employed on the farm keeping sheep and driving birds from the corn was the means of awakening him to a sense of the necessity of a preparation for death. He afterwards obtained salvation, became an active Sunday-school teacher, and a useful member of society. He was graciously sustained under his affliction, and passed away in peaceful triumph to heaven. JOSEPH HARPER. ELIZABETH HARRISON of Preston, Lancashire, departed this life, April 29, 1870, perfectly resigned to the righteous will of God, which, under distressing circumstances brought her to her grave. After her daily toil in the cotton factory, she and another sister were engaged sewing till a late hour; she fell asleep-her clothes caught fire, and in forty-seven hours she expired. She was only sixteen years of age, but she enjoyed the grace of God, and was much respected. Her last efforts were spent in singing a few favourite hymns. Her body was followed to the grave by a large con. course of our people, teachers and scholars. T. DOODY. ANN ICKERINGILL died at Morton Banks, Keighley, April 30th, 1870, in her twenty-fourth year, and in the full assurance of hope. J. MILNER. MRS. SARAH WOODHOUSE, wife of Captain Woodhouse, of Blakeney, departed this life, April 26th, 1870. When but a child she was often in great distress of mind and longed most ardently for spiritual life, a sense of sins forgiven, the smile of God, the hope of heaven. As years rolled on she saw more clearly her lost condition as a sinner, and for want of simple trust in Christ her mental distress increased and became extreme, until in an agony of soul, wrestling in secret, she was enabled to believe, when divine peace overflowed her soul. Her after life was characterized by a fervid and joyous piety. Her last affliction was severe and speedily accomplished its task, but her confidence in God was strong and her love to her Saviour ardent. W. H. MEADOWS. WILLIAM HARRISON passed away to "the beautiful land of rest," May 1st, 1870. He was a native of Balk Wells, North Shields. In early life his besetting sin was the "accursed glass," but by a singular providence he was brought to God. He subsequently served God and his church faithfully and zealously to the end of his days, for a considerable time discharging the duties of Society and Chapel Steward and Sunday-school superintendent. In the beginning of March, 1870, while working in the pit, a fall of stone fractured some of his ribs, and about the end of the month he had a stroke of paralysis, which completely prostrated him; he afterwards had a second stroke, which soon ended his days. In the midst of his afflictions the hope of heaven was strong in him. His last words to his friends were, "I shall soon be with Jesus;" He then fell asleep in the Lord. J. LOURISON. Died at Keighley, May 14th, 1870, MARY ANN WARD, in the twentysecond year of her age. At an early period she was left to fight the battle of life without father, mother, or any known earthly relations. But she was mercifully preserved from the many snares that lie in the pathway of & friendless, unprotected female. Being of a frail constitution, toil and sorrow soon made their mark on her framedisease set in-she became a tenant of the Union Workhouse, where she was visited, not only by many sympathisers, but also by the King of Zion, who BRIEF MEMOIRS. ultimately received her into everlasting habitations. J. MILNER. CHARLES FRANCIS MAYNARD, of Lenden, Colchester circuit, departed this life in holy triumph, May 15th, 1870, aged thirty-three years. He showed great Christian meekness under his affliction. An hour or two before his death he called his friends and relations around him, saying, "Come see how a Christian can die;" and after a few remarks to his weeping friends he shouted “Victory! Victory!! through the blood of the Lamb," and thus passed into heaven JAMES JACKSON. where Mr. C. has sustained the office of class leader for 37 years. Sister Chaplin's piety was not of a fluctuating kind. The period of her conversion was ever regarded by her as the most eventful period of her history. Not long before her death she said to the writer, in reply to questions concerning her spiritual state, "From the hour of my conversion my love to my heavenly Father has never waned. Trials I have had and temptations have often assailed, but through grace my soul has been kept alive to God." In the family her piety was seen and felt. Her children can never forget the fervency of her prayers or the brightness. of her example. It is not too much to say that she was a faithful and de-voted wife, an affectionate mother, a kind neighbour, and a steadfast Christian. The affliction which terminated her mortal career was very painful— stone cancer in the breast-but it was borne with patience and resignation. Never did she express a doubt of her acceptance in the beloved. When tortured by pain, she would call her husband and children to sing some of her favourite hymns, and feeling unable to join them, she would exclaim, "When I lose this stammering tongue, I'll sing as loud as they." She lingered amid excruciating suffering till 1870 made its appearance, when she said, "Don't disturb me, but let me fly away," ," "Come, Lord Jesus, and receive my spirit." Some one said, "He will come, he is faithful to his promise." Bless She replied, "Yes, he is come. Him! bless Him! bless Him! and sweetly passed away to the "land of the holy, the happy, the free." Thus died Jane Ann Chaplin, in the 70th year of her age, after witnessing a good confession of 38 years, leaving a husband and four children to lament their loss. May they follow her as she followed Christ. G. SEAMAN. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. At Wooler, April 23rd, sermons were preached by the Rev. H. Yool, jun. en the occasion of the Sunday-school Anniversary. On the 24th, a public meeting was held, after a cheerful tea. Mr. T. Fullerton presided. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. A. French, H. Yool, jun., and Mr. William J ann. At Brinkworth, April 30th, sermons were preached by the Rev. H. Portnall, morning and evening. In the afternoon an address was delivered by Mrs. Portnall, when many appropriate pieces were recited by the children. On the following Monday, 166 persons partook of tea. A public meeting followed, at which there were recitations by the children. Also, on the following Tuesday, teachers and children thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a field kindly lent by Mr. Anstie. The nett proceeds amounted to £5 4s. 7 d., which will be largely applied to a clothing club connected with the school. At Crich, Ripley Circuit, June 25th, sermons were preached by the Rev. N. Jefferson, in connection with the Sunday-school Anniversary. The collections amounted £4 17s. 6d. At Wrockwardine Wood, July 9th, sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Causeland, on behalf of the school. On the Monday following, the same gentleman delivered his highly interesting lecture on "The Aborigines of Australia." The chair was occupied by James Davis, Esq. The collections amounted to a little above £21. At Aylesbury, July 16th, the Chapel Anniversary was held. Sermons were preached by the Rev. T. Kench, morning, and by Miss Lee, afternoon and evening. On the following Wednesday evening about 180 persons partook of tea. A public meeting followed, under the presidency of Mr. J. Hollis. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Kench, J. Bendle, Miss Lee, and Messrs. E. Stilton and J. Tearle. Collections £35. At Brierley Hill, July 16th, the Sunday-school Anniversary was held. Sermons were preached by the Revs. J. Arnold and R. Bowen. Collections £46 15s. 3d. At Wingate, Thornley Circuit, August 13th, the Sunday-school Anniversary was held, which was preceded by the Annual Festival, on Saturday, the 12th, the teachers and children formed themselves into a procession and went to Pickering Hill, where, in a field kindly lent by William Hewitson, Esq., they enjoyed themselves in various ways. On Sunday three sermons were preached by Messrs. G. Huntley and J. Hall. The collections taken amounted to £3 128. 2 d. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, COMPTON, BERKS. OMPTON is a small village situated from Newbury ten miles, Reading, twelve; Wallingford, nine; and Ilsley two and a half miles. The inhabitants are agriculturists, with the exception of forty or fifty employed by Mr. Baker on his iron works. This village has one Established Church, one Baptist chapel, one National and one British school. The Primitive Methodists first visited it about the year 1831. At that time there was neither Baptist chapel nor British school in the village. Very soon a barn was secured as a preaching place, the property of Mr. Barlow, who himself became a member of our society, as also Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Brookman, Mr. Middleton, and others, who have all sinee died in the Lord. We are happy to say their mantle has fallen. on their children, several of whom are now with us, assisting to carry on the work. Our first chapel was built in the year 1836. The principal manager was the honoured father of the present Y Mr. Baker. It was thought necessary to build a larger chapel, on an improved scale, but the difficulty in the way was the want of more land; but Mr. Baker, being a person of influence, applied to Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, whose land adjoined our chapel, who kindly gave us all the land we required. The old debt being cleared off, the chapel was taken down early in the spring of 1869, and preparations were made for laying the foundation-stone of the new one. The Rev. D. Kendall, of Reading, preached at three o'clock p.m. At the close of the service, the friends proceeded to the site, when G. Palmer, Esq., proceeded to lay the stone. He gave a very suitable address and a donation of £20. Other donations, collections, and profit of the tea amounted to £15 1s. 11d. On the same afternoon a bazaar was opened in the British schoolroom, with a good supply of fancy and useful articles, for which we are indebted to Mrs. Baker, Mrs. G. Brown, and Miss Skinner, who toiled hard with their needles and in other ways. The following handsome sums were realized :— Mrs. Baker's stall, £29 10s.; Mrs. Brown's, £25 8s. 6d. The chapel is 37 feet by 23; 16 from floor to ceiling; and is built of brick. It is lighted with six windows. The frames are of wrought iron, which give it a nice appearance. The sills are of Bath stone; the arches, gable, and quoins of grey brick. It is covered with blue slates, and will seat about 150 persons. The entrance is by a porch. The interior of the chapel displays great taste. It is well ventilated, and has a vestry and other conveniences. The opening services took place October 24th, 1869. The Rev. Jabez Burns, D.D., of London, preached in the afternoon. In the evening a public meeting was held, and addresses delivered by J. Burns, D.D., and others. The following Sunday the Rev. H. Yeates, of Basingstoke, preached three sermons. The total cost of building, including conveyance, embellishment, &c., is £259 8s., towards which £115 15s. 5 d. have been raised, leaving a balance of £144. Much credit is due to Mr. T. Baker for the designs, and the great interest he has taken in the building. It is one of the best village chapels in this part of the country. We are happy to say that our congregations are greatly improved, and sinners have been converted to God in this newly-erected chapel. GEORGE WALLIS. MURMURERS. BY REV. J. VAUGHAN. "And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured," Luke xv. 2. Murmured! What about?"Why should a living man complain?" Has some |