sometimes in the arms of its former master, heaving deep sighs; sometimes gently disengaging itself, and twining round him; at the same time uttering a plaintive clucking, followed by repeated chattering of its bill. These various actions produced a deep impression on the spectators, who looked upon them as signs of gratitude as equivocal as any that could have been given by man.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD ASSERTED.

To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR SIR,

In reading over a short memoir of the Rev. Mr. Notcutt, in the Evangelical Magazine, I was struck with the relation of the following dream. Thinking it might be acceptable to many of your numerous readers, I have been induced to copy it, and send it for insertion in your very edifying Miscellany, should it meet your approbation.-Your's, with great respect, Brompton, Kent, Jan. 20, 1821.

G. C.

The following circumstance connected with her (Mrs. Notcutt's) death (says the writer) is too remarkable to be omitted; and though apparently very improbable to those that are unacquainted with the family, its authenticity may be relied upon, and no doubt entertained as to its correctness.

While they resided at Thaxted, and before they had any idea of removing from thence, Mrs. Notcutt dreamed one night, that they went to live at Ipswich, and the house in which she imagined they resided was so impressed upon her mind, that when she actually went there some years afterwards, she had a perfect recollection of it. She also dreamed, that as she was going to a closet in the parlour, her nose began to bleed, and that it would be found impossible to stop the blood until she had lost so much as to occasion her death, which event should happen forty years from that day.

As her mind was very deeply impressed, she wrote down in her pocket-book the day of the month and year, in which her dream occurred. In process of time they went to reside at Ipswich, and Mrs. N. on removing to her new habitation, was surprised to find it correspond exactly with the one she had seen in her dream; and also the very same closet, in going to which she thought the fatal accident happened. But parental duties, together with the busy concerns of life, engaging her attention, these circumstances were soon forgotten, and the closet was frequented for a number of years, without any fear of the accomplishment of her dream. On Christmas-day, 1755, as she was VOL. XLIV. MARCH, 1821.

reaching a bottle of drops from the closet, to give Mr. Notcutt, who was confined to his couch in the room, her nose began to bleed. Finding, after some time, that all means to stop the blood proved ineffectual, her dream came to her recollection, and she requested one of her attendants to fetch her pocketbook, directing them where to find it. Upon examining it, they found to their unspeakable surprise, that it was exactly forty years from the time that her dream had occurred. All methods were tried, but without effect; and as the medical attendant entered the room she said to him, "You may try to stop the bleeding if you please, but you will not be able." And so it proved in the event. Every part of her dream was fulfilled, and she languished from Thursday to Saturday, when she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

THE GRACE OF GOD MANIFESTED.

To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR SIR,

The subject of the following Memoir I knew well, and think that his character has been very properly delineated by his friend (W. R. of Pocklington.) He was indeed a most promising youth, possessed of vital religion, good sense, and fair classical attainments. Simplicity and sincerity were the two prominent features in his life and conduct, and humility crowned the whole. Had the Lord spared him a little longer, he might have been a blessing to many, as his whole soul was devoted to the great work of winning souls. The father of the young man intended him for the Established Church; but he frankly told me, that he hoped to live and die in connection with the Methodists, and by the grace of God, would spend his time, and use all his talents, amongst that people with whom he had been so happy, and whose ministry had proved so effectual to his salvation.

I have only to add, that, though very young, he had the gravity of old age, and was a pattern of piety to all with whom he had to do, and I believe is now reaping its precious fruits in a better world. "May I die the death of the righteous, and may my last end be like his." T. SIMMONITE.

ACCOUNT OF MR. JOHN HORNBY,

Of Pocklington, Yorkshire.

"I was born," says he, "at Pocklington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, on the 27th of March, 1800. My mother, who was joined to the people called Methodists, brought me up in the fear of the Lord, for which I have reason to praise God.

When very young, the thoughts of hell would often be impressed upon my mind; but still I went on in sin and misery till I was in the 15th year of my age, when, (blessed be the name of the Lord) I was brought to cry for mercy to God, whom I had so often offended. At that time there was a great revival of religion in our circuit, particularly amongst young people. Many at the love-feast at Pocklington were led to discover their lost condition by nature and practice, while others were brought to triumph in the salvation of Jesus; among others, a very great comrade of mine was brought into the liberty of the children of God-this was a means of stirring me up to seek the Lord. About a week after this, I saw some of the Methodist boys standing against the chapel, after they had left: they were talking of going into some place to have a band-meeting, and they asked me if I would go with them. I consented, and went. I liked them very well, and began to associate with them. On the following Sunday there was a love-feast at a village in the neighbourhood, called Warter, where another of my companions received a sense of pardoning mercy-now this greatly increased my desires for salvation. I saw him that evening in the chapel, during service, engaged in prayer and praise, while a heavenly sweetness beamed in his face: but, alas! I could neither pray nor rejoice. I went home sorely distressed, and even cried out for the disquietude of my soul. My mother prayed with me, but I did not find liberty at that time. On the following Sunday I found the justifying grace of God."

As there was something particular respecting this, I beg leave to make the following remark :-On the Sunday after the lovefeast at Warter there was to be one at High Catton. As soon as my friend John Hornby heard of this, he felt a conviction in his mind that he should there obtain the salvation of his soul; this he mentioned to several people. He accordingly, filled with hope, went out with several others to the love-feast, where he prayed earnestly to the Lord, and several pious persons prayed with him, and he received the desired and expected blessing-his bonds were burst asunder, and his soul set at perfect liberty; he returned home rejoicing in God his Saviour. This was on the 24th of July, 1814. I believe from that time he never lost a sense of the favour of God, though many times he was brought into heaviness through manifold temptations. The day after his conversion to God he went to an academy at Malton, where he remained until the end of the year. During his stay there he wrote some edifying letters to his relations, urging them to turn to God with full purpose of heart. After his return to Pocklington he began to exercise himself at the prayer-meetings, and being approved of was taken in among the prayer-leaders. After this he began to give exhortations in the neighbouring vil

lages; he also began to study sermons. He was solicited to attend at Full-Sutton one Lord's day, to preach in the room of a local preacher, who could not attend through affliction. I went along with him that day; he seemed to feel very much on the occasion, yet he got through his work very well, and I believe some good was done. His text was, "Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." This was the first time that he preached to a congregation, respecting which he writes as follows:

"On the 16th of July, 1817, it pleased God to stimulate my mind to engage solemnly in a covenant to endeavour to do good by proclaiming a Saviour to lost sinners; I therefore tremblingly went forth into the vineyard to work."

On the 6th of November following he preached his trial sermon in the Methodist chapel at Pocklingion, before Mr. T. Simmonite, who, approving of him, put his name among the list of local preachers; respecting which my friend made the following remarks:

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January 1, 1818, I renewed my covenant with God, and (being put upon the local preachers' plan) promised to be faithful in the discharge of my duties, and begin afresh to live to the glory of God."

From his papers it appears that he now began to keep a diary of his religious experience-He says, "In order that my soul might more than ever admire the goodness of God, I purposed in my mind to write a daily account of the gracious dealings of the Lord with my soul." Which is as follows:

"January 1st, 1818. This day I have felt in the possession of religion, that which constitutes my happiness: my mind has been deeply impressed with the thoughts of eternity, and the importance of the soul's salvation. The Lord has in some measure enabled me to subdue the risings of an evil temper. I want to feel a greater degree of love for my fellow-mortals' welfare; my breathing desire is, that the Lord would make me useful. Pride aspires; may the Lord keep me humble, and to his name be glory, honour, and praise, both now and for ever.

"Jan. 2. This day hath God preserved and blessed me; but, alas! in return for his goodness my heart is inclined to evil. I have indulged levity of spirit. May the Lord destroy satan's empire out of my soul.

"Jan. 3. I have, by the grace of God, been kept from levity. My soul is in a docile frame--love occupies my heart. My enemies have tried me, yet the Lord hath exerted his power, praise his holy name.

"Jan. 4, Sunday. The Lord doth and will keep his servants who labour for him. He hath kept me by his power. The

means of grace have been refreshing seasons to my soul. The Lord keep me humble. Amen.

"Jan. 5. A sort of languor and stupidity has troubled me today; but yet the Lord, not willing that I should fall a prey to my enemies, rouses my soul, and bids me arise. May I be obedient to the heavenly call.

"Jan. 6. This day my soul has been in heaviness through unwatchfulness over my outward deeds. Lord, save me.

"Jan. 7. This day peace has possessed my soul, and to-night in particular. The Lord hath assisted me in the discharge of my duty, and I have enjoyed his presence. Lord, destroy pride. "Jan 8. Joy is my portion-I have felt blessed in the means of grace-Glory be to thee, O God.

"Jan. 9. This day my soul hath enjoyed true religion. Tonight I have discovered such views of myself as have brought my soul into deep humility. No doubt at present remains in my mind of my call to the ministry. May the praise redound to God, while humility be my portion."

It appears that my friend wrote no further diary than the preceding; he afterwards lamented that he had not gone forward; but having to study the Latin and Greek languages, as well as several other things, his mind was therefore otherwise employed. It appears that the affliction which terminated in death was a severe cold, which he caught by being heated in walking to preach, one wet morning in August, 1818, which laid the foundation of a pulmonary consumption. During his illness he was always patient, and resigned to the will of God. I frequently visited him, but never heard him murmur or complain. It is true that he did not experience much extasy of joy, but constant peace and tranquillity of mind. But when he drew near his dissolution he had frequently wonderful displays of the love of God to his soul, as his pious mother and others can declare. A few hours previous to his death, on being asked the state of his mind, he replied, "I feel Jesus precious-I have no doubt of my acceptance with God." His happy spirit took its flight to the realms of unclouded felicity, on Saturday, July 31, 1818, in the 20th year of his age.

John Hornby was a young man of tolerably good abilities, and having had a liberal education bestowed upon him, rendered him of promising usefulness. He was of a lively and pleasant disposition, and a very agreeable companion. From his first acquaintance with religion, he was active and lively in the cause of God. He constantly attended the Sunday School, managed the books, &c. till called out to preach, and even then whenever he had a vacant Sunday. He very diligently attended the night school to instruct the children in writing. He also remembered the prayer-meetings, and especially his class. As a prayer