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prevailed among the youth in the city of Exeter, was anxious to place him out apprentice in the country; which was accordingly done: but here also he found Sin reigning in all its power: he found also strong propensities to vice in his own nature; yet preserved by the restraining power of God from gross crimes, and, at times, pursued by strong and painful convictions of his danger as a sinner, inducing him to cry for mercy, and to form strong, but unavailing, resolutions of amendment; and still looking forward to the close of his apprenticeship as a time when he was determined to become very religious. Presuming on his future goodness, he ventured further into folly and vanity with his gay companions, expecting at the promised period to repay the Almighty by a more exact

obedience.

When, however, out of his time, his mind began to be occupied with more anxious thoughts and schemes relating to the present world: though, for a short season, in consequence of living in the house of a Pharisee, he began to be externally devout. Determined to improve himself in his business, he removed to Bath, where he married his first wife: a connection which afterwards proved the source of many and grievous trials.

After this he returned to Exeter, entered into business, and (to use his own expression)" was swallowed up in the world and in the creature ;" but, he adds, "My dear Lord, who, I trust, loved me from all eternity, was preparing a smart rod for me, because he would wean my heart from the world, call me from my father's house and family, and bring about his eternal purpose."

It was in the year 1743, after he had removed to Plymouth, to obtain employment as a ship-builder, that it pleased God to call him by his grace, under the ministry of that very eminent servant of Christ, the Rev. George Whitfield. Being at work, he heard from a considerable distance the voice of that zealous man of God, who was preaching in the street, or fields (probably between Plymouth Town and Dock): he immediately concluded that the preacher was a madman; and determined, with five or six more of his companions, to go and knock him off from the place on which he stood; and, for the purpose of more effectually injuring the mad parson, they loaded their pockets with stones. When, however, Mr. Tan ner drew near, and perceived Mr. Whitfield extending his arms, and in the most pathetic language inviting poor lost sinners to Christ, he was struck with amazement. His resolution failed him he listened with astonishment, and was soon convinced that the preacher was not mad; but was indeed. speaking" the words of truth and soberness." Mr. Whitfield was then preaching from Acts xvii, 19, 20, " May we know

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what this new doctrine whereof thou speakest is? - for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears." He went home much impressed, and deterinined to hear him again.the next evening. He attended. Mr. Whitfield was wonderfully fervent in prayer. His text was Luke xxiv. 47," And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." After speaking of the heinous sin of the Jews and of the Roman soldiers, who were the instruments of perpetrating the cruel murder of the Lord of Life, Mr. Whitfield, turning from the spot where Mr. Tanner then stood, near his side, said, " You are reflecting now on the cruelty of these inhunian butchers, who imbrued their hands in his innocent blood," when, suddenly turning round, and looking intently at Mr. Tanner, he exclaimed, “Thou art the man!" These words, sharper than any two-edged sword, pierced him to the heart; he felt himself the sinner who, by his iniquities, had crucified the Son of God. His sins stared him in the face; he knew not how to stand; and in agony of soul he was forced to cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The preacher then, in melting language, proclaimed the free and super-abounding grace of God in Christ, which was commanded to be preached, first of all to Jerusalem-sinners, the very people who had murdered the Prince of Life; from which a gleam of hope beamed into his heart. Under this sermon, many other persons were convinced of sin, and brought to God. The next night Mr. Tanner heard Mr. Whitfield preach again: his subject was "Jacob's ladder." From this discourse he obtained such views of the person, character, and love of the great Mediator, as enabled him to lay hold on the hope set before him, and to rejoice in Christ Jesus.

Soon after this he joined the society at Plymouth; but a scene of trials ensued: his wife became his most violent persecutor; and his faith was much tried, by severe afflictions, for the space of five years: but in this school of calamity he was taught to pray, and to exercise resignation to the holy will of

This visit of Mr. Whitfield to Plymouth, was one of the most me morable and useful of his life. He was going to America, and had taken his passage in a ship which was to sail from Portsmouth; but being in. formed that the captain refused to take him, for fear of his spoiling the sailors, he was obliged to go as far as Plymouth. Here a serious attempt was made to murder him in his bed; the report of which induced many thousands to come and hear him: while waiting for the convoy, he con. tinued there five weeks. "During this time," says Mr. Whitfield,“hundreds were awakened and turned unto the Lord. At the Dock also a glorious work was begun. Could the fields between Plymouth and the Dock speak, they could tell what blessed seasons were enjoyed there!" Whitfield's Life, p. 140.

God. Notwithstanding his troubles, he was filled with love and fired with zeal, to promote the glory of God and the salvation of sinners. Hence he united with the late Mr. Kinsman, in praying and reading sermons at Plymouth; and God succeeded his pious efforts. He was particularly blessed to a person who had been the ringleader of all sorts of wickedness on board a man of war; and who, to his great joy, was received as a member of the Tabernacle Society.

In consequence of reading the Life of Colonel Gardiner, and observing how he improved his morning hours for devotion, he earnestly prayed that he might be enabled to overcome his sloth, and deny himself, by very early rising for the same purpose. From this time he seldom allowed himself more than six hours in bed, and frequently but four.

In 1754 he returned to Exeter, where he followed his busi ness; and soon began to preach in a licensed room, in con nection with some other zealous laymen. For a considerable time he perceived no success attending his labours; till being once at Bristol, he met a man in the street, who told him he should have reason for ever to bless God, for having heard him preach at Exeter. Some uncomfortable circumstances having dissolved this connection, he laboured alone; fearful, at first, lest the little cause in which he was embarked should totally fail, by being left in his hands. He had, at the same time, to encounter with a variety of strong temptations, heavy trials, and distressing embarrassments. But God was with him. The room and stair-case were crowded with people; and a divine unction so attended the simple preaching of Christ crucified, that many" poor, halt, maimed, and blind" sinners were brought to partake of the gospel-feast. Indeed, his labours were at this time so remarkably blessed, that he seemed never to preach one sermon in vain!

A circumstance now occurred, which perhaps deserves to be recorded : — A man, who lived in the court in which Mr.Tan ner preached, was so very much exasperated at having a Methodist Preaching room near him, that he determined to remove to another part of the city. He did so; but afterwards returned to the same shop. Here he was taken ill; and was confined in a room so near the preaching place as to be able to hear Mr. Tanner. He heard him pray with great fervour for the King, and all classes of men. His prejudices were weakened he began to think well of him. In his sermon, Mr. Tanner introduced some part of the Articles and Homilies of the Church of England, to prove that the doctrines which he taught were consistent with them. The next morning the man bought a Bible, with the Articles, that he might read and judge of the truth of what he had heard. When he read, he said to those about him," This is just as this man preaches."

He afterwards used to hear him in an adjoining garden; and at length ventured to go into the room, where the Lord made the gospel" the power of God" unto his salvation. This man afterwards went into the neighbouring villages to speak to his fellow-sinners; and there is reason to believe that his attempts were blessed to many souls.

About this time Mr. Holmes (whose praise is in the churches) passing by Mr. Tanner's house, heard him engaged in prayer: he was so impressed with his solemnity and fervour, that he felt a desire to hear him preach. He heard him; and the Lord opened his heart, and he stood up in the midst of the congregation (which then consisted of very poor persons) and offered them his assistance, in any way in which they

needed it.

In 1769, the Tabernacle (in which Mr. Tanner afterwards laboured) was begun. The situation in which it was built, was thought by many ineligible; but he preferred it because it was near the spot where his labours had been so much blessed; and chiefly, because it was the residence of the poorer classes of society, to whom he particularly wished to be made useful. He undertook the building himself (though his circumstances were narrow); and frequently said, "The Tabernacle was built by Faith and Prayer." The number of his hearers now much increased; and though he was greatly tried at this time by the dereliction of Mr. Holmes (his principal friend) with whom he had an unhappy disagreement, yet he was exceedingly animated by seeing the fruit of his labours; for at this time, a great many " lewd fellows, of the baser sort, were called out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan unto God." His usefulness attracted observation; so that when notorious transgressors of the law were brought to the magistrates, they frequently were heard to say, " We know not what to do with them, unless we send them down to Old Tanner's."

As might naturally be expected, at this season of peenliar usefulness, he met with more than usual opposition. He suffered almost every species of persecution. The congregation was often disturbed, and he was personally insulted and threatened; so that sometimes he found it necessary to get constables to escort himself and family from the Tabernacle to his dwelling-house. He was frequently obliged to bring the disturbers of public worship before the magistrates; but then discovered a most Christian spirit by interceding with the Justices for the mitigation of their sentence; declaring that his object in prosecuting was not to punish them, but to be enabled to enjoy those privileges to which he was entitled by the laws of his country.

Although he laboured abundantly in preaching, and other

ministerial exercises, he continued to work at his trade for many years. He met with numerous and heavy losses; but frequently declared, that the time of temporal distress was generally the season of remarkably strong consolation.

He did not confine his ministry to Exeter: he looked with compassion on the peculiarly dark neighbourhood. At the request of the late Mr. Toplady, he used to preach at Broad Hembury: be likewise laboured in the towns of Moreton, Hampstead, Crediton, and Topsham, and in various villages in the vicinity. In each of these places he met with great opposition; yet some in Heaven, and others on their road thither, bless God that they ever heard him.

Mr. Tanner enjoyed a great share of health, which enabled him, in very advanced life, to engage in those exercises which would have exhausted many young preachers. He used, cus tomarily, to preach three times on the Lord's Day, and twice in the week, beside engaging in more private exercises. His exertions continued unabated till within a short time of his death. Even when extremely weak in body, he was observed to be very vigorous in preaching; and his frequent petition was, That he might die in his Master's work. During the former part of last year, he was much harrassed by the enemy of his peace. He often said, "All fails me, but my faith." In the last two months of his life, he enjoyed more habitual peace

and comfort.

The day before his death (March 30, 1805) his conversation was remaikably savoury: he spoke with much animation of the stability of the church, as resting on Christ, and of his personal union to the Head of the Church. On the Sabbathmorning, he did not appear worse than usual. He went to the Tabernacle; he was very earnest in prayer; he chose for his text Ps. xxxii. 1—6; and though his sentences were incoherent, his hints were very spiritual: he was unable to finish his sermon. Being taken out of the pulpit, he was (after the service) carried to his house. As death approached, he was composed and animated. A friend said to him, You have been faithful, and God is about to give you a crown.' He said, "Yes; let this be my funeral text, "I have fought a good fight," &c. He spoke very comfortably and suitably to his family and friends. To one of his children, who discovered some anxiety, he said, " Leave all; and fall into the hands of Christ." He earnestly and particularly prayed for his children, and his childrens' children. After having slept about two hours, he said," Death is but the porter who opens the door to my mansion; and shall I be angry with the porter? Death! it is not dying, it is only falling asleep in Jesus. As our Lord was separated from his disciples by a cloud, so it is only a cloud that separates me from Jesus; and that cloud is

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