The Life and Ministry

THE LIFE AND MINISTRY

OF THE

REV. SAMUEL WALKER, B.A.

THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF

REV. SAMUEL WALKER, B.A.

FORMERLY OFTRURO, CORNWALL.

BY THE

REV. EDWIN SIDNEY, A. M.

AUTHOR OF “THE LIFE OF THE REV. ROWLAND HILL, M.A.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.

“Unskilful he to fawn, or seek for power

By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour;

Far other aims his heart had learned to prise.

More bent to raise the wretched than to rise.”

(The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith)

1837

Edited and put into simpler English

By

Geoffrey Stonier

PREFACE

The nucleus of the first edition of my Life of the Rev. Samuel Walker was found among the papers of the late Rev. Rowland Hill, and consisted of five Sermons on Brotherly Love, to which he had prefixed a brief prefatory memoir expressive of his high admiration both of these discourses and their author. This induced me to entertain the design of publishing them with such additions as I might be able to collect, little imagining that my gleanings would afford materials for any thing like a considerable volume. Nor should I ever have possessed the information necessary for my first publication, but for the kindness of several members of the Rawlings family, resident near the scene of Mr. Walker’s labours. They had fortunately preserved many interesting documents, as memorials of a ministry and friendship, which had been the means of enkindling in one of their name, that sacred flame which has been transmitted in its original brightness to the present generation. These they unhesitatingly placed at my disposal in the most friendly manner, and my highest acknowledgments are due to them. I was favoured also by the late excellent J. B. Wilson Esq. of Clapham, the Rev. T. Wildbore of Falmouth, the Rev. C. Bridges, of Old Newton, Suffolk, and W. Lloyd, Esq. of the Religious Tract Society, with such hints and remains as they had been able to collect. The late venerable incumbent of Padstow, and his relative, the Rev. Mr. Rawlings, of Lansallos, Cornwall, sent me many manuscript sermons of Mr. Walker, from which I made the selections added to those on Brotherly Love, originally appended to the Life. But most unexpectedly, since that volume came out, the obliging disposition of William Gray, Esq. of York, whose judgement, piety, and enlightened Churchmanship have long been appreciated by a large circle of friends, induced him to offer me, with the agreement of the late Rev. W. Richardson, the use of the greater part of the important and valuable correspondence, which has supplied all that was wanting to make the biography of Mr. Walker complete.

I have now, therefore, the opportunity of presenting to the public, without the Sermons, which I reserve for a collection of his Miscellaneous Works, a full account of this eminent Clergyman, both as regards his parochial administrations, and his connection with the most distinguished revivalists of his day. I have also the satisfaction of supplying a chasm in the history of Methodism. The object I have had in view is twofold — first, to show the great usefulness of a Clergyman skilled to give its due effect to the spiritual system of our Church, and so afford a practical illustration of its excellence and power — secondly, to prove that the spirit of wisdom and zeal which now animates such numbers of the ministers of our Establishment, is the fruit, not of the ardour of the irregulars of the last century, but of the gradual influence of that examplewhich was set by Mr. Walker and his contemporary regulars. If I have attained these ends, my labour has not been in vain, and may, by God’s blessing, be the means of exciting many to imitate their firmness of principle, consistency of conduct, and charity of heart.

Acle, near Norwich.

April, 1838.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

FROM MR. WALKER’S BIRTH TO HIS CONVERSION,

AND FIRST FRUITS OF HIS MINISTRY

Mr. Walker’s Family, Birth, and Boyhood — Mr. Walker at Oxford. His Degree. First Curacy — His Travels. He accepts the Vicarage of Lanlivery — Takes the Curacy of Truro in 1746 — Defects of his first Ministry at Truro — Necessity of Grace in the Heart — His Suspicions, and Acquaintance with Mr. Conon — Character of Mr. Conon — Effects of his life on Mr. Walker — Alteration of Mr. Walker’s Views — His Withdrawal from the World — Immorality of the Times — Faithful Preaching — Its Effects — Error in Preaching — First Fruits of Mr. Walker’s Labours

CHAPTER 2

SCHEMES OF PRIVATE INSTRUCTION — FACTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF

MR. walker’s MINISTERIAL CHARACTER

Mr. Walker’s Dealings with his Converts — His Sound Practical Judgement — First Scheme of Private Instruction — Second Scheme of Private Instruction — Mr. Walker’s Penetration — Anecdote — Opposition. Anecdote — Religious Consistency — Mr. Walker resigns his Vicarage — Anecdote — Evidences of Sincerity — An Instance of Discretion

CHAPTER 3

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, LAY AND CLERICAL

Formation of the Society at Truro — Mr. Walker’s Account of it to Mr. Adam of Wintringham — His Care in Forming it — Considerations laid before the Members at its Opening, February 7, 1754 — Orders for its Regulation— The Mode in which its Meetings were conducted — Observations — Remarks of Mr. Adam — Mr. Walker’s Reply — Conversations — Hints for Prayer at the Meetings — Clerical Club — A Visitation Sermon. Pluralities

CHAPTER 4

CATECHISING. USE OF THE SEASONS KEPT BY OUR CHURCH

Catechising as carried on at Truro — Mr. Adam’s plan at Wintringham — Use made by Mr. Walker of the Seasons kept by our Church

CHAPTER 5

THE DAILY CHURCH SERVICE

Importance attached by Mr. Walker to the Prayers of the Church — His Exposition of the Daily Service — Spirituality of Mr. Walker’s Flock

CHAPTER 6

THE LITANY. BAPTISM. THE LORD’S SUPPER. MATRIMONY.

Mr. Walker’s Exposition of the Litany — Baptism. Sponsors — Festivities at Christenings— The Lord’s Supper — Matrimony — Letters of Mr. Walker

CHAPTER 7

Mr. walker’s view of the doctrines and progress of METHODISM — CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN HIM, J. WESLEY, AND MR. ADAM,

ON THESE SUBJECTS.

High Repute of Mr. Walker’s Judgement— A Consultation. Berridge — Wesley in Difficulties — Fears of Mr. Walker — His Fellowship with the Methodists — Wesley’s Notion of Faith — A Good Symptom of the Times — Sensible Feelings — Mr. Walker’s Exemplary Spirit — Conference of 1755 — Pamphlet of J.Wesley — Walsh —Letter of Mr. Walker to J. Wesley — Mr. Wesley’s Answer — Reply of Mr. Walker — The Clergy. J. Wesley’s Address

CHAPTER 8

LETTERS TO MR. ADAM — CONFERENCE OF 1756— CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. WALKER WITH J. AND C. WESLEY, ETC.

1756. Object of J.Wesley — Unlawfulness of Separation — Letter to Mr. Adam — Letter to the Same — Letter of Mr. C. Wesley to Mr. Walker — Letter of Mr. Walker to Mr. J. Wesley — Letter of Mr. Walker to Mr. C. Wesley — The Same to the Same, Private — Letter of Mr. C. Wesley to Mr. Walker — Mr. Walker’s Answer — Letter of Mr. Walker to Mr. Adam — Mr. Adam’s Reply — Happy Issue of the Bristol Conference — Mr. C. Wesley’s Account of it in a Letter to Mr. Walker — Reply of Mr. J. Wesley to Mr. Walker’s Proposals — Mr. J. Wesley’s Circular — Wesleyans and the Church

CHAPTER 9

SEPARATION AND LAY-PREACHING

Causes of Separation — Its Consequences — Irregulars and the Clergy — Enthusiasm of the Former — Extravagances of the Methodists —Effects on the Church — Permanent benefits of Regularity — Wisdom of the Regulars — Good Effects of their Example — True Causes of the Revival of Religion — Lay-Preaching

Sanctioned by Wesley — He Travels with the Preachers — Their Increase, and his Perplexity — His Difficulties and Expedients — Mr. Walker’s Predictions verified — Ranters — Lay-Preaching Unscriptural — Spirit of the Church of England — Necessity of Extension

CHAPTER 10

ILL-HEALTH OF MR. WALKER PROM OVER-EXERTION — PUBLICATION OF THE CHRISTIAN.” HIS LABOURS AMONG THE SOLDIERS — THEIR LETTERS — SYMPTOMS OF BACKSLIDING — CORRESPONDENCE—CANONS 72 and 73.

Ill-health of Mr. Walker — His arduous Duties — His anxious Inquiries — The Christian — Mr. Adam’s Preface — Letter of Mr. Walker — The Soldier’s Sermon — Success in the Regiment — Soldier’s Society — The Officers. Parting Scene — First Soldier’s Letter — Second Soldier’s Letter — Symptoms of Backsliding — Letters of Mr. Walker

Truro Societies and the Canons — Canons 72 and 73

CHAPTER 11

CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. ADAM ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE FOREGOING NARRATIVE— KINDNESS OF LORD DARTMOUTH — SKETCHES

Character of Mr. Walker’s Letters — Letter to Mr. Adam — Sketch of Mr. Walker’sEarly Life — Christian Privilege — Letter of Mr. Adam — The zealous Nonconformists

Methodism and the Church — True Friendship of Mr. Adam — Letter to Mr. Adam — Notes of one of Mr. Walker’s Lectures — Letter of Mr. Adam — Generosity of Lord Dartmouth — Letter to Mr. Adam. Imaginary Sketch by Mr. Walker — Mr. Adam’s Answer — Sketch of Mr. Adam’s Life by Himself

CHAPTER 12

MR. walker’s discipline OF HIS OWN MIND

Weight of his Character and Self-Scrutiny — His Remembrance of Time Misspent — Practical Repentance — Fear of Man. Anger. Presence of Sin — Sinfulness of Sin — Looking unto Christ — Secret Prayer — Fluctuations of Experience — Devotedness. The Communion — Effects of Faults in his people — Thoughts in happier moments

Thoughts on Sickness and Death — His true Benevolence — His Conversation in Company — His Nervousness — His genuine Faith in Christ — His Doubts and Difficulties — His Comfort in the gospel

CHAPTER 13

PASTORAL ADVICE, AND OPINIONS OF MR. WALKER

The wisdom and piety of his Counsels — Duty under Parental Opposition — Hints on the Birth of a child — Defective Frame. Patience — On the Loss of a Friend — Conviction of Sin — Counterplot to a Device of Satan — Benefit of Opposition. Order

On Worldly Support of Religion — The Believer’s Love of Christ — Affliction — Remarkable Letter — Ordination — Patronage — Case of Despair

Remarks

CHAPTER 14

Mr. walker’s tour— cause of his LEAVING HOME — PERPLEXITIES ABOUT THE BURIAL SERVICE, AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES —INCIDENTS ON HIS JOURNEY — fellowship WITH PIOUS DISSENTERS’ REMARKS

Mr. Walker’s Tour — Letter to Mr. Adam from Exeter — Burial Service. Perplexing Case — Alarm of Mr. Walker’s Friends — Letter of Mr. Penrose to Mr. Adam — Mr. Adam’s Answer — No ground for the Report concerning Mr. Walker — His Letter to Mr. Adam on returning to Truro — Fellowship with Dissenters — Duty of the Clergy — Strong Hostility to the Church — Christian Emulation

CHAPTER 15

INQUIRIES ON RETUNING HOME — PROOF OF MR. WALKER’S UNALTERABLE ATTACHMENT TO THE CHURCH — CORRESPONDENCE.

Inquiries — Profitable Example — Letter to Mr. Adam — Letter to Mrs. Adam — Letter of Mr. Adam — Difference of Ministerial Success — Encouragements to persevere —Letter to Mr. Adam — Mr. Adam’s Reply

CHAPTER 16

CONVERSATION SCHEME — DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MR. VOWLER — LETTERS TO MR. BURNET AND MR. ADAM

Conversation Scheme — Letter of Mr. Adam relating to it — Narration of Experience — Letter of Mr. Walker to a pious couple — Death of Mr. Vowler — Letter of Mr. Walker to Mr. Burnet on his Ordination — Letter to Mr. Adam

CHAPTER 17

LETTER OFMR. WALKER ON DOCTRINAL POINTS — HIS REMOVAL TO LODGINGS— LORD DARTMOUTH’S GENEROSITY — HIS OWN AND MR. ADAM’S WRITINGS, ETC. — MR. VENN AND MR. BURNET— MR. TALBOT OF KINETON, ETC.

Letter to Mr. Adam — The same to the same — Christ our Righteousness — Letter to Mr. Adam — Extract from a Letter of Mr. Haweis relating to Mr. Talbot — Mr. Talbot

CHAPTER 18

LETTERS OF MR. WALKER ON THE VISITS OF MR. TALBOT AND MR. ROMAINE TO TRURO — HIS SUBSCRIPTION SCHEME — ARCHDEACON BASSET, ETC. — MR. ADAM’SAND THE ARCHDEACON’S OPINION OF THE SCHEME — PROSPECT OF INVASION

Mr. Talbot and Mr. Romaine visit Mr. Walker — Letter to Mr. Adam — Cause of Mr. Romaine’s visit — Subscription Scheme — Letter to Mr. Adam — Mr. Adam’s Reply relative to the Subscription Scheme — Opinion of Archdeacon Basset

Remarks

CHAPTER 19

MR. walker’s last SERMON AT TRURO — HIS ILLNESS, AND REMOVAL TO BRISTOL HOTWELLS — HIS KIND RECEPTION IN tHE HOUSE OF LORD DARTMOUTH, AT BLACKHEATH

Decay of Mr. Walker’s Constitution — His Last Sermon at Truro — His severe attack of illness — Letters of Lord Dartmouth — Mr. Walker removes to Bristol Hotwells — Sufferings of Mr. Walker— Death of Mrs. Adam — Mr. Walker’s Letter of Condolence to Mr. Adam — Letter to the Truro Society — Letter to Jonah Milford — His last Letter to Mr. Rawlings — Letter to Jonah Milford — His conduct in Sickness — His Removal to Blackheath — Letter of Lord Dartmouth — Mr. Walker’s Situation at Blackheath — Anecdote — Letter to Mr. Adam — Mr. Walker’s Zeal

CHAPTER 20

MR. walker’s last ILLNESS AND DEATH— HIS CHARACTER— PERSONAL APPEARANCE — WRITINGS —REMARKS

Approach of Mr. Walker’s end — Letter of Mr. Haweis to Mr. Adam, with Mr. Walker’s last Postscript — Mr. Walker’s true Comforts — Lord Dartmouth’s account to Sir Richard Hill — Letter of Lord Dartmouth — Mr. Burnet’s account — Letter of Mr. Jane — Mr. Walker’s joyous Exultation — Lord Dartmouth’s account to Mr. Rawlings — Mr. Walker’s Death, July 19, 1761 — Letter of Mr. Burnet — Lord Dartmouth to Sir Richard Hill after the Funeral — Remarks of Mr. Hervey on Mr. Walker — His Person and Character — His Works — Concluding Remarks

THE LIFE OF THE REV. SAMUEL WALKER

CHAPTER 1

FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS CONVERSION,

ANDFIRST FRUITS OF HIS MINISTRY

THE DESIGN OF THIS MEMOIR

There are many names more conspicuous in the religious history of the last century than that of Samuel Walker of Truro, because their exertions extended over a wider field; but no minister has left for the imitation of posterity a more distinguished pattern of parochial administration. While others, engaged in a laborious itinerary were endeavouring to break the spell of that lethargy which had spread its fatal charm over the land, this exemplary pastor was constructing from limited and unpromising materials a model of the private duty of those that are appointed to spiritual cures among settled portions of the people. It is intended in these pages to collect and re-unite the scattered fragments of this admirable study for every shepherd of a flock, and particularly for those who design, in humble reliance on assistance from above, to employ, for the benefit of souls committed to their charge, the truly Scriptural and, therefore, effective machinery of the church of England.

St. Martin’s, Exeter

The subject of this narrative was born in the city of Exeter, Dec. 16, 1714, and was the youngest of seven children. Members of his family had represented their native place in parliament for many generations, among whom was his paternal grandfather, Sir Thomas Walker, Knight. In addition to this reputable connection, he had the honour of being lineally descended from the great Bishop Hall, by the marriage of the only daughter of the youngest son of that distinguished prelate with the last mentionedgentleman. His parents were Robert Walker, Esq. of Exeter, and Margaret, daughter of the Rev. Richard Hall, minister of St. Edmund and All-Hallows, in that city. Till he was eight years of age, Samuel was the subject of parental tuition under his father’s roof, but received the next ten years’ education at the grammar school in Exeter. We have no account of the progress he made in learning during his boyhood, or of his character in the midst of his school-fellows; but his works all speak the judicious cultivation of a naturally powerful and discerning mind.

At eighteen he was sent to Exeter College, Oxford, where he cultivated logic with much success, and always considered his early devotion to that study as the foundation of the facility he afterwards attained in a clear and methodical arrangement of his ideas.

When complimented by his friends, who admired the lucid and argumentative mode in which he treated every subject, he always observed that logic had been his favourite pursuit in youth, and recommended it to all young divines. Of his mode of life at the University, we know little; but he appears to have possessed habits of application, which prevented his entering with excess into the gaieties and temptations that surrounded him. In addition to both capacity and inclination to acquire knowledge, he seems always to have had a pleasing propensity to adorn his conduct with the graces of integrity and virtue, and took pains to give to morals of a mere earthly temper the brightest polish they were capable of receiving. Besides his high mental endowments and virtuous disposition, nature had given him a most attractive and commanding person, with handsome expressive features, indicating all the characteristics of manly open intelligence. Frank and unreserved in conversation, freely communicating his own thoughts, and courteously listening to others, he became an agreeable companion to those that appreciated the value of his society, and was respected by the whole circle of his acquaintance. But the scions of virtue and morality had been grafted on to the wild stem of human nature, and produced nothing but blossoms; it was when his heart became charged by the grace of God, that they ripened into fruit.

Mr. Walker proceeded to his degree of B.A., and took orders in the year 1737. He had, however, at that time no right impression of the responsibility and sacredness of the ministerial office.

“The week before my ordination”, he said afterwards of himself, “I spent with the other candidates, as dissolute, I fear, as myself, in a very light, indecent manner; dining, supping, drinking and laughing together, when God knows we should have been all on our knees, and warning each other to fear for our souls in the views of what we were about to put our hands on.”

His first curacy was the parish of Dodescomb-Leigh, in the vicinity of his native place, which he held only till August, 1738. He discharged the duties of a pastor at this early period of life with diligence; and his private character was altogether unimpeachable. He left his parish at the request of Lord Rolle, who invited him to undertake the tuition of his youngest brother during a journey through France, a proposal to which the advantages of travelling abroad induced him readily to yield. While on this tour, he cultivated those lighter accomplishments which give a grace and charm to the man of letters, particularly the arts of music and dancing, in both of which he excelled. After

being thus employed for two years, he returned home, and went to reside at Lanlivery, in Cornwall, as curate to his friend Mr. Nicolas Kendall, canon of Exeter, and archdeacon of Totness. On the death of the archdeacon in the spring of 1740, Mr. Walker was presented to the vicarage of his parish, to hold during the minority of a nephew of Walter Kendall, Esq. patron of the living.

During the time Mr. Walker continued at Lanlivery, he was both a teacher and an example of virtue. His talents rendered him an attractive preacher, while his decorous life and fascinating manners ensured him much affection and respect. He reproved, exhorted, and watched over the people of his flock, preaching, catechising, and visiting diligently in private; nor could any minister more sincerely deplore evident unfruitfulness in his spiritual vineyard. His husbandry, however, extended only to the branches; he was unacquainted with the nature and cultivation of the root. While under a severe sickness in the year 1744, he dictated a letter to be sent in case he should not recover, as his dying remonstrance to certain of his parishioners, whose names he desired to be taken down. These persons had been the most inattentive to his admonitions, and he thus manifested a sincere interest in their welfare. Could he have seen an outward decency in these individuals, he would have died content, and discovered the defects of his ministry in another world; but it pleased a gracious Providence to raise him from the bed of sickness, and to show him the insufficiency of all virtue that does not spring from a heart made acquainted with its natural enmity against God and holiness, reconciled to him through the death of Christ, and purified by the holy, and therefore necessarily reforming operations of the divine Spirit.