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We need only observe, in addition to the above, that Mr. Garrettson was the oldest travelling preacher on the continent; that from the time he entered the itinerant ministry, in the year 1775, in the 23d year of his age, he desisted not until the day of his death; that for these fifty-two years he graced the ranks of itineracy with an unblemished reputation; that whatever department of the work he filled, he stood "like an iron pillar strong," against every attack of the enemy; and finally, having “KEPT the FAITH," he has gone to wear that CROWN which the Lord, the righteous Judge, promised him.

For the Methodist Magazine.

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE REV. JOHN P. FINLEY.

Messrs. Editors,—I have thought I could not spend an hour more profitably, this evening, than in sketching a few imperfect notices of the late Rev. John P. Finley, of the M. E. Church. I became acquainted with the amiable and worthy subject of these recollections in 1815. From that time to the period of his death, I possessed his confidence, and enjoyed his friendshipand perhaps no one of his numerous friends knew his mind and heart more intimately than I, during a term of nearly ten years. He has frequently assured me, that even his own family knew less of him than I did, and that I had understood his whole heart. I may therefore be permitted to say a few things, to preserve from oblivion the name and services of an able minister of the New Testament, and devoted friend of mankind. John P. Finley was certainly no ordinary man, whether we consider his natural parts, his literary pretensions, or his gracious attainments. Nature had done much for him, various learning had largely contributed to improve him, and Christianity had perfected him into a model worthy of imitation. By nature he possessed a strong, manly, and ingenuous mind; his education was good, and well directed through life; his Christian character was of the first order; and all conspired to render him strikingly interesting, both in and out of the pulpit. But as my remarks will be almost entirely confined to recollection, I can only furnish you with an imperfect outline of the character of my deceased friend. It has long been my impression, that men of distinguished worth in our church, who have been removed from their labour of love" on earth, have not received those distinctive marks of respect, in the official obituary notices of the church, to which they have been obviously entitled, from the elevation of their character, and the nature and value of their services; and I would wish, that in all such notices, instead of a general and indiscriminate commendation of piety and usefulness, our numerous readers might be able to form some accurate idea

of the peculiar and distinguishing attributes of character in each individual, becoming the subject of biographical report. If men, and especially ministers, are to be "esteemed in love for their works' sake," they ought certainly to be esteemed and held up to imitation, in proportion to the nature and extent of their relative usefulness, as well as aggregate worth of character. I mean to say simply, without indulging in any thing censorious, that it is the duty of the living among us, to report faithfully and with some particularity, the various usefulness and diversified excellence of the dead. In looking over recently, some scores of notices of the death and character of our deceased ministers, I have observed a generality of description, a sameness of report, which I fear, is calculated to inake an impression, unfriendly to the well known fact, that we have had in our church a great variety of talent and usefulness and certainly it belongs to the history of the church, the biography of her distinguished individuals, to point out, and clearly develope, the diversity of talent, character, and labour, of which we are now speaking. I submit these remarks by the way; if they be thought out of place, I have no disposition to press them upon the attention of your numerous readers. But to return to our subject.

John P. Finley was born in North Carolina, June 13th, 1783. From childhood he was marked as possessing no common share of intellect. He was early placed at school, and while in his abecedarian course, he evinced an aptitude to learn, that induced his father, a distinguished Presbyterian clergyman, (who is now at the age of seventy a Methodist travelling preacher,) to give him a classical education. Owing to his habits of industry and perseverance, he soon acquired a competent knowledge of the sciences, and a reputable acquaintance with the learned languages. Of the English language he was a perfect master, and taught its proper use with almost unrivalled success. From the age of twelve or fourteen years, he was often deeply affected with a sense of sin, and the importance of repentance and faith; but his mind was so much perplexed, with the doctrines of absolute personal predestination, of which his father was then a strenuous and able asserter, that he came to no decision on the subject of religious opinions, until he reached the years of manhood. About the age of twenty-one he married, and soon after was brought to the knowledge of salvation by the remission of his sins. Early after his conversion he was convinced that a "dispensation of the gospel" had been committed to him. He weighed well the impressions and convictions of his mind and heart, in relation to the fearful and responsible business of a Christian minister; but when finally and fully convinced of his duty, he did not hesitate. There were indeed many reasons why he should confer with flesh and blood-but with his cha

racteristic firmness he rejected them all, and took the pulpit, I think, in 1811. At the time of his conversion he resided in Highland county, Ohio. His ministerial career was commenced during a residence in Union, Greene county, Ohio, whither he had been called to take charge of a seminary. At the head of this institution he continued about six years, living and preaching the religion of Christ in its native simplicity and power.

From Union he removed to Dayton, distant only about thirty miles, and conducted an academy in this place for two years. It was here our acquaintance and intimacy commenced, which ended only with his useful life. He left Dayton, beloved and regretted of all, and accepted a call to superintend a respectable seminary in Steubenville, Ohio. In this place he continued not quite two years. In his ministerial exertions he was "instant in season and out of season," and laboured with more than ordinary success. His next remove was to Piqua, Ohio, where he continued as principal of an academy for four years. In all these places. his pulpit efforts were highly acceptable; his social intercourse seasoned with dignity and piety, and his residence a blessing to all about him. From this place he made his last remove to Augusta, Kentucky. Here he taught a classical school for some time, and was afterward appointed principal of Augusta college, in which relation he continued until the time of his death. In these several places his labours in the pulpit were considerable, and extensively useful. All who knew him esteemed him as a man of talents and irreproachable Christian character. He was indeed, all in all, one of the most amiable, guileless men, I ever knew never did I know a man more perfectly under the influence of moral and religious principle. His uniform course was one of high and unbending rectitude. One error as reported in the "Minutes," respecting his conversion, I must beg leave to correct. I do it upon his own authority (when living) and that of his brother, the Rev. James B. Finley, superintendent of the Wyandot mission. There is something rather remarkable in the manner in which these worthy ministers were first brought to reflect with more than ordinary concern upon their latter end. John and James were amusing themselves in the forest with their guns; and as John was sitting carelessly upon his horse, James's gun accidentally went off, and the contents came very near entering John's head. The brothers were mutually alarmed, humbled, and thankful; they were more than ever struck with the melancholy truth, that "in the midst of life we are in death :" they reflected upon their unpreparedness to meet death, and appear in judgment. Each promised the other he would reform; and the result was, they were both led to seek religion, as the only preparation for eternity. Both the brothers agree in stating that this circumstance was the means, in the hand of God, of their

awakening and conversion; as neither of them was in the habit of attending the preaching of the gospel before the inquietude and alarm created by this occasion. I have been thus minute in detailing the immediate means of his conversion, at the request of a surviving brother, in whose estimation, the apparent incompetency of the means magnifies the grace of God, in this singular dispensation of blended mercy and providence.

John P. Finley was in the ministry about fifteen years. He was ordained deacon by bishop Asbury, on the 17th of September, 1815. He received ordination as elder at the hands of bishop Roberts, July 2, 1820. At the time of his death he was a member of the Kentucky annual conference-actively dividing his time and energies, between the business of collegiate instruction and the labour of the pulpit.

As a man, the subject of these recollections was engagingly amiable, ingenuous, and agreeable-equally removed from affectation and reserve, the circle in which he moved felt the presence of a friend, and the influence of a Christian and minister.

As a teacher, his excellence was acknowledged by all, who were competent to decide upon his claims; and though he gloried most in being found a pupil in the school of Christ, yet he was no stranger to the academy and lyceum.

As a husband, there is one living whose tears have been his eulogy, and to whom, with his orphan children, friendship inscribes these lines. As a father, he was worthy of his children, and in pointing them to another and better world, he was always careful to lead the way himself.

As a friend, he was warm, ardent, and confiding, and not less generous than constant; his intimate friends, however, were few and well selected.

As a minister, in the pulpit, he was able, impressive, and overwhelming. The cross of his redemption was his theme, and in life and death, it became to him the "emphasis of every joy." In all these relations I knew him well, and can therefore speak from the confidence of personal knowledge, and accredited information.

The last time I saw him, I preached a sermon at his request, on the "Inspiration of the Scriptures." When I had retired to my room, he called on me in company with a friend, and in his usual frank manner, embraced me, and observed, "H, I thank you for that sermon, and I expect to repeat my gratitude in heaven." Little did I think at this interview I was gazing on my friend for the last time, and that in eighteen months his ripened virtues were to receive the rewards of the heavenly world! But so it was, and I, less fit to die, am spared another and another year.

He died on the 8th of May, 1825, in the 42d year of his age, and 16th of his ministry; and at the same time that his bereaved family wept upon his grave, the sadness of the church told, that she

had lost one of her brightest ornaments. Just before his triumphant spirit rose to sink and sigh no more, he was asked how he felt, and what were his prospects upon entering the dark valley and shadow of death. He replied, in language worthy of immortality, "Not the shadow of a doubt, I have Christ within, the hope of glory-that comprehends all ;" and then, with the proto-martyr, he "fell asleep." Such is a very imperfect sketch of the life, character, and death, of John P. Finley. God grant, reader, that you and I may share the glory that gilded the last hours of his toil.

10 Nov. 1827.

HENRY B. BASCOM.

MISCELLANEOUS.

From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.
By Dr. A. Clarke.

MANY stagger at the term per- with all his heart, soul, mind, and fection in Christianity; because strength; and his neighbour as they think that what is implied in himself;-then he is a perfect man it, is inconsistent with a state of that does so; he answers the end probation, and savours of pride and for which God made him; and this presumption but we must take is more evident from the nature of good heed how we stagger at any that love which fills his heart: for, word of God; and much more, how as love is the principle of obediwe deny or fritter away the mean- ence, so he that loves his God with ing of any of his sayings, lest he all his powers, will obey him with reprove us, and we be found liars all his powers; and he who loves before him. But it may be that his neighbour as himself, will not the term is rejected because it is only do no injury to him, but, on not understood. Let us examine the contrary, labour to promote his its import. best interests. Why the doctrine which enjoins such a state of perfection as this, should be dreaded, ridiculed, or despised, is a most strange thing; and the opposition to it, can only be from that carnal mind that is enmity to God; that is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. And had I no other proof that man is wholly fallen from God, his opposition to Christian holiness would be to me sufficient.

The word perfection, in reference to any person or thing, signifies that such person or thing is complete, or finished; that it has nothing redundant; and is in nothing defective. And hence that observation of a learned civilian, is at once both correct and illustrative: viz. "We count those things perfect, which want nothing requisite for the end whereto they were instituted." And to be perfect, often signifies to be blameless, clear, unreproachable; and according to the above definition of Hooker, a man may be said to be perfect, who answers the end for which God made him ; and as God requires every man to love him

But let us examine the import of those original terms, which our translators render in this way; and take them in the order in which they occur. The first is τέλειος, from reλos, an end, which is from reλsvw, to make an end, finish.

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