Harrison, Joseph (d1836)

Died, Sept. 17, 1836, at Bradley, in Belper circuit, Mr. Joseph Harrison, aged seventy years.  His first forty-five years were spent in the service of sin.  In 1795, he married Miss Elizabeth Wright, who is still living to lament her loss.  She is a member of our society, and is following her husband to heaven.

For some years J. Harrison was huntsman to H. Mannel, Esq. and T, Asheton, Esq., and was so greatly approved that in 1807, the latter gentleman settled on him an annuity of 25 pounds a year for life.

In the year 1821, while his daughter Elizabeth was reading some happy deaths in the magazines, God touched his heart, and he saw himself a lost and guilty sinner, and was stirred up to attend preaching.  After some time he attended the P. M. chapel at Hulland, and informed his daughter that he got the most good there; and that if she would join them he would join them too.  “They both united; and at a prayer meeting at Spinnerford Brook he got his soul saved, and shouted “Glory, glory!”  And he pressed on for a fuller salvation, a complete deliverance from the carnal mind.  God granted him the desire of his heart, and he lived in its enjoyment till in an unwatchful hour he lost his evidence; but in less than thirty hours, through agonizing prayer, he was again restored, and pressed on till death.

I first saw Bro. Harrison at Hulland Camp meeting, in 1836, and was struck with his lively manner.  His faith was strong and in full exercise.  He would often exclaim, “I do believe, I do believe.”  He prayed without ceasing, and in every thing gave thanks.  Closet and family duties were his delight; and the house of God often echoed with his fervent prayer, and loud Amens.  His heart and mouth were full of praise.  He would shout, “Glory be to Jesus — Bless the Lord. — Thou knowest I do love thee.”

He was very zealous for the cause.  His soul was full of zeal and philanthropy.  He could not preach himself; but if they were likely to be disappointed of a preacher, he would go round the neighbourhood to search for a substitute; and on some occasions would get two or three to promise, saying, the more comes, the better meeting we shall have.  One morning, when he and his wife were going to Hulland chapel anniversary, he said, “I shall give three half-crowns to the collection to-day, and you do the same.”  She said, we cannot afford it.  He said, “We can; the Lord will take care of me; and if thou livest to the Lord thou wilt never want.”

His last illness was short but severe; he bore it with patience, and died happy in God.  My colleague. Bro. Dawson, preached his funeral sermon at Bradley, Oct 9, 1836, and it was a solemn and profitable time.

Boaz Tripp

 

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 357-358.

 

 

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