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can be indubitably inferred from the falling away of people after great revivals to pronounce peremptorily that there was no genuine work on them, and that of course all the appearances were insincere and hypocritical, is to assume a prerogative which belongs to God only, namely, that of searching the hearts and trying the reins of men."

We now return to the more immediate subject of this sketch. Having entered into the experience of the peace and joy of faith himself, Mr. Burgess soon felt an overpowering desire that all the world might receive the Gospel message, and partake the Gospel salvation. The grand declaration of our Divine Teacher, that "no man liveth to himself," came with irresistible power on his enlightened conscience; youthful apprehensions that he should be one day called to the Christian ministry now revived with increased strength; until, after a severe struggle with his constitutional diffidence and reserve, he dismissed all worldly considerations, and, in the spirit of self-sacrifice, deliberately and unreservedly laid himself on the altar of God's sanctuary.

It will excite no surprise in the minds of those who have perused the preceding notices of Mr. Burgess's early life and training, to learn that the office of the Christian ministry should be his choice. Gifted with superior intellectual endowments, possessing an insati. able thirst for knowledge, a love of learning, and untiring industry in its pursuit, his mind, at this period of his life, had become well cultivated and richly stored; his judgment was sound and mature; and he felt that a serious responsibility was attached to the bestowment of these talents for usefulness. A light, such as his was, could not be hidden "under a bushel :" the ministers, office-bearers, and elders of the Church, perceiving the grace of God that was in him, and recognizing his marked qualifications for more extended service in the vineyard of the Lord, ceased not to urge him till, believing it was the call of God, he consented to have his name inserted in the local preachers' plan. This step opened to him at once a sphere of usefulness congenial with his views of duty; and for about two years he exercised his gifts in this important department of evangelical labour, with benefit to others, and spiritual profit to himself. At the expiration of this time, having passed the ordeal of his District Meeting, and been recommended to the Conference as an eligible candidate for the itinerancy, we find his name, for the first time, as "admitted on trial," in the Minutes of the year 1814, when he was appointed to the Liskeard Circuit, with his revered father as Superintendent, and the Rev. John Worden as second preacher. Here he soon gave "full proof of his ministry," by doing "the work of an evangelist;" by studying to "show himself approved unto God,

a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." The eloquence, copiousness, earnestness, and fidelity of his ministrations, attracted large audiences, by whom his labours were highly appreciated, and from amongst whom many souls were given to him as his hire. So remarkable were the graceful flow of his oratory and the uncompromising boldness with which he proclaimed the doctrines and duties of our Divine religion, that cavillers, sceptics, and scoffers were, in many cases, compelled to acknowledge the power which accompanied his preaching.

At the Conference of 1815 he was removed from Liskeard, and, with his father, appointed to the Plymouth Circuit. During the two years of his ministry there, a revival of religion occurred, the effects of which are felt to the present day. An extraordi. nary spirit of prayer was poured out on the office-bearers and elders of the Society. Prayer-meetings were held at five o'clock in the morning, and every evening the chapel was thronged with earnest seekers of salvation and devout worshippers. Into this pentecostal visitation Mr. Burgess threw all the energies of his soul and body. He was "instant in season, out of season," and great was his joy to behold the power of God so manifestly displayed in the conversion of many precious immortal souls. One important event resulting from this gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and consequent addition of members to the Society, was the erection of the Ebenezer chapel at Plymouth,-a sanctuary, at that period, almost unrivalled in the West of England, on account of its size, its architectural style, and the appropriate beauty of its situation.

At the Conference of 1817 Mr. Burgess was appointed to Camelford, with his honoured father as Superintendent. In this Circuit he laboured with zeal and success, being universally respected and beloved throughout all its Societies, both for his pulpit talents, and for his exemplary life. It was here that he was introduced to Miss Elizabeth Pearse, a lady of great amiability of disposition, and of deep and devoted piety. Of Miss Pearse's father, the late Mr. Thomas Pearse, of Camelford, a wellwritten and instructive memoir was drawn up by his attached friend, the Rev. Francis Truscott, and inserted in the WesleyanMethodist Magazine for the months of May and June, 1816.

Mr. Pearse was a man and a Christian of no ordinary stamp. "Full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," his useful life was spent in devising and prosecuting schemes by which God might be glorified, and the temporal and spiritual wants and woes of his fellow-creatures relieved. A life so truly conformed to the spirit and precepts of the Gospel was suitably closed:

"His God sustain'd him in his final hour;

His final hour brought glory to his God."

In his daughter Elizabeth Mr. Burgess found a congenial mind, and in the fear of the Lord they were united in marriage. Their union proved an eminently happy one, although destined to be of brief duration.

By the Conference of 1818 Mr. Burgess was removed to the Channel Islands, where he was appointed Superintendent of the Guernsey and Sark Circuit. Here, during two happy years, he made full proof of his ministry, being rendered the instrument, in God's hands, of awakening many individuals who were previously regardless of Divine and eternal realities, bringing conso lation to many mourners, and building up believers in their most holy faith. In the diligent discharge of his pastoral duties he was very efficiently aided by his excellent wife, who was never happier than when employed in acts of pious beneficence. From Guernsey Mr. Burgess was transferred to the Falmouth Circuit, (to reside at Penryn,) and subsequently to Truro, Penzance, and Exeter. In the last three Circuits mentioned, he had the happiness of being again associated in evangelistic labour with his father. During his residence in Exeter, Mrs. Burgess's health, which had for some time been in a delicate state, completely broke down, and pulmonary consumption speedily terminated fatally. But death to her had long been disarmed of all its terrors. With a firm reliance on that Saviour who has not only "overcome the sharpness of Death," but finally vanquished him, she met her last foe with calm confidence, adopting the triumphant sentiment of the great Apostle to the Gentiles; "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

This bereavement was acutely felt by Mr. Burgess, and the more so, as it left him with the important charge of two dear little girls, both of whom were of too tender an age to be sensible of the irreparable loss which they had sustained. The following touching reference to this event, found amongst his memoranda, furnishes evidence that, deeply as his spirit was wounded, he was enabled, by the grace of God, to bow with resignation to the Divine will.

"Exeter, January 1st, 1828. Through the mercy of God, I am spared to see the commencement of another year: 1827 is gone, gone for ever. O what a memorable year to me! memorable for the death of my best and dearest earthly friend,-my precious and beloved Elizabeth. She is now a happy and glorified spirit, while I remain a little longer to toil and suffer in this vale of tears. The will of God be done! May I live more than ever to the glory of God!"

The embarrassed and perplexed state of the Society in Exeter, at this period, had a farther tendency to discourage and depress Mr. Burgess's mind. A peremptory demand of fifteen hundred pounds lent on mortgage was made on the trustees of the chapel, who were not able to meet the demand, and who had no other prospect before them but that of being imprisoned, having their property seized, and the chapel sold. Under these circumstances it was but natural for him to express himself in the following terms. "We have apparently insurmountable difficulties from without, and incurable evils from within. Who can help us? Who can comfort and encourage us? None but the God of heaven." And subsequently, "Such has been my view of myself and my circumstances altogether, that, were it not for the sake of my dear little children, I could almost wish and pray that the Lord would let me finish my course, and take me to Himself. But no: these wishes must not be indulged. My business now is to labour and suffer; to run the race patiently, and contend lawfully for the victor's crown. O, my God! strengthen me; comfort me; save me. I am perfect weakness; I am nothing, and less than nothing: Be Thou my all in all."

But Mr. Burgess was not a man to sigh out life in unavailing regrets, or sit down paralyzed in the presence of what might appear to some as mountains of difficulties. Whether in pursuit of knowledge, or in attempts to unravel and arrange the complications of entangled and embarrassed finances, he seemed to regard nothing as impossible. Hence, at this crisis, after taking counsel of God, he set his shoulder to the wheel, and, in concert with his honoured father,-whose talents and energy in the administration of our Connexional financial economy were perhaps inferior to those of no man,-plans were formed for raising funds, and paying off debts, which were eventually successful in relieving the trustees of their burden, and placing the chapel premises on a firmer footing, and with hopeful prospects of further improvement. Towards the accomplishment of this important work, Mr. Burgess not only contributed liberally from his own resources, but devoted much time and thought in taking many journeys, and expostulating with the various creditors, their representatives, or legal advisers. These labours, added to his regular Circuit work, together with occasional calls to open new chapels, to assist in conducting missionary anniversaries, to deliver addresses at Bible Society meetings, and for the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, although making heavy demands on his physical energies, had the effect of relieving his mind, and diverting his thoughts into a more healthy channel, after the painful exercises through which he had been called to pass. Consequently we find him stirring up

his soul to "rejoice in the Lord," and to "joy in the God of his salvation;" and on July 24th, 1829, he records the following experience. "This afternoon I endeavoured to rejoice in the Lord, and encourage myself in my God. The broken cisterns of earthly comfort will avail me naught; but by coming to the fountain of living waters, I obtain what I need: all, all I want is there!"

After a three years' residence in Exeter,-where their services were highly appreciated, and have been long and gratefully remembered, both father and son were appointed to the Gloucester Circuit, by the Conference of 1829; Mr. Burgess, Jun., as second preacher, being required to reside at Tewkesbury. It was at this time that he entered a second time into the marriage state, after much deliberation and prayer for Divine direction. Miss Dyer, a lady of Liskeard, well known for her consistent religious character, her warm attachment to Methodism, and her devoted zeal in promoting the spiritual and temporal welfare of all around her, was the object of his choice, one which was fully justified by her subsequent exemplary discharge of the duties of a Christian minister's wife. In this Circuit his labours were much blessed, while his holy life secured for him universal respect and love.

After passing three years usefully and happily amongst a people who felt it no ordinary privilege to be favoured with his ministry, a vacancy occurring in the headmastership of Kingswood School, at the request of the Conference of 1832 Mr. Burgess consented to occupy the post for one year, by which time, it was hoped, a suitable successor might be appointed. At the expiration of this term he gladly resumed his regular work, and was stationed at Portsmouth. Here he found the cause of Methodism low, owing to very heavy pecuniary burdens which had been suffered to accumulate on the chapels at Portsmouth and Portsea. From causes which need not here be detailed, these debts had reached a formidable amount; the removal or material reduction of which had become a point of vital importance to the trustees and the Circuit. Mr. Burgess at once set himself to face this difficulty. He invited trustees, office-bearers, and all the most influential members of the Society and congregation to meet together, laid before them the actual state of affairs, and succeeded in securing their cordial and active co-operation. After the most strenuous efforts and noble sacrifices had been made, the object was finally attained: through the blessing of God on the united exertions of ministers and people, the incubus was removed from the shoulders of the trustees, and the faith of the church revived.

It was during his residence at Portsea that he was called to pass through the most painful dispensation of his whole life. On the

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