side, and gave them his parting blessing. He fell asleep in Jesus, June 17th, 1855. May we all meet him in heaven, and stand before the throne of God and the Lamb. J. WHITE.

21. GRACE THORNBER was born at Burnley, August 10th, 1821, and died at Burnley-lane, June 14th, 1855. Her parents were illiterate and irreligious, but were wishful to give her a little education. For this purpose she was sent to a week-day school; she also embraced every opportunity to attend a Sabbathschool. Her opportunities, however, were few.

In 1841, she was married to William Hodgon, of whom she was bereft in 1847. This event made a deep impression on her mind, and she resolved to lead a new life. In the same year our people commenced preaching services, and a Sundayschool at Burnley-lane. She began to attend, and was soon converted to God. She immediately became a member of society, and remained such till the day of her death. In 1848 she was married to William Thornber, a local preacher, who now mourns her loss. During the greater part of their union, she was called to pass through much affliction, in the endurance of which she often said, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change comes." She eventually died of consumption, which was attended, during the last twelve months, with great pain. Her religious career was marked by decision, earnestness, and perseverance. During her last days she exhorted her unconverted relatives and neighbours to repent, and meet her in heaven. She prohibited the use of intoxicating drinks at her funeral. She died triumphant in the Lord. W. THORNBER.

22. Died at Chester, Miss MARTHA WILLIAMS. Her father, a local preacher with us, dying when she was very young, her uncle and aunt, Thomas and Mary Price, adopted her, and endeavoured to bring her up in the way she should go, which had a good influence on the whole of her after life. From a child she was of a serious turn of mind, and was converted to God when only ten years of age, under the ministry of Mr. Hugh Bourne, when on a visit to Chester. Under the influence of pious training she progressed in piety, and her temper and disposition were so amiable and kind, she was highly esteemed by all who were acquainted with her.

The following extracts from her diary, written under different dates, during the last year, will show that she endeavoured to cultivate gratitude, trust, and love to God:

"Oh, my gracious Father, under what great obligations am I laid to thee, for all the mercies and favours thou continually

bestowest upon me, thy most unworthy dust! When I meditate on thy goodness, I am lost in wonder, love, and praise.

"Thou makest me to lie down in green pastures; thou leadest me by the still waters, and givest me to see the vanity of all earthly things. To-day I have felt much Divine influence. Oh, my God, give me grace to examine the secret emotions of my heart; that if there be anything lurking there contrary to thy Divine will, I may, through thy all-powerful aid, eradicate it therefrom; and may nothing find admission there but charity and love. And may I ever feel the sweet assurance of thy smile and approbation.

"Oh, how my soul is animated and lifted up with the pleasing anticipation of the near approach of my Lord and Master!

"I am resolved to dedicate myself to thee, oh, God, whilst thou lendest me breath. I will commit all my ways unto thee; thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and lead me in the way everlasting; thou shalt direct all my steps, and choose mine inheritance.

"Oh, the love of Christ, that he should condescend to visit such an unworthy worm as I!

"I feel more joy in communion with Him than in all the pleasures this world can afford, for vanity is stamped on them all.

"I have been much depressed to-day, this poor body being quite borne down with sickness, which made the act of thinking and writing painful. How well to secure our peace with God while in health and strength, while all the faculties of the soul are strong, and the mind unclouded! Experience proves that the hour of affliction is not the best in which to seek the one thing needful."

The next day, being a little better, she said, "While pouring out my supplication at the throne of grace, I felt the benign influence of the love of Christ to overflow my heart. The evidence of my adoption is clear, and the glorious prospect of my inheritance is unclouded."

In November last her uncle died, and her attention to him in his illness was unceasing; and sorrow, the fatigue of watching, and loss of rest told greatly upon her weak frame. From that time she appeared gradually to sink. Her affliction was long, and sometimes painful; but she was never heard to murmur: she bore all with patience and Christian fortitude. I visited her several times, and always found her confidence strong in the Lord, and her prospects of heaven bright. Her leader speaks in the highest terms of her piety and devotedness to God.

As the earthly house of her tabernacle tottered, her prospects of heaven brightened, and she became more and more

anxious to depart and be with Christ. To Mrs. Price she frequently said, "Oh, aunt, how happy I am; and how good the Lord is to me! Oh, how I could sing, if I had strength!" I never saw one more triumphant. On the 16th of June, 1855, she fell asleep in Jesus, in the twentyeighth year of her age. In her death the church has lost a bright ornament, and the world a burning and shining light. May her friends, the reader, and the writer meet her in heaven!

AMBROSE KIRKLAND.

23. WILLIAM YOUNG, late of Richardson's Stead, in the Berwick-upon-Tweed circuit, was favoured with religious parents, who endeavoured to bring up their children in the fear of God. William, however, was very trifling in early life; but principles were implanted which had an important influence on his general conduct, and on his religious character in after-life. When he became a subject of saving grace I have not ascertained. He and his wife were for several years members of the Secession Church of Scotland, and for a considerable part of the time he sustained the office of an elder. In 1829 the Primitive Methodist ministers missioned Berwick and neighbourhood, and

he derived much benefit from their zealous and pointed preaching. He became a trustee for our chapel in Berwick, and came forward with money in time of need. In the spring of 1839, some of his family having been converted, and joined to our society, he and his wife united with them, and continued steady members and regular supporters to all our funds till removed by death. He was humble, calm, and even. He loved his Bible, reverenced the Sabbath, cultivated a devotional spirit, and loved the habitation of God's house; from which, during sixteen years of fellowship with us, he was rarely absent. He was called in February last to sustain a heavy loss, in the death of his wife, which, with personal bodily affliction, weighed heavily on his spirits. His illness was a complaint of the liver, from which he never recovered. About a month before his death he grew worse, and suffered considerably the remainder of his life; but the Lord sustained him. His experience was more clear, his communion with God more close. The promises of God were his support; these, with portions of our hymns, he occasionally repeated. He breathed his last on Thursday evening, June 21st, 1855, aged sixty-four years. ADAM DODDs.

ON SLEEPING IN JESUS. "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."-THESS. iv. 14.

IT breaketh even now to Faith's purged

eyes,

The dawn of that majestic morn's uprise Over the silence of the waiting skies. Soon the celestial car will be reveal'd, And phalanx bright with blazing sword and shield [ field. Surrounding Him, conqueror in Bozrah's In his long train will come the cov'nant dead, [bed; Awoke to glorious life from sleep's dark And crown'd with living light each new raised head;

And those, the martyr-souls besteep'd in blood,

Who fearless urged them on through fire and flood, [stood.

And torture's rack with brows undaunted Those by the world all pass'd unnoticed by, Who oft to heaven upraised the tear-fill'd

eye

Below, will come shining as noon-day sky. The fair-hair'd babe the mother left to rest With such a throbbing heart, on Death's cold breast

Will come in robe of whiteness drest: