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MEMOIR

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"OLD HUMPHREY."

CHAPTER I.

EARLY LIFE.

THERE is a natural desire in the mind to become acquainted with those who have instructed and delighted us by their writings; and the feeling of curiosity is the stronger when a mysterious disguise has been thrown over their persons and social position. Many have been the inquiries, "Who is Old Humphrey?" and not a few have been the ingenious devices to penetrate the veil which he had modestly drawn around him. While living, there were reasons why his incognito should be maintained; but now he has laid down his pen, and passed from scenes of useful labour, the veil may be raised, that those who admired his cheerful and godly counsels may be permitted to cherish the memory of his name

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with affectionate respect. There is also a duty to the sacred cause of religion when a good man dies-one who has exercised a powerful influence over the feelings and sentiments of thousands-to present some record, however brief, of the fruits of the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit in him, as manifested by his life and labours. That service of Christian friendship we now attempt to discharge.

The covering is withdrawn, and "Old Humphrey" appears in the person of Mr. GEORGE MOGRIDGE, a native of Ashted, one of the suburbs of the town of Birmingham.

He was

His

born on the 17th of February, 1787. grandfather, the Rev. Anthony Mogridge, was vicar of Kimbolton, Worcestershire; his father was extensively engaged as a canal agent, a profitable business in former times, in which he was very successful. His parents appear to have been estimable persons, of decidedly religious character, whose consistent example and affectionate conduct were ever held in grateful remembrance by their son. The home scenes of his childhood were recalled in after life with pious satisfaction. In advancing age he thus gave expression to the power of a mother's piety :

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