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Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine,

FOR DECEMBER, 1842.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES WOOD:

CHIEFLY PREPARED BY HIS SON, THE REV. ROBERT WOOD.

(Concluded from page 900.)

In the year 1804 Mr. Wood removed to Manchester; where, notwithstanding the disorderly and factious proceedings of a few, who headed what at this remote period is designated "the bandroom secession," the increase in the society was satisfactory, and its spiritual state was flourishing. After remaining in this town two years, Mr. Wood was appointed a second time to Bristol; and, so far as an accession to the number of members in society can be considered an indication of prosperity, this appointment was the most successful of his ministerial career; for, during his three years' residence, upwards of seven hundred members were added to the church. It was also while in this Circuit, by the suffrages of his brethren assembled in the Conference of 1808, that he was again elected to the responsible office of President.

From this scene of labour and usefulness Mr. Wood went to Birmingham, where he had to contend with many and serious difficulties in maintaining the wholesome discipline of Methodism; yet here he had seals to his ministry, who, it is hoped, will be the " crown of" his "rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming."

In 1811 he was stationed for the second time in Leeds. The Conference had resolved that an additional school to that of Kingswood should be prepared at Woodhouse-Grove, for the education of the sons of the Preachers; and Mr. Wood was appointed the Chairman and Treasurer of a Committee who were authorized to make the purchase, and to superintend the preparation of the academy. This was accomplished much to the satisfaction of the Conference; who, by an unanimous vote of thanks, testified their approbation. Although the onerous duties connected with these engagements occupied a considerable portion of his time and attention, his pastoral work was not neglected; the Circuit had peace; and the members of the society, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

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In the year 1813, Mr. Wood was appointed the Governor of VOL. XXI. Third Series. DECEMBER, 1842. 3 X

the Wesleyan Academy at Woodhouse- Grove; where, assisted by Mrs. Wood, he watched over the temporal and spiritual interests of the sons of his brethren who were confided to his care, with parental anxiety, a grateful remembrance of which has frequently been expressed by many of them, now arrived at a state of manhood. As the Governor of the school, Mr. Wood did not experience the same peace and comfort which he enjoyed when, as a Travelling Preacher, he was engaged in the work of a Circuit: he therefore relinquished the office at the Conference of 1814. When he was appointed, the Circuit of which Woodhouse-Grove was the head was formed, and derived considerable advantage from his judicious management and advice. A gracious revival of the work of God took place at Yeadon, and many extraordinary conversions from Satan unto God were recorded.

This year was memorable in the annals of Methodism, on account of those important measures adopted by several of the Preachers, and other friends, to augment the annual income of the Wesleyan Missionary Society ;-measures which were rendered necessary by the recent departure of Dr. Coke, that unwearied advocate of the cause of Christian Missions, with six young men, for the island of Ceylon, together with the growing conviction that the scale of Missionary operations, in connexion with the church of Christ, ought to be very far extended. With his brethren, Mr. Wood entered most cordially into this work. The plans which were adopted, succeeded beyond the expectations of the most sanguine; and, by the ensuing Conference, they were recommended to the adoption of the Connexion, while its thanks were tendered to those with whom the movement originated. The interest taken by Mr. Wood in the formation of Auxiliary Missionary Societies, in various parts of the kingdom, was displayed with unabated vigour; and his efforts to promote their prosperity were continued within a few years of his death, when from age and infirmity he was obliged to desist.

Removing to the London East Circuit in 1814, Mr. Wood was appointed the General Treasurer of the Missionary Society; which office for one year he filled alone; he was then associated with the late Thomas Thompson, Esq., of Hull, M.P., with whom he acted as jointTreasurer during the following three years. To the satisfactory manner in which the duties of this responsible office were fulfilled, the Minutes of the Conference bear ample testimony:-"That the thanks of this Meeting be given to Thomas Thompson, Esq., and the Rev. James Wood, for their valuable services as General Treasurers during the past year; and that, on the occasion of Mr. Wood's removal from London, and the consequent termination of his services in this department, they feel themselves particularly called upon to express their high sense of the faithful and diligent manner in which he has discharged the laborious duties of his office."

At the Conference of 1818 we find Mr. Wood stationed the second

time at Wakefield, where he found the society in a condition far more distressing than the spiritual apathy of which he complained twentysix years previous; but on this occasion he did not witness a similar reverse as he found the society, so, it appears, he left it,-mourning over a decrease of one hundred and forty members. A different scene, however, awaited him in his next appointment, which was to Liverpool, where it pleased the Lord to visit his inheritance with a gracious and refreshing rain. Of this, interesting mention is made in the following extract from a letter, written by a personal witness, the late Miss Sarah Birkett, afterwards Mrs. Budgett, of KingswoodHill. The communication is dated, "Liverpool, March 24th, 1821:"

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"I am thankful that I can corroborate the accounts which you have received of the revival of God's work among us. I bless the Lord for what I have heard, and seen, and felt. Such an outpouring of the Spirit I never before witnessed. It began at a prayer-meeting in the Leeds-street chapel, on Christmas-day, and soon spread to other parts of the town. It still proceeds in a powerful manner, although the number who find peace is not so great as at first. The gracious showers have extended to Prescot and St. Helen's. At the former place, in particular, many notorious characters have been ushered into the liberty of the children of God; the grossly ignorant have been brought to the knowledge of the truth; and lions have been transformed into lambs. Our Preachers have been united as 'the heart of one man ;' their zeal has been beautifully attempered with judgment; while they have encouraged, they have guarded, the work, in every possible manner; and the Lord has crowned their efforts with abundant success. Prayer-meetings are held in the chapels, both on the Sabbath and week-day evenings; so that there is no suspension of the usual means. The penitents are quietly gathered together in one place; and thus prayer in different parts of the chapel, at the same time, is prevented; and this simple arrangement has not only preserved due order, but has had a salutary influence on the parties themselves. I have had opportunities of conversing with many of them; and have found, to my great satisfaction, that most, if not all, had been under deep conviction for some time previously to their finding pardon. This, to me, is strong evidence that the work is real,-not a mere sudden impulse of the mind, which might prove transient in its results, passing away like the morning cloud, or the early dew. I have a lively hope that we shall see even greater things than these."

At the Conference of 1823, which was held in Sheffield, and under date July 29th, (18th, O. S.,) Mr. Wood wrote as follows:

"The date of this letter will remind you of my age: seventy-two years have elapsed since I first drew breath. How many millions of

• See a Memoir of this excellent person, by the Rev. John Gaskin, A. M., Incumbent of Holy Trinity church, Kingswood-Hill, near Bristol,

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