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liness, seeing the rectitude of her deportment, treated her with the greatest respect. As a Wife, she was prudent and affectionate. As the Mother of a numerous family, she was tender, but not foolishly indulgent; remarkable for order, economy, industry, and diligence in training up her children in the same useful habits. As a Friend, she was faithful; and charitable, as a Neighbour, to all who needed her assistance. For a short time before her departure, her mental faculties were occasionally impaired; but at intervals she very satisfactorily expressed her firm reliance on the all-sufficient merits of CHRIST. At one time, she desired one of her daughters to say to any inquirer, when she should be unable to describe her own state, "All is well: I am happy." She evinced what impression the word of GOD had made on her heart, by constantly quoting and appealing to the Sacred Text, even when, on other subjects, her language was confused. Eventually, when unable to speak, her heart appeared to be in sweet communion with her LORD; and she gently and peacefully exchanged mortality for life. Stockport.

JOHN SUMNER.

6. Died, March 20, 1824, ELIZABETH, the wife of the REV. JAMES MILLER, of Darlington. From infancy she was the subject of serious impressions; but repeatedly quenched the convictions of the HOLY SPIRIT, till the LORD afflicted a brother, to whom she was tenderly attached. That affliction was greatly sanctified to himself; and the change which took place in him was rendered useful to his sister. She became deeply convinced of her wretched condition as a sinner against GOD, and earnestly sought his mercy through CHRIST. At length she was enabled to believe to the salvation of her soul; and the words, "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in GOD, believe also in me,”were applied with peculiar power to her mind, so that she could never after hear them without feeling grateful to GOD for the great deliverance she experienced at that period. The following copy of a Covenant, into which she entered with GOD about this time, was found after her decease :

"O thou eternal and ever blessed GOD, I present myself to thee with the deepest humility and abasement, sensible how unworthy I am to approach thee the only true and holy GOD. I come acknowledging my past offences,

-I come renouncing every other master,come to thee by faith in thy dear Son, and trust wholly in his merits and death, for my present and eternal salvation. Take me nearer and nearer to thyself,-I desire nothing in comparison to thee. I dedicate to thy service

my body and my soul, my worldly substance, my time, and my talents. May my obedience be constant, and always acceptable unto thee my God, my portion, dowing from a principle of faith in CHRIST, without which it is impossible to please thee. Direct me, O LORD, for I cannot direct myself,-strengthen me, for without thy assistance I am perfect weak ness. Dispose of me as seemeth thee good, and may I always be resigned to thy gracious will. Let me always feel the efficacy of that blood which cleanseth from all sin. Transform me more and more into thy lovely image and likeness. Impart unto me daily, through CHRIST, the purifying, cheering, and comforting influences of thy HOLY SPIRIT, and by thy free and unmerited grace, I will walk

in the light of thy countenance; that when the solemn hour of death arrives, I may have thee and thee only to be my salvation,-my departing spirit may be admitted into that desire, my hope,-my enjoyment; that my place, where peace and joy are uninterrupted. O my GoD, through thy assistance I give myself wholly to thee, who hast an absolute right to me, by Creation, Providence, and Redemption;-Help me through JESUS CHRIST my SAVIOUR."

Thus she commenced her christian warfare; and in this spirit she continued it. At once she laid aside whatever she could not use with a good conscience; and, unaffected by the frowns or smiles of the world, she steadily "walked with GOD." Diligent in her closet, she never lost her first love, nor ever absented herself from any of the means of grace, excepting when she had a reason which her conscience could approve. She possessed much of that charity which thinketh no evil, and was ever ready to put a favourable construction on doubtful cases. The blessing of the peace-maker was hers; and though naturally timid, she delivered her sentiments with openness and candour, and was a stranger to duplicity. Possessing both the ability and the disposition to assist the needy, she often made the widow's heart to sing for joy. Thus useful and happy, she continued to move in the sphere to which God had called her; till it pleased GOD to summon her to an early heaven. On March the 10th she took cold, and soon became so ill that, on the 14th, her medical attendant had only a faint hope of her recovery; and on the 20th she was removed from earth to prove the boundless pleasures of the courts above."-During her illness, she was so particularly fa voured with the divine presence that it was indeed a privilege to be with her. She felt the truth of that word,-"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." She expressed her perfect resignation to the will of God, and to one friend said, "If we should never see each other again, I wish to tell you that I am on the Rock. CHRIST is my

VOL. III. Third Series, AUGUST, 1824.

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only dependance. I feel that He is my salvation." She then said that during a confinement, from which she had recently recovered, she had promised the LORD that if he would raise her up, she would give herself fully to him, and added, "He did strengthen me wonderfully, and I was enabled to pay my vows unto the LORD. I did indeed give him my heart." To MR. M. she said, "My dear, I have no desire to prefer you to CHRIST ; No! CHRIST is my portion: He is my Rock I have not deceived myself: I have not built my hopes upon a sandy foundation: My hope is an anchor cast within the veil, sure and steadfast; ' yea, sure and steadfast. What would mere forms have done for me now? They that worship GOD must worship him in spirit and in truth; and I praise him I have so worshipped him, and now prove him to be my portion. Not for works of righteousness that I have done; No! This is all my hope and all my plea, that, For me the SAVIOUR died.' Many most interesting conversations are necessarily omitted, in which she spoke very sweetly of the love of GOD, of the power of religion to support in the iminediate prospect of death, and of her own happy consciousness of the divine presence. On one occasion she said, I have been extremely happy this morning. I have been enabled greatly to rejoice in hope of the glory of GoD, -yea, with a joy unspeakable and full of glory: I am now so weak that I cannot speak much of his goodness to me; but I leave it all with GOD. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. I know that my REDEEMER liveth. I am not afraid to die: the sting of death is drawn long ago. I desire to depart and to be with CHRIST, which is far better." On a part of the hymn being sang which begins thus:-O for a heart to praise my GOD, A heart from sin set free," &c., she spoke particularly on the subject of purity of heart; saying, "Can any thing be more great, more glorious? JESUS unites in himself every thing that is glorious on earth and in heaven; and can I desire more than that my heart should be "Perfect, and right, and pure, and good, 4 copy, Lord, of thine? To a friend she observed, "O! dying is painful; but it is glorious work!" During the day on which she died, she several times desired her friends to sing :-It was such a scene as language cannot describe; the dying saint singing her SAVIOUR'S praise, as though she had already learned the anthems of the skies, and her weeping, friends endeavouring to join her in what seemed to be part of the never-ending

song!

Soon afterwards, a sudden change took place;-all knelt down;— and the ransomed of the LORD returned to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy upon" her "head." Thus, according to the prayer in her Covenant, GOD was truly her "salvation, her desire, her hope, her enjoyment." With DR. BEATTIE, when speaking of his friend, DR. CAMPBELL, we may say, "WHEN WILL an Infidel DIE SUCH A DEATH?"

(Communicated by MR. C. DOVE)

7. Died at Llanelly, March 25th, in the eighty-second year of his age, Ma. HENRY CHILD. He was fifty-five years a member of the Methodist Society. Having heard the truth as it is in JESUS preached by the Wesleyan Itinerant Preachers, he received it with all readiness of mind, and soon experienced it to be the power of GoD unto salvation. The name of Methodist was at that time a by-word and a reproach: yet he thought it no dishonour to suffer for righteousness' sake, but cheerfully sustained the cross. By his exemplary conduct, his sound judgment, strict veracity, and uniform integrity, he not only silenced opposition, but gained the esteem and confidence of the most respectable persons, who, on occasions of importance, frequently sought his counsel and advice. He was soon appointed the Leader of a Class; and faithfully and profitably watched over his little flock, until age and infirmity rendered him incapable of the duties of his office. He was honoured with the visits and "friendship of MR. WESLEY. Several of the first Methodist Preachers ranked among his particular friends; nor did he manifest less affection to those who followed them in succession, and to whom his heart and his house were open for more than half a century. In him and his excellent wife they found a nursing father and mother, who had no greater joy than to promote their comfort, and to encourage them in their labours. For the accommodation of those who were disposed to attend the ministry of the word, he erected a small Chapel in his garden, which to him was a Bethel, "the house of Gon, and the gate of heaven." To the services of this little sanctuary, whatever were the calls of business, he punctually attended, both during the ministry of the word, and at meetings for prayer; the latter of which he generally conducted, with great christian simplicity and devost fervour. On the wisdom of his choice, with respect to his religious associations, he reflected with gratitude and pleasure

hear the close of life. He considered that he was a debtor to the cause of GOD, (after all he had done,) and not that the cause was a debtor to him; saying, "Methodism has been a great blessing to me and my children." The Bible was the rule of his life. He lived eminently in the spirit of prayer and praise; setting the LORD always before him, and seeking his direction in all his temporal as well as spiritual concerns. His benevolence to the poor was proverbial. He was their kind and never-failing friend. They partook of the bounty of his table, and the liberality of his purse. "When the ear heard him, then it blessed him; and when the eye saw him, it gave witness to him because he delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him, and he caused the widow's heart to sing for joy."-He possessed a warmly patriotic spirit, and felt a lively interest in the welfare of his country. As he feared his GOD, so he honoured his King. With holy delight he often reviewed the age in which he had lived; considering it to have been one of the most eventful which the world or the Church had ever known. The recent extension and rapid progress of the great cause of religion, he hailed as the dawn of that perfect day when the whole world shall be filled with the glory of GOD. During the latter part of his life, it pleased GOD to call him to drink of the bitter cup of sorrow. In the midst of domestic felicity, when all around him breathed joy and peace, his faith and patience were severely tried, by the removal of his pious and excellent wife. In the course of a few subsequent years, he was called to resign two sons and three daughters, on whom he had placed all his hopes of earthly happiness. Under these successive dispensations, it might be truly said of him, In all this he sinned not." With devout submission, and in a manner pecuHarly pious and reverential, he often said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, and blessed be the name of the LORD." His declining health rendered him less able to bear the last painful dispensation, the death of his youngest son, his BENJAMIN, (in February last,) who was taken from him in the full career of a useful and active life. This stroke seemed to hasten his dissolution. He would often say, "His image is ever before me;" yet he sorrowed not as one without hope, nor did a complaining or impatient word proceed out of his lips. The general language of his heart was, "Father, thy will

be done." The outward man was now gently decaying, day by day; but the inner man was renewed in righteousness and true holiness. He had the peaceful assurance that when absent from the body, he should be present with the LORD. During the last few weeks of his pilgrimage, he gave many testimonies of the consolation he had in CHRIST, and of the sure and certain hope he enjoyed of eternal glory. He often repeated, with great serenity, those words, "On this my steadfast soul relies,

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Father, thy mercy never dies." When inquiry was made relative to the state of his mind, he answered to the last, "All is well, for life or death, for time or eternity! ALL IS WELL.' Thus this venerable servant of CHRIST "came to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in, in his season."-Honourable in his death, his memory will long be cherished with affection by those who knew him.

(Communicated by the REV. JAMES BUCKLEY.)

8. Died, at Salford, Manchester, March 25th, 1824, aged thirty-nine years, MR. WILLIAM JOHNSON. The death of a child, whom he tenderly loved, was, through the blessing of GOD, sanctified for his spiritual good. He began to attend public worship at the Gravel-Lane Chapel; and, under a sermon preached by the REV. W. E. MILLER, obtained peace of mind, by faith in our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Having thus experienced the comforts of religion, he, without delay, resolved that he and his house would serve the LORD: and wishing to be useful to his generation, he became a Teacher in the Sunday-School, and continued to act in that capacity, till, his own family increasing, he deemed it his duty to spend more of his time with them on the LORD's Day, than his duty to the School had allowed. He took a very active part in promoting the public Prayer-meetings, held in different parts of the town, on Sunday evenings. To these meetings he was particularly attached, and remarkably faithful and punctual in attending his appointments. As a professor of religion he was anxious about spiritual improvement; and sometimes entertained a fear, lest his growth in grace should not be in proportion to his opportunities and privileges. Two months before his death, he said to a friend, "I am afraid the world has got too much hold of my affections." He examined this point carefully, and sought wisdom from GoD, to enable him to judge aright. In the result, he had reason to believe that he loved the LORD

with an undivided heart. He had been a very useful Class-Leader for nearly seven years. Meeting in Class he esteemed no ordinary advantage, and of late became increasingly sensible of the benefits of christian fellowship. MR. J. had no symptoms of his approaching dissolution. In the morning of the day on which he died, he appeared as usual; attended his office in the forenoon; dined with his family; had some conversation with a friend; took tea with his usual cheerfulness; and, after taking an affectionate leave of some of his children who were going into the country, seated himself on the sofa, and in about a quarter of an hour expired! Thus suddenly was he removed to the Church above. How loudly do such events cry, "Be ye also ready." Salford.

JOHN RILES.

9. Died, March 27th, MRS. LYDIA HUMPHREY, of Isleworth, aged fortysix. She received her first religious impressions, under the Ministry of the REV. MR. NEWELL, a Clergyman of the Established Church, when about seventeen years of age; but they were "as the morning cloud." After her marriage it pleased the LORD, by the ministry of the venerable and REV. JOSEPH BENSON, to bring her husband to a saving acquaintance with himself. "And to my husband, under GOD," says MRS. H., in one of her papers, "I owe my religion: -His admonitions, and pious example, so overpowered me, that, considering how I had opposed him, I almost despaired of mercy. On March 5th, 1802, I heard MR. WOOD, sen., preach from John iii. 20, 21. As he was showing the opposite spirit of them that hate the light, and them that come to the light, my mind was filled with horror; and it seemed to me as if the uplifted sword of justice would cut me off in my distress :-but the Preacher said so many encouraging things about coming now to CHRIST, as we were, that I was led to cast my soul, with all its guilt, on the LORD JESUs. In that moment I first found peace with GOD:-Indeed I felt that all old things had passed away, and found myself a new creature in CHRIST JESUS. I solemnly resolved to live for GOD, and to make the salvation of my soul my chief concern and care."-From this period, she continued steadfast in her walk with GOD; and was one of the chief supporters of the cause of CHRIST among the Methodists in the village where she resided. In a paper, (the last, it appears, which she ever wrote,) dated Oct. 8, 1823, she says, "I have to-day looked over what I wrote, when I was

made the happy partaker of God's for giving love. It is twenty-one years ago; and I have been closely connected with the Church of CHRIST ever since. May the LORD grant that I may be kept by his power; so that, whether my days be many or few, glory may end what grace began!"-Her affliction was exceedingly severe. Previous to its occurrence, she had become more deeply serious, and enjoyed more intimate communion with GOD, than usual. Though her confidence was by no means unassailed by temptation, yet she felt and rejoiced that her soul was safe in the care of JESUS. She seemed confident that her affliction would be unto death, which she met without fear or regret, persuaded that be in whom she had believed would receive her spirit unto everlasting habitations. Devotedness to Gon, uprightness of conduct, benevolence of disposition, and steady attachment to the people of CHRIST, and to the cause of vital religion, were eminently conspicuous in her life; and those blessed truths, for which she so thankfully acknowledged herself indebted, under GOD, to Methodism, were her strength and support in the hour of affliction and death.

(Communicated by the REV. R. GOWER.)

10. Died, at Oxford, March 27th, MR. ANTHONY BROWNLOW, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.When young, he was very gay; and, being fond of company, many of his evenings were spent in public-houses. With the vanity and sinfulness of such dissipation, however, it pleased God to make him acquainted, and to show him that gladness could only be put within his heart by the light of the divine countenance lifted up upon him. Having a large family dependant on him for support, he was at times much straitened in his circumstances, and not unfrequently employed himself on the Sundays in mending his children's shoes. One Sunday, while thus occupied, his mind was suddenly and powerfully struck with the sinfulness of this mode of spending his Sabbaths; and he, in consequence, resolved to attend some place of worship. This he did, usually, at Carfax church. His mental depression, however, continued; worldly cares oppressed him; and not having the peace which the world cannot give, be went on his way "labouring and heavy laden." One Sunday morning he thought he would go to the Methodist Chapel. He did so, and found a few persons as sembled for the purpose of holding a meeting for prayer. He was at the time

much astonished, and frequently afterwards adverted to the impression made on his mind by the circumstance, that persons in his own station in life should be able to address the throne of grace with so much propriety and fervour. He continued to attend, and was in a short time convinced that he was a sinner against GOD; and having a clear view of the evil and deformity of sin, he groaned under his burthen, earnestly desiring the promised deliverance and rest. Nor was it long before he found that which he sought. He was enabled so to believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as to obtain a knowledge of salvation by the remission of his sins. This was about thirty years ago. So soon as he was convinced of the evil of his former course of carelessness and sin, he resolved at once on an alteration; and, in pursuance of this resolution, firmly broke off all his sinful habits, separated from the companions of his folly, and connected himself with that religious society in whose meetings he had obtained such important discoveries respecting the way of salvation. He followed the divine teachings fully; nor was he ever known, from that period, to swerve from the ways of GOD. For several years previously to his death, he was so much afflicted as to be constantly confined to his bed; and there, though in a state of deep poverty and affliction, and occasionally harassed by strong temptations, he was enabled to commune with his GOD, who kept him "steadfast in mind, and perfect in peace," and blessed him with the continual assurance of his favour. Never less alone than when alone, his gloomy apartment was as Bethel to him, "Blessed be GOD," he has often rapturously exclaimed, "I have him always with me." In the earlier part of his religious course he met with much opposition from his own family; and was, on this account, prevented from exercising, as in happier circumstances he would glady have done, that domestic authority which belonged to him. Perhaps, in this respect, he carried his yielding temper and love of peace to a fault. He was remarkable for the spirit of thankfulness which he possessed. Even during his affliction, when, humanly speaking, his path was completely overshadowed, and he walked, as to outward things, in darkness, and had no light, even then, his constant cry was for more gratitude. He never complained. Not often, indeed, was he heard to speak even of patience. His uniform language to those who visited him was, "I only want to be more thankful for my many

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mercies." It was profitable to witness such eminent displays of the grace of GOD in this poor and afflicted servant of CHRIST, who, in a state of almost complete destitution, talked not of his trials, but of his mercies, and only complained that he could not sufficiently praise his GoD and SAVIOUR.-He never allowed himself to remain at ease without a consciousness of the divine favour. through unwatchfulness he lost a measure of his usual happiness, he rested not thus; but in earnest prayer supplicated, till he was successful, that GOD would restore to him the joy of his salvation.-He may be said to have been always a Penitent. Whilst he rejoiced greatly in the GOD of his salvation, he had always a humbling recollection of past sin. His feelings on this subject were such as find expression in the language of our hymn,—

"Remember, Lord, my sins no more;

That I may them no more forget." One effect of this was, that with much and eminent spirituality of mind he connected that, without which all professions of spirituality are most suspicious,-a high tone of moral feeling. He was strictly an upright man, and, as such, was highly esteemed by his respectable employers, (not at all connected with the Methodists,) whose kindness to him in his affliction materially contributed to his comfort. One of them, as a mark of respect for an old and faithful servant, attended his remains to their long home, and bore a pleasing testimony to his worth before the company assembled on the occasion of his funeral; adding, "that the deceased had been in the employ of himself, his father, and his grandfather, for upwards of fifty years."-During his long illness, he spent most of his hours of solitude (and they were almost all such) in fervent prayer. He attended, particularly, to the great duty of intercession; and has often been heard to remark, that some of his happiest moments were those in which he was engaged in praying for the christian church in general, or for his own more immediate connexions in it. He had often expressed a wish to die alone, and his wish was granted. Though be had seemed little worse than usual on the preceding day, yet, when his daughter carried him his breakfast at the usual hour, she found him dead in his bed, on his knees, and with his hands clasped. The summons to leave the world found him, it should seem, engaged in the duty in which, while he lived, he took so much delight. Thus lived, and thus died ANTHONY BROWN

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