Samuel Drew, M.A., the Self-taught Cornishman: a Life Lesson

PLEASANTLY situated near the sea coast, about midway between Plymouth and Falmouth, upon the southern slope of the hilly range which runs longitudinally through Cornwall, stands the busy little market town, St. Austell. As the centre of a district rich in mineral deposits, and especially in the disintegrated granite peculiar to this locality, which yields the finest porcelain clay, it is a place of some commercial note. Nor is its name destitute of literary association. In this parish was born, and here, during the greater part of his life, resided, Samuel Drew, commonly designated as the Cornish Metaphysician.

Of his remote ancestors, little is known. His greatgrandfather came from Exeter into some part of Cornwall, where he kept a tavern; and a son of his,

named Benjamin, followed the father's occupation in St. Austell. Here, marrying a person of considerable property, he assumed the rank of an independent gentleman, plunged into dissipation, squandered his substance, and brought himself and his family into difficulties.

At the age of eighteen, Joseph, his second son, the father of Samuel Drew, with some of his youthful companions, attended, as a matter of frolic, the outdoor preaching of the Rev. George Whitefield, in a neighbouring village. Here he was struck to the heart by the truths of religion, set forth in a manner so new and convincing, maintained by arguments so powerful, and enforced by eloquence so resistless. Returning to his father's house, and finding its scenes of riot and dissipation uncongenial with his newlyacquired feelings, he withdrew from the company of his former associates, sought opportunities for secret prayer, and diligently attended the ministry of Whitefield and Wesley, and their early coadjutors.

It is not to be supposed, that this alteration in his deportment passed unregarded by his irreligious relatives. A storm of persecution was raised against him, and "all manner of evil said of him falsely;" while from his father he received the most cruel treatment. Ere long, he was subjected to the painful alternative of giving up his religious duties and connexions, or quitting the paternal roof. Brought up to no business, and accustomed to a life of indolence and indulgence, the trial to him was most severe. But the dissevering of the ties of kindred caused the bonds of religious union to be drawn the more closely. He became a

"in

member of the society formed by the Rev. John Wesley in St. Austell, and continued in that connexion to his dying day. His worldly prospects being thus sacrificed for "peace and a good conscience," he now the sweat of his face ate bread;" submitting cheerfully to the drudgery of daily labour until a late period of life. Yet, though undaunted in the cause of that faith which he had espoused, his mental powers were not above the ordinary standard. He was naturally timid and diffident; and, without referring to the grace of God, it would be difficult to account for the decision of character which he thus manifested.

He was thrice married; his first wife dying childless. Thomasin, his second wife, the mother of Samuel Drew, he married in 1762. She was a remarkable woman. Born of parents who were unable to do more than procure for their children and themselves the necessaries of life, her education had been greatly, if not totally, neglected. When, in early womanhood, she first became the subject of religious impressions, through the preaching of Mr. Wesley, it is uncertain whether she could read, and it is known that she could not write. She applied all the energies of her mind to overcome these obstructions to knowledge; and it is said, that in both reading and writing she was entirely self-taught. Nor was it the mere ability to read and write that she acquired; for specimens of her handwriting shew the firm, bold character of an apparently practised hand. By her son, she is described as a woman of strong, masculine understanding; "of courage and zeal in the cause of God, which nothing could damp; and ready to brave every hardship that

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