as a mother, she displayed very great devotion. In her husband's activities she was a true "helpmeet;" in his perplexities a wise counsellor; in his discouragements a genuine comforter; and in his sicknesses a skilful, a patient, and a loving nurse.

To her children she

was ardently attached, cherishing towards them high and noble desires; and by doing her utmost for their physical, mental, and moral development, she strove to render them all that she wished them to become.

The following will illustrate Mrs. Parton's self-sacrificing disposition for her family. At various times, two years or more have elapsed without her leaving her dwelling or its immediate vicinity, she voluntarily submitting to this seclusion rather than neglect domestic duties, or prevent any of her household enjoying the privileges of public worship.

But devoted as our sister was to her own family, she manifested commendable interest in affairs beyond, having an car for the groans and sorrows, and a hand to wipe away the tears, and to assist in removing the burdens, of the distressed.

As a friend she was sincere, hearty, and constant; and if her friends needed or solicited her advice, her substance, or her service, they were given generously. And in many hearts there will live through future years pleasant and thankful recollections of kindnesses received from her.

As already intimated, Mrs. Parton in early life was associated with the Church of England; but soon after leaving home, she felt a preference for Methodism, and whenever possible availed herself of its ministry; but she lived many years without experiencing a change of heart, or becoming a member of the visible Church. Nearly ten years ago she came to Bolton-street Chapel, and began to meet in one of our classes, some two or three years afterwards. On her first attendance at the classmeeting she could not say, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." She preferred to be silent, meditating on the recited experiences of others, and on the words of warning, counsel, and en

couragement given. But the time did arrive, when such was the glow of love to God in her own heart, that she could bear testimony that God has " power upon earth to forgive sins," and rejoice in the anticipation of finally attaining the presence of God and the Lamb in heaven. This, however, did not content our sister, she wished to be constantly advaneing in the Divine life; yet ever feeling that Christ is the source of that life, she endeavoured to keep her faith in him strong and lively, saying, "I must cling to the cross;" "I have no hope but in Jesus;" "I rest on the cross;" or

"Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.'

Sister Parton took a lively interest in all the concerns of our Church. In the conversion of sinners, and the edification and establishment of believers, she found peculiar joy; and to the various funds of the Church she contributed with true liberality.

In January, 1869, our sister was called to the loneliness of widowhood; but the grace that appeared unto her husband, bringing salvation, was her support; and in dependence upon Divine help she wrought to fulfil the obligations of her altered condition. To this time she had possessed a strong and healthy frame; and seemed to have the prospect of many years' active life. This, however was not the will of Heaven. A few months after the death of Mr. Parton, his widow found herself the subject of a disorder in the mouth, which proved to be a cancer on the tongue. The efforts and medicine of a local physician failing in its removal, she obtained admission into the Royal Infirmary, Manchester, and after various means had been there tried, which were ineffectual, she submitted to an operation for its removal by the knife; but this only made way for another development, and then she allowed the tongue itself to be removed. But even this did not reach the roots of the complaint, and a third time she went into the " operation room," when the knife was applied to the region of the throat, but there was no cure; and when she returned home in the month of July, it was with the impression that life must

soon close, though for a few days after this she was buoyed up with the hope of possible recovery to moderate health. Yet strength gradually failed until September 10th, when she died, aged fifty-four years.

We will not attempt to depict all that our sister suffered; neither could we, if we did attempt. The disease itself caused untold pain, not to mention what was experienced during the thrice repeated operation; but no small amount of Sister Parton's suffering arose from disappointed hopes-she expected each process in succession to result in a cure, but every process failed! It is a joy, however, to testify that she bore her pains and disappointments heroically and Christianly. The doctor who witnessed her patience and fortitude, said, "Brave woman!" and brave she was; but it was not the courage of the natural man, nor her intense love of her children, nor a natural love of life, that made her strong to endure, but the grace and Spirit of God in the heart.

It

A few members of our church occasionally visited Sister Parton during her sickness; I also had the privilege of seeing her, and not seldom did I retire from the interview with the consciousness that I had been greatly blessed thereby. was distressing to see the physical wreck that disease had made of her, but the increasing strength of the inner man became more manifest from day to day. Why she should suffer so much was not clear to her, but she believed that the design and purpose were both wise and good; she could say, It is all right; I shall see it some day." On the 22nd of July, a few days after Mrs. Parton returned from Manchester, after submitting to the third operation, I proposed several questions to her with a view of ascertaining her opinions, and hopes, &c., in relation to this life, when she intimated that nothing further could be done for her, but also assured me that she was perfectly resigned to God's will, and said, "When I think about heaven, I feel as though I want to fall at the feet of Jesus; though when I look upon my children, I have a longing for earth; I want to remain: still I believe God will take care of them." From this time to the day of her death, peace and hope never failed

her. She not unfrequently displayed very considerable emotion when expressing belief in the promises recited, and when dwelling on the prospect of soon being "for ever with the Lord." And long after the power to articulate the smallest syllable, or to breathe an intelligible sound had gone, the pressure of the fingers, the uplifted hand, the earnest gaze, and the brightening countenance, told of the soul's tranquillity; they told of it a few moments before the spirit fled from earth to heaven.

SAMUEL WALKER.

MRS. FOWDEN.

THE late Mrs. Fowden was born in the village of Hurst Brook, near Ashtonunder-Lyne, and at an early age she became a scholar in our Sundayschool there. Through the instructions received from pious teachers she became the subject of religious impressions which ultimately led her to give her heart to God when about the age of fourteen years. She afterwards became a teacher in the Sabbath-school, the duties of which she performed with that earnestness which characterises one who has a good and noble object at heart. Punctuality at the Sabbath-school she ever felt to be a duty.

For thirty-three years she was a Sunday scholar and teacher at the same school, and during thirty years a consistent member of our Church. Her first ticket of membership was from the hands of the Rev. Law Stoney, in 1840, and her last from the hands of the Rev. F. Jewell, of Sheffield, in 1870.

In the suminer of 1863 she had a very severe illness, after which she never recovered her former health. In 1868 the complaint which proved fatal made its first appearance in the form of dropsy. It was checked, but again attacked her in the following spring. In the beginning of 1870 it assumed a serious form She tried her native air, but in vain; for she gradually sank under its power. In all the whole time of her sufferings, which were severe, she ever prayed for grace to enable her to bear God's holy will with patience and submission. Addressing her husband, she said: You will have to give me up, my dear; I feel that