WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1870.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN BOWERS,

WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS FATHER AND MOTHER:

BY THE REV. GEORGE OSBORN, D.D.

AMONG the many ancient cities which in England interest the traveller, and delight the antiquary, few, if any, can surpass Chester. Its walls, its bridges, its ruined priory, its many churches, its old houses, its almost unique ❝rows,” all arrest and repay attention. The cathedral, though not one of the largest or most magnificent, recalls many names which deserve to be remembered. Walton, to whom we owe the London Polyglott; Pearson, whose "Exposition of the Creed" John Wesley prized so highly ;* Gastrell, whose "Sincere Milk of the Word" has nourished so many; and in modern days, Copleston, to whom Whately owned himself so great a debtor; † Blomfield, whose ambition it was to obtain "a fold for every sheep, and a shepherd for every fold;" and the devout and laborious Sumner, reminding one by his loving gentleness of the Apostle whose name he bore; all these, and more, on whom we must not dwell, have been connected with the ancient pile. The name of Matthew Henry sheds lustre on the city in which he spent fifteen years of his fruitful ministry; and a monument has been most properly erected to his honour in one of the public thoroughfares.

Methodists, too, equally with Churchmen and Dissenters, have

Writing to a young student at Oxford, under date of May 11th, 1764, he says, "In order to be well acquainted with the doctrines of Christianity, you need but one book,-besides the Bible, Bishop Pearson on the Creed.' This I advise you to read and master throughly: it is a library in one volume.”—Works, vol. xiii., p. 67, octavo edition, 1861. See also his Journal, under date February 23d, 1749; and "Minutes of Conference," vol. i., (1862,) p. 32, and elsewhere.

† See the Dedication of Whately's "Elements of Logic," and particularly the very remarkable letter in his Life, p. 205, edition of 1868.

A clergyman of the diocese, writing to the "Times," December 26th, 1869, justly commemorates his diligence and early rising, but omits to notice either his numerous publications, or his attendance at public meetings. Those who have been long in the habit of attending the Annual Meetings of the British and Foreign Bible Society can hardly forget his remarks at Exeter Hall on Newman's "Lectures on Justification" soon after they were published; and still less how he characterized the "Missionary Enterprises" of John Williams, as a twenty-ninth chapter of the Acts of the

Apostles."

VOL. XVI.-FIFTH SERIES.

reason to regard Chester with interest, and associate with it some of the most blessed names in their briefer history. Visited first by John Bennett on the invitation of a poor tailor in 1746, and by John Wesley made the head of a Circuit which reached from Warrington to Shrewsbury, it has the unique distinction of being the only Circuit which John Fletcher was ever appointed to superintend, with his curate and two other preachers to assist him. Probably no other Circuit in the Connexion has produced four preachers who have filled the chair of the Conference. But from Chester came Richard Reece, and John Gaulter, and the late Rev. John Bowers; and a still greater orator than either, if not the most effective of all who have been raised up among us, Samuel Bradburn. It is remarkable that no proper biographical account of any one of these honoured men has yet found its way to the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine; and if I attempt to supply the deficiency in the case of Mr. Bowers, it is not because I consider myself competent to the task, but because I am unwilling to accept the alternative of its otherwise remaining unattempted; and because I am able to avail myself of the help of some who were more conversant with my departed friend in his later years than I could be.

The beginnings of Methodism in Chester, as in most other places, were indeed "small and feeble." George Shaw, a tailor, and "Richard Jones, a tobacco-pipe maker, residing in Love-lane," appear to have been among its earliest adherents. The preaching was at another house; but the classes and more private meetings were held at Mr. Jones's. An old barn was subsequently taken, and fitted up as a chapel. This displeased the mob, and the place in "Martin's Ash" was wrecked, and partly pulled down; but the people, taking courage, returned, and repaired and re-occupied the house. As the work went on, a better place became necessary, and it was found practicable for the Society to build for themselves. The new house took the form which Mr. Wesley so strongly recommended; and the "Octagon" in Foregate-street was opened by the elder Hampson in June, 1765.* The names of those who were actively connected with this place are now mostly historical; but memory lingers over Miss Gilbert, the daughter of the man to whom we owed so much in the West Indies, and the Walkers, and Lowes, and Williamses,† and

* See Mr. Gaulter's Memoir of Mr. George Walker, "Methodist Magazine," 1813, p. 481.

+ The family of Mr. D. Williams, of Racre, was pre-eminently favoured and honoured; and deserves a longer memorial than this note can furnish. His wife (daughter of Mr. John Gardner of Tattenhall, one of the most distinguished of Cheshire Methodists) was the mother of Mrs. Anne Warren; (whose Select Letters and Memoirs were published by her husband in 1832;) of Mrs. Morley, well remembered and loved still by some Missionaries, and more Grove boys:" of Mrs. Joseph Roberts; of the late Mrs. Downes, of Salford; and Mrs. Mary Bealey, best known as of Radcliffe-Close; and,

others, who in their day upheld and promoted the work of God. In looking over an old record I find the trustees severally described as "Gentleman," "Cheese Factor," "Goldsmith," "Linen Draper," "Wine Merchant," "Esquire ;" an enumeration which shows that the work had spread upwards, and that some of those who had felt the power of godliness had found that it has the "promise of the life that now is." One of the first names to which the now ambiguous and often misused title of "Esquire" is thus affixed is that of Henry Bowers, certainly not the least remarkable among the many notabilities of Methodism in Chester, and the first, though not the last, member of the civic corporation who ventured to join the Methodists.

In the Life of the Rev. John Braithwaite, we have more than one reference to this new and somewhat unusual acquisition to the Society. Under date of October 29th, 1810, he writes, "The Society is lively and on the increase. Several have lately entered into liberty, and others are athirst for full salvation. One of the city aldermen is a constant hearer, and very friendly." The subject of this memoir gives a fuller account in a document prepared for his father's funeral sermon, (but never published,) in which he is described as having been brought up a strict Churchman, regular in his attendance at public worship and at the Lord's table, and even setting up family prayer, at his wife's request, on Sunday evenings. All the while, however, he was a stranger to true happiness, and sought it in vain at the theatre, the card-table, the race-course, and similar places. A severe illness brought him awakening thoughts; he sent for a clergyman, and found no relief; wished to send for other help, but his pride would not allow him; yet resolved on amendment, if restored to health. On recovering he went to various places, "seeking rest." At the cathedral the preaching of one of the prebendaries was made a blessing to him. It strongly enforced the necessity of the new birth, and thus deepened Mr. Bowers's convictions of sin; but did not so clearly show him how he might, as why he "must, be born again." This he was to learn from the Methodists, and his desire to learn it was the secret of that

I believe, other sons and daughters whom I cannot enumerate, but whose names will in the minds of many be synonymous with whatever is lovely and of good report. If I particularize Mrs. Bealey in this enumeration, it is because I have the means of speaking of her from better personal acquaintance. I have seldom, if ever, known a Christian "rich in this world" more observant of St. Paul's rules, "Ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" (1 Tim. vi. 18;) "He that giveth, let him do it 'liberally;' he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness;" (Rom. xii. 8;) or one whose conduct in this respect has been so influential. Since the example was set at the time of the establishment of the Centenary Fund in 1839, it has not been unusual for wealthy persons to give one thousand pounds in one donation for religious objects. The credit of setting that example is, I believe, due to Mrs. Bealey, whose promise and offer in 1838 led to the commencement of such operations on a scale till then unprecedented. * Dickinson's Life of Braithwaite, p. 428.

"constant attendance" of which Mr. Braithwaite writes. He did learn it; not, however, in public ordinances, but in social intercourse. "The prejudices of education and of habit could no longer withstand the force and eagerness of his desire to find the way of salvation. By this impulse he was led to attend various places of worship; but his attachment to the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodists, embracing, (as he apprehended,) in its most complete form, the truth as it is in Jesus,' became decided: and the preference which he then made, in no subsequent period of his life suffered the slightest variation or abatement. Under the brighter illuminations of Divine truth, which now opened upon his understanding, he renounced many of those pursuits as sinful which he had before regarded as harmless; he established daily family prayers; and exhibited a general reformation of conduct. But he had not yet obtained what he beheld as his undoubted privilege, the 'knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins.'

"The means by which he was conducted to the possession of this invaluable blessing are interesting. By a mere incident he was most providentially led into the society of the late Mrs. Warren, a lady of ardent piety and of masculine understanding. He seized the opportunity in order to disclose the conflict betwixt light and darkness, the claims of religion and the allurements of the world, which was then passing within him. 'Mr. Bowers,' said that excellent woman, 'God claims the whole heart; He will not share it with the world!' And in a lengthened conversation she endeavoured to conduct his mind to that great moment of decision in which he should become a 'new creature' in Christ Jesus. The crisis was at hand. Addressing Mr. Warren, who with two other friends had now entered the room, my dear father said, 'Your excellent wife has been telling me that God requires the whole heart; and by His grace from henceforth He shall have mine.' And so effectually did the operations of the grace of God overpower opposing principle, that he added, 'I entreat you all to kneel down and pray for me.'

"The scene which followed shall be described by himself. 'I was soon brought to tears; and whilst each in turn wrestled mightily with God in prayer for me, I roared out for the disquietude of my soul: the powers of hell seemed at once to assault me, and I knew not what to do to escape their snares and be saved. I was urged to believe on Christ, and I endeavoured to do so, but Satan hindered me. I became still more wretched, and struggled till my strength seemed exhausted; but when human aid failed me, God worked in me more powerfully. At first peace gently flowed into my soul, but afterwards Divine light poured in like a mighty torrent. I was filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I sprang from my knees, and exclaimed, “You have all been praying for me, and now I feel I can praise God together with you. I have before been ashamed of the cross of Christ,