ALICE MOLLART.

Ir may appear very improbable to those who place too great a value on visible things, that one immortal soul is of far more importance in the scale of creation than the earth itself, on which so many millions have lived and continue to live and act. By the force of the omnipotent will of the great Creator, all nature was brought into existence from the primitive granite to air and light. He has continued, during the past existence of created things, to modify and govern the universe without any co-operation from inanimate matter. He for whose pleasure all worlds and creatures were originally formed, has once, by an overwhelming inundation, destroyed the face of nature on our planet, and made known the purpose of His will to destroy the earth, a second time, by the agency of fire. Rational beings like ourselves, He condescends to deal with in a very different way: having blest us with consciousness and freedom of will, He calls upon us to choose or refuse the blessings of salvation. The ability to choose our own course of action invests the soul of man with an inestimable degree of worth. We are required to be coworkers with God. The final victory of the soul of man over temptation, sin, and death, of all other things, is the most important to reflecting minds. If the heroic acts which often lead to misery and the diminution of the human race, or those inventions which promote the comforts of civilized nations, are worthy of being recorded, the triumphs of redeemed sinners over weakness, sickness, and death are equally interesting to enlightened individuals, and more fully display the goodness of God.

The late Alice Mollart was born in the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent on the 19th of April, 1816, and but a short distance from the habitations where five generations of her forefathers have lived and died. It was her privilege in infancy to be closely connected with several relatives who had received the truth as it is in Jesus. Her mother manifested a great degree of sympathy with the pure and good, and was of unassuming, unpretending piety, At an

early age she became a scholar in the Sabbath-school connected with Bethesda Chapel, in the Hanley circuit. In this institution she was favoured with sound religious instruction, which had a happy effect upon her mind. The characters and prevailing habits of our connections are generally formed in early life. Sabbath schools have produced incalculable good by fixing a settled habit of attending the public worship of God in many thousands of the existing generation. The taste and manner of life of our late sister were formed under the influence of Christian principles. Her attendance at the sabbath school and on the worship of God led to the gradual opening of her understanding to the truth and inestimable worth of spiritual things. In her youthful days the follies of the world had but very little attraction upon her affections. She preferred the paths of virtue and piety to those of pleasure and sin. She connected herself with the Sabbath-school till she was able to instruct others, and yield back a little she had received from two wellconducted institutions. She never felt the sudden awakenings which prompt some to seriousness, but was moved upon by the dawning of Divine light, till she obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine delivered unto her. She began to meet in class when about nineteen years old, and became a member of the church of Christ, worshipping at Bethesda Chapel, Hanley. For several years she experienced much consolation in the class of a very sympathizing leader, Mr. John Wright.

Too soon after she had entered on the maturer business of life, it was evident that her constitution was not a strong one, and that the state of her health was not likely to be either vigorous or lasting. The symptoms of a chronic disorder were too apparent, and she was sometimes obliged to deny herself the privilege of sharing in those social enjoyments which both reason and the Redeemer's example have sanctioned as suited to promote the health and happiness of genuine Christians. Her engagements and occupation were but partially followed; the state of her health requiring opportunities to recruit her strength and animal spirits.

She sometimes felt, under the preach

ing of the gospel, cheering manifestations of the love of God. Those discourses, which raised her thoughts to dwell on heavenly things, had an exhilarating effect upon her mind. In the communion of saints she experienced her sweetest enjoyments, and was most at home in those gatherings formed to extend the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. The more Divine grace expands and enriches the human mind, the wider the range of its sympathies becomes, and more exulting joy is felt in the victories of the cross. Our late sister was one of the very numerous class of individuals who have no taste for active operations in the church, and yet cherish the most sincere and permanent concern for its prosperity. Many of these quiet Christians serve God in newness of spirit, and are living epistles, read and known of all men. Light is best reflected from solid bodies, and example very effective in pointing out to others the way to heaven. The aggregate effect of Christian consistency is not the least of the agencies which will establish and perpetuate the spiritual kingdom of God on earth. For several years the subject of these remarks pursued her way in quiet and steady attention to the claims of duty.

In the spring of 1850 a second bodily complaint attacked her tabernacle of dust, and eventually her weakly frame rendered it indispensable for her to retire from the Sabbath-school, and exercise careful solicitude to preserve her health. The chronic affection, which had so long exerted some degree of influence, weakened the organs of digestion. The other checked the healthful circulation of the blood. The course of medicine or regimen required by the latter, in some degree, was unfavourable to the former. It was evident the cause must be suspended or removed, or recovery would be hopeless. medical adviser recommended a seavoyage as most likely to be effectual in promoting the return of a healthful state. During the summer months she crossed the Channel to the North of Ireland, and remained there so long as she could reconcile herself to the new scenes around her. The voyage had a beneficial influence. Still depression and weakness prevailed so much as to prevent her from enjoying the rural beauties of that interesting country. Scarcely anything diverted her attention but the maritime prospect from

Her

Fleetwood harbour. She was very ill several months after her return to Hanley, but so far recovered as to resume partially her former engagements, which were chiefly confined to personal affairs, as she lived and died in an unmarried state. Since that time she was more or less confined. During the month of May, 1853, she yielded to the force of repeated visitations, and was unable to leave her home. For a short time there seemed occasionally reason to hope she might again possess the best of earthly blessings,invigorated health; but medical skill, while it did much to alleviate her state, failed to restore her debilitated frame. She gradually sank under the deepseated influence of a painful disorder, which had several years weakened her constitution. The human body, to enjoy good health, requires that the func tions of the nerves, the muscles, and the regular circulation of the vital fluid, be preserved in natural co-operation and order. One of the disorders our late sister laboured under, inclined her to temporary fits of liveliness of manner, which were followed by debility and nervous anxiety. The wisdom of the great Creator has placed a great part of the nervous system beyond the control of volition. Though the nerves are the medium through which sensation acts, bodily derangement may become so general, that the will may not be able to suppress doubts, fears, and overwhelming depression. Some readers will recollect the amiable poet, Cowper, and the talented Dr. Beattie. An easy pleasing manner is not to be depreciated; it may sometimes be very useful. But the fear and love of God purifying the heart and regulating our lives are incalculably more important to dying men. Reserve, or singularity of habit, may be easily overlooked in those who are sincerely devoted to God. The servant of God to whom we are referring was blest with stronger faith and more exulting hope in Christ in affliction than she had experienced in health. As her affliction abounded, her consolation in Christ abounded also. She was prone, like many sincere Christians, to those self-accusations which are often proof of spiritual discernment, rather than personal defects. During her sickness her faith was the anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast. She rejoiced in Christ Jesus, having no confidence in flesh. She spoke of eternal happiness

in heaven with strong assurance and quiet composure. Still she could not talk very freely on Divine things except to persons with whom she was familiar. Her thoughts dwelt much on the blessedness of the heavenly Canaan. Those lines were very precious to her :—

Jerusalem, my happy home,

When shall I come to thee?"

"I never thought," she said, “I should be able to part with you all for Christ so easily, before my affliction. What do you think they are most employed in doing in heaven? I have been fond of singing on earth; I shall soon sing in heaven." The complaint which had embittered the last few years of her life brought on such a conflict of agony and suffering about eight days before she died, that her friends concluded that struggle would be the last. But the Disposer of Events spared her to bear fuller testimony to the power of Divine grace. On the 30th of November, the last of her heavy conflicts came on. She contended a few hours in a resigned state of mind with her parting pains. About five o'clock in the afternoon, she seemed fully conscious death had seized her mortal frame. When a little relieved from acute agony, she wore a new aspectthat of a triumphant conqueror over death and sin, and with an emphasis unusual in her conversation, she repeated eight times in succession those joyous words, Glory, Hallelujah." When her pains were keenly felt, she several times exclaimed, "Oh the pain, the bliss of dying! This is death-I hear him coming!" She uttered distinctly, or partially, many sentences of praise and confidence in God; among others, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, to Him be glory and dominion Praise the wondrous Lamb of God." The last words which fell from her lips were

for ever.

"And then, oh how pleasant the conqueror's song?"

Before nine o'clock in the evening she departed in peace, without a struggle or groan.

"How faith and hope triumphant rise: A mansion claim beyond the skies. A crown of life, a kingdom there, Where all immortal glory share. The Saints who saved in Jesus die, Ascend to reign above the sky." "Our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far

more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." How is it that feeble women, whose health and strength have been utterly wasted by sickness and disease, should so much excel in moral dignity, in unconquerable courage, and certain hope of eternal happiness, the military chieftain, the gifted and polished philosopher, or the gay and active votary of pleasure? Why do unpretending believers in Jesus Christ rise above those waves of suffering and fear of death which appal so many others? "God is their refuge and strength; His grace is perfected in their weakness." How rational, how becoming the last hours of faithful believers! How inexpressibly more valuable the hope of the gospel, when men come to leave the world for ever, than the uncertainty of the unbelieving sage, who said he was going to take a leap in the dark! or the lightness of the learned historian, who, after devoting so many years to the study of facts, tried to find comfort or amusement in a pagan fable, when about to be called to the bar of God! They that sow to the spirit shall reap of the spirit eternal life. But the way of transgessors is hard. In this short account there has been no attempt "to point a moral or adorn a tale," but an effort to make apparent the value of the pearl of great price under the pressure of suffering and in the hour of death. SAMUEL MOLLART.

JAMES THOMPSON.

OUR Benevolent Father sees fit to hide from us many of his ways. He often deprives the Church of those who are its most useful members, and whose constitution of body would lead us to expect that they might be spared for many years of faithful service to their Lord. The weak often live to follow the strong to their graves; the old the young; and those with two talents, those who have ten. His ways are past finding out, but what we know not here, we shall know hereafter; and it may serve as an exercise to our faith to trust him in our deprivations, and to believe that all things will be overruled for the good of his people.

The subject of this memoir, JAMES THOMPSON, was born at Hazlehurst, near Ashton-under-Lyne, on the 15th of December, 1788. The characters of his parents were opposite,-his father being irreligious, addicted to

intemperance, and careless of the welfare of both himself and of others, while his mother was devout, economical, and amiable. She was careful to instil into his mind the love of Christto train him up in the way he should go. How valuable are religious parents! yet how doubly valuable a mother in such a case! Of this dearest earthly friend he was bereft at the age of 11 years. Shortly afterwards he was apprenticed to Mr. Thomas Seymour, of Hurst, to learn the trade of weaving His master and mistress were very kind to him, and in them he found, to use his own expression, "another father and mother." When about 18 years of age, he attended a love-feast, where, from the experience of some true Christians, long since in heaven, he was led to see the necessity and desirability of a closer walk with God than he had enjoyed in merely attending the parish church with those with whom he lived. He felt his sins to be heavy, but like Bunyan's Pilgrim he was relieved of them when he came in sight of the cross, his burthen fell into the sepulchre, and he could then leap and dance for joy. Although it was not the easiest thing in the world then to be a Christian, as our old minister Mr. Styan used to say, yet our brother was firm. The world might rail and persecute,-and the world did rail and persecute,--but he remembered the promise, that "he that endureth to the end shall be saved." The prayer meetings, and other means in those days, were often interrupted by the rabble, who would sometimes open the door suddenly, and throw in quantities of filth and mud; at other times they would stop up the chimney, to suffocate those within, or drive them out into the streets, where they were sure to meet with the most abusive treatment; but faithful servants of God counted themselves blessed when men reviled them, and persecuted them, and said all manner of evil against them falsely for Christ's sake.

Not long after the expiration of the term of his apprenticeship, he entered into the married state with the daughter of our late Brother, James Hollingworth, of Hurst, and soon had a family of children. From the affliction of some of them, and the death of others, he was kept on the verge of poverty. But the misfortunes of our brother stayed not here; he was doomed to severer trials. His

wife fell sick, and was deprived of her reason. O! heavy was the blow, and it stunned him; but it did not kill him. He was tempted to disbelieve the promises of his Lord; but the cheering passage, "My grace is sufficient for thee," raised his drooping spirits, and he was led to say, "Thy will be done."

About the year 1817 or 1818, he removed to Heyrod, where he joined the class which was conducted by his father-in-law, upon whose death he was chosen leader. He also became an active teacher in the Heyrod Sundayschool. Nor has the seed he sowed there been unfruitful, as many at this day can testify. In 1841 he joined the Society at Hurst, and was a leader there until his death.

Mr. John Sandiford, who was coleader with him for some time, thus describes him:-"As a leader, he was well qualified to take charge of a class. He gave the advice with simplicity, but was faithful, reproving, warning, and threatening when necessary. He adapted his instruction to circumstances, encouraging the timid, and strengthening the weak, the afflicted, and the tempted,-doing it with many tears in the spirit of love. Our brother was like a sentinel at his post, looking round with an observant eye in order to watch the most distant advances of the enemy."

On Saturday the 1st of November 1851, he sent to inform Mr. Sandiford that the next day would be his appointment at Heyrod, and desired that the classes might be attended to, adding that he would retire early, in order to be better prepared for his Sabbath's labour; but (how little can we foresee!) that night he was seized with affliction, and that of the most violent kind. His sufferings were extreme, but they were exceeded by his patience. Two of the leaders from Hurst visited him on the Sunday; but owing to his bodily pains, he could not converse much. His mind, however, was calm and undisturbed, and he was eager to be gone to that land where sickness, sorrow, pain, and death, are not permitted to trouble its inhabitants. He had reached the waters, and he entered them singing, "Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold flood,

Can fright me from the shore." "I have packed up," said he, "and have been ready to go some time." The only regret which he showed, was on account of his poor wife; he said he

should have liked to survive her, in order that she might be cared for. But this troubled him not long; he had found God faithful to his promises, and he remembered that he would "be a husband to the widow." He died on the following Tuesday morning, leaving behind a testimony that he was "departing to be with Christ, which was far better."

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.' If we live the life, we are sure to die the death. It depends upon ourselves. We are commanded to "Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." May God help us by His Holy Spirit to "be followers of them who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises."

P.S.-It may not be amiss to add, that the widow of our brother is still living, and is in the same state of mind, to some extent; but as she grows older, her reason seems gradually to

return.

ANGELINA HOBSON was born at Thong, near Holmfirth, Yorkshire, in the year 1832. From her infancy she was accustomed to go with her mother to the Methodist Chapel at that place, and at a very early age became a scholar in the Sabbath-school. From a child she was remarkably fond of reading, and especially of reading her Bible. All her leisure moments were spent in this way, and she was so fond of her Bible that she would have it at the table while she partook of her meals, and if she put it out of her hands, she would cast her eyes where it lay, and exclaim-" Oh that blessed book!

'Holy Bible! book divine!

Precious treasure, thou art mine!"" Hence it might be said of her that from a child she knew the Scriptures. Consequently her intelligence, when a mere child, was above that of most of her age, and especially her knowledge of the word of God. She was from her childhood of a religious turn of mind, and never took pleasure in sinful com

pany or sinful amusement. When about thirteen years of age she went to reside with an uncle, a pious man, and an active member of the Methodist Society. Here Angelina's opportunities of reading were more circumscribed, and she felt it a trial to lay aside her books, and engage in more laborious and worldly exercises. But her uncle was kind to her, and did not neglect her spiritual interests.

About this time there was a rèvival of religion at Thong, and Angelina was brought under more powerful influences than she had hitherto experienced. She felt herself to be a guilty sinner, and in the anguish of her spirit she sought mercy and forgiveness through a crucified Saviour. In a prayer meeting the trembling penitent found peace and pardon in Jesus, and went away rejoicing in his forgiving love. She now gave herself fully to God, and connected herself with His people. When about fifteen years of age, she removed to Stalybridge, where she found employment more suited to her taste, and a happy home in the family of our Brother Battye, her uncle, where she continued to reside until her mother too removed to Stalybridge. It was during her residence with her uncle Battye that the writer first became acquainted with her. In the year 1851 she became a member of his class, and about three years ago, with the family of her uncle Battye, she began to attend our Chapel, and at once connected herself with the church. She was a teacher in our Bennett-street School, and was much respected and beloved. Early last spring her health began to decline, and about Easter she had to relinquish her employment. For some time hopes were entertained that she would recover, and various means were resorted to in order to promote restoration. By the advice of her medical attendant she tried first the air of Southport, and afterwards of her native place; but the skill of the physician and the kindness of friends were alike unavailing. Death had marked her for his prey, and would not relinquish his grasp.

During her protracted affliction she was divinely supported, and generally very happy. Her greatest trial seemed to be her privation of the means of grace, and the Sabbath-school. She was often visited in her affliction, and those visits were generally seasons o refreshment both to her and her friends. One of her class-mates says-“ F shall