Review of Volume 2 of Sermons 1807

 This is from The Evangelical Magazine 15

Twenty Short Discourses, adapted to Village Worship, or the Devotions of the family, Vol II. By the late Rev. B. Beddome, AM 12mo, 2s, 8vo, 3s.

THESE Sermons, published from the author's manuscript, are justly entitled to public esteem. We gave a favourable report of the first volume in our Number for December 1805; (see here) and we are gratified in the compliance of the editor with our wish to see a second volume.

The subjects arc appropriate to the purposes expressed in the title. They discover a fertility of intellect, a deep acquaintance with the human heart, a comprehensive knowledge of mankind, and an experimental savour of divine truth. The style also, in general, happily corresponds to the powers and spirit of the author. Scriptural quotations and metaphors abound, by which the subject is placed before the reader with the most inviting and interesting evidence. The sound logic, the forcible reasoning, and the impressive appeals to the heart, make these discourses no bad models for young divines.

The Sermons are not of equal merit: but there is a pure vein of evangelical divinity which runs thro' them all. Yet the experimental unction, the practical spirit, and the awakening energy that pervade them, demonstrate how far the author was concerned to preserve the doctrines of grace from the abuse of professor and profane. The discourses on "the Heavenly Stranger," are the most interesting. both for sentiment and impression. The opening of the first head contains a masterly description of human depravity and obstinacy.

We shall extract the first paragraph from the first head in the sixth sermon; which admirably expresses the benevolent spirit of gospel invitation: "If any man hear my voice. How soft, how sweet the expression, how extensive the grace! If any man - whatever his country, character, or condition may be. Tho' be may have been a monster in wickedness, a beast in fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, and a devil in fulfilling those of the mind; - though he has no merit to recommend him, no peace-offering to bring with him; - though he feels his heart as hard as a stone; nay, harder than the nether mill-stone; let him have had ever so much or ever so little terror before hand; let his convictions have been ever so weak, or ever so strong; - though he may seem to himself ever so unhumbled and unbroken; yea, though he may have stood it out against Christ these thirty, forty, fifty, or sixty years, - "yet, if he shall now hear my voice," saith the Saviour, "and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." p. 45.

This extract shews that genuine, old-fashioned Calvinism is neither afraid nor ashamed of addressing sinners of all descriptions. And this volume contains many awakening addresses to the ungodly. In fine, it affords much that is profitable for readers of all characters and of all opinions.

Deacon William Palmer 01

In Brooks' Pictures of the Past he says at one point

 

During the period now under review, the church had been deprived of two valuable deacons - Mr Boswell [Beddome's father-in-law] and Mr Joseph Strange, and on the sixth of April, 1781, four other brethren were called to that office, viz: William Palmer, James Ashwin, Thomas Cresser, and Edward Reynolds [there had been previous deacons by the name of Cresser and Reynolds].

Later he says

In this year, August 28, [1807] the Church was deprived by death of Mr William Palmer. He had been 26 years a deacon of the Church (since 1781), and so used the office as to purchase to himself a "good degree." His pastor says, "he was a steady friend to the spiritual interests of Zion, and long had the chief management of its temporal concerns, which he was ever solicitous to transact with diligence and fidelity." He had witnessed many, and painful changes. He had been in the vessel of the Church during a most tempestuous and trying period. The wind (like the Euroclydon) seemed to blow from all quarters. They were "exceedingly tossed with a tempest." It was a dark and dreary time; and all through that season William Palmer was at the helm. There were some who did not fail to attribute all their disasters to his want of skill. Painful position! But he lived through it. He had "faith in God" He believed that (not Caesar but) Christ was on board Eight glad was he to perceive the return of fair weather. He knew how to prize the blessing of peace. Shortly before his death, he recorded his sentiments and wishes, intermingling a few weighty counsels to his brethren. The veritable paper is preserved in the Church Book. Having spoken of himself, he says :

 

"As to the cause of God and of Christ, it is in safe hands. He will take care of it as his own. As to my dear and honoured Pastor, Mr Coles, I wish him all possible success in his ministry, in the building up the Church here, and in the conversion of sinners at home and abroad, and to live in love with his people, and they with him. As to the Church at large, I wish them love, unity, and peace, that they may strive together for the faith of the gospel, and for peace with one another. Especially to love, serve, and fear to grieve one another, as also their dear minister, who, in love labours for their souls' good and prosperity. As to the deacons of the Church, that they may join heart and hand, in filling up their place more to the glory of God than I have done— where I have erred, may they take warning, and learn wisdom, and abundantly excel unworthy me. When new officers are chosen, may they be such as are humble, tender hearted, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. That this Church may be increased, and peace rest on and with this part of God's Israel. 'See that ye fall not out by the way.' Strive, my dear friends, to live in love and peace. And may the Lord help you to speak often one to another. Keep up prayer-meetings; don't cover sin in any one, neither 'make a man an offender for a word.' Let your light so shine before men, that your heavenly Father may be glorified. The eye of God is upon you; the eye of Satan and of the world is upon you - be watchful. Farewell.

Your friend and well-wisher,

William Palmer.

Thus died this good and honoured man, in the eighty-second year of his age."