A physician was sent for on the following day, who would not sanction his being removed. His pain increased, so as to bring him to the conclusion that the time of his dissolution was nigh; but during his time of suffering, which lasted six days, not a murmuring word escaped his lips. He often "praised God for his goodness to him;" and a few minutes before his death, a friend said in his hearing, "Glory to God!" to which he responded, "Yes; for ever! for ever!" He died in peace, on the 7th day of April, JOHN THOMAS.

1855.

13. JOSEPH LONGSTAFF passed the threshold of eternity April 15th, 1855, aged fifty-seven years. He was amongst the first-fruits of Primitive Methodism in Weardale. Under the ministry of a female preacher he was awakened to a sense of his sins; and he found peace at a lovefeast held at the close of a camp-meeting, on the 1st of June, 1823. He immediately joined the society, and he supported his profession by a life of acknowledged and consistent piety. The grace of God shone forth conspicuously in his conversion, and in his subsequent behaviour. Only to grace could his conversion be ascribed. He had not been reared amidst favouring influences. Education had done little for him; but grace triumphed over unfriendly circumstances, and made him its trophy and ornament. His conversion

was a defeat to Satan, and well fitted to call forth the exclamation, "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire!" As his zeal for God and his attachment to the Connexion challenged the attention of his brethren, he was made a leader and a local preacher, his earnestness and consistency being considered a balance to his lack of superior talent. In prayer he was gifted and ready, and commonly gave toue and energy to a meeting. He was bold in reproving sin and confessing his Master, instances being known in which his seasonable admonitions were blessed to the happiest results. The few last years of his life, after he was obliged to desist from following his employment, he spent much of his time in visiting and praying with his neighbours. For many years he was subject to fits, which became more frequent towards the close of his life, and had an undoubted influence in shortening his days. He was confined to his room for about three weeks before he died. To the last he was cheerful, bright in his confidence, and buoyant in his hope of heaven. Nearly the last words he attempted to utter were that sublime passage, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God," etc. By all to whom

he was known he will be long remembered. The Stanhope society, in particular, deplore their loss, while they rejoice in his gain. After thirty-two years' connection with the church militant on earth, he has joined the church triumphant in heaven, where we hope to meet him. T. GREENFIELD.

For

14. RICHARD WATERS, of Winlaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne circuit, was born October 12th, 1795, in Glamorganshire, where he spent his youthful days. While but a boy, he was led to seek the Lord in earnest, and soon found peace through faith in the atonement of Jesus. His first spiritual guide was a pious Independent minister. On his arrival at mature years, he removed into Lancashire, and shortly after into the county of Durham; which was a great trial to him, especially as he was thereby deprived of the "guide of his youth" and his religious associates. some time after this, he was unconnected with any Christian church; but was diligent in the improvement of his mind. In 1831, he united with the Primitive Methodists; and in 1837, was appointed to assist in leading a class, in the Durham circuit, from which time he made considerable advancement in religion. Being more deeply convinced of the necessity of personal holiness, he "gave himself unto prayer," and the reading of the Scriptures, and works on experimental and practical divinity. Many a whole night was spent in prayer for his own soul's health, and the conversion of sinners, especially his family. Nor did he pray in vain. In 1843, one son and two daughters professed to know "the grace of God in truth," and became members of the society; two of whom subsequently were put on the local preachers' plan.

In 1841, our departed brother took a leading part in raising a society at Whitworth, between Durham and Bishop Auckland, where there is now an improving interest. About this time he also commenced a school for the aiding of candidates for local preachership, which was a means of good in several cases. He took, as was meet and right, special interest in the welfare of his own children; supplying them with suitable books for their mental and spiritual improvement, etc. And great was his joy to see most of them anxious to profit by their advantages, and become useful in their generation.

In 1850, our brother came to reside at Winlaton, where, by his regular attention to the ordinances of God's house, his humble, earnest prayers, his godly counsel and advice, his faithful but kind reproofs, his peaceable and happy temper, and his consistent behaviour in the sight

of his neighbours and work-fellows, he adorned the doctrine of Christ, and was a blessing to many. About ten days before his death, while still able to attend to the duties of his calling and the means of grace, he had a presentiment of that solemn, but to him unappalling, event, as very near; which he expressed to one of his beloved class-mates, whose spiritual attentions he was anxious to be favoured with in his last affliction; which desire was granted. Two days after thus speaking to his friend, Stephen Lee, Richard was seized with apoplexy; but retained the use of his senses and faculties till nearly his "expiring breath," and so was enabled to witness a good confession in the presence of his friends and family. He expressed, on several occasions, strong faith in Christ, a lively hope of immortality, entire resignation to the Divine will, ardent gratitude and praise, and sometimes joy approaching to ecstasy. Even when his memory was almost gone, and a deadly stupor had apparently seized his whole frame, at the hearing of the name of Jesus or the things of eternity, he would wake up and say, if not sing,

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath," etc.

On the day before he departed, he said, with an expressive countenance, to his friend Lee," Dear brother, I hardly know whether I have been in the body or out of the body.'

66

On the 13th of March, 1855, he called his wife and family to his bed-side, laid his hands on them, and solemnly committing them to the God of all grace, charged them to prepare to meet him in heaven; and then said, Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation;" and almost instantly yielded up his spirit to Him who gave and redeemed it. W. DENT.

15. Died on April 9th, 1855, at Rhosymedre, in the Oswestry circuit, EDWARD TUNNA. He was a consistent member of our society sixteen years, during which time he gave many striking proofs of his attachment to the cause of God. His name appeared on our plan twelve months after his conversion to God. As a preacher, he paid little attention to the modern style of sermonizing; yet his labours were highly appreciated by those who heard him. To what extent he was successful in the conversion of souls, I cannot ascertain; but I have good reasons to believe that the seed which he scattered with a trembling hand will bear fruit to the honour and glory of God. In his own locality he was much respected among all classes of the community.

During the sixteen years of his religious career he passed through varieties of fortune; he experienced prosperity and adversity. Many waves of sorrow rolled over his head; but amidst all his trials he was known invariably to cast his care on Him who hath said, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee." I called to visit him the day previous to his death, and on inquiring what were his prospects for heaven, his reply was, "They are light and clear; I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The day on which he died was one of sorrow and lamentation to his relatives and to the church; but of joy and transport to him. He has left a widow and several children to lament their loss. May they be comforted and supported by Him who has promised to be a Father to the fatherless and a Husband to the widow !

JAMES CAUSLAND.

16. Died at Eynesbury, in the Buckden mission, May 3rd, 1855, MARY ROWLETT, aged fifty-eight years. Our departed sister was brought to God through the instru mentality of the Primitive Methodist missionaries, and made a happy partaker of his saving grace. She immediately united with our society, and continued a steadfast and consistent member until the Lord saw good to remove her from the church militant to the church triumphant. She loved God, and took a deep interest in the advancement of his kingdom. Her attendance at the means of grace, when circumstances would allow, was punctual. She was a mother in Israel, a visitor of the sick, a "living epistle, read and known of all men." The affliction which terminated her earthly career was a wasting consumption; her sufferings were very acute, but she bore them with Christian patience and fortitude.

an

The writer visited her several times prior to her death, and found her gradually sinking; but happy in the Lord. I visited her for the last time a few days before she died, and found her very happy, trusting in Christ, and her " chor cast within the veil." In her affliction she was resigned to the will of God, and her end was peace. She died as she lived, a humble and happy follower of our blessed Lord. By her removal the church has lost a faithful member.

JAMES BAINES HORBERRY.

17. Died in the Lord, at Belfast, Ireland, JOHN SAUNDERS, April the 11th, 1855, aged twenty-six. He received his first good through the preaching of the Primitive Methodist missionaries, when seven years of age, and continued a steady

and consistent member till the day of his death. One who knew him from his infancy says, "I always marked his mild disposition. Never did I hear him utter an angry word. Though his journey was somewhat chequered, yet he went calmly on, often rising, as it were, above his sorrows. When called to endure affliction, he held fast his confidence, virtually saying,

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. He informed me, when death was approaching, he should be able to finish his course with joy." I visited him several times during his protracted affliction, and always found him believing on the Saviour; never hearing anything like a doubt of his acceptance with God drop from his lips. When praying with him a few hours previous to his departure, I heard him saying, "Glory! glory to the Lord!" In his death the society at Belfast has lost a steady and consistent member, and his brothers and sisters a wise counsellor; but our loss is his eternal gain. T. KNOX.

18. ELIZABETH, wife of James MITCHELL, of Sowerby Bridge, in Halifax circuit, died in peace, April 9th, 1855, aged thirty-seven years. At an early age

our late sister was sent to a Sabbathschool, where probably she received her first religious impressions. When about seventeen years old, she received the blessing of justification through faith in Jesus Christ, and her youthful zeal for God's glory and the salvation of her fellow-creatures surpassed that of many. After she became a wife and a mother, she was deprived of the privilege of regular attendance at the means of grace; but her strong attachment thereto did not diminish. She loved the habitation of God's house, and from her conversion to her death her connection with the church ⚫ militant was unbroken. Her devotedness

to God, and her calmness of soul amidst the ills of life have left a powerful impression on the minds of surviving members of the church. Her life and conversation bore witness to the truth of Christianity in the neighbourhood where she resided, and of her it may be said, "She, being dead, yet speaketh." Her illness was short, but severe. The week before her death, she followed the remains of her eldest child to the grave. On the Sabbath following, she herself was taken ill; medical aid was immediately called in, and means used to rebuke the disease, but all in vain. Her God had determined otherwise; she expired after about forty-eight hours' illness, leaving a sorrowing husband and three children to lament their loss.

W. BENNETT.

19. DINAH LEE, the affectionate wife of John Lee, was born at Ogborne St. George, Marlborough branch, March 18th, 1833. From a very early age she was the subject of Divine illumination. While she was but a child she was sent to our Sabbath-school at Marlborough, and was very attentive to her teachers, who seldom had occasion to reprove her.

In the seventeenth year of her age she heard brother H. Platt preach a sermon, which led her to seek the Saviour's pardoning mercy, which she obtained by faith in him. She became a member of our society at Ogborne, and for some time she was very devout and zealous, but by yielding to the temptations of Satan, and the allurements of the world, she grieved the Holy Spirit of God, lost her confidence, and was very unhappy. In 1853 she was restored to God's favour, joined society again, and was a steady, consistent member till she was called to the "rest which remaineth for the people of God" April 18th, 1855.

During twelve weeks' affliction, which was very severe, she was very powerfully tempted by the enemy, but she ultimately triumphed through the blood of the Lamb.

For some days before her departure she would at times exclaim, "Glory! glory! glory! Blessed Jesus, how good thou art to me!"' Just before she died, being asked by her pious father and brother the state of her mind, and what were her prospects for the future, she replied, "Ready to go." The last words she was heard to speak were, "Happy now! happy now!" She has left a husband and one child to lament their loss, which we believe to be her infinite gain.

JOSEPH CAUser.

20. MRS. NANNY BERRY was a native of Oldham. Her early years were not remarkable for attention to the concerns of her soul. A daughter, at the age of twenty-two years being burnt to death, led her to attend our chapel, and, under the ministry of brother Sampson Turner, she was awakened to a knowledge of her lost condition. She did not obtain deliverance for about three months, when her anguish became such as to incapacitate her for properly following her domestic duties. While waiting upon God in secret prayer, she was disburdened of her load of guilt. Then she came to her husband, saying, "I can now prepare the dinner, for God has pardoned my sins."

Thenceforward she was incorporated with our society in Oldham. Her demeanor in the church, as well as in the family, was modest, retiring, and un