nessed signal revivals of the work of God; and many will be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord. He cared diligently for the church of God; and, both by pulpit ministrations and pastoral intercourse, strove to merit the character of a good minister of Jesus Christ. A diligent student of the sacred volume, he became a scribe well instructed unto the kingdom of heaven; and, while honcured in the awakening of sinners, he was also their wise counsellor and faithful friend. Possessing deep spirituality of mind, and exercising great self-denial, he evinced the perfect love which casteth out fear. His eminent liberality was the result of deep personal conviction, which led him to present, in the most unostentatious manner, very large contributions in aid of the work of Christ. After fortyeight years of faithful service, his health suddenly failed; and, for the last eight years, he resided at Bramley, where he rendered varied and valuable aid. Having served his generation by the will of God, he fell asleep in Christ, on Sunday, September 20th, 1863, aged seventy-six.

4. WILLIAM TOASE; who was born at Kilton, near Guisborough, in 1782. He was converted to God in his fifteenth year, and entered the ministry at the age of twenty-two. He early devoted himself to the study of the French language, which led to his appointment to the Channel Isles. Subsequently he became the first Missionary to the French prisoners of war in the hulks on the Medway. On the conclusion of peace he laboured in France; and, at a later period, he was long stationed in Paris, and at the head of our Missions in that country. Even after he had become a Supernumerary he returned, from his retirement at Guernsey, to take charge of the congregation at Boulogne, which he held to the hour of his death. His prolonged course as a Christian minister was without a spot. Diligent in study, methodical in the arrangement of his time, careful in preparation for the pulpit, thoroughly ministerial in his bearing and habits, with courteous manners, a cheerful and sedate spirit, careful regard for the young, and unwearied attention to strangers, he presented in his character a rare combination and balance of qualities adapted to such difficult posts as those he had to fill. His ministry was always instructive, pleasing, and truly evangelical; and many seals to it were given him from the most opposite classes of society. In his peculiar stations, he had, to an extraordinary extent, to come into relation with persons of divers ranks and characters, and ever was

enabled, before high and low, to do honour to the Christian ministry. In his later days the purity of his character, the benignant gravity of his deportment, the vigour of his preaching, his eminent pastoral virtues, and the good name won by a long career of goodness and usefulness, surrounded him with an uncommon degree of veneration, which was displayed after his death, by both French and English, in remarkable tokens of respect, On Sunday morning, September 20th, 1863, he preached on 1 Tim. i. 5; and the same afternoon, while conversing with a friend, he suddenly fell asleep, in the eighty-first year of his age, and the fiftyninth of his ministry.

5. THOMAS HARRIS, who was born on the 30th of May, 1791, at MoretonCorbet, Salop, died in Birmingham, on the 30th of September, 1863, in the seventy-third year of his age, and the fifty-first of his ministry. He loved his duty, and discharged it faithfully. He always seemed to live in the enjoyment of conscious integrity, and the abiding favour of his Lord. His character was

As a

honourable and pure. Confidence be never betrayed. His whole Christian and ministerial life was consistent. friend, he was warm and enduring in his attachments. His happy and hopeful disposition rendered him an ever-welcome companion, and a colleague well-beloved. Such a man could not but gain the confidence and esteem of his brethren. This was evinced in his appointment to the Secretaryship of the Annuitants' Society, which he held with great credit to himself for about twenty years. He was also called to the Superintendency of some of the most important Circuits in Methodism, and elected Chairman of various Districts. As a preacher, he was sound and scriptural; and at all times he firmly maintained our discipline. Mr. Harris's health had been failing for some time; and, in the evening of the first Sunday in November, 1862, symptoms of paralysis appeared. The last two or three days of his life were passed in gentle sleep, and thus he died. Thomas Harris was a good and useful man. His brethren trusted him, and did him honour.

6. BENJAMIN GAVELL MITCHELL; who was born at Norwich, in the year 1807, and died at Hinckley, on October 2d, 1863. About the age of nineteen he became the subject of converting grace. After his marriage and settlement in business, he was moved to enter the ministry, and cheerfully made the sacrifices which such a step required. He was remarkable for great conscientiousness;

not ruled by interest, or love of popularity, but by a sense of duty. He was a man of very tender and humane spirit. In his last Circuit, when surrounded with much misery and want, he endeared himself to the people by his great kindness and liberality. As a practical, evangelical, and fervent preacher, he aimed to save the souls of his hearers; and many will be the "crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus." In the midst of life, activity, and usefulness, he was suddenly seized with sickness, and in twelve days passed from the strength of manhood into the valley of death. Here he had no fear nor dismay, neither did he experience transport or ecstasy; but he enjoyed perfect peace. When one said to him, "The Lord will be with you," he replied, "The Lord is with me!" When another asked, "Does that religion which you have preached to others support you now?" he answered, "Yes; O, yes!" Thus he finished his course, in the fiftysixth year of his age, and the twenty-sixth of his ministry.

7. WILLIAM ASH, born in 1785, was converted to God in his youth, and entered the ministry in 1811. As a Pastor, he was diligent and laborious; and, as a Superintendent, he mingled kindness with firmness in the maintenance of discipline, and generally secured the respect and confidence of those among whom he laboured. Though not a man of superior talents or acquirements, he was a faithful minister of the New Testament, and was in some Circuits instrumental in the conversion of many sinners. While no inconsiderable reader of other books bearing on his work, he was remarkable for diligent and devout perusal of the Book of God, being long in the habit of reading it through at least once every year. After being engaged forty-eight years in various Circuits, he became a supernumerary in 1859, and settled at Whitby; where, as opportunity offered, he spent his remaining strength in promoting that good cause in which, ever since his conversion, he had been so zealously affected. For a few weeks before his death his health declined; but his mind was kept in perfect peace. No words of doubt escaped his lips. His end was sudden; but he partook of the blessedness of that man who, when his Lord cometh, is found watching. He fell asleep October 8th, 1863, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, and the fifty-third of his ministry.

8. THOMAS STATON; born at Bunny, near Nottingham, January 8th, 1791. He was brought in early life under religious influences, and was con

verted to God when eighteen years of age. In 1814 he entered the ministry, and he laboured with efficiency for fortytwo years. His sermons were often distinguished by clear reasoning and powerful argument, as well as by forcible application. As a pastor he was very diligent. In his later years a large portion of his time was devoted to the visitation of the people, much to their spiritual improvement. His attachment to the Methodist doctrine and polity was strong. At the Conference of 1856 he was compelled, by failing health, to retire from the full work of the ministry, and went to reside in the Manchester Third Circuit, where for five years he continued to serve the church of Christ. The last two years of his life were years of great personal and domestic affliction. All his sufferings were borne with exemplary patience. His confidence, not only in the goodness of God, but in His perfect wisdom too, never faltered. To a minister who visited him shortly before his death he said, "Give my love to all my brethren, and tell them to keep to our great principles." He fell asleep in Jesus on November 3d, 1863.

9. JOSEPH THORPE MILNER; who was born April 11th, 1806. He had a pious parentage, and in his youth was brought to a saving knowledge of Christ. He was admitted on trial for churchmembership in 1820; and in the following year his name was placed on the Local-Preachers' Plan. Mr. Milner now gave himself up to diligent study; and, before he was quite twenty years of age, he was appointed by the Conference to the Evesham Circuit. He read carefully the best English writers; devoted prayerful attention to the composition of sermons; and gladly consecrated his powers to the salvation of souls. God honoured his devotion, and made him useful. During his residence at Newark he fell from his horse, and sustained serious injury. For thirty years there was scarcely a single day in which he was free from pain. At the Conference of 1861 he was compelled to become a Supernumerary. So long as strength permitted, it was his joy to occupy the pulpit; and he was always welcomed by the congregations. The last twelve weeks of his life were spent in extreme suffering; but in patience he possessed his soul. During the intervals from pain his thoughts and conversation were fixed on the work of Christ for the world, and for himself. "I have not a tittle of confidence," he said, "in myself, but solely in the superabounding mercy of God in Christ, I look at the

grand mediatorial arrangement as a whole, embrace it with firm and unwavering faith, and find in it all that the guiltiest sinner needs." When death was upon him, he said, with glorious emphasis, "Precious Saviour, help me!" then sank down on his pillow, and expired. Mr. Milner's character was distinguished by a rare combination of excellencies. He had the highest sense of Christian honour, and would never tolerate anything which approached to meanness. As a friend, he was confiding and faithful. He entertained a deep sense of his unworthiness, and a constant reliance upon the atonement. As a preacher, he was exceedingly diligent in preparation for the pul. pit, reading the best theology, and cultivating great plainness and strength of language. His sermons were marked by much vigour of style, ability of exposition, and powerful appeal; and in all of them the great doctrines of evangelical truth had a decided prominency. As an author of several able works, both doctrinal and practical, he deserves to be held in grateful remembrance. He died on Christmas morning, 1863, in the fiftyeightl. year of his age, and the thirtyninth of his ministry.

For

10. JOHN WESLEY WILSON; son of the late Rev. William Wilson, a Wesleyan Missionary in the West Indies. He laboured zealously and successfully in several important Circuits, and was greatly beloved, both by his colleagues and the Societies. In pastoral duties he was indefatigable; and in the intellectual and moral improvement of young men he took a most affectionate interest. some years Mr. Wilson had been subject to serious attacks of disease, which caused him intense pain, and repeatedly threatened his life. Sustained by zeal for Christ, he frequently went to his work in a state of great debility and suffering, unwilling to take rest unless absolutely compelled to do so. At length, however, his constitution gave way, and he rapidly sank beneath the influence of an insidious malady. On Sunday, November 29th, 1863, he preached his last sermons, at Pontefract, in weariness and pain. On Wednesday, December 30th, he expressed his conviction that his end was near; prayed very fervently for himself, his sorrowing wife, and their dear child; and requested that some portions of Scripture might be read to him. On being asked if Christ was precious, he replied, "O, yes; He will not forsake me now. I am an unprofitable servant, but I cleave to the atonement. I trust in the righteousness of Christ." He lingered until

Friday morning, January 1st, 1864, when, just as the light of day was dawning, he calmly passed away to the region of unclouded light, in the forty-fifth year of his age, and the twentieth of his ministry.

11. WILLIAM TAYLOR; who was born at Briestfield, in the Dewsbury Circuit, in 1786. In answer to the prayers of a pious mother, and by the Divine blessing upon her faithful instructions and exhortations, he was truly converted when about fifteen years of age. After being usefully employed as class-leader and Local preacher, he entered on the work of the ministry in his twenty-third year. He was a plain, faithful, earnest, and successful preacher. In the year 1819 he became a Supernumerary; and, though he resumed the work of a Circuit for twentyfive years, he was finally laid aside, from the effect of a dangerous accident, which happened to him in travelling to Conference. As a Supernumerary he laboured diligently, affectionately, and successfully in forming classes, visiting the sick, and preaching, as far as his health and strength permitted. For many years he suffered from severe afflic tion, but was graciously sustained by unwavering faith in God. The providence of God was a favourite subject of his meditation and discourse. With mature experience of the love of God, and calm confidence in the atonement of Christ, he patiently awaited his end, and expired at Northampton, January 27th, 1864, in the seventy-eighth year of his age.

12. JOHN MITCHELL ETHERINGTON; who was born at Holywell-Green, near Halifax. He was brought to the knowledge of God in his native village, when he joined the Methodist church. In the year 1861 he was appointed to a Circuit. His course, though brief, was strongly marked by diligence, by selfdenial, and success. His preaching was clear, pointed, and useful. In pastoral visitation he was exemplary, paying special attention to the sick and the poor. He was about to enter on a third year his first station, when, under the pressure of extraordinary labour, his health failed. During an affliction of six months' continuance be possessed his soul in patience; and, calmly resting upon the mediation of Christ, he passed away to his reward. He died January 30th, 1864, in the twenty-fifth year of his age.

13. PHILIP HARDCASTLE, the son of a Wesleyan minister, was born in the year 1804, educated at the WoodhouseGrove School, and converted to God in

early life. He entered upon the work of the ministry in 1829. He was a preacher of uncommon powers, searching out the meaning of his text with remarkable acuteness, and expounding it with lucidity and address. His style was terse, yet rich and vivacious; his doctrine sound; his skill in probing human motives, and his power in appealing to the conscience, great; and his delivery effective. But, owing to various causes, the influence which would have legitimately resulted from his great talents and many Christian excellencies was not fully realized. In his last illness, the fruit of early conversion, and of a long religious course, was seen in the possession of great peace. Almost at the last moment he was asked if the word he had so often preached to others was his own present salvation. He promptly replied, "Yes, and my strength.” “And your comfort ?" "Yes, and my peace." "And your refuge ?" "Yes; and my life, life in Christ." He died in London, February 13th, 1864, in the sixtieth year of his age, and the thirty-fifth of his ministry.

14. JOHN MASON; who for many years has been well known and highly esteemed among us. He entered the ministry in the year 1811, and laboured with acceptance in various Circuits till 1824, when he became one of the General Secretaries of the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society. Here his rare business-talents, combined with other important qualifications, were ascertained. In 1827 he was appointed to the office of Book-Steward; and for nearly thirty-seven years he commanded the entire confidence and gratitude of his brethren, by uninterrupted diligence, fidelity, and success. Though his official duties partook of a secular character, he felt that they had a directly religious bearing; so that in the fulfilment of his trust, he served the Lord Christ, being an instrument of diffusing, to a wide extent, a purely Christian literature, and of providing for the necessities of aged Ministers and widows. Till he was enfeebled by age, he regularly preached twice on the Lord's day to congregations in London and the neighbourhood; his ministry being plain, practical, evangelical, and experimental; and also, in not a few instances, successful in the conversion of those who heard him. For several years, also, he was very useful as the leader of a class connected with the City-road Chapel, which he met with great regularity, to the spiritual benefit of the members. In personal character this venerable man was blameless and upright; while as a husband, a father, and

a master, his conduct was highly exemplary. His spirit was genial, so that he had an evident pleasure in rendering kind services to his brethren, and to any others whom he found to need his aid; yet, when necessary, he could administer an effectual rebuke. As a Christian, he was sincere, spiritually-minded, and consistent. As a Wesleyan Minister, he was no reed shaken with the wind, but maintained, with undeviating consistency, an inviolable attachment to his brethren, and to the system of doctrine and church-order with which they are identified, and took a lively interest in the institutions of Methodism. An intimate friendship subsisted between him and the late Rev. Richard Watson; and it was at his urgent request that Mr. Watson wrote some of the most useful and valued of his publications. He retained his mental vigour, without any unusual change, till within a few months of his departure. On Monday, February 29th, he attended to his official duties as usual in London, but returned somewhat indisposed. The next day he remained at home; but no immediate danger was apprehended till the evening, when a difficulty of breathing ensued, and he almost immediately expired. He died March 1st, 1864, in the eighty-third year of his age, and the fiftythird of his ministry.

15. ROBERT DAY; who was born at Dewsbury, November 8th, 1794. In 1809 he was truly awakened, and, after seeking mercy until he almost despaired of finding it, he received "the Spirit of adoption.' His call to the ministry was the occasion of severe mental conflict; but he was "thrust out" into the vineyard of the Lord, at the Conference of 1820. His sermons were expository, natural in arrangement, remarkable for a painstaking examination of the text, and often closed with pointed and telling application. To the conscientious performance of duty he gave himself wholly, and whatsoever his hand found to do he did with his might. In offices of trust he united fidelity with prudence. He was extremely jealous for the observance of all parts of our discipline. In the year 1859 failing health obliged him to retire from the full work of the ministry. He became a Supernumerary at Lowestoft, where for some time by personal labours, and to the last by his gifts and his prayers, he helped the work of the Lord. His last illness was protracted. The depression of disease excluded lively joy, but never disturbed his peace. With great longing he waited for his change; and when informed that, in the opinion of his medical attend

16. WILLIAM LANGRIDGE; who was born at Tunbridge-Wells, February 4th, 1791. Early in life awakened and converted to God, he was called to the ministry in 1815, in the active duties of which he continued until 1836, when he became a Supernumerary. He was one of the first of our brethren appointed to Zetland, and for many years was usefully employed on that Mission. The last four years of his life were spent at Alnwick, in great weakness and infirmity; but Christ was precious to him. He frequently said, "I bless God for affliction." Some of his last words were, "I am very happy; ""Christ is here." He died in peace, April 14th, 1864. Mr. Langridge was a sound preacher, had remarkable power in prayer, was strongly attached to Methodism, and, notwithstanding some peculiarity of character, his general Christian conduct secured for him the respect and esteem of all classes.

17. WILLIAM LIONEL SPIERS; who died at Raunds, in the HighamFerrers Circuit, May 3d, 1864, in the twenty-fourth year of his age. He was converted to God in 1858, and received as a preacher on trial in 1862. Possessed of useful talents, and devoting himself closely to his work, he filled his place with great acceptance, and was distinguished by cordiality and sincere affection in his association with his brethren. He was a cheerful Christian, and a constant and faithful friend. Prostrated by typhoid fever, he conversed but little during his last illness; but he departed in assurance and peace.

18. EDWARD GUEST; who died in the fortieth year of his age, and the fourteenth of his ministry. He was a native of Staffordshire, and was converted from the error of his ways when twenty years of age; soon after which he began to preach the Gospel, and remarked, after one of his first public services, "I am determined not to preach an unfelt religion.' constitutional ardour revealed itself in genial kindness and true generosity, while it continued to give a glowing earnestness to his preaching, which was marked by originality, fitness of illustration, and a clear exhibition of scriptural

His

theology. There are many witnesses to the power of his heart-searching appeals. During a long and severe affliction his faith was constant. To one who said to him shortly before his death, "The mere logic of religion would not do for you now," he replied, fervently, " But the logic and the experience agree." After frequent expressions of resignation and unfaltering faith in the Redeemer, he died in great peace, in the Hornsea Circuit, on the 9th of May, 1864.

19. HUMPHREY BEATTIE TRETHEWEY, son of the late Rev. Thomas Trethewey, was born in 1801, at Newlyn, near Truro. When eighteen years of age, he became a member of the Methodist church, and, in 1824, was accepted by the Conference as a candidate for the holy ministry. Thenceforth he consecrated himself to the public service of God among the people of his choice. The whole of his ministerial life was spent in the four western counties of England, where, in all the scenes of his labours, his name is cherished in loving remembrance. His course was a lovely illustration of that Scripture, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." He showed “uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech that could not be condemned." His ministry was distinguished by comprehensive exposition of Scripture, and quiet earnestness in promoting the honour of God, and the good of men. In guiding the affairs of a Circuit, he happily blended firmness with gentleness; while even over the secular business connected with God's cause he threw a sacredness by the prevailing piety of his spirit. Whatever belonged to God he approached with reverence. With becoming self-respect be united Christian affability. In friendship he was candid, generous, and faithful; in domestic life, full of goodness. Greater men have fallen in our church, but name more guileless. After an illness of about six weeks, during which he enjoyed perfect peace, he fell asleep in Jesus, at Dartmouth, on the 24th of May, 1864, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

20. JAMES LANCASTER was born at Peasmarsh, in Sussex. His parents were regular attendants on the Wesleyan ministry, and took him with them to the house of God. While very young his mind became deeply impressed, and he soon decided to serve the Lord; joined the Society; and, during a revival of religion, obtained a sense of the pardon of sin while in a prayer-meeting, and was soon after appointed a Local preacher. He removed from Sussex to Londen,