I locked forward to the future, all appeared dark; yet I knew that the time had now come when it was proper that I should go to business, as my brothers had done. No suitable situation offered itself, and I did not much like the business before me; but I was ready to go to any trade rather than spend my time in idleness at home. I have long seen how all has been overruled for good." Thus early was he characterized by that delicate sense of honour which marked his whole life, and which made it painful to him to be dependent on another for even the smallest office which he could perform for himself. Few things annoyed him more than to see an unwillingness to stoop, if stooping were necessary. He saw no disgrace in honest work, however lowly.

His introduction to the Wesleyan Methodists and his conversion are thus recorded in his note-book. “Through a kind Providence I began to sit under the Wesleyan ministry, and attend their Sabbathschool. This was all new to me, and it produced a good effect upon my youthful mind. In the course of a few months I was awakened, under the ministry of the Rev. William Midgley, then travelling his second year in the New-Mills Circuit. On the following evening went to class, where I received, along with some other young persons, suitable advice. On the 6th of April, 1812, the Lord pardoned all my sins." In another place he says, "I spent about five years in the Sabbath-school, with profit to myself, and I trust with some little advantage to others. Indeed I did not leave the school until I was cbliged to do so, through increasing engagements as a Local preacher." About this period, a malignant fever broke out in the district in which he resided. The terrified people thronged the various houses of prayer: hundreds were crying for mercy. Young as Mr. Dernaley was, he was known far and wide as a sincere, earnest Ciristian; and, fearless of infection, he was found at the bedside of scores of fever stricken penitents, preaching "Christ and Him crucified." He had a special gift in prayer, and in times of sorrow was sent for, by rich and poor alike.

Mr. Dernaley's note-book contains the following entry :-"In the close of 1818, I removed to the Holmfirth Circuit, and resided at Nether-Thong about two years, when I returned to Hayfield, in Derbyshire. I was soon appointed leader of a class, having accepted the office for six months on the condition of giving it up if there were in that time no increase of members. I left an excellent class when I came out to travel in the year 1824. I received my first Plan from the Rev. J. Hanwell, and though my labours have indeed been fee. I trust they have been owned of God, both in the conviction and the conversion of sinners. During the seven years I was a Lo al preacher, I travelled some thousands of miles, in the New-Mills, Holadith, and Bradwell Circuits. I do not know that I ever

neglected an appointment in my life, or was ever, through carelessness, too late. Since I came into the regular ministry, I have been highly favoured with bodily vigour, and in many, very many, other respects. I have had what are generally called hard Circuits;' but the Lord has given me favour in the sight of the people, and strength according to my day. I thank God for all His mercies towards me! What is most important of all, I have witnessed the conversion of hundreds since I knew the Lord myself, and to Him I give all the praise."

Mr. Dernaley's Circuits were undoubtedly "hard ones," and they severely tested even his fine physical frame. Happily, the division of Circuits, the increase in the staff of ministers, the better postal arrangements, and the facilities afforded for reaching country appointments by railways, have done much to make Circuits less arduous than they were only a few years ago.

Of his qualifications as a preacher Mr. Dernaley ever spoke with humility. He often expressed regret that he had been made a Superintendent so soon, since the office brought with it so many cares, and such a pressure of business, as to greatly interfere with the reading and study which he felt needful. Nevertheless, he was most conscientious in availing himself of every opportunity for improvement. He constantly acted from a high sense of duty, and in every Circuit in which he laboured won for himself the reputation of a preacher who "wore well." That he had great depth of thought, wealth of illustration, or brilliancy of style, those who love his memory most will be the last to affirm. But he preached like a man who knew, and felt, that he had something to say which it was of the utmost importance that people should hear, for their eternal good; and he set about saying it to the best of his ability—in a simple, earnest, and affectionate way. To enlighten the conscience, and convince the judgment of his hearers, was his aim. He strove to show them what he exemplified in his own life,-the reasonableness of devotion to God's service. His ministry was in consequence greatly blessed, both in the conversion of sinners and the edification of believers. One, who is now a highly respected minister of another denomination, remarked to one of Mr. Dernaley's daughters after his death, "I had the greatest reverence and affection for your father. He examined me, and gave me my first Plan. His three years in Circuit was a glorious success. The services he rendered to Methodism, as a wise and careful Superintendent, will be acknowledged by every Circuit in which he travelled." Another thus writes of him :-" When in this Circuit the first time, his Superintendent's health broke down during the first year; so that nearly all the work devolved upon Mr. Dernaley. So zealous and efficient were his labours, under God, that the stewards presented him with a testimonial in acknowledgment of his services, and he left the Circuit beloved of all. His second

appointment took place under peculiar circumstances—at the time of the Warrenite division, when the Circuit lost one hundred members. .He acted in many difficult and perplexing cases, with a soundness of judgment, clear discrimination of character, judicious firmness of purpose, and caution, which often called forth the admiration of all who observed him. At our earnest request he continued with us three years, and left us esteemed by all. Although nearly thirty years have passed away, his name is still mentioned with pleasing and grateful remembrance."

An instance of his conscientious discharge of duty, at the expense of personal feeling and interest, occurred in one of his earlier Circuits. He had reason to believe that a member of the Society, of good social position, was indulging in secret intemperance. The Circuit was a "poor" one, and two-thirds of his income depended on the contribution of the offender, who was also one of his warmest personal friends. Mr. Dernaley earnestly and affectionately expostulated with him, but his entreaties were in vain. No alternative remained but for the pastor to exclude the unworthy member from the Society; which he accordingly did, though with great pain. The falling away of souls from Christ, and the inconsistent lives of professors of religion, always filled him with intense grief; and indeed, in the end, did much to undermine his health. His note-book has the following:-"My mind is much pained about many things, especially the conduct of Indeed my [recent] trials have been without comparison in I have endeavoured to do my my history as a Wesleyan minister. duty, I trust, in the fear of God." A much beloved friend and colleague thus speaks of him :-"I was disposed to think well of him from the first sight of him; his open and cheerful countenance, the kindly tones of his voice, and the minute and considerate inquiries respecting myself and family, made a favourable impression upon my mind; and that good opinion I never afterwards saw occasion to alter. For the five following years we lived side by side. Our intercourse was not merely frequent but constant; and to the end he rose higher and higher in my estimation. Surely no man had less guile, and yet his open-heartedness was iningled with a good deal of sagacity and forethought. As a man, my heart clave to him. In all matters, public or private, I always found him worthy of my utmost confidence. As a preacher, he was plain, pointed, and faithful; his voice was remarkably sweet, full, and rich. He was an excellent As a pastor, singer, and his power in prayer was often remarkable. he possessed the affection and confidence of his fleck, personal and family matters being often confided to him for counsel and direction. He was a man of high mind and pure principle, considerate and condescending to the last degree, yet firm and unbending when convinced of being in the right. His conduct was always holy

and consistent: he abhorred every thing that was impure in word or deed. He was steady, punctual, patient, and persevering in his ministerial work. As a Superintendent, he was to me all that could be wished; and never was service more deserved, or more cheerfully rendered than to him. His wishes were expressed in the optative rather than the imperative mood....... He ever met me with a smile and parted with a benediction. Of the poor he was very considerate, and the working-man ever found in him a sympathizing friend. I could willingly have spent a whole lifetime with him in ministerial labour." There was nothing mean or small about Mr. Dernaley. He could praise his brethren without "buts" and "ifs ;" and was full of the charity that "thinketh no evil," that "hopeth all things," and "is kind."

In 1863, failing health compelled Mr. Dernaley to relinquish the regular work of the ministry. He retired to Preston, Lancashire, where, so long as his strength permitted, he exercised his talents in doing good. His tedious affliction was borne with much patience and cheerfulness. Though his sufferings were great, his confidence in Christ was unwavering, and he was sustained and comforted by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The two or three days preceding his death were days of intense trial to his wife and daughters: his sufferings wrung their hearts. The power of speech had almost gone; yet, with something of his old, bright smile in his failing eyes, he struggled to say, "Never mind; it will soon be over." greatly enjoyed having hymns repeated and sung to him. For many hours before death he was quite unconscious; and, as the sun sunk to rest, on the evening of September 28th, 1866, his soul left the suffering body, and entered "through the gates into the city."

He

Never perhaps was a minister blessed with a better wife than was Mr. Dernaley. She was the third daughter of Richard Threlfall, Esq., of Hollowforth, near Preston, and was born on the 2d of February, 1801. She was early impressed with Divine truth; but it was not till shortly after her fifteenth birthday that she was enabled to rejoice in God her Saviour. The tempter seems to have used her peculiar sensitiveness and conscientiousness to keep her from the comforts of the Gospel. Her views of herself, as a sinner before God, were distressing in their vividness; and to the end of her exemplary life she ever spoke of herself, with touching humility, as the "chief of sinners." Sentiments like the following abound in her papers:

"March 22d, 1823.-My mind has been absorbed in thought most of this day, and many tears I have shed; tears of unfeigned gratitude to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon me. Next to a knowledge of myself and Him, and things necessary to salvation, stands [the blessing of] Christian friendship. How am I called to

participate in its joys! How many kind friends I possess, some whose disinterested friendship makes me wonder and adore that God who gives me all things richly to enjoy.' How have I improved it? Alas! here I have cause to weep for sorrow of heart; and here I do weep, in wonder that either God or my friends should love me, for I have been rebellious and unkind to both...... My heart sinks within me, for I feel my unworthiness. What a mercy that I have an 'Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous!' That Name is dearest to me in earth or heaven! Yes, I know, I feel, 'He hath loved me,' and given Himself for me! of sinners! O, may I rest on this foundation only!"

For me, the chief

During the last few days of her life, she often said, as if with sweet and glad surprise, "He loved me, and gave Himself for me." Speaking of her early life, very shortly before her death, she remarked, with great earnestness, "O, what blessed seasons of communion I had with the Lord when I was a girl! What enjoyment I found in God when I sought Him with my whole heart!"

Perhaps the most distinguishing trait in Mrs. Dernaley's character was her spirit of self-sacrifice. It was not merely that she was ready to "esteem others better" than herself: she displayed an utter forgetfulness of self. No one could be freer from ostentation; she spoke little of what she had done or would do; but her quiet endurance of severe trials, her cheerful overcoming of difficulties, her constant thoughtfulness for others, all done so simply and quietly from love to Christ, convinced those who knew her that she would have joyfully yielded life itself, and all that made life precious, had the Master required it. No sooner had she given herself to the Lord, than she longed to work for Him. As an earnest Sunday-school teacher, she saw the fruit of persevering labour "after many days." The condition of the heathen lay very near her heart, and formed a chief topic in almost every letter she penned.

Alluding to the departure of her brother, the Rev. William Threl fall, for South Africa, where, in 1825, he fell by the hand of a native assassin, she says, "While weeping at the thought that I should see his face no more' perhaps on earth, the blessed hope that God would bless His own Word, where it is preached in sincerity, to the salvation of those who are blinded by the darkest heathen superstitions, and that what gave me exquisite sorrow would be the mans of giving others unspeakable joy, caused me to rejoice in the midst of all." She was a persevering collector in behalf of evangelical Missions. "I am resolved," she writes in one of her letters, "to pray more earnestly for the personal consecration of all my subscribers. I cannot expect them to support Missions to the heathen, if they themselves do not feel the need of the Gospel." It is worth asking,