BRIEF

MEMOIRS.

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

MARY, the wife of Capt. W. A. MARTIN, was born at Beverley, Yorkshire, on the 15th of September, 1805, and three years afterwards removed with her parents to Sunderland. On the 16th of April, she was united in marriage to him who laments his loss. Her conversion to God took place in the Sans-street

Wesleyan chapel in 1833. She immediately joined the Church; and her subsequent life proved the reality of the change which had been wrought in her. The year following her conversion, the Wesleyans-wishful to do something more to raise the moral tone of the lower part of the town-decided upon appointing a female missionary to labour there; and the piety and zeal of Mrs. Martin marked her as a suitable person for the work, and for many years she faithfully performed the duties to which she had been called. Removing in 1859 to New Hendon, a suburb of the town, where the Primitive Methodists had commenced to raise a new society, she united with the infant cause and remained an attached and useful member till her death. The new cause proving successful, involving the building of a small chapel in 1859, and then a spacious one to accommodate 800 persons in 1866, the members were called upon to work in earnest; and none was more active than our deceased sister; her purse, tongue, and hands, never tired. The marks of a genuine Christian were very obvious in her life. She was attracted to all the means of grace, she had great sympathy with the poor, whom she helped to the utmost of her ability, often giving away her last penny. To one poor widow she sent a loaf of bread every week for thirteen years, and when she died the gift was transferred to another widow, and continued for five years. In visiting the sick she was assiduous and very successful; she visited the town infirmary for years, and only desisted at last through ill-health and the urgent request of her medical adviser. Her activity was all the more remarkable from the fact that she was not a healthy woman. She suffered from a liver complaint for 20 years, yet the vigour of her soul and her love to her Master prompted her to do many things that many less earnest would have thought themselves incapable of doing. After many years of Christian consistency she calmly breathed her last on the 17th of July, 1871, faintly saying: "I have finished the work thou gavest me to do." On her memorial card is the following appropriate verse :—

"She is dead, but her mem'ry still liveth,

She is gone-her example is here;
And the lustre and fragrance it giveth

Shall linger for many a year."

EDWARD MALLARD, of Shrewsbury, was born in the year 1790, and departed this life August 3rd, 1871. Of his early life we know but little, save that he lived regardless of God and remained unawakened till he was forty years of age, about which time he attended a camp-meeting held at Exford's Green, led by the Rev. J. Bonsor, when his conversion to Christianity took place. Soon after he became a member of society, and till death adorned the gospel of Christ. The office of Circuit Steward he held for many years, and liberally supported the cause. During his last affliction he suffered severely, but rested firmly upon the atonement. Just before death he said: "I am getting near the river;" but added, "The Spirit of God beareth witness with my spirit that I am a child of God." He then sang, "Just as I am without one plea," &c., and when a few more struggles were past fell asleep in the Lord. J. BUTCHER. HUGH YOUNG was born at Rhymney in the year 1851. He was the child of

Christian parents. About ten years since he began to attend the Primitive Methodist Sabbath School at Pontlollyn, in the Tredegar Circuit. He was regular in his attendance at school and prized the instructions imparted. About fourteen months since the seed sown in the past resulted in his conversion, and to his death, which took place on Monday, August 7th, 1871, he was a devoted Christian. His motto was onward. He was attentive at the means of grace, and earnest for the salvation of souls. The day before that on which death did its work was the Sabbath, and, as usual, he was at his post. Few thought that he was so near to glory, but the following day proved that in the midst of life we are in death. In the mine he was crushed beneath a large fall of mineral, and ended his course in the 20th year of his age. Though lost to his friends here, he has gained heaven. J. P. BELLINGHAM.

JAMES MILLS, of Bramshaw, was born in the year 1842, and at the age of fifteen his parents had the happiness of seeing him give his heart to God, and join the society at Nomansland, where he was a consistent member until death. He took a deep interest in the Sabbath-school, and laboured hard to lead the little ones to the Saviour. Giving promise of piety and ability to speak, his name was put on the preachers' plan, and in this capacity he was faithful. Living in the New Forest of Hampshire, his journies were often very long, but they were cheerfully taken, and the friends in the neighbourhood, when disappointed of their preacher, were wont to send for him, and always found him ready to assist them. For his kindness and Christian charity he was greatly beloved. The manner of his death was truly sad, and cast a gloom over the whole neighbourhood, and led many to enquire what would have been the consequence had it been they instead of him. For some time he had been engaged in the New Forest Powder Mill, and on the 11th of August, 1871, he was employed in carrying the newly made powder into the drying house when suddenly an explosion took place and all was blown up. His body was found thirty-seven yards from the place with some slight indications of life but perfectly unconscious, and in thirty minutes he expired. The cause of the explosion is unknown. There were 800 pounds of gun powder in the house at the time, and the shock was felt for miles round. No other person was injured, there being no one else in the house at the time. He has left a wife and two little children, a father (the oldest local preacher in the Southampton circuit), mother, and several sisters to mourn their loss. The writer preached his funeral sermon at Nomansland to a crowded congregation, and trusts good was done. GEORGE HUNTER.

Astronomical Notices for November, 1872

BY J. GOLDSMITH, ESQ.

Rising and setting of the Sun and Planets. Calculated for London.

THE SUN.

Distance from the earth on the 1st November 91,086,000 miles; and on the 1st December 90,519,000 miles. On the 30th the Sun will be totally eclipsed; in the southern parts of the South American continent it will be partial; the total eclipse will pass across the South Pacific Ocean.

In Perigee, 6th day at 9 evening, distance from the earth 231,940 miles. In Apogee, 21st day at 6 evening, distance from the earth 251,370 miles.

In the course of the month the Moon will be near the planet Mercury on the 2nd, at 3 m. 20; Venus on the 3rd, at 11 m. 39; Saturn on the 6th, at 1 m 5; Uranus on the 21st at 0 m. 19; Jupiter on the 23rd at 0 m. 55; and Mars on the 25th at 0 a. 5.

A partial eclipse of the Moon will take place on the 15th, the first contact with the earth's shadow at 5 m. 2 and the last contact at 5 m. 37; magnitude 0.023 on the moon's northern limb.

THE PLANETS.

MERCURY, in the constellations Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius, will be visible a few evenings (in the western sky) before and after the 28th, when at its greatest eastern elongation from the sun. Distance from the earth on the

1st, 127,772,000 miles, and 42,857,000 from the sun.

VENUS, in the constellations Scorpio and Sagittarius, is an evening star; on the 15th in Aphelion, or greatest distance from the sun. Its distance from the earth on the 1st 131,263,000 miles, and from the sun 66,850,000 miles.

MARS, in the constellations Leo and Virgo, is a morning star; on the 10th in conjunction with the star Sigma Leonis, and on the 20th with Beta Virginis. On the 1st its distance from the earth 188,347,000 miles, and 152,381,000 from the sun.

JUPITER, in the constellation Leo, is a morning star, on the 6th in conjunction with Regulus. On the 1st its distance from the earth 512,197,000, and from the sum 490,259,000 miles.

SATURN, in the constellation Sagittarius, is visible in the evenings; on the 1st it will be 952,261,000 miles from the earth, and 920,175,000 from the sun. URANUS, in the constellation Cancer, visible in the mornings; on the 1st it will pass the meridian at 5 m. 50, at a distance of 1,695,191,000 miles, and 1,703,207,000 from the sun.

THE STARS.

The constellations Andromeda and Taurus will be seen in the southern sky, Orion in the south-east, Pegasus in the south-west; in the north-west Lyra and Cygnus, and in the north-east Ursa Major.

The Christmas Service of Song: A Selection of Sacred Music, accompanied by appropriate readings, &c. By JAMES MACPHERSON. London: George Lamb, 6, Sutton-street, Commercial-road, E. Price 6d. IN America "Service of Song" has become exceedingly popular. Occasionally sinners are converted when such a service is conducted, while, at the same time, a happy evening is spent. By this Service of Song the semi-teahtrical displays which often take place at recitations are avoided, and a cheerful and profitable evening is spent. The Christmas Service of Song may be had in sets of 25, 50, or 100. A liberal allowance will be made where such quan tities are taken. For particulars, enquire of the Travelling Preachers.

CORRECT view of which the reader has in the engraving which stands at the head of this article, is one of the finest natural objects in New Zealand. And as the writer, in company with several others a short time since, scaled its rugged heights, and stood on its loftiest peak, it may not be out of place to give a few particulars respecting the journey, and the mountain itself, together with its surroundings. Having travelled some fifteen miles on horse-back, we arrived at a clearing in the bush on which there is a settler's homestead, and after being kindly entertained, we prepared to perform the remainder of the journey on foot. With a blanket and a quantity of provisions strapped across our shoulders, after the fashion of a soldier's knapsack, we plodded our way for several miles through a dense forest, getting at length at what is commonly known here as the ranges. Gaining their top we sat down to rest for awhile, and to gaze on the surrounding scenery. On one side lay the great Pacific Ocean, reposing in placid