mind had already formed plans, by the accomplishment of which, in conjunction with his fellow trustees, he hoped to fill, with sincere and intelligent worshippers, the new sanctuary. But the Great Master, "whose he was, and whom he served," had determined otherwise; and he was called to finish a brief, but honourable course.

It is matter of gratitude that for that summons he was prepared. Firmly attached to the gospel as a system of evangelical truth, he gave abundant evidence that to him it was "the power of God unto salvation." His conscientious attendance on the ordiances of religion, his regular observance of family prayer, his attachment to private devotion, the increasing seriousness and meekness of his spirit, and his love to the cause of Christ, were the fruits of righteousness which were brought forth to the glory of God, and which proved that "the root of the matter was in him." For the last two years of his life, more especially, he lived to Christ; and his bereaved relatives are comforted with the assurance that he now enjoys the heaven of those concerning whom it is said, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." I remain, Mr. Editor, truly yours,

D. SHELDON.
Lynn, January 13, 1858.

MR. THOMAS COPE.-It was never our painful duty to record a more sudden death than that of Mr. Thomas Cope, of Dresden, which occurred on Monday evening last. Mr. Cope had been to the tea party and concert held that evening in the Town Hall, in the interest of Zion chapel Sunday school, and left shortly after nine o'clock, to all appearance in his usual health and accustomed cheerfulness. He was accompanied by the Revs. J. Stokoe and W. Dunkerley, who walked arm-in-arm. They had not proceeded far up the back way from the Town Hall to Zion chapel when Mr. Cope gave a slight cough, followed as was supposed by a fit of sickness. "It is blood," exclaimed Mr. Cope to his companions, who at once seized and conveyed him to the nearest cottage in Chancery-lane, which turned out to be that of Ellen Green, a widow; medical aid was instantly sent for, and whatever means the exigences of the mo

ment would permit were employed; but all was in vain; hemorrhage from the lungs had set in. It seemed as if the heart was made to pour out in streams the whole of its vital fluid. In about ten minutes from the first attack, just as Dr. Goddard entered the house, Mr. Cope, in the arms of Mr. Stokoe and Mr. Dunkerley, breathed his last. The event has made a profound impression in the town, where, as a man, a merchant, and a Christian, Mr. Cope was well known and highly esteemed. He was for thirty-eight years a member of the Methodist New Connexion, and for twenty-nine years a local preacher. He spent Monday afternoon at the Quarterly Meeting of the Longton circuit, in all whose financial and spiritual interests he took an anxious and ardent part. Precious is the consolation which the bereaved family and friends may derive from the assurance that as he has lived so he died in the Christian faith; and that true to it he has gone to a better and brighter world. We understand the deceased, who was in the fifty-sixth year of his age, will be buried in the family vault, at the New Church, this day, Saturday.Staffordshire Sentinel, Jan. 9th, 1858.

MR.W.HOPWOOD.-On the morning of the 17th of January, Mr. Wm. Hopwood, china manufacturer, Longton, departed this life in his seventieth year. He had been a member of the New Connexion for many years. For some time past he had not been able to attend the sanctuary or take any part in business. During his last illness he always expressed himself to ministers, and Christian friends who visited him as having a "good hope through grace." In business he was much esteemed for his integrity and goodwill; and among his workmen he stood high on account of his uniform sympathy, liberality, and charity. He has left an only daughter, who with her partner and family, has our sympathies and prayers in the heavy bereavement now experienced.

J. A.

MR. THOMAS ALLBUT, OF HANLEY.— Our venerable friend, Mr. Allbut, died on Tuesday, December 29th, 1857. He was in his eighty-first year, and had been a member in our body for nearly sixty years, during the whole of which period he had been a most acceptable local preacher. He had also filled the offices of society and circuit steward,

and for fourteen years he was booksteward and editor of our magazines. In the death of our venerable friend we have lost almost the last link that connects the present generation with the fathers and founders of our body. But our loss is their eternal gain. A memoir may be expected.-ED.

MRS. SUSANNAH WATTS, OF OLDBURY.-Mrs. Watts, the beloved wife of our dear brother, the Rev. H. Watts, died January 12th, aged sixty-three. Mrs. Watts had long been the subject of ill health, but her death was very sudden. Miss Watts had gone down stairs for a moment to supply her with a cup of tea, and when she returned she found to her surprise that the spirit had been called away to the realms of the blessed. Be ye also ready.-ED.

The last twenty-one years of brother Frith's mortal life were spent in connection with our Stafford society, in whose financial and spiritual affairs he took the deepest interest. His vacancy is felt by every part of our church.

As a man of business, he was earnest and upright. As a husband and father, he was kind and affectionate; and manifested unwearied solicitude and ardent desire for the salvation of his children. As a Christian he was consistent and devoted to God, his cause, and his people.

For some months previously to his departure, he seems to have perfectly familiarized himself with death. In relating his experience in our social meetings, he invariably referred to the brevity of human life, and the impression which he had that his time would soon close and be no more. He delighted to talk about heaven, and its pure bliss, and towards the attainment

of this celestial happiness the whole of his life tended.

In September last, a contagious fever entered his beloved family, and after reducing the health of one and then another of this happy circle, the hitherto strong frame of our departed brother was made to tremble, and he fell a victim to the stern and destructive disease.

During his affliction, which lasted about six weeks, he was exceedingly tranquil and patient, and exercised the fullest confidence in the merits of his Saviour. When asked, just before his death, whether he felt happy in the prospect of eternity, he replied, with his face beaming with joy, "Oh, yes! Heaven is my home. I shall soon go to my dear Saviour, and shall be with Him for ever."

The writer stood by his dying bed, when his soul peacefully took its flight to the thrilling realities of the celestial paradise. He died on Thursday, November 5th, 1857, in the sixty-third year of his age.

"Hear what the voice from heaven proclaims,
For all the pious dead :-
Sweet is the savour of their names,
And soft their dying bed."
Stafford. WILLIAM BUNKERLEY.

MARY ANN MAUGHAN was the daughter of John and Isabella Telford, pious and devoted members of the Methodist New Connexion church at Scotswood. Mary Ann was born at Washington, in the county of Durham, and at an early period of her life became seriously impressed with the necessity of a renewed heart. She sought for and obtained the "pearl of great price;" and at the age of fourteen she united with the Primitive Methodist society, in a village near the place of her birth, and continued a consistent and fervent worshipper of the true and living God. About seven years ago she, along with her parents, removed to Scotswood, near to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and joined themselves to our beloved church, to which she was deeply attached and fervently devoted until the day of her death. Sometime after she came to reside at the above place, she married her now sorrowing and bereaved husband, about the interests of whose soul she was deeply anxious. Ever since she was little more than three years of age she was the subject of a painful affliction, which for many years she has borne with extraordinary patience and Chris

tian resignation; believing that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth," and could say, "though He slay me, yet will I trust in him." Her experience in religious matters was of a very delightful character. She was clear on the knowledge of her acceptance with God. She could without hesitancy say

"My God is reconciled,

His pardoning voice I hear,
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear-

With confidence I now draw nigh,
And Father, Abba, Father, cry."

She felt that the Holy Spirit bore witness with her spirit, that she was a child of God, and many times did she rejoice with 66 'joy unspeakable, and full of glory." She was a beautiful exemplification of the power of divine grace to transform the soul and make it anew. She was not one of that fitful kind of professors that are so difficult to keep right; but kind, pleasant, thoughtful, and steady. She pressed onward through the storms and afflictions of life toward her mansion in the skies. About six weeks prior to her death, it was evident to herself and all her friends that her latter end was drawing very near; and she at once cheerfully acquiesced in the will of her heavenly Father, who, she knew, was too wise to err and too good to be unkind. She could say "for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain." Her last moments of life, when an opportunity afforded, were devoted to doing good. When any one entered her room she would exhort them to prepare to meet her in heaven; and especially her dear husband did she beg to prepare to meet her in glory. A short time before she died, her class leader called in to see her, and, addressing himself to her, inquired how she was. And, mustering all her remaining strength, she exclaimed, "Weak in body, but strong in the Lord; and when the earthly house of my tabernacle is dissolved, I have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." She meekly fell asleep in Jesus on the morning of the 31st of October, 1857, and I may say, "without a lingering groan, she did the welcome word receive."

"Oh may I triumph so, when all my warfare's past,

And dying find my latest foe under my feet at last."

E. HODGSON.

DIED suddenly at Hull, November 18th, 1857, Archibald Greaves, who had long been a member of our society. The Sabbath preceding his decease, he was at the class, and expressed a hope that if he did not meet his class-mates again on earth, he might meet them in heaven. It is believed that he was prepared for his end, and it is our fervent prayer that he and the leader, and all the members of the class, may ultimately meet in that happy world. T. RIDGE.

December 17th, 1857.

MR. EDWIN CUMBERLEDGE, the subject of this brief notice, was born in the year 1767, and the providence of God prolonged his earthly pilgrimage to the first day of December, 1857, when he was called to "enter into his rest," in the ninety-first year of his age. This "old disciple" had been for a long time enrolled among the followers of the Lord Jesus, having joined the Methodists fifty-seven years ago. It may be mentioned, that about a year after he gave himself to the Lord, he induced two of his neighbours to follow his example, both of whom survive, and are still urging on their way. At the time of his conversion, and for many years after, he lived about three miles from the chapel where he was accustomed to worship, yet he made it a point of duty to be present at the nine o'clock preaching on the Sabbath morning, and was scarcely ever known to be late. A fine example this, to those friends who, though they live near, and the morning service is commenced so much later, either do not come at all, or are invariably late in their attendance. Having removed to Marlfield, Congleton, his residence being nearer our chapel than the Wesleyan, he became identified with our community, and has ever since_remained firm in his attachment. Notwithstanding his greatly advanced age, and the infirmities consequent thereupon, he was sure to be found at his class, and in his usual place at the public worship, unless illness or other unavoidable reason prevented. same love for the services of the sanctuary, and the sense of duty which characterized his earlier years, were experienced to the last; and in weather that would have kept younger and more healthy persons at home this aged and infirm disciple might be seen with tottering step, or wheeled in his

The

chair, "going to the house of the Lord." Shortly before his death, a series of special services was held in our Congleton chapel, and it was pleasing to see our old friend, night after night, plant himself immediately in front of the preacher, and drink in the service, apparently with great relish. About a fortnight before his death, he went to the market to see a relative who attended the same, and there took a violent cold, which terminated in his death. The writer and several other Christian friends visited him during his illness, and to all the inquiries that were proposed to him he made most satisfactory replies. He

had a clear sense of his acceptance with God, and knew, most assuredly, that when "the earthly house of his tabernacle should dissolve, he had a building above, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." We have every reason to believe that our departed friend is gone to be "for ever with the Lord." The occasion of the removal of our brother was improved by the writer, to a large congregation, in our Congleton chapel, on Sabbath evening, January 17th, 1858; the text chosen for the occasion being Micah ii. 10"Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest.' SAMUEL MELDRUM. Congleton, January 18, 1858.

REVIVAL AT HYDE.-Rev. and dear Sir,-The friends at Hyde, have for some time been anxiously desirous for a revival of religion; and if possible to bring the dense mass of precious souls, by whom our sanctuary is surrounded, to the footstool of Divine mercy. And as a means, designed through the blessing of God to accomplish the object they so earnestly desired, the leaders resolved to hold a series of revival services, and if possible secure the services of the Rev. Samuel Jackson, one of our own ministers. Mr. Jackson being appointed to preach for us in the afternoon and evening of the 13th of December, kindly consented to preach four sermons during the following week. These arrangements being made, public prayer meetings were held for eight consecutive evenings, previous to the 13th of December, and in these precious means, we had the promise of a shower; they were, indeed, seasons of refreshing, coming from the presence of the Lord.

was held in the school, which, although one third larger than the chapel, was crowded with people. The subject in the evening was, The overthrow of the Assyrian army. In illustrating this subject, the preacher adverted to the power of the Almighty, and his determination to punish sin, and also his willingness to save and ability to sustain all that put their trust in God. At the close of the sermon, we held a prayer meeting, when thirty-four broken-hearted sinners came to the penitent form, nearly all of whom professed to obtain pardon through the blood of the Lamb.

On Monday evening, December 14, at seven o'clock, the services were resumed in the school, which was again crowded. The subject this evening was, The young ruler-founded on Matthew xix. 25, "Who then can be saved?" Mr. Jackson delivered an impressive sermon on the above text, which seemed to exert a thrilling influence on his numerous auditory. After the sermon, at the prayer meeting, twenty-eight penitents wrestled with God in earnest prayer, until they were enabled by faith to rejoice in a sin-pardoning God. Tuesday evening, Dec. 15, Mr. Jackson's subject was "The gospel dispensation." Hebrews xii. 18. He eloquently described the superiority of the gospel dispensation over the Mosaic dispensation, and his fervent appeals were not in vain, for at the prayer meeting thirty-seven persons came up to the penitent form; and at the close

On

of the meeting many could rejoice in the God of their salvation.

On Thursday evening, December 17th, the school was excessively crowded, so that great numbers were obliged to retire. His subject, this evening, was, The excellency of the gospel-founded on Hebrews xii. 22. From this text he delivered a powerfully convincing, heart searching, and spirit reviving sermon; and, at the prayer meeting, seventy-six persons sought mercy through the merits of Jesus.

On Friday evening, December 18th, Mr. Jackson's subject was, The conversion of the chief of sinners, from the First Epistle to Timothy i. 13. Mr. Jackson vividly described the character of the apostle Paul previous to and after his conversion.

At the prayer meeting thirty-six persons, with cries and tears, sought pardon and peace, making a total of 211 penitents during the above services. To God be all the glory!

I am, yours affectionately,

J. HIBBERT.

The grace

P.S. On Sunday, December 20th, at six o'clock in the evening, we held a public lovefeast in the chapel, and it was a feast of love indeed. The Master of assemblies was with us. of God was strikingly manifested, and the arm of the Lord was made bare; several of the new converts rose to bless God for what he had done for them, and expressed their determination to live to His glory. At the prayer meeting after the lovefeast twenty broken-hearted penitents sought the pardoning mercy of God; which makes the number for the week 231. Hallelujah to Jesus! J. H.

Hyde, December 22nd, 1857.

OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL AT TUNSTALL. Tunstall is the most northern of the pottery towns, and from a small village of scattered habitations, it has become a large and populous town of some 12,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the mainroad leading through The Potteries from Manchester and Liverpool to London, and is three miles from the Cheshire boundary of the county of Stafford. Tunstall has been famous in the annals of Methodism, for the Primitive Methodists originated in this part. this vicinity, W. Clowes, Hugh Bourne, and his brother were born, and here they commenced their active labours which have now extended through

In

the length and breadth of the land, and resulted in the formation of that zealous and truly energetic body, the Primitive Methodists. The Methodist New Connexion interest here began in the year 1822. In the year 1824, the few friends forming the church zealously exerted themselves to build a chapel; small indeed at that time, but sufficiently large for the members and congregation worshipping within its walls. The friends, seeing the necessity of having a Sabbath school connected with the chapel, and believing such an institution to be an important auxiliary to the church, commenced one at the same time. Our society increasing and the congregation improving, in the year 1829 there was a demand for increased accommodation, when it was met by a gallery being added to the chapel. As time rolled on, bringing with it everchanging circumstances, the population of Tunstall rapidly increased, and our society and congregation became so much larger, that in the year 1836 it was found necessary to enlarge the chapel, which was then accomplished. Accommodation was thus provided for as many again as the chapel held before.

In the year 1841 the public disturber of our Connexion (we need not mention his name) left the trail of his footsteps in Tunstall, as well as in too many places of our beloved Connexion. Our society here was almost ruined-many seceded from us, and the cause languished and continued for years in a feeble state. In the year 1850 the friends made an effort to lower the debt on the chapel from £900 to £500. This was accomplished with the aid of the Chapel Committee, and a new trust was formed.

In the year 1852 the trustees bought a piece of land sufficiently large on which they could build a chapel and school. A Sabbath school at once was was erected at a cost of five hundred guineas. The old chapel being situated in the Market-square, the trustees considered the site unsuitable, and offered it for sale. After it was sold, and all the debts paid in connection with it, the trustees found they had a balance of £380, with which they purchased land for the present chapel and school, and the balance of which went towards the erection of the school. The old chapel being sold, the upper room of their new school was fitted up as a