applied to his mind, "The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom shall I fear." Psa. xxvii. 1. By faith he then laid hold of God's promise of mercy, when instantly, His chains fell off, his heart was free." Now he was a new man, he was risen with Christ from the dead; and we have every reason to believe, that from that time he continued, in obedience to the apostolic injunction, to set his affections on things above.

After having, for some time, honoured the Gospel as a private member, it was judged expedient on the death of Mr. John Heap, his leader, to appoint our deceased brother to the office of leader. In this office he continued till his death; labouring with affection, wisdom, zeal, fidelity, and acceptance. Our lamented brother seems to have been naturally of a quiet and serious turn of mind; and after he was made a partaker of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, he became an eminently consistent, devout, and humble Christian. His christian character was distinctly marked by,

1. Love to the people of God. Like David, his delight was in the company and converse of God's people. There was such a congeniality in his and their tempers and pursuits, that their visits were always welcome, and their society, converse, and prayers, exceedingly precious to him.

2. Attachment to the means of grace. All of which he highly prized; but particularly the Lord's Supper; on this ordinance he constantly attended, so long as his health would permit; and he received with very great pleasure, the proposition to have it administered to him and the members of our little society at Castle Street, in his own room. Accordingly the ordinance was administered by our esteemed superintendent Mr. Wright. When Mr. Greenwood attended the table of the Lord, and there were but few communicants, he would complain that some of our people run after love-feasts for miles, yet turn from and forsake the table of the Lord, though it be spread in their own sanctuary. This is I fear too true, and if any who read this feel that they are such individuals, let them consider how wrong is such conduct.

3. He was distinguished by zeal for the glory of his heavenly Father. He had learned to make this the rule of his conduct, and I have ever found him a willing and ready assistant, in carrying out any plan which promised to advance the glory of God and the benefit of men.

In the year 1828, he went to live at Castle Street, where we have a small society, and where he was residing at the time of his illness and death. His last sickness commenced in December, 1840; it was at times extremely painful, but he was enabled through the grace of God, to endure it as a man of God; when spoken to on the subject of his sufferings, his language almost invariably was, I am endeavouring patiently to wait.' For some time before his death, he appeared to have a conviction that his days were numbered; but as when in health he had set his house in order, and afterwards diligently laboured to keep it in order, the approach of death did not distress his mind; he continued trusting in God, and rejoicing in hope of "the glory, that shall hereafter be revealed in us." Often when gazing on his

sinking frame, I have felt my mind deeply affected, especially whilst contemplating his undisturbed and vigorous joy, and marking his earnest efforts to benefit those around him. Once in particular, when I called to see him, these things were strikingly displayed; he was at that time near his end, and being unable to lay down on account of his cough, he was sitting in an easy chair, with his head resting on pillows, which were placed on a table in front of him ;-knowing that talking gave him pain, I endeavoured to speak in such a manner as to excuse his replying; but when I referred to the greatness of our reward in heaven, he raised his head, and with clasped hands, and a countenance in which meekness and love were sweetly blended, he exclaimed,

"A palm of victory I then shall bear,
A crown of glory ever wear,
In endless day."

Shortly after this, a female friend coming in, he began to exhort her in broken sentences to be earnest in seeking the Lord, and never to rest until she had the assurance of pardon. When I parted with him he seemed to have a presentiment, that it was the last time I should see him; taking one of my hands in each of his, he bade me a most affectionate farewell, praying that God would bless me, and make me an abundant blessing to others; and exhorted me to watch and pray for souls as one who must give an account. After this I saw him once more, which was on the evening before his death, when after having shook hands with me, he said, it seems long,' and repeated some lines of poetry. At about eight o'clock the following morning, Sunday, Feb. 27, 1842, being fifty-two years of age, he gently sighed and fell asleep in the arms of Jesus his Saviour.

Perhaps I ought to add, that Mr. Greenwood belonged to the Conference Methodists until the agitation which preceded and accompanied the formation of the Association; since that period he has been firmly attached to the interests of the Association, and zealously lent himself to help on the work of God amongst us. The above sketch might have been considerably enriched by the sayings of our departed brother, but I trust enough has been written to shew the excellency of piety in the last conflict.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. B. SCHOFIELD,

OF HEYWOOD.

BENJAMIN SCHOFIELD, the subject of the following sketch, was born at Mayfield, near Rochdale, July 13, 1812. Of the early part of his life we have but little information: it appears, however, that he grew up to man's estate alike destitute of the power and the form of godliness, often manifesting the depravity of his heart by violating

the divine commands, especially that which says, "Swear not at all." For some time after his marriage, he and his wife attended a church belonging to the "Establishment," without experiencing any change of heart; but at length it pleased "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness," to shine in his heart and also in his wife's, giving both of them to see their guilty condition and great need of mercy. Of this spiritual illumination his wife was first the subject. By a merciful Providence she was led to attend the Wesleyan Methodist Association chapel at Heywood; and there heard those truths which, accompanied by the influence of the Holy Spirit, first wounded and then healed her soul. She now desired the salvation of her husband, who was much opposed to her union with God's people, and frequently invited him to accompany her to the place where she had heard "the joyful sound." He for a long time refused to comply with her pressing invitations, often saying, 'I will never be a Methodist;' but at last her importunity happily prevailed. On a Sabbath morning, in the summer of 1837, he went with her to Hoolybridge, to hear that devoted servant of God, now in heaven, Mr. John Griffiths; and the word made such an impression as ended in his conversion. His prejudice now began to give way, so that on his return to Heywood, in the afternoon, he went to hear Mr. Wolstenholme, whose words were "as a nail fastened in a sure place." From that time he saw himself to be "the chief of sinners," abandoned his wicked habits, regularly attended the public worship of God, joined the Society, and continued to pray for mercy, until, at a prayer meeting, he was enabled to "believe with his heart unto righteousness." Then it was that God said to his troubled conscience, "Peace be still," and the tongue of the blasphemer was tuned to songs of praise; for he had " a new song put into his mouth, even praise to our God." He went down to his house justified; and, subsequently, ceased not to 'adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things." To his wife he became, instead of a hinderance, a help in the way of salvation; and, wherever he was, endeavoured to shine as a light in the world;" and laboured to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." In his Bible he, like the Bereans, took much delight, "Searching the Scriptures daily." In attendance at his class he was regular; and frequently his experience of the deep things of God was made a blessing to those with whom he was associated in Christian fellowship. Such, indeed, was his acquaintance with scriptural truth, and such the progress which he made in spiritual attainments, that, after due deliberation, he was appointed, by the leaders' meeting, to conduct a class at Crimble, a place about a mile from Heywood; and the success which attended his labours soon proved the wisdom of the appointment. From two to fourteen members the class speedily increased; and there is every reason to believe that, had his life been spared, his usefulness would have abounded yet more and more. This, however, was not the will of God. His days were numbered, and speedily brought to an end; he ceased to labour, and entered into rest. Wondering at the dispensations of the Almighty, survivors had to say, "How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding

out!"

The sickness by which this servant of God was "cut off in the midst of his days" first made its appearance about Christmas, 1841; but as it did not seem to be of a very serious nature, hopes of his recovery were for some time entertained; and, indeed, so strongly were these cherished that he was appointed to lead another class. But how vain are the expectations of mortals! About three weeks before his death a great change took place for the worse; and then it was that fears of a fatal result arose in the minds of his friends. With regard to himself, none of these things moved him;" in the midst of all his afflictions he continued cheerful and happy; so that on one occasion, when his former leader called to see him, he addressed him in the following language::-'O what a comfortable week I have had in this chamber! I have had no company but the Lord, nor have I wanted any; my communion with him has been so sweet!' The closing scene now drew nigh. The day before he died his medical attendant pronounced his disease to be incurable; but to him this was not sorrowful tidings. Upon receiving the intelligence from the lips of his sorrow-stricken wife he exhibited no symptoms of fear; but, on the contrary, no sooner had she left the room, than he was heard singing with all his soul

"I will praise my Maker while I have breath," &c.

During the succeeding night he called his wife to his bed-side, and told her affectionately, that he should soon have to leave her-that his time here would be very short, much shorter than she expected.' Upon her replying, What, must you go and leave me in this world of trouble, with these children?' he said, 'Yes, I must; but O be faithful; look the way that I have looked; bring up my children for the Lord: and we shall soon meet again.' He then with great composure gave directions concerning his funeral, after which the family retired to rest, leaving with him two Christian friends. His sufferings were great; but so were his consolations also. He often repeated passages of Scripture, and called upon his brethren to do the same. At one period of the night, when his pain was uncommonly severe, he said to them, 'What think ye of this? effort is vain now, I shall soon be at home.' And at another time, as he felt the approach of the last enemy, he exclaimed, 'Thank God, this is death.'

On the 2nd of March, the day of his death, his wife being then with him, he again said to her, I must very soon leave you, I shall soon be at home;' and upon her asking him if he was quite happy, quite sure of getting to heaven,' he answered, 'O yes, all is right. I am dying, but all is right: there is light in the valley, Christ is in me; and I would not take hundreds of thousands for what I now see.' After this he sent for one of his Christian associates, to whom he expressed himself as being quite ready for this change. To another who called upon him, he said, 'You see I am going; but all is right within.' And now his last hour had come. Calling his children unto him, he gave them his dying blessing; and then, taking hold of the hand of his weeping wife, he said, The Lord bless you, and be with you.' Shortly afterwards he again expressed his wish to get home;

and immediately after his wish had been uttered "he fell asleep in Jesus."

"O may I triumph so

When all my warfare's past;

And, dying, find my latest foe
Under my feet at last."

His funeral sermon was preached from Phil. i. 20, on Sunday evening, March 27th, by Mr. Ince, to a crowded and deeply affected congregation.

JESUS, THE CHRIST:

THE ONLY FOUNDATION OF GOD'S LIVING TEMPLE, THE

CHURCH.

A Discourse delivered at Rochdale, Aug. 7, 1842, before the ANNUAL ASSEMBLY of the Wesleyan Methodist Association,

By Mr. C. JOHN KENNEDY, of Paisley.

"For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.-1 Cor. iii. 11.

I FEEL the present occasion to be one of unusually solemn importance. Called to address a large number of the young, who are the hope of the Church, and many of my brethren in the Christian ministry, at whose feet I would gladly sit to receive instruction,—as well as a goodly number of the members of the Church of Christ in this place, I am deeply impressed with a sense of my entire incompetency, without special aid from on high, for the proper performance of the interesting duty which I am required now to discharge. Let me therefore, my beloved auditors, have now the aid of your fervent prayers, for the Holy Spirit of truth and love to direct, animate, strengthen me. May his blessed influences be copiously effused on all who are present in this large congregation! And may the name of Jehovah, the God of salvation, be honoured throughout the Church, throughout the world, throughout the universe!

and

The original term, oudeis, here rendered "no man," signifies, in strict propriety, no one-no man, no angel, no archangel-no being on earth beneath, or in heaven above.

The original expression, o Xotoróg, literally rendered, is, "The Christ," ," "The Anointed One,"-" The Messiah."

The text, altered in conformity with these very obvious remarks, will run thus: "For other foundation can no one lay than that already laid, which is Jesus, the Christ:"- Or thus: For other foundation can no one lay, than the foundation already laid, which is Jesus, the Christ."-In other words" Jesus, the Christ, is the foundation ;Jesus, the Christ, is laid as the foundation already; and no one can lay any other foundation, besides Jesus, the Christ." But of what is