Petty, John

Petty, John an eminent minister of the Primitive Methodist Connection in England, was born in 1807, and died in 1868. His ability, piety, and devotedness won for him some of the most important and responsible positions in the connection. For seven years he was editor of the Primitive Methodist magazines, "and did good service in sustaining the efficiency and useful, ness of these periodicals throughout the connection." He was the author of several works having a large circulation, of which the most important was The History of the Primitive Methodist Connection, a work performed by request of the Conference, and with great thoroughness and ability. During the last three years of his life he was governor of Elmfield School, the principal educational establishment among the Primitive Methodists. In that position he was especially useful in moulding the character and promoting the scholarship of the students for the ministry. As a Christian, Mr. Petty aimed with strong faith and blessed success at eminent personal holiness. As a scholar, "his learning was varied, accurate, profound, sanctified." As a preacher, he evinced a deep insight into Christian life and experience, and his style combined elegant simplicity with intense earnestness. Among his last words were, "what boundless stores of fulness there are in Jesus." (G.C.J.)