THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1850.

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sought the Lord with a penitent heart, and he did not seek in vain. No; "he found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." He found him to pardon his sins, to fill him with peace through believing, and to enable him to rejoice in his salvation.

Having found the Pearl of great price, he felt anxious to become acquainted with those who were walking in wisdom's ways, that, travelling in company with them, he might be edified by their counsels, stimulated by their example, and encouraged to "hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end." He therefore resolved to become a member of the Wesleyan body. This was not merely an external act, but performed as a religious duty, and in a spiritual manner; his pious heart approving, and silently saying, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God."

LL

THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1850.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. CHARLES ETCHES,

OF DERBY.

MR. CHARLES ETCHES, of Derby, departed this life August 29th, 1850, at the house of his son-in-law, Mr. W. Brownfield, Hanley, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Our much esteemed brother was born at Ashbourne, May 29th, 1775. His parents were rigidly attached to the Established Church; so much so that they looked upon dissent with horror, and viewed Methodism as degrading in the extreme to those who embraced it. Our late brother had in early life imbibed to a considerable extent sentiments of a similar description; and no wonder, for what he had heard from his dear relatives, and seen in their conduct, would doubtless have great effect upon his mind; especially as he was then quite young, without any correct knowledge of God, and an entire stranger to New Testament Christianity. Nevertheless, at an early period in life he was brought by a providential circumstance to "remember his Creator," and seek his favour. Impelled by curiosity, he was induced on a certain occasion to repair to the "little old chapel in St. Michael's-lane, Derby," where a few despised Methodists met together for the purpose of worshipping God. He was much struck with their manner of singing and prayer, and when the minister addressed the people he became deeply arrested. The word was with power, it reached his heart, he felt its convincing energy; and was led from a deep sense of his guilty state to inquire, What must I do to be saved?" He sought the Lord with a penitent heart, and he did not seek in vain. No; "he found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." He found him to pardon his sins, to fill him with peace through believing, and to enable him to rejoice in his salvation.

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Having found the Pearl of great price, he felt anxious to become acquainted with those who were walking in wisdom's ways, that, travelling in company with them, he might be edified by their counsels, stimulated by their example, and encouraged to "hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end." He therefore resolved to become a member of the Wesleyan body. This was not merely an external act, but performed as a religious duty, and in a spiritual manner; his pious heart approving, and silently saying, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God."

LL

At this period of our brother's Christian experience, he was zealously affected for the glory of God, active in his cause, and constant in the means of grace. On particular occasions he has even walked from Derby on the Sabbath morning to Nottingham, (a distance of sixteen miles,) and arrived there in sufficient time to attend the first means of grace; and having been present at all the public services of the day, and witnessed the close of the evening prayer meeting, he has walked back to Derby the same night, and was next morning as usual attending to his worldly business; furnishing a practical comment upon the important advice of an inspired apostle, "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

During this period of his Christian career, his piety and fidelity to his God were put to the test. A very opulent relative, but, alas! an entire stranger to experimental godliness, residing at some distance, sent for him to his mansion, for the sole purpose of expostulating with him on his foolish and degrading conduct in connecting himself with the Methodists, and making so much to do about religion. He proceeded to express his disapprobation in still stronger terms, adding, if he would give up his strange views of religion, and abandon the Methodists, he would adopt him as his son and heir; if not, he would withhold all favours and desert him for ever, and concluded by saying, he would give him a week to consider the subject. Now, mark the decision. Our beloved brother did not think a week, or even a day, needful to think upon the matter, but decidedly and promptly replied, "I cannot comply with your request; I cannot give up religion, no, not for the world! for," said he, What shall it profit a man if he gain the world and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?'" Thus, to his honour and the credit of religion, he at once and very willingly sacrificed the favour of a wealthy relative, and the prospect of earthly abundance, that he might enjoy in this world the favour of God, the comforts of religion, the society of the pious, persecuted followers of Christ, and the opportunity of doing good in the church, and in the world to come possess an "inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." And thus, like another Moses, "He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, for he had an eye to the recompense of reward."

After this our beloved friend continued a member of the Wesleyan Connexion for several years-in various ways active and useful in the Church, uniformly adorning the doctrine of God his Saviour. But circumstances of an untoward and painful description transpiring in the Old Connexion, he was induced, with many others, to withdraw from that community, and connect himself with another section of Christ's mystical body; but that section after some years ceasing to exist, our esteemed brother ultimately connected himself with the Methodist New Connexion, first by worshipping with our people in our small chapel, Devonshire-street, Derby, and soon after the Temple was purchased (the place of worship we now occupy) our respected friend became a member of our religious community. He selected our highly esteemed Brother Kirk (who for many years has been a pillar in our church) for his leader, and he continued a worthy member of that class to the time of his death.