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am certain we shall." The following humbled spirit, she laid hold of the proverse she often repeated :

"For ever here my rest shall be,
Close to thy bleeding side;
This all my hope, and all my plea,
For me the Saviour died."

Among her last words were, "My God, my God, my all thou art! What hath not Jesus done for me? Glory, glory!

say,

There I shall see his face,
And never, never sin.""

On being asked if she felt Jesus precious, she replied, with a particular emphasis, "I do; all is peace, peace." She fully resigned her husband and children into the hands of her adorable Saviour, believing that she should meet them all at God's right hand. Though she could "For me to die is gain," yet, such was her resignation to the divine will, that she was ready still to suffer, if she could thereby glorify God. A few days before her departure, her sufferings were at intervals extreme, from a sense of suffocation, by which her strength was so much exhausted as to prevent her speaking much she would sometimes say, "What is the Lord about to do with

me?" But this was not the language of impatience; for she would immediately add, "His will be done. I wait with patience His appointed time." She gave directions about her burial, and selected the former part of the 165th verse of the 119th Psalm, ("Great peace have they which love thy law,") as a text for her funeral sermon. She continued in a peaceful and happy state of mind till her redeemed and sanctified spirit took its flight from ail below, to that happy world above,

"Where faith is sweetly lost in sight,
And hope in full supreme delight,
And everlasting love."
E. HALL.

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mise; she trusted in the Lamb of God; her guilt was removed; her spirit happily liberated from the yoke of sin; and she went home to her friends, and told them what great things the Lord had done for her. After this happy event she at once recommended Christ wherever she went, and in whatsoever society she was found; her appeals were generally received, for they were delivered with great affection and simplicity. She was faithful; she walked in the light; she had fellowship with God; and it was observable to all, that she grew in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. She discovered, by the light of God, the remaining corruption of her nature; and she rested not till she was enabled to say, that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. She was delivered from a worldly spirit, and possessed pre-eminently a heavenly mind. She had the divine witness that God had sanctified her in body, soul, and spirit; and she was preserved blameless till the coming of her Lord. As long as she was abie, she employed her talents in distributing religious tracts; and where she could possibly speak for her Lord she gladly did so. Indeed, it was her highest pleasure to speak for her divine Master. The affliction which terminated her life was painful in the extreme; yet in the midst of it, her happy soul triumphed in Christ. Not a murmur escaped her lips. She gave up her beloved husband and four children, commending them to God, and to the word of his grace. dilated on the heavenly Jerusalem, and the fruition of God, in such pleasing strains, that, to the pious, her company was really a heaven below; and those who were strangers to the salvation of God were constrained to own, that they felt unutterable things. Thus died Mrs. Hodgson, after being about nineteen months in the way of life. She deeply regretted that she did not earlier know the Lord; and regretted it the more, because she had entertained SO much prejudice against the people called Methodists, without being able to assign any reason for this. However, she redeemed the time; she was constant in her attendance on all the ordinances of God as long as she was able; she profited above many; and her profiting appeared to all.

She

ISAAC DENISON.

18. Died, June 30th, at Armin, in the Howden Circuit, Mrs. Jane Wetherall, aged seventy years. She was one of those who have happily escaped the corruptions

of Popery. Her mother diligently applied herself to the instruction of her children in things pertaining to godliness; and thereby the mind of Mrs. Wetherall was early impressed with divine truth. Being thus prepared of the Lord, in the year 1803, she was deeply convinced of her entire depravity, and of the danger of future misery, which she was persuaded would be awarded to all the finally impenitent. This work of grace commenced under the powerful ministry of the late Rev. John Brown; a name ever to live in the recollection of the hundreds who reaped the benefit of his very effective labours. In the village of Armin God specially blessed his zealous ministry, and made him the instrument of raising a society of forty members, many of whom have already joined him in the high praises of heaven, and others are preparing to follow. How long Mrs. Wetherall remained under her convictions of sin, we know not; but they are said to have been deep. The reality of her salvation from sin, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ, was not only the theme of her tongue, but the testimony of her life, for nearly thirty years. She was an epistle of Christ, read indeed by her acquaintance. The interest of her Redeemer's kingdom lay near her heart; and she rejoiced in its extension among any people, and in every place; but she was the most anxious to promote the salvation of those who were perishing in her own neighbourhood; and to this object her endeavours and holy life greatly contributed. As the well-qualified Leader of a large and respectable class, she manifested becoming solicitude for the welfare of its members. For the space of thirty years the Preachers found in her house a hospitable home; and this she was far from considering a tax upon either her time or her substance; but counted herself favoured in the company of the servants of her Lord. benevolence to the poor, and her contributions to the cause of God, were in accord. ance with the religion she professed, and in proportion to her pecuniary resources. The primary objects of a godly mother's care are her own children. The precepts which she assiduously inculcated upon her family, she made to live in her own example, and thereby rendered them the more powerful. Knowing that all her planting and watering must be vain, except God gave the increase, she was incessant in prayer; and many hours of the night which were necessary for the refreshment of wearied nature, she has taken from sleep, and appropriated them to earnest prayer for the salvation of her

Her

family. And though she had to go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, she came again rejoicing, bringing her sheaves with her; for she had the happiness of seeing all her children united to the church, and three of her sons respectable Local Preachers, and able and liberal supporters of that cause she had long loved and endeavoured to promote. During several of her last years her health was such that she was not able to attend the ministry of the word at a distance; but that she might still be favoured with the word of life, the preaching of it, at her request, was brought to her own residence; and she was cheered with the joyful sound, even in the valley of the shadow of death. That a life so eminently holy should end in peace, is what the faithfulness of God authorizes us to expect. Her illness was severe; and such was its nature, that she could only speak occasionally, and even then with great difficulty; but through the whole of her sufferings her confidence was strong. A doubt of her acceptance in the Redeemer never assailed her; but she professed herself firmly fixed upon that Rock which cannot move; and she was only anxious that her conformity to the divine will should be perfect. She died in peace. Her death was improved by a funeral sermon preached in the village; and the high respect in which her character was held was evinced by the large concourse of people who attended on that occasion. JOHN HICKSON.

19. Died, July 4th, aged thirty-eight years, Mrs. Mary Whiting, of Bisley, in the Stroud Circuit, Gloucestershire. Her maiden name was Millar; and she was born of respectable parents, who regularly attended the Wesleyan chapel at Stroud. At a very early age she became a Teacher in the Sunday-school, and a Missionary Collector. In the means of grace she was constantly found, and in the paths of usefulness assiduously employed. When about twenty-two years of age, her mind was deeply affected under a sermon preached by the Rev. R. Wintle. An excellent woman, Mrs. Franklin, since gone to glory, took notice of her, and led her to a love-feast, where she formed a resolution to live to God alone. Shortly after, at a prayer-meeting, in the vestry of the Stroud chapel, she obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. She was in principle, in appearance, in conduct. a Wesleyan-Methodist Christian. She loved the habitation of God's house; and after marrying in the Lord, she received the Ministers of the Gospel in her own house. The first

Sabbath in the year was the last of her appearing in public worship. On the following Thursday she was seized with inflammation of the lungs, which in six months terminated her earthly carcer, leaving a bercaved husband and seven children to mourn her death. But

"Her God sustain'd her in the final hour, Her final hour brought glory to her God;" for she

"Believed, and look'd with triumph o'er the tomb."

PAUL ORCHARD.

20. Died, July 5th, at Exning, in the Thetford Circuit, Mr. James Aves, aged sixty-seven years. When a young man, living without the fear of God, he was, one Sunday, in the church-yard at Brandon, expressing his satisfaction at an excellent bargain he had that morning made in the purchase of a horse. A bystander remonstrated with him on the sinfulness of such Sabbath occupations, and seriously addressed him on the state of his soul. This faithful admonition was the means of his conversion. He repented of his sins, and turned unto the Lord. His religious impressions were confirmed under the ministry of the Hon. and Rev. W. B. Cadogan, a distinguished Minister of the Church of England, who preached at Santon Downham, near Brandon. But not finding Ministers like-minded with Mr. Cadogan, and being entirely without Christian communion, he became a member of the Methodist society, in Brandon, about thirty-seven years before his death, and soon experienced a sense of pardoning mercy. He remained a member of the Brandon society about seventeen years, and was a zealous, devoted Christian, "a burning and shining light." His religious profession exposed him to some persecution; yet he

con

ferred not with flesh and blood," but boldly took up his cross, and was a faithful confessor of the Lord Jesus. About twenty years before his death he removed to Exning; and there being no Methodists in the neighbourhood, he deeply lamented the loss of the society of his religious friends. But a mind like his, so deeply imbued with love to God, could not be inactive. He invited the Methodist Preachers from Thetford, who supplied the place regularly, although at a distance of twenty miles; and by the blessing of God a society was formed, and a chapel erected. Mr. Aves, from the beginning, was the Leader of the society, its ornament and chief support; and many will have cause of everlasting thanksgiving for his labours in the pro

motion of their spiritual interests. For some time he was in a declining state of health. Frequently, during his last year, he expressed a strong conviction that his work was almost done, and that his end was not far distant; and he was instant in prayer, that the Lord would entirely fit him for his departure, and raise up some person who might occupy his place in the society. In April he was confined to his bed; and then he was favoured with such abundant consolation as raised his soul to the highest degree of joy and triumph. On the 20th of April he was blessed with a very remarkable manifestation of the love of God. When I saw him, a few days afterwards, his countenance glistened with holy joy, and in the most animated manner he told me what the Lord had done for his soul. The Lord had made all things new, and had given him that perfect love he had so long desired. All his doubts and fears were now removed; and he thought the Lord was giving him dying grace for dying time. After prayer, when taking leave, he said, with uplifted hands, and with uncommon energy, "O exalt Christ! lift him up. I have found him faithful, and would proclaim him to all the world as a tried Saviour." As the happy state of his mind was a subject of general conversation, many persons visited him, including the Clergyman, and several of the most respectable inhabitants of the parish and neighbourhood; and it appeared to be a dispensation of mercy to many; for none left him, whether rich or poor, without the most earnest entreaty to seek the Lord. The prejudices of some were subdued; the hearts of others were so affected, that they have been led to seek for themselves the religion which Mr. Aves possessed, and have since united themselves to the Methodist society. He recovered sufficiently to ride out a little, but soon relapsed again, and was seized with inflammation, when the time of his departure drew nigh.

He possessed the same unshaken confidence, but not attended with so much transporting joy as before. He observed to a friend, "I have no particular joy; but there is no dread, no guilt, no condemnation. I have a settled peace." Just before his death prayer was offered up with him, in which he joined with fervour. He said, "It is hard toiling to reach the blest shore;" shook hands with all present, and took an affectionate leave of them; and said, "I shall soon be in glory. Lord Jesus, receive my happy spirit. Christ is pre

cious." These were his last words. Having uttered them, he fell asleep.

CHARLES HAYDON.

21. Died, July 16th, at Wicken, in the Thetford Circuit, Mrs. Ruth Houghton, aged thirty-three years. She was always much respected for her kindness of disposition, and gentleness of manners, and was a pattern of neatness, diligence, and every excellence that can adorn the female character, as far as merely moral duties are concerned; but she was a stranger to true religion, until about two years before her death, when she was deeply convinced of sin under a funeral sermon preached at Wicken. She joined the Methodist society soon after its formation, and became a most diligent and exemplary member. The work of grace upon her heart was gentle and gradual, but it was effectual. Her experience was sound and scriptural. She renounced her own righteousness, and obtained acceptance with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; but, being of a reserved and timid habit of mind, was sometimes a prey to temptations, which disturbed her with distressing fear as to her spiritual state. Her tenderness of conscience, and weakness of faith, laid her open to satanic influence, to the discouragement of her mind; but as she became better informed respecting her Christian privileges, her confidence increased, with steadier faith she relied on Christ, and her inward consolations were more abiding. She grew in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, and uniformly displayed the mind that was in Christ. For some months her health was in a declining state; and, as in the earlier stages of her flattering complaint, (a consumption,) the hope of life was often entertained, the love of life occasioned a struggle between nature and grace; but grace triumphed, and her heart was brought into a state of perfect resignation to the divine will. After she was entirely confined to her bed, she was very happy, waiting for the Saviour's coming. Some of her expressions were, "Christ is precious. I have done nothing that can save me. I trust in Christ alone. My mind is kept in peace : Satan has endeavoured to disturb me, and persuade me that I am building upon the sand; but I know that I am upon the Rock." Shortly before her death she took an affectionate leave of her husband, and her brothers and sisters, whom she earnestly and solemnly addressed on the subject of their salvation. She is the firstfruits of our society in Wicken,

(since it was last established there in September, 1831,) gathered into the garner of heaven. May the survivors be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that their labour is not in vain in the Lord!

CHARLES HAYDON.

22. Died, July 16th, at Holdsworthy, in the prime of life, Mrs Grace Hoskin. The remembrance of this excellent woman will long be associated in the minds of many with the introduction and difficulties attendant on the preaching of the word by the Methodist Ministers in that town. Her earliest awakenings commenced at ten years of age, when a scholar in the Wesleyan Sunday-school. At that time the stream of popular prejudice flowed strongly against a faithful administration of the word in most parts of North Devon; especially when preached in private houses; while annoyance, by the profane playfulness of rustic youth, or violence by tumultuous mobs, was frequent during the hours of public worship, until 1816, in the town of Holdsworthy. The Wesleyan society, which rarely exceeded twelve persons, was reduced to two, chiefly by the obtrusion of a man who, on being refused a place in their regular ministry, commenced a new section in the church, under his own guidance and name. It is a pleasing fact, that during the discouragements of the four successive years, the instances of the awakening of sinners became numerous, while the opening of a new Wesleyan chapel, in 1820, in that town produced a new and joyous era. At this period the ministry of the late Rev. Titus Close was signally owned of God in several parts of the Circuit, and especially in Holdsworthy, where, by the blessing of God, under his ministry, her mind regained the penitence of an humbled sinner, and shortly afterwards was made peaceful and happy in "the love of God shed abroad in her heart by the Holy Ghost, which was given unto her." Her union with the people of God, from this time, became intimate, affectionate, and permanent; and, as a member of the Methodist society, she was a bright example of all those virtues which adorn the Christian character in private and social relationship. She was especially mindful of the duties of the closet, and of the family altar; tender and constant in her attachments to her friends, and hospitable and reverent towards those who ministered to her in holy things. She loved them for their Master's sake: and no one was more early and constant in attendance upon God's house than her.

self. As a parent, she bore in her remembrance that first impressions are usually the deepest; that it is the child that makes the man; and that we are indebted to our mother for our first and best ideas. She was hence assiduous in her endeavours to teach the young idea how to shoot, and to imbue the minds of her infant children with the fear of God. Amidst her weakness and concluding affliction, she shared in the sympathy and kind attentions of many of the principal inhabitants of the town, chiefly because she

"was

more excellent than her neigh bours." As life ebbed out apace, her own unworthiness was a subject on which she frequently dwelt with much lowliness of mind; and she deeply sighed, until the blood of Jesus Christ should cleanse her from all her sin. She indeed had long enjoyed the peace of God; and in that peace her mind was kept; equally without guilty and foreboding fear. While life was quivering on her lips, she said, "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath ;" and thus concluded her course of service and of suffering, to enter on an eternal state of sanctity, joy, and love.

JOSIAH H. WALKER.

23. Died, at Littlehempston, in the Teignmouth Circuit, July 17th, in the twenty-sixth year of his age, John Rodmore Bovey. Though his temper was naturally irritable, yet his conduct was, in general, before his conversion, strictly moral. In early life he was fond of reading; and as he grew up, his desire for useful knowledge increased. When but a lad he regularly attended the Methodist chapel, at Ipplepen; and through the instrumentality of the service there, his mind was led to a discovery of the sinfulness of sin. But it was under a funeral discourse, delivered by the Rev. O. Henwood, occasioned by the death of a Sunday-scholar, that conviction seems to have fastened on his mind. On this occasion he writes, "The impressions made on me are of a nature to rouse all the dormant feelings of my soul, and to make me cry out, What must I do to be saved.'" The religious concern produced by the solemnity of this service continued for several months, when he united himself to the Methodist society. Though he has left us no document to show how, or when, he was delivered from the spirit of bondage, and received the Spirit of adoption, yet his subsequent conduct evinced that a divine change had taken place. He felt his heart was renewed by grace, and his conversation was in accordance with the Gospel of Christ. He

kept occasional memoranda of his religious experience, which exhibit the sincerity of his mind towards God. On new year's day, 1830, he attended the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit. In the evening of that day the sacrament was administered, and the covenant renewed; "and such a meeting," he writes, "I scarcely ever experienced. The most solemn awe seemed to pervade every mind; and I hope and trust the time will long be remembered by all. By thus covenanting with thee, O my God, I have laid myself under renewed obligations to love thee more, and to serve thee better, than ever. As I have now dedicated myself to thee, body, soul, and spirit, O may I ever consider myself thy property, and, as a good and faithful servant, may I never shrink from the work which thou givest me to do." In the record which he has given of his experience, it appears that, though he deeply lamented the evils of his heart, he earnestly sought the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, and diligently endeavoured to approve himself unto God. On one occasion he questioned himself thus:-"What progress have I made in the divine life? Do I grow in grace? Am I more abstracted from the world? Do its pleasures and amusements draw my affections from things above? Is my sole concern the glory of God,and the salvation of souls? O thou great Eternal, what shall I say to all these important queries, particularly the last? for by it may all the others be determined. In my approaches to thee in public, how often have my petitions been dictated, not by a desire to glorify thy name, but by a base desire of men-pleasing! But thou hast often graciously humbled me, and brought me to an acquaintance with the evils that lurk in my heart. O most holy Being! purify the thoughts of my heart, and the motives of my actions, that, in all my ways, I may keep the end of my faith in view, the salvation of my soul." Thus did this amiable young man endeavour to cleanse himself from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. He had filled the office of a Class-Leader for some time prior to his death. For about eighteen months he

was

an acceptable and useful Local Preacher. In the month of May he had a severe attack of influenza, which con. siderably affected his health. He, however, so far recovered, as to be able to resume his business, and to attend to his du ties as a Class-Leader and Local Preacher. On the twenty-third of June he walked

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