MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. BIRTH AND EDUCATION-EARLY RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONSSETTLEMENT AT HAMMESRMITH. IN attempting to portray the character and life of a devoted minister of Christ, it would seem natural to exclaim in the language of the pious bard "Some angel guide my pencil, while I draw, A man on earth devoted to the skies, With aspect mild, and elevated eye. Behold him seated on a mount serene, Above the fogs of sense, and passions' storm; John Stanford, the only son of William and Mary Stanford, was born October 20th, 1754, at Wandsworth, in Surry, Great-Britain. Until the tenth year of his age, we are not in possession of any facts which would be interesting to the reader; but from that period, his uncle, George Stanford, to whom he stood heir at law, took charge of his education, and placed him in a respectable seminary. Here he experienced many discouragements from the inattention and unkindness of his tutors; notwithstanding which, his 14 HIS FIRST SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS. industry and application enabled him to make a creditable proficiency; and when about sixteen years of age, he commenced the study of medicine. His early life appears not to have been corrupted by those vices which have proved fatal to millions; but, regulated by the influence of religious instruction, his deportment was characterised by a proper degree of sedateness, and his mind frequently exercised with conviction of sin in view of a future state. At the age of fifteen he was so sensibly impressed with thoughts of eternity, arising from the premature death of a classmate, that he ate or drank but little for several days. These convictions, however, were of comparatively short duration. While residing in the seminary at Wandsworth, he would sometimes, on a rainy Sabbath, collect a number of the students in his own room, and thus, by reading prayers and a printed sermon, encourage that holy keeping of the Lord's day which the public worship of God was intended to promote. In his sixteenth year he wrote two sermons, one on "the crucifixion," founded upon Luke xxiii. 33, and another on "the harmony of divine attributes," from Psalm lxxxv. 10, "both of which," he says, "when God had further enlightened my understanding, I destroyed."-This amiable but merely moral course, in a mind peculiarly constituted and religiously predisposed by the habits of education, naturally produced a pharisaical spirit, and an unfounded hope of salvation by the works of the law. The death of his father (March 24, 1772,) when he was only seventeen years of age, induced him to return home to reside with his widowed mother, where, for many months, he privately pursued his studies by every means in his power, and with evident success. From his diary it appears, that he was at this time a member of the Episcopal Church, and highly opposed to every one of a different persuasion. At this period a young gentleman, (Mr. Potter) the son of a highly respectable family, was reported to have left his “parish church," and attended a chapel of the dissenters. Although young Stanford had no personal intimacy with Mr. P. he appears to have been much displeased with his conduct in this instance, and accordingly wrote him a letter, in which he ridiculed all sectaries, and unguardedly censured that practice which he has since acknowledged to be, "the good ways of the Lord." This letter appears to have afforded him a degree of present exultation, but was subsequently followed with many tears. Upon the subject of his own religious course, he says " Notice being given in the parish church, that a confirmation would be attended by the bishop, at Lambeth, about five miles from London, and that candidates should apply to the curate for examination, I was anxious to avail myself of the opportunity. I was however advised first to consult my uncle, who was also my god-father, and upon whose favour all my worldly prospects were suspended. When I mentioned the subject to him, he kindly replied: "It is well enough that young people should be confirmed, and as an opportunity offers, yes, you may go; especially as some of your young companions will make up a party, and that will serve as a holiday.' I then repaired to the curate, who, being informed that I could say 'the creed, the Lord's prayer, and the ten commandments,' said, 'you are sufficiently qualified for confirmation.' " He was accordingly confirmed; and upon this subject he remarks :-" This act did undoubtedly very much contribute to the establishment of my belief, that by my infant baptism I was regenerated, made a child of God, and au inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.' From this time I concluded my moral state secure-nothing more was now necessary, to make me a Christian. A most delusive snare to me-to thousands !" |