The Character and Translation of Enoch 4

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* Sir John Bickerton Williams. The Editor cannot pass this name without commemorating his old master's two peculiar talents, both equally rare. A power of giving advice in matters of religion, with just that mixture of authority and kindness, and so much in the way of suggestive hint, that every word commended itself to the person advised, and sank deep into his heart, and instead of provoking his resentment by the interference, secured his gratitude. The other required pretty much the same constitution of mind. He could always talk to a client, whatever the matters treated of, so that he left the room in a better mood than he entered it, as regarded both himself and his case, and of course in good humor with his adviser. He had also the way of getting rid of anybody without offence as soon as he pleased.

I have known our deceased friend for many years and though our fellowship was not habitual, it was frequent. To give an extended delineation of his character; a perfect portraiture, I shall not attempt. Is it necessary? What? after his fifty-three years' residence among you? Who needs to be told what manner of man he was, and how good? Has he not during all this time been presenting his bright and beautiful example before you, and commending himself to your judgment as one of the holiest of men, the kindest of friends, the most affectionate of pastors, and the most faithful and evangelical of preachers? He has written his own history, not in words—but in actions, not in books—but in your hearts, and has left the likeness of his character suspended in your memory, on which you will ever delight to gaze, with more fondness than you do even upon the picture of his outer man which adorns your dwellings. Can I not appeal to you on his behalf, as did the apostle Paul to the Thessalonians, and say "You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

In an age, and such indeed is every age, when ministerial delinquencies are by no means unknown, and even common, is it nothing, yes, is it not a great thing to have spent three and fifty years, without even the shadow of a shade of suspicion having ever passed over the bright surface of his spotless reputation! How impressive is the admonition of the apostle, where he says "Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed." The sins of ministers affect, disparage, and disgrace the whole ministry. The offences of individuals involve the order in disrepute. But in what instance was the honor of the Christian ministry ever compromised by him. On the contrary, was there not that beauty of character, that moral respectability, I may even add, that simple grandeur of spiritual excellency about him which might have made, not only any church thankful to have had him for its pastor—but any denomination to have had him for one of its ministers. He has left nothing to be explained, defended, or excused. No posthumous dishonor averted during his life, will attach to his name after his death. He has gone down to his grave in the renown of unblemished piety, and no finger of scorn will ever point to his sepulcher, or tongue of scandal ever blur the epitaph that will record his virtues.

It was not only the beauties of holiness, which, like a heavenly luster, suffused his external deportment, and caused his light to shine before men—but the fire of devotion was ever burning on the altar of his heart, on which he offered up himself a whole burnt offering unto God. Will anyone dispute the applicability of the text to him, or question whether he walked with God? He carried devoutness in his habits, and yet it was seriousness without gloom, and spirituality without grimace. For there was an innocent cheerfulness about him, as far from unseemly levity on the one hand as it was from moroseness on the other. You felt when you were in his company, as everyone should feel in the society of a Christian minister, yes, and a Christian man, too—that you were in an atmosphere of piety untainted with the offensive odors of hypocrisy, insincerity, or of assumed sanctity.

It is not pretended that Mr. Weaver was distinguished by what is called genius, whatever that means, by brilliant talents, or striking originality, which may prompt and impel to eloquent speech; though, at the same time, none will deny that his mental faculties were highly respectable, and such as made his pulpit services always acceptable to those, however cultivated their minds, who prefer the truths of the gospel in their own simplicity and power, to that abstract intellectualism and philosophised Christianity, by which, it may be feared, too many, in this day, are supplanting the doctrines of the cross. He aspired not to a higher—but would not be contented with a less honor, than to be a satellite, revolving within the attraction and reflecting the splendor, of the Sun of Righteousness. He ended as he began his ministry with a determination "to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ and him crucified." His first sermon and his last agreed in doctrine, however they might differ in power of intellect and depth of thought. He loved the old gospel, and wanted not a new one—and if he belonged to the old school, as regards the method of preaching it, we may ask whether, if the salvation of souls be the end of preaching, the men of modern ideas can do with the enchantments of their philosophy—what he did, and others are doing, by the attractions of the cross. Let us have as much improvement as possible in logic, criticism, exegesis, rhetoric, sound philosophy, and elocution, the more the better; but God in his great mercy save us from the impiety and folly of seeking after a new gospel. May the pulpits occupied by the descendants of Owen, Howe, Baxter, and the Henrys, never send forth other doctrine than such as were preached by these illustrious men.

Mr. Weaver, I need not say, was an intelligent and consistent Nonconformist—and, like some of his forefathers, would have allowed himself to be immured in yonder jail rather than give up his principles. But a martyr need not be a bigot, and rarely is; and he who could die for one set of principles, can very consistently live in love with those who hold another. Truth and charity may dwell in the same heart, yes, always should, for they are both the offspring of that wisdom which comes from above, "which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated." Our dear friend had a large and loving heart which one denomination of Christians was too small to fill; and therefore he made room for the good men of all denominations, with whom it was his delight to dwell in peace, and work in love. With what organization of holy enterprise, which embraced Christians of all sections of the Christian church, was it not his honor and his happiness to be associated? Was he not a member of that greatest of all institutions, the British and Foreign Bible Society? Did he not welcome that noble scheme, formed with the design and hope of uniting in the bonds of Christian fellowship all denominations of professing Christians, the Evangelical Alliance? And did not death find him engaged in the blessed work of associating all the friends of Protestant truth against all the abettors of Popish error?

But, apart from this, he was pre-eminently a son of peace. He loved and followed the things that make for peace; and knowing how much contention and disunion are promoted by the employment of careless, crude, and uncandid speech, he weighed his words before he uttered them. And in this way his prudence was as conspicuous as his love of peace. There is a wide difference, I know, between imprudence and immorality, as to their degree of criminality—but I believe that some men's imprudences do more mischief than other men's sins. Families and neighborhoods are embroiled more by this than by any other cause.

As one proof and display of his loving, peaceable, and prudent conduct, I may refer to the undisturbed harmony in which he has lived with his estimable colleague. Co-pastorships have so often proved disastrous and unhappy, as to make almost all aged ministers somewhat afraid to engage in them. But here was an instance, (and it is not a solitary one,) in which the aged and the young have lived and loved and worked together, without envy or jealousy; but with the reverent esteem of a son on the one part, and the tender affections of a father on the other, and reciprocal confidence on both. It cannot be denied that Mr. Weaver himself, at one time, was actuated by a dread of a second pastor, and perhaps carried it too far, as many others besides him have done.

There were two or three characteristics of our friend, which were so obvious to all, as scarcely to need enumeration, and which, when mentioned, will be recognized at once as having belonged to him in an eminent degree. Who will question his kindness? a quality of mind upon which so much of the comfort of families, churches, and society depends. How much happiness he must have diffused by that one virtue during a pastorate of fifty-three years. What multitudes must have been soothed in their sorrows, gladdened in their adversity, or comforted in their poverty by the smiles of his graciousness, or the words of his sympathy. There are few general excellences which a minister of religion should seek more assiduously to cultivate than this. It is one of the brightest ornaments of, and most useful qualifications for, the pastorate, a department of ministerial action in which Mr. Weaver greatly excelled—but a department which, I am sorry to say, is, in our day, not only neglected—but disregarded; the 'eloquent preacher' is everything, the 'caring pastor' nothing.

Akin to his kindness was his humble simplicity. Greatly have I mistaken his character, if to him might not be applied the eulogy of our Lord upon Nathaniel—"Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit." There was nothing puzzling about him; all was transparent. He was a man known at once, and always to be trusted; and if in anything, or at any time, he erred (and it is not pretended that he never did), it was not from intention—but from misapprehension, and perhaps more under the guidance of others than the impulses of his own honest heart.

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