OR MEMOIRS OF THE LATE к REV. BASIL WOODD, M. A. RECTOR OF DRAYTON BEAUCHAMP, BUCKS, AND MINISTER OF BENTINCK CHAPEL, ST. MARYLEBONE. AND OF SEVERAL DECEASED MEMBERS "THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED." PUBLISHED BY R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE : MDCCCXXXIV. PREFACE. IN a conversation which took place between the reverend individual whose history it is here proposed to record, and a clerical friend who frequently visited him during his last illness; it was ascertained that memoirs of several branches of his family were in a state of preparation for the press, which, including one or two that had already appeared in the pages of the Christian Observer, he had intended presenting to the world, in a small volume; as a memorial of his gratitude to the Great Giver of all good, for the privilege of having been permitted to see so many of his dearest connexions live and die in the faith and peace of the gospel. On a hope being expressed that some similar memorial of his own interesting life would also be found, he replied, that he had always kept a diary in which he entered the passing occurrences of the day, even to the state of the atmosphere, and the name of every casual visitor, but that he had not recorded much of his own spiritual feelings; that he had done this very minutely in early life; but finding, that in the ardour of his youthful impressions, he had expressed himself in language too highly wrought, and described his hopes and joys in terms which he thought sobriety would scarcely justify-he had long ago destroyed the record.' So far, therefore, the hope has been disappointed. But, though an history of his long and valuable life from his own pen might have been more minute, and more circumstantially correct, than any that can be collected from mere scattered fragments, or the imperfect recollections of surviving friends,1 the want will be found in a considerable degree supplied, especially so far as his personal and domestic character is concerned, by the numerous interesting conversations he has recorded, as having taken place in his intercourse with so many of his deceased relatives. Many will recognize in these conversations the tender affection which so eminently distinguished him as a husband and a parent, a master and a friend, as well as the lively and deep interest which he took in the best welfare of all with whom he came into familiar contact. His zeal and unwearied diligence in the discharge of his more public duties, may be regarded as having formed an 'epistle known and read of all men." 1 The scantiness of these detached materials must be the apology for their not appearing in the form of a separate narrative, as one or two friends whose opinion is entitled to respect, have thought would have been preferable. Apart from the accompanying Memoirs (which, in fact, are in many respects Memoirs of himself) they would have presented a very imperfect view of his character; combined, it is trusted, they will be found to exhibit it in all its essential bearings. If, notwithstanding, the reader should prefer perusing the narrative apart, he has only to pass over the intervening Memoirs for the time being, and return to them at his leisure. |