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WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1879.

MEMORIAL NOTICES OF MR. HENRY CARTWRIGHT,

OF ROCHDALE :

BY THE REV. J. E. COULSON.

MR. HENRY CARTWRIGHT was extensively known in Methodist circles in the neighbourhood of Manchester. His spotless and amiable character, his activity and usefulness, his intelligent and devout piety, his catholic and brotherly spirit, constrained every one who knew him, to take knowledge of him that he had been with Jesus,' and to regard him with affection and confidence. He was born at Toynton-All-Saints, near Spilsby, in September, 1799, and was from boyhood singularly religious and upright. A schoolfellow states that he was regarded by every one as a most exemplary lad, who was ready to reprove sin whenever he observed it. He received an ordinary education, and in his early teens was apprenticed to a draper in Spilsby, where he soon became a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, and was distinguished for goodness and superior business abilities. At this time he was the means of the conversion of both his parents, who became active members of the Society, and after nourishing and promoting the cause of God in the Spilsby Circuit for many years, died happy in the Lord.

In 1823 he removed to Leeds, to occupy a situation of responsibility in the firm of Sadler, Roberts and Sadler, and was greatly valued and esteemed by that distinguished member of the firm, Michael Thomas Sadler, M.P.

To the Methodism of Leeds, Mr. Cartwright ever held himself to be under great obligations: the holy influences which there surrounded him lifted him into a higher state of grace, and prepared him for future usefulness. He there became acquainted with some eminently devoted young men, whose example and conversation led him to an acquaintance with 'the deep things of God,' and stimulated him to the pursuit of things that are excellent.' He had never previously been clear as to his acceptance with God, but soon after going to Leeds he was stirred up to seek the 'knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins.' In a diary which he kept for many years, but which he destroyed, with the exception of a few pages accidentally preserved, he made the following record under the date July 28th, 1823:

'Last Monday will be remembered by me while memory holds her seat, being the day on which I entered fully into liberty. I had been visiting two sick families, and whilst engaged in praying with them I felt unusual power to plead with God, and again after going home in conducting family prayer I felt still more power. I then retired into secret and poured out my soul to God, without, however, expecting anything

extraordinary; but just as I was concluding, it came into my mind to open the Bible, and as I did so, I solemnly promised that if God would direct me to a passage, and by it testify to my heart of my acceptance with Him, I would never doubt again. Immediately on opening the Book I read the words: "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." And from that moment I have not dared to doubt that I am in the liberty of God's dear children.'

Once upon the Rock, he held on firmly amid the assaults of evil. The higher Christian life upon which he entered on that memorable Monday began at once to bring forth fruit. He became more diligent in 'redeeming the time,' that he might have opportunities for secret intercourse with God, for the visitation of the sick, and for the public means of grace. Without infringing upon business hours not his own, he found time for religious duties, which he attended to with earnestness and self-denial, presenting himself 'a living sacrifice to God.' A fragment of his diary shows what manner of man he was at the age of five-and-twenty; and the Methodist people of the present day would do well to note how their predecessors in the early part of this century employed their leisure hours and Sabbaths, and how the energy of their faith made them 'not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord':

'August 2nd, 1825. - Last evening I retired into secret determined to plead with God for the full sanctification of my soul; but I felt shorn of strength, partly, perhaps, from too long abstinence from food; and, O! the distress of soul which I felt. It would have been impossible to live unless relief had come; but, after a dark night, joy came in the morning, and during the greater part of this day I have enjoyed liberty of soul. At the Band-meeting this evening, at which Messrs. Morley and Reece were present, I was enabled to testify to the great deliverance which God had wrought out for me; and the fervent desire of my heart just now is to love God with all my powers.

Sunday, August 3rd. -I spent some time profitably in my closet in reading the Scriptures and prayer. At six o'clock I went to the Prayer-meeting. At seven o'clock Mr. Speight preached, and God was pleased to pour His consolation into my heart under the sermon. After breakfast I spent about an hour in fervent prayer, and found much power. Several blessed promises were applied to my mind, and I can truly say I realized a present salvation. At half-past ten o'clock I went to Wesley Chapel, and heard Mr. Pinder. In the afternoon I visited five sick families; two of them very distressing cases. In the evening I heard Mr. Morley, and the word was spirit and life to my soul. I concluded the day happy in God and resting upon Christ.'

Mr. Cartwright was an old-fashioned Methodist, trained up amid Bandmeetings, Love-feasts and Class-meetings, and attaching great importance to these means of grace. His Band-mates were devoted young men, who greatly 'strengthened his hand in God.' Their faithfulness, advanced piety, knowledge and zeal, made their fellowship a great blessing to him, going far to counteract the spirit of the world, and to brace up his spiritual life from time to time.

If the busy Ministers, hard students, over-worked professional men and toilers in commercial life amongst the Methodists of the present day, would secure the help and stimulus of the old private Band-meeting, they would

probably realize much more religious comfort, strength and progress, and the Churches to which they belong would flourish more abundantly.

In 1826, Mr. Cartwright entered into a business partnership in Rochdale, which fixed his connection with Methodism in that town for more than half a century. His accession to the congregation of Union Street Chapel was hailed at the time with thankfulness to God, and he was soon appointed to important offices connected with it. He became Circuit-steward in less than two years, and was re-appointed again and again. His admirable habits and aptitude for business, his exactness, amenity of manners, diligence and faithfulness, inspired confidence and commended him as a Christian worker of the true stamp. Methodism has greatly prospered in Rochdale and its vicinity during the last half century; and, notwithstanding the painful conflicts which have tested its vitality from time to time, it was never stronger or more fruitful than at present, and these results are in a very great degree due, under God, to Mr. Cartwright and a few friends who cooperated with him through good and evil report.

Almost immediately on settling at Rochdale, Mr. Cartwright offered his services to the Sunday-school, and with characteristic energy threw himself into every effort to promote its usefulness. He became one of the superintendents and continued one of its chief managers during half a century. The Union Street Sunday-school is a monument of his zeal for God, as he had mainly to do with its erection, and greatly promoted the high state of discipline and usefulness for which it has been long distinguished. In 1868, when he retired from office in connection with it, he was presented by the teachers with a handsome expression of their affection and gratitude to God for his long and useful labours.

The service which Mr. Cartwright was enabled to render in connection with the management of chapel-property will never be told. He was an able accountant, and very attentive to the smaller details of business. He guarded expenditure and promoted increased income, and nearly all the concerns placed in his hands prospered financially. For many years he was the treasurer of several important chapels in the Circuit, and worked them out of debt, and then promoted the erection of larger and better structures; and their continued prosperity testify to the great and permanent benefits he thus secured to a densely-populated district. And the beautiful spirit in which these labours were maintained greatly enhanced their value. His disinterestedness was always apparent, and he was so forbearing and conciliatory, and knew so well how to attain his objects without in the least depreciating his associates, that it was a pleasure to cooperate with him.

He was for many years a valued and assiduous member of the Connexional Chapel Committee in Manchester. At his death a resolution was forwarded to his family, expressive of the regard in which he was held by its members.

Mr. Cartwright had somewhat severe views as to the use of property, but he was most consistent in carrying them out. He regarded a tithe of increase

as not enough to give back again to God, and took care that this should be the minimum of his liberality, and that beyond this he would 'devise liberal things,' as the Lord prospered him.

He was made a Class Leader soon after removing to Rochdale, and continued in that office up to his death. Many hundreds of members had the benefit of his counsel and example. A lady in Manchester wrote at the time of his death to one of his daughters: 'I met in his Class for twelve years after my conversion, and I owe a debt of gratitude to him for the kind and Christian training which I received from him. He taught us how to be Methodist Christians of the true type. It was his constant aim to train his members in that way, and he was largely successful.' In this work he was greatly assisted by his saintly wife, herself a Class Leader of great excellence. To her he was united for more than half a century. It pleased God in her later years to visit her with a painful affliction, which was a heavy trial to her husband; but Mr. Cartwright patiently endured, year after year, 'the chastening of the Lord,' until at length, a year before he finished his own course, he was permitted to see his beloved wife 'pass through death triumphant home.'

One of Mr. Cartwright's greatest pleasures arose from private intercourse with Ministers of the Gospel. His home was like the house of Gaius; not a few of the Lord's servants were refreshed and strengthened by his genial hospitality. He had many valued friends amongst the Ministers of Methodism. The Rev. Charles Garrett says:

'Mr. Cartwright had a character. His mental features were strongly marked; he could never be lost in the crowd. He was firm, orderly, conscientious and devout. To all these characteristics you might add very. His devoutness was needed to tone down, or rather to sanctify the other features of his character, and it did so completely. You could not meet him in the wrong place. In a Church-meeting he was wise, experienced, orderly, firm and loyal. In the house of God he was punctual, attentive, intelligent and reverent. In the family circle he was genial, thoughtful and communicative. His tall, erect form; his open, manly, intelligent face, crowned with snowwhite hair, is before me while I write. I thank God that I ever knew him.'

The Rev. Simpson Crump writes of him as follows :

'I knew Mr. Cartwright intimately during my three years in Rochdale, and now regard it as one of the undying joys of my life ever to have known him. His life was blameless, his character spotless; he was a man of saintly spirituality. He was one of the most devout worshippers in the sanctuary, and one of the most eager listeners to the Gospel I ever preached to. His interest in the work of God was intense. His mastery of its financial arrangements and necessities was perfect, and he was eminently a wise and sound administrator. He was a great lover of the spiritual prosperity of Zion: in times of revival his cup of gladness ran over, and his tender, emotional nature was touched to its depths. Like many other saints of deep-toned piety and strong religious character, he was schooled by great trials. His troubles, however, never soured him, never enfeebled him, but made him ripe for the perfect life of heaven. The image of that loving countenance is mine through life, and the memory of his character and spirit will be a joy and an inspiration until I see him again in the light of the Lamb.'

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As a man of business Mr. Cartwright was highly esteemed outside the circle of his religious acquaintances. He was most honourable in all his transactions. His word was his bond, and was accepted as such by all who knew him. Nature and grace united to make him a Christian gentleman, without affectation or self-assertion. His bearing towards social inferiors was respectful and considerate. Great confidence was often placed in his integrity by parties who needed a friend to manage affairs for the benefit of the widow and the fatherless; and in this way he was frequently able to glorify God and serve his generation.

Mr. Cartwright's pilgrimage stretched beyond threescore years and ten, but his general good health and his regular habits warranted the expectation that years of usefulness would be added; yet his final summons came when least expected. His sister in London was nigh unto death, and greatly desired the comfort of his society; and the journey was likely to be refreshing to himself; nor was it until after the morning service on his third Sunday in town that he felt anything amiss. After dinner he was taken slightly unwell, and had medical advice. The next day or two he was thought to be getting better, but subsequently he began to sink, and the following Sabbath he passed away to be 'for ever with the Lord.' His death-bed was a beautiful

scene.

Surrounded by the members of his family, he lay in serene and holy joy, perfectly collected, and submissive to the will of God, waiting for the Bridegroom. His condition and surroundings were a vivid realization of Blair's picture:

'Behold him in the evening-tide of life,
A life well spent, whose early care it was
His riper years should not upbraid his green :
By unperceived degrees he wears away,
Yet, like the sun, seems larger at his setting,
High in his faith and hope.'

He had no conflicts of thought or feeling, but seemed to bask in heavenly sunshine, and was like Bunyan's Pilgrim conversing with the shepherds on the plains of Beulah. He often repeated appropriate portions of Holy Scripture and hymns. Again and again were the words upon his lips :

and,

'Live happy in my Saviour's love,
And in His arms expire;'

'The thoughts of such amazing bliss
Should constant joys create.'

He frequently broke out in prayer for his family, his Class, and Methodism throughout the world; and calmly continued waiting at the river's brink until the Sabbath dawned, when his sanctified spirit passed over, on February 18th, 1877.