Connexional Department. MEMOIRS AND OBITUARIES. THOMAS MENEAR WAS born at Fernisick, in the parish of St. Austell, November 26th, 1798. He lived until about twenty years of age without a saving knowledge of God's truth. His parents were destitute of true religion, as were also his five brothers, so that there was no one in connection with his family to direct him to Christ. In the spring of 1819 the Bible Christians came into the neighbourhood where he resided. Many went to hear what these-then considered remarkable-people had to say, especially as one of their peculiarities was the employment of female preachers. Many felt the force of truth, and not a few were led to cry for mercy aud seek a better life. Among the number was the late Thomas Menear. He admired the Bible Christian preachers, for their plainness and simplicity of preaching and appearance. Their loving, holy lives, especially induced him to say, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God." After some little prayer and exercise of faith he was enabled to rejoice in the forgiveness of sins. In the early part of his Christian life he experienced a great deal of persecution from his unconverted relatives, and much to the annoyance of some of them did he, in various ways, contribute to the assistance of God's cause, as represented by the Bible Christians. Subsequent events justified his conduct, and he has been heard repeatedly to confess, that the Lord had materially and otherwise blessed him for so doing. He particularly delighted in the various services of God's House. For more than fifty years he arranged his daily labour, so as to be found with the people of the Lord in the various services of the house of prayer-often rising as soon as the day broke, so as to have his work well forward against the time of service in the evening of the day. The class-meeting was especially valued by him, and he has been known to enjoy some of his most happy seasons in connection with this important means of grace. He was a class leader for more than fifty years, but of late years, through failing health, he was assisted by his brethren, W. Grose, and H. Warren. He was a local preacher for more than fifty years, although for the last twenty years he has not actively engaged in that important sphere of labour. In the earlier part of his labours as a local preacher-during which period the circuits in the Connexion, and especially his own circuit, were very extensive he has many times had to endure the strain of long, very long journeys, and the inconvenience of scanty subsistence, and sometimes none, while engaged in his beloved employ. We live in better times, but a word of unstinted praise is due to the laborious pioneers of the Bible Christian cause in this and other parts. In the neighbourhood where Br. Menear resided, for a long period of time, there was no regular provision for the usual services. of God's house. At considerable inconvenience, when his family consisted of ten persons, he cheerfully opened his dwelling-house for regular preaching and other services. At length, after repeated efforts, he secured a piece of ground, and on a part-practically given of it, a small sanctuary for the Lord was erected. He, with many others, worked hard and heartily in this undertaking, and had the extreme pleasure of seeing the new chapel opened free of debt. The opening services were remarkable for the manifestation of the Lord's presence and power. The Lord's work so prospered in connection with the new house that steps had to be taken for the erection of another and larger sanctuary. He, with others, was conspicuously employed in the erection of the present commodious and beautiful chapel, known by the name of Bethesda. The apparently new progress of the living church in the present house of God was a source of considerable anxiety. Many will admit that the erection of the present chapel has not been in vain; and glorious things are yet spoken of the city of God. The closing days of our brother's lengthy life were not marked by anything very startling. His severe illness was short, and from the moment of his being taken we judged his sickness was unto death. The last conscious days of his life were characterised by great calmness, confidence, and hope in the Lord. He had finished. his work, and confidently awaited the summons from the Master to come up higher. In the last two days and nights he was only semiconscious; and during the last twenty-four hours was, in fact, quite unconscious. On Tuesday, September 7th, 1880, his spirit quietly entered the city of God. On the 10th, his body was interred in the new cemetery, St. Austell, there to await the morning of the resurrection of the just, when he and unnumbered others shall come forth to meet their Master, and so shall they be for ever with the Lord. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." As we take leave of our excellent "father's" memory, we cannot help emphasising a few facts in his long and honourable career. More than 81 years is a long life for this world; 61 years a member of a Christian Society speaks volumes. What sin prevented! What grace received! What holiness acquired, and what goodness accomplished! Fifty years a class-leader; an important officer in an important office. Fifty years a local preacher; what souls refreshed by his labours! what numbers converted, and what blessings enjoyed! The closing up of a righteous life. What calm, joyous confidence! What satisfaction to those of his relatives and friends who abide here a little longer! What the spirit now enjoys, and what it will enjoy through all eternity! May all our young readers commence a religious life in their early days, continue, like our aged Father Menear, through the whole of life, and when "the long day's task is over," meet him and myriads of others in the city of the living God. G. W. A. MRS. R. WILLS. OUR dear friend, Mrs. Wills, whose maiden name was Wood, was born in the parish of Kilkhampton in 1794. When about twenty years of age, Mr. O'Bryan visited Kilkhampton, and conducted his first religious service in a cottage, one result of which was her conversion to Christ. This was the first sermon she had heard from a Dissenter, and what is somewhat remarkable, some years afterwards, the first lecture she heard on Temperance, (by Mr. Bartlett, a Wesleyan friend of good repute; and a liberal supporter of our Missionary Society for many years) so convinced her of the evils of the drinking customs of society, that she at once became a total abstainer, and for thirty years was deeply interested in the Temperance cause. From the time of her conversion to the time of her departure, she lived a useful, honourable and godly life, winning the acknowledged respect and esteem of all who knew her. She possesed great decision of character; when she gave her heart to God she did it for life. It was not a mere fit of religious excitement. There was also great uniformity, spiritual symmetry in her Christian experience and deportment. Not sometimes in the Church and sometimes out, not sometimes first and sometimes last, she held on in an even course, and whether at home or abroad, alone or in company, in the church or in the world, she was the same person, and being of the strictest integrity, she commanded the respect and confidence of all about her. The religion of our friend was an active religion. "Power locked up does no good to its possessor, or others." It is not the stagnant, but the running waters that bless the earth. She felt to be was not enough, she must be doing; she did not study to ascertain how little she could do for Christ, but how much. Hence she was always prompt to devise liberal things, and as far as her means would allow, she was a liberal supporter of our cause at Woodford, the Circuit generally, the Missionary, and all the Connexional funds. She never needed to be pressed into good doing, but was frequently the first to initiate a good work, and ready to put her hand to it. Unlike many I know, who distinguish themselves by their absence from the sanctuary when a collection is to be made, giving was an important part of her religion; and when unable to attend, would the day following send her contribution to the Steward, so that the collection should not suffer from her absence. Many years ago, she was so concerned about the prosperity of the work of God, that without asking the approval of others, she requested the preacher on Sunday to announce for a prayer-meeting each night the ensuing week. The service over, some said "The people will not attend," &c., &c. One inquired, "What shall we do for candles?" She replied, "I will find the candles." Monday evening no one but herself came. She went and asked a friend to come and unite with her in prayer for a revival. Prayer was heard. The number increased, and a gracious revival was the result. The Monday evening prayer meeting became an established institution from that time. She became the leader of a juvenile class, and was the chief founder of the Sunday-school in that place. Her first husband, Henry Adams, was a good man, and greatly interested in the Bible Christian cause. They lived happily together for twenty years, when, "he was not, for God took him," leaving a widow and six children to mourn their loss. Ten years afterwards she was married to Br. R. Wills, and for thirty years it may be said of them as of Zacharias and Elizabeth, "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." How pleasing to see this couple "striving together for the faith of the gospel," manifesting a mutual concern to be found by Him in peace, and so nobly exerting themselves for the prosperity of the cause and the advancement of the Divine glory. A more liberal minded and cheerful Christian, both in health and affliction, it has not been my privilege to meet with. One cause which operates against the reception of our holy religion is the narrow-mindedness, moroseness, and unamiability of many who make loud profession of it. The whole life, conduct, and character of every Christian should be a recommendation of Christianity. But it is beyond question that many who profess to be christians do anything rather than recommend Christianity. The spirit of the Christian religion is not harsh, censorious, and uncharitable; gloomy in itself, and reflective of gloom on all who come within its influence. A sour look, a whining voice, an intensely opinionated and self satisfied spirit are not marks of true religion. The religion of our highly esteemed friend was a religion of joy. "Joy in the Holy Ghost." The joy of emancipation from the slavery of sin and the joy of fellowship with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ, the joy of victory over sin, doubt, fear, even the devil himself, with the weapon of "all prayer." Her smiling countenance and cheerful spirit were like the sunshine to all around her. In her regularity and attention to the means of grace she was most exemplary. In the family she was useful as an affectionate, praying wife and mother. She has not left her children an earthly inheritance, but what is infinitely more precious than all the treasures of the earth, she has left them the fragrant ointment of a consistent, holy example. As a private friend many, ministers and others, could bear pleasing testimony to the value and sweetness of her society and friendship. The infirmities of years came upon her gradually. But in April last she was taken worse with great pain in the side and chest, so that she could scarcely bear to be touched. She continued in a failing and suffering state until the last. No murmuring word, however, escaped her lips. It is impossible to repeat all her pious sayings during her last days. She would be almost constantly expressing herself in the language of prayer and praise. When her husband requested her not to talk so much, thinking her pain was increased thereby, she replied, "I must say something for my dear Saviour, my blessed Jesus, who has done so much for me." When asked if she preferred to remain here longer, or go to heaven, she answered, "I would rather go home. Do not pray for my recovery, I am on the Rock," &c. &c. Death to her had no terror, its sting was extracted. She trusted for salvation, not in herself, but on Christ, and on His atonement she rested her hopes. Into His hands she commended her spirit, and on the 11th of July, in the 86th year of her age, she passed from life to death, and from death to life, to be "For ever with the Lord." A large number of passages of scripture, verses of hymns, and religious acrostics to her children have been found in her own handwriting, which furnish a true picture of her mind, and a striking illustration of her manner of life. The following was on the back of her "Christmas Ticket," 1857: "Dear Eliza, watch and pray, O press forward day by day; |