Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-11-04
Old Humphrey.
BY THE REV. ROBERT STEEL
[RRicksrbesker.

BY The KEW. ROBERT STEEL
Familiar to the readers of Christian literature
in Britain and the United States, especially to such
acquainted with the Religious Tract Societys
publications, is the name Of "Old Humphrey But
it is only after he has finished his course that we
have the satisfaction of knowing who he really
was. Now that memoirs of his interesting life
has been published. We learn tnat he was as remark
able an example of Christian usefulness, as he W.
bold and Urgent in its commeudaticn to others.
George Mogridge was born at Ashted, Birming-
ham, on February Il, 1887. His early education,
watched and encouraged by a mothers piety, was
received at village school, and at boarding es-
tablishment. AT the age of fourteen he was plac-
ed as an apprentice to the business of japanner."
During his apprenticeship he cultivated his taste
for reading, perusing Chaucer. Spenser and the
best English poets. Thus he acquired facility of
expressing himself in verse-a habit which be ai-
forwards frequently INDUCED, aud with considera-
be effect Ills first attempts at verse were printed
10 local newspapers; aud, being encouraged there
by, he became contributor TO several Of the peri
odicals of the day" Meanwhile he was cuItiva-
ting his mind by reading and composition, which
fitted him for the important services to religion he
was afterwards to reuder.
His religious character seems to have been grad
ually and silently formed. We have no account
in the memior of the change through which be
passed, bat abundBnt evidence In q life of faith,
and piety and usefulness, that he had experienced
the grace of God All are not able to describe the
process of their conversion. The workings Of the
Holy tihost are various and the developments of
the new life are greatly diversified. Mr.. Mugridge
early gave his writings a religious tone, which in.
dicates the phase of his own mind He was unfor-
tunate IN the business apanner and lost all his
property. He scarcely knew what to do, whether
to seek a subsistence by his pen, which he bad
hitherto employed for pleasure, to return to the
work TO which he had been bred but for which he
had DO aptitude. The decision was providential
and the result has shown, wise. He chose liter
ature; and though his outset was in way of thorns
and dsappointments, be had never reason to regret
the choice. His first engagement was with Mr..
HOUSTON, the publisher, to write few tracts, to
the preparation of which he sat himself with hum
bic dependence on the Lord. With the Tract So
ciety he also formed acquaintance and after tri-
al Of his ability in a few tracts, found permanent
engagement.
Thomas Bro1r7V; or, Dialo9us on Sunday Morn
fug, was a tract he wrote TO counteruct the many
immoral songs that prevailed. 1t vas in verse, be-
ginning thus
"Where have you been wandering about,
Thomas Brown,
In your jacket so out Of repair ?"
"A ramble I've been o'er the meadows so green,
And work in the jacket wear"
The effect of it was great on the country people,
for whose benefit it was written. Ito5tained great
popularity, and an extensive circulation 1t was
Familiarity chanted in the streets Of London, some
tunes by two persons. who gave ''life and variety
to the recitation"
Endowed with happy style, fOud of scenery
and travel and possessed of great powers Of Obser
walton, be became one of the most interesting wr-
ters. 10 the catalogue OF the Tract Society he
furnished no fewer than one hundred and tortg-sir
seplrqte tracts ana GOoks Seven volumes OF the
Peter ParIey series, ten other works, aud numerous
contributions to periodicals., published by Others,
proceeded from his fertile pen. As writer for
children be stands unequaled. Grandfather GRECO
ry;is quite gem of its kind, and but specimen
OF many others, all Of which will both delight and
benefit the young into whose bands they are placed.
There are scme of his publications more adapted TO
young men whose days Of boyhood are over, but
who still require the interest Of book to secure
perusa while another class will win the attention,
and improve the heart Of matured and aged minds
The Old Sea Captain has impressed many a rough
and thoughtless sailor, and his Pity Papers have
instructed and edited well cultivated and intelligent
Christians.
His name of'"0ld Humphrey" was adopted that |
be might treat OF familiar topics in pleasant style,
and instruct without wearyiDg, impress without |
aud reprOye without offending. Rare |
tact was employed and it succeeded. Scarcely has
any anonymous writer been more popular than /
"Old Humphrey" And who can tell the amount |
of good which bis versatile and Christian pen may
have been the means of doing2 Numerous instan-
ces came to his own knowledge of saving benefit, |
and Of comfort resolting from the perusal of his |
+Memoir Of Old Humphrey; with Glcanings from |
his Portfolio, in Prose aud Verse. London; The
Religious Tract Society.