Back to Diary of Charles Tiplady 1839 1849

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Mr Wheeler, in the Afternoon, delivered an earnest exhortation from the words, "After a long time the Lord of those cometh & Reckoneth with them" - In the course of his Sermon he took occasion sternly to reprove the idle & unprofitable Servants, - and dealt very summarily with the excuses of the Board and others, who made all kinds of excuses rather serve God. He denounced the vengeance of God against all such, & concluded with an earnest call upon every believer to wait in a state of vigilance for the "coming of our Lord".

Now, with regard to the idleness & sloth charged upon the Laity of the Church of England, which Mr W. in this Sermon so strongly reprobated, I would humbly ask, where does it arise? - So far as I have seen of St John's people, I believe there exists a willingness to every good work, - Yet often have I seen the best motives of an active Layman traduced - he has been looked upon, by the Clergy, with an eye of suspicious jealousy as tho' he was guilty of usurping some privileged authority belonging exclusively to the clerical Order; or he has behaved as a wild enthusiast, a methodistical dreamer, or a canting hypocrite; and his conduct has been as narrowly scrutinised as if ever it were a delight to catch him off his guard. - If the Church of Engd. Ministers wish their flocks to be active to be always abounding in the good work & Labour of love they must come down from that exalted eminence in which they have placed themselves - must consider that every man in his work[?] as a Teacher, or Minister, or Exhorter or otherwise is equally the servant of one Head "even Christ" our Lord & Master and they who are specially "Ambassadors" of the word. - I have frequently been checked for what has been called officiousness - in my [illegible] in the School. - and yet, perhaps the self same day, have sat and listened to a discourse condemnatory of idleness & sloth. Oh when will the inconsistency of them allow them to see that God "is no respecter of Persons" no nor of forms either - but delights in the offerings of a willing Mind, springing from a pure motive of Love to the souls of our fellow Men.

Mr Wheeler, in the evening commenced a series of four discourses, (during Advent) of Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell? He took his Text from the 9th chap. of Hebrews part of 27 verse "It is appointed unto Men, once to Die". from which words he clearly proved the curse of Adam to have been inherited by his Descendants. His remarks were very searching & of practical utility - his manner most impressively solemn & affecting:- his language at once simply lucid, - energetic, & eloquent - and the application of the whole subject impressively awful, personal, and calculated by God's Splendour[?] to arouse the indifferent, awaken the careless, terrify the Infidel, and fill with profound veneration & awe, the most sanctified believer. In the course of his remarks he alluded to Voltaire, & his description of that arch Infidel's dying bed was sublime & magnificent in the highest degree. It is needless to say that he was listened to with breathless attention, and unequivocal signs of deep feeling & conviction. - When I returned home I thought of poor Alice Miller, who might for ought I knew be on the verge of eternity, so deeply impressed was I with her illness, that when the family had returned to bed I prostrated myself before God & supplicated his mercy on her behalf. - that he would forgive her sins, and snatch her from the jaws of Hell. - In the morning I heard that she died at 1/2 past Nine the previous, which as near as I can tell was about the time I felt so much on her behalf.

Decr. 4. I have to regret among the follies of the past week the being led to stay from home on Monday Evening much longer than was either seemly or necessary at Mr Emmetts God give me grace to refrain from this practice altogether.

This Evening the Rev R. T. Wheeler, to a crowded Congregation delivered a most solemn, affective, and convincing Sermon on the dread realities of the Last judgment His text was Matt. 25 31 to 33 Verse, and was in most particulars the same that he preached in the Parish Church the first time of his appearing among us. He took a review of the Last Day in three principal particulars 1st "The Judge", 2nd The Judged and 3rdly The Sentence - in which he first pointed out Jesus Christ as the Person to whom all judgment was committed he detailed at considerable Length his second appearances - the glorious retinue wh: wd accompany him. & the Office of King wh: he would then sustain - he made herein a striking contrast between his first & second appearance - Once a Saviour, now a Judge once the judged of Men, now the Judge of all Men &c - 2nd The Judged & the manner of the same - for the works done in the Body. After explaining the past in a very powerful manner - he lastly dwelt upon the sentence to be pronounced to the Blessed & to the Cursed, & concluded with a most beautiful & heart stirring appeal to his Congregation to flee from the wrath to come - It is almost needless remarking that his discourse was listened to with undiverted attention, & profound seriousness - He seemed to go beyond himself in all former efforts that I ever witnessed in him. God Almighty in mercy grant that I & all who heard may thro' his mercy be privileged to receive a "Blessing" on that Day.

Decr 8 (Thursday) Attended the Funeral of William Dixon, one of the Teachers belonging the Sunday School - An excellent and pious Young Man, of few words, but always prompt at Duty's call - A Man of a peaceful & quiet demeanour, humble, devout and sincere. After a serious illness of 17th Weeks he departed this Life in the joyful anticipation of a glorious resurrection at the Last Day. When the funeral was over, (at wh: Mr W officiated & I clerked) the Teachers returned to the House and sung several beautiful Hymns - The Parents of Wm were greatly concerning their Son, and appeared to me acquiescent in this afflictive desperation with unaffected resignation.

[December] 11th. In the Morning Mr Lamb of Darwen officiated - A Good Gospel Sermon, on the obstinacy of Jews in rejecting Jesus as the Messiah particularly applied to unbelievers now rejecting him as their Saviour.

Afn: Mother & Sister Dined with me. - Went up to Grim [Grimshaw] Park School, where, by the kindness of Mr Feilden was permitted to speak a few words to the Scholars - on the value of the Holy Scriptures for instruction - example - and comfort - The Boys were attentive but not so numerous. - The Girls very numerous, (259) - A sad want of Teachers in the Lower School.

Eveng - The Revd R T. Wheeler preached the third Discourse for the season of Advent viz: "On Heaven" The Text was from St Paul "The glory that shall be revealed in us" - From these words he took occasion to point out, in very clear and scriptural Language the nature of the Enjoyments of Heaven, - he particularly enforced the doctrine that the saints would resemble Christ - they would be like him - without sin - without death - & without sorrow - The Church was much crowded with attentive listeners.

[December] 12 & 16 - Attended to perform the duties of making up the Burial Society's Accounts

[December] 18th (Sunday) - The Anniversary of Mr Wheeler sojourn in this Town. - The Revd Gentn improved the occasion by preaching a most affecting Sermon from these words For we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the glory may be of God & not of us - He shewed here - "the treasure" the everlasting of Gospel of Jesus Christ which, said he, in much feebleness it had been his exalted privilege to preach - yet he could say with the mercy & grace of God assisting him - he had preached - he had exalted the name of Christ above every other and called upon the Congn to pray earnestly that they might still return the privilege of a pure, unmixed, unadulterated preached Gospel. - 2nd He bade us remember this Treasure was committed to earthen Vessels. - to poor, weak, erring Man - to men like themselves liable to infirmities & sin - &, God knew, how deeply he deplored his own "negligences, ignorances & sins." - how he mourned over his infirmities - and he here in a most touching & beautiful manner apologised to us - that if in thought, word, or deed, he had said or done anything to give offence, he asked our forgiveness - while at the same moment he acknowledged with gratitude the great favors & universal kindness which he had received from us. - In all my life I never witnessed such a sudden & striking effects as these words produced. - Every eye seemed to fill with tears of affection - every heart to respond with soul-thrilling earnestness & every bosom to glow with an expiated flame of love towards our beloved Minister - Old & young - rich and poor - learned & unlearned - I believe at that moment lifted up their souls in secret prayer to God for a blessing on our paster, and when, as if the Holy Spirit had touched with coals of living fires his tongue - he broke out into an exalted & heavenly strain of benediction, on our homes - our stores - our health - our peace, and in short our all - words are inadequate to tell the majesty of the delivery - or the wonderful impression wh: that "Blessing" produced on the Congregation. - He lastly, after pointing out the [illegible] vessel was for security - & conveyance - dwelt briefly on the concluding part of his Text "That the glory might be of God" in which he shewed that God had chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty and in short wd not give his glory to another. - The application of all was - in what manner had we used our privileges & he solemnly exhorted us all to be watchful - not to let our hearts be hardened but to give up ourselves to God. - Amen. Amen.

Big with expectation & anticipation of the Evening Service a continued stream poured into the portals of the Church, till every pew appeared filled with occupants - Mr Wheeler took his Text from these Emphatic Words, "The Wrath to come" After opening his Sermon with a few remarks on the awful necessity under which God's Ministers were laid to deliver the whole counsel of God he divided his discourse in several heads, the following were the most prominent - First the wrath to come was certain - it was released into many passages of Scripture in such unequivocal terms that left no room for the slightest doubt. "The wicked shall be turned into Hell with all the people that forgot God." 2nd It was Divine Wrath. - The wrath of Lamb of God whom guilt hardened, and impenitent sinners had despised & rejected - He who would have been their Saviour wd now be their inexorable Judge.

"There guilty ghosts of Adam's race,

Shriek out and howl beneath thy rod

Once they could scorn a Saviour's grace

But thy incens'd a dread God.

Tremble, my soul, and kiss the Son;

Sinner, obey thy Saviour's call

Else your damnation hastens on

And Hell gapes wide to wait your fall."
Dr Watts

3rd It will be deserved wrath - the day of grace having been slighted the day of wrath will be deserved. - 4th It was unmingled wrath - there would not be one drop of mercy in the cup of misery - no alleviation - no respite - not even Lazarous might "dip the tip of his finger in water to cool the parched and tormented tongue" - 5th It would be Eternal wrath under this Head the Revd Gent proceeded to picture the horrible despair of the damned in such awful colours - that I utterly unable to describe - I remember however he called particular attention to the words of our Saviour on the Ninth of St Mark - "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Showing that Hell Torments were Eternal - he also explained a passage at the end of the same chapter, viz: That the damned would be salted with fire - which would preserve them into eternal existence, & supply the fuel for eternal torment. - He concluded with a most affecting exhortation amidst the stillness of death, to "flee from the wrath to come."

[December] 19th. - This Evening the third Annual Meeting of the Bn Ph [Blackburn Philanthropic] Burial Society was held, I had the honour of being appointed Chairn. The proceedings of the Night passed off with tolerably unanimity except from the presumptuous interference of a young man named Holt who, being filled with vanity & self-confidence would have persuaded the Meeting to appoint him in the place of

Alexr Emmett, The Meeting, however, grew tired of his interruption & clamoured however to proceed with the business. The Society has prospered in a most remarkable manner, indeed surprisingly wonderful, when we remember the short period of its establishment - The Meeting honored me by appointing me the Vice-President. After the Meeting I addressed the Officers and partook some refreshment with them. Home 1/2 past 12.

Christmas Day. Mr Etough preached in the Evening, but I do not like his discourse so well as Mr Mr Wheeler's. - Attended Sacrament.

1842, Decr 28 & 29th It has been my lot to experience these two Days one of the most strange & awful providences of a domestic nature wh: I ever knew. - My servant, Catharine Goherty, requested her mistress to allow her to go out with the youngest child (William) for a walk which she most willingly assented to, and thinking she might wish to purchase a few Articles of clothing for herself, she gave her 5/- for that intent, She accordingly went out, and appeared to be in a very cheerful frame of mind, and went down but unknown to us to take tea with a friend of hers one Alice Ainsworth in Nab Lane. - At 20 min to Eight in the Evening she returned home with the child, and had only been in the house a few minutes when she fell upon the floor and began to vomit excessively. My wife instanly [sic] sent Thomas for me to the shop, and I hastened up all with all speed, and when I arrived found Catharine laid upon the Kitchen Floor vomiting. I went to her & loosed the strings of her cloth to liberate her throat, and sent out for a Neighbour Woman to assist me to put her into a chair. We were all of opinion that the woman was in a state of intoxication from the smell of the vomit - Under this impression both I and my wife at the time could not help feeling strong indignation at her. After she had vomited freely she appeared to me to fall into a sound slumber, - breathing heavily - but by no means more so than is common for persons in a intoxicated state - We raised her up in a reclined position on a low easy chair in the Kitchen, & I and Mary watched with until near 1 o'clock in the Morng as far as I can remember, At that time we consulted together as to the propriety & safety of leaving her in the chair & going to bed, and when I had sprinkled her face well with water & rinced [sic] her mouth with the same, we wrapped a Cloak & Shawl around her head & breast and I fastened a carpet round her legs to preserve her from the cold - and left her close to a small fire & went to bed. - We both slept badly, & were disturbed in our minds about her, & at half-past three I got up to see how she was going on - I did not approach within three yards, but considered her attentively with a light which I had in my hand, and listened well to her breathing, I concluded that she then fallen into a natural sound sleep, and left her to lie down again. - At between six & seven we both arose & I proceeded immediately to her for the purpose of awakening her I shook & called her by her name loudly but could get no answers I found also then a portion of blood upon her upper lip as if it come from her nose, I was alarmed at this & went to Dr Pickop for advice, he came up & we laid her upon a sofa near the fire warmed her well, & rubbed her feet, but still we could not produce animation - he took a little blood from her arm & tried to make her swallow, but this appeared quite impossible. He tried & endeavoured by strong mustard plaisters to cause a reaction of the system but all to no purpose, as she continued to get worse & at 1/2 past three in the Afternoon expired.

Impressed with the serious responsibility which lay upon me I waited upon the Constable, Mr Shepherd & gave him the particulars of her death, and he laid the matter before the Coroner - An inquest was held on the following day at the Plough Inn, Penny Street by Mr Hargreaves, and a jury of 16 Householders, among whom were

Mr Alex^r Dixon	Mr W. Hart
Tho^s Carr	R^d Greenwood
John Lucas	T. H. Pickup
Henry Eglin	Tho^s Duckworth
James Briggs	John Carlisle
Tho^s Gudgeon	Ja^s. S. Livesey
A. G. Jordan	---- Aspden
H^y. Tattersall, and another whom I do not recollect.

After a patient investigation of three hours and hearing the Evidence of myself, the person with whom she took tea, & the Doctor, - a verdict of "Apoplexy" was returned. - Upon a review of the whole matter there are one or two things which I can but remark as mysterious - 1 was my wife having given her 5/- when she went & we found 2/4 spent whereas the person who took tea with averred that she did not remember her spending a farthing. - Upon the whole, on a calm retrospect of the matter my wife & myself rather incline to believe that poor Catharine must have taken a draught of some kind or other, but what it was - is a mystery. - and so will remain for ever.

1842.pdf

1842 pdf includes the text above and footnotes by D. Hughes

1843

Jan. 1st. 1843. - The Revd R. T. Wheeler took opportunity this Evening to preach on the opening of the year. - from these words "It is well with thee" - He opened the discourse with a statement that at the end of the year it was a judicious proceeding to inspect the Book & Accounts of the Concern, to see "if it was well with him" - The season afforded an opportunity in a scriptural point for self examination to see whether the soul's accounts were well "in the sight of God. - The Revd Gent then classified his subject into the following divisions - The Nation - the Church, the Town and the Individual separately - With regard to the Nation he entered into a full examination of God's dealing with Britain as a people favoured. The remoted period of her barbarous era unto the time when God had made her the Mistress of many nations, & when her empire extended to the end of the world. - He shewed how God had led her forth when she was small & of no account how he had blessed her & made her the instrument of blessing to many Kingdoms, and yet comparatively speaking she made no suitable return for the mercies & privileges - The consequence was God had lately handed a sign, her harvest - had well nigh failed. her arms been defeated by an insignificant enemy - her commerce depressed - & her land disturbed with tumultuous & seditious assemblies of men who trampled all law under foot - so that the land mourned & stretched out her hands to God, who heard her & had mercy upon her our mother. Had she then returned unto the Lord with full purpose of heart, alas, no. - When the thunder had rolled away in the in the distance had she not hardened her heart & sought out her old abominations, well might the Preacher's Oh: Britain is it well with thee?

[January] 2nd As a Church the preacher enquired "is it well with thee"? He here went on to speak of the Lamentable dissensions, disunion, and he feared heresies wh: had of late arisen in the bosom of the English Church, and was then agitating it in a most distressing manner. He particularly attended to the recent exhibition of sentiments at Oxford by various Learned Men, and shewed very strikingly their direct tendency to Romish Errors and Superstitions. He also [illegible] to the Individual Welfare of the Church - the Professor of Religion - and he brought to view the great want of sound, practical, & scriptural Religion in the Soul. - When he had enlarged on this topic he brought into contrast the State of the Churches mentioned in Revelations & concluded with the 2nd chap: 5 verse.

[January] 3rd The Towns - He shewed the local depravity, grievance and want of vital godliness in the Town, & made a few more remarks on the topic & finally concluded with

[January] 4th A personal appeal to each one present "Is it well with thee" - In our temporal affairs - our domestic & social duties; our religious experience; - the sinner - the penitent - the believer. as Parent with regard to our families - as children - & as every other point and finished this most impressive discourse by a strong, earnest and affecting exhortation to keep the Account between God and ourselves at the end of the Year properly balanced, that when our Master shd call we might be ready to give an account of our Stewardship.

Jany 6. - I was unexpectedly called upon to preside at a Meeting of the Police Commissioners this Day at the Session's Rooms. - There were a variety of Resolutions moved & adopted on the occasion and the regular Monthly Business Transacted. - This is the first time that I ever presided at the Town's Affairs - One particular question settled was a dispute of Rent charged by Joseph Feilden Esqre for the use of Blakely Moor, this much disputed point was agreed to & settled - The Meeting held about four hours.

The Revd R. T. Wheeler has made great exertions to improve the season of Lent by preaching every Evening in Passion week except Saturday.

[January] 15th. Mr Etough, in the Afternoon, delivered a most violent discourse from these words "Who hath believed our Report" in which he used some very extreme & (to my thinking) unwarrantable language. - The Church certainly was slender & probably he might somewhat disappointed, but really the wholesale condemnation both of the Town & of the congregation was such as I could not sincerely agree with - Some of his remarks tended to affirm that Blackburn was far worse than Sodom & Gomorrah, & so on.

Since the commencement of this Year the health of my Brother has very seriously declined so as to unfit him for business, his medical attendants consider him in a very dangerous and precarious state, - the consequence is that my business In his leave fallen heavy upon me, and there is a prospect of them being still more severe by reason of John Sutcliffe illness. But my heart is not discouraged & I pray God to give me his peace to act uprightly to my Brother & endeavour to fill his place with all the zeal and ability of which I am possessed, leaving the issue in the hands of God.

Feby 7th (Tuesday) At 10 min. [minutes] to four this Morning my wife was delivered of a third Son for wh: happy deliverance I return sincere thanks to Almighty God. - His name will be "Richard" On the 19th of March he was christened at St John's Mr Jas. Livesey & Mr Thos Whittaker & my mother standing sponsors. It is remarkable that a distant relative of the Same name shod have departed this Life on the Monday after his birth. The following is a copied of the Obituary from Leeds Intelligencer:

This Person knew my father well, & delivered his descent from the same stock. - I had also another reason for naming this Son "Richard". My father had a Great Uncle of that name who was an opulent farmer, - he died leaving two Daughters, one of whom married Mr John Patrick, the other died unmarried - Mr Patrick had an only child a daughter upon whom descended her Grandfather's Estate but in case of her death as a minor, it was to revert back to the male heirs of the Tipladys. This happened for she died of consumption aged about 17. -But Mr Patrick to deliver up the Estate to my Grandfather the Brother of the said Richard, & enjoyed it as his own right. When my Grandfather died, my father being the only male heir entered into Law Proceedings for the Estate & after several year's delay ultimately succeeded in obtaining the Property Foolish he was with it - but one good thing he accomplished that was establishing my Brother in business - so that this Money was the term of our livelihood. In commemoration of which event I thought it nothing but proper to call this Son "Richard" and pray that God would bless him with all spiritual & temporal blessing, & give me grace to do my duty to him & all my children

April 7. A very important Meeting took place this Day the Bn Police Commissioners under the New Act to consider the Report of the New Market Place Committee & adopt if expedient a Resolution thereon. It was expected that there would be a great opposition to this motion, but to our great surprise Mr Jas. Parkinson's Motion was carried by a majority of 42 to 16; I seconded the Motion.

[April] On the 10th A similar Meeting was held when Mr. Yates' appointment was revoked by a majority of 25 to 4 votes. I voted against the appointment - There was considerable angry discussion especially between Mr Alston & Mr Hoole.

It is the intention of the Teachers & Monitors of the Na [National] School to present Mr Wheeler with a silver Inkstand in token of their esteem & affection. - They have not permitted the Superts to join in this Token of respect

Easter Sunday Attended the Sacrament at St John's and endeavoured to fix my mind on the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World - There was a numerous congregation. - In the Evening the Rev R T Wheeler preached an excellent Sermon on the resurrection of the Dead, from these "For we have our conversation in Heaven, looking for the coming our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile bodies, and fashion them like unto his glorious body according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Mr Wheeler (Ap 23d) endeavoured to improve the narrative of Korah, Dathan & Abiram, in the Morning of this wherein he shewed the great wickedness of a rebellious and insubordinate spirit: - and the sure consequence resulting therefrom. - The wrath of vengeance of God.

[April] R Caughe[y] died on the 26 & William Stirrup on the 27th of the present Month, the Latter awfully sudden by his Death the Librarianship again becomes vacant

May the 5th attended the Town's Meeting of Commissrs Mr Jas. Parkinson in the Chair, - There arose at this Meeting a strong and somewhat stormy debate respecting an alledged [sic] nuisance in Darwen Street, by Mr Rd Walker he had been convicted & fined for the same, and wished in order to prevent future Law proceedings as well as to secure better public convenience, to make certain alterations in the parapet opposite his shop, the nature & reasonableness of which were brought before the Meeting by Mr Backhouse. He described in very accurate terms the danger & inconvenience, arising to the public from the present mode by wh: Mr Walker was obliged to load & unload his Carts, and moved that he be allowed to make such alterations as wd prevent such danger & inconvenience, I seconded the motion with a few observations corroborating this testimony of Mr Backhouse, & contrasted the state of the footpath and what it would be if the alterations were allowed.

Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway

And they who came to scoff, Remained to pray

Goldsmith

May 14th 1843

The Revd Jas. [James] Bardsley, Curate of Burnley, officiated this day in the place of our regular Minister - His discourse in the Morning was upon the Divinity of our Saviour Jesus Christ - which he proved, most conclusively and incontrovertibly from the Scriptures. - His discourse was delivered extempore, and with surprising eloquence, fluency and connection. - His utterance tho' rapid, was always clear, - his elucidations apt - his scripture reference remarkably accurate - & bearing strongly upon his subject, his illustrations & comparisons were always suitable - sometimes eloquent - & occasionally pre-eminently munificent and sublime - The Divisions of his discourse were well filled up & clothed in Langue [Language] glowing with animated, vigorous, & lively oratory. His conclusions were singularly striking and powerfully convincing, and upon the whole I know not that I have listened to a Sermon on the subject, where the majesty - the glory & the dignity of our Saviour has been better pourtrayed [sic] - or the incontestible proofs of his Godhead more energetically or more happily advanced. In short he gave both socinianism & Romanism a most tremendous castigation. In the Evening, the Congregation were again privileged to hear this extraordinary Man. - His Text was selected from the 37th Psalm, 9th Verse "Delight thyself in the Lord". It was observable the Rev G. H. Ashe, took the self-same text on the Sunday Night preceeding - but very far inferior was his discourse -but comparisons are odious - and perhaps in this case justly reprehensible. - The Revd Gent commenced the subject by a beautiful introduction setting forth the restless & untiring search of Man after Happiness - from the King in his Palace, to the Beggar in his Cot, - in every age of life - & under every variety of circumstance - the search for happiness was pertinacsly [sic] pursued - The general exclamation was "Who will shew us any Good?" Having established the principle argument was happiness was necessary to Man - he proceeded to shew what, in order to suit Man's Nature & Capabilities - this Happiness shd consist in 1st the suitableness - 2nd Sufficiency 3rd in Perpuity [sic] - Under these respective heads he endeavoured to shew that the Soul of Man, being created by a pure & holy God - endowed with amazing powers & capacities - and enjoying - like its Author, an undying existence, could never rest satisfied with sensual base, earth born pleasures - which were fleeting as the wind - & as unsatisfying as they were unsuitable to the souls - If possible the Revd Preacher excelled his morning discourse - There was a beauty - a clearness - and a logical correction manifest throughout the whole Sermon. To make a selection where all was equally good would be useless - Yet in his grand climatic was irresistibly convincing - and marvouslly [sic] grand. - He shewed that as Man was an immortal being gifted with super-excellent powers, & aspiration soaring far beyond these proper elements - So nothing could satisfy the craving of Man, short of Deity & immortality. That as from God - our being was derived - so in God & from God was all our real happiness to be found. - In an acquaintance with Him - his attributes, his Works - and his Word. - He concluded his Discourse by a strong appeal to the judgement.

"Whoever thinks a faultless man to see

Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be"

May 30th W Hart this Day informed of the reason of Mr Eatough's [sic] sudden departure from St John's Church, from the first I anticipated but small things from him, and unpleasant style both of his reading & preaching gave much offence to the Congregation - It appears after his marriage he met with a Person (- a relative I believe) of the name of Miss Peacock, whom he brought to Blackburn to reside with him - & between him & her there arose an illegitimate intercourse, - his wife of course resented the insult, but without effect, and the end was that after a few weeks he proceeded to take such liberties, even in the presence of his wife, as to convince her of his unfaithfulness, - for upon a pretence of going to read to her while she pretended to be sick he got to bed to her, and it is thought, he did it several times, however, that he really was guilty of the thing as a fact, for Mrs E. caught them in bed together. - These things coming to Mr W. ears, he resolved at once to put an end to his abominable hypocrisy, and prevented him from officiating again. - At first both the Bishop & himself were anxious to screen Mr E. - but he having given out that it was Mr W's private jealousy that had driven him away, he felt bound in self-defence to declare the truth. - I am opinion that Mr W. acted with perfect fairness, & strict justice, as for Mr E. there is no doubt but he fell into great temptation & was overcome. - Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed, Lest he fall.

When I reflect upon the very violent diatribe against adultery, lust, & all uncleanness which Mr E so frequently indulged in, & especially when I call to memory his last discourse, on the constancy & chastity of Joseph, & his then exceedingly severe Language against the people of Blackburn and his strong condemnation of jealousy envy malice &c &c I was led to think there was something wrong at home for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. As for poor Mrs E. neither on this nor on any other occasion could she lift up her head in the Church. - From fornication & all other deadly sins, & from all the deceit of the world, the flesh & the devil. Good Lord Deliver us. Amen [illegible] I have of late suffered great temptation with regard to our female servant, in consequence of having to call her up in the Morning - I pray God Almighty, for Jesus Christ to give me grace to resist the very beginning of unlawful desires & to keep my soul fully alive to the awful & eternal condemnation denounced against fornication, adultery, and all uncleanness. - To remember the everlasting disgrace to my moral character, the profound cruel injury to my beloved wife - the abominable shame to my children, & above all the heinous wickedness in the sight of the all-seeing & heart searching God & all for what - for a momentary gratification of lust, which will be the less excusable having the enjoyment of a good, a virtuous, a loving, & a benevolent wife - Let me Remember David & all his troubles - who having gratified unlawful love - was tempted to the black crime of murder & so brought upon him a hand of guilt wh: not all his after life of penitence could sufficiently atone - Also Let me duly consider.

June 3rd. This Morning little Willie being naughty Mary our domestic servant sent him rather roughly to his Mother whereat she flew into a rage & began to scold I interfered & gave Willie a slapping upon wh: she struck me twice & used some abominably insulting language in reference to me & the Servant, I of course discharged the Servant.

May 23rd Attended a Meeting or Lecture on Phreno Magneticism in which Mr Townend put to sleep several Individuals particularly a Young Man of the name of James Counsell, whose development of the Organ of Veneration produced some most astonishing operations.

June 4. Whit Sunday. Spent a very unhappy Sabbath Day ill in body & mind, brooding & fretting over the recent out break of domestic strife caused by my wife, on the previous morning - she seemed more reasonable & wd have been reconciled, but resentment had not yet been sufficiently stifled. - However, that verse pf Dr Watt's came strongly into my mind:

The wise will Let their anger cool

At least before 'tis night,

But in the bosom of a fool

It burns till morning light.

A reflection upon this Verse shewed me at once the sinfulness of retaining angry & vindictive, & tho' I felt & do now feel that I had done nothing to deserve the way which Mary had give me, yet for the sake of peace and consistency I ought now to forgive the offence In the Evng Thomas read the 37th Psalm, & I retired to rest with less irritable feelings than on the preceding Night, praying that all resentment & anger might be banished from my heart. I was poorly & feverish most of the Night

May 24th A remarkable circumstance transpired today altho I cannot help noticing. I had for the last few Days been greatly interested in the perusal of La Trobe "Rambles in North America" - a book which, to my mind, gives a more definite & particular account of that extraordinary Country. - I had followed him with much pleasure from state to state - from river to mountain - from forest to prairie - had visited with him in his hearty excurtions, & his rural rambles, - whilst my mind was thus filled with the subject a Man called at the Shop who had visited a great part of this District, his name was the Brother in Law of Robert Clarke in Salford, - from him, with his maps before us I heard a full & particular account of this New World - he had gone as a Settler but ill health, had induced him to return - he had travelled 1700 Miles west by north & thought of taking up his abode Wisconsin Territory had sailed thro several Lakes & he pointed out to me the exact spot in which he had thought to settle. He had also been in Ohio, Illinoise, Michagn, & New Yorke, had seen the real Indians - but had never proceeded so far West to come within the range of their Territory. He had with him a wife & three children - but ill-health made him home-sick & he returned to his Native Country - He attributed his ill health to want of suitable in a climate with which he was but very imperfectly acquainted.

[May] 28. Mr Wheeler preached two excellent Sermons this Day from this Text "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He shewed what was truly considered living to Christ - by Christ, & with Christ - At Night his discourse was solemn & affectionate, To Die is Gain - Gain is immediate - perfect - eternal. He concluded by an earnest exhortation. -

Mrs Joseph Makinson died, after a short illness.

Visited Wm Sharples, a Monitor, who lies dangerously ill - found him in a comfortable frame of mind.

June 2^d. - Commissioner's Meeting - was appointed to the Chair - There were six motions.

(1) The repairing of sundry streets at Grimshaw Park carried. Mover Jas Pilkington, sec^d Rich^d Haworth.

(2) A Committee to superintend the Fire Department. Mover, Mr Backhouse, N. Johnson. Committee appointed:- Messrs Jas. Pilkington, Jas. Parkinson, Robert Woolfall, William Hoole, & W^m Littlewood.

(3) Foremen & Pipemen & 30 Firemen to be appointed, Salaries Fⁿ 4£ P. £2 Engine Men £1. – In case of fires F. 4/- Pⁿ 2/- & Eⁿ 1/- for driving out the Engines & for further services, according to the award of the Fire Department Committee. - A Good commission. Carried. - Movers Geo. Dewhurst, Richard Haworth. N.B. The Engines to be exercised once a month. - The list and resolutions thereon were unanimously adopted.

(4) Repairs of Mount Street, Foundry Hill, Well Street &c ordered - Not much debate excited.

(5) Recommendation to obtain better Water for the streets. ordered to be left with Nuisance Committee. Mover: Richard Haworth, sec^d Rich^d Backhouse.

(6) That it be a standing Regulation of the Business of the Commissions' Meetings that no person be allowed to speak more than once on each motion, except by permission of the Chairman for the purpose of explanation, & reserving to the proposer the privilege of a reply. Moved Mr Backhouse sec^d Mr Vose. The following took part in the debate - Mr Backhouse, Mr Dewhurst, R^d Haworth, W^m Johnson, T. Witherington & a few words from the Chairman.

The Motion, after a good regular discussion was carried. Some other matters, not specific motions, having been disposed off - The Meeting adjourned.

Upon the whole I think it may be fairly said that good order & regularity was a marked feature of this meeting, the Members conducted themselves with courtesy.

June 8, 9 & 10 Brother William gone to Lytham - Being rather slack I took the Stock & found it to be as under

	£	s	d
Shop Goods (at cost price & under)	468	1	3
D^o D^o	51	6	2
Printing Materials &c	239	5	11
Binding D^o	45	0	1
Books Debts, Due June 1843	352	11	9¹/₂
Paper and Goods up to June 24	20	8	2
	1176	13	4¹/₂
Debts owing by the Concern	251	13	7
	924	19	9¹/₂
Amt of Stock 1835 (Mrs Tiplady)	380	0	0
	544	19	9¹/₂
Gas Shares at Darwen	100	0	0
Money in Building Club	20	0	0
	664	19	9¹/₂

From this Statement may be clearly gathered our progress in business. - It should also be borne in mind that Two families have been kept the concern, all wages, Rents, Taxes and Debts regularly & fully liquidated, & duty[?] Br & myself have been able to pay for the Last 6 Years towards a Life Insurances. While on the other hand Mr Morrice, Mr Burrell, Mr Hopwood & Mr Holt have all be reduced to insolvency the 2 first backed by the Stamp Office, & Mr Hopwood by the Bible Society - We have indeed great reason to be thankful that God has blessed our exertions in so remarkable a degree. –

[June] On the 19th Officiated as Chairman at B.P.B.S. [Blackburn Philanthropic Burial Society]. The rules as altered were fully confirmed & adopted. - The Meeting was an unanimous & an amicable one.

July the 3rd Acted as Chairman of the Finances Come [Committee] at Mr Hargreaves' Office. The business was light & soon despatched.

[July] 7th Attended Spencer T. Hall's Lectures on Phreno-Magnetism, in the Theatre, the House was throng & a very lively sensation had been excited, in the expectation of a spirited discussion. The House proceeded to elect a Chairman when on the Motion of Mr Thos Forrest, the Draper, seconded by a Gentn in the audience, I was unanimously called to the Chair; - So far as I could discover from the vigilant observation, there was no deception practised.

In the following page but one I have transcribed a Letter of Conditions to my Brother William, whose continued illness, rendered it next to impossible to calculate on his recovery to health. He of course was very anxious to know my sentiments, as to what I proposed to do in the event of his death, and I concluded it would be much better to make a proposition to him in writing and accordingly adopted that course.

Blackburn Oct 10th 1843

Dear Sir

In answer to your Note of this Morning I would observe that in the first place, I shall not be induced on any considerations, or under any circumstances take into partnership with Jane, or any other Persons after your decease, My determination on this point is, and has been settled for years. And I consider our different circumstances & families justifies this resolve. Your children (females) are fast growing up & will not be likely to carry on the business, mine, on the contrary all males & very young will very likely have to assist me. - You may therefore consider this point settled.

But with respect to Jane's being employed in the concern, I shall lend every aid to make suitable arrangements. - I have no objection at all to give her fifteen shillings per week for her services, - in addition to which she will have the interest arising from her share of the Stock in Trade - the 5 Gas shares, the £200 insurance, and whatever she can make off the farm. Which in calculation would amount as follows:-

	£	s	d
Wages - 15/- per week	39	0	0
Interest on Gas shares	2	10	0
D^o on £200 insurance	8	0	0
D^o say at least £300 Stock	12	0	0	£200
	61	10	0

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