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God!" and in a few minutes she fell asleep in Jesus, November 22d, 1855, in the seventy-fifth year of her age.

W. S.

MR. WILLIAM CROSS was born at Birmingham, July 27th, 1805. In his twenty-second year, under a sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Colewell, Rector of the old church in Stafford, he was brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. About six months afterward he connected himself with the Wesleyan Methodists in that town, and continued a member there until he removed to Lichfield. On his arrival in that city, in 1830, he immediately found his way to the Methodist chapel, and to the class-meeting; and sought, in the diligent use of the means of grace, the improvement of his mind in knowledge, and his heart in true piety. In 1835 he became the Leader of two classes, an office for which his gifts and graces well fitted him, and in which he laboured with great fidelity, enjoyed great comfort in his own soul, and was rendered a blessing to the members under his care. He was always faithful in speaking to the individuals in his classes, and from his store of knowledge and growing experience always found a portion of meat for each in due season.

For many years Mr. Cross was greatly afflicted with asthma, and at times suffered acutely; but patience and humble submission enabled him to endure his sufferings with manly fortitude. He continued in his office as Leader to the end of life, and, with as little interruption as the state of his health would allow, met his fellow-Christians in class until within a fortnight of his decease. As Society-Steward, (for that office Mr. Cross also held for a length of time,) he was laudably solicitous for the interests of the cause of God; and, both by personal activities and pecuniary aid, he did what he could to further its prosperity. In indications of good he greatly rejoiced; and when any signs of languor and decay appeared, he mourned and was distressed. He highly valued all the means of grace, but had a special regard for the classmeeting. He loved to hear the truth clearly, evangelically, faithfully, and affectionately proclaimed from the pulpit. Long was he accustomed to welcome the Ministers at his house, on their periodical visits to the city. He delighted in their conversation, and in the opportunity of ministering to their comfort for the great Master's sake. His attachment to Methodist doctrine and discipline was

strong, and he was far removed from those who are "given to change." During his last illness his mind was generally kept in peace, his entire trust being in the merits of Christ, who loved him, and gave Himself for him. Two days before his death he said,

"Jesus comes with my distress,
And agony is heaven."

Again: "I do not know how this matter will end; but it is all right." "Now," he added, addressing a member of his class, "pray with me: we have had many happy times together." "When I rose from prayer," says his friend," he exclaimed, Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!" Another member calling, who had been but a short time united with us, and was about to leave the place, he addressed him thus: "I cannot enter into conversation with you now; but I have one thing to say: Wherever you go, live to God." Those who watched with him the last two nights of his life can never forget his happy frame of mind. The whole of the last night was spent in praising God his Saviour; for his whole soul was filled with gratitude and love. On the morning of August 8th, 1855, his happy spirit took its flight to the realm of everlasting blessedness.

JOHN WILSON.

APRIL 11th, 1857.-At Kendal, Mr. Robert Kinley, aged fifty-five. He was a native of the Isle of Man, and, when four years of age, removed to Whitehaven, where, early in life, he was convinced of sin, and brought to the knowledge of salvation, under the ministry of the Rev. John Braithwaite. A few years later he removed to Kendal, and continued a steady and consistent member of the church to the day of his death. He was of an amiable and pacific temper, and much esteemed. He was exemplary in his classmeeting attendance, till laid aside by protracted affliction. In his sickness he lived in the spirit of prayer, and humble reliance on the atonement and grace of Christ; and he enjoyed a happy sense of the presence of his heavenly Father. His death was sudden. He had repeatedly said to his friends that he had no fear of death, but occasionally felt some anxiety as to the pain of dying. On the last day of his life he visited a sick person; and, a few hours after, while walking at a short distance from his house, his spirit was called home to God who gave it.

T. A.

April 14th.-At Yeadon, aged fifty-seven, Elizabeth Dawson, for many years a ClassLeader. Her affliction was long and painful, but she was graciously supported, and perfectly resigned to God's will. She died in peace. J. C.

April 21st.-At Macclesfield, in the seventyfirst year of his age, and the forty-ninth of his ministry, the Rev. John Rigg. Iis affliction was painful and of long continuance; but he bore-it with unwavering Christian resignation, trusting in the Lord. His life was one of great piety and uprightness: all who knew him highly respected him for the purity and integrity of his character. His matured views of the Methodist doctrines and discipline, his laborious diligence to promote the glory of God in the salvation of men, and his firm attachment to the people of his choice, secured for him the sincere affection of his brethren in the ministry, and of all those who knew him best. He was at the same time of a truly catholic spirit; a lover of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. On several occasions he had to be the defender of that church of which he was a Minister; but he did this with that Christian temper and prudence becoming one who had to stand as a "pillar" in the house of the Lord; and he is now in the possession of his eternal reward. His confidence in God was always strong; but, as he approached his end, his prospects greatly brightened. He said, a short time before his death, "I thought I was entering heaven, when I met a glorified spirit, who said to me, You can have no idea at present of our enjoyments here, nor can you know them now; you must go back and wait a little, and you shall know them in due time."" That period speedily arrived; and in the approach of the last enemy his soul firmly rested on the sacrifice and merits of his Redeemer, and he died in peace. W. B.

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April 21st.-At Butterley, in the Ripley Circuit, Mrs. Walker. During the labours of the late Rev. Hugh Beech in the Belper Circuit there was a gracious visitation of Divine influence. Many were converted to God, and gave themselves to His church. The late Mrs. Walker and her worthy husband were gathered into the fold of Christ at this time. For more than forty years she pursued the even tenor of her way. She was not given to change, but decided, determined, unmovable. To train her children for Christ and heaven was her constant and prayerful endeavour. Nor did she labour in vain: she had the happiness to see, many years before her death, several of her beloved children decided for Christ, and others" not far from the kingdom of God." A few weeks before her decease she became very unwell; and, as she was now more than seventy-five years of age, her friends thought she might soon be taken from the evil to come. She was perfectly resigned: "I am ready to go," she said, again and again, “or willing to remain a little longer." A few days before her death, several of her godly children being with her, she asked them to sing. They began to sing the beautiful hymn, "Come on, my partners in distress;" and, as they were singing the lines, "To patient faith the prize is sure," &c., she tried to join them, uttering a note here and there, and raising her feeble hands in joyous anticipation of

wearing the crown of life. As a wife, a mother, a Christian, she carefully cultivated the graces of the Christian character. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." J. B.

April 25th.-At Bramley, Mr. Joseph Wood, of Bankfield-House, aged sixty-nine. Converted to God and brought into fellowship with the church in early youth, he long served his generation according to the will of God. As Trustee, Leader, Circuit and Society Steward, he held for many years a prominent position in the Bramley Circuit. In the affairs of this life he was accounted a man of discriminating judgment, of whom others, in the time of their perplexity, sought counsel. He had clear views of evangelical truth, and of the privileges of believers. He loved the habitation of God's house, and the place where His honour dwelleth;" but painful affliction withdrew him from the sanctuary, and from all the activities of religious service, for nearly three years before his death. Under the chastening of a Father's hand, he learned more fully the lessons of His grace: for, though humility, self-distrust, and devotional seriousness were characteristic of him in health, these and kindred excellencies were so brightly developed in affliction, that he truly glorified God in the fires. His suffering was continual, and often very extreme; yet there was no betrayal of an unsubdued or murmuring spirit. In patience he possessed his soul. His language was, "The Lord deals gently with me; He is letting me down into the dust of death by a slow and easy descent." He lived yet for months; and it would be difficult to imagine a more gradual failure than his of the powers of life, or of a calmer and more peaceful death. B. F.

April 27th.-At Macclesfield, in the forty-sixth year of his age, and the twenty-first of his ministry, the Rev. John Moore Kirk. In the midst of his days, and in the full vigour of his ability, this servant of Christ was arrested by mortal affliction. Some months since he preached three times on the Lord's day with great energy; at the close of which, he was seized with paralysis, which rendered him very helpless. It was hoped, subsequently, that his health was improving; and, most anxious again to labour for God, he resolved to take his work on Sunday, the 26th of April,-when, after preaching in Sunderlandstreet chapel in the morning, at two in the afternoon another seizure followed, and he died the next morning. He was fully aware of the danger of his position, and said, after his first seizure, that he was not afraid to die; that, if God had taken him, it would have been to eternal rest. His hope of heaven was bright, and his heart was fixed on the work of the ministry of heaven. He trusted entirely in the merits of Christ, and witnessed a good confession. He was much beloved by the people of his charge, who were greatly blessed by his eloquent and profitable preaching. W. B.

LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-Square.

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WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

SEPTEMBER, 1857.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. HENRY RANSON:

BY HIS SON-IN-LAW, THE REV. JOSEPH WHITEHEAD.

WITH what adoring gratitude believers can trace the dealings of God with His people, and especially the loving-kindness manifested in delivering them from the power of darkness, and translating them into the kingdom of His dear Son! The means employed to accomplish the purposes of redeeming mercy are all adapted to illustrate the riches of Divine wisdom and goodness, and to prove that "salvation is of the Lord." The following record offers an example not unimpressive.

Henry Ranson was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the year 1790. His parents, John and Isabella Ranson, were professedly members of the Established Church; each of them belonging to a family of honest and respectable name. When about five years of age, he was taken by his parents to London; where he sustained the loss of his pious and affectionate mother. After her death, he spent several years at school, under the care of a Clergyman and of other tutors. The uncle with whom he subsequently lived for awhile was a Methodist Class-Leader; and the youth was conducted, with the rest of the family, to the chapel, where he began both to hear the truth. and to feel something of its power. When between twelve and thirteen years of age, he was removed to Sunderland, to learn a business. At this place he regularly attended the Wesleyan ministry. It was now that the serious conflict began, and he felt he must choose between the world and its delusive pleasures, on the one hand, and Christ with the substantial blessings of His grace, on the other. The death of a relative, to whom he was much attached, became the immediate means of prompting him to think in earnest of the need of personal religion. Instead of pursuing worldly vanities, on which time, care, and money had been thus far wasted, he now began to cultivate reading, composition, and other useful exercises. While thus engaged, he was invited by a young friend, who had himself lately begun to meet in class, to seek admission to the fellowship of the church. He did not long hesitate, being already convinced of the necessity of such assistance. He went at the appointed time to the weekly meeting, and felt his mind instructed, and his heart much encouraged. Convictions of his exceeding sinfulness were meanwhile deepened he felt himself lost and undone for ever without Christ;

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VOL. III.-FIFTH SERIES.

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