Christian privilege, both in private and in public. His cheerful, active piety, unclouded by evil surmisings, endeared him to all that knew him. He was rooted and grounded in love, careful to maintain good works. His labours, among mariners especially, were abundant. On the Lord's days, and at other times, at home and abroad, on wharfs and quays, on the island, in London, or wherever his duty called him, he was ready to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ. His preaching was truly original, abounding with technical phrases, well understood by sailors; and it was characterized by great simplicity. He never fell from the state of grace to which he had attained; and "an entrance was ministered unto him abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Speaking of his friends at Wootton, he said, "Tell them I am entering the port, with a good breeze, a full sail, and flying colours." At another time, he said, "I am lying to; the colours are flying; all is clear; I am waiting for the signal." His last words were, "It is all well. It is quite calm." He has left a large young family and a liberal subscription has been made on the island for their relief. W. W. Jan. 18th-At Blagdon, in the Gateshead Circuit, William Johnson, for many years a consistent member of the Methodist society. After much suffering from the affliction which terminated his life, he was taken from among men in the full triumph of faith. J. N. Jan. 21st.-At Limehouse, in the Third London Circuit, in the twenty-eighth year of her age, Sarah, the wife of Mr. Henry Johnston, and daughter of Mr. Benjamin Abbott. For her first religious impressions and privileges she was indebted to pious parents, under whose roof she spent the greater part of her life. Her union with the Methodist society, which took place about ten years ago, gave a degree of decision to her religious purposes, which was evident in the regularity of her deportment, but left her short of an unwavering confidence in Christ, and peace of mind. The illness which terminated her earthly career was lingering; the prospect of death was alarming; she sought the Lord with all her heart; and though her fears, and her dread of false peace, delayed the moment of her espousals to Christ, she was at length enabled to cast her soul on the atonement, and obtained a clear and satisfactory evidence of the forgiveness of sins. She held fast her confidence: the latter part of her affliction was spent in great peace, in prayer and praise ;-the bitterness of death was past. Her youth, her happy union with her now bereaved husband, her infant charge, her family connexions, rendered life desirable; but her prospects were at once blighted. By the grace of God she was enabled meekly and submissively to return all her comforts to Him who gave them. Cheered on by the brightening prospects of glory, and sustained by the power of her Saviour, she went fearlessly forward to meet the last enemy; the sting was drawn; she triumphed, and fell asleep, to live with Christ. J. F. Jan. 22d.-At Wood-Green, near Wednesbury, Jane, the wife of James Frost, Surveyor. In the early part of the year 1821 she began to attend the Methodist ministry at Ettingshall chapel, in the Wolverhampton Circuit, and was admitted on trial as a member of the Methodist society. She was convinced of sin, felt its grievous burden, and deeply sorrowing, earnestly sought deliverance, until the beginning of May, 1822, when, at a meeting of her class, the Lord shed his love abroad in her heart. She continued a steady member of the Ettingshall society for four years, when the family removed to Wood-Green. She immediately united herself to the society in Wednesbury, and soon became eminently useful as a member of several benevolent institutions, and as an active collector for the Wesleyan Missions. In September, 1828, she was appointed a Class-Leader. It was with reluctance she accepted this office; but she fulfilled its duties with great faithfulness, affection, and success, until her last affliction. She was a woman of an amiable temper, and a truly bene volent disposition. At her house the Preachers, whether Itinerant or Local, always found a welcome reception, and were cheerfully entertained as the disciples of the Lord. Towards the close of her long and very painful affliction, when inquiry was made respecting her welfare, she replied, "I shall be better when I get to my heavenly Father's house." At another time she said, "I do not feel that transport which some speak of; but I feel a solid peace, and firm confidence in God through Christ Jesus; and am satisfied that when I die I shall go to heaven." This confidence she held fast to the end, and died in peace. R. W. Jan. 22d.-At Hove-Edge, in the Cleckheaton Circuit, John Gledhill, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. His was a sudden call. When at his labour, he found himself all at once ill, returned home, complained of pain at his breast, which, in a short time, proceeded to an alarming height, and terminated his days. Happy was it for him, that he was prepared for this exchange of worlds. He had walked forty-one years in the ways of God; and his character was distinguished, if not by much that is great, by much that is good. He has left a wife and seven children, all of whom, however, enjoy the grace that had made him what he was. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence! A neighbour of our friend, who was walking in a field on the very same day, suddenly dropped down, and expired almost immediately. Such circumstances ought always to be suitably improved. W. S. Jan. 234.-At Holmfirth, Mrs. Hannah Hargreaves, aged sixty-two, the beloved wife of Mr. Richard Hargreaves. In 1792 she became a member of the Methodist society, and manifested the sincerity of her profession by a truly Christian deportment. Her trials were many, and severe; but divine grace enabled her to submit to the divine will. Though her views of the doctrine of justification by faith were clear, yet her personal confidence in Christ was mingled with doubts and fears. A few weeks before her death, during a very painful and protracted affliction, she was blessed with so full a consciousness of pardoning mercy, as completely dispelled all uncertainty from her mind, respecting her adoption into the family of God; and she departed this life in the enjoyment of a joyous expectation of a blissful immortality. P. P. Jan. 23d.-At Sheffield, Mrs. Vickers, the wife of John Vickers, Esq., after a protracted illness, which she bore with exemplary patience. She was converted to God in her youth; and for nearly forty years gave proof of the genuineness of her faith in Christ by her steady and consistent piety. Amidst the affluence of life her frequent affliction admonished her that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth;" and so weaned her affections from the world, that her moderation appeared to all who knew her. A few days before her departure, her mind was perplexed with temptation and doubt; but, in answer to prayer, they were all removed; and on the day before she died she said, "I have a peace which passeth all understanding; and a joy which is unspeakable and full of glory." R. R. Jan. 24th.-At Plungar, in the Grantham Circuit, George Braithwaite, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He derived his first religious impressions, when a youth, from the ministry of the pious Curate of Whymswould, of the name of Whiteman. On coming to reside at Plungar he began to meet in class at Barkston, and was amongst the first members of the Methodist society in that village, in the twentieth year of his age. His conversion to God was clear and sound. From the commencement of his religious profession, to the period of his death, his character for pious demeanour and uprightness of conduct, was truly exemplary. He was a poor man, and brought up a large family. When his children were all young, and entirely dependent on him for support, he used to work hard, as an agricultural labourer, both carly and late, that he might "provide things honest in the sight of all men" for his He household. This he was enabled to do without the aid of charity or parish allowance; and at a time when corn was at the highest price, and the difficulties of a labouring man, with a dependent family, were never more extreme. It has been remarked by some, whose years and residence in the parish were coeval with our friend's, that whatever reflections might be cast upon others for want of integrity, or of consistency in religious profession, no charge of this kind was ever heard to be preferred against George Braithwaite. had his children in subjection, whilst he trained them up in the way that they should go. Five of them, four sons and a daughter, are now married, and settled in life; all of whom, with the husband of the daughter, and the wives of the sons, are consistent and much-respected members of the Methodist society. Our departed friend died of a decline. His constitution had been much weakened by excessive labour and hard fare during former years; but God was with him when his heart and flesh failed. He was an humble and devout Christian; but his confidence in the atonement of his Redeemer was strong and undeviating. The closing scene of life was not only calm and peaceful, but joyful and triumphant; and when he could no longer express his hopes and prospects of a better world, he lifted up his arm, and waved his hand, in token of victory over the last enemy. "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth." During the last twelve months several of the old members in the Plungar society have gone to their reward. Besides Mr. Guy, whose departure hence was noticed in the Magazine last month, Thomas Welbourne finished his course with joy about three months ago. He was a veteran; having lived to see more than threescore years and ten, forty of which he was a member of the Methodist society; and has left a progeny of children and grandchildren, many of whom are imitating their pious ancestor in striving to find their way to heaven. T. C. Jan. 25th.-At Nuthurst, in the Horsham Circuit, Mr. William Clapshew, aged seventy-eight years. He joined the Methodist society in the year 1833. In carlier life he had frequently been a subject of religious impressions; but for a long period he continued to resist the gracious influence by which they were produced. He was accustomed latterly, most feelingly to allude to his former conduct, emphatically repeating the lines, "Stay, thou insulted Spirit, stay, Though I have done thee such despite; The Holy Spirit did not abandon him, but wrought Jan. 25th.-At Kirkham-Gate, in the Wakefield Circuit, James Paley, aged twenty-five; a young man of more than ordinary piety. He was habitually serious, humble, modest, and peaceable; a lover of good men, especially the Ministers of Jesus Christ; and was not known to speak evil of any person. His delight was in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditated day and night. He generally had the Bible before him, while he took his meals. Reading that blessed book was his last work at night, and the first in the morning. He rose about four o'clock, that he might have two hours for reading, meditation, and prayer. In these delightful exercises he renewed his spiritual strength, and was prepared to run his daily course of duty and trial. His health began to fail in the spring of 1831; and since then he suffered much. He saw the hand of the Lord in his affliction, and cheerfully submitted to the will of his heavenly Father. As his end approached he had a glorious prospect of the hea venly state, and rejoiced in hope of that inherit ance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and which fadeth not away. W. L. Jan. 25th.-At Salford, Manchester, aged fortysix, Mrs. Mary Grindrod, eldest daughter of the late Rev. John Crosby, Wesleyan Minister, and wife of the Rev. Edmund Grindrod. At an early period of life she was brought, through deep distress of soul, to the enjoyment of the "pearl of great price," which she steadily retained to the end of her earthly pilgrimage. "She looked well to the ways of her household," and united strict domestic economy, with a liberal charity to the poor, as far as her means would admit. Her disposition was amiable and cheerful; and all her tempers and conduct were regulated by the filial fear and love of God. She took great pleasure in retirement and reading, and had an intelligent mind, well stored with various useful knowledge. The affliction which terminated her valuable life was protracted and exceedingly painful; but she endured it with exemplary patience and fortitude, evincing to the last a cheerful acquiescence in the divine will, and gloriously triumphing over "the last enemy," " through the blood of the Lamb." E. G. Jan. 25th.-At Wakefield, Sarah Butterfield; who had been a steady member of the Methodist society about sixty-five years. She was brought to a serious concern for the salvation of her soul when thirteen years of age, at a meeting held in a barn at East-Ardsley, at which Miss Bosanquet (afterwards Mrs. Fletcher) gave an exhortation. At the conclusion of the meeting, Miss Bosanquet said, "If any of you wish to know the nature of a class-meeting, you may follow me." She retired to a dwelling-house, and a considerable number of persons followed her. After she had sung a hymn and prayed, and spoken her own experience, she began to speak individually to those who were present; but when they found that they would be expected to answer her inquiries, many of them went away. Sarah Butterfield wanted to know what she must do to be saved, and was glad to stay. She immediately joined the society, and in a few months found peace with God through Jesus Christ. Her long course of life was marked by some change of circumstances; but she found the Lord to be her unchangeable Friend. Her life was a life of faith in the Son of God. By this faith she had held fast her peace with God, and obtained victory over her spiritual enemies. I saw her three days before she died, and found her "all praise, all meekness, and all love." W. L. Jan. 25th.-At Northlew, in the Okehampton Circuit, Mrs. Faith Quance, aged forty-four. She was, in early life, brought to a saving acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus; and from that period was an ornament to her profession. For several months previous to her dissolution, she was a subject of most painful afflictions; but she bore them with exemplary patience, and died in peace, greatly respected by the society, and by a large circle of friends. H. D. Jan. 25th.-At Leeds, Mrs. Benjamin Stocks. She became a member of the Methodist society, and a subject of saving grace, at a very early period of life, and from that time walked worthy of her high vocation. At the commencement of her illness she felt a wish, if consistent with the will of God, to be spared to her beloved husband and infant son. It was a painful struggle to give them up; but the grace of God was sufficient; and she was enabled frequently and joyfully to say, "My Jesus hath done all things well." She departed this life in the full triumph of faith. J. F. Jan. 25th.-At Sheffield, Mrs. Atkins, whose consistent and Christian conduct, for more than thirty years, as a member of the Methodist society, endeared her to her friends, and secured the esteem of all who knew her. For several months before her death she was afflicted with dropsy, and suffered much; but the power of faith was displayed in her cheerful resignation, and unbroken patience, to the last. Her only anxiety was for the salvation of her children, who will never forget the earnestness of her prayers and her entreaties, to induce them to turn to God without delay. Their increasing attention and many expressions of filial affection were all that a mother could desire; but this could not satisfy her without a promise to follow her in the way to heaven. As her strength failed, her confidence in the mediation of Christ was unshaken; and she more than once said, with surprise and much gratitude, "I have no temptation! He saves me from temptation!" R. R. Jan. 25th.-At Hoyland, in the Rotherham Circuit, Sarah Gray, in the seventy-ninth year of her age. She was brought to a knowledge of the truth about forty years ago, under the labours of the late Mr. Henry Longden, of Sheffield; who at that time visited Hoyland once a week, to invite sinners to embrace the Saviour. period she adorned her profession, uniformly servFrom that ing God, and conscientiously performing every relative duty. Being subject to much affliction herself, she sympathized with and relieved her poor suffering neighbours. In her final struggle, which was severe, patience had its perfect work. "I will cheerfully wait his time, I will suffer his blessed will," was her language when nature sunk under the weight of convulsive agonies. pired, triumphantly exclaiming, "Come, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!" She ex R. P. Jan. 26th.-At Warwick, near Carlisle, Mr. Thomas Sowerby, aged forty-eight. brought under religious convictions in his nineHe was teenth year, by reading the Scriptures. In a paper relating his experience, he says, "I had such a view of the day of judgment as quite confounded me. I saw that all the curses of the book of God were levelled at my sins; and the more I read, the more was I distressed. At this time I was led to hear the Gospel among the Methodists; and by some very alarming sermons my convictions were deepened. I thought there was mercy for every sinner except myself; and that I had sinned away my day of grace. I felt the curses to apply, but could not lay hold of one promise. My friends persecuted me; but I found help among God's people, who took me by the hand, and cherished me, as a mother her child. In this state I laboured for upwards of five months, when it pleased God to reveal himself to my soul. While sitting under a sermon preached by the Rev. Michael Emmet, I thought if I could but believe, I should be saved then; and while the Preacher was praying, after the sermon, in these words, May they behold thee as with thy vesture newly dipped in blood,' Christ Jesus was revealed to my heart, and my deliverance was as clear as the noon-day sun." Mr. Sowerby soon found that there is a greater salvation to be attained. For thirteen years he sought the blessing of a clean heart, and obtained that pearl of great price in the year 1820; from which time his peace flowed as a river. As a Christian, Mr. Lowerby adorned the Gospel of God his Saviour. As a Leader, he was faithful, affectionate, and edifying. As a Local Preacher, he laboured according to his strength, with much unction and fervour of spirit; and souls were given him for his hire. In his situation as Steward to Mrs. Parker, of Warwick Hall, his uprightness gained him the confidence of his employer, and the respect of all with whom he transacted business. His death was awfully sudden. he attended public worship thrice; preached On the Sabbath once and was unusually animated. to rest he expressed himself as being filled with On retiring the fulness of God: the next morning, while bowed in prayer before his heavenly Father, his pleading spirit was taken home to God. He had often desired that he might "his body with his charge lay down, and cease at once to work and live;" and his desire was granted. T. D. Jan. 27th.-At Milborne-Port, in the Sherborne Circuit, in the thirty-fourth year of her age, Sarah, the beloved wife of Mr. Edward Ensor. About four years ago she united herself to the Wesleyan society, and soon found peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. She manifested an un 231 varying attachment to the private means of grace; and was never known but once to be wilfully ab sent from her class; and that omission was keenly felt, and ingenuously acknowledged. During her painful and protracted affliction her mind was kept in peace; and when the skill of the Physician failed, she still retained her confidence in God. On the day before her death, having taken an affectionate leave of her children, she seemed to antedate the joys of heaven; and while the language of praise flowed from her lips, she quietly fell asleep in the arms of her husband, and passed through death triumphant home." W. S. Feb. 5d. In the City Road, London, Mrs. Richard Townend, jun., youngest daughter of the late revered Dr. James Hamilton, of ArtilleryPlace, London. Her last affliction was short and severe, but borne with exemplary patience and resignation, and with firm reliance on the atonement of Christ. spirit into the hands of her divine Redeemer in She meekly committed her the forty-eighth year of her age. M. T. Feb. 3d.-At Stewkley, in the Leighton-Buzzard Circuit, after a short illness, Thomas Eady, in the eighty-second year of his age. From his youth he was a subject of divine impressions, and much devoted to the Lord in prayer. At that time there was no preaching by the Methodists in the neighbourhood; but hearing of a pious Clergyman in the church a few miles distant, he frequently went thither, and profited much under the ministry of that excellent man. About sixty years ago, the Bedford Preachers began to visit Stewkley, were entertained at his mother's house, and formed a society, of which he was one of the first members. He commenced his career of usefulness by visiting his neighbours, expounding the Scriptures, and praying with them in their own houses; and thus was a good work begun in many families, and in some of the neighbouring villages. many years an active and useful Class-Leader and He was for Local Preacher; and it was the joy of his heart to see sinners converted to God. He continued his labours of visiting and meeting his classes, till within three weeks of his death. In his last affliction, while labouring under much depression, arising from the nature of his complaint, upon being informed of the great work the Lord had been carrying on at a neighbouring place, his countenance brightened, and he exclaimed, "Glory be to God; he is still carrying on his work. This puts new life into me." Thus, after going in and out before the Lord's people, with an unblemished character, for nearly sixty years, he died as he had lived, in peace with God and all men. ance. R. C. Feb. 5th.-At Bristol, Mr. John Hall, aged sixty-nine, having been for upwards of fifty years an active and useful member of the Methodist society, to which he was very sincerely and strongly attached. He was a man of great benevolence, which he extended to Christians of all denominations; and of remarkable energy and perseverTowards the erection of the Wesleyan chapel in St. Philip's, Bristol, he collected no less a sum than £3,500; and during the last few years of his life, though labouring under the effects of two severe strokes of paralysis, he collected, on an average, more than £80 per annum in behalf of the Wesleyan Missions. An illness of nine years tended to prepare his mind for his final change, which was somewhat sudden. He spoke with great apparent pleasure of the goodness of God to himself, and earnestly recommended to others the religion which afforded him comfort and support. and respected by a large circle of friends; and He had been long esteemed expired without a struggle. J. S. Feb. 7th.-At Great-Driffield, Hannah, the affectionate wife of the Rev. Joseph Checsewright. From her earliest years she had been a subject of divine impressions; but did not experience the converting grace of God until she had attained the fifteenth year of her age. This important change was brought about through the instrumentality of a sermon by the Rev. John Anderson; at which period she became fully decided for the Lord, and continued steadfast until she changed her earthly for an everlasting house. The kindness of her disposition, in conjunction with a great flow of animal spirits, rendered her an agreeable companion. To great regard for the poor, she added very humbling views of herself, resting her entire dependence on the atoning blood for salvation. For several months previous to her affliction, she had been frequently heard to remark, that she thought the Lord was preparing her for some severe affliction, or for death. An inflammation in the chest, occasioned by cold, was the harbinger of dissolution. It was partially subdued by the application of proper means; but,'returning with redoubled violence, it baffled the power of medicine, and frustrated the hope of her recovery. Her friends are consoled by the pleasing assurance that her happy spirit has escaped to the paradise of God. J. C. Feb. 11th.-At Barton, in the Banwell Circuit, Mr. William Burrow, aged sixty-nine years; having been upwards of forty-six years a member of the Methodist society. Having been awakened to a sense of his guilt and danger, and obtained a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, he united himself to the people of God. He was a Class-Leader, Steward, Trustee, and Local Preacher, for many years; and was distinguished through life by sincerity, uprightness, and attachment to the Methodist doctrines. During his " Feb. 16th.-At Tadcaster, the Rev. William Moulton, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, and the forty-first of his itinerant ministry. His strength failed shortly after the last Conference, and he was obliged to "cease to work." From that time he gradually declined, till, without a S. D. struggle, he fell asleep in Jesus. Feb. 19th.-At Nottingham, Mrs. Watson, the beloved wife of the Rev. John Watson, in the thirty-ninth year of her age. She was converted to God under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Dykes, a Clergyman of Hull, in the year 1821. A few years after this, she joined the Methodist society; and during the late revival in that place she was appointed the Leader of a small class of young people. This office she also sustained in two other Her Circuits where her husband was stationed. W. B. death was rather sudden, POETRY. AN INVITATION. They that seek me early shall find me." COME, while the blossoms of thy years are brightest, While yet thy hand the' ephemeral wreath is holding ;- Soon will the freshness of thy days be over, Pleasure will fold her wing, and friend and lover Which lights the future with a fadeless ray: The happy spirit tastes unclouded bliss, LONDON-Printed by James Nichols, 46, Hoxton-Square. |