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married to Miss Ann Clarke, of Barnby, who had been for some time previously a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society at North Cove, and who still survives him. Here he pursued the even tenor of his way; and for several years few incidents occurred likely to interest others. He devoted himself assiduously to the duties of the farm; and on the Lord's day he generally attended his ordinary place of worship twice at least, besides meeting his class, which for many years he seldom omitted, and in which he realized much spiritual profit and delight, being greatly esteemed by the members. It was his habit, also, to be present at the week-evening services, unless prevented by pressing business engagements, and he was accustomed to speak of the pleasure he felt in them. He proved the truth of the promise, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." He also delighted much in reading the Wesleyan-Methodist publications, especially the early Magazines, the "Lives of Early Methodist Preachers," and the works of some of the chief English divines, as well as those of the Wesleys, and of Fletcher of Madeley, whom he greatly admired. His views of all the great Christian doctrines, and of their relation to Christian experience, were clear and decided. The study of these. things in the light of Holy Scripture, and the habit of carefully examining his own heart and life were, doubtless, of much service to him in his office of class-leader.

The latter years of his life, more especially since 1851, were years of painful domestic trial and personal suffering. The affliction of his youngest son, and the heavy expense which it entailed, now became to him a source of much anxiety and embarrassment; for the slender resources of his business, and the growing infirmities of age and sickness, rendered it impossible that he could long sustain so great a burden. His trials, however, so far from inducing distraction of mind and neglect of religious duties, only served to lead him nearer to his God and Saviour for support. He retired to his closet, that in secret prayer he might "cast his burden on the Lord," who had promised to "sustain" him. Thus he endeavoured to comply with the Divine precept, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God;" and he realized the fulfilment of the promise, "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus."

His house was for many years the home of the Methodist preachers when they visited the neighbourhood in which he lived; and in their society he felt the greatest delight. He had a warm attachment to the simple, saving Gospel-truths, which it is the object of Methodism universally to make known; and he prayed and laboured for the

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prosperity of this form of "Christianity in earnest."

But though

strongly and intelligently attached to Methodism, he loved real religion wherever he found it, and delighted in its extension. He lived in the spirit of the words, "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."

As the master of a household, from the commencement of his domestic life, until the very last morning on which he could mingle with his family,-a period of nearly forty years, he strictly and conscientiously adhered to the practice of family worship, which he considered no less a privilege than a duty. His custom, for many years, was to read through the whole of the Sacred Scriptures consecutively, in morning and evening portions, with prayer; and but rarely were the most pressing affairs of business permitted to interfere with these devout exercises, so fruitful in instruction and blessing. Sometimes he would refer to the Divine testimony concerning Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment." (Gen. xviii. 19.) And not a few, it is hoped, who have joined in these acts of worship, have been led to serious concern for their souls, and have now to bless God for such opportunities of Christian instruction.

To indicate the chief points of Mr. Keer's character, rather than to describe it fully, has been the writer's aim. Faults and in firmities he undoubtedly had, and he felt and lamented them; but of few can the words of the poet be more truthfully said, that

"Even his failings lean'd to virtue's side."

As a husband and father, he was affectionate and indulgent; as a master, considerate, just, and liberal; as a neighbour kind and obliging; while as a man of business he was characterized by uprightness and sincerity. His Christian principles appeared in every relation, and he sought to recommend religion by his actions as well as by his words.

For the last two or three years of his life it was evident that his general debility was increasing, and that his end was not far off. Several months before his death he was the subject of much suffering; but he bore it with patience and resignation. He was permitted to contemplate, and to speak of, the approach of death with cheerfulness and hope, describing himself as resting on the "Rock of Ages;" and though not experiencing ecstatic joy, yet possessing perfect peace in Christ. To his eldest son, who was with him on the Sabbath before that on which he died, he said, "O William! I feel that I shall soon be with Christ, which is far better.' He is my only hope. I

* Dr. Chalmers' definition of Methodism.

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have had sweet thoughts of heaven, and I hope soon to be there." He spoke of temptations and assaults of the devil; and then added, "I resist him, and he flees from me. My Saviour's merits are

infinite; and

'Myself with all my sins I cast

On the atoning blood.'"

On the Lord's day

He continued nearly a week after this. afternoon, June 11th, 1865, at the hour when he had been accustomed to meet his class, and thus to enjoy fellowship with the Church on earth, he remarked to a friend, "It is almost over," and then calmly departed to join the fellowship of the Church triumphant, and to complete the Sabbath in the more glorious rest of heaven.

Who, in contemplating his eminently peaceful departure, does not exclaim,

"O, may I triumph so,

When all my warfare 's past;
And, dying, find my latest foe
Under my feet at last!"

MEMOIR OF MRS. ROBINSON,

LATE WIFE OF THE REV. EDWARD JEWETT ROBINSON:

BY THE REV. JOHN HAY.

We have watched the progress of the painter in his work. Beginning with a few lines which define nothing to any eye but his own, he proceeds until indications of design appear and multiply, and the entire subject is at length outlined; then follows the careful and skilful expression of face and figure; and now a few last delicate touches complete the work, and it stands forth "a thing of beauty in itself, and "a joy" at once to the artist and to every beholder. Is it not so, at least in many instances, with the work of the great Divine Artist upon the human heart and life? He seeks to depict "a thing of beauty" which He shall be able to pronounce "very good," and which shall be a glory and a joy to all generations. With the pencil of His truth and love and grace, He imprints "line upon line, line upon line." For a time, to our eyes nothing may appear defined. But evidences of design multiply, and as the soul, receiving His gracious impressions, is led to the Lord Jesus in humble faith, the Christian character is formed. Then follows a wonderful variety of processes, processes all in the hand of the skilful and mysterious Worker, and which give a lovelier [symmetry and an attractive completeness to the design, until at length His own heart is satisfied. and it is removed from the scene of His loving labour and skill to the place of His rest, where He shall "joy over it with singing."

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Many instances of all this we think we have seen; and to the glory of "Him who worketh all in all," we would now attempt to trace His course in one of these cases. Born in Hackney-road, London, August 19th, 1834, the first lines of grace were drawn upon the heart of ELIZABETH HARRISON through paternal instruction; but her godly father, Mr. Thomas Harrison, an office-bearer in the City-road Circuit, was, on January 5th, 1839, taken from his precious charge to God. Transferred, in company with her two sisters and brother, to the home of her uncle, Mr. Colpitts Harrison, at Dalston, the religious influences which she had enjoyed in her father's house were happily continued and even multiplied. It was a preachers' home, where ministers and Richmond students were ever cheered by a hearty welcome and true Christian hospitality. Here the orphan children learned to love the messengers of Jesus, and often heard from them words whereby they might be saved. A letter written to the three eldest, in their very early youth, by one of the most loved and honoured of those guests, gives a pleasant insight into the character of that intercourse, while it shows the gentle and loving spirit of its writer. It is beautiful to find the accomplished minister who, for so many years, edited this Magazine, and over whose removal, amidst the cares and honours of the Presidency, the whole Connexion mourned, thus addressing little children who clung to him with affectionate confidence.

"Didsbury College, October 4th.

"MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS,-Namely, Mary, Elizabeth, and John Colpitts, Thank you for your letters. The answers to your questions are these: 1. I am very well. 2. I like Didsbury; but I want to see you all, and your kind aunt and uncle. 3. I enjoyed Ramsgate very much. How glad I am to hear that you are good! May the Lord bless you now and always! Think of little Samuel and little Timothy; (pretty little fellows! I hope Johnny will be as holy as they were ;) and think of Jesus, who was the Matchless Child. Mary and Elizabeth must think of their namesakes in Scripture. And all of you, my dears, pray, love God, and He will love you. kindest respects to uncle and aunt. Will you come and see me? When I come to Dalston, will you let me in?

"Your affectionate old Friend,

Give my

"W. L. T."

While residing at her uncle's, Elizabeth was brought into associa tion with the people of God in their weekly meetings for Christian fellowship; and one of her vivid and cherished memories was that of her first class-meeting. Mrs. Bowes was the leader; and when she addressed the child, she lovingly quoted and spoke upon the verse,

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"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;

Pity my simplicity,

Suffer me to come to Thee."

Thus fresh lessons of grace were impressed upon her heart, and thankful reference was sometimes made in after years to the good then received by her.

For some time her education was conducted at home, and subsequently, in company with her eldest sister, at Miss Slater's boardingschool at Margate, a school which the venerable Richard Reece was accustomed to visit weekly, to give a Bible-lesson, and to lead the children to the throne of grace. Meeting the sisters in the street one day, he addressed them as two of the lambs which the Good Shepherd had commissioned him to feed, and holding his hands over their heads invoked on them God's blessing.

On the 23d of August, 1853, she was united in marriage to the Rev. Edward Jewett Robinson. With strong mutual affection as the true bond of union, life gave promise of passing on pleasantly. Her transparency of character, her true warm-heartedness and cheerful spirit, and her vivacity of manner, rendered her presence as a gleam of sunshine on all within her new home. But trials came. The afflicted brother of her husband required a sister's care, and cheerfully she gave it, tenderly watching over him, and alleviating his sufferings, until death relieved him. A succession of depressing circumstances and exercises followed for a few years, but her buoyancy of spirit maintained itself and helped to sustain and cheer the ofttimes anxious heart beside her. All the while disease was slowly but surely developing itself in her frame; indicating, at intervals, its presence by a general sense of feebleness and by other symptoms. The unwearying, thoughtful kindness of the kind-hearted Glasgow friends failed to arrest its progress. The abounding liberality, the many acts of rare and loving attention, and the superior medical skill, furnished afterwards by the Bolton friends, were also unavailing. The disease made its way on towards the seat of life, gathering power as it advanced. At times she was active and cheerful as a bird in the time of singing; but, in a day, a strange lethargy would come upon her, and she would droop her wing as a bird shot by the archer. She became unable to walk long distances, excepting when change of air and place seemed to infuse fresh life and vigour into her, and then hope of recovery would spring up for a short season again. Now the neighbouring house of God was reached with difficulty, and even when carried there, her strength was becoming insufficient for the duration of the service, and she was at length compelled to submit to the seclusion of home. Hemorrhage and profuse perspirations ensued, laying her low by each

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