SELECTIONS, &c.

CHAP. 1.

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 Stansted 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 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: posses

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sing 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 fe, 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 of his 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 deport

ment 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 dishonour 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, endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

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"Perhaps few have been so much favoured with the prevalence of love: it seemed to be the constant clothng of his mind, and was evinced towards all classes of society. The youth, especially, were the objects of his tender solicitude; for whose early attention to the re proofs of instruction, and for their growth and establishment in the Truth, he felt an unremitting concern."

His important services in our Yearly Meeting, and his communications to his friends, will be long remem

bered. He often spoke of the comfort which he derived from reflecting on the goodness, and mercy, and loving-kindness of our Heavenly Father; inviting others, and particularly his younger friends, to seek to live under the influence of his love. His remarks were clear, comprehensive, and concise; and the precious influence which they produced, was often, in a remarkable degree, to be felt, after the conclusion of them.

He was a willing labourer in the church of Christan elder worthy of double honour; doing what his hands found to do with a cheerful heart, as one serving a good and gracious Master, and thus forcibly recommending the principles he professed. Highly valuing the care which our Christian discipline provides, and manifesting a deep concern for its being rightly and impartially exercised, he at the same time discovered much caution and tenderness in cases of delinquency, cherishing feelings of love and compassion, when judging of the errors and weaknesses of others. He was very anxious that all the meetings, established for transacting the affairs of our society, should be held under the influence of Christian love, and in the fear of the Lord; being convinced that, were this the case, they would often be times of solid instruction.

Whilst he was a firm believer in the immediate teachings of the Holy Spirit, he was diffident in speaking of his own experience; and though well persuaded that our religious principles lead to great spirituality, he was very cautious of judging others, or deciding for them. His desire was, that all might be drawn in love to seek after the guidance of that wisdom which cometh from above, and to see the beauty and excellency of the truth as it is in Jesus. Believing, as he did, that our predecessors had been called to uphold a pure and perfect standard of Christian doctrine, he was deeply solicitous that this might in no way be lowered by Friends of the present day; and they as individuals, and the Society as a body, might endeavour so to act,

as to bring others to see and to acknowledge the consistency of our profession with the gospel dispensation.

His general appearance was meek and grave, exhibiting a bright example of a religious character; an habitual gratitude, and filial fear of God, marking his life and demeanor. He behaved with great kindness and courtesy to all; at the same time maintaining the dignity of a disciple of Christ, so that his deportment commanded esteem and deference.

Our dear and honoured friend was particularly pleased with the society of young persons; and to many of this class he was endeared by the sweetness and affability of his manners, conversing with them in a way which secured their confidence and esteem. He felt tender solicitude for them, in thinking of the temptations to which they were peculiarly exposed; and whether any hints which he offered to these, were designed to encourage them to persevere in the right way of the Lord, or to check the early appearance of a departure from Christian simplicity, they were expressed with so much love, that they found a ready entrance into the heart. Highly valuing the approved writings of our Society, he often recommended them to the attention of those in early life. He promoted also their perusal of works of literature and useful information; but saw a danger in the young and inexperienced entering much into the religious opinions of others. Yet he was far from being illiberal in his views, often gratefully acknowledging his belief, that sects and distinctions are lost in the divine sight.

William Grover appeared to think unkindly of no one; but, when obliged to censure the conduct of any, he did it with great feeling and compassion. At the same time, there was a quick perception of what was wrong, and it was not allowed to pass unreproved. He had a strong objection to hearing the absent slightly spoken of, or their faults made the topic of conversation. On these occasions he would observe silence, or

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