EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1805. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. JOHN JOHNSON, Minister of a Congregation at St. George's, Manchester. THE Rev. John Johnson was born in the neighbourhood of Norwich; in which city he resided during the early part of his life. Before he was truly acquainted with the gospel, he was so exceedingly exact and self-righteous, that he used to confine himself to a certain number of words every day, and to note in a book whatever he said, as a guard upon himself, lest he should sin against God. By the observance of this strictness, he conceived that he was more than good, - almost angelic. While he remained in this pharisaical state, it pleased God to visit him with a dangerous sickness. This was so far from changing his views, that he presumptuously wondered that God did not, on account of his eminent piety, send angels to converse with him, and to comfort him: but he was a chosen vessel, and, therefore, not permitted to proceed in this proud delusion. Some time after his recovery, he was invited to go to Lady Huntingdon's chapel, in Norwich. Mr. Clayton, now of London, was then the preacher. The subject of the discourse was The Two Builders; one of whom built his house upon the rock, the other upon the sand. By this sermon, it pleased God to convince him that he had hitherto been building his hopes of eternal life on a sandy foundation. His views of himself were at once so completely changed, that on returning from the chapel, and meeting a dog by the way, he insensibly turned out of the road, and gave him the wall, thinking the brute so much better than himself. The advances which he made in religious knowledge and experience were exceedingly rapid. By reviewing his former state, he learned to pity the souls of his fellow-men, whom he saw perishing for lack of knowledge. Having experienced the power of divine truth on his own heart, he became strongly inclined to the ministry of the gospel, Several of his friends advised him to seek ordination in the established church; but conscientious scruples respecting some parts of its liturgy, and a warm attachment to the people, among whom he had been brought to a knowledge of the truth, determined him to offer his services to the late Countess of Huntingdon's connection. He was admitted into her college at Trevecka, in Wales, where he pursued his preparatory studies; and was one of the first six students who were ordained on the plan of secession after which he laboured in numerous places as an itinerant, amidst diversified circumstances, and with considerable success. At length, he became more stationary at Wigan, where he was the instrument of gathering a respectable congregation, of crecting a commodious chapel, and was eminently useful. Many now living, and others already gone to glory, will have cause, to all eternity, to bless God for his ministry*. His preaching excursions in the neighbourhood of Wigan were frequent, and in every direction. In some of them, the wrath of man, and the interposing providence of God, were remarkably exemplified. At Chorley his life was endangered. The first time he preached there in the public street, a man threw a bone at him, with great violence, weighing upwards of two pounds, which very narrowly missed his head.Having announced his intention of preaching there again, this same person prepared for more violent disturbance. In the former part of the day he paraded the streets, mocking the preacher, and promising the rabble fine sport in the evening. At the appointed time Mr. Johnson appeared, and entered upon the service. Just as the riot was commencing, a number of colliers came up. It was apprehended that they would join in the tumult; but having heard a few sentences, they, contrary to all expectation, apprehended this turbulent fellow, dragged him into a stable, confined him there, and then returned and heard the remainder of the sermon in a peaceable manner. The unhappy man was so irritated by his disappointment, that he contemplated more effectual meaSome days afterward, coming out of the country, he overtook a person driving an empty cart. He got into it, and began to boast of what he would do to the preacher, if he should come again. After talking with much indignation and sures. *The Rev. Mr. Roby of Manchester, from whose funeral-sermon for the deceased this memoir is extracted, says, "It was under his ministry in that town that I was brought to a serious concern for my soul. My feelings, in the recollection of this circumstance, dictated the choice of my text. Surely, I haver eason, on the present occasion, to exclaim, "My Father, my Father!" profaneness on this subject, he laid himself down in the cart, and apparently fell asleep. Having driven into the town, the carter called and shook him, to awake him; but behold, the persecutor was dead! At Bretherton, likewise, Mr. Johnson preached amidst great opposition. One evening the tumult was so great, that he was obliged to stop, and dismiss the congregation. In returning to his lodgings, being pelted with stones, he caught hold of a man by the collar of his coat, and demanded the names of the persons who threw them; but he could not obtain information. The next morning he applied to the rector of the parish, a justice of peace, for a warrant to apprehend the persons who had disturbed the congregation; but the magistrate, irritated against those whom he termed schismatics, refused to grant one. Application was then made to another justice, the rector of a neighbouring parish, who ordered the warrant desired. After much difficulty it was served upon the man, and he was bound to appear at the quarter-sessions at Wigan. In the mean time a warrant was executed on Mr. Johnson; in which he was charged with having assaulted the man before mentioned. This warrant was issued by the very magistrate who refused to grant one for apprehending the disturber of public worship. Early on the day of the trial, the man against whom the prosecution was directed, and his associates, came tumultuously into the town with ribbands in their hats, anticipating their triumph. When the jurymen were called, one of them not answering to his name, an indifferent person was called out of the court in his stead. Mr. Johnson's license, and the license of the house were produced. The counsel disputed the signature of the latter; and asked for evidence that it was the hand-writing of the deputy-register. To produce this immediately, appeared to be impracticable: enquiry, however, being made, a gentleman came forward, and declared the signature to be genuine. The witnesses on the part of Mr. Johnson were then examined two were also called on behalf of the defendant. The former, pressing through the crowd, said, Make way, I'll swear through them all and accordingly he swore that the person accused did not make any disturbance.-The second witness came forward with apparently the same impious intention; but the oath being administered, a solemn awe seized his mind, and he was heard to say, 'I'll not forswear myself for any body.' Impelled by this sentiment, he acknowledged, to the confusion of his companions, that the man had behaved in a riotous manner. The jury, with all this evidence before them, hesitated. Some alleged most shameful motives of party-spirit, verson |