Memoir of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Joseph Ivimey, late Pastor of the Church in Eagle Street, London, and twenty years gratuitous Secretary to the Baptist Irish Society. By George Pritchard.—Wightman.
If there be a name which more than any other merits honourable mention in this periodical, it is unquestionably that of Joseph Ivimey. He was one of its earliest correspondents, contributed largely, in various ways, to bring it up from Tiverton to London, and wrote frequently in all its departments. He was ever ready to cheer its friends, and to fight with its enemies; for the interest of our ministers' widows lay very near his heart, and in all his multifarious engagements in relation to this object, he was evidently stimulated by Christian compassion.
The name of Mr. I. will be identified with all the great institutions connected with the denomination to which he thought it an honour to belong; and, more especially, in the list of Ireland's benefactors he is certainly destined to hold a very distinguished place. Our departed brother knew that words are cheaper than stones in the street; but it will be remembered that on one occasion, particularly, he devoted much time, and labour, and property, and influence, by which he encouraged the committee to send over ship-loads of necessary food to keep the poor Irish alive from famine.
Mr. I. was born at Ringwood, in Hampshire, May 22nd, 1773. It appears, from the interesting narrative before us, that he lived in ignorance and unbelief till he was 18 years old. Mr. Thomas Williams,[C] in the presence of his two maternal aunts, said to him one day, "Young man, do you know any thing of these things?" With an honest promptitude, by which his whole life was characterized, he unhesitatingly replied, "I know nothing at all about them." But the arrow had gone deep into his heart; and nothing but the balm of Gilead could save him. Subsequently he derived much benefit from Elisha Cole's popular book on Divine Sovereignty, and from a sermon delivered by Dr. Steadman. He was baptized at Wimborne, September 16th, 1790, by the late Rev. John Saffery. In the following year he removed to Lymington, and derived much instruction from the Rev. James Barnett, who still survives, and is in communion with the church at Eagle Street.
He came first to London in April, 1793, and communed with the church in Keppel Street, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Martin. Occasionally, also, he heard Mr. Swain at his Lord's-day evening lecture, in Devonshire Square.
"In taking the coach by which he was to depart, he silently said, 'I will never see this London again.' But the words of the prophet are greatly to be preferred: 'O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.'" p. 34.
In 1794, he removed to Portsea, and was married July 7th, 1795. By this marriage he had two sons, and four daughters: one son and one daughter survive to lament the loss of their father. Early in 1803, when nearly thirty years of age, he was encouraged to preach by the church at Portsea, to which he and his wife were united, under the care of Joseph Horsey and Daniel Miall, who were co-pastors. Relinquishing secular business, in September, 1803, he removed, with his wife and two children, to Wallingford, and became assistant to Mr. Lovegrove. Having occupied the station at Wallingford nearly twelve months, he was invited to Eagle Street, in consequence of the resignation of the late Rev. William Smith. In July, 1804, he removed to that same London of which, at an early period, he had thought so lightly; and there the remaining half of his life was happily, honourably, and usefully spent. He died February 8th, 1834. But why should we further pursue the narrative? From the date of his settlement in London, he was "an epistle of Christ, known and read of all men."
The narrative is full of incidents, with which are interspersed many most judicious reflections; and in the "Conclusion" we have a correct and complete delineation of Mr. I.'s character. We are deliberately of opinion that it could not have been intrusted to better hands than those of his esteemed colleague in the gratuitous secretaryship of the Irish Institution, who has executed his task in a very pleasing and edifying manner, with great delicacy and fidelity; much to the credit of his own piety, judgment, and taste. We are happy to add that the work is very neatly got up, very correctly printed, and ornamented with a good likeness of our deceased brother.
Mr. I.'s ministry was greatly blessed from on high. The congregation was never before so large, new members were added continually, and the place of worship was considerably enlarged.
"From the records of the church it appears that during his pastorate more than eight hundred were added to its fellowship. Twenty young men were encouraged to give themselves to the work of the Christian ministry, four of whom received missionary appointments, and two are at this time in Ireland, zealously exerting themselves in the service of the Baptist Irish Society." p. 314.