WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1857.

MEMOIR OF MR. JAMES AIKIN,

OF ARDS, NEAR RAMELTON, IRELAND:

BY THE REV. THOMAS K. WHITAKER,

MR. JAMES AIKIN was born near Ramullan, in the county Donegal, Ireland, on the 15th of March, 1778; but, while he was yet a child, came to live in the Ards, near Ramelton, with an uncle, who, having no children of his own, adopted him as his heir. In early life, James was passionately fond of horse-racing, dancing, &c.; and in exercises which require strength and agility he especially excelled. His mind possessed a buoyancy and energy somewhat resembling the elasticity and vigour of his body. Hence, he was the agreeable and admired companion of all who followed the course of this world, and his society was eagerly sought by the gay and the careless. Moreover, as he frequently described himself, he was like Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of God's people; but, like him, he did it ignorantly, not knowing what he did. He sometimes mimicked the public discourses of the Methodist Preachers, who had recently extended their labours to the neighbourhood in which he lived. But, as he had previously very few opportunities of knowing their real character, and as his acquaintance with their doctrines must have been scanty, it is likely he indulged in this vein of ridicule more for the amusement of others, than out of set malice toward God's messengers, or hatred to Divine truth.

In May, 1801, when about the age of twenty-three, he heard a sermon by a Methodist Preacher on Rev. iii. 20, which made a deep impression on his heart, and awakened feelings to which he had hitherto been a stranger. He was no longer the same sprightly young man, and could find no pleasure in those scenes of frivolity in which his talents and humour had gained for him an unrivalled distinction among thoughtless companions. He became alarmed at his dangerous condition as a sinner in the sight of God, deserving to be cast into hell. Such is the sympathy between mind and body, that he became seriously ill. His own testimony was, in effect," The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow." His concern was for the fate of his immortal soul, not for the perishing body. He feared death, not because of dying, but that he knew he must instantly drop into the

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pit of misery. In his anguish, he mightily called upon the name of the Lord, "O Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul." God appeared for his deliverance. His inward eye was favoured with a vision of the Redeemer of sinners, as if all external objects had been shut out from view; or, as he himself was wont to describe it," as if he had been in a trance." His heart felt disposed to trust in that loving Saviour who had died for him, and who now appeared in fulness of mercy. He continued wrestling in prayer, and struggling to believe, when the text already named was powerfully applied to his heart: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock : if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." He readily opened his ear to hear, and his heart to entertain his Lord. He believed this message of love was designed for himself—he received it as such, and instantly heaven sprung up in his soul. He became a new creature in Christ Jesus the Lord, his burden was removed, his sin forgiven: and, while his relatives stood around watching for his last breath, (unaware, perhaps, of the severe mental conflict through which he was passing, and which had lasted some days,) he started up suddenly, and, with a strength of voice that surprised them all, said, "God has pardoned all my sins, and given me peace of mind : I am not now afraid to die." From that hour he began to recover. When the storm which had agitated the depths of his inmost soul subsided, and there was a calm within, a salutary effect was produced upon his health, which had been completely prostrated, and he rapidly regained his lost strength.

Conversion to God is the turning-point in man's history. If Mr. Aikin had never been converted, he would have been a remarkable man. He could not have ranked on a level with the general class around him. He had intellectual capabilities fitted to raise him above the crowd. But these talents, unsanctified, would have been appropriated to worldly, or, perhaps, mischievous purposes. It was religion that made him what he was in after-life,—a man of one pre-eminent aim, subjecting all other concerns to an all-ruling principle, and bringing varied mental resources to bear upon the grand object in view; namely, to glorify God, and lead sinners to the Saviour. He was "instant in season, out of season," sparing no labour, exerting an influence on all with whom he daily came in contact.

On the second day after he experienced God's manifested favour, there was another and a more abundant revelation of Divine love to his soul. At this time he said, "If God would raise me up, I would willingly go to the ends of the earth to preach Christ to the people." It is the impulse of a new-born soul to tell what God has wrought, with a strong belief that all who hear will receive the testimony, and enter at once into joyous liberty.

The day that he arose from his bed of sickness, he opened the Bible, and the first text that met his eye was, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." He had scarcely read the words, when a flood of light was let in upon his mind. His spiritual eye-sight was enabled to discern clearly the

nature of the duty enjoined in that passage, not only in regard to individual but to public worship. He looked at the multitude around him, and saw that, as they spent their lives in folly, Sabbath-breaking, and everything likely to banish eternity from their thoughts, they surely did not answer the description given of God's true worshippers; and that, when once on the Lord's day, through habit, they assembled together, they but "drew near to Him with their mouth, and honoured Him with their lips, while their heart was far from Him." Yet he felt persuaded that there must be somewhere on earth a people in whom God delighted; and his heart yearned after them, earnestly desiring to become acquainted and associated with them, in order that he might mingle in their solemn and joyful assemblies.

Here is another manifest feature of true religion. When man enters into a new relation to God as His adopted and regenerated child, he is inspired with new principles, and naturally seeks for a suitable sphere for their culture and development. Mr. Aikin, born again of the Holy Spirit, sought for personal fellowship with other members of the same family, that he might share the joy of a "common salvation," and contribute to swell the sound of living testimony to the power and grace of God. With these feelings fresh and full in his heart, he resolved to lay the case before his heavenly Father. Accordingly, he went out to the most retired spot he could find, there knelt down before the Lord, and prayed fervently that He would conduct him among His sincere and acceptable worshippers, by whatever name they might be called." He who never allows an humble inquirer after truth to wander in the dark without a guide, sent an answer of peace. He who made a provision for enlightening the mind of Cornelius by the glorious Gospel,-preparing the Apostle Peter, then in a distant place, to proceed on the errand of preaching that Gospel, and unfolding the riches of its mercy, to one who sought instruction in the things belonging to his peace,-opened Mr. Aikin's way among those who truly feared and served God. On the very next day a messenger came from an aunt in Ramelton, requesting him to spend a few days with her, until his strength should be recruited. He accepted the invitation, and went to a family of Methodists. On his way thither, he prayed that if the Methodists were, as reported, "the false prophets that were to come in the last days, deceiving, if possible, the very elect," his ears might be deaf to all they had to say. When he arrived, he found a few friends met together in a social and religious manner. The evening was spent in godly conversation, hymns, &c. There was, likewise, a public prayer-meeting, to which all the company repaired; and while his uncle, Mr. Wilson, was engaged in leading the general devotions, the Lord revealed Himself powerfully to the soul of the visiter. He was instantly so filled with the love of God, that he could not restrain his emotions, but turned round and clasped his uncle in his arms, shouting for joy, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God." Then and there he cast in his lot among them; a choice which he never after reviewed with regret.— Some persons may incline to attribute all this to a heated imagination,

wrought upon by circumstances. But let the reality, depth, and force of the change which then passed upon Mr. Aikin be tested by more than half a century's even walk with God; and it must be acknowledged that he was no enthusiast-that he was not led captive by transient feeling, which sober reflection might afterwards correct. He became a Methodist from conviction. Everything else made against this choice. His associations in the world-his education and former prejudices-his prospects in life-all seemed to be arrayed in decided hostility to the resolution now formed. The uncle with whom he lived, who had reared him from a child, and who purposed that he should succeed to his farm and property, was anything but favourable to Methodism. He looked on the recent change in the views and pursuits of his nephew with displeasure and alarm. All means were used to dissuade him from the course on which he was bent. But, although future temporal welfare appeared to hinge on the good-will of one who had shown him so much kindness, he could not be induced to act against the dictates of an enlightened conscience, or grieve that good Being who had bestowed on him a blessing infinitely surpassing in value all this world could afford.

When the uncle found that admonition and warning were useless, he resorted to extreme measures. One Sunday morning, when Mr. Aikin was going as usual to his class-meeting, a distance of two miles, he perceived the servant-man following with a bundle under his arm, which was found to contain his clothes and other little property regarded as belonging to himself. When he entered the house of a Methodist family, near the place where the class met, the bundle was thrown in after him, and the servant departed without speaking a word. This he understood well to be an intimation that he must not return, or any longer consider his uncle's house as his home. He was now perplexed, but not disheartened. He committed himself to Him who judgeth the cause of the innocent, and delivereth those who put their trust in Him. The religious service concluded, and his heart strengthened by converse with the followers of the Redeemer, he bent his steps in an opposite direction toward the residence of his father, who, on hearing the case related, welcomed the son to his house, and assured him he should never want while he had anything to share with him. Not long after this, there was a reaction in the mind of the uncle; whose better reason, aided by the affectionate remonstrance of his wife, overcame the feeling of opposition, and led to the reinstating of the nephew in his position. Thus, the first great trial of Mr. Aikin's faith happily terminated: he gave glory to God, and went on his way rejoicing. This was not the only test by which the sincerity of his profession was evidenced. He passed through many severe ordeals, by which the purity of his faith was tried like gold in the fire. He lost nothing, however, in the furnace of affliction, but became the more refined.

In the midst of all, a continual sunshine of cheerfulness was manifest in his deportment through life. It was rare indeed to find him without a smile on his countenance. He had learned of his Master

to be meek and lowly in heart, and in patience to possess his soul. His walk was humble, even, close with God; and his acquaintance with Divine things was deep and soul-transforming. One who met in class with him for thirty-six years, and knew him intimately, says, that he never saw him but rejoicing in God, and inexpressibly happy in His love. His sun may, indeed, have been sometimes clouded; but it never went down. He generally spent an hour in private prayer before any others of the household rose; and they were considered early risers. These were some of his happiest seasons, and they prepared him for the various duties of the day. His joy usually mounted to rapture; and he was enabled to plead the promises of God's word with remarkable facility of utterance and strength of confidence.

His usefulness in the vineyard of the Lord is well known to thousands. Towns and villages, distant ten or twelve miles from his home, witnessed his zeal in the cause of his Master. In the open air, as well as in private houses, he strove to reclaim wanderers from the paths of error, and to point sinners to a Saviour. In winter it was his custom to rise long before daybreak, feed the cattle, get his breakfast by candle-light, and then go forth on his errand of love. After walking to some post of duty, and holding a religious service, he used cheerfully to set out for some other place where a similar exercise awaited him; and then again, with renewed spiritual strength, he would journey to a yet more distant sphere of labour; and, perhaps, return home late at night, having travelled many miles, and held four or five meetings. During these self-denying toils, he often sat down contentedly under the shelter of a hedge to eat a piece of bread—his only provision-with gladness and singleness of heart. His visits were almost invariably well received, and his efforts were often successful. Voices of those who listened were not unfrequently raised in testifying their conviction of the truth of all they heard, and in earnest invitation for him to return whenever he could. He was, in many instances, the herald to prepare the way for the ministry of the word of life, in places where, but for his arduous toil, that inestimable privilege would, probably, have been unknown. Those who heard him can declare how earnestly he pleaded with sinners to be reconciled to God; stretching forth his sinewy arms toward them, as if he would embrace them in Christ's name; and exclaiming, with a pathos which it would be difficult to imitate,

"O that my Jesu's heavenly charms

Might every bosom move!

Fly, sinners, fly into those arms

Of everlasting love."

In his character firmness and fearlessness were combined with tenderness and gentleness. His labours were not confined to appointed times and places for public worship. Along the high road-in the busy market-while engaged in the occupations of the field-he sought opportunities of doing good, thereby fulfilling the