FOR MARCH, 1840. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES HICKSON: BY HIS BROTher, the REV. THOMAS HICKSON. JAMES HICKSON was born in Leftwick, near Northwich, Cheshire, April 21st, 1792. His parents were members of the Methodist society, and his mother spared no pains to impress his mind with the matters which pertain to godliness. Even in his childhood, the fruit of her pious efforts was manifest in a degree of thoughtfulness far above his years; and he was thus mercifully preserved from those vices to which youth is so much prone. Nevertheless, he did not give his heart to God till he was about sixteen years of age, when he was powerfully convinced of his sin and danger under the ministry of the late Rev. Thomas Preston. He earnestly sought the Lord, till he had obtained a clear sense of his personal interest in Christ; and gladly availed himself of the privilege of union with the church whose ministry had been thus blessed to him.. His uniform piety, consistent character, and sound judgment, led to his appointment, at an early period, to the office of Class-Leader; in which he was both greatly beloved, and rendered a blessing to many. Soon after his own conversion to God, he had a conviction that it was his duty to call sinners to repentance; but his diffidence prevented him from making his feelings known, till his distress became such as to preclude the possibility of concealing them. He then entered on this great work with much fear and trembling; but his labours were so generally acceptable and useful, that his friends were persuaded it was his duty to give himself entirely to them. After some time, and much consideration, he believed that it was his duty to offer himself for a foreign Mission; but, imagining that he saw insurmountable difficulties in the way, he concealed what he felt, till his convictions became so distressing, that he resolved to leave himself in the hands of those to whom it belonged to decide in such cases. His own language was,— VOL. XIX. "I would the precious time redeem, And longer live for this alone, Who have not yet my Saviour known; P souls was truly ardent, so that he counted not his life dear unto himself, if by any means he might prove instrumental in the conversion of sinners. To maintain personal holiness was ever his first business; and of this he set the standard very high. He aimed at a close and constant walk with God, and sought to enjoy the full power of godliness. He had a deep sense of the responsibility of the ministerial office, especially in its connexion with Missionary services. These remarks will appear correct from the sentiments contained in one of his letters to the Missionary Committee, an extract from which I take the liberty of inserting. Being in a very weak state of health, on receiving, in 1820, one of the "annual letters of instruction to Missionaries," (which have often been of incalculable service to young men, when they have had no father in the Gospel with whom to consult,) he thus wrote: "The advices of your valuable Secretaries to the Missionaries were received, and read with abundant pleasure and profit. I could not but weep on reading of the death of so many of my brethren, engaged in foreign service. May I wait the last messenger with my loins girt, and my lamp burning! I have sometimes a secret wish to resign my breath in the land that gave me birth. This wish, however, is an intruder, and as such I treat it; for, I say to myself, If it is honourable to live a Missionary, it must be not less so to die one. Let me not choose where, but how to die; regarding nothing but the death of the righteous, and the resurrection of the just. I have the joy of every Christian philanthropist in reading of the enlarging boundaries of the Redeemer's kingdom. Thank God, I not only hear of his wonderful works among the children of men, but in some degree witness them." My brother's preaching was truly evangelical. He dreaded lest any of his hearers should rest in an unsaved state. He therefore frequently sounded an alarm against trifling and lukewarmness. An extract or two from his journal will show the spirit in which he engaged in his work : "Island-Cove, January 23d, 1821.-I spoke as plainly as possible in the morning from, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven.' In the afternoon there was much feeling in the congregation, while I spoke of the awfulness of having oil to buy when we should have our lamps trimmed and burning. I administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper after service, and the power of the Most High was present amongst us. Many felt the remembrance of their sins to be grievous, and the burden of them to be intolerable,' and could not refrain from expressing their feelings. Nine persons came, for the first time, to the table of the Lord. After I had concluded the service, there were four young men in such agonies of sorrow, that I could not do otherwise than stay to assist them by exhortation and prayer. Many others could not leave the place; and a goodly number were soon able to rejoice in God their Saviour. The following evening we had an increase of seven at the class-meeting. "Sunday 30th. (Old-Perlican.)-I had much divine help while crying, Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him,' &c. The Lord gave me a seal to my ministry in the person of an old man, seventy years of age, who had met in class many years. His outward deportment had been strictly moral, but he had been content to rest in the form of godliness, without seeking to experience its saving power. The word came with power to him. He saw he had been satisfied with himself, and had rested on the sandy foundation of his own righteousness. He felt that he needed pardon. He had read his Bible much, and it now became to him as a twoedged sword. He saw the utter insufficiency of his own righteousness, and that he had no refuge but Christ. He now was enabled to believe on him that justifieth the ungodly, and his faith was counted for righteousness. His heart was filled with peace and joy through believing, and he published the change to all around him. Hence I saw how necessary it was 'to cry aloud, and spare not,' even among our own people; for our work is not done when we have brought our hearers to a religious profession. They must be not almost Christians, but Christians altogether." The fatigues and perils connected with Missionary travelling in Newfoundland can only be known by those persons who have experienced them. The following extracts will afford some idea of this : "February 9th, I walked to Hant's-Harbour. The snow was very deep; the cold intense. We had six men in company; some of whom, having recently found peace with God, went with me purposely to tell their friends what the Lord had done for them. Before I had completed this twenty-miles' journey, I was ready to make my bed in the snow. I rested a short time, and took a little refreshment, which we had brought with us. I was then able to proceed; but had the distance been much greater, I must have perished in the woods, or have been carried by my tired companions. The frost was so intense, my feet were considerably burnt;" (a phrase commonly used in Newfoundland for frostbitten ;)" and when I arrived at my friend's house, I had to sit some time before the ice could be sufficiently thawed to allow me to take off my shoes. I could do nothing that night, but strive to rest my weary limbs. The next night, however, I exhorted the people to stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths,' &c." His labours in this Circuit were great; indeed they were often carried beyond his strength. This was especially the case in the summer season, when the employment of the inhabitants (the cod-fishery) would scarcely ever admit of any religious services on week-days. The Preachers are obliged, therefore, to crowd as much work into the Sabbath as possible; holding prayer-meetings, meeting several classes, attending Sunday-schools, and preaching thrice. From none of this |