both exhibits such weakness of devotional feeling, and disturbs that of the persons who have assembled themselves from the first, and whose hearts are already engaged in the solemn and, to them, delightful services. Mr. Fiddian was one of those whose conduct says, in effect, "Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion."

To this punctuality as to time, regularity as to place must likewise be added. He sought not for amusement in worship, and therefore never allowed himself to wander about as one having "itching ears." Such habits, he thought, betrayed great unsettledness of mind, and were injurious in their influence both on the individuals themselves, and on others also, who are led by the example thus afforded them, from step to step, into a general instability in religion. Mr. Fiddian went not to hear any particular Minister, but to worship God, by whomsoever the worship was conducted, and to hear his word, by whomsoever that word might be spoken.

For a long period, the Wesleyan Ministers found at Mr. Fiddian's house a home, and a welcome reception; and though in later years he was glad to behold a widening circle of friends rejoicing to exhibit their hospitable regards to those whom they recognised as the servants of God, who made known to them the way of salvation, yet he often adverted with pleasure to the period when he had been honoured with the society and friendship-for he felt it to be an honour-of such men as Bradburn, Benson, Thompson, Taylor, Brettell, Wood, Edmondson, Entwisle, and others of the elders that outlived Joshua, whose names are still as a sweet perfume, and will always hold a distinguished place in the recollections of those who love our ecclesiastical history. But he did not so admire our ancient worthies as to undervalue their successors. He rejoiced in those proofs of the divine presence in that branch of the church of Christ with which he was connected, which are afforded by a continued line of godly Ministers, sent forth by the Head of the church for the perpetuation and extension of his work. If he looked on the past generation with very pleasant recollections, on the present he likewise looked with thankfulness and hope. The same kindly regards which had been manifested in his earlier associations with the Ministers whose services bad contributed to the formation of his Christian character, were extended to those who now occupied their places; and where he had formerly expressed the attachment and veneration of a son, he now exhibited the more mellowed affection of a father in Israel.

It was a source of high gratification to Mr. Fiddian that the Methodist Conference, in 1836, held its sittings for the first time in Birmingham. He had long desired to see the town with which he was connected occupying as honourable a position in Methodism as, through its commercial importance, it occupied in the country at large. Some years previously, Dr. Taft, then stationed in the Birmingham Circuit, had laboured assiduously, and employed all his influence, for the accomplishment of this object. Mr. Fiddian, as like-minded with him, was also in this respect his fellow-labourer; and at one time their expectations of success were sanguine. But though circumstances, which they could not control, produced a temporary disappointment, Mr. Fiddian still cherished the hope; and it would not be easy to describe the joy which he experienced when it was at length realized. During the Conference session, he had the opportunity both

of renewing and forming valuable friendships, and also-and to him this was the best of all-of attending numerous religious services with which the divine blessing was abundantly connected; so that he was ready to give utterance to his own feelings in the language of good old Simeon, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

Esteeming the Ministers of the Gospel "very highly in love for their work's sake," he held their character as sacred, and would not allow them to be spoken of disrespectfully in his presence. One of his family well remembers receiving a severe rebuke for some slighting remarks he had made on one whose talents were thought to be but small. He thought-and did he not think rightly ?-that if his family should grow up accustomed to hear, in the domestic circle, the depreciation of the ministry under which they sat, they were not likely to value it, and to continue to sit under it, in subsequent life. Indeed, he was most conscientiously opposed to all backbiting. He never spoke to the disadvantage of absent individuals, and was always ready, when occasion was given, and he could do it with due regard to that truth from which he knew he must for no reason swerve, to urge the circumstances which might be pleaded in extenuation of the fault which could not be denied. The thirteenth chapter of the first of Corinthians was not with him an overlooked portion of Scripture, or one on which he only speculated. It furnished him with rules by which he sought to govern both his thoughts and feelings, his words and his actions.

And this leads us to another feature in his character, his love for the sacred volume. He gave diligent heed to the public reading of it in the sanctuary, and he perused it regularly and frequently in private; thus seeking that "the word of Christ might dwell" in him "richly in all wisdom." Indeed, to give attendance to reading was with him a pleasant as well as a profitable practice. He did not think that he had been sent into the world merely to labour for food and raiment, or for secular accumulations. He had a mind to improve, and a soul to save, as well as a body to feed and clothe; and in planning his time, according to his providential circumstances, be endeavoured to include all these objects. With him leisure did not become indolence, nor produce mental or spiritual sluggishness. He found especial pleasure in religious biography, as he loved to trace the movements of grace in various individuals; but in other volumes, presenting him with other aspects of the vast works of God, he likewise found both advantage and delight. At the time of his first connexion with the Wesleyan society, a fellow-workman lent him a few Numbers of the Methodist Magazine; and from these he derived so much benefit, that he himself became a subscriber, and throughout the remainder of his life always welcomed its monthly issues.

Nor was his love less for prayer. He had his stated seasons for private converse with God; and in these he found the strength enabling him to persevere in the course of public duty. His son says, that in his last illness he frequently referred to the gracious support he had received, in answer to prayer, under severe worldly trials; and that he added, that without this he could not possibly have stood under the heavy pressure.

But it was not merely in the church that Mr. Fiddian was known

and valued he was also highly esteemed among his fellow-townsmen. For many years he was one of the Commissioners of the town of Birmingham, and took an active part in its municipal and parochial affairs. In these engagements he was extremely watchful over his own conduct, well knowing that the faults of religious professors seldom fail to be charged on religion itself. Nor was he less careful in reference to another source of danger. He never allowed necessary official connexion to lead to familiar social intercourse with persons of whose piety he had no proof. He had to avoid the austerity which would have been imputed to pride, and the familiarity which would have led him into temptation. And he was not unsuccessful. Firmness was combined with such urbanity and courteousness, that the religion which he was enabled to maintain in himself, was, at the same time, strongly recommended to others.

This carefulness as to the character of his associates was not only manifested where danger was evident, (and he knew that the eyes of those were fixed upon him who would gladly have found in him any excuse for their own neglect of religion,) it was with him habitual and uniform. When some who had been his friends in early life imbibed wrong principles, no recollections of former intimacy could induce him to continue the connexion; but finding all attempts to reclaim them ineffectual, however painful to his feelings, and very painful it was,he at once gave up their society. At one time, when political feeling ran high, a number of his friends were accustomed to meet weekly for the discussion of their favourite subjects, and earnestly solicited him to join them; but, anticipating the injurious influence likely to be exerted on their religious principles, he firmly declined; and subsequently he praised God who had enabled him to adopt and maintain the resolution; for he lived to see many, both in his own town and elsewhere, who on this rock made shipwreck both of the faith and of a good conscience.

In the transaction of his own private business, he walked by the same rules which governed his conduct in more public life. When he was first appointed to be the manager of a trading concern on behalf of others, he exposed himself to considerable obloquy by refusing to allow to the workmen certain indulgences which had been granted to them by others who had occupied the situation which he then filled, and which, he believed, were seriously detrimental to the interests of their employer; but the uniform kindness with which, in other respects, he treated those who were under his superintendency, convinced them, at length, that he was acting from principle; and his integrity made so deep an impression, that though it was customary for all the parties in any particular employ to be distinguished by some familiar and, as it was thought, descriptive epithet, the respect in which he was held made him an exception to the usual practice, and he was never either addressed or mentioned otherwise than by his usual name. Whatever term was applied to others, he was always “Mr. Fiddian ;" and trifling as the circumstance may at first appear, yet all who know the independent boldness of the English artisan, and his strong sense of the real possession of true personal freedom, will see in it a valuable testimony, though perhaps somewhat quaintly manifested, to the uprightness and consistency of Christian character. When he became himself a master-manufacturer, and employed a

considerable number of men, he always showed a kind regard for their welfare, giving them suitable advice, and suggesting plans for their comfort. Believing the labourer to be worthy of his hire, he always lowered wages with reluctance, and never did it hastily; and his sympathy led him not unfrequently rather to submit to loss himself, than occasion it to those who were dependent on him. As might be expected from such conduct, he was much beloved by his men, and they generally continued a long time in his employ. One of these, who died not long before him, had been thirty-five years in his service; and one still survives who had been employed by him for thirty-eight.

On what Mr. Fiddian was as a father, the writer dares not trust himself to dwell. It was not his privilege to enjoy acquaintance with him till most of his family had removed from the paternal roof. But though he does not attempt to describe the care bestowed on their early religious training, he well knows, from repeated opportunities of intercourse during the latter years of his life, the deep interest which he felt for their true welfare, and the earnest prayers which he offered on their behalf. And his prayers were not unheard. Pleasing reference might be made, were it proper, to the respect with which some living branches of his family are regarded both in the church and in the world. And of those who were taken from him in his own life-time, it may truly be said that the memory is embalmed in the pious affection of survivers. They died in the Lord, and left the most cheering evidence that their death was but their removal "to the family above."

But the time drew near that Israel must die." For many years Mr. Fiddian had enjoyed uninterrupted health, and was often congratulated on his appearance, even when approaching the verge of his "three scorce years and ten." But, as hitherto he had been called to the performance of the more active duties of life, it pleased his heavenly Father to appoint to him trials which called more particularly into exercise the graces which are necessary for the improvement of a period of suffering. By a peculiarly painful visitation, he was called to "glorify the Lord in the fires ;" and he was enabled to do so: "the joy of the Lord was his strength."

The affliction which ultimately brought him to his grave, was a cancer, commencing in the lower surface of the tongue, and gradually extending over the whole mouth. At length not only were the organs of speech so affected that articulation became extremely difficult, but the passage leading to the stomach was so nearly closed, that it was only with great and painful effort that he could take any sustenance. The slightest movement of the mouth was attended with pain; his, strength was prostrated, and his sufferings frequently amounted to agony. But he was preserved in submission to the divine will. Only on one occasion did he experience a temptation to fretfulness; and fearing lest his patience should fail, he looked to the Strong for strength, and strength was given him. His own words were, "All at once I felt as though some one had spoken to me, and said, 'You are out of hell!'" The snare was broken; and throughout the remainder

* An account of his eldest daughter, the late Mrs. (R.) Peart, drawn up by Dr. Melson, is inserted in the Obituary department of the Wesleyan Magazine for the year 1840, p. 864.

of his life he enjoyed the perfect love of a mind continually stayed upon God. His language, or, when prevented from speaking, his countenance, was always expressive not merely of submissiveness, but of gratitude.

While thus confined to the chamber of sickness, from which it was not at all probable that he would remove in life, he frequently, with much seriousness, reviewed his past history, and repeatedly added his testimony to that of the people of God in all ages, that "hitherto God had helped" him. At one time he said, "I am satisfied that all is right. If the means used for my recovery should be successful, I only wish to be more useful: if not, God's will be done!" At another time, when suffering much, he was thankful that his pains were not the eternal ones, due to sin; and added the exclamation which has so often and so long served to express the joyous thankfulness of the spiritual Israel, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" He added, after a brief pause, evidently spent in mental devotion, "Through God's mercy, I cast my lot among his people, and gave them my name, when only sixteen years old. For six months, I had to bear plenty of sneering and scoffing from my acquaintance. But what was that? Old age is come on me, and I look back upon all with joy." On a subsequent occasion, he said, "I have now been a professor of religion for more than fifty years; and I declare, that even setting aside the hope of heaven, viewing the subject, so far as I am concerned, only in reference to the present world, I see no reason whatever to regret my choice, but abundant reason for the contrary. I have known," he added, “in my own time, some who have been more fortunate, as the world would term it, than myself; but none who have had a larger share of mercies." He then exclaimed, with emotion, evidently as strong and deep as it was sincere,—

"How do thy mercies close me round!
For ever be thy name adored !"

But whilst he was thus cheered by the remembrance of past mercies, immediate and present consolations were afforded to him. He not only rejoiced that God had been with him, but that He was with him still. This was once adverted to in conversation with him; and he endeavoured to reply, but could only articulate, "Wonderful!" His looks, however, declared the joy that he was unable in words to describe. An old friend calling to see him one day, when he was suffering much, he took a slate, and wrote, "I think even more of the steady comfort which I now experience, than of the more rapturous joys which I have formerly felt, when my strength was greater, and no sufferings interfered. I have a full, abiding conviction of my interest in Christ." And this was the source of his joy, this the ground of his confidence and support,-a simple, entire dependence on Christ as his Saviour, through whose merit alone he possessed all the blessings of grace, and looked forward to the everlasting possession of all the blessings of glory. With humble thankfulness, he acknowledged all that had been wrought in him, the death unto sin, and new birth unto righteousness, followed by the inward life of holiness, and its blessed fruits; and so far as this was an evidence of the divine favour, he rejoiced in it but it was not his foundation; his peace, and joy, and