was her constant aim to regulate her conduct by a strict regard to them, frequently comparing the several parts of her conduct with this divine standard. She had her fixed times for reading and meditation; and earnestly sought, with much prayer, that the word of Christ might dwell in her richly, and that she might follow His example who grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favour both with God and man."

66

In 1827, Mr. William Hodgson, then residing in the neighbourhood of Preston, became acquainted with her; and in December, 1830, they were united in marriage. Immediately afterwards, they left Preston for Lancaster, where they resided till the 21st of June, 1835; when Mr. Hodgson, having been accepted by the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, was appointed to labour in the island of Jamaica. The state of Mrs. Hodgson's mind on leaving home will be seen in the following extract from her journal

"June 21st, 1835.-We left Lancaster, and our kind relations and friends, whose memory will be ever dear to us. We arrived at my father's house, in Preston, the same day, and found them all well, but in great heaviness on our account. O Lord, let thy grace be sufficient for them! I would not cause them one moment's pain; but thy providence points out my way to a distant country; and thy call I obey, by the help of thy grace, though my soul grieves exceedingly because of the separation. Into thy hands, O my Father, I commend my beloved connexions!"

On the 29th of August they embarked on board the "Woolsington," Captain Sargent, with the following Missionaries and their wives:Rev. Messrs. Hornby, Seccombe, Williams, and Harding. The voyage was very tedious; but the means of grace were regularly observed on board: every Lord's day they had preaching, morning and evening, and family worship in the cabin twice every day; besides this, the time of the Missionaries was occupied in a sort of theological class into which they had formed themselves.

On the 28th of October they landed in Jamaica, and were gladly received by the brethren in Kingston. They arrived at a time when their services were much required, as the sickly season had been most alarming. In the course of only a few months, no fewer than eleven members of the Wesleyan Mission family in Jamaica had been interred. Of this number six were Ministers, two Missionaries' wives, and three from among their children. The influence produced upon the minds of the Missionaries, by these sudden and frequent deaths, was deep and impressive. The death of one seemed only the harbinger of that of another every man lived as on the verge of eternity; and when the weekly post arrived, they were afraid to open their letters, lest they should find another and another dead. Yet, in the midst of all this, each was endeavouring, to the best of his ability, to supply the place of those who had fallen. If ever the Jamaica Missionaries lived in the spirit of prayer, it was in 1835; every man felt and said, as he discoursed on those things, "Perhaps it may be my turn next: this is the land of death; but the land of life is before us." The arrival of the above-named Missionaries, just at this time, partially supplied the vacant churches; lightened the labours of the survivers, who had been almost worn out with excessive toil; and perhaps tended to preserve their valuable lives. The influence of 1835 has never been lost upon

the Jamaica Missionaries; and those who encountered the difficulties of that year of sickness and death often look back to it, and thank God for his preserving mercies.

Mr. Hodgson entered on his ministerial duties at Port-Royal; and Mrs. Hodgson soon felt an attachment to the people, and exerted herself, to the utmost of her power, for their spiritual improvement. During the first quarter, there were some cases of sound scriptural conversion in her class, which proved a source of great encouragement, and induced her still more earnestly to persevere in her work. She soon felt the want of society, and mourned the loss of her Christian friends in England, with whom she had taken sweet counsel, and gone to the house of God in company; yet her employment kept her mind actively engaged, and her soul greatly rejoiced in God her Saviour.

On the 13th of August, 1836, she writes in her journal :"Blessed be God for the mercies of another day. I am preserved in health, and favoured with many comforts. 'What shall I render unto the Lord for all his goodness towards me?' Though we have been on this island nearly a year, we have been graciously kept from sickness. To God be all the praise! I attended the Sabbath-school at nine o'clock this morning, and again at two. We have one hundred and fifty children in it. I have a class, from which I am seldom absent; and the children promise well. O that they may seek the Lord in the days of their youth, and while their hearts are yet tender! I earnestly desire their salvation. I feel a strong thirst after holiness, a surrendering of my all to God; I think I may say, that I make no reserve. God causes his goodness to pass before me, and I am much comforted."

From Port-Royal, Mr. Hodgson removed to Grateful-Hill, in January, 1837; and the change was very beneficial to the impaired health of Mrs. Hodgson, who, from the time she made the entry in her journal just quoted, had suffered frequent and severe attacks of fever. Here, however, she soon became strong to labour, and embraced every opportunity of doing good. They were subsequently appointed to St. Mary's, and Lime-Savannah; and, at the District-Meeting of 1844, to Morant-Bay, in the parish of St. Thomas-in-the-East, a place which has ever been regarded as one of the most sickly in Jamaica. On her arrival there, Mrs. Hodgson determined to do all she could to promote the glory of God, and the spiritual welfare of the people. She was instant in season and out of season, and her health seemed better than it had been for some time past; so that she was looking forward to years of usefulness. But how short-sighted are we in our calculations, and how true the language of Scripture,-"In such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh!"

On Sunday, September 29th, she attended divine service in the chapel, as it proved, for the last time. Before the Liturgy was concluded, she felt indisposed, and was obliged to retire. In the course of Monday and Tuesday she appeared to improve; but on Wednesday an unfavourable change took place. The best medical aid was procured; but all was in vain: she exchanged mortality for life at halfpast twelve o'clock, P.M., on Monday, October 7th, 1844, in the fortieth year of her age. So violent and rapid was the disease, that she was unable to hold any conversation; indeed, for nearly twenty-four hours before her death, she was insensible; but that habitual preparation,

thus shown to be always necessary, she had previously secured and long enjoyed.

At ten o'clock on the following morning her mortal remains were deposited in the chapel-yard, where they rest beside those of her two predecessors, Mrs. Atkins and Mrs. Rowden, until "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised."

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

43. DIED, December 22d, 1843, at Cockermouth, in the Workington. Circuit, aged forty-nine, Mr. John Rigg. He was a native of Bowness, in Westmoreland, and removed to Cockermouth in his twenty-fourth year, when he was induced to join the Wesleyan society, and soon experienced the converting grace of God. From a boy he was remarkable for three qualities: intrepidity, perseverance, and eagerness to acquire gain, connected with great parsimony. The two former dispositions were, from the time of his conversion, sanctified to the cause of Christ; but the latter was an impediment to him in the way to heaven, till it pleased God to instruct him by a dream, and deliver him from this too common and successful snare of the devil. The particulars need not be enumerated. It is sufficient to record, that he was led to think of the subject, and to examine himself in the light of the written word. He saw that he was wrong; and by the grace of God renounced his error, and became in this respect thoroughly an altered man. His situation in life was somewhat humble; but industry and economy afforded him more than his own wants needed, and he devoted the overplus to God. He no longer hoarded up what he was not likely to require, but made his own hands the almoners of the bounties of Providence; so that he was noted for his liberality, in proportion to his ability, both to the poor and the cause of religion. Towards the erection of chapels, and the support of our foreign Missions, he was diligent and importunate with others, and generous himself, to the time of his death. His temporal calling, to the duties of which he attended diligently, enabled him to form an extensive circle of religious acquaintance in Cumberland and Westmoreland, and in some parts of Lancashire and Scotland. It was his custom to devote a brief period annually to the immediate work of religion, by attending class-meetings, visiting those who would receive him from house to house, and preaching in the open air. In these engagements he was plain and energetic, and he was made very useful. He sought to follow the leadings of Providence, and to do good as opportunity might be afforded him, in those seasons of the year when not required to be so much engaged in his occupation, which was that of a catcher of moles.

For some time in the course of the year, towards the conclusion of which he rested from his labours, his health appeared to be declining. Thinking that change of air might be beneficial, in the month of August he visited Keswick; but after preaching there one Sabbath evening, he caught a cold, which appeared to settle in his chest, and from which, indeed, he never recovered. Ten days before his death, he became unable to leave his bed, and almost immediately fever ran so high that for six days he was, with few and brief intervals, delirious.

When

this obscuring cloud had passed away, however, he was so completely exhausted as to be unable to speak. He never rallied, but gradually sunk till he quietly expired. But though his tongue spake not, his countenance was most expressive; and with that he replied to any inquiries that were addressed to him. His face appeared to beam with the delightful anticipation of approaching glory. His character was very exemplary. His behaviour and his profession were mutually consistent. His zeal was ardent, his temper was affectionate, forbearing, and forgiving. He lived a life of cheerful self-denial, and was active as well as fervent in charity. He prayed much, and lived by the faith of the Son of God, who had loved him, and given himself for him. He was highly esteemed as a good man; and by all who knew him, his death, though submissively, is deeply lamented. It may be added, now that the call for increasing support for the Missionary cause is so urgent, that Mr. Rigg was an industrious Missionary Collector; and, besides his annual subscription on his own book, as an example for those to whom he applied, he gave £5 annually at the Cockermouth Anniversary Meeting. MOSES RAYNER.

44. Died, January 4th, 1844, Anne, the wife of Mr. Joseph Webb, Wellington, Salop, in the seventy-ninth year of her age, having been an exemplary member of the Wesleyan society fifty-five years. As she was favoured from childhood with the means of distinguishing between a mere profession and the happy enjoyment of religion, her views early became correct, clear, and strictly evangelical. The plan which divine wisdom had contrived, and infinite love executed, for the salvation of fallen man, she well understood, and the effects of Gospel truth were powerfully and pleasingly seen in the change wrought in her heart and life while she was yet young. As religion was, at that time, to many, a matter of ridicule and contempt, a more than ordinary degree of fortitude and determination was required for its visible and consistent profession; but none of these things moved her. Though she did not possess the same degree of vivacity by which some are characterized, nor feel those great transports which others experience, (and this she often lamented,) yet the principles of Christianity were so deeply planted in her soul, that her course was truly peaceful, regular, and improving. Religious truth was in her a strong and abiding principle of action, and produced a steady uniformity of life. In her character appeared that delightful feature which adorns those whom the Saviour has pronounced blessed: she hungered and thirsted after righteousness. With much feeling she complained of her small attainments, and expressed her anxious desire for an increase of faith, love, and holiness. She diligently sought what she earnestly desired, believing her Saviour's promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you," &c. She faithfully maintained the spirit, conversation, and conduct of a Christian wherever her lot was cast. To an amiable and generous disposition was united a self-denying and charitable conduct. In the exercise of her benevolence, it was with difficulty she could be restrained, feeling that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." She often appeared regardless of her own interest, in the concern she manifested for the well-being and comfort of her poor neighbours, some of whom were daily assisted by her. With a large family, and cares proportionably great, she nevertheless contrived punctually to attend the public and private means of grace. She was a pattern as a wife and

mother, as she was exemplary as a Christian. During her last affliction, she possessed a strong conviction that she was in the hands of her gracious Father, and that all that she suffered, being by his appointment, would conduce to his glory, and issue in her own everlasting happiness. Retaining a deep impression of her condition as a sinner, she exercised an unshaken confidence in her great Redeemer. About an hour before her departure, when asked if the Saviour were then precious, she replied, with emphasis, "Yes, O yes."

now!'

J. NICKLIN.

45. Died, January 7th, at Bath, Mr. William B. Cook, (nephew of Mr. Thomas Cordeux, of London,) aged twenty-six. "I was born," he says, in a short manuscript account of his early days, "December 7th, 1817, at Shaftesbury, in Dorsetshire, of pious parents, who frequently directed my mind to heavenly things, and spoke to me of Christ my Saviour. Often, while they have been doing this, my heart has been affected, and I have desired to love God; but, alas! these good impressions vanished away as the morning cloud, and as the early dew. In the year 1828 our family removed to Bath. I was still led captive by Satan, and my inclinations were altogether worldly. But here it pleased God, by means of his word, deeply to affect my heart. On one occasion Mr. Rogers was preaching on the necessity of securing due preparation for another world; and, while urging this on the attention of his congregation, he said, in a very impressive manner, 'We may die in a month, in a day, in an hour; we may die This so alarmed my guilty conscience, that I was obliged to leave the chapel; and I did not recover my usual feelings for several days. Willing to persuade myself that the disquiet of my mind was only the result of a disordered state of the nerves, I used various means for its removal; but I knew not my disease. God was performing a gracious work on me, in answer to the many prayers which had been offered on my behalf." These gracious visitations issued in a true conversion to God. At the death of his father in 1836, he joined the Wesleyan society; and, soon after, God heard his supplication for mercy. It was while alone, and reading the Epistle to the Romans, that he was enabled to perceive and understand the heartcheering truth, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." From this time he went on his way steadily in religion; and although subject, through the whole of his short pilgrimage, to great bodily weakness, he was yet enabled, in conjunction with his widowed parent, to superintend a somewhat extensive business; and to stand, toward a large surviving family, in a certain sense, in the place of his sainted father. In him were displayed, in an eminent degree, what sometimes have been called the passive graces of the Christian character. Resignation to his heavenly Father's will, appeared to be in him complete: a murmuring word was never heard from his lips. The last few years of his life constituted a season of increasing weakness and suffering. The frail earthly tabernacle had long been propped up only with great difficulty. At length, rather unexpectedly, the silver cord of life was loosed. The summons, however, found him prepared for its reception; so that they who mourn for their own loss are enabled to rejoice in the persuasion of his great and eternal gain. JOHN G. COOK.