Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine,

FOR JULY, 1823.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF MR. MATTHEW BLYFORD,

Late of Blakeney, near Holt, in Norfolk:

BY MR. SAMUEL EASTHAUGH.

MR. BLYFORD was born July 19th, 1758. His parents were repectable, and of the communion of the Church of England, in which he was brought up. His natural temper was lively and active, and his capacity considerable. In the affairs of this, world, he showed much ingenuity and diligence. While engaged in those pursuits, he was found in all the gaieties of life. He was fond of his friend, and his bottle; but he never lost sight of what he considered to be the main chance. In this he was successful. He was engaged in the corn trade, &c.; and with a fair reputation, acquired a handsome property.* Having done this, he retired from business, when he had every prospect of further advancing his fortune. But he had no family, and he thought that he had a comfortable sufficiency for himself and his wife. He bought some premises at Blakeney, where he sat down, freed from the toils of life. But he still continued to walk after the course of this world. He interested himself warmly about political affairs: but so thoroughly was he afterwards changed by divine grace, that I never heard him say to what party he adhered. Our conversation always turned upon more important subjects. How we and others might flee from the wrath to come, was the subject which principally engaged our attention. Not that I think that religious people are bound wholly to abstain from all conversation about national affairs; but there is a great danger of being too much occupied in them. The injury which the souls of men have sustained thereby within the last thirty years, is incalculable. I remember what an aged Minister said, when

This, however, was considerably diminished by his becoming surety for debts. SOLOMON's advice on this subject is good. "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts." (Prov. xxii. 26.) VOL. II. Third Series. JULY, 1823. 2 P

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asked by a friend, how religion prospered in the place where he lived, he answered, "Brother, politics have eaten out the vitals of religion in." This was true; and I fear that it has been the case in many other places. MR. BLYFORD's politics, after his conversion, were always regulated by 1 Tim. ii. 1-4. He prayed for rulers, and obeyed the laws and this not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. In this I should be glad if every one that nameth the name of CHRIST would imitate him; but especially every Methodist. The Jews were commanded to seek the peace of the city wherein they were captives and slaves, and to pray for it. (Jer. xxix. 7.) We surely then ought to seek the good of our own country; and to pray carnestly and constantly for its peace and prosperity. O that this and all other christian duties may be strictly attended to!

During the first years in which MR. B. lived at Blakeney, although out of business, he was wholly engrossed in the pursuit of earthly things; seeking only, in one way or other, the gratification of his senses. He read; but his reading was confined to such works as suited the taste of his fallen nature. He had perused many of his books; and was thinking, one day, what he should read next. The Bible was at hand, but he said, he supposed that he had not read fifteen chapters of it in fifteen years! He then thought that he would read a chapter. He opened the long-neglected volume, and read, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the FATHER is not in him." (1 John ii. 15.) These words were like a two-edged sword to his heart. He saw, and felt, and acknowledged, that he had been acting in opposition to this precept of Scripture all the days of his life. He was conscious that he had always loved the world, and the things of it. This conviction produced feelings of a very painful nature. His whole life of sin stared him in the face. He was like a man wandering in the dark, when a flash of lightning, darting through the thick gloom, discovers to him that he is upon the edge of a tremendous precipice, and knew it not. He trembled, wept, and spontaneously prayed. His cry was for mercy. That cry was heard; and the God of all grace soon answered it. His convictions were deep, but not of long continuance. He was like LEVI, PETER, and some others, of whom we read in the Gospel; he promptly obeyed the call of his SAVIOUR, and gave up all for CHRIST, and was quickly translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear SON. In a few weeks he obtained peace with God through faith in our crucified REDEEMER. And I never knew a man that was more thoroughly changed. His very look, his language, his conduct, were all entirely new-modelled. He was no longer the eager politician; the bottle-companion; or the worldly-wise man ;-he was "BORN AGAIN." This was fully manifested to all that knew him by his subsequent deportment. This happy change took place on Jan. 8th,

1813, which he ever after called his spiritual birth-day. He then boldly took up, and always afterwards firmly sustained, "the consecrated cross." He went to hear the Methodists, and soon cast in his lot with them. He compared the Bible and the tenets of Methodism together. The consequence was, a conviction that the doctrines taught by MR. WESLEY and his coadjutors are scriptural, and have their foundation in "the truth as it is in JESUS." He examined with great attention and care the controversy between the Calvinists and us. The result was an abiding persuasion that Calvinism is, as to its distinguishing peculiarities, erroneous. This persuasion he conscientiously avowed; and the benignity of the ALMIGHTY, manifested in the gift of his only-begotten Son to die for the whole human race, was a subject on which he frequently descanted with glowing delight.

After he had tasted that the LORD is gracious, his profiting soon appeared to all. Being planted in the house of the LORD, he began to flourish in the courts of our God. He was not a cumberer of the ground. He was a tree that bore, not foliage only, but fruit. The love that overflowed his heart was manifested in his concern for others. GOD had shown him mercy; and he had taught him that the same mercy is free for all the human race. This he laboured to make known. He was soon appointed to the care of a Class. In this work he was very diligent and faithful; and he was much owned and blessed therein.-He never thought himself called to preach: but he often read sermons in different places; and sometimes read and expounded the Scriptures. He visited the villages in order to introduce the Gospel. In one village he purchased a building, and set it apart for the preaching of the Methodists.-His bowels yearned over the world that lieth in wickedness. He longed for the salvation of sinners, and was most hearty in promoting every thing that he thought tended to that end. The Bible and Missionary Societies received his support, and had his prayers. He attended Missionary Meetings; where he sometimes spoke, and always gave his pecuniary assistance.-He visited the sick, and was much blessed in that good work. Many have lifted up their languid hearts, and eyes, and hands, when they have heard his voice. He was much owned of GOD in that office; and had always a word in season given him, to speak to those who were under the rod. He visited a sick woman, (who is since dead,) about an hour and a half before he died.-His desire for the welfare of the rising generation was very fervent. He gathered a respectable Sunday-School; in the management of which be was ably and cheerfully assisted by several friends, whose hearts were touched with the same feelings as his own. He had the happiness to see the good effects of these labours. He had a summerhouse in his garden enlarged and set apart for the worship of Gop. There he met his Class; held prayer-meetings; and on Tuesday.