FOR JULY, 1839.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE ROGER CRANE, ESQ.

THE experience of departed saints, especially of those who have long stood as witnesses for their great Master, furnishes an increasing weight of evidence of the truth of the word of God. Thus has it been tested by generation after generation, and it "abideth for ever."

The late Roger Crane, Esq., was born at Preston, in the year 1758, and in his youthful days enjoyed the privilege of a religious education, his ancestors being pious Presbyterians. He ever cherished a grateful remembrance of the fastings and prayers of his grandmother, who frequently led him and his sisters to the footstool of mercy, while she poured out her soul to God on their behalf; and although her death took place when he was little more than six years of age, he often in after-life repeated with heartfelt pleasure, those passage of Scripture with which she had stored his opening mind. One circumstance in the history of his family he always mentioned with peculiar emotion and gratitude. His grandfather, who was in a small way of business, and had eleven children to provide for, going out early one morning, learned that three individuals, who owed him more than he was worth in the world, had each stopped payment. With a heavy heart he returned home, and communicated the sad tidings to his wife, who began bitterly to weep and lament the situation of her large young family, exclaiming, "We're ruined! we're ruined! What will become of my poor children?" After mutually giving vent to their feelings for some time, she said to her husband, "Roger, what are we doing? We are acting very wrong, we are distrusting God; for we are his children, and he has promised to provide. We have not brought these misfortunes upon ourselves. We often talk about trusting in God: this is the time for it let us commit our cause into his hands." They knelt down, and began with many tears to lay their case before the Lord, pleading his promises, and endeavouring to cast themselves and their helpless family on his providential care. While thus engaged, their hearts were cheered, their confidence increased, and by reviewing past mercies they were led to hope for future blessings. Being disturbed by a knock at the door, they rose from their knees, and on opening it found a respectable lady who resided near them: she inquired if they would not suffer loss by the failures referred to; adding, "I know you deal with them, and I fear you are hurt." His grandmother answered, VOL. XVIII. Third Series. JULY, 1839.

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"O, Mrs. Whalley, we are quite ruined!" "Well," she replied, "I was afraid it would be so; and I was so uneasy about you, that I really could not rest till I came to see. I have brought you a hundred pounds in my apron: if that will help you to stand, take it: if you want more, let me know, and you shall have it. You can repay me as you can spare it." Thus did the Lord fulfil his promise to those that trusted in him, and prove himself "a very present help in trouble." By this unlooked-for assistance, they were enabled to carry on their business, provide for their family, and prove to their benevolent friend that her confidence in their integrity was not misplaced.

Though parental restraint had the effect of preserving Mr. Crane from many youthful snares and follies, he yet remained an entire stranger to real religion. The ministry on which he attended was fast verging to Unitarianism: his father, a man of liberal and enlightened views, being sensible of the dangerous error thus insinuating itself into his own communion, availed himself of frequent opportunities of leading his son to hear pious Ministers in other towns, without regard to sect or party. On one occasion, spending the Sunday in Leeds, he took him to hear Mr. Wesley's Preachers; when he was so charmed with the sweet congregational singing, that some time afterwards hearing that a Methodist was going to preach in Preston, he determined to attend. From this time he became a regular hearer. Service being then performed only once in six weeks on a week evening, his constant attendance was for a while scarcely noticed by his former companions; but when his heart began to be affected by the truths he heard, so that he could no longer join in what he had previously considered harmless amusements, he found himself exposed to a torrent of obloquy and reproach, which he was little prepared to expect. While some of his old associates jeered and derided, others remonstrated with him for disgracing his family: it was also reported that he was beside himself, so that some expressed their surprise at his being able to transact business as formerly. But "he conferred not with flesh and blood:" being deeply convinced of the importance of religion, and the necessity of Christian communion, he cast in his lot with those despised followers of Jesus, and received his first ticket from Mr. Bardsley in the year 1777. By acting thus he had the greatest reason to fear that he should incur the high displeasure of his father, on whom he was dependent, being only about nineteen years of age. Feeling, however, that the interests of his soul were at stake, he dared not to hesitate, but with fear and trembling, and much prayer that the Lord would influence his father's heart, ventured to tell him of the step he had taken, and the motives which had actuated him. Contrary to his expectation, he obtained a patient hearing; and the reply he received was, that as every individual must answer for himself before God, it was incumbent on each to attend those services from which he derived the greatest spiritual benefit; and that, if he experienced this among the Methodists, he had his full approbation in joining them.

So unexpected an answer quite overcame him; and, with many tears, he stated to his father, what different treatment he was prepared for, and the resolution he had formed in consequence, rather to quit his home and renounce his prospects in life, than forsake what he believed to be the path of duty. His sisters, who considered themselves disgraced by his being a Methodist, and who were also often and highly offended by his reproofs and exhortations, were much disappointed at the liberty thus granted him; while he, believing it a special interposition of Providence, in answer to prayer, "thanked God, and took courage."

His warnings and expostulations were not in vain with regard to his sisters: both of them were induced shortly afterwards to follow his example; both became partakers of like precious faith, and subsequently helpmeets, in the true sense of the word, to two of the early race of Methodist Preachers, who are now with God,-the Rev. C. Atmore, and the Rev. M. Emmett. Mrs. Atmore finished her course with joy at a comparatively early age. Mrs. Emmett, having long borne the burden and heat of the day, still survives; and her hoary hairs are a crown of glory.*

At the time of the above conversation with his father, Mr. Crane had not obtained a consciousness of the divine favour; but he received this inestimable blessing during one of his journeys in Yorkshire. An old Preacher, conversing with him on experimental religion, and perceiving the state of his mind, said to him in a very emphatic manner, "Brother, you are inverting the order of God in his method of saving sinners, and want to be made happy before you exercise faith in Jesus. Remember, it is, Believe, love, and obey; but you are trying to obey, love, and believe."

That afternoon, while travelling alone, and ruminating on what his friend had said, he saw the way of faith more clearly; he was enabled so to lay hold upon the Saviour, that love, peace, and joy sprung up in his heart, and he went on his way rejoicing. He now felt it his delight, as well as his duty, to endeavour to lead others to the possession of the same happiness; and was ready to spend and be spent in order to bring sinners to God. Under the influence of this feeling he began to give a word of exhortation; and, as the society in Preston were then visited by their Preachers only once a fortnight at noon, he, in conjunction with his friends the late Mr. Bramwell and Mr. Emmett, established a regular service on the Sunday evenings. Their labours were not confined to the town and immediate neighbourhood; but within an extent of twenty miles around it, they cheerfully embraced every opportunity of proclaiming the Saviour's love; and partook largely of the reproach of Christ, which at that time was liberally. bestowed on all who bore the standard of the cross. Sometimes they

Since the above was written, Mrs, Emmett has finished her course. account of her death in our number for June, pp. 493, 494.-Edit.

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