THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 221
1807. Samuel Medley was born at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on the 23rd of June, 1788. He was at first apprenticed to an oilman in London, but not liking this business, he claimed the privilege granted in that time of war of finishing the years of his apprenticeship in the navy. He was at first, in 1755, midshipman on board the "Buckingham," but he was transferred to the "In trepid," and sailed under Admiral Boscawen. After serving in other actions, he was with his ship in a terrible conflict off Cape Lagos, on the 18th of August, 1759. Many fell, and Medley himself re ceived a severe wound in the leg. On the return of the fleet, Mr. Medley was removed from it to the house of his grandfather, Mr. Tonge, who had trained him as a child at Enfield, and who now received him under his care in London, whither he had removed. Mr. Tonge was a pious man, and took every oppor tunity to endeavour to wean his grandson from the love of the world, and to lead him to pursue the better life. On one occa sion, Mr. Tonge having remained in the house on Sunday evening to read a sermon to his grandson, the- Word, though unwelcome, was with power. The sermon was Dr. Watts s, on Isaiah xlii. G, 7. The seventh verse "To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison," &c., was felt to describe the hearer to himself. He saw his sinful condition, and cried for mercy. God soon granted the joys of His salvation. On his recover} , he often heard Whitefield, and in December, 1760, he joined Dr. Gilford s church, in Eagle-street, London. Having given up thoughts of the navy, though promotion was promised him, he opened a school near the Seven Dials. Afterwards, in 1762, he married, and removed his school to King-street, Soho. Encou raged by his pastor, Dr. Gifford, he began to preach in 1766. He had received a good education, and possessed natural talents. In 1767, he became the pastor of the Baptist church at Watford Herts, and in that position he remained till 1772, when he removed to Liverpool. His former life on the sea made him master of those maritime expressions which were specially pleasing and easy to be understood by many of his seafaring hearers. His
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