctrines were most consonant with the oracles of God. He followed the convictions of his mind, by becoming a member of the particular Baptist church, at Bryn Salem, in Glamorganshire. This was a step which afforded satisfaction to him as long as he lived. At the request of the church which he had lately joined, he began again to exercise his gifts as a preacher of the gospel, which met with general approbation. On the recommendation of his friends, he was admitted into the Bristol Academy, in August, 1806. He availed himself of the advantages which he now enjoyed, and laboured with great assiduity and success, to acquire those branches of knowledge which were most likely to be subservient to his future usefulness, as a minister of the gospel. Divinity was his darling study, and preaching his most delightful work. In these he distinguished himself, and to these, there is reason to believe, he fell a victim. Finding his health in a declining state, and some symptoms which seemed to indicate that his day of usefulness would not be of long duration, he relinquished his academical studies, and returned to his native country, that his time and talents might be fully devoted to promote the eternal welfare of immortal souls. He was solicited to supply the Baptist church, assembling at Sion chapel, near Caerleon, Monmouthshire. His continuance in this place, for a few months, turned out to their mutual satisfaction, and he was ordained to be their pastor, May 26, 1809. In 1812 he married a Miss Jenkins, a pious and respectable member of the church under his care. This connection proved conducive to his spiritual happiness as a Christian, and as a minister, as well as to his domestic comfort; but soon the foundation of his enjoyments on earth began to give way: an insidious disease, which lurked within, commenced its ravages on his constitution; that his ministerial labours, which were his greatest delight while he enjoyed a moderate share of health, became too much for a languid body. He had been long subject to an inward weakness and pain, and sometimes to a cough. In the spring of 1815, a blood-vessel burst, which threatened immediate danger. The best medical advice was procured, and the means used were blessed to arrest the progress of the disorder for a time. Hopes were entertained that he should be able to return to labour in the vineyard He lan- 2. He paid close attention to personal religion, and enjoyed its supporting influence. His conversation, and his correspondence with his friends, evinced a mind imbued with the spirit of the gospel, and deeply engaged in the pursuit of higher attainments in holiness. of his divine master. guished under a tedious affliction till the 5th of August, 1816, when he exchanged this world of sin and sorrow, for the mansions of peace and blessedness, being in the thirty-third year of his age; leaving a widow, a destitute church, and many relations and friends, to lament his loss. The following Friday he was interred in the chapel-yard, opposite the pulpit which he had often occupied with zeal for the honour of God, and with pleasure and profit to his hearers. Mr. Morgan preached a funeral sermon, from John, xvi. 33; Mr. Evans, of Penygarn, delivered an oration at the grave. The following Sabbath the event was again improved, by Mr. Hier, of Castleton, from Psalm lxxiii. 28. To the foregoing narrative, some general remarks on his character as a Christian, and as a minister, may be subjoined. 1. He was deeply sensible of his obligations to divine grace. Though he was not taken from the most profligate ranks of sinpers, yet there were circumstances attending the former part of his life which contributed to enhance the displays of sovereign grace in his salvation. The Wednesday night before his departure into another world, he found a great alteration in himself, and expected he was going to die immediately. He said to his wife, "My dear, I am going to leave you: the peace of God be with you. To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain;' to die is gain to me. I am going to be with my dear Jesus. Why, Lord, shouldst thou notice me! such an unworthy creature, such a sinner as I! But it is all of grace. Thanks be to God for a free salvation, through the blood of the cross." Though his mind was seldom raised to ecstacies of joy, yet he generally enjoyed the reviving fruits of a solid hope, a hope founded upon the finished work of Christ, and accompanied with scriptural evidences of a personal interest in that work. In one of his letters he writes, "I am again confined to my bed; and here I am waiting for my final change. My heart is not terrified, God be praised. Death, I believe, is just at the door; but I desire humbly and cheerfully to lay hold on God's covenant. I have nothing to depend upon but the rock of ages, and I know that it is strong enough; and, if I am fixed upon it, I shall never fall. Let my disorder gather strength, let death approach, all is well, if precious Christ is mine." A few weeks previous to his death, he was very much harassed with doubts: but unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness! The season of tempest and terror soon passed over, and only contributed to add lustre to the triumphs of grace, and beauty and sweetness to the scene that ensued. His faith in the divine testimony was confirmed, and the consolations of the gospel began to flow afresh into his soul. After the joys of salvation were restored to him, one of his Christian friends coming to see, him, he commenced his conversation about his going soon to be with his dear Saviour; adding," I shall see you, my dear --in hea and said, "I must bid farewel to my dear books; there is not à book there but what my eyes have read, and not a leaf but what my fingers have turned over." And the same evening, though he seemed already in the ven." His friend expressing some doubts, "Oh," said he, don't you be discouraged; I have been tried with all the fiery darts of the enemy, but, thanks be to God, I am a conqueror, through the blood of the Lamb." A few nights before his departure, ex-arms of death, he got his Testapecting he was going to leave the world in a few moments, he bid an affectionate farewel to his wife, and said, "Give my dying love to, and tell him that I died happy how glad will he be to hear that I died in the Lord!" When he drew near the time of his dissolution, he enjoyed peace and serenity of mind, and the animating hope of being present with the Lord. ment, and read the 14th chapter of John, and by his countenance appeared to be much pleased with what he was reading. In his illness, he writes thus to one of his brethren in the ministry: "I hope to meet you, brother, at the right hand of the Judge. O! be faithful, suffer nothing to discompose your mind in your important work. Consecrate every moment to the Redeemer, and whatever you do in his cause, do it with all your might. Souls are precious-they are on the brink of destruction; salvation is suitable and free. Oh! proclaim it in all its glories to a dying world." The success of the gospel, either at home or abroad, gladdened his heart to the latest pe riod of his life. The fervour with which he wrestled with God on his dying bed, for a bless 3. He was s eminently devoted to the work of the ministry. By his diligent attention to reading in the early part of his life, he collected a mental treasure, which he found very useful after he en tered upon the work of the ministry. Possessing a quick penetration, he could read a book over in a short time, and enter into the meaning of the author; and his tenacious memory enabled him to retain the substance of what he perused. Few felt a greater thirsting upon the preaching of the for information than he, or knew better how to guard their time against the encroachment of worldly conversation, or the trivial avocations of life. After he was confined to his chamber and to his bed, his time was very much occupied in reading, mak-all Bible societies, and all efforts ing extracts from books, and to spread the knowledge of the writing remarks on passages of gospel. When persons came into scripture, which he continued till the house, to ask how he was, he his feeble hand could no longer would often get them into his guide his pen. The Saturday be- chamber, that he might address fore his departure, he desired to be them, according to his views of carried into the chamber where his their spiritual condition, upon the books were; and after being put important concerns of religion, to bed, he looked wishfully at his and urge upon them, as a dying library, which was very large, man, the necessity of a personal gospel in every part of the world, none can conceive but those who heard him. A few nights previous to his death, he prayed for a blessing upon the cause at Sion chapel; upon the missionaries in Bengal, and every where; upon |