The highly respected subject of this memoir was the youngest son of Mr.
Boswell Brandon Beddome, who for many years filled the office of a
deacon at Maze Pond; and grandson of the Rev. Benjamin Beddome, of
Bourton-on-the-Water, whose sermons and hymns are still the admiration
of the churches. The talents and amiability of Mr. Boswell Beddome began
very early to develope themselves. He is described by his surviving
relatives as having been a most interesting boy; his intelligence,
generosity, vivacity, and principle, inducing them to conclude that he
would prove no common character in after life. The testimony given to
his spirit and deportment at this early period, by his maternal
guardian, is worthy of record, as it points to a striking and lovely
example of filial obedience: "_He_ never gave me a moment's uneasiness;
whatever perplexity was sometimes occasioned by the rest, I had no
trouble with him; affection and a sense of duty invariably induced his
cheerful obedience; and if childish disputes arose between any of the
other juvenile members of the family, Boswell was sure to be the
peace-maker." He was educated at a school under the superintendence of
the Rev. S. Palmer, of Hackney, where he was distinguished for the
readiness and accuracy with which he accomplished the exercises of his
class, and for that general activity of mind which afterwards became one
of his leading characteristics.
When he was about fourteen years of age, a situation which promised well
for his secular interests offering itself at a highly respectable
mercantile establishment at Dorchester, he was removed from school
somewhat sooner than his friends had anticipated. His employers speedily
became sensible of the worth of his talents and integrity, and as a
reward for his services and a proof of their esteem, introduced him to a
valuable business at Weymouth, which happened to be at their command,
two years before the legal term of his connexion with them would have
expired. This movement had the most important bearing on his spiritual
interests; and had he not been generous almost to a fault, would, in a
few years, have been the means of procuring him a retiring competency.
The family, to the full companionship of which he was thus early
introduced at Dorchester, was distinguished by its very zealous
profession of Unitarianism. There he saw the system under its most
specious and delusive aspect: the sabbath was observed with the
strictest decorum; family worship maintained with invariable regularity;
habits of private devotion were strongly encouraged; and opportunities
frequently occurred of association with some of the most intelligent and
influential members of the party. Under these circumstances, although
matter of regret to the more judicious of his friends, it was none of
surprise, that he espoused and became the ardent advocate of sentiments
at total variance with those in which he had been previously trained.
Under the preaching of Mr. Rowe, the first pastor of the Baptist church
at Weymouth, and afterwards under that of Mr. Flint, its second
minister, he was gradually restored to the presumed scriptural faith of
his venerated ancestors. The exercises of his mind on this important
subject were often deeply distressing and protracted. After his
suspicions respecting the correctness of his opinions were awakened, he
became a most diligent, anxious, and prayerful student of the word of
God; determined, by divine assistance, to follow conviction wherever it
might conduct him; and profess, at whatever cost, what should eventually
appear to be the truth. Desirous of doing the will of God, after many
painful mental conflicts he was permitted to know it; he made a public
profession, by baptism, of his newly-adopted faith during the pastorship
of Mr. Hawkins, now of Derby; and about four years afterwards was
invested with the office of a deacon, during the ministry of Mr. Hoby,
at present of Birmingham.
That the sentiments of Mr. Beddome in after life, on some abstruse
points, were not slightly modified by his previous notions, is not
pretended; but that he decidedly embraced all that is fundamental in the
Calvinistic system, no doubt is entertained by those who had the most
ample means of obtaining an accurate knowledge of his creed. He
contemplated himself as a depraved, guilty, perishing, and helpless
creature; the grand doctrine of justification by grace, through faith in
the propitiation of Christ, was his refuge and his solace; in the sense
in which we should employ the words, he was "looking for the mercy of
God unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
[This article--as will be remembered by those who heard
it--contains part of the funeral sermon preached for Mr. B. at
the Baptist chapel, Weymouth, by the minister of the place.
Hitherto the form of the discourse has not been adhered to;
through the remainder of the article that form will be preserved.]
Psalm xxvi. 8, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, &c."
That our invaluable, but now, alas! departed, brother Beddome cherished
for this house of God an attachment peculiarly strong, unwavering, and
devoted, is a fact too generally and distinctly known by you to require
announcement from me. Long before his religious sentiments underwent a
decided alteration, he interested himself most seasonably in its
welfare; and after his views of divine truth became, for the most part,
consonant to those which are here professed, he was ever ready to engage
in any practicable undertaking, and make any possible sacrifice, for its
benefit. Simply to affirm that he manifested his attachment in an
ordinary way, by the regularity of his attendance, by the spirituality
of his worship, and by contributing the general amount of pecuniary aid,
would be but a feeble statement of the truth: he threw his whole soul
into every department to which his influence could extend; every thing
connected with the cause engaged his attention, solicitude, and
activity; the interest of the chapel was the first and the last object
of his thoughts. His solicitude for the _spiritual prosperity_ of the
church and congregation was not that of a deacon only, but a pastor; on
this behalf he constantly wrestled with God in private; and you know,
brethren, how solemnly, how earnestly, how affectionately, he pleaded
for it in your meetings for social prayer. You know also his readiness,
as opportunity allowed, to prove himself a friend, a brother, a father
to you all. He was ever disposed to hear, to sympathize, to advise, to
aid; and even for those who, mistaking his motives, sometimes appeared
to think of him unkindly, he was prepared, in the exercise of a truly
Christian spirit, to perform any act of generosity by which their
well-being might be advanced. Over the interests of your Sabbath-school
he watched with a tender solicitude. For many years he was its
superintendent. During this period he prepared, with great diligence and
judgment, a series of Scripture questions for the use of the teachers,
several volumes of which are still in existence; and after his official
duties as a deacon, and the attention required by his family, compelled
him to relinquish the direct superintendence of the school, he still
contrived to make himself acquainted with all its movements, and
promote, by his wise suggestions and decisions, the efficiency of its
operations. The poor and the afflicted connected with this sanctuary
feel that in losing him they have lost a tender benefactor, who was not
only willing to relieve them in proportion to his means, but who knew
how to render assistance doubly grateful by the considerate delicacy
with which it was bestowed. Many and fervent were the blessings which
the sons and daughters of distress poured upon his head; and many and
deep are the lamentations of the widow and fatherless now. By his
removal the minister of this place has lost a counsellor eminent for his
knowledge and prudence; a friend, truly generous and devoted, who was
accustomed to assist him in many of his labours, to sympathize with him
under all his trials, to anticipate, in a thousand ways, his wishes and
his wants, and on every occasion of difficulty to consult his feelings,
in a manner which proved him to possess an extensive acquaintance with
human nature, and an amiability of disposition still more commendable.
Although the cause of Christ in connexion with this sanctuary enjoyed
the best affection and engaged the best energies of our departed
brother, his walks of usefulness were not restricted to this
circumscribed beat, but embraced a wider, a more ample range. He was, it
is well known, the manager, the life, of almost every institution
connected with the dissenting interest in this town and neighbourhood;
and in various other societies, formed for civil, literary, and
benevolent objects, he took an active part. Such were his knowledge,
diligence, and prudence, that, in general, our committees had to do
little more than hear his report of the past, and assent to his plans
for the future. With the utmost modesty he made his suggestions; with
the utmost courtesy he invited discussion; but his suggestions were, in
general, too wise to be improved; and discussion, after he had evidently
examined the subject in all its bearings, appeared completely useless.
How far such careful anticipations may in general be really serviceable
to those who are thus saved the trouble of thinking and acting, may be
questionable; but, certainly, the mind which is sufficiently benevolent
and energetic to perform the part of our late invaluable friend, is
worthy of no ordinary share of admiration.
The pecuniary affairs of this place of worship were entirely committed
to his management, which has been long and deservedly held as
invaluable. He regularly attended the committees of the Branch Bible
Society, the Dispensary, The Young Men's Improvement Society, and other
local institutions of a general nature, where the weight of his talents
and character were always felt. He was the President of one of the
Benefit societies, and the most valuable honorary member of another. To
all this it must be added, that hundreds in this town and neighbourhood
were accustomed to make him acquainted with their trials, and seek his
prompt and valuable advice in difficulty. In general he wished to forego
a very prominent part in politics; but in cases of emergency his
opponents soon became sensible that he was in the field. During the
contest on the Reform question, he displayed powers, both of writing and
speaking, of a superior order; nor have his most decided political
enemies been backward in expressing their high respect for his
commanding talents and unbending integrity.
But we have not yet reached the limits of Mr. Beddome's sphere of
usefulness. You are aware that he engaged as an occasional preacher. For
a considerable period he lectured on alternate Sabbath evenings at the
neighbouring village of Wyke, where his labours were highly acceptable.
I never had the gratification of hearing him on such occasions; but
judging, as well from the testimony of some of his friends, as from his
mental capabilities, his extensive acquaintance with the word of God,
his clear conceptions and consequently lucid statements on other
subjects, in connexion with his fervent piety and habitual solicitude
for the salvation of souls, I should conjecture that his addresses were
characterized by their perspicuity, their judiciousness, their deep
seriousness, and their manifest tendency to usefulness. Respecting these
and similar qualities, he was accustomed to express warm approbation
whenever he witnessed their discovery by the stated ministers of truth;
a class of men, for whom, on account of their sacred office, he
cherished a deep respect. He magnified their office; obeying the
apostolic injunction, he "esteemed them very highly, in love for their
work's sake." In his conduct towards his own minister he was a model of
excellence; the whole of that conduct being studiously regulated by the
most Christian principle and benevolence.
His inclination, especially during the last few years of his life, to be
wholly devoted to the work of the ministry, was sometimes exceedingly
strong. Had he been permitted to select his own employment, doubtless he
would have chosen that of an ambassador of peace. But while he possessed
many qualifications suited to the preacher and the pastor, and which
would have secured him great respectability in the sacred profession,
Providence had richly endowed him also with certain other qualities, and
had placed him in a sphere of action, which enabled him to be useful in
a great variety of ways, not quite within the province of the stated
minister. As it was, for some time he was contemplated by many as a kind
of second pastor to this church and congregation; and his minister ever
found in him a brother who, in many respects, could labour as well as
sympathize with him, in conducting the oversight of this people in the
Lord. If, with the exception of Wyke, and one or two similarly-situated
places, he did not preach publicly, he most literally taught "from house
to house." He appeared to seize every favourable opportunity of speaking
for religion: the inquiring found in him a wise and kind director; he
was a faithful reprover of sin; and when consolation was requisite, none
knew better how it should be administered.
While home engaged the first, it did not engross all, the energies of
our departed friend. Of the enviable power of producing charming
epistles of friendship, with ease and rapidity, he possessed a
remarkable share. This power he habitually made subservient to
the interests of religion; considering a talent for epistolary
correspondence as involving serious responsibility. Could his numerous
letters of remonstrance, advice, and Christian sympathy be collected, I
am persuaded they would constitute a volume of no ordinary interest and
usefulness. As in common conversation he was accustomed to throw out
useful hints to those around him; so in letters of business, he often
took occasion to remind his friends that they were only probationers in
a world "which passeth away," the inordinate love of which must ruin the
soul inevitably and for ever.
To his friends it has always been a mystery how he could discharge, with
his proverbial correctness, the numerous and onerous duties which he
imposed on himself; the management of his private concerns being always
sufficient to engross the attention of any ordinary mind. His habits of
extreme regularity doubtless afforded him great assistance; but had he
not possessed an incessantly active and a master mind, no such habits
could have enabled him to attempt one half of what he accomplished. As a
man of business his motto was "dispatch;" and whatever he undertook for
the interests of benevolence, he attempted with all his might,
exemplifying that beautiful and comprehensive injunction of Scripture:
"Be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
That a life so valuable should have been suddenly terminated, in the
midst of usefulness, at the vigorous age of forty, is a providence, in
many respects, deeply painful, and mysterious; especially when,
surveying society at large, we behold the useless and the injurious
permitted to prolong their earthly existence. There are, however, in
this case, various modifying circumstances which demand observation and
gratitude. If the days of our departed brother on earth were short, they
were singularly _vigorous_ and useful. He had already acted his part
both in civil and religious society: scarcely had the dew of his youth
passed away when he performed many of the duties, and was invested with
many of the honours, of age; and although the continuance of a judgment
so mature, a disposition so benevolent, and habits of usefulness so
self-denying and energetic, would have been an invaluable favour,
comparing the amount of his speedily accomplished work, with what is
ordinarily allotted to the servants of God, we ought not, perhaps, to be
greatly surprised that he has been thus early admitted to his rest.
Yet who was prepared for the severe, the complicated trial which we are
now summoned to sustain? Who could have anticipated that the
comparatively young, the vigorous, the active Beddome, would have been
so speedily and so suddenly called to go the way of all the earth?
Notwithstanding his occasional physical infirmities, we seemed to forget
that he was mortal; so completely was he identified with our interests,
so necessary did he appear to our welfare, that we never calculated that
he could die! Even after his medical attendants had repeatedly announced
the impossibility of his recovery, many of you could not surrender the
hope, that God would yet spare him, for the sake of his family and the
church. But, alas! the stroke has come suddenly and irresistibly. We
have buried our brother; we have heard the lamentations of all classes
at his death; we are now paying our last public token of respect to his
universally admitted worth; and yet, his removal appears like a dream.
This day three weeks he came for a few minutes in the morning to witness
the ordinance of baptism, but was too much indisposed to render his
usual assistance. We conjectured, during that and the three following
days, that he was suffering from a severe cold; but on the Thursday it
was manifest that a formidable disease had taken full possession of his
frame. During the whole of Thursday night he was very delirious, and so
continued, under the influence of the fever which preyed upon his
vitals, with scarcely an intermission, until death released him from his
sufferings on the following Thursday morning; when, at half-past one,
his spirit departed to be with Christ. From the moment he was thought to
be dangerously ill, he had no opportunity of making statements
respecting his spiritual prospects. Such statements, however, were
unnecessary to our sure and certain hope of his salvation. He had
previously witnessed a good profession. His character had already been
stamped for a happy immortality; and pleasing as might have been his
dying testimony to the religion of the cross, it is not to be forgotten,
that while he was called to forego the delight of giving, and we of
receiving, such a testimony, he was spared the pang of separation from
his beloved partner, and four interesting babes, for whose welfare he
felt all the tender solicitude which the husband and the father could
feel.
During the former part of his illness, before it had assumed a dangerous
aspect, I conversed with him respecting the importance of not leaving
the concerns of religion to a moment when disease unfits the mind for
reflection, and congratulated him on the fact of his having been
enabled, through grace, to prepare in health for the solemnities of
eternity. He devoutly acknowledged the mercy which, in this respect, he
had received; but neither then, nor on the following day, when our
respected independent brother, with whom he had long been on terms of
closest intimacy, prayed with him, did he appear to have the conviction
that his "sickness was unto death." About a week before this period,
having occasion to consult him respecting some important business
connected with the church, our conversation assumed a more than commonly
serious tone. I was led to ask him several questions respecting his own
experience in religion, and the motives by which he had been actuated in
his singular devotedness to this particular interest; and such were his
replies, and in so affecting a manner were they given, that I left him
with the deepest conviction that he was eminently a man of God: and
since his departure, I have considered the statements which he then made
as an anticipatory dying testimony to the genuineness and vigour of his
personal piety.
There were public as well as private circumstances of a somewhat similar
nature, which are now cherished in the memories of his friends. At the
last monthly prayer-meeting at which he was permitted to attend, he
manifested a most solemn and intense devotional spirit. When praying for
the prosperity of the church, he was so greatly affected as to be
scarcely able, for several minutes, to proceed, while sympathy made the
exercise one of general weeping as well as of supplication. At the last
Sunday-school Union prayer-meeting also, many of the teachers remarked
at the time, how very earnestly he wrestled on their behalf; and since
that period, they have very naturally dwelt much on the fact, that he
concluded the engagement by giving out and setting the tune to the
following expressive lines:--
"Come, Christian brethren! ere we part,
Join every voice and every heart," &c.
Having laboured for us ardently and efficiently, instead of repining at
his removal, let us, by divine assistance, be grateful that a still more
speedy termination was not put to his probationary career; and rejoice
in his blissful possession of the "recompence of reward;" our loss being
his imperishable gain.
THE TRIUMPH OF PRINCIPLE OVER INTOLERANCE,
ILLUSTRATED IN THE LIFE OF THE LATE MR. BERRIDGE, OF EVERTON
_To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine._
The following letter was written by the late Mr. Sutcliff of Olney, and
not having been extensively circulated, may perhaps be acceptable to
some of the readers of the Baptist Magazine.
It was published under Mr. Sutcliff's signature in a small collection of
Mr. Berridge's letters, which I have in my possession, under the title
of "Cheerful Piety, or Religion without Gloom," in the year 1797. And
if its insertion meets your approbation, I will give it in Mr.
Sutcliff's own words.