them as one that must give an account. And now, Lord, I desire to give my body, soul, and spirit, wholly to thy service. Guide me by thy counsel, and lead me in the way I should go.' During her residence in Blyth, she was the subject of much affiction. She thus observes in a correspondence with an esteemed female friend: "These frequent attacks remind me of my mortality; and, I think, a few more storms must overset my shattered bark. How needful it is for me to be always ready, looking for the coming of my Lord! I do rejoice that the pruning hand of my heavenly Father has not been used in vain. I feel my will more subject to his, and in holy confidence can say, 'Though thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee.' I never felt my desire so strong for full salvation. Ŏ how I long to have every evil in my heart eradicated!

When shall I see the welcome hour,
That plants my God in me?'”

A short time before her last sickness, she wrote, "What shall I render unto thee, my God, for all thy mercies? On reviewing them I am lost in wonder, love, and praise. I desire to renew my covenant with thee, to be wholly thine, for thou hast dealt bountifully with me. Time is on its wing; death is making its ravages; and I may soon be called away. Lord, help me to be ready." Her last illness was remarkably severe and distressing. Her feeble body was unable to sustain a violent attack from a rheumatic fever, which proved the messenger to summon her into the eternal world. For eight days she laboured under indescribable pain, attended with delirium; yet, when favoured with any interval of ease, however momentary, she expressed her resignation to the divine will, her confidence in God, and the preciousness of the Saviour to her soul. To a friend, a little before her death, she said, "This is hard work; but Jesus is precious." She continued in great suffering to the end. The merciful Lord at length sealed her dismissal from the body, and her spirit

"Took its last triumphant flight,
From Calvary's to Zion's height."
FRANCIS DERRY.

4. Died, at Chelmsford, May 25th, Sarah Cooper, wife of the Rev. Richard Cooper, Methodist Minister. She was favoured with pious predecessors. Her mother, after having honoured her profession as member of the Methodist Society from an early period of her life, when about twenty-nine years of

age died happy in the Lord. On her father's side, her grandfather and grandmother, her great-grandfather and great-grandmother, after having long been members of the same Society, and receiving Mr. Wesley, and the Preachers in connexion with him, into their house, finished their course with joy. Mrs. C. being the subject of many prayers, as well as of pious example and advice, had an early knowledge of the plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and received divine impressions: So that she was induced, from a child, highly to esteem and venerate religion. Being, however, naturally incautious, and yet possessing a true sense of propriety, she was often discouraged and brought into great trouble, by a discovery of her own failings: so that she was frequently known to weep in secret before God, and to pray earnestly to him for pardon, and for grace to help. When about seventeen years of age, she heard Mr. Bunting preach from the parable of the barren fig-tree, and thought she saw her own case clearly delineated; and for some time she sought earnestly "the kingdom of God," was prompt in her duties, and endeavoured to keep 66 a conscience void of offence." But from the elevated views she had formed of religion, fixing the standard of Christianity at which she aimed little below that of angelic perfection, and at the same time having for her companions some young persons who were of trifling and satirical habits, her best feelings were frequently disturbed; her mind was brought into condemnation; till, at length, her efforts relaxed, and her resolutions failed, though her convictions were never removed. A little more than five years ago, her concern for salvation was deepened, and her 66 I will not let thee go, language was, except thou bless me." The Lord graciously manifested himself to her mind. "Being justified by faith, she had peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." At this time she had not united herself to the Methodist Society, partly from a fear of again forming too large an acquaintance, and partly, lest, not being able to express her state justly, she should bring guilt upon her conscience, or that her couduct should not fully correspond with her profession, and so she should be a reproach to that sacred cause for which she felt so much regard. But when the advantages of Christian fellowship were more fully presented to her mind, she rose above her former feelings, and not only joined the Methodist Society herself, but

strongly recommended the same conduct to all those who were longing for redemption, as the most suitable means of obtaining their object, and of giving unequivocal sanction to the cause of God. In July, 1822, she entered into the marriage-state; a change which occasioned her much anxiety and fervent prayer. The first place of her residence, after she became the wife of a Methodist Preacher, was Windsor: and though she repaired thither with much fear and trembling, she was supported by "the God of all grace," and encou raged by the affection of a kind and loving people. She was now, more than ever, concerned to recommend and promote that religion which she herself enjoyed; and to walk in wisdom towards them that are without." This she did, so far as her health and various domestic duties would permit, by visiting the female friends from house to house; and never did she think the object of her visit accomplished, unless it tended to edification. Indeed, it was her constant aim, to call their attention to present salvation; not knowing, as she often remarked, what a day might bring forth. After she had been at Windsor some time, she felt the remains of the carnal mind, and was deeply impressed with the importance of a farther work of grace than she had yet experienced. Being fully persuaded, that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin," she was instant in prayer that it might be applied to her heart in all its purifying efficacy. Nor was the Lord inattentive to her cry: but poured into her wounded spirit" the oil of joy for mourning;" and her language was, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out all fear." Her heart rejoiced in God her Saviour; and for some time she walked in the full enjoyment of this happy state. At length, however, a painful circumstance occurred, which more than ordinarily exercised her miud; when she gave way to evil reasoning, and then to doubt and distrust, till she was again brought into a degree of bondage. She was not confined to her bed till within about a week of her departure; nor were any serious apprehensions entertained, either by herself or others, of her approaching dissolution. From the time when she lost, in a measure, that "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord," she ever remained restless for the re-attainment of it: but now, especially, the language of her heart was,

"I cannot rest till in thy blood
I fuil redemption have."

:

In

On Wednesday, May 18th, her husband read to her some parts of Mr. Wesley's Sermon on the New Birth; and they united in prayer. On Thursday, the 19th, early in the morning, she awoke him, and, her eyes beaming with transport, she said, "The Lord is come. I am sure now he has saved me from all sin. I feel it would be a sin any longer not to believe it." On being repeatedly asked, in the course of the day, whether her mind continued fully satisfied on the subject, she replied, "O yes I have no doubts now.' the evening her joy increased; and the next morning she said to her mother, "I have had but little sleep; but this has been the happiest night I ever spent upon earth. I could not have enjoyed more, and have continued in the body, except the Lord had increased my strength to bear it." She fully believed that she should have departed to heaven at that time, had her husband (who left home the day before, and was in a distant part of the Circuit, the Doctor having pronounced her to be in no immediate danger) been at home; but she would not, knowingly, allow him, as she expressed it, to be fetched from the Lord's work. When he arrived, and entered the room, she said, "My dear, I am glad to see you; but you have kept me out of heaven. I finished with this world this morning; and consider myself no longer an inhabitant of it, though in it; but I could not die till you came. I have some things to say to you." Here her feelings appeared to be too powerful, and delirium began to appear. She had few intervals of understanding afterwards; but when she was recollected, her answers concerning the state of her mind were, "It is all well; all is love." On Tuesday evening, the 24th, her husband and mother prayed with her; and though she was somewhat delirious when they commenced, she became perfectly tranquil and attentive, and with a placid countenance said, "Jesus is here. can tell you it is all well." About three o'clock the next morning she calmly fell asleep in the Lord. R. COOPER.

I

5. Died, at Sheffield, June 1st, George Hancock, in the thirty-third year of his age. Of the carly part of his life little is known but in the year 1811, he was a member of the Methodist Society. He was a constant and steady attendant upon the public worship of God, aud assisted at the public Prayer-meetings ou Sabbath-evenings. He conscientiously attended the mectings of his Class, and esteemed communion with his Christian

brethren an invaluable privilege. His religious experience was scriptural; he enjoyed an unclouded evidence of his acceptance with the Father of spirits. He was of a meek and quiet spirit; affable and agreeable in conversation: free from affectation; and it may with propriety be added, that few persons have passed through life with a more unsullied reputation, or more consistently sustained the Christian character. As his disposition was peculiarly mild, he avoided entering into disputes, and used his influence on all occasions to promote peace and harmony. He was early appointed to be a visitor of the sick poor, and a distributor of the funds of the Benevolent Society in Sheffield; and this office he sustained to the entire satisfaction of the Society. He availed himself of the opportunities thus afforded to pour the balm of spiritual consolation into the hearts of the afflicted; and although his modesty has kept from public view the extent of his labour and success, yet it is known that his efforts were rendered a blessing to many. He was also employed as a teacher in the Red-hill SundaySchool. He entered that School soon after its erection, and was appointed a Superintendent in the year 1820. In this department of useful labour, his soul took great delight. He never enjoyed purer felicity than when he was giving the children moral and religious instruction; and while there remains a superintendent, a teacher, or a scholar, who witnessed his pious efforts to promote the best interests of the institution, his memory will be cherished, and his loss regretted. He did not confine his labours to the Sabbath-day; but devoted one evening in the week to meet a select company of scholars for the express purpose of religious duty and improvement; aud in this labour of love he had his reward; for several of the elder children were savingly converted to God, and are now pious members of the Methodist Society. He was favoured with a good state of health until overtaken by the affliction which terminated his life. For some time his complaint did not excite any alarming apprehensions, but he gradually sunk into a state of debility, notwithstanding the best medical assistance. But medicine was of no avail. At intervals there were hopes of his recovery; but relapses blighted the promising illusion. During the progress of his affliction his mind was calm, and fully resigned to the will of his heavenly Father. To the friends who visited him he expressed his confidence in God, and frequently declared

that his only reliance for final salvation was on the blood of atonement. Towards the last, he became so extremely weak, as not to be able to admit visitors; but those who attended his dying bed inform us, that he died happy in the Lord.

EDWARD SPITTLEHOUSE.

RECENT DEATHS.

Nov. 24th, 1825.-At Paulton, in the Midsummer-Norton Circuit, aged seventy, Mr. Edward Bull, for many years a Local Preacher. At a Prayer-Meeting which was held in his house, on the evening before his death, he was observed to pray with unusual fervour and enlargement. He retired to rest as well as usual, and was found a corpse in his bed the next H. P. morning.

Nov. 24th. At Bishop-Sutton, in the same Circuit, Mr. Giles Gilsom Selway, in the sixtyfifth year of his age; who for more than forty years was a steady consistent member of the Methodist Society. He suffered much affliction for several years, with Christian patience and resignation. Undismayed, he waited the approach of the last enemy, and died in peace.

H. P.

Nov. 26th.-At Bishop-Sutton, in the Midsummer-Norton Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Stokes, in the sixty-sixth year of her age. She was a member of the Methodist Society about thirty years, and for more than twenty, received the Preachers into her house. Her strength gradually declined, till "the weary wheels of life stood still." Thus in three short days, three of our oldest Members have died in the faith, and passed "from a suffering Church below, to a reigning Church above!" H. P.

Nov. 29th.-At High Wycomb, Elizabeth Thornbury, aged seventy-three. About twentysix years ago she saw sin to be exceedingly sinful, deeply felt her need of a Saviour, mediately joined the Methodist Society. Very and of Christian communion, and almost imsoon after, she received pardon through faith in Christ, experienced a death unto sin, and hope of the glory of God. It appears that, from a new birth unto righteousness, and rejoiced in this time, she generally lived by faith; and amidst much tribulation, steadily persevered in the narrow path. In the near prospect of dissolution, the Lord was present, elevating her mind above the fear of death; and her end was serenity and peace. R. G.

Dec. 25th.-At Smallburn, near Ponteland, Northumberland, Mrs. Gilhespy, in her fortysixth year, greatly beloved and regretted. The affliction which ended in her death was long, but she was supported under it by the power of divine grace, and enabled to rejoice in the prospect of eternity. She bore her affliction with great Christian resignation; exhibiting to all who knew her, a remarkable instance of deadness to the world, and of a "life hid with Christ in God." Her conversation was not only about heavenly things, but much concern

ing heaven itself. She assured her sympathizing friends, who visited her, that her whole hope of eternal salvation was built on Jesus Christ; and that, during the whole of her illness, she had never been suffered to have a doubt on her mind of her interest in Him. She was not alarmed at the approach of death; but, in the most composed manner, made arrangements for her funeral; and when she could not speak, her hands were raised in the attitude of prayer. Thus she committed her departing spirit into the hands of that Saviour in whom she believed, and whom she delighted to serve. J. S.

Jan. 1st, 1826.-Near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Miss Eliz. Brown, aged forty years. In early life she was introduced into all the gaieties and amusements of this world, and in them she indulged for some years, regardless of God, and a stranger to true religion. Under the ministry of the late Rev. Wm. Bramwell, and his colleague, she was powerfully convinced of her fallen state, and sought, by faith and prayer, the salvation of the Gospel; she became distinguished for humility, zeal, and benevolence; was very useful in the Sunday-School, in dis tributing Tracts, visiting the sick, and ministering to the necessities of the poor. For some years she has been the subject of affliction. Her religious experience was sound, and during her long and painful affliction, she was never heard to complain, having committed herself into the hands of a faithful and Almighty Saviour. She died in full assurance of eternal life. J. S.

Jan. 11th-At Woodbridge, in the Ipswich Cirenit, Miss Sarah Hayward, aged nineteen years. A few months ago, she was brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, and promised to be a useful member of the Church of Christ; for she possessed a vigorous constitution, and showed her willingness to labour to promote the glory of God, by engaging heartily in the great Missionary cause, and exerting herself to form a Sunday-School in the town where she resided. But she was suddenly called into the eternal world, in a manner which was calculated at once to rouse the careless sinner, and to quicken the loitering Christian. She retired to rest in the evening, in perfect health, but never opened her eyes on the morning light. M. C. D.

Jan. 12th.-At, Birmingham, in his sixtyseventh year, Mr. Matthew Hanson. He had been thirty-eight years a member of the Methodist Society, a great part of that time a ClassLeader, and twenty-five years a visitor for the Benevolent Society. He was a man of integrity, of simple manners, uniform piety, and Christian zeal. He had a good report of all men. In his last illness be bad unshaken confidence in God, and died in peace. J. E.

Jan. 13th.-At Birmingham, aged fifty-eight, Mr. Thomas Hickling, a respectable ClassLeader and Local-Preacher for many years. For two years his health had been in a declining state. He had repeated attacks of paralysis, succeeded by extreme weakness: And though, at times, his disorder weighed down his spirits, yet his mind was, in general, kept in peace, and his confidence in God was firm. J. E.

Jan. 16.-At Wrexham, Mrs. Mary Franceys, aged eighty-nine years. She had been a steady pious member of the Methodist Society, sixty years; and was one of the small number then in Wrexham, who encouraged the late Rev. Sam. Bradburn to open his evangelical commission in that town, more than fifty years ago. Though in a humble station, she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour. Her ClassLeader, with whom she had met thirty years, never had the least cause to give her any reproof. She had learned of her Lord and Master to be meek and lowly in heart; and perfect patience, and entire resignation to the will of her heavenly Father, were manifest to all who knew her. As might be expected, in such an aged disciple, her end was serene and peaceful, G. M.

Jan. 18th.-At Hammersmith, Mrs. Overy, in the seventy-ninth year of her age. She was a member of the Methodist Society upwards of twenty-six years; during which time she adorned her Christian profession. She was graciously supported in the bour of death; and left this world with a well-grounded hope of eternal life. A. F.

Jan. 20th.-At Market-Overton, in the Oakham Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett. At ber house the Methodist Preachers found a home for many years. She was mild in her disposition, courteous in her manners, affectionate in her deportment, and beloved by all who knew her. In her Christian conduct, she was a "living epistle of Christ, known and read of all men" She was nineteen years a member of the Methodist Society, and an ornament of the Church of Christ. Her death was rather sudden, but she was not taken by surprise. Her sun went down without a cloud. Her husband wishing to secure her final testimony to the glory of divine grace, inquired, "Are you happy now?" Quite happy," she replied, and expired. W. A.

Jan, 24th.-At Stroud, Mrs. Eliz. Humphreys, aged twenty-five years. She was brought to a saving knowledge of God, in the days of her youth; and soon after became a member of the Methodist Society. In the severity of her affliction, she eminently proved the consolations of the Gospel to be neither few nor small, and left this world in strong contidence in the Redeemer's love. S. W.

Jan. 28th.-At Melton-Mowbray, in the fiftyseventh year of his age, Mr. William Everitt. In early life he was the subject of divine impressions, but did not yield to the strivings of the Spirit. In the year 1801, a dangerous accident placed him on the borders of the eternal world; while labouring under painful affliction, that scripture was powerfully applied to his mind: "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." He earnestly called on the Lord to pardon his sins, and while engaged in reading the Bible, the mercy he implored was communicated, his soul was filled with peace, and from that time he never lost his confidence in the Lord. A little before his death, he said, "I have no ecstasies; but all is peace. By grace I am saved. I have been chastised; but it has been in mercy. The Lord does all things well.” W. S.

Jan. 30th.-At Leeds, Jane, widow of the late Rev. William Warrener. She joined the Methodist Society in the eighteenth year of her age, and during the period of forty-seven years walked humbly and closely with God. She survived Mr. Warrener nine weeks and two days; and her only brother, the Rev. Thomas Wood, three weeks and one day. A little before her death, she said, "I shall soon join my dear husband and brother in heaven." W. M'K.

Feb. 3d.-At Blaydon, near Gateshead, Mr. John Emerson, in the eighty-second year of his age. During the last twenty-two years he was a steady member of the Methodist Society, and many years an useful Class-Leader. His Christian experience was sound and scriptural; and his benevolence to the needy, regular habits, and uniform piety, endeared him to the Society and his neighbours. For about a fortnight of his last days, his strength gradually declined, without much pain, till he gently sunk into the arms of death. His confidence in God increased as he approached the awful verge of life. T. I.

Feb. 5th-At Clawson, in the Melton-Mowbray Circuit, Mr. Hind, a man distinguished for his devotedness to God. He was diligent in the use of all the means of grace, remarkable for visiting the sick, and for attachment to the Methodist doctrine and discipline. He hospitably entertained the Preachers, and annually contributed to our Funds. After a short, but severe affliction, which he sustained with great resignation and Christian fortitude, he breathed his last, in praises to the Fountain of all good,

W. S.