Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B. — John Shaqi
Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B.
History
Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B.
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Brenton, Jahleel, Sir, 1770-1844; Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century
look to God in all emergencies, and to cast himself on His mercy under
every doubt; which finally regulated the enquiries which it prompted,
and realizing the divine promises, “that the meek shall He guide in
judgment,” “that God giveth grace to the humble,” brought him through
all the conflict of religious opinions, to that simple child-like faith,
which formed the substance of his happiness in life, as well as of his
hope in decay.
The description of a character such as this, together with a narrative
of the events under which it was formed and perfected, may, under God’s
blessing, be made profitable to many; and as the circumstances of his
story are such as must interest every reader, it is to be hoped that
the memoir of such a man may be offered without presumption to the world
at large, as including much that may be generally useful as well as
amusing. But there is one class of readers to whose attention it may
be more particularly recommended, and to whose improvement and welfare
it is specifically dedicated. I mean the young aspirants to honour and
distinction in the navy, the rising members of that profession, of
which Sir Jahleel was so fine a specimen; and for whom he always felt
and expressed so strong and so paternal an interest. I could wish, that
they who are taught to emulate his character as an officer, and who are
animated by hearing of the gallantry of his actions, should know more of
the man whom they are led to admire, than can be learnt from gazettes
or naval histories; and that they should be made acquainted with the
real secret of the excellence which is held up to them as a model for
imitation. I wish that they should know from his example, that the most
brilliant courage, the greatest firmness in action, and the most perfect
self-possession in the moment of danger, are not only compatible with
deep religious impressions, and personal piety; but that they never can
be looked for with so much confidence, nor will ever be found so largely
developed, as when combined with these as the habitual principles of
the life. And as example is generally more conclusive than theory, it
seems expedient that they should above all others be reminded, that
the man, who in his day, was the model of all we wish to imagine in a
British officer, and a British seaman; the man whose daring courage made
him at one time the chosen associate and friend of Sir Sidney Smith;
who was afterwards selected by that acute and discriminating judge of
character, Lord St. Vincent, out of the number of eminent and gallant
officers around him; and appointed to situations which required all
the combination of naval skill and firmness; was, and avowed himself
to be, in the full sense of the word, a Christian; confessed Christ
and His words in every situation, and under every circumstance with
uncompromising firmness; and still maintained his profession of religion
with such gentleness and dignity, that those who differed from him never
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