CONTENTS. CHAP. : PAGE. I. Biographical Memoir of William Grover, II. Meditations and Reflections, III. Letters and Papers relating to the Character V. Extracts of Letters written from the year 1800 to 1811, with some other papers, SELECTIONS, &c. CHAPTER I. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF WILLIAM GROVER. WILLIAM GROVER, the son of William and Elizabeth Grover, was born at Brighthelmstone in Sussex, the 15th of the 11th month, 1752. Very few particulars are known of his early life. After leaving school, he was placed as an apprentice with Edmund Rack, a Friend, who was a retail country shopkeeper, at Bardfield in Essex. Soon after the expiration of the term, he engaged himself as an assistant to Samuel Day, who was also a member of our religious society, and in a similar business, and who lived at Stanstead Mount Fitchet, in the same county. After serving him with diligence and integrity for several years, he became a partner in the concern, and resided there during the remainder of his life. He inherited some patrimonial property, his father having died when he was. A2 young; but at the same time he found it necessary to pursue his engagements in business, and was esteemed an upright tradesman, of kind and respectful manners; one who was careful, in all things, to act as becomes a member of our religious society. He continued in trade until within a few years of his decease; and though diligent in attending to these, the necessary cares of life, he was not engrossed with them: possessing a well regulated and pious mind, he may be said to have pursued the concerns of time with eternity steadily in view. In the year 1786, he married Isabel Weatherald, of Wensleydale, in the north-western parts of Yorkshire, who has survived him; and in their union, for nearly forty years, which was a source of mutual comfort and happiness, he proved himself a truly affectionate husband; uniformly evincing, under every circumstance, the greatest tenderness and sympathy. The subject of this memoir, was one who,. from early life, was of a thoughtful turn of mind, and showed a strong attachment to the principles and testimonies of Friends. As he advanced in years, he submitted to the humbling, refining operations of divine grace; and through continued watchfulness and obedience to the pointings of duty, he attained to that experience and stability in the truth, of which his conduct and religious usefulness afterwards gave abundant proof. A description of some parts of his religious character, is appropriately given in the following extracts, from a memorial concerning him, issued by the friends of Thaxted monthly meeting, of which he was a member. "It is not our intention to extol the character of the deceased, as a man, estimable as he was, in the various relations of life; but to exhibit his Christian virtues, and ascribe, as he did, all excellency to the power of divine grace, mercifully granted to mankind, for their salvation, through the mediation of the blessed Redeemer, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The rectitude of his conduct, in the discharge ofhis moral and religious duties, his humility, meekness, and dedication to the cause of truth, were all fruits of faith in the means thus graciously afforded. "He was very exemplary in the fulfilment of his duty to his Maker, by a constant attendance of religious meetings, when of ability; in which his solid deportment indicated great reverence of spirit, and fervency of desire to gain access to the Fountain of all Good; and, on these occasions, we believe that his mind was often enriched with the incomes of divine love and peace. "He was a great lover of retirement and meditation. The frequent reading of the Holy Scriptures was also a source of instruction and comfort to him; and this practice he was often tenderly engaged to recommend to others, as one of the means by which they might be strengthened and encouraged to advance in the Christian path. "The views he took of himself were humble, whilst his estimate of the true Christian character was a highly exalted one. Hence arose great vigilance and circumspection, that no part of his demeanor should dishonor the cause he so greatly valued and loved. This care was manifested in all his conduct; and evidently so, in transacting the affairs of the church, in which his judgment was clear, and his language persuasive; tending much to encourage friends in the support of the discipline, in the executive part of which he very rarely excused himself from service; having a great care for the prosperity of truth, and that his fellow-professors might be faithful in our testimonies, and consistent in all their conduct, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. "Perhaps few have been so much favored with the prevalence of love: it seemed to be the constant clothing of his mind, and was evinced towards all classes of society. The |