EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE AND MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. JUNE 1821. A BRIEF MEMOIR OF JOHN BROOK, ESQ. ELIGIOUS biography will R always be an object of pleas ing attention to all that love God. When properly executed, its design is not so much to praise the dead, as to benefit survivors; especially the friends and relations of the deceased, who may learn more useful lessons in this way, than from the deeds of heroes, the achievements of science, or the rise and fall of nations. Mr. Brook was born in June 1744, at Flash-house, near Huddersfield, in Yorkshire; where he spent the greatest part of his life, and where it was closed on the 20th of March, 1820, in his 77th year. He appears to have been first " called out of darkness into marvellous light," by the rousing and successful ministry of the Rev. H. Venn, who, being at that time Vicar of Huddersfield, was a burning and a shining light;" and whose memory, in that neighbourhood, is yet cherished with a just and fond regard. His religious impressions, which began in early life, were among the first fruits of Mr. Venn's labours at Huddersfield, and he enjoyed his most intimate and invaluable friendship. Partly to this intimacy, and partly to his own natural disposition, must be ascribed, under the divine blessing, that unaffected simplicity and godly sincerity which were very prominent features in Mr. B's cha ΧΧΙΧ. racter, and of which his countenance was no unmeaning index. He was among the race of worthies, who first set up the Redeemer's standard in that part of Yorkshire, which, though now eminently blessed with heavenly light, was then covered with " gross darkness.". Many of them have been removed by death, and only a few are left as a remnant of their companions. He was also one of the founders of that dissenting interest, which began immediately after Mr. Venn's removal, and now flourishes under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Moorhouse, and his respected colleague, Rev. Dr. Boothroyd, where also he was above 40 years a deacon and a pillar in that society. That Mr. B's attachment to this cause was deeply founded, appears from his uniform zeal for its welfare, and his exceedingly punctual attendance at his own place. He was no wanderer; but was sure to be there before time, except in cases of needful and justifiable necessity, though living at a considerable distance, and generally returning to dinner in the interval between morning and afternoon service; for some years visiting also a Sabbath-school twice, in his way to and from the Chapel. Seasons and weather made no difference with him, and on weekday-evening lectures, and Church S meetings, he was equally constant. In his house the Sabbath was hailed with pleasure, and observed with such strictness and solemnity, as will be remembered by his mourning relatives and domestics through life. His usual saying was, "the Sabbath is a day set apart for the service of God, let us give to it as much of our time as we can." He was eminently a man of peace. This resulted from his natural temper, and from its being much under the influence of divine grace. He could hear aggravating and vexatious things, referring to himself or to others, with a calmness that was surprising; and, when shamefully wronged in business, as he sometimes was, his mind seemed above repining. He had indeed more difficulty in submiting to family affliction, when a daughter of 17 years old was hastily taken away by death, and also a promising son of 10, not long after. These were severe trials. The children were to him what Isaac was to his aged parent, and his struggles between affection and duty, in giving them up, were truly affecting. As an extensive tradesman in the corn line, his dealings were marked with punctuality and integrity. He carried his conscience with him into every scene of action, listening to its dictates on all occasions. This, as might be expected, procured him general esteem in the commercial world; for he was utterly incapable of those arts which purchase prosperity at the expense of honour, truth, peace of mind, and pure religion. His success in business was owing to that " blessing of the Lord which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it." As a man of benevolence, according to his fortune, he certainly stood in the very first rank, and has seldom been equalled. He was not only a liberal subscriber to Academical Institutions, Bible Societies, Missionary and Itinerant Societies, Sunday-schools, Dispensaries, &c.; but did immense good personally among the poor of his vicinity, who lost in him a friend and a father. He chose to enjoy the pleasing luxury, and unspeakable satisfaction, of distributing his extensive charities while living, rather than to employ others after his death. There is great reason to believe that he gave large sums to the poor and needy, of which his nearest friends had no certain knowledge till discovered accidentally. That a case should be one of general charity, or of religious benevolence, was a sufficient recommendation to him; and he could not turn away from it with cold indifference or parsimonious encouragement. During many years in the latter part of his life, he was grievously afflicted with a nervous debility, which the utmost medical skill could indeed alleviate, but not remove. Yet this did not destroy his religious enjoyments, or inward peace of mind; though, for some time before his death, it so much increased, that often he could not articulate a word. This he lamented much, but he bore it with patient submission, and betook himself generally to reading, especially his Bible, which was quite a curiosity, from the slips of paper it contained, expressive of the workings of his soul. He was also partial to the works of Hervey, Rowe, Watts, Doddridge, and Henry; from whom he extracted the most striking thoughts, and occasionally read them to his friends and visitors. As his bodily weakness, long before the close of life, prevented his conversing much with his attendants, we are unhappily deprived of those communications, which otherwise it would have been a pleasure for us to give, and for others to receive. In general, his 1 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF MR. WILLIAM WHITRIDGE. 223 mind appeared in a happy waiting frame, desirous of being clothed with a blessed immortality. He enjoyed portions of Scripture and Hymns, when read to him, and often added his emphatic AMEN. As his life was serene, his death was peaceful; and many who knew him are ready to say "let my latter end be like his." Mr. B. was twice married; but of 10 children, many of whom died in infancy, only one survives him, the widow of R. Houghton, Esq. lately ٢٥٠,٠٠٠ an eminent Surgeon in Huddersfield, whose memory is dear to many, both for his professional abilities and his Christian character. It is hoped that his family will be excited by this sketch of Mr. B's character, to imitate the example of both, and that their wishes and prayers for them will not be in vain. Though dead, yet they both speak to surviving kindred, saying, " Be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." W. M. Jun. On the Christmas day of 1761, William Whitridge was born at Bootle, and was baptized on the 23d of the following January. By his father's side, he was descended from a family of considerable antiquity in Cumberland; and, by his maternal connexions, he had the honour of being related to the celebrated name of Askew; the parentage of the well known Anne Askew, whose sufferings and death under Henry VIII. are recorded in the "Book of Martyrs," having been traced to a family of the same name in that neighbourhood. The mother of Mr. Whitridge was enabled to do honour to the venerated name of the sainted martyr; for, after a life of exemplary religion, she departed the present world in the triumphant prospect of a glorious inheritance. Of the earliest scenes of this person's life, the writer is not prepared to communicate any particulars worthy of public attention; but he remembers him repeatedly mentioning the affectionate regard of a pious mother for his spiritual welfare; and when employed in the exercise of parental instruction, he would frequently observe, with peculiar feeling, how much he was indebted to the religious impressions which her attentions succeeded in exciting. As he advanced to youth and manhood, his deportment was marked by general propriety, though certainly not exhibiting the discriminating evidences of genuine religion. He appeared, however, more thoughtful and steady than the ordinary character of his associates; and by some of his friends he was advised to make preparation for " holy orders." But he declined very prudently, acknowledging that he had neither religion nor talent enough for the office of the Christian ministry. To business of another kind he directed his attention, and in the prosecution of that employ he was now induced to visit London. During his stay in the metropolis, he occasionally attended the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Romaine, and the Rev. Rowland Hill. But very shortly afterwards he returned home, and |