Beanland, Benjamin

Beanland, Benjamin, an English Weslyan preacher in the early times, was called upon to endure grievous sufferings for the truth's sake. He had many narrow escapes and wonderful deliverances. After continuing for some time a local preacher, he yielded to solicitations and gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry. There being then no settled provisions for the-Methodist preachers, Beanland was hard pressed, and, when his clothes were nearly worn out, he returned home; "sooner than being damned for debt, he would work and thus provide himself with what he wanted." The sequel proved he erred in this step. In spite of his industry, he was actually cast into prison for debt, and the remainder of his days were spent in distress; and he died under a cloud, "a monument" (in the opinion of Charles Atmore) "of the just displeasure of God against those who, for want of confidence in him, desert the path of duty." He had uncommon mmnisterial gifts, and was an acceptable and useful preacher. No dates can be found. See Atmore, Meth. Memorial, s.v.