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THE

Evangelical Magazine,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1798.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. T. CARTER,
OF HULL.

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AVING already given fome account of Mr. Carter's early life and converfion, in our first Volume, page 268, as written by himself, under the affumed name of Philolathes, we fhall commence the prefent Memoir about the period at which the former closes. Mr. C. as our readers will find by the account referred to, in early life, wandered very far into the ways of fin and vice, till it pleased God about the year 1778, to call him to a knowledge of himself; and as frequently is the cafe while his heart was warmed with a fenfe of gratitude to the divine mercy and deeply convinced of the value of immortal fouls, he formed defires of being inftrumental to the converfion of others.

With these views he came to London in the year 1781, appofing that Providence would introduce him to Lady Huntingdon's, or fome other refpectable connection, as he dreaded running without a cómmiffion. In a few months, however, he had occafion to return to Dover, where, after his continuance for about two years, a feparation happened in the Church, and he was one that feparated. His friends. nów folicited him to fpeak and exhort among his own party, which he complied with, till being convinced that the divifion itfelf was a rafh ftep, and contrary to the divine word, he returned to the congregation from which he separated, and gave up all thoughts of the miniftry, from a fufpicion that he had been led to them by a fuggeftion of the énemy.

Thefe thoughts however foon revived, and about the faine time an opening in Providence occurred at Whitfield, (about three miles from Dover) where the people being deftitute of a minifter, and indeed unable to fupport one; requested him to fupply them. For fome time he VOL. VI. refufed,

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refused, but after repeated applications for feveral weeks, he at laft confented, and his labours were acceptable and useful. Being now fatisfied of his call to the minifterial work, after labouring for a few years at the above, and occafionally at a few other places, he found a defire to devote himfelf wholly to the work; but being neceffarily engaged in bufinefs to fupport his family, he faw no way of its accomplifhment.-About this time it pleafed the Lord to exercife him with very fharp and cutting trials, in the midst of which Abraham's call to leave his country and his kindred, was impreffed fo ftrongly on his mind, that he knew not how to get rid of it. Unwilling, however, to obey such impreffions without a clear warrant in Providence, he made this a matter of conftant and fervent prayer, until the following circumftance feemed to make his way clear. The Church at Dover, (where he was a member of the Committee) being involved in debt, by the erection of a new chapel, it was propofed to him to go round the country to endeavour to raise contributions to discharge it.

This he accepted, and in June, 1788, left his family and home on the above errand. After travelling through feveral counties, he was invited into Lancashire, and ftrongly folicited to take up his refidence at Preston. After preaching a confiderable time on trial, and the Lord appearing to blefs his labours, though his falary was very fmall, he confented to their request. In October, 1789, he removed his family to this place, and the people erected a fmall chapel which was opened in June, 1790. In September following he was ordained, on which occafion Mr. Mc. Quhae, of Blackburn, Mr. Bradbury, then of Manchester, and feveral other Minifters engaged,

The Lord was pleafed to make Preston a school of affliction and inftruction to him. After the lofs of two children, he was vifited with a very painful illness of feveral weeks, and foon after this with the death of Mrs. C. in May, 1793.* During thefe trials however he was gracioufly fupported by the promises of the Covenant, which afforded him ftrong confolation in the midft of deep affliction. Still it pleased the Lord to try him in the December following with a farther lofs, which was that of another of his children, particularly promifing and engaging. In October, 1794, he was brought very low with a pleurify, but his fupport under it was fuch as to enable him to rejoice in the midft of tribulation.

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See her Obituary, Evang. Mag. Vol. I. p. 241.

After

After this fome circumftances concurring to induce him to leave Preston, and having a strong inclination to itinerating, he made an offer of his fervices to Lady Ann Erfkine, which being accepted, he began his labours in her connec tion, in June, 1795, and after preaching for about three weeks, at Spa Fields and Sion Chapels with much acceptance, he was removed to Birmingham, where he had the mortification to fpeak to a fmall congregation in a large chapel, which, though humbling, he found a profitable circumftance to his own foul.

In March, 1796, he removed to Handfworth, in Staffordfhire, and from thence, two months afterwards, to Dover, where he had much comfort in meeting with his former friends and relatives. There he spent five months with good acceptance, though in his own country and among his own kindred. From thence again he came up to the Metropolis, and after a fhort stay, was fent to Canterbury, where he alfo laboured with much comfort, acceptance, and fuccefs.

In March, 1797, Mr. C. was removed to Bristol, where he was peculiarly happy in the people, and in the enjoyment of the divine prefence for four weeks, when his affiftance being wanted at Bath, he reluctantly went thither, but found his fituation more comfortable than he expected. After feven weeks ftay he returned to Bristol, for two weeks more. In both thefe places it pleafed the Lord to favour him with much encouragement and comfort, from a pleafing revival among the people.

He now came the third time to London, where, after continuing three weeks, he made his laft remove in this mortal pilgrimage. This was to Hull, where he arrived about the end of September, and though he found fome inconvenience from a cold and hoarfenefs, caught upon his journey, commenced his work with much pleasure and with promifing profpects of fuccefs.

On Monday evening, March the 12th, 1798, he contracted his laft illnefs, which was an inflammation in the bowels, occafioned by fome immoveable obftruction, which terminated in a mortification, and in death, on the 18th of the fame month. The fhort duration, together with the violence of the diforder, prevented the opportunity of many ftriking obfervations or pathetic exhortations, which might have been expected, had his affliction been longer and lefs intenfe. It is pleafing, however to obferve, that he manifested the utmoft refignation to the divine pleasure, under

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the most racking pain, and poffeffed a tranquillity of mind, and inward peace derived from the immediate application of the Blood of Sprinkling, and attended with a full affurance of being for ever with the Lord. His comforts were folid and fubftantial, founded on the teftimony of Jefus, received by faith, and applied by the Holy Spirit. The chief obfervations which can be recollected by his friends, are the following, which may be fufficient to fhew the feelings of his mind in that folemn period.

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In the beginning of his ilinefs neither himfelf, nor any his friends apprehended death to be fo near; and therefore no particular notice was taken of any obfervations that dropt from him, in the beginning of the week; only it was remarked that he frequently faid, if his work was done, he fhould fpeedily be removed; but if not, that the Lord would restore him again. However on the following days more notice was taken, and his remarks became more pithy and important.-On Wednesday morning the following converfation took place with a chriftian friend who came to vifit him. Mr. C. having preached the Sabbath before from Romans viii. 28. "And we know that all things work together for good to thofe that love God," his friend took occafion to fay, he hoped that all things worked together for good to him perfonally. He replied, "Yes," and then obferved he believed he had preached his last fermon. "But" (faid his friend)" I hope you have not fung your laft fong:" for he delighted much in praife. He immediately rejoined, "No, though I have done my work here, I hope I have a Father's houfe to go to."-The fame day to another friend in converfation he remarked, “There is nothing worth living for here-no, not even the nearest relatives, or moit endcaring connexions."

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On Thursday, to a friend who vifited him, he faid, "O how foon are we down, brother-but bleffed be God the work is not now to do! for Jefus hath made an end of fin, and brought in an everlafting righteoufnefs." On Monday he was in perfect health; and apparently a ftrong man. On Thursday he could not move himfelf; fo uncertain is health and ftrength;, and fuch feeble worms are we under the. mighty chaftening hand of God ! On Friday, to an intimate friend, afking what his feelings at that time were refpe&ting fpiritual things, he replied, "I reft upon. the Rock of Ages, the glorious, foundation; my hopes are laid far beyond the fcenes of time; they are all above"-pointing towards Heaven. Being afked again whether he could fo

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