to his removal to Bury, in Lancashire, where he became connected with our church-enjoying the means of grace -and was favoured with the intelligent and heart-stirring ministry of the Rev. William Driver. For some time our young friend gave promise of well-doing; but, unhappily, a circumstance occurred which led him to neglect the means of grace, and, as we might expect, he again relapsed into the world.

In a few years Mr. Edwards left Bury, and visited Manchester, Birmingham, and several other places in search of employment. After many wanderings, he settled in Manchester, and for a while sought happiness from worldly sources. About this time he married, and became comfortably settled, so far as worldly circumstances went; but still he was not happy-his conscience told him that he was not happy-his conscience told him that he was a deserter from the Lord's service, and that there could be no peace for him till he returned to his duty. About this time he had a dream, and to use his own expression, 66 not that I have much confidence in dreams, but this was a peculiar one, and impressed my mind so forcibly, that it made me tremble. I dreamed that as I was crossing a field, I met a man clothed in white raiment, sitting on a white horse. He asked me where I was going. I told him, 'To a place of happiness.' He replied, "This is the road to misery. Return,' said he,' and go in the path that leads to eternal life.' But I made excuse, and said,

I have done no one any harm,' and journeyed on. I met another man sitting on a grey borse; he accosted me as before, and I gave the same reply. I met a third man sitting on a red horse; he also warned me of my danger, but I went on. I had not proceeded far, before I was joined by a man sitting on a black horse, who told me that I was in the right way to happiness, and he accompanied me until we came to the end of a field, when the earth opened, and there appeared a monster ready to swallow me up. I cried for help, and just as I was ready to perish, the man I saw first, on the white horse, came and rescued me from my peril. I awoke, and while I felt glad it was only a dream, still it left an impression that led me at once, by God's help, to decide my course.

"I and my wife had become ac

quainted with a pious family, who had a Methodist class-meeting in their house, to which we were invited. We gladly embraced the invitation, became members of the church, and I trust were made new creatures in Christ Jesus." From this time Mr. Edwards continued faithful until the day of his death, a period of thirty years. After this restoration, he joined David Street Wesleyan Sunday-school, where he laboured diligently for many years.

There is one fact connected with our brother's labours in the school worthy of note. There was a youth very wayward and wicked, and the teachers could do no good with him; the result was, at a teachers' meeting, with the exception of Mr. Edwards, the conclusion was unanimous to turn the boy out of the school. Mr. Edwards then begged the conductors and teachers to transfer him to his class. This was cheerfully agreed to. Mr. Edwards made this lad the object of his special solicitude, addressed him privately, prayed with him, and treated him with kindness and confidence. Under this generous treatment the lad's obstinacy yielded, and he soon developed an improved character. Some time after, he went to sea, when Mr. Edwards took the opportunity to present him with a Bible, to give him wise and affectionate counsel, and to commend him to God in earnest prayer.

Mr. Edwards was called to Eccles in the year 1832, and a few years after he went on a visit to Liverpool. He stood on St. George's Pier, looking at the vessels, and among the rest he saw a large ship, anchored near the middle of the river, and he saw a young man go and say something to the captain, and afterwards this young man let down the boat, and rowed it to the pier; he then fastened it, descended the steps, ran to Mr. Edwards, and embraced him. Mr. Edwards was startled; he thought surely the man was insane, or had mistaken him for some other person. He laboured to escape the man's grasp, but the honest "tar" maintained his hold. He said, "Don't you know me?" Mr. E. replied in the negative. "What! don't you know Jack Southern, that wicked lad who was going to be turned out of David Street Sunday-school, and you begged him into your class ?" Tears chased down his weather-beaten cheeks, as he added, "And don't you remember giving me a Bible when I went to sea?

Oh, sir, when far away from home, tossed on the tempestuous ocean, and death often looked me in the face, I thought of my teacher and school. I then got my Bible and read it, and prayed over it; and that precious Bible, with the blessing of God, was the means of the conversion of my soul. I could not forbear coming to speak with you." In the most affectionate manner, this hardy and grateful seaman took leave of his old teacher, expressing a fervent wish and prayer that God would continue to bless him in his work and labour of love. Jack Southern then returned to his ship, accompanied by the earnest prayer of his old teacher and friend that he might be preserved, and be made a blessing wherever he went.

When Mr. Edwards removed to Eccles, he joined the Wesleyan Methodists, and continued to labour with them for some time, both as Sunday-school teacher and leader. Reasons satisfactory to his own mind led him to leave that body, and again to unite himself with our Connexion, where he continued till his death -a period of twenty years. During that time he laboured with diligence, fidelity, and success, in the several offices of teacher or conductor in the school, class leader, and local preacher. Mr. Edwards was a man of power, in himself; this was felt in his family, in the school, in the church, and wherever he moved. It did not, however, arise from anything like forbidding sternness, but from a manly bearing and an intelligent piety, which developed itself especially in his great fidelity in reproving sin, and the very ingenious and successful manner in which he often did it; also, his solicitude and diligent labours for the right training of young people, that they might become useful members of the church. It may indeed be said, in the morning he sowed his seed, and in the evening he withheld not his hand. He endeavoured to do good as God gave him opportunity. There are many who are now actively employed in the church who recognize him as their spiritual father in Christ Jesus. As an example of his solicitude for young people, and the ingenious manner in which he could administer reproof when needed, the following case will show:- A young man who has for many years been a member of Mr. E.'s family, was a scholar in the school, and getting up towards a

young man, a circumstance occurred, trivial in itself, of which, he remarks, "I took offence, and absented myself for several weeks, and resolved not to go again. I began to seek pleasure in other company, and to spend the Sabbath in rambling abroad. One

Sunday afternoon I was returning from the river side, when I met Mr. Edwards coming from school, and on his way home. When we met each other he put his hand on my shoulder, looking satisfactorily at me, and said, 'John, if thy conscience does not condemn thee, neither will I,' and then passed on. The reproof fell on my conscience like a thunder-bolt, and followed me all the week. I resolved to begin again, and the next Sabbath found me at the school again. From that time I continued, for many years, trying to be useful and to serve my generation, until I was removed from Eccles to another part of the country, and where I trust I am still pursuing the same course, and labouring to follow those who through faith and patience are now inheriting the promises." This is another instance from a multitude in which Mr. Edwards tenderly but pointedly rebuked sin, and sought to recover the wanderer.

For the last few years, our friend had not been so active as formerly. This arose both from family and personal affliction. His dear wife, who had so long shared his joys and his sorrows, was taken seriously ill, and lost her sight. This was a sore afflic tion. He now considered it his duty to remain at home as much as possible, to read and explain the Scriptures to his blind wife, and thus endeavour to soothe her mind, and help her to carry her burden, and especially as she was then unable to get to the house of God. Some time after this, he was afflicted with a bad leg, which necessitated his taking as much rest as possible: without this he could not have performed daily labour.

Though unable, in his latter days, to take an active part in the school and in the church, still his heart was with them, and it gave him supreme pleasure to hear of their welfare. Occasionally he visited them, and very often, when at home, poured out his soul in earnest prayer for their peace and prosperity. About a fortnight before he died, he attended the quarterly visitation, and renewed his ticket of membership, from the Rev.

S. Meldrum. At that meeting he expressed the great pleasure he felt in the service of Christ, and that he intended, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to continue faithful unto the end. A few days before his death he was very unwell, and seemed to have a premonition that his end was drawing nigh, and in the language of holy triumph, he said to his wife, "Oh! if this be death, I shall soon be with the King of glory." Little, however, did he think that the consummation of his happiness was so near. In a day or two after he fell down while at his labour, and died. Truly,

"He ceased at once to work and live." Such a sudden removal was alarming to his family and friends, but very merciful and welcome to himself. It was like a translation. He passed from his humble work-place to the palace of the celestial King. He is now "before the throne." Let us follow him as he followed Christ. Does not his death loudly proclaim to all, "Therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh?" Our departed brother's death was improved in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Eccles, November 4th, by the Rev. John Addyman, when the substance of the above memoir was read, drawn up by a member of the family. He died in July, 1860, aged 57 years.

JOHN BEARDER

WAS born at Sutton, in Derbyshire, in the year 1772. While he was an infant, his parents removed to the Low Moor, near Bradford, where he spent the early part of his life. While young, he married Hannah Harrison, by whom he had a numerous family, most of whom survive him. His heart, up to the period of matured manhood, remained estranged from God. His mode of labour had led him to remove from Low Moor to Bowline, and here it was that the grace which bringeth salvation appeared to him and led him to God. In the year 1815, the work of God among the Methodists became remarkably powerful in Bradford and the neighbourhood. Some hundreds were saved, among whom was John Bearder. He was then residing at Dudley Hill, At that period, the Wesleyan places of worship were few and distant, compared with what they now are. Kirkgate in Bradford, Westgate Hill, and

Pudsey were the nearest, and they were in three circuits. In those days the Word of God was precious, and by John Bearder and his companions, a few miles, even after a hard day's work, were walked with cheerfulness, to hear and feel its precious truths. Brother Bearder had been put to work very young, and had grown up utterly destitute of education. While living after the course of this world, that gave him no concern; but when quickened by the Spirit of God, he deeply felt his loss. The remedy, however, was within his reach, and he eagerly grasped it. A fellowworkman, named Marsden, kindly gave him lessons in reading, and though then about forty years of age, he, by great diligence, so far became proficient, that he could read the Book of God with comfort and edification. His library, it is true, was very limited, but it was very suitable. The books he prized and read most were Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Baxter's "Saints' Rest," the Wesleyan HymnBook, and the Bible. Feeling the power of religion, he yearned for the souls of his unsaved neighbours; and, for their good, his house was opened for prayer and preaching, and a Methodist class was commenced in it, which has continued now about forty years. Hundreds of the children and ministers of God have been his guests, and partaken of the hospitalities of his table. About the year 1830 his children became motherless and he a widower. To both him and them this was a heavy stroke. Mrs. Bearder was the mother of a numerous family, but, considering her humble means, was a woman of great benevolence. She was, indeed, a beautiful illustration of that Scripture, "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth." Brother Bearder married a second time. His wife bore to him two children, and she and hers survive him. About the year 1850, he became so lame in his foot as to compel him to retire from his employment at the Bowline Iron Works, where he had laboured nearly forty years. The disease in his foot proved to be cancer, and became so bad as to compel the amputation of the limb just above the knee, in the 72nd year of his age. During the remainder of his life, he was mainly confined to his dwelling; and he now felt the higher advantages of experimental religion, and the sweets of Christian fellowship. The weekly class-meeting in his house was hailed

by him with a joyous welcome, and the humble attainments he had made in reading were now a great advantage. The four books I have named were his daily companions, and were not merely the means of relieving the tediousness of his confinement, but of quickening his heart in the things of God. His last affliction was not without its severe mental conflicts; but he finished more than a conqueror. Part of his triumphant language, when near the close, was

"My God is reconciled;

His pard'ning voice I hear," &c. He fell asleep in Jesus, Lord's-day, March 17th, 1861, aged 79 years.

JOHN NELSON.

MRS. CHARLOTTE LOWE, OF Leek, Staffordshire, departed this life Oct. 27, 1861. From early youth our late sister's deportment had been morally correct, but without any decided religious principle. She attended the Wesleyan Sunday-school at Old Brunswick, in this town, and received from her superintendent, Mrs. James Wardle, a testimonial for good conduct and regularity. Though several times the subject of deep religious impressions, it was not until the spring of the present year that she became a member of any Christian Church. She was led to decision by the conversation and prayers of her husband in the family, and on the 30th of April last joined our society, commencing to meet in class under Brother James Smith. At the first class-meeting she attended she earnestly sought, and found, the pearl of great price-the pardon of her sins-and went home rejoicing in the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Her leader says:-" During the term of her membership she was pretty regular in attendance to her class, and other means of grace, as far as protracted affliction and other circumstances would allow. The last time she attended class was on the 3r of September. In expressing the state of her mind, she said she believed the affliction of her family was sent from God for some wise end. She appeared to be fully resigned to the will of God,

little thinking that the rest of her family would live, and herself fall a prey to death. As she left the meeting her cup ran over; her heart was full of the love of God, and she preached Christ all the way home to two other members of the class, several times shouting, "Praise the Lord!" In the midst of depressing temporal circumstances, she was frequently heard to express her unshaken confidence in a gracious Providence. Under the long and trying affliction of first one and then another of her children, her own health gave way, and she fell a victim to the brain fever. Her illness was brief, but her sufferings were very severe, and of such a nature as to preclude the possibility of converse with her friends. Just before she departed, she was asked. "Do you feel that you love the Lord?" Not being able to speak, she raised her hand in token of her love to the Saviour and confidence in God, and soon after passed away.

Her death was improved by the writer, to a densely crowded congregation, on Sunday, December 15, from Luke xii. 35-38. It pleased the Lord to save souls. J. C.

Leek, December, 1861.

OUR readers are aware that what is deemed to be "an outrage on the British Flag" has been committed by a naval officer of the United States, and that satisfaction is demanded by the English Government. We are thus in danger of a war with the United States. War, of every kind, is a dire calamity; but a war between England and America is a thing most horrible to contemplate. Here are two great nations, allied by blood, commerce, religion, and a thousand reciprocal interests-shall these go to war with each other? They have for a century been united in missions of Christian philanthropy-shall these now engage in the horrid work of mutual slaughter? They have combined their treasures and their influence in spreading that blessed book among the heathen which teaches men to love their enemies, and which exemplifies the precept by the Redeemer praying for his murderers in the very agonies of death. Have they then learned no more from

NONE BUT THEE.

their benign religion than to settle an affair of honour by cutting each other's throats? Oh, what a spectacle would this be for heathens, Mohammedans, and infidels to gaze at! What a dishononr to our religion! What a gratification and triumph to the adversary of souls! Ye men of God, of all creeds, help, help, in this evil day! Let us hasten to our closets, humble ourselves deeply before the Most High God, and cry unto him with all our hearts, that he may avert the impending evil. Let us pray for our American brethren as well as ourselves. Suppose a vain and thoughtless man has, in an evil hour, done us wrong, yet let us not avenge it by wholesale destruction, but avenge it by the fervour of prayer, by tears of compassion, and by deeds of love. Let us not forget the precept of Him who says

"Recompense to no man evil for evil, but overcome evil with good." This is our religion, but war and murder are from beneath.

"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee"-PSALM 1xxiii. 25.

LORD of earth, thy forming hand
Well this beauteous frame hath planned;
Woods that wave, and hills that tower,
Ocean rolling in his power;
All that strikes the eye unsought,
All that charms the lonely thought;
Friendship-gem transcending price;
Love, a flower from Paradise:
Yet amidst this scene so fair,
Should I cease thy smile to share,
What were all its joys to me?
Whom have I on earth but thee?
Lord of heaven, beyond our sight
Rolls a world of purer light;
There, in love's unclouded reign,
Parted hands shall clasp again;
Martyrs there, and prophets high,
Blaze a glorious company;
While immortal music rings
From unnumbered seraph strings:
Oh! that world is passing fair;
Yet if thou wert absent there,
What were all its jovs to me?
Whom have I in heaven but thee?
Lord of earth and heaven, my breast
Seeks in thee its only rest.

I was lost: thy accents mild
Homeward lured thy wandering child.
I was blind; thy healing ray
Charmed the long eclipse away.
Source of every joy I know,
Solace of my every woe.
Oh! if once thy smile divine
Ceased upon my soul to shine,
What were earth or heaven to me?
Whom have I in each but thee?

IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST.

ALL'S for the best; be sanguine and cheerful,
Trouble and Sorrow are friends in disguise;
Nothing but Folly goes faithless and fearful;
Courage for ever is happy and wise.

All for the best, if a man would but know it;
Providence wishes us all to be blest:
This is no dream of the pundit or poet,
Heaven is gracious, and-All's for the best.

All's for the best; then fling away terrors;
Meet all your fears and your foes in the van;
And in the midst of your dangers or errors
Trust like a child, while you strive like a man.
All's for the best; unbiassed, unbounded,

Providence reigns from the east to the west; And, by both wisdom and mercy surrounded, Hope, and be happy, that All's for the best.

THE WAYS OF HEAVEN. SECRET are the ways of Heaven, Yet to some great end they tend: Often some affliction given,

Proves a blessing in the end; Let no vain impatient gesture Question the diviner will, But in Faith's immortal vesture, Wait thy mission and be still. That which is the deepest sorrow, Often proves the inmost good; They who build upon to-morrow, Build on ground not understood. Lose not, then, thy trust in Heaven, Take its counsels like a friend; Often some affliction given, Proves affection in the end!