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25 - Xmas Day. - Attended St John's. Text from Timothy "Great is the mystery of Godliness, God was manifest in the flesh" A very powerful & eloquent discourse.

[December] 26. Mr Wheeler took the singular Text from Genesis "How old are thou", from wh: he delivered a most affectionate & faithful discourse. - He attended the School in the Morning along with Dr Whittaker. - He appears to be a Man calculated to do great good in the Town.

​[Follows order of the original, entries for 1841 added to that year.]

1842 Feby 4 Forasmuch as human Life is very uncertain and that it is the bounden duty of all Christian Men to be in a state of preparation for Death, both as it respects the state of their souls before Almighty God, and the situation of their temporal affairs as it regards themselves & their descendants, - and being forcibly reminded of the great mercy of God manifested to me fourteen years ago on the 8th or 9th of the present, in sparing my Life under a most severe & sudden accident, and that we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth, I have thought it wise to give instruction to Mr. Beardsworth relative to the drawing up of my will, in which I sincerely pray to be guided by the principle of mercy, truth & justice, as commanded by our Saviour. - And I pray that God would herein give me grace ever to be in a state of watchfulness & preparation for Death and to spend the remnant of my short life more entirely to his Glory - As soon as the instrument is drawn I shall transcribe it for safety in this Book. –

[February] 6. - This Eveng. St John's Church was first lighted with Gas for Evening Service - The attendance was highly respectable and numerous - Mr. Wheeler preached from Acts 16 v.14. The Conversion of Lydia - a very powerful, searching, & eloquent Sermon - the singing was beautiful & altogether the Services were such as to produce a hallowed feeling of devotion in the minds of the Congregation. Mr. W. noted my opinion of the Teachers, I told him that among the females he wd find a real & genuine piety, and tho' the males were not to so decided in character Mr. Hart myself thought highly of them. I perceive that already he has won the affection of the School generally, & the females particularly. - It seems as if the long & dreary winter of cold indifference, lukewarmness, & formality was fast disappearing, & giving place to cheering influence of real sincerity & christian love. - May the Almighty grant us a long season of summer & a rich autumn of spiritual fruits to his honour & glory, & the eternal salvation of his poor sinful creature Man. For myself I can truly say that it is as if a live coal had been thrown into my heart, & set into a flame the faint glimmerings of the smoking flux. May God grant his blessing on the head of our beloved Pastor, & make him an instrument of great good to his Holy Church.

Feby 13th. Was very unwell fever a severe cold which I took by eating a dozen cold oysters. Three days ago, but I must be more cautious in future. Could not attend Church in the Morng or Aftern but ventured at night, Mr. Wheeler preached from St Matthew chap 4 v.1 I instinctly opened to the place before he spoke. - He gave a most eloquent admirable, and spiritual discourse from the Text and elucidated the temptation of our Saviour in very clear and beautiful manner. - The Church was well filled, and Revd Gentn discourse was listened to with breathless attention. The more I hear the Revd Gentn the more am I edified and satisfied - He seems to give unqualified approbation.

Jan. 4 The Congregation of St John's resolved to light the Ch. with Gas. - to mat the floor - & to have Evening Service. Dr W. has given his sanction to the plan, & it is understood to commence on the first Sunday in February. - The Pulpit also is to be altered.

Jan. 31. I have exceeding great pleasure in recording the transaction of the first Teacher's Meeting at which the Rev R T Wheeler attended. - After Mr Hart had finished the business of the School & Sick Society - Mr W. addressed the Teachers in a very appropriate & affectionate manner, 1st on the promotion of Unity & Godly Love And 2nd on the strict consistency of character wh: S S T [Sunday School Teachers] ought personally to maintain - His remarks were at once forcible, - convincing, and affectionate, without ostentatious shew of oratory, his language was beautifully lucid - energetic - & pointed - His arguments were deeply convincing, - and his appeal such as touched the inmost feelings of the heart. The Teachers were all most deeply affected, and it appeared to me that a lasting impression for good was made upon their minds. - Years & years have rolled away since I first entered on the occupation of S S [Sunday School] teaching, during wh period I have frequently pictured to myself the happy effects of a truly evangelical & fine Minister presiding over the T [Teachers] Meetings, and I can without the slightest hesitation affirm that the scenes which formerly were merely imaginative were this evening fully realised - What the sentiments of the others were it is not for me to decide but for myself I can truly say my feelings were drawn out toward him in a most remarkable degree. - It was as if the kindliest feelings of love, affection, reverence, & ardent admiration long pent up in the winter cold formality & reserve had been suddenly acted by the sun of Genuine Warmth of soul of a Christian Pastor before whose kindling blaze frigid & lifeless affection became reanimated with new life & vigour. - Mr Wheeler prayer was humble, fervent, & wrestling - he seemed to labour with a mighty Being to bring down the Spirit of God. - his parting Blessing was delivered in such a pathetic and fatherly manner as to break down the remaining fortitude which his address left unassailed - He carried home I am convinced the united thanks, prayers & blessings of the whole assembly. Many such refreshments may we be blessed with, & to the honor & praise of God may all these privileges redound. Amen (Here follows the previous page but one)

[February] 27. - The Anniversary of the Death of my first wife. May I be led in the way in which she has gone. The Revd R T Wheeler delivered a Sermon this Evening on the Duty & Privilege of attending the Communion of the "Lord's Table". His discourse was from Luke 22 + 19 vs. " This Do in Remembrance of me". The first enlarged on the Text as a command positively enjoined on all professing to be the Disciples of Jesus Christ, the injunction of their dying Saviour. He then took in regular order the excuses for non-attendance at this Divine Ordinance, 1st. The Men of Business; 2nd. The people of pleasure; 3rd. Unworthiness on account of cherished sin; 4th. Unworthiness on account of Infidelity & unbelief; 5th. The penitent's fears; 6th. The weak believer's doubts; & II. The next shewed the words of the Text as an invitation and a privilege:- described the suffering of our Saviour in language the most affecting, eloquent & majestic; he was listented to with almost breathless attention by a throng congregation. He lastly adverted to the growing error of those who rested in the observation of the rite; & 2nd those who substituted the form for the spirit; the sacrament for the Saviour; In which he took opportunity to show the hatefulness of the system propagated by the Puritans. - His concluding and affecting appeal was peculiarly striking & convincing I need not say the Congregation was exceedingly edified. - He is an extraordinary Man and whether St John's consider so or not, I think his coming here to be one of the most gracious as well as merciful dispensations of Providence ever vouchsafed to a body of Christian Believers - or even Chrisn [Christian] Professors.

February] 28. - The Teachers Meeting was held this Evening, and by the Request of Mr. W. the Monitors also attended. - When the business of the Sick Society was disposed off; a conversation arose respecting the School Library, Mr W. & Mr Hart stated that they had obtained several very handsome Donations including £2.2. from Mr Lister - It was then deliberated as to the propriety of obtaining Subn [Subscription] from Teachers, Monitors, & Scholars and ultimately agreed upon that a purely voluntary contribution shd be requested from the Scholars - & nothing further. - The Revd Wheeler then inquired of any person had any thing to speak on, or any question to ask, upon which I took the opportunity of respectfully desiring him to give his opinion "On the best Method of diffusing instruction in a Class" He commenced by observing that he was glad the question had been put for he was desirous of speaking on that point. - Mr W. then said that there were two methods of instruction, one he denominated Preaching & the other Teaching the latter of which he considered by far most beneficial. - The first grand point to be gained was the attention of the Children, wh would be best done by frequent questions & short remarks, 1st Get them to know the meaning of the words, then the meaning of the sentence, 3rd find proofs & parrallel passages of scripture - 4th Ask them their own experience upon the subject - He enlarged most beautifully on all these points & concluded by asking if the Tears agreed with him on them - Thos Oddie replied he thought that system was principally adopted in the School. - Mr W remarked that he thought Thos himself was too neglectful of the system, and proceeded to show him wherein he wd be a better & a more efficient Instructor. He said, he gave these opinions in the best possible spirit & hoped Thos wd receive them so. - The rest of the Meeting was highly delighted with his explanation of the subject & derived great benefit. I then asked Mr W a question respecting his Discourse on the Sacrament the preceding Eveng observing that I believed some had got the impression that he was intending to speak to the Young Persons lately confirmed, from an expression wh he let fall in the Afn Service. He rejoined by entering into the subject & delivered a most kind, affectionate, & fatherly address to the Monitors, wh was listened with feeling of intense gratification & interest. - We then sung the 57 Hymn "Come Holy Spirit Heavenly dove" to Bennetts, and surely there never was a Hymn sung with more humble & fervent Devotion. - Our Dear Minister Concluded with prayer a prayer that went right home to the heart & carried the feelings up to heaven. - I know not what to think - it seems as if a dream - pleasant, lovely & refreshing had come over our weary spirits. Long may he be spared to live among us & lead us in the path of true holiness. Mr H. was equally delighted with myself & the Teachers departed to their home, happily able to exclaim "It was good for us to wait upon the Lord".

March 1 - Marmaduke Callis called - he has left the Army.

    " 6th Mr W opened the School. Attended the Communion at Noon, was in a tolerable state of mind, 172 Communicants - the Largest Nos ever known to attend at one time in St John's. Afnoon Service omitted, the scholars staid in the School. Mr W & his wife visited us. In the Evening went to St John's, where there was a tremendous Congregation, Mr W. preached from Lamenn [Lamentations] c.3 verses 31 to 33 on the Afflictions of men; he shewed first "that the Lord causes grief" for wise purposes not always in anger but in mercy - in order to destroy the sin, yet save the sinner. 2nd That the Lord doth not afflict willingly but of urgent necessity, and when no other means will become his benevolent intentions towards the afflicted, 3rd The End of Affliction he next beautifully & clearly laid down, in several most eloquent illustrations & similes - especially that of the Gold refiner, who however often he put the metal into the furnace, was careful to lose nothing but the dross and tin - &c &c. 4th He showed in what spirit afflictions were to be received - & quoted various passages to show that submission reverence & filial obedience, were required from the sufferer to render the afflictions a means of sanctification, 5th He described the comfort & consolations to be derived in affliction, from the word of God; - the sympathy of believers inward peace - & lastly he dwelt upon the last great affliction to which all were subject - death. His descriptions here were exquisitely touching powerfully eloquent and inexpressibly tender. - Upon the whole it was a most admirable discourse, and certainly appeared to me to make a deep impression upon the very attentive audience. My wife attended first time since little Wm was born.

March 10th. Attended the Annual Meeting of the Over Darwen Gas Compy. for the inspection & settlement of the Accts. Present Eccles Shorrock Esq, John Brandwood Esqre Messrs, Seth Harwood, G H. Openshaw, T Pearson, J. Blackburn, T Clough, Jas Walsh, Jno Critchly, Wm Johnson, and myself, with one or two others whom I did not know. A variety of Resolutions were moved among the rest one for a Dividend of 5 per cent upon the Subscription. Upon the whole it was considered that the Affairs of the Compy were in an exceedingly prosperous condition.

[March] 13th The Rev R T Wheeler was rather unwell, but nevertheless he preached a most faithful & solemn Sermon, on the duty and responsibility of Heads of Families to promote & maintain family worship. His discourse was from Gen [Genesis]: 12 vs 6, 7 & 8, the journey and conduct of Abram, His discourse made a sensible impression on the Congregation.

N.B. The matting for the Floor was this Day laid down & the other alterations finished. By command of Mr W. the font has been removed from the Porch into the Church. - So this piece of Puseyism is destroyed.

[March] 15 - My Poor Sister Mary's died this Day four years after a short residence in the Lancaster Asylum - Charles Callis sent me a short and pleasing Letter from Liverpool to which I forwarded a reply.

[March] 21. - Went to the Old Hall in Samlesbury with Mr Hart, a most agreeable and pleasant excursion - In the Evening presided at the Quarterly Meeting of the Bn P B Society [Blackburn Philanthropic Burial Society] at which I had considerable heavy duties to perform and Labour to get thro' the business - Upon the whole however, the Meeting was much more orderly than I expected, and listened to the suggestions from the Chair with favorable attention. Several perplexing motions were put, but not adopted, and the Meeting dispersed in a very orderly manner. I received considerable help from Rd [Richard] Dugdale the Engraver, & others and I hope I was able to maintain impartially the character of the Chair. –

[March] 21st Brother Wm unwell. - Had cough, & great Lassitude

[March] 23rd Meeting at the Bn S. [Blackburn Subscription] Library, when various modifications were proposed, and a select Committee appointed to draw a digested plan of the Alterations. - Mr Atkinson formally resigned his office. The Committee named to consist of Messrs Tiplady, Clough, Carus, Slater, Chadwick, Atkinson, and Hoole. - To meet for business on the Last Tuesday in April. - @ 7. I to give Notice thereof.

[March] 24th At the Town's Meeting for the appointment of Overseers. Mr Brennand in the Chair - I moved a Resolution to the following effect "That this Meeting recommends to the Board of Guardians to take into consideration the salaries of the Overseer and Collector, and the Relieving Officer of Blackburn, with a view to allow remuneration for the additional duties which they are respectively called upon to perform, Carried unanimously.

"Wrote the following Address on the presentation of a Church Service to Miss Feilden of Feniscowles"

"It becomes my duty, at the request of my fellow Labourers, to present you with this trifling mark of our esteem & gratitude, in return for the kindness and unremitting exertions which you have ever manifested in the welfare of this School, and in promoting the individual prosperity of all connected with it.

"We are well aware that a Lady moving in the rank of life which you have the privilege to occupy and adorn, can but regard any present with feelings of comparative indifference, so far as respects its nominal value; but being also well assured that you will attach more values to the motives than to the Offering itself however costly, we are not discouraged to put into your hands, even so humble a testimony of our esteem as the Services of our Church. - No the many instances of affection, zeal, and benevolence which it has been our happiness to experience under your mild governance & tuition forbid us to entertain any such discouragement, for as you have on [illegible] interested yourself in our welfare, we are persuaded it will be very acceptable to your feelings, to know that we are desirous hereby of expressing our thanks and gratitude, in a manner that language entirely fails to describe, and to assure you the Lessons of Instructions wh. we have received from you, we earnestly desire to treasure upon our hearts and practise in our lives.

"By the wise and over-ruling arrangements of Providence it is now our misfortune to suffer the loss of your presence, your pious zeal and your exalted example. When we consider the loss in reference to ourselves & the School, we are ready to exclaim with the Patriarch Jacob, all these things are against us; But on the other hand, while we see pictured before you the prospect of much felicity, and the enjoyment of such happiness as it is our hearts' desire you may fully realise, we can the more cheerfully submit to this Dispensation and reply "The will of the Lord be done."

"We pray sincerely that the blessings of God Almighty whom you serve, may accompany you & sanctify all your future life; - that you may enjoy that peace of mind, under all the changes & changes of this mortal life, which a good conscience void of offence towards God and man, alone can give; that in the family into which you are about to be implanted you may experience as much satisfaction and domestic happiness, as you have enjoyed in the bosom of your own family under the roof of your venerable and beloved parents; that your children may be virtuous, prosperous, and happy; and you yourself, at the conclusion of earth's changeful scenes, may safely arrive at that happy land where no sorrow, separation, sin nor death disturb the happiness of the redeemed of God. Amen.” NB. She is about to be married to an elderly Gent of 60.