"Grace," said a younger brother to her, a few days after her return" Mr. Dayton doesn't dare to look you in the face, though I saw him stealing a glance, when he thought no one was observing him. Poor man, his wife is anything but a treasure, if report speaks truth, and if he did not sell rum to make money, he would have shut up his store. How glad I am, that you did not have him. But are you really going to be an old maid?

Before the quick blush that crimsoned the cheek of our heroine, at this simple question, had subsided, Philip exclaimed with a smile-"I must not divulge the secret of the confessional, but if common fame speaks truly, a certain manufacturer whose wealth is his least recommendation, is about to visit Beech Hill on a special errand. Our dear Grace performed her part so admirably in his mill, that he wished to try her services as a housekeeper; Is it not so, Grace?"

"Never mind," said the fond father, who saw her embarrassment, "what common fame says. Hear the voice of experience, while I say, that the woman, who as a daughter and sister, has like our own Grace, been dutiful, affectionate, and self-sacrificing, will certainly, whatever her station in life may be, make a virtuous and excellent wife."

MEMOIR OF THOMAS PRUDHOE.

THOMAS PRUDHOE, the subject of the following brief memoir, was born at Sunderland, on the 12th of April, 1839. He was blessed with that greatest of temporal blessings, a pious mother, who endeavoured by every means in her power, to train her children in the way that leads to heaven: and now that one of them is taken from her, the thought that her labour was not lost on him, affords her consolation under the powerful bereavement which she has had to endure. Thomas was the subject of early and deep religious impressions, and singing the praises of God was his delight. Much of his leisure time was spent in writing out, and committing to memory, hymns and select pieces of poetry. By these means, in connexion with reading the Bible, which

was his early practice, his mind was stored with religious knowledge. He began to attend the Sabbath-school when he was only about four years of age; and he was so much attached to the school, that he was never known to absent himself from it, unless through sickness or other unavoidable circumstances.

His conscience was very tender, and when he had done anything wrong, he has retired, and in private prayed to God for forgiveness. On one occasion of this kind, his sorrow was so deep, his prayers so fervent, his joy afterwards so great, that his mother dated his conversion from that time. He would sometimes reprove his sister, who was rather younger than himself, about her neglect of the Bible, and the concerns of her soul. His whole conduct evinced that he was actuated by religious principles. He was noted for his affection to his parents, and other branches of his family, and gave a constant and willing obedience to all their commands. He was of a lively disposition, and somewhat too daring in circumstances of danger, which no doubt led to his death, which took place in a sudden and awful manner.

His mother, having on the 10th of September, gone a few miles into the country, left Thomas at home, with certain instructions to attend to, which were all fulfilled. About four o'clock in the afternoon, he with some of his companions went a short way out of the town to obtain food for some rabbits which he kept, and having gone on a railway used only for the conveyance of coals to the river head; he came in contact with the passing waggons, was thrown down and run over, and his poor body was dreadfully mangled. I never saw such a sight as his body presented; one leg was nearly torn off, the other and one of his arms were broken. He was carried home by a man, who was passing at the time, but as Thomas's mother was from home, he was immediately taken to the Infirmary, where every means for his recovery was resorted to, but without effect. About nine o'clock his spirit took its flight. But though brought to his end under these painful circumstances, he has left a testimony behind him that he has

gone to be with Jesus. While he was being taken home, he was heard repeating hymns and portions of Scripture; expressing his trust in God. His end was peaceful; and no doubt rests on the mind of any, of his having entered the haven of repose. On the Sabbath following his death, being the day of his interment, a hymn composed on the occasion was sung in the school, and every scholar was bathed in tears. May the young learn from his death the uncertainty of life, and turn to God with full purpose of heart! JOHN EGGERS.

In addition to the above, I would add the testimony of his grandfather, a venerable old class-leader, who thus writes :-Thomas was one who in his earlier years was deeply impressed with religious truth; yet in those boyish days was fond of a little play, but was never known to mix with those who did not attend a Sabbath-school and the house of God. Latterly, he felt an increasing delight in reading God's holy word, and prayer, and singing the praises of his Maker. With respect to the mysterious circumstances which led to his death, we can only say, in the language of Scripture, Be still, and know that I am God. We feel the stroke to be very heavy, but we still have our hope in Him who has promised never to leave nor forsake us, and we have fully realised its fulfilment, and with the poet we would say," The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower." I went up to the Infirmary this morning, through his mother's wish to see the nurses who attended him, and they gave a most pleasing account of the happy state in which he died; he was employed in praising God and in prayer. He sung, "Come ye that love the Lord," &c., and "Glory, Hallelujah," and then he threw out his arms, and then without a struggle, calmly sunk into the arms of death. ANTHONY CROFTON.

Yours, &c.,

MEMOIR OF RICHARD GREEN.

RICHARD was a scholar in the Wesleyan Association Sunday-school at Hallbottom, in the Glossop and Stalybridge circuit. He was born on the 5th of October, 1842. At the early age of four years he was taken by his father to Hallbottom Sunday-school. Being engaging in his manners, and of a rather sprightly turn of mind, he soon became a favourite in the school, and made rapid progress in learning. Richard soon became strongly attached to the school, was very regular in his attendance, and by his attention to his book, and his general good behaviour, it soon became evident, that the good seed sown by his teachers was taking root. He had an active mind,—and although fond of innocent play, he was very serious when called to engage in the devotional exercises of the school. When the family surrounded the family altar, and his father engaged in prayer, his conduct proved that the instruction imparted at school was not lost upon him. A gracious influence was discernable upon his mind. His behaviour and conversation showed the depth of his religious convictions. Of the precise time or manner of his conversion his friends can give no account; but of the reality of the change there can be no doubt, his entire conduct showing his love to Christ.

A short time before his last illness, when playing with his brother and some companions, one of them did something which Richard thought wrong, and he became dejected on that account. After relating to his mother, with artless simplicity, the offensive conduct of the naughty boy,--he proposed that they should move to some other locality where none but Methodists resided; supposing that he should thereby escape all annoyances connected with wicked society.

Towards the end of November, 1849, he began to be unwell. At that time no idea of danger was entertained— he, however, became worse, and it was soon apparent, that his weakly frame could not long resist the rapid inroads of disease. The disease by which he was afflicted was fever

in the brain. He saw the concern of his friends, and he soon felt in himself, what was to be apprehended; but he was not in the least alarmed. When his mind was collected, and he was able to speak, the advantages of his Sunday-school training became apparent. He would often refer, with gratitude, to what he had learnt of the love, sufferings, and death of Christ. From the tenderness of his age, it was not to be expected that he could possess much knowledge of divine things, but he often spoke with propriety and touching simplicity of what the Lord had done for him. A few days before his death, when speaking to his mother about his approaching change, she asked him, where he expected to go when he died? He unhesitatingly replied

"To heaven, that beautiful house, to be with Jesus." He often sung the hymn, entitled "Heaven's my home.". To his father he spoke most confidently of his prospects in another world. He would say, "I shall soon be better off; a crown of bright glory is waiting for me." All his hope was in Jesus; and, building on this rock, he was not forsaken. On the 2d of December he called his grandmother, and told her he had a long journey to go; but he comforted her with the assurance, that it would end in heaven.

Being aware it was near Christmas, he repeated the piece he expected to have said at the Christmas recital; but before the time arrived, he had exchanged Christmas festivities for eternal joys. As he drew towards the close of life, he suffered very much. He often exclaimed, "Lord, help me!" Thus, to the end of his conflict, he rested on the Saviour. He fell asleep in Jesus, Dec. 24th, 1849, in the eighth year of his age. His case furnishes another example of the value of Sunday-school culture, and of the susceptibility of children at an early age to receive the truth as it in Jesus.

C. E.