THE REV. JOSEPH PATRICK.
On Monday morning, the 23d of July, died, at Northampton, the Rev. Joseph
Patrick, pastor of the Baptist church at Harpole, near Northampton. His
mortal remains were deposited in the burying-ground belonging to
College-street meeting-house, on Wednesday evening, and on the Sabbath
following a sermon was preached to improve his death, by the Rev. W. Gray,
from 2 Cor. v. 4.; words chosen by the deceased.
Mr. Patrick passed through many changes and trails, but was enabled to
preserve his Christian character unblameable. He lived and died resting upon
the glorious principle of the Gospel. A short time before his removal, he
sent the following statement to the writer:--"In preaching the sermon, I
wish you particularly to tell the audience, that I have been a man of great
trials and sufferings, both of body and mind, but say nothing in praise of
me. I am only a lump of sin; whatever I am, I am by the grace of God, and
this I trust will be my everlasting song--a sinner saved by grace. I die a
poor repenting sinner, relying solely on the blood and righteousness of my
risen Lord. My soul cleaves to the doctrines of free, sovereign,
discriminating grace; if these deceive me I must be lost, for I have no
other support, no other foundation on which I can depend. The eternal God is
my refuge, and I hope and trust to find, that in my last moments his
everlasting arms will be underneath me. If I am found in Jesus' hands, my
soul can ne'er be lost. My heart's desire and fervent prayer are expressed
in this one verse:--
When I draw my fleeting breath,
When my heartstrings break in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of ages! shelter me,
Let me find my all in thee.
If you think proper, you may add that I was born at Kettering, in this
county, Dec. 20, 1768, resided in Huntingdonshire some time, then came to
reside at Desborough, near Rothwell, during which time I left the Wesleyan
Methodists, and joined the church at Kettering, then under the pastoral care
of my much revered friend and brother, Mr. Fuller, by whom I was publicly
baptized in October, 1797, and by the church at Kettering was sent into the
ministry.
Before I conclude, permit me to request you, dear Sir, to do what you can
for my poor widow, and afflicted daughter Ruth; as I have nothing to leave
them, and I doubt not but the Lord whom you serve will reward you for your
kindness to the widow and the fatherless; and may the Lord make you a great
blessing to the souls of men, and when your labours of love shall terminate,
may you and yours have a place at Christ's right hand in glory. This, my
dear Sir, is the prayer and last request of your heavily afflicted, but
affectionate friend and brother in the gospel of Christ.
JOSEPH PATRICK
June 14, 1827
source: The Baptist Magazine 1827, p477-478
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