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in humble spheres of labour,and the memory of their zeal, if not enlivened by brilliant achievements, is nevertheless to their surviving acquaintance a constant stimulating force. This is eminently true of the late REV. THOMAS CROSBY. In village Methodism he was trained, and by it given to the sacred work of the Christian ministry. And a precious gift he was, though he never attained popular distinction.

He was born at West-Stockwith, in the Gainsborough Circuit, March 25th, 1816. His parents, for a series of years, rendered efficient service to the cause of God as faithful Class Leaders. Their highest ambition concerning their children was to see them early converted to God. By uniformly presenting to them a worthy example, by carefully instructing them in revealed truth, and by fervent, believing prayer they sought the realization of this noble aim: nor did they seek in vain. As a boy their son Thomas arrested attention and commanded esteem, but not until he was eighteen years of age did he manifest a deep concern for his soul's salvation. A sermon preached by the Rev. Robert Aitken, M.A., father of the Rev. W. M. Aitken, led him to decision for God. He did not, however, find rest to his soul for some days. Whilst in this penitent distress he visited Epworth, where Edward Brooke, Esq., was holding revival services; and ere they were brought to a close, young Crosby could rejoice in God.

A nature so surcharged with energy and tenderness, as Mr. Crosby's was, after experiencing the saving grace of God, could not be restrained from zealous consecration to the work of God. Henceforth his master passion was to do good. Having for three years moved in the more retired walks of Christian usefulness he was commissioned to exercise his talents in the pulpit. He went to his first appointment with fear and much trembling; yet Divine power attended the word and a soul 'passed from death unto life,' the first fruit of a harvest of souls who in after years were converted to God through his instrumentality. For several years he laboured as a Local Preacher with great fidelity and increasing success. At length he was urged to offer himself for the ministry. Constitutionally cautious, never doing anything upon which important issues depended in a hurry, yet after profound thought and earnest prayer he was convinced that this was his divinelyordained vocation in life.

By the Conference of 1841 he was placed on the President's list of reserve. The following February he was sent to fill a vacancy at Blandford. He entered upon this new era of his life in the spirit of selfsacrifice. By habitual communion with

God, and by the assiduous cultivation of his mental endowments, he sought to attain the highest qualifications for his work. Mighty in prayer and diligent in systematic study, his character and ministrations unfolded qualities which called forth the admiration, confidence and love of the people of his charge. Leaving Blandford he was appointed to the Uttoxeter Circuit, where he remained three years; and, as in all his subsequent Circuits, his ministry was a blessing, especially to the young. He was gladdened by receiving communications from young men, gratefully acknowledging their obligations to him as God s instrument in leading them to the Saviour.

His itinerant career was almost exclusively confined to rural Methodism: Bourne, Andover, Spalding, Bingham, Grantham, Douglas, Stourport, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Driffield, Bridlington, Wednesbury, and Haslingden, being the Circuits successively favoured with his ministrations. These Circuits, with the exception of the last two, comprised a number of widely scattered villages, the working of which necessitated much toil and exposure. He travelled in some of his Circuits three thousand five hundred miles and preached three hundred and fifty sermons in the year. His zeal led him to undertake other duties than those marked out in the ordinary arrangements. He took a deep and lively interest in the intellectual and spiritual welfare of young people. His concern for them found expression in the formation, whenever practicable, and the skilful management of Bibleclasses and Mutual Improvement Societies. In connection with these he was made a great blessing to many. Never sparing himself, in season, out of season,' he 'went about doing good.' On his appointment to Haslingden, the office of Superintendent was new to him; but it was one for which his gifts eminently fitted him. Had God in His good providence permitted him to remove from this Circuit to another, he would have handed it over to his successor greatly improved, spiritually, numerically and financially. But when he had almost completed his three years' ministry here his days were suddenly cut off. For some time it had been evident to all that his health was much impaired, but nothing serious was feared either by himself or his friends. Though suffering much, he clung to his work. He conducted the business of the June Quarterly Meeting, but at its close he retired to his house, feeling very unwell. The next day, however, he felt so much better as to resume his pastoral duties. A few days afterwards, he was called to attend the funeral of a member of his flock, in a churchyard which lies embosomed in a

charming landscape, with majestic hills and luxuriant vales, where the mill and the farm stand side by side, and the loom and the sickle are worked in company. As, full of sympathy for the bereaved, he stood by the open grave, in the midst of this delightful scenery, the beauty of which was perfected by the glory of the summer's sun that rested upon it, he said to a friend, 'What a lovely spot this is! I feel as though I should like to be buried here.' Little did he or those standing there with him suppose that his desire would be so soon fulfilled. This man of God had then preached his last sermon, made his last pastoral visit, and performed his last official act. In five days another grave was opened in this lovely spot' to receive his mortal remains. On Sunday morning he attended divine service at Manchester Road Chapel, Haslingden, and had the pleasure of hearing the Rev. M. C. Osborn discourse on, 'The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, etc.' At the close of the service he was again taken ill. Human help proved unavailing. In a few hours he lapsed into unconsciousness, from which he never revived. He was not; for God took him.'

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'No earthly clinging, No lingering gaze, No strife at parting,

No sore amaze;

But sweetly, gently,
He passed away!

From the world's dim twilight
To endless day.'

He left behind him no verbal dying testimony as to his spiritual condition; but he left-more precious still-the sublime testimony of a holy life. In giving light to others, he burnt out the lamp of his own life; yet it still burns with ever-increasing brightness in the Church in heaven.

We will not attempt a lengthened eulogy of this good Minister of Jesus Christ: no one was more jealous over himself and over others lest the glory should be given to the creature which belongs only to the Creator. His transparent simplicity, his deep humility, his modesty, his refined sensitiveness, his consciousness of defect, and his readiness without affectation to confess it, gave to his character a completeness and a charm. He was the same everywhere. You had only to hear him speak, and you knew what he meant. His acts were an index to his heart. For fifteen years the writer was

honoured with his friendship, and for three years had the privilege of being associated with him in the co-pastorate of a large Circuit. All along he proved himself to be a faithful Minister, a diligent student, a sincere friend, a loyal, generous-hearted colleague. I never saw anything in him which did not comport with the dignity of the Christian character, or the sanctity of the office of the Christian Minister. He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added_unto_the Lord.' J. M. W.

MRS. WHITFIELD, of Thornton, near Pocklington, was born in that village about the year 1789. She was the youngest daughter of William Craggs, a prosperous farmer, and one of the earliest followers of John Wesley. She was of a quiet, retiring disposition, yet always ready to help those around her; and by her humble piety she gained the love of many. Her husband

was a Class Leader: he died, trusting in Jesus, about forty years before his wife. Mrs. Whitfield joined the Methodist Society when about seventeen years of age, and continued a steadfast member of it till her decease, a period of seventy years. During her long life her house was at all times open to Wesleyan Ministers and those of other communions: she thought it a great privilege to entertain them for their Master's sake. Many still living can testify of her hospitality and ready help. She was early left a widow with eight children, of whom seven survive her, and one fell asleep in Jesus in early life. Her fervent desire was for the conversion of her children, and she often retired to her closet to plead for them at the throne of grace. With great earnestness she entreated them to give their hearts to God. One evening, during her last illness, when part of the family were assembled around her for prayer and devotion, she rejoiced with exceeding great joy at the pleasure of seeing them walking in the truth. Nor was her solicitude for the conversion of souls confined to her own family. She never lost an opportunity of beseeching those who visited her to be reconciled to God. During the last few months of her life she suffered severe pain, at times even agony; but no word of complaint ever escaped her lips. Throughout the severe trial the Lord was her stay, until she fell asleep in Jesus.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, 46, HOXTON SQUARF.

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PRESIDENT OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES AND QUEENSI AND CONFERENCE. 18'6

F.6raved by .1 COCHRAN

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

APRIL, 1877.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. ROBERT LEAKE:

BY THE REV. J. E. COULSON.

THE Lives of the Early Methodist Preachers have been a means of grace to multitudes, and have stimulated not a few to emulate their devotion and heroic achievements; and the story of many of their successors has only to be made known to become an equal blessing.

ROBERT LEAKE was born at Wakefield on the 26th of July, 1804. His maternal great-grandfather was a clergyman of the Church of England, and for some years Incumbent of Royston, a few miles from that town. His mother was a good woman who feared the Lord from her youth. She regularly attended public worship in the parish church, until she became a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, some time after her son's conversion to God. Robert was brought up in a school under the management and control of the then Vicar of Wakefield, from whom he received kind attentions, and who was much interested in his steadiness, diligence and proficiency. His mother watched over his boyhood with all the solicitude of a Hannah training her Samuel for the service of the sanctuary; and to her, under God, he often said in after life, he owed his all. She sent him to the Methodist Sundayschool connected with the South Parade Wesleyan Chapel; and it was there that, when about fifteen years of age, he became deeply convinced of the necessity of personal conversion, under a sermon preached by the Rev. Samuel Woolmer on Judgment to come.' It was not, however, until two years after this that he fully decided to give his heart to God. The faithful ministry he attended was the means of deepening his convictions, and he began with great anxiety and distress to enquire, 'What must I do to be saved?' He was invited to a Class-meeting; and for some time sought the mercy of God with great earnestness, night and day. In April, 1822, while walking along the streets on his way to the Wednesday evening service in the chapel, he received such a manifestation of the pardoning love of God as filled him with 'joy unspeakable.' Many years afterwards he said he could go to the very spot, within a few inches, where the burden fell off from his

VOL. 1.-SIXTH SERIES.

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