RECENT DEATHS.

JANUARY 27th, 1851, our brother, James Wadsworth, of Leeds, finished his mortal career, aged fifty-nine years. For a number of years he had been a member and a local preacher. Possessing considerable natural powers, strengthened by reading, observation, and study, his pulpit labours were very acceptable to the people. His earthly lot was one of much affliction and tribulation. During most of the past winter he had been confined to his house, and for several weeks to his bed; and though he would have wished for a more sensible manifestation of the Saviour's presence, yet his foundation was that laid in Zion; Christ was his hope, his Saviour, his all and in all. "I would not," he remarked, "part with my interest in Him for a thousand worlds." His remains were followed by a large number of friends to our burial ground at Armley, where they await the resurrection of the just. R. H.

DIED at Hyde, (Ashton-under-Lyne Circuit,) Feb. 2nd, 1851, Miss Sarah Greenhalgh, aged 36 years. She was a worthy and consistent member of our Society for sixteen or seventeen years. The amiability of her character, and her kind and unassuming, yet tenderly affectionate behaviour to all the lovers of our Zion, have endeared her memory to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. About seven years ago she had a severe attack of the rheumatism, and since that period she has been the subject of long and protracted affliction, which, through the assistance of divine grace, she was enabled to bear with exemplary patience. About five or six weeks prior to her death, she was taken considerably worse; so much so that she was confined to her home and couch. It was then evident to her relatives and friends, that the seeds of consumption had taken fast hold of her frail constitution, and very little hope was entertained of her restoration to her aged mother and the church to which she was so fondly attached. But God was with her. He blessed her with grace in proportion to her sufferings, and she could rejoice in hope of realizing those endless pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore. She could sing, and did sing,

"My God thou art mine, what a comfort divine!

What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine!

DIED at Armley, in the Leeds Circuit, Feb. 13th, 1851, our much respected sister, Elizabeth Wainman, aged eightysix years. For the last thirty years she had taken a lively interest in the welfare of our community, and during the greater part of that time had been a member of the Armley Society. From the first she, like Lydia, had given God's servants a cordial welcome to her house, never feeling it a trouble, but a pleasure, even when a widow, to provide for their comfort. Whenever the ministers entered under her roof, they were received with cheerful looks, kind words, and substantial proofs of her generous and Christian affection. For several years prior to her death, she was unable to attend the sanctuary, but was often much refreshed by the class in her own house, and by the visits of her pious friends. Her last illness, which was very short, was borne with much resignation; the grace of God was sufficient; spiritual joy filled her soul, and she departed in the blissful assurance of the rest that remaineth to the people of God. Her remains were interred in the burial ground adjoining the chapel, on Sunday, Feb. 16th, when hundreds testified their respect for her memory by following her to the grave. "The memory of the just is blessed." Hunslet.

REV. W. SALT.

R. H.

Dear Brother,-I write to inform you that our respected minister, the Rev. W. Salt, died this forencon at 11 o'clock. He seemed very much broken when he first came to live amongst us since Con

ference; but we certainly did not expect his departure from our ranks and circles so soon. He died in peace with God and the world of fellow-mortals. Last Sabbath he was at chapel with us, and particularly wished to be there next Sabbath to hear the last of twelve lectures. The subject for remark on Sabbath evening is Heaven, or Man in his

glorified state. What he did not stay to hear of, he has gone to experience. Peace to thy memory, my brother! we hope to meet thee again in the resurrection.

With much respect, I am,
Yours most truly,
H. WATTS.

Stafford, Feb. 22nd, 1851.

THE cheap edition of the Jubilee Volume is now issued, and it is confidently expected that all the sincere friends of the Connexion will exert themselves to promote its circulation. Not only every member, but every seat-holder in the community should possess a copy of this work as a part of his household furniture. The following letters show how highly some friends appreciate the boon now offered, and how cordially they are prepared to co-operate with us in aid of its circulation. Let the excellent suggestions these letters contain be practically carried out. Our Connexion loves the light, because it loves scriptural freedom; then let the beams of truth, which emanate from the Jubilee Volume, be poured forth upon every mind, that our friends may see the scriptural and rational foundation on which our principles are based, and may feel their obligation to pray, labour, and give more abundantly, in order to secure their extension far and wide.

TO THE EDITOR.-Dear Brother, our friends here are delighted with the prospect of receiving the Jubilee Volume next month, and no doubt the same feeling prevails in other parts of the Connexion. The very idea of publishing such a work at One Shilling is admirable, and deserves encouragement. When Brother Bradburn saw the advertisement he said, "That is just the thing we want; put me down for one pound's worth.” What he intends doing with twenty copies I know not; but his generous heart, influenced by a quenchless zeal for the diffusion of those principles which are so admirably

annunciated in the Jubilee Volume, will ensure their circulation in a manner well calculated to promote the object proposed by this edition. And if Mr. Bradburn can take twenty copies, others may take forty or fifty; whilst others, with less ability, but actuated by similar motives, should take ten, or five, or two. I say two, for I should like every friend of the Connexion to circulate at least one copy, and reserve another for himself.

We

I should regard a cheap edition of our Jubilee Volume a desideratum at any time, but especially so in the present state of the religious world. As a body we are not sufficiently known. have lived too much within ourselves. But the time is now come when our excellent principles should be published throughout the length and breadth of the land. We talk of a HOME MISSION, and I trust the project will be carried out with effect. But if we are to mission England, the Jubilee Volume should be got out as a pioneer. Five hundred or a thousand should be sent to Bristol, which is already fixed on as a mission station; and an equal number should go to York and elsewhere. Means should also be devised for supplying the eastern counties, and likewise the south and west, even from London to Truro.

66

But how can this be accomplished? In the immediate vicinity of our own circuits there will be no great difficulty, but I am anxious to have them got into 'regions beyond." This will require generous and hearty co-operation. Let us suppose that in London you have a dozen individuals who have relatives or friends residing at a distance, in places where we have no interest, and perhaps

where the Methodist New Connexion is not known. I would therefore suggest that each of those individuals should send one, two, or three copies of the Jubilee Volume to their friends, with a request that they may be read and circulated as extensively as possible. If they can afford to give them away, all very well; but if not, let them be sold. Other cir

cuits may do the same on a much larger scale, and in this way thousands of our interesting Memorial will find their way into important and wide-spreading districts, where our own community has no existence.

66

This would be like "the voice of one crying in the wilderness," or as good seed cast into the ground, which will spring up and bring forth fruit." I merely throw out these hints, Mr. Editor, hoping that your powerful pen will urge them on the attention of our friends. Your new and cheap edition is intended for the " Million," and every lover of our Zion and friend of the Connexion should come forward and assist you in securing it an extensive circulation.

Relying on their willingness to do so, and believing that we shall all have cause to rejoice in the issue,

I am yours affectionately,
W. BAGGALY.
Birmingham, March 11th, 1851.

March 5th, 1851.

MY DEAR MR. EDITOR,-Right glad am I to learn from the cover of our March magazine, that "the People's edition of the Jubilee Volume" is to be issued on the 25th instant. Will the following suggestions aid its circulation? If so, have the kindness to insert them in your next periodical.

1. Let all who promised contributions, when the subject was first presented to the Connexion, take the value of their subscription in copies of the volume. I will cheerfully adopt your suggestion in this respect, and will thank you to send me volumes to the extent of the promised amount.

2. Let all our ministers employ their utmost exertions to obtain additional subscribers; the amount of subscription to be returned in Jubilee volumes.

3. Let the subject be fully brought before our Sabbath school teachers, its design explained, and its claims enforced; and surely there is not one whose heart beats with love to our community but would sanction the proposal, that at least one hundred copies should be

purchased out of the School Funds in our larger, and fifty or twenty-five copies in our smaller Sabbath schools; these to be sold at a reduced price, or distributed gratuitously to our elder deserving Sabbath scholars who may be too poor to purchase them.

4. Let the work be extensively advertised, at least in the magazine of every branch of the Methodist family.

5. Let copies for sale be placed in the hands of religious booksellers; so that the work may be fully brought before the Christian public.

6. Let all, whatever be their position in the Church, read the book, recommend it, lend it, place it on the tables of Mechanics' Institutions, spread it far and wide, that the principles of the illustrious Kilham, a man every year becoming more illustrious, may be better known, in order to ensure their due appreciation and hearty approval.

7. Let its principles be deeply rooted in the minds of our people; and then, as the result, we may expect stronger Connexional attachment and more abundant exertions to spread our principles and maintain our liberties. May the good hand of God, which so long has led us, guide us in our onward course; may he bless us, and prosper our exertions, and make us a blessing. Yours very truly, X. Y. Z.

MR. WATERHOUSE'S LETTER. MY DEAR SIR,-I know that your heart is made glad by the receipt of any intelligence bearing on the welfare of our Zion, and hence I need not apologize for putting this communication in the shape of a fraternal epistle. It cometh greeting, not to you alone, but to all who may chance to note its con

tents.

It is several years since the proposal was first made, of which our recent effort is the auspicious fulfilment, to reduce the debt on the Ashton chapel. The estate, which is a very valuable one, was not what trustees will interpret by the ominous phrase heavily burdened, but a commendable desire was felt to place the premises in perfectly easy and prosperous circumstances. From various causes, however, that proposal for a long time slumbered and slept. The intention was frustrated, and hope deferred. The two preceding years have witnessed a powerful quickening in the brethren of this Circuit, and, with other gifts, we appear to have been suddenly recruited with our financial strength. Perhaps our means

have accumulated. Perhaps our capabilities are enlarged. Perhaps our hearts have been touched! It is certain our benefactions have multiplied, and we inferthat our liberality has therein abounded more and more. For Sabbath school purposes alone, our Ashton congregation has raised, within a period of thirteen months, no meaner a sum than fire hundred pounds! It has largely aided the necessities of several country chapels, some of which have been settled on new trusts; and one of which has been rescued from serious embarrassment and painful strait. It has not, that I know of, restrained itself from any of the charities to which it has been wont to distribute; and yet, in this same year of grace, when our pecuniary springs might be said to be dried up, it was deliberately discussed and determined, that the debt on Ashton chapel be forthwith reduced by one thousand pounds, the trustees having previously obtained a promise of two hundred and fifty pounds, as the Connexional instalment towards that amount. A noble resolve indeed! But what a retinue of nobler deeds did it promptly enkindle and call forth! An organized canvass of our constituents resulted in the following votes. Let him that readeth understand.

Brought forward 695

Mr. James Saxon
Mr. Samuel Ashton
Mr. Williamson.
Mr. J. Walbrook
Mr. James Stanfield
Mr. Thomas Parry
Mr. William Tipping
Mr. David Andrew
Mr. James Kelsall
Mr. James Ogden
Mr. James Farron
Mr. John Burton.
Mrs. Parry
Mr. John Parry
Mr. S. Buckley
Mr. W. Stanfield

A Friend, per Mr. Joseph
Tipping.

Mr. George Peace
Mr. James Oldham
Mr. J. Heginbottom.
Mr. R. Bardsley.

Mr. Josiah Bardsley.
Mrs. Bardsley

Mr. Higgin

LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Being upwards of twenty pounds more than was asked for, and a few citizens have yet to enrol themselves! thus realizing a handsome surplus, which will be faithfully reserved, and appropriated on behalf of the object for which it was contributed. Now, my dear Brother Cooke, is not this a creditable recordan exemplary specimen of well-doingan honourable memorial of the Circuit whence it emanated, and a matchless "model deed" for the whole Connexion? And then, this work of faith was also a labour of love. The people offered willingly. A few of the more devoted, whose names are in the Book of Life, offered emulously; their godlike aim being to provoke one another to love and to good works. Verily they have their reward. If the heart knoweth its own bitterness it also relishes its own sweets; a stranger intermeddleth not with its joys. It is a delicate point to mention names, but it must not be concealed that to our steadfast fellow-helper, Mr. Joseph Tipping, belongs the palm of praise, and

it is our duty to hold all such in reputation. Honour to whom honour!

May I now crave your further indulgence while I advert to a kindred subject. Sunday, the 10th instant, was the anniversary of the Ashton schools. "That Sabbath day was a high day." Our own ministers officiated, the Rev. B. Turnock in the afternoon, the Rev. W. Mills in the evening. Densely crowded congregations testified to the hallowed interest which these services excited. Yet, what is our hope, and fear, too, on these occasions? Are they not " concerning the collection?" It is impossible to over-estimate the solicitude with which we anticipated the final issue. I can speak for one individual who, smitten by the power of the mighty discourse, resolved that the present gathering should not be exceeded by the past. The collection of 1850 was about ninety pounds, that of 1851 rose to one hundred and one, notwithstanding our impoverished resources! How thankful should we be for the opportunity of doing good! "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest."

I cannot conclude without a reference to the approaching Conference. Excuse me reminding you that our Synod will this year have the honour to assemble in the town of which so many good things have just been said. Yet here again our liberality will have to be tried, as by gold. "Our holy and beautiful house" is about to undergo a complete renovation. This will involve an outlay of more than sixty pounds, and we grudge it not, but count it the meanest portion of the welcome with which the Ashton friends will be prepared to greet the united brethren.

Trusting then, my dear sir, to see you in health and happiness,

I am ever yours faithfully,
W. H. WATERHOUSE.

Ashton-under-Lyne,

March 16th, 1851.

SUCCESSFUL EFFORT AT DERBY.

DERBY CIRCUIT.-Sir,-It is pleasing to see, to hear, and to read of the spirited and successful efforts which are being made in various parts of the Connexion, for the purpose of relieving our trust estates from embarrassment, and otherwise promoting the comfortable and efficient working of our circuits. Nor is it less gratifying to know, that in

some circuits the salvation of souls is keeping pace with other improvements.

It need, however, be no matter of surprise to those who know the Derby Circuit, that we cannot here boast of operations on so large a scale as the friends can in many places. Still, however, we can sing, with David, "The Lord hath done great things for us."

It is well known that the debt on our Derby chapel has long been greater than the resources of the trustees have enabled them to bear, and that towards its reduction the Conference very liberally offered £150, on condition that the circuit should raise an equal amount. A vigorous effort was made at the time to accomplish this object; which, however, fell very considerably short of the sum that was required. How the remainder could be raised it seemed impossible to conceive; for to a poor society and burdened chapel was added an overwhelming debt, which crushed the spirits and cramped the energies of our friends. Faith, however, can still remove mountains; and as the lady of my esteemed and venerable colleague has a large amount of this "mainspring to Christian effort," seemingly without any assistance, materials, or funds, and with the cries of "impossible project” on every side, she resolved to get up a bazaar. How the articles were to be procured, and how disposed of, seemed to be difficulties great to all but herself. However, with the assistance of Miss Waterhouse and Miss Louisa Kirk, almost the entire town was canvassed; and after indefatigable toil and perseverance, they had the pleasure of bringing their labours to a close, by announcing that the entire sum of £156 had been altogether realized.

The following donations are here gratefully acknowledged: