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CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN,

AND

Church of England Magazine.

JANUARY 1838.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH MILNER.

AMONG the eminent individuals who were honoured by Almighty God in producing the extensive revival of religion which has we trust recently taken place in this country, few have been more distinguished for piety and talent than the Rev. Joseph Milner, late Master of the Grammar School, and Vicar of the Holy Trinity Church at Kingston upon Hull. His memory is indeed embalmed in the valuable Memoir prefixed to the Sermons published shortly after his decease, by his able and affectionate brother, the late Dean of Carlisle; but it is obvious that his character and attainments are by no means generally understood, and it may not therefore be improper to call the attention of our readers to some striking particulars recorded in the above mentioned narrative.

Joseph Milner was born near Leeds, Jan. 2, 1744, and though apparently a healthy child, yet suffered so severely from an attack of the measles, when only two or three years old, as to be reduced for many years to a precarious state, and utterly unfitted for those recreations and amusements in which boys usually engage. His father had been unsuccessful in business, and having suffered exceedingly by accidental circumstances, which occurred during the rebellion in 1745, was disabled JANUARY 1838.

from giving his children that education which he desired. Joseph was however sent to the Grammar School at Leeds, and the then usher, the Rev. Mr. Moore, soon discovered his extraordinary talents, and perceiving from his feeble health, that there was no prospect of acquiring a comfortable maintenance in any way, except by learning, there is reason to believe, that he formed a very early resolution of doing his utmost to encourage him, and bring him forward, in case the boy should live. He apprized Milner's parents of their son's great abilities, and of the nature of the case in general; but, did not much explain his own intentions or real hopes at that time. He constantly, however, pressed them to persevere in keeping him at school, and never to think of any thing else for him but some literary employment.'

Young Milner evinced no talent for arithmetical or mathematical pursuits, but made rapid progress in classical literature, and excelled in English composition, both in prose and verse. His memory was unparalleled, and Dr. Milner observes, that it is more than probable, that at about the age of thirteen, there were very few of his years equally skilled in Latin and Greek; and perhaps none, who were to be compared with him in the accurate and extensive

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knowledge of ancient history. His love of the study of history shewed itself as soon as ever he could read. His passion for it increased, and continued strong for many years; and it was his favourite amusement and relaxation to the last. It is no wonder, then, that uncommon excellence should be the effect of such a taste, combined with so retentive a memory.

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'It was at this age that he began to step out of his obscurity. learned lad, as he was called, was marked and gazed at as he passed through the villages to his school; and many zealous and flattering prognostications were uttered of his future greatness, by his poor, ignorant neighbours. But his schoolmaster at the same time secured to him, among the richer people of the town, a better-founded and a more useful reputation. He grew so fond of his feeble, weakly pupil, that he trumpeted his praises every where, introduced his verses into the newspapers, and the author himself often into many of the best families. He told so many and almost incredible stories of his memory, that the Rev. Mr. Murgatroyd, a very respectable clergyman, at that time minister of St. John's church in Leeds, expressed some suspicion of exaggeration. Mr. Moore was a man of the strictest veracity, but of a warm temper. He instantly offered to give satisfactory proof of his assertions. Milner, 'said he,' shall go to church next Sunday, and without taking a single note at the time, shall write down your sermon afterward. Will you permit us to compare what he writes with what you preach?' Mr. Murgatroyd, the mildest and best-tempered man in the world, accepted the proposal with pleasure; and has very often been heard to express his astonishment at the event of this trial of memory. The lad,' said he, ‘has not omitted a single thought or sentiment in the whole sermon;

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and frequently he has got the very words for a long way together.'This fact was soon blazed abroad; and it established the reputation of Milner beyond controversy, at the same time that it increased both the attachment and the pride of the schoolmaster, who could boast of so extraordinary a pupil.

'Mr. Moore, for some years past, had entertained secret hopes of being able in due time, to send his young friend to the University, though he had wisely kept these hopes to himself, through the fear of being ultimately disappointed. But the premature and sudden death of Milner's father seemed to blast every expectation of this

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He had not doubted but that he might rely on the father to defray a considerable part of his son's expences at the University. However, the ardour of friends, when thoroughly in earnest, is not to be easily damped by untoward events. Often it is rather roused by them into greater activity and exertion. It was so in this instance. Mr. Moore, who had been hesitating, whether he should venture to send his favourite scholar to the University, on account of the great expences of that sort of education, and the inability of the father, now saw no difficulty in undertaking the case of the fatherless boy. Mountains instantly became molehills; and the event, which had threatened to ruin Mr.

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