THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE. DECEMBER, 1860. Biography. MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM FORD. MR. FORD observed fast days, not only for the purpose of keeping his body in subjection, but for the higher purpose of specially searching his heart, reviewing his life, communion with God, and girding himself anew to the duties of the future. The following record of such a day bears date March 6, 1828 :-"This has been, on the whole, a profitable day, spent in reading, reflection, and prayer. Felt humbled at the remembrance of my dulness, irregularity, wanderings, want of spiritual-mindedness, want of feeling a deeper interest in my work, concern for souls, waste of time, proneness to irritation, &c. These I confessed before the Lord with sorrow. Felt strong desires and purposes of amendment. Had confidence in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, being assured that He pardons and cleanses according to our faith. Had nearness of access, and love, and peace. The same when interceding for kindred, acquaintances, religious associates, the Church generally, our country, the world-men of all characters and circumstances. Was impressed with my innumerable obligations to live to and glorify the God of providence and grace, and had earnest desires and offered fervent prayers that it might be so. Amen, Lord Jesus. Read in the Scriptures, hymns, Leighton's Rules for a Holy Life' Have visited several families, and also reviewed and written some rules for my own conduct. At the beginning of the day had some transient thoughts about a temptation which troubled me some months ago, a long time it was concerning my unfitness for the ministrybut overcame it. Have experienced some dulness during the day; a loss now and then how to proceed in the most profitable manner. Felt a confusion of mind at the sight of so many mercies, and so much experience unrecorded and forgotten in a great measure, so many duties claiming attention, and the conviction of my feeble powers, &c. I look, however, to a period when I shall have a clearer impression of the goodness of God, and increased capability of rendering him the obedience which is his due." Having thus fulfilled his course at Bolton, Mr. Ford removed to Nottingham, where he imposed upon himself the same rules in reference to the distribution of his time as in Bolton. But as superintendent S S of a larger circuit, the cares of the churches encroached upon the time appropriated to mental culture, and when he would have been pleasantly moored in his study he was afloat on a troubled sea of public business. No vigilance or firmness could have enabled him to adhere, in this wider sphere of labour, to those rules which were applicable to the narrower sphere from which he had just withdrawn. The following extract evinces a mind intent upon increasing its stores of knowledge, and a heart not less ardent in desires to promote its spiritual life, and may be taken as an instance of the fidelity with which he judged himself:-" The preceding order has been little observed at Nottingham, partly owing to what could not be avoided; but, perhaps, more owing to a want of vigilance, firmness, and persevering exertion on my part. Circuit affairs have been many and pressing, and have engaged most of my time and attention. I have read little, studied little, been very irregular in devotional exercises, and have lost some of my spirituality. I wish to feel humbled, to depend more on Christ, and to experience a larger measure of the Spirit's influence. Oh, that I may bring forth more fruit!" The course of a minister and pastor in a Methodist denomination, in one circuit, is repeated, substantially, in every circuit. His duties are prescribed, and in their performance not much incident is yielded for the service of the biographer. We have, therefore, given a fuller statement of the manner of Mr. Ford's life in Bolton, than our space will permit in reference to other circuits; not only that his character may be understood and appreciated as it then existed, but that from the data thus supplied, we may realize what he was in succeeding circuits-supplementing, however, the fact that he grew in mental and moral excellence, and therefore became, in the progress of years, a more complete theologian, a more experienced pastor, and more competent to administer the affairs of the Church. The processes of his intellectual life are not recorded, nor are we able, from the references incidentally made, to determine the lines of inquiry into which he diverged from that theology which was pre-eminently and properly the centre of his mental labours. There is ever, as arising out of the conditions under which we prosecute our calling, a difficulty in combining the activity and diffusion of a pastor with the repose and concentration of a student. If the two states are not incompatible, they so rarely appear in the same man as to convince us of the difficulty of combining them. The duties of our ministry are so numerous and diversified, and have so increased of late years, by the augmentation of institutions in both the Church and general society, as to consume, in their advocacy and management, much of the time and strength our predecessors were free to devote to the proper duties of their office. This fact is not pleaded as a vindication of indolence, but as a caution against unreasonable exactions and censorious judgments. Mr. Ford presents, at this period of his life, a noble example of diligence as a student and activity as a pastor. Few men, so long as health continued, have occupied both these departments with equal efficiency. The secret of this efficiency was not in the methodical and diligent use of his time, but rather in that spiritual power which was the result of constant self-inspection, and faith, and prayer. we find him bemoaning his want of greater spirituality, chiding his negligence, and constantly stirring up the languishing fires of devotion in his heart. The following record may be taken as a general expression of the aspirations and struggles of his inner life:-" January 1, 1835. The Lord has crowned the past year with his goodness to me and mine. I have been spared, though most unfruitful, to see the beginning of another year. While I would bless him, and not forget his benefits, I have to complain of innumerable defects. I painfully feel the want of spirituality in my intercourse with my family and others the want of earnestness, fervour, and pleasure in my religious duties, both public and private, which I ought to experience and manifest. I do not enjoy that fellowship with God which is my privilege, nor have I that lively perception of eternal things which I ought to possess. I am not destitute of religious enjoyments, but I wish them to be fuller and more constant. I have some proofs of usefulness, but long for more seals to my ministry. Since my last date of examination I have kept my journal of time more regularly; but it records great irregularity in sleep, sermonising, private devotion, studies, &c. I have lived much too little by rule, almost omitted languages altogether, and, except my Bible-reading, which I have gone through, have had no regular object of study before me. I deplore my failures, and purpose amendment; but hardly dare hope to improve-such is my weakness, and so soon am I turned aside. I have about me symptoms of increasing bodily infirmity-have had repeated colds and continued hoarseness the last four months. I begin to fear that I cannot do without more rest than my rules fix, of six hours for the night. As a christian, parent, and minister, I see the greatest necessity for increased diligence, holiness, and fidelity. God requires such conduct, and nothing else can be pleasing in the sight of the Searcher of hearts. My time is hastening from me. My acquaintances are dying. Two of my fellow-labourers and friends, Mr. Seals and Mr. Manners, have lately been called hence. How little have I done! May my past transgressions be forgiven, and may the Spirit of truth, and holiness, and power, help me in time to come, through Jesus Christ! Amen." He who was thus faithful over himself was well fitted to watch over the spiritual interests of others. Mr. Ford was eminently social in his disposition. His flowing affections, buoyant temperament, keen perception of the ludicrous, easy communicativeness, and large stores of knowledge, made him one of the pleasantest of companions. He was ever on friendly terms with his colleagues, and also with his ministerial brethren in general. Amiable, candid, and generous, he cherished no feelings of envy and jealousy toward those of his brethren supposed to be more richly endued than himself, or who possessed a larger measure of popular favour. In a denomination like ours, where the ministers are frequently exchanging positions, and where a plurality of pastors reside in the same circuit, this disposition is necessary to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Connexion. A minister cannot detach himself from his colleagues, whether by alienation of affection, assumption of superiority, or by refusing co-operation with them in council and labour, without violating the laws of our brotherhood, and inflicting more or less injury upon a circuit. We are labourers in the same field, and are bound by the necessities of our position-not to plead higher considerations-to plough and sow conjointly, and to merge the result of our labours in a common harvest. In this respect Mr. Ford never quarrelled with his position, but nobly met its demands, and was rewarded by a large measure of the esteem and affection of his brethren. As superintendent of a circuit, Mr. Ford was even stronger than in the pulpit. Possessing a perfect knowledge of the laws and usages of the Connexion, urbane and courteous toward all, independent in asserting his own rights and enforcing the duty of others, prudent and firm in dealing with difficulties, he was an able administrator. His reputation was high in these respects, and the order, unity, and prosperity of his circuits confirmed the correctness of the general judgment. Nor did Mr. Ford detach his circuits from the Connexion, or regard their interests as separate from or inconsistent with the interests of the community. He held them related as parts to the whole, and therefore enforced the claims of denominational institutions and objects upon the consideration and support of his circuits. Mr. Ford's fidelity to the Connexion, together with his skill and industry in business, secured his election in 1835 to the office of President of the Conference, which honour was conferred upon him a second time in the year 1845. The choice could not have fallen upon one more worthy of the honour, or more competent to discharge its duties. The office of President at this period was confined to chairmanship of the Conference, and therefore terminated with the close of its sessions. The final settlement of the constitution of the Connexion, and the growth of its laws and institutions to what may be considered their maturity, were contemporaneous with Mr. Ford's public life. He therefore not only possessed a knowledge of their history, but they bore the impress of his own liberal and enlightened mind. In the debates and discussions of Conference he took an active and influential part, as also in the business of its various committees. He was ready in the exposition of rule as applicable to particular cases, and inflexible in maintaining its authority. On all questions of importance he had decided opinions, which he asserted with a freedom and firmness due to his own convictions, but also with a moderation and courtesy due to the opinions of those who differed from him. Few men amongst us have had a more perfect sympathy with the denomination, or exerted upon it a more powerful and beneficial influence. In some of those crises through which we have passed, painful to both ministers and people, Mr. Ford's prudence, decision, and good temper, were of the highest value. In founding and improving some of the most useful institutions of the Connexion, his services also were important. Mr. Ford had acquired some legal knowledge, which enabled him to serve the Connexion in several departments, entitled to most respectful notice. How his mind was first drawn to these studies we do not know. He was wont to say, that this knowledge had come to him without laborious research, without any conviction of the practical ends to which it might be turned, and was pursued rather as a recreation than a duty. The probability, however, is, that the very unsatisfactory condition in which many of our trust estates existed, and to which his consideration was drawn at an early period of his ministry, imparted the first impulse, which bore his mind into studies which appear to |