and preached with great modesty and humility. The impression made on my mind, was, that he had promising gifts, and would make a useful Preacher. He was very diligent and exact in the discharge of his duties as a Local Preacher. In those days, the Local Preachers had long walks, and scanty fare. They frequently walked twenty miles, preached three times, and met the Societies on a Lord's Day, after all the toils of the week; and in that mountainous country, where the roads were rugged, and in some places almost impassable, especially in the winter season, the labour was almost unparalleled. When Mr. Smith became a Local Preacher, there were several men on the plan, whose deep piety, good sense, and ardent zeal, have seldom been equalled, and never surpassed. Those excellent men died in the faith, and are now reaping their reward in a better world. They were unpolished in their manners, but they had sterling sense, were sound theologians, and adorned the doctrines of God their Saviour by a holy conversation. They were heard with pleasure, and were instruments, in the hand of God, of turning many from darkness to light.

The education of Mr. Smith was rather limited. The first instructions which he received were from his pious mother, who, as his brother William observes, " gave him that learning which she had ability and opportunity to impart." Her principal object was, no doubt, to teach him to read the Holy Scriptures, that he might be "wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." But feeling a need of higher mental improvement, he met with a few of his young friends, every evening, when he was about sixteen years old; and they mutually assisted each other in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Sunday-Schools were then unknown, and school-masters were rarely to be found in villages. After Mr. Smith began to preach, he was very anxious to acquire that learning which would enable him to appear in the pulpit with some respectability; and to accomplish this laudable design, he placed himself under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Phillips, an eminent Dissenting Minister, who kept a respectable classical school at Keighley. His plan was, to spend one half of the day with Mr. Phillips, in the study of English literature, and the other in working at his trade. By this arrangement two objects were secured: First, he acquired a competent acquaintance with the rudiments of useful knowledge; and, secondly, he supported himself independently of his friends. He carefully studied those branches of learning which were deemed absolutely necessary; but divinity was then, and continued to be, his favourite study, and in that he excelled.

In the year 1785, Mr Smith was called into the itinerant work, by the Rev. J. Wesley; and after a trial of four years, was received into full connexion with the Conference, by that apostolical man. The Preacher who recommended him to travel, was Mr. Parson Greenwood,

whose profound knowledge of divine things, and exemplary life, endeared him to all our people. Two circumstances prevent my saying much about the itinerant labours of Mr. Smith: First, he kept no journal, nor did he leave any paper relating to his long and faithful labours; and, Secondly, we were generally stationed at a considerable distance from each other; so that we were unacquainted with many of those interesting incidents, which frequently occurred in the discharge of our ministerial duties. He was stationed in the following circuits: 1785, Isle of Man; 1786, the Dales; 1787 and 1788, Isle of Man; 1789, Birmingham; 1790, Plymouth; 1791, Penzance; 1792, Redruth; 1793, Penzance; 1794 and 1795, St. Austell; 1796, 1797, and 1798, Launceston; 1799, 1800, and 1801, Shepton-Mallet; 1802, Leek; 1803 and 1804, Blackburn ; 1805 and 1806, Birstal; 1807 and 1808, Otley; 1809 and 1810, Oldham; 1811, Barnsley; 1812 and 1813, Stroud; 1814 and 1815, Kingswood; 1816 and 1817, Bedford; 1818 and 1819, Salisbury; 1820 and 1821, Frome; 1822 and 1823, Newbury; and 1824, at Taunton.

Mr. Smith was generally present at our annual Conferences. There he not only attended to his own'affairs, as a Superintendent, but kept an eye on the general affairs of our Connexion; and though he did not often speak, yet he endeavoured, with his usual modesty and seriousness, to support every measure which he thought calculated to promote the glory of God, and to serve the best interests of Methodism in every part of the world. In the intervals of our sittings, we frequently met together to talk over old times, to relate our Christian experience during our absence from each other, and to renew the friendship of our youthful days.

Besides our meetings at the annual Conferences, we often met at Keighley, to visit our aged parents, and our numerous relatives. On those occasions, we generally preached to our old friends, many of whom heard us with great candour, and entertained us with generous hospitality. There Mr. Thomas Bartholomew, and Mr. Charles Bland, both of whom went out to travel from the same place, usually met us; and our interviews were both pleasing and profitable. Mr. Bartholomew was a superior man, whose real worth was duly appreciated in his native town. He was a pious man, an excellent linguist, a judicious divine, and an affectionate friend. He travelled thirty-seven years in our Connexion, with an unblemished character, and died in peace, at Doncaster, in the year 1819. Mr. Bland travelled nineteen years, when, being fairly worn out in the itinerant work, he died in the Lord, and rested from his labours, in the year 1804.

Mr. Smith was generally acceptable in the work of the ministry. His sermons were weighty, important, and judiciously adapted to varying times and circumstances, and his delivery was grave, deliberate, and solemn. His style was plain and simple, but often deeply im

pressive. He loved to dwell on the essential doctrines and duties of Christianity such as the fall of man; redemption by Jesus Christ; the influence of the Holy Spirit; repentance, faith, and holiness; the great duties of the Christian life; and the rewards and punishments of a future state. But in his addresses from the pulpit, there were no useless criticisms, nothing low and vulgar, no rash or unguarded expressions; but a constant endeavour to enlighten the understanding, to amend the heart, and to correct the conduct of his numerous hearers. His ministerial labours, in the various Circuits where he travelled, were made a blessing to many; and this consideration was a source of consolation to him in the last hours of his life; for he then observed to one of his friends, “I can say, though with the deepest humility, that I have a goodly number of seals to my ministry: part have crossed the flood, some are crossing now, and some of them are on their way through the wilderness."

For many years Mr. Smith was entrusted with the superintendency of the Circuits where he travelled; and in that office, he was an excellent disciplinarian. He did not dispute about our excellent rules, but kept them conscientiously. In some instances, his exactness in the observance of these rules might expose him to difficulties; but duty was his first care, and when that was done, he left the result to the Lord. Our discipline is founded on experience and observation; it is agreeable both to Scripture and reason; and those who observe it with prudence are, like our departed friend, a blessing to the societies which are placed under their pastoral care. But he who exercises good discipline in the church, should be an example to all, both in word and deed. This was the case with Mr. Smith. His conversation was spiritual, his conduct was exemplary, and he was always found where duty called. Neither bad roads, nor tempestuous weather, nor uncomfortable accommodations, kept him at home, when he had appointments in the country. The following testimony of the Conference is correct: "At all seasons, however inclement, he was regularly found at his post; and in all places he appeared ever ready at the call of duty, to serve his generation by the will of God."

The last appointment of Mr. Smith, was to the Taunton Circuit, in the year 1824. With that station he was well satisfied, believing it was the will of the Lord he should labour in that part of his vineyard-; but his end was drawing nigh, and where he hoped to work for God, he ceased "at once to work and live." There he finished his course as a Christian, and as a Minister of Jesus; but his end was peace, and his sun set without a cloud. Some men who shine in life, are dark and gloomy in death; but John S. Smith shone with bright lustre in that awful The following account was drawn up, principally, by one of his excellent daughters; and I was so much affected by it, that, when called to preach his funeral sermon, I could not fix on any other words than

season.

these: "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

In December, Mr. Smith caught a severe cold, which, for a considerable time, confined him at home; but he so far recovered, as to be able to resume his ministerial labours. These, however, were but of short duration; for, in the beginning of February, 1825, his languor and de-. bility so rapidly increased, that he found it necessary to relinquish preaching, and to call in a medical adviser. At that time he observed, in a letter to his daughters," I think my time on earth will be but short. I feel great peace of mind. Religion is all! On earth man walketh as a vain shadow. Eternity is all! There our joy will be for ever full." In a letter, dated March 7th, he says, "My mind enjoys great peace and resignation; and I can look forward into the eternal world with much pleasure. I have not the remotest confidence in any thing but the blood of Christ, for my acceptance with God, and entrance into the kingdom of glory." At another time he remarked, in writing to his children, "All is well with me, as regards the world to come. I have an application of all the benefits of Christ. My mind is wholly delivered from all entanglements below the skies." He continued to decline gradually, until May the 14th, when he was taken alarmingly ill, and from that time he was confined to his bed, which he never afterwards quitted, till he was released by death.

After he was confined to his bed, without any hope of returning health, the Lord was very gracious to him, and "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, kept his heart and mind, through Christ Jesus." On one occasion, addressing himself to a friend, he said, "Tell Mr. Edmondson, that I have furled the banner, and it still retains, as fresh as ever, a bleeding Lamb. I have sheathed my sword, and laid the trophies at the foot of the cross. Tell him I never lost the witness of the Spirit, during forty-five years; that my attachment and love to the cause has increased with my years; that the more I examined, the more I approved of the doctrine and discipline of Methodism; and that I now feel the power of those doctrines in the fullest extent. Tell the dear people, that I feel the religion I have preached to them, to be no cunningly devised fable. Tell them that I never felt a greater love to any people; that I have had their welfare at heart more than any other; and that I believe God has much people in this place. It seems to me that I see them in bands, travelling on together, from conquering unto conquer." He then added, "This peculiar love, this impression that I feel for this dear people, is from God; probably because I shall soon die among them. O that all the people I have preached to, could but know the happiness that I feel! My hope is steadfast, immoveable, and full of glory! O how happily, how sweetly I am employed, in contemplating the mansions that are in my Father's house! They are very

splendid, very magnificent; but the most humble would be best suited to me."

To one of his daughters he said, "I shall soon be where there is no sickness, no pain, no parting, no death. There my cup will run over: yes, there is laid up for me a crown, brighter than the noonday sun.

These light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' I shall soon see those blessed hands and feet which were nailed to the cross. What glorious realities! You must often talk of them to your dear mother and sisters. I think I may be with my Lord, this day, in Paradise. I have been dealt with more kindly than has fallen to the common lot of mortals. Some are racked with excruciating pain: the heat is the principal thing that affects me. I would in patience possess my soul, that I may be perfect, lacking nothing."

The following morning he observed, "I have had a tedious night. I shall weather the storm. I have weathered many a storm; but this surpasses them all. What a mercy that my intellects remain unimpaired ! God never permitted the disorder to affect them. I have never had a confused mind."

About a week after he took to his bed, he was favoured with some extraordinary visitations from God; alluding to which, he observed, "Tell Mr. Edmondson, that my mind was then taken to heaven, and I had a wonderful view of the source of the promises of God: O it was unspeakable and full of glory! And since then I have found it abiding. I never sunk so low, or rose so high. O what a view of the atonement! O the unspeakable riches of Christ! This is all my hope, and all my plea, For me the Saviour died. There is nothing like the standard of the cross: pourtrayed it bears a bleeding Lamb! How has that humbled me; and I have risen by it."

One day he said to Mrs. Smith, "My dear, how thankful I am for our union! It has been one of uninterrupted happiness. But I am now enabled to give you up, and my dear children. I can lay you all at my Redeemer's feet, with my Christian armour, and, above all, my worthless self. I am a sinner saved by grace. What condescension in my adorable Saviour to accept of me!"

At another time, being asked the state of his mind, he replied, "I have not the shadow of a doubt, the shadow of a cloud. The prospect before me is bright indeed! My peace is very great. I am growing in heavenly-mindedness. This vile tabernacle will soon be dissolved; but I have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I have many dear friends and relations that I shall meet there. Yes, I shall see them; but the most conspicuous will be my adorable Saviour."

One Sabbath evening, he remarked, "I am now another Sabbath-day nearer joining the harping host, who cry day and night, Unto him that