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heart, and exemplified in his life and conversation. He was, indeed, a man of God, inflamed with love to souls, and zealous to promote the cause of his Lord and Master.

3. THOMAS S. SHEPHERD. He was a native of Banbury, and converted to God in the year 1810. He began to call sinners to repentance soon after his conversion, and was appointed to a Circuit in January, 1817. In his life and conduct, he discovered much sweetness of temper, and a highly amiable disposition. In the work of the Ministry, and in pastoral cares, he was very laborious. It pleased the Lord in the meridian of life to call him suddenly away by a violent fever, attended with severe pain: but his peace and confidence in God remained unshaken. He said to his wife, "The Lord is about to take me; but I have no fear death to me has no sting;' and added, "I know that the religion I have recommended to others, is not a cunningly devised fable." Thus he died in the assurance of faith and hope, Aug. 23d, 1825.

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4. GEORGE MANWARING; who was greatly esteemed as an able Minister of the New Testament, and a very amiable and deeply pious man. His sermons were closely studied, and well arranged; and generally contained luminous expositions of his texts, and faithful applications of them to the different classes of his bearers. His style was plain and fervid; and his manner of preach ing was encouraging to the devout, and alarming to the depraved. He was cut off in the midst of his years and usefulness, by a malignant fever, which terminated his life September 1st, 1825, in the thirty-eighth year of his age, and at the commencement of the fourteenth year of his itinerancy. As his complaint was accompanied with a determination of blood to the head, he soon became delirious; and it was but occasionally, after the first few days of his illness, that he could converse with his friends on the state of his mind. During these few days, however, and in the subsequent lucid intervals, he spoke in the most satisfactory and edifying manner, of his confidence in the Saviour of mankind, his experience of divine grace, and his bright prospects of eternal glory.

5. WILLIAM HUNTER, aged sixtyeight years. He commenced his itinerant labours in the year 1785, and in 1813 became a Supernumerary, and settled at Pateley-Bridge. He continued to preach occasionally till last May, when, in consequence of increasing afflictions, he was confined chiefly

to his house. During this period he
invariably expressed his firm confidence
in God his Saviour, and his settled
peace of mind. Some of his last words
were, I long to be gone: O how I
long to be gone, that I may enter my
Father's house!"
The weary wheels

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of life stood still at last, and his spirit took its flight to see and praise his Lord. He died Sept. 26th, 1825.

6. WILLIAM VIPOND. When he was in the fifteenth year of his age, he was powerfully awakened to a sense of his guilt; and after a few months he obtained deliverance from the anguish of his soul, and enjoyed a clear and full assurance of the pardoning love of God. In August, 1825, he received his first appointment to a Circuit; and in twelve weeks he finished his course, in the enjoyment of peace with God, and in the joyful hope of eternal life. He was a young man of modest and unassuming manners, of ardent zeal, of unblemished character, and of promising talents. He died Nov. 13th, 1825.

7. WILLIAM WARRENER, an upright, humble servant of Jesus Christ, whose unaffected simplicity and cheerful piety, rendered his company and conversation peculiarly agreeable and profitable. In the year 1779, he was received by Mr. Wesley as a Travelling Preacher. After labouring in Great Britain for seven years, he went as a Missionary to the West Indies, where he spent eleven years, zealously and successfully ministering the Gospel of Christ to the Negro-Slaves, being the first of our Preachers who was regularly appointed to that work. In the year 1797, he returned to his native country, in various parts of which he continued his labours until the year 1818. At that time he was compelled, by the infirmities of age, to retire from the regular work of our itinerancy, but was usefully employed as a Supernumerary until near the end of life. His last two or three years were spent in Leeds, where he died on the 27th of November, 1825, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. During his last violent but short affliction, his Lord, in whom he had long confided, and who had been his help in former troubles, enabled him to rejoice greatly, and also to triumph gloriously over

death. Mr. Warrener's character was

marked by regularity, punctuality, aud fidelity; and whether considered as a relative, a friend, or a colleague, he was eminently ingenuous and affectionate.

8. JOSEPH COLE; who travelled for thirty-five years with an unblemished reputation and considerable success. The prominent characteristics of his ministry were, simplicity, spirituality,

and energy; often attended by an unction from above, which pierced the consciences of his hearers, and healed the broken in heart. His talents were respectable; his labours in some of our first Circuits were acceptable and useful; and his ministry was honoured by the conversion of sinners from the error of their way, who will be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord. He was blessed with a peculiar talent for reproving sin with effect; and often delivered his reproofs with so much point and adaptation to circumstances, so much force and authority, blended with benevolence,-that numerous instances have occurred in which persons occupying respectable stations in society, have acknowledged the propriety of his remarks, and thanked him for his admonitions. His recollections of the apostolic Wesley, and of the great work which God had wrought in his day, never failed to inspire him with the deepest feelings of veneration and delight, of gratitude and praise. The infirmities of age compelled him, in the year 1815, to retire from the labours of our itinerancy. He then selected Carmarthen for his residence; where surrounded by friends whom he had long known, and by whom he was deservedly esteemed, he continued to pursue his Master's work, till his vigorous constitution sunk under the ravages of a disease, originally produced by frequent and long rides, in excessive rain and cold, while he was travelling from place to place in order to publish the Gospel of Peace. Full of the hopes and consolations inspired by that Gospel, he finished his course with joy on the Lord's Day, January 8th, 1826, in the seventy-eighth year of his age.

9. THOMAS WOOD, A. M. He was born in the parish of Flixton, near Manchester, and was converted to God when he was about nineteen years of age, at which time he was admitted into the Methodist Society by Mr. Hopper. In 1786, under the constraining influence of zeal for the Redeemer's glory, and compassion for the souls of bis fellow-creatures, he began to call sinners to repentance; and in the following year, he was appointed by Mr. Wesley to labour in the Lord's vineyard as an Itinerant Preacher. From that period to the time of his last sickness, he preached the Gospel of Christ with ability and success in the principal Circuits of our Connexion. His ministry was solid and argumentative; his subjects were derived from the word of God; and his discourses often displayed a comprehensive mind, en

riched by general knowledge.

In

the discharge of his public duties, he was an example of diligence and punctuality; and his piety was deep and uniform. He died, in the full possession of peace and hope, at Newcastleupon-Tyne, Jan. 8th, 1826, in the sixty-first year of his age, and the thirty-ninth of his public ministry.

10. CALEB SIMMONS; who was made a subject of converting grace about the year 1781; when the mercy of God was abundantly manifested in him, by the peace and joy which he experienced, through faith in the Lord Jesus. His active zeal, in the promotion of vital godliness, was made a blessing to many of those with whom he was then connected. He became a Travelling Preacher in the year 1794, and fulfilled the important duties of his station for many years with considerable usefulness. His preaching was plain and pointed, and often accompanied with the unction of the Holy One. In consequence of growing infirmities, he was compelled, in the decline of life, to become a Supernumerary; but he continued to preach two or three times a week at Starcross, in the Teignmouth Circuit, till within two months of his decease; when he removed to Exeter for the benefit of his health. His death was sudden, so that his friends were deprived of his dying testimony relative to his religious experience and prospects. He was beloved by the people, who enjoyed the benefit of his labours in the closing scenes of life; and they sincerely regret the loss they have sustained. He finished his earthly course in peace, January 9th, 1826, in the twenty-eighth year of his ministerial labours, and in the seventieth of his age.

11. WILLIAM MARTIN; who was a native of the parish of Tintagell, in the county of Cornwall. Early in life he was brought under the ministry of the Methodists; and by the power of that Word which effectually worketh in them that believe, he was savingly converted to God. In January, 1804, after having previously exercised his talents, with almost universal approbation, as a Local Preacher, he was called to labour as an Itinerant Minister. He possessed an ardent mind, deeply imbued with vital godliness,great firmness and decision of character, a retentive memory,—a ready and copious flow of language,-and a zealous concern for the immortal interests of his fellow-creatures. All his energies and acquirements were rendered subservient to the great work of fully preaching the Gospel of Christ.

His sermons were always interesting and evangelical; but on certain occasions the unction of the Holy One so fully accompanied his ministry, that effects the most salutary and permanent were produced on his hearers. His labours were abundant, and his success proportionably great; and there is reason to believe that his extraordinary exertions in prayer and preaching especially in the earlier years of his ministry, were the means of bringing him prematurely to the grave. He died March 15th, 1826, in the forty-fifth year of his age, and in the twentysecond year of his itinerancy, deeply regretted by his brethren, and by the congregations that had been accustomed to attend his edifying ministry.

12. JOHN RILES. His Christian experience was clear aud scriptural, and his ministerial talents acceptable and useful. His knowledge, if not on every subject profound, was extensive; and his diligence in reading, and prepara tion for pulpit exercises, was constant and indefatigable. In his family-circle he exhibited incessant attention, and ardent affection; and in his general intercourse with others, cheerful piety, and inflexible integrity. He loved his Master's work, and laboured to discharge his various obligations with fidelity. Those who had the opportunity of knowing him as a fellowlabourer, always found in him a steady and confidential friend; and his juuior colleagues obtained in him a candid adviser, aud a kind assistant in the prosecution of their studies. In the latter part of his life, he was called to suffer both from the most severe domestic bereavements, and from the distressing influence of personal affliction; but the patience and resignation which he displayed under his sufferings were highly exemplary. He died in great peace, May 3d, 1826, after labouring as an Itinerant Minister for thirtyeight years.

13. JOHN APPLEYARD; who commenced his itinerant labours in the year 1809, and finished his course with joy, at Frome, June 26th, 1826. His manners were unassuming, his dispoposition affectionate, and his understanding clear and vigorous. His views of Evangelical Truth were correct, and his ministry was generally acceptable in the Circuits where he laboured. His last illness was painful and of long continuance: but he was patient, and entirely resigned to the divine will. His wish before his departure, was, that he might not only conquer, but couquer gloriously; and God gave him the desire of his heart.

14. CHARLES ATMORE. He was a native of Norfolk. Being in early life brought to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and having acted for some time as a Local Preacher, the venerable Founder of Methodism sent him out as an Itinerant Preacher in 1781. In this vocation he laboured faithfully, zealously, and usefully, till his bodily infirmities compelled him to retire in 1825. His piety was sincere, uniform, and fervent; his temper was kind and amiable; his friendships were cordial, faithful, and constant; his preaching was plain, sound, experimental, practical, and often accompanied by much divine unction; his manner was lively and affectionate; so that he was, especially in the vigour of youth, and ripeness of manhood, not only an acceptable, but also a popular and very useful Preacher. He was elected President of the Conference in the year 1811. His last affliction was protracted and severe; but by the grace of God he bore it with truly Christian resignation, cheered by the blessed hope of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. That God whom he had served in the Gospel for forty-four years, greatly honoured him in his last days. Full of faith, and hope, and love, he was enabled to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. He seemed astonished at the goodness of God to him; which far exceeded his anticipa tions. He fell asleep in Jesus, June 30th, 1826, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.

15. JOHN NELSON, sen. He was a native of Birstal, in Yorkshire, and the grandson of the eminent Mr. John NELSON, one of the first Methodist Preachers. He was born August 16th, 1758; and when nineteen years of age, was awakened and converted to God, under the ministry of the late Mr. Benson. He became a Travelling Preacher in the year 1789; and after itinerating for thirty-six years, with zeal and success, was obliged, twelve months ago, in consequence of affiction, to relinquish his public labours. He settled at Sheffield, where be gradually became worse; and, oa July the 20th exchanged mortality for eternal life, having nearly completed his sixty-eighth year. His mind was not much cultivated by early education: but his natural abilities were considerable; his piety was deep; and his zeal was pure and ardent. Few men have been more successful in the conversion of sinners to God. In his last illness, which, for a few weeks before his decease, was of the most painful nature, he was remarkably supported from above. His faith was unshaken; and

his mind tranquil and happy. He had a deep consciousness of his unworthiness before God; but he enjoyed a delightful assurance of the divine favour, and a cheering hope of a blessed immortality, through the atonement and mediation of Christ. He now rests from his labours; and, we doubt not, participates in the reward of those who have "turned many to righteousness."

16. ROBERT JONES. He was a native of North Wales, and was engaged in the work of the Ministry for seventeen years, partly in the Principality, and partly among the Welsh Societies in England. He was much esteemed, as well for his genuine piety and steady deportment, as for his ministerial abilities. He was taken to his eternal rest, at Amlwch, in Anglesea, July 26th, 1826, in the fortieth year of his age.

II. In Ireland, one; viz.

THOMAS BARBER. He first heard the Gospel preached amongst the Methodists in Sidare, in the county of Fermanagh; and under the Ministry of our venerable founder, the Rev. John Wesley, was deeply convinced of sin, and admitted into the Society. He was speedily brought into the blessed liberty of the Gospel, and rejoiced in the assurance of God's pardoning love. His zeal for the glory of God, and the salvation of souls, led him forth into active life, soon after his conversion. He was found "apt to teach" the things which he had learned of the Lord; and was employed as a Missionary in the country parts of the Londonderry Circuit, where God used him as an instrument of good to many. He was appointed to the Sligo Circuit in the year 1779, and continued to labour as a Methodist Preacher with great simplicity, faithfulness, and success. In the year 1780, he was stationed in the Waterford Circuit, with Mr. Thomas Payne; and, under God's blessing, a work commenced amongst the young people of that city, many wit nesses of which still remain. In the course of his ministry, he feared no danger; he neglected no opportunity of doing good, but was unwearied in prayer, in visiting from house to house, and in meeting the Classes at every place; he was instant in season and out of season," doing the work of an Evangelist. He loved the doctrines of Methodism, particularly that of the direct Witness of the Spirit, and that of Entire Sanctification. He was man of integrity and humility; au Israelite indeed, in whom there was Lo guile." He became a Supernumerary in the year 1808; continued for many

a

years to endure, with much long-suffering and cheerfulness, various afflictions; aud closed a life of about eighty years, in joyful hope of the glory of God.

III. In our Foreign Missions, seven have died; viz.

1. JOHN TURTLE, aged thirty-two years. He was born at Ipswich, and early in life his heart yielded to the power of saving grace. Soon after his conversion, he began to call sinners to repentance; and having laboured for two years as a respectable and useful Local Preacher in his native land, the love of Christ constrained him to devote himself to Missionary work. In the year 1817, the Conference appointed him to the Bahamas. In these islauds, and in Jamaica, he preached with acceptance, and on one of the former he finished his honourable course. He was appointed, in 1825, to Turk's Island; and with a mind fully bent on being useful, he proceeded to his station: but disease soon obliged him to cease from public labour. He was a young man of great moral worth, and of no ordinary talents as a Minister of Christ. While able to go in and out before the people, his life was an example of zeal for the divine glory, and of benevolence to mankind: aud God, to whose service he had devoted his active powers, was his comfort and support under a long and painful sickness. A few hours before his departure, he was heard to say, "Happy!Happy!-Triumphant!" -and then added, "My departure is at hand,-it is almost done." He died in the full assurance of faith, August 16th, 1825.

2. WILLIAM GILGRASS; in the fortyninth year of his age, and the twentysecond of his Ministry; eighteen years of which had been spent in endeavouring to promote the spiritual interests of the enslaved sons of Ham, in the West Indies. Not one of our Missionaries, the venerable John Baxter excepted, spent so long a period in those islands. In Jamaica he suffered imprisonment for preaching the Gospel; and in some other islands he was called to bear the reproach of Christ, which he did patiently and faithfully. He was a good and useful Missionary: and many souls, redeemed from all iniquity, and finally saved, will be his crown of rejoicing in that day when the faithful servant of God shall receive the gracious reward of his labours. During his last and long continued illness his mind was kept in peace. He met his Brethren at their Annual District-Meeting in St. Christopher's, conversed freely with them, and appeared to be much revived

by their presence. His conversation was chiefly on spiritual subjects; and he frequently exhorted them to preach Christ, and to aim only at doing good to the souls of the people. He died February 12th, 1826, in full prospect of the crown of eternal life; and, as he had desired," in the presence of all his brethren."

[N. B. The five following Missionaries suffered death by shipwreck, in the month of February, 1826, when on their voyage, in the Maria Mail-Boat, from their Annual District-Meeting to the Island of Antigua, where they were appointed to labour. They were all distinguished by their piety and zeal; and will long live in the affectionate remembrance of their numerous friends, and of the congregations among whom they exercised their faithful and edifying ministry. The loss of such a band of Christian Missionaries, is a dispensation of Divine Providence which confounds the reason of man, and calls for deep humiliation before Him "whose judgments are unstarchable, and whose ways are past finding out."]

3. WILLIAM WHITE. He was a native of London, but taken to the United States in very early life. From thence his parents removed with him to Kingston, in Jamaica, where he received a liberal education. From a child he had the fear of God; and he early joined the Methodist Society. While yet a youth, he was appointed to take charge of a Class, and was employed as a Local Preacher; and, during the ten years' persecution in Jamaica, he maintained his integrity, and evinced great zeal, preaching in the country, and in private houses, to small congregations. He possessed a clear and discriminating judgment, sincere affection, and great decision of character. He exemplified in his life and conversation the purity of the Gospel; and was from principle a Wesleyan Methodist. He was thoroughly acquainted with our doctrines, and had studied the Scriptures with great care. He loved our discipline; and by his mildness, firmness, and steady perseverance, was well qualified to enforce its observance. His wife, three children, and servant, were lost, together with himself, at the time of the fatal shipwreck above mentioned.

4. THOMAS TRUSCOTT: a young man who, being himself reconciled to God, cheerfully crossed the Atlantic, charged with a message of mercy to others. He was a faithful Minister of Christ; God owned his labours; and many in Dominica, Tortola, St. Eustatius, and Antigua, rise up and call him blessed,

He, with his wife, child, and servant, and some other passengers on board the Maria, were on the part of the vessel which first gave way; and their sufferings were shortened by an early death. Recollected and calm, though floating on the waves, they looked affectionately towards their companions, and cried aloud, "Farewell;' "The Lord bless you. they then sank together; and without being parted by death, accompanied each other to the haven of eternal rest.

He left the

5. DANIEL HILLIER. city of Bath in the year 1818, and proceeded to preach the everlasting Gospel among the Negroes in the West Indies. After labouring some years in those islands, he was removed, for the benefit of his health, to British America; and having preached some time in Canada, he returned to the scene of his earliest labours. Sanctified afflictions brought him nearer to his God, and he made a fresh surrender of himself to the duties of his sacred office. Towards the close of the second day after the vessel had struck, having looked in vain for help from the island, he called upon God, to whom he commended his body and his soul, and in hope of being the instrument of procuring assistance for his companions in distress, committed himself to the waves; but in attempting to swim to shore he sunk into a watery grave. He has left a wife and three children to lament their loss.

6. WILLIAM OKE; who was born at St. Tudy, in the Camelford Circuit, and converted to God in the year 1813. By his affability, his exemplary piety, and the diligent exercise of his acceptable talents, under the influence of lively but prudent zeal, he was rendered an ornament and a blessing to his various connexions; and in proportion as he was known, he was beloved and esteemed in his own country, and among his own kindred. Constrained by the love of Christ, and an ardent concern for the salvation of the Heathen, he offered himself for our Missionary work, and in the year 1821, was appointed to a station at St. Christopher's, in the West Indies. In that island, and in Antigua, he laboured during the four succeeding years with great faithfulness and success, having favour with God, and with all his people. His piety and zeal remained unabated to the last. At the mysterious close of his useful life and honourable labours, amidst the perils of the great deep, and in the prospect of "dissolution near," his Christian fortitude was manifested by his composedly kneeling on the deck of the vessel in which he

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