tended the services, and we believe good was done.

On the Monday following a teameeting was held, when at four o'clock the children were treated with

missionary), Mr. J. Cornley (Primitive), and Mr. W. Ricketts, superintendent of the school. The recitations by the scholars reflected credit on the teachers, and the friends

wish to express our gratitude to God and thanks to all the kind friends who have assisted us, and we pray that this school may prove a blessing to the neighbourhood, and a nursery to the church of God.

E. HANCOCK.

1. Died at Springthorpe, in the Gainsborough branch of Scotter circuit, July 20th, 1857, CHRISTOPHER SLIGHT, in the twenty-second year of his age. Brother Slight's conversion was the fruit of Primitive Methodistic labours; he joined the society at Springthorpe about two years ago, and has, since that time, been very regular in his attendance at the means of grace. He was active and efficient in the prayer-meetings, and at his class-meetings always spoke of his confidence in the Saviour and his assured acceptance with God. Often did he express his ardent love to the souls of men, and his desire for the revival of the work of the Lord. On Monday, July 13th, he attended a prayer-meeting for the last time, and was remarkably led out in prayer and praise, exclaiming frequently, "Glory be to God! glory be to God! Thou savest me now! thou savest me now! I feel thou dost, I feel thou dost! I am thine, I feel I am; glory, glory!" The next day he was taken ill with a violent pain in his chest, which was succeeded by inflammation. Until

the Monday following he continued to suffer much. His leader, on visiting him, found him in a happy state of mind, anticipating his dissolution, and arranging for his funeral with the greatest composure. Within about two hours of his death, when the outer world was receding, and sight and speech had ceased their functions, he recognized the voice of prayer, and indicated his interest in this beloved exercise, and the presence of his Saviour, by the quivering of his lips and the glowing expression of his irradiated counte

2. Died at Middlewich, in the Sandbach circuit, Mr. SAMUEL BURGESS, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. He and his wife became members of our Connexion about thirty-three years ago. His youthful days were spent in sin and folly; but in the midst of his wild career he had a remarkable dream, which induced him to attend the ministry of the Primitive Methodists. His convictions increased, and at the close of a love-feast his soul was set at liberty. He joined the afternoon class, of which he continued a steady member to the day of his death. He thought highly of his class-meeting, and never was known to be wilfully absent. His confidence was strong in God. He was remarkably even in his carriage, steady in his deportment, honest in all his dealings, diligent in his attendance on the means of grace, and, according to his means, liberal to the cause of God. He was a kind husband, tender father, and a faithful servant. All who knew him acknowledged him to be a Christian. On Friday, August 7th, 1857, he left home well, as usual; but while at work he fell, and suddenly expired. By his death the church has lost a valuable member, his widow a loving husband, and their six children an affectionate father. May they be induced to tread in his steps. He lived well, and is now at rest. JOHN GRAHAM.

3. CHARLES ELSWORTH, the son of John and Dinah Elsworth, of Spofforth, in the Knaresborough branch of Ripon circuit, was born in the month of September, 1820. Being favoured with pious parents, and naturally of a quiet and modest disposition, he was preserved from gross sinfulness during his youth. His conduct towards his parents and others was usually dutiful and kind. Although early favoured with religious instruction, he remained a stranger to a Divine change until he attained the seventeenth year of his age, when he was converted to God in connection with a gracious revival among our people in his native village. From that time he held on his way towards heaven, evincing to the world the genuineness of his religion by his circumspect and Christian deportment. His diffidence was such as to make him shrink from any official post in the church; but when chosen to the office of class-leader, he took up his cross, and endeavoured acceptably to discharge his duties. As a son, a husband, a father, and a neighbour, the law of kindness dwelt in his heart and ruled his life. The affliction which terminated his earthly existence was short and painful; but he bore it with much patience and fortitude, not a murmuring word ever being heard to escape from his lips. The Lord sustained and comforted him in his last conflict. He called his father, mother, his wife, and children around his bed to bid them an affectionate adieu, and, commending them to God, he died in peace, August 2nd, 1857, aged thirty-six years.

GEORGE NORMANDALE.

4. Died at Emley, in the Barnsley circuit, aged twenty-six years, ELIZABETH, the wife of Adam TURNER. From her childhood she was religiously disposed, and evidenced that disposition by uniting with the people of God in the fourteenth year of her age, and continued a consistent member of our society until death removed her from the church below to the church above. The way of piety having become her choice, she had to meet with much opposition from her family connections; but could say, "None of these things move me:" and she was enabled, through grace, to hold fast her profession. She loved the cause of God, and any department thereof to which she could render assistance she cheerfully gave her aid. She was a teacher in the Sabbathschool, a missionary collector, and contributed of her substance for the comfort and support of the ministers of the gospel, to whom she was greatly attached; yea, she was always willing to do her part for the prosperity of Zion. She loved the ordinances of religion, and when she had

an opportunity, was generally found in her place, especially at her class, which she seldom missed, except through affliction. If, however, she was prevented, she endeavoured to obtain spiritual refreshment by reading the Bible, or our Magazines, in which she took great delight. On January 1st, 1850, she entered the marriage state with him who, with two children, is left to lament his loss. She was a loving, industrious, and careful wife. After the birth of her first child she was the subject of much affliction, which limited her efforts in domestic affairs. Consumption, which had lingered in her system for years, appeared to be completing its work. She bore her sufferings with much patience and holy resignation to her heavenly Father's will. Her hearty responses to the prayers of the friends who visited her told of the interest she felt in God, and certainly it was good to be in her presence. While in conversation with her husband, on the subject of her recovery, she said, "I have no anxiety in the matter; I am willing either to die or live; but I think I shall not be of much use if I am raised up." To a friend, a few days before her death, she spoke freely on the state of her mind and prospects; then added, "I know that if my earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, I have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." On July 21st she gave birth to a lifeless child, and on August 10th her spirit took its flight to the better land. In her last moments there was not that ecstasy of joy which some have manifested, but there was a settled peace and firm trust in God. Her sun set before it was noon, but it has risen in a cloudless clime, to go down no more. May the reader and writer be found ready for their change when called by the great Master to their final account.

WILLIAM LUDDINGTON.

5. Died at Longbridge Deverill, in the Frome circuit, August 12th, 1857, HENRY PITMAN, aged eighty-four years. When the Primitive Methodist missionaries visited the place where our departed brother resided, he was induced to attend their ministry, and he received great spiritual good from their labours. In February, 1825, he united himself to the infant society at Longbridge Deverill, and gave evidence of a Divine change wrought in his heart by the Holy Spirit, through the death of Jesus Christ. was regular at the means of grace as long as health would permit. This attendance on the public services of God's house was not a matter of form with him; he went to worship God. Hence he experienced

He

the Divine presence, and felt great pleasure in the sanctuary. For the last two years of his life he was heavily afflicted, which, together with the infirmities of old age, rendered him unable to leave his dwelling. He could not remove from one room to another, nor get from his chair, without assistance. This affliction, however, he bore with resignation to the Divine will, and would often say, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." As his end drew near, the enemy of souls was permitted to attack him with great force; but he was not confounded. Resting on Christ Jesus, he knew all would be well. At length the victory was gained, and on the day above named this aged Christian left the scene of conflict on earth to join the glorified spirits in heaven, after being a consistent member of society for thirtytwo years. JOHN BUTCHER.

6. Died, in the full assurance of a happy immortality, at Hovingham, Malton circuit, JANE, the wife of Thomas SMITH, August 31st, 1857, aged forty-three years. Twenty-three years she has been a consistent Christian and an approved member with us. For the last three years her lot has been one of suffering; and during the twenty-five weeks that preceded her death she was severely afflicted. Happily grace reigned in her life, her sufferings, and her death. She had long learned to say, "Thy will be done;" she could say so in her greatest sufferings. Her hope was always a strong anchor; her peace was a wellspring of comfort; her joy was at times rapturous. Her end was glorious. For many years her house was a home for the servants of Christ, and it was her delight to minister to them. The Master has now taken her to his house in the skies. R. TANFIELD.

7. On Lord's day, September 13th, 1857, a funeral sermon on the death of the late WILLIAM CARTER, twenty-four years a member of society, was preached in our Blackburn Chapel to a large and deeply impressed congregation. In the prayer-meeting immediately following, seven souls were brought into the enjoyment of salvation. When young, William was deprived of his father, and left to the care of his widowed mother, who was a stranger to vital godliness; no religious direction was given to his mind in early life.

At the age of seventeen, he entered the army, in which he continued for eighteen years. By good conduct, and neatness in his personal habits, he gained the approbation of his superiors, and was eventually raised to the rank of lancesergeant. On his discharge, he settled at

Blackburn, his native town, and was generally respected for his steady deportment; but he lived without any apprehensions about his future state. His brother Richard, at that time in the ardour of his first love, came from a neighbouring village to see him, and ascertaining that he was attending an Odd Fellows' meeting, and fearing the consequences of such association, he left the following message, "Tell my brother, if he won't go to heaven with me, I won't go to hell with him." This quite disturbed the peace which his self-righteousness had induced, and excited his surprise that it should be thought that a sober, honest man as he was should be regarded as on the way to hell. However, with the Divine blessing, this effort contributed towards leading him to Jesus. Shortly after his conversion, he was appointed assistant-leader to a class, and in this position, and in many other respects, he was a useful and highly respected member. During the last eleven years of his life, he was much afflicted with asthma, which gradually prevented him from attending the public means. His sufferings were occasionally severe, but he was perfectly resigned to the appointment of Divine Providence. In the intervals of severe paroxysms he resignedly repeated,

"Shall I be carried to the skies,

On flow'ry beds of ease?" etc. And then again, as if lifted above suffering, in moments of sweet and intimate communion with God, he exclaimed,

"Labour is rest, and pain is sweet,

If thou, my God, art here." With soldier-like regularity, he kept up the duties of domestic religion in the midst of all his affliction. No day passed away on which the saerifice was not laid on the family altar. On the night before his death, apprehensive of the near approach of the solemn event, he was overheard incessantly breathing out his soul in fervent prayer thus, "Sanctify me, sanctify me," etc. He died Tuesday, August 11th, 1857.

JAMES MACPHERSON.

8. Died at Wootton, Barton circuit, Lincolnshire, September 2, 1857, MISS SARAH COOPER, aged eighteen years. From a child, she was remarkable for her amiable and obliging disposition. About three years ago, she was made the subject of saving grace, and joined our society. She adorned her profession by an unblemished character, and was very active as a teacher in the Sabbath-school. The affliction which terminated her earthly existence was consumption. It was protracted, but she calmly anticipated the

result. The last time she attempted to write, she copied the following lines:

"It is not so hard to die as I believed it to be; The preparation is the difficulty;

I bless God I have had time for that;
The rest is worse to beholders than to me;
I am all blessed hope, hope itself.'
She looked what she said."

A few days before she died, the girls of her class, in our Sunday-school, visited her. The scene was interesting; before they left her room, she desired them to sing her favourite hymn,

"We sing of the realms of the blest,

Of that country so bright and so fair, And oft are its glories confess'd,

But what must it be to be there," etc.

During the whole of her affliction, her mind was kept in great peace, and she doubted not in reference to her eternal safety. Often did she say to her dear mother, "Do not weep, I am only going a little while before." Her spirit took its flight as she lay in her mother's arms, and she entered into that rest which is perfect and eternal. May the bereaved parents meet their beloved ones in heaven. Amen. ROBERT LANGHAM.

9. Mrs. RACHEL HARGRAVES died at North Cave, September 13th, 1857, aged thirty-seven. Six years ago, she was converted to God under our ministry, and at once joined our society at North Cave. For some time after her conversion she made but little progress in the divine life. Sin, though subdued, was not wholly destroyed; roots of bitterness sprang up and troubled her. A heavy affliction, however, was sanctified to her good, and she was led to seek a full salvation, and obtained it to the joy of her soul; thenceforward, she reckoned herself dead unto sin, and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ. She was a woman of a good understanding, great watchfulness, deep humility, unaffected benevolence, and sound piety. Her last affliction was consumption, but as her body decayed, her soul was renewed day by day. Brother Smith, one of the leaders, says, "I have visited her scores of times. I never heard her speak an improper word. She manifested piety of an elevated character. She was often severely tempted by the great adversary, but by the power of faith she routed the foe. After one of those severe conflicts, she shouted, "Glory! glory! glory!" until her neighbours gathered round the house, wondering what was the matter. When I

last saw her, she said, "I am unspeakably happy," and when she got so weak that she could not clasp her own hands, she requested her nurse to put them together, saying, "I want to pray." Her leaders

visited her a few hours before she died, and found her happy. She exclaimed, "How beautiful is this room; it is so light and glorious." She continued in this happy state while living; and now she dwells in the presence of God, where there is fulness of joy, and at his right hand, where there are pleasures for ever

more.

HENRY WOODCOCK.

10. Mrs. HANNAH JENKINSON, who was the daughter of Richard and Mary Marginson, died at Beverley, in Hull first circuit, September 15th, 1857, in the sixty-seventh year of her age. She was born at Catwick, in the East Riding of the county of York; when a girl, she removed to Hull, and attended various places of worship, but could find no rest to her soul. For years she endured the pangs of conviction, and was impressed with the warnings of an awakened conscience. About the year 1836 she began to attend our ministry at Beverley, and, through the instrumentality of brother W. Harland, found redemption in the blood of Christ. She united with our society, and became a member of her husband's class. From that time she maintained a consistent Christian profession, and, while health permitted, was a regular attendant at the means of grace. During the last years of her life her hearing was greatly impaired, and at times she could scarcely understand what the preachers said; yet she continued to honour God's house and encourage his servants by her presence. For many years the ministers of Christ found a home in her dwelling, and many of our preachers, both young and old, cherish grateful recollections of her kindness. About twelve months ago symptoms of approaching dissolution began to manifest themselves. Her seat in the house of God was often vacant; but when deprived of the public means of grace, she had recourse to the word of God, and found it a storehouse of comfort to her soul." She read it," her husband says, "for hours together." She was confined to her bed seven days. Brother Rudd, myself, and others visited her, and found her happy in Christ. Her deafness prevented our having long conversations with her, and hence I interrogated her as follows "Are you happy in Christ?" She answered, Yes." "Do you feel Christ has saved you from all sin?" "Bless him, I do." "You have no doubt that in a short time you will be with Christ in heaven?" Here her dim eye brightened, and she said emphatically, "Praise the Lord, I have no doubt of

that." She lingered a few days, and then died in peace.

"A mother in Israel is gone

To her glorious abode in the skies."

From the class in which Mrs. Jenkinson met, were removed to the region of happy spirits her sister, Mrs. Mary Taylor, and her daughter, Mrs. Mary Roxby, some time before Mrs. Jenkinson's death; but although parted for a season, we doubt not, from their truly pious character, they have now entered upon an eternity of bliss, where holy, kindred souls will be severed no more for ever.

HENRY WOODCOCK.

"Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth,"

11. By the sudden death of our dear sister GRACE PHARE, who on September 12th was in Plymouth Market, but on the evening of the 13th was a corpse, we are impressively taught the need of strict attention to the above gracious admonition. While we sorrow for her not as those without hope, we believe she is among those whom God will bring with him. After convictions, repentings, and backslidings, she found peace while attending a service conducted by brother Badcock; and she joined brother Guest's class, February 10th, 1856, in which, on the Sunday before her death, she spoke of meeting her friends in heaven. We take comfort in the thought that one from our infant church at Plymouth has gone to inherit the joys at God's right hand.

GEORGE MITCHELL.

12. NATHANIEL NEWTON, of Stalybridge, was born July 24th, 1793. He was brought to God in early life, through the instrumentality of the New Connexion Methodists, with whom he was a member for many years. About eleven years ago he joined our society. Amid family trials and much personal affliction," he endured as seeing him who is invisible," and "adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour." Respecting the sustaining power of heartfelt piety, he was wont to make some quaint remarks, as, “If you cannot bring circumstances to your mind, look for grace to bring your mind to circumstances," etc. Brother Holmes, his leader, informs me that towards the last he manifested increasing delight in classmeetings, and that his experience indicated a growing ripeness for heaven. When I came to this station in July last, I found him confined to his house and evidently sinking; but his patience and cheerful resignation to the will of God made visiting him very agreeable. As he became conscious of his approaching end,

he spoke of it with calm satisfaction. To brother Addy he remarked, "Go or stay, live or die, I am ready." I saw him three days before his death, when he said, respecting his prospects, "There's a light in the valley;" and the morning before his departure he gave me the same assurance. After a somewhat eventful life he went to be for ever with the Lord, September 21st, 1857. T. DOODY.

13. SARAH HIGGINBOTTOM, of Stalybridge, departed this life September 24th, 1857, in the eighty-ninth year of her age. Till late in life she worshipped at the Established Church. Nearly three years ago she united with our people. When health permitted she was very regular in her attendance at class, and intimated the last time she came that she believed she should come no more. In about fourteen days after she exchanged mortality for life. Like many who embrace religion in old age, she seldom in her experience got beyond a hope. On my questioning her closely two days before her death, as to the ground of her hope, she said in substance, "Christ is my only hope; I trust in him alone." A few hours before death she said, "Come, Jesus, come; I am ready!" T. DOODY.

14. THOMAS HUMPHRIES died at Beedon, Newbury circuit, September 13th, 1857. He was born at Radley, Birks. For some years he tried to find happiness in the delusive pleasures of the world. At the time of his marriage, although not a decided Christian, the Spirit of God had so enlightened and impressed his mind as to induce him to institute family worship. The advantages of this practice were clearly seen in his case. Divine impressions became deeper, and in the thirtyfifth year of his age he walked a considerable distance to meetings for prayer. Some time after this he gave his heart to God, and opened his house for Divine worship by, the Primitive Methodists. A society was raised at Beedon, with which our departed friend united, and to which he strictly adhered. He loved the cause of God, and was regular in attendance on the means of grace; let who would be absent from the prayer-meetings, or other means, he was there. His position in life was humble, yet he never neglected to pay his class-pence weekly. In his affliction he manifested great patience, and was found, when his change came, resting in Christ. On the day before his death he said, “I shall be in heaven to-morrow!" The following day he fell asleep in Jesus, aged seventy-five years. May his sorrowing family meet him in the realms of bliss. GEORGE FOWLER.