FOR FEBRUARY, 1841.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. ALEXANDER STURGEON:

BY HIS SON, JOHN A. STURGEON, M.D.

AMONG the various motives which induce me to write this brief sketch of a long and well-spent life, the following are not the least influential:-The great advantage derived by society from religious biography. There, though dead, the righteous live and speak; their Christian experience and godly life are embalmed, and rescued from the fate of thousands of the excellent of the earth, of whom nothing now remains save the name, and, in many cases, scarcely that, all their worth and excellence being long ago sepulchred in oblivion, and consequently both the church and the world deprived of a valuable record of the grace of God in them.

We owe it especially to the church of Christ, to preserve the memory of her pious and truly devoted Ministers, whose unblemished lives have adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour," and have been ensamples to the flock for many years, and by whose faithful labours in the word and doctrine the churches of Christ have received accessions to their numbers, as well as grace and stability in their members.

Nor is there any wish to conceal the fact, that, in the present case, filial respect induces the desire to record, in a permanent manner, the virtues of one whose life and conversation presented an invaluable practical comment on the truth of Christianity, not merely as a system of doctrines and morals, but of saving and sanctifying power, and developed in his family and in the church through a long life, chequered by much and painful affliction. Although the following brief record may not afford to the cursory reader those incidents which frequently give attraction to the biographic page, yet it is hoped it will not be altogether void of interest to those whose minds are spiritually enlightened, and who are habituated to trace the providence of God.

My dear father was born in the year 1768, at Tuscan's-pass, about three miles from the town of Newry. His parents were members of the established Church; in a strong attachment for which, and an almost superstitious veneration for her Clergy, their children were trained. Such was his blind respect for the Clergyman of VOL. XX. Third Series. FEBRUARY, 1841.

H

the parish, that he could not, nay, dared not, think him criminal in the sight of God, though guilty of evil that would endanger the salvation of other men. Nor was he a solitary instance of such superstitious veneration; so dense was the moral darkness that generally enveloped even Protestants in those days. With Wesleyan Methodism, as a religious system, he had little acquaintance; and for those who professed its doctrines, and were subject to its discipline, he had still less respect.

The circumstance which principally contributed to soften his prejudice against this people, and prepare his mind for receiving the word of life spoken by their Ministers, he thus describes in the short record which he has left:-" In March, 1791, I heard Mr. James M'Donald preach, and give an account of the death of Mr. Wesley. The society appeared greatly affected. My prejudices were arrested, and at once gave way. I began, from that time, to hear as one particularly addressed; and ultimately, with a sincere desire to receive good at the hands of God. The Gospel now became a glass. My real state, naturally and practically, became apparent. I saw clearly I must break off every sin, and give up my sinful companions. Prior to this I was closely wedded to them."

From this period he laboured to serve God; but, being unacquainted with the doctrine of justification by faith, he fell into the mistake not uncommon among such as have not been well instructed in the Gospel. He sought "righteousness by the deeds of the law." "I went on," he remarks, "in this way, sinning and repenting often ready to conclude that I should never prevail." He experienced considerable distress of mind; but He that has promised to bring the blind by a way they know not, shortly afterwards liberated his captive soul, led him into the path of peace, and caused him to rejoice in the privileges possessed and realized by the children of God.

The Lord permitted him to be variously tried, especially on account of his attachment to the Methodists and their religious services. Having identified himself with the little band then associated and meeting in the neighbourhood, his parents became alarmed; and fearing the religious malady might probably spread among their other children, they determined to check its progress in the most summary way. They therefore insinuated a doubt relative to his sincerity, by asking him the following question :-" How can you be serving God, and at the same time give us so much uneasiness?" His answer was plain and satisfactory, because an appeal to facts with which they as parents were particularly acquainted. On this subject he writes: "I could appeal to them, that in every matter, except conscience, I was more attentive to their word and business than ever." They resolved, however, to have recourse to such other means as to them appeared more likely to succeed; and therefore called to their aid the Clergyman of the parish, for whose learning, talents, and

office, they entertained a high degree of respect; and were, no doubt, sanguine as to the result.

"My father," says Mr. Sturgeon, "brought the Minister I had been accustomed to hear, to drive Methodistic notions out of my head, and set me right. I promised that, if he could prove from the word of God that the Methodists were in error, I would hear them no more. He at first strove to persuade me, that attending the service of the Church, and living a sober life, would answer every necessary purpose. He laid great stress on the Book of CommonPrayer. I objected to some parts of it, especially to the Absolution in the Visitation of the Sick. The Minister appeared indignant that I should dispute any part of the Prayer-Book; but I pressed my remarks, and called for proof of its orthodoxy from the word of God. Incapable of furnishing any Scripture warrant for such a practice, he gave up the point, and said, in the presence of my father and mother, Blot the passage from the book!'"

Thus terminated the argument, and the Clergyman gave him no further trouble; for which Mr. Sturgeon appears grateful, and even records the respect he entertained for the gentleman's honesty and tolerant spirit. His own words are, "And to the credit of the Minister I must say, he never attempted to discourage me afterwards." The interview related above had a very happy effect upon the family, as well as upon himself. His path now became clear. His parents raised no further objections to his Methodistic principles; and he was permitted to enjoy all the privileges of union with a people whom, though once he hated, now he loved. His parents now began to think seriously for themselves, and shortly afterwards invited the Methodist Ministers to their house; and, ultimately, he had the pleasure of seeing almost every member of his family brought to a saving acquaintance with God. Having now liberty to attend the various religious meetings of the society, he repaired to Tanderagee, a distance of eight miles from his father's, in order to attend a love-feast; and to the experience of God's children that day he was mainly indebted, by the divine blessing, for those clear scriptural views of conscious pardon and present salvation, which he carefully and conscientiously exhibited in his future ministrations. Of the love-feast, he says:

"Many spoke freely of the work of God on their souls, mentioning generally the time and place where they received remission of sins. This language was new and strange to me. Being favoured next day with the company of a Preacher, Mr. Steele, to my father's, I opened my mind freely to him. He encouraged me to continue in prayer, by saying, that God would send the Spirit of his Son into my heart. Adored be the name of the Most High! That evening He fulfilled the word of his servant. During the day I retired several times for prayer, often ready to step into liberty, but as often prevented