she expired, in the twenty-second year of her age.

Had it pleased the Lord to have conferred upon our Sister the power of speech, during her affliction, she could herself have borne testimony as to her acceptance with God, and her assurance of a happy hereafter. As this was not the case, we can but judge by her life, and the general feelings she expressed when attending the ordinances of religion; and we believe that no one in our Society could be better prepared for sudden death.

The general character of our friend was excellent. To her parents, she was obedient and dutiful; to her brothers and sister, she was affectionate; to her companions, friendly and obliging; as a teacher in the school, she was laborious and attentive; as a servant, she was diligent and careful; while her modest appearance and staid demeanour did credit to her, as a professor of religion, and her happy and cheerful countenance fully repudiated that often quoted but futile idea, that religion is a source of melancholy. Thus, we have endeavoured to give a short account of the life and death of our Sister. Had she been destitute of religion, awful would have been her fate; she would have gone before the Great Judge of all, with her sins unrepented of and unforgiven. What a blessing it is that she had embraced the religion of Jesus; that having repented of her sins, she trusted in his atonement for pardon and eternal life.

Her death was improved in our chapel at Hurst, on the 17th of May, 1846, by Mr. John Sandiford, to a crowded congregation, and the deepest interest pervaded the assembly. Oh, that all who read this would imitate her in her progress to the kingdom of God, lay aside sin and sinful companions, cast their confidence on the Lord Jesus Christ, live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world, so that they may ultimately be raised to celestial glory. W. W. S.

HARRIET BUNTING,

OF MEXBRO',

(SHEFFIELD NORTH CIRCUIT,) Was born in Birmingham, May 12th, 1822. She was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Bunting. Up to the twelfth year of her age she was a fine healthy girl. One day, when playing, she was swinging on a gate, and a person, who was passing, pushed the gate to with a force which knocked her down. By this fall her back was so much injured, that from that time she became a little de

formed, and never after enjoyed good health, and was unable to engage in active labour. From the time she came to Mexbro' she has been a regular attendant on our ministry. She heard the Gospel with attention, and the Holy Spirit applied it to her heart. For some time she was the subject of powerful convictions, before she gave her heart to God, or united herself with his people; it is probable she would have done this sooner, had she been invited. It is a great pity that our members are not more attentive to this duty; they should make it a point of conscience to invite all who seriously hear the Gospel, to join the Church, for it often happens that some who are the most sincere, are the the most timid, and they need the greatest encouragement. When we are converted we are to strengthen our brethren, and seek to hide a multitude of sins, and save a soul from death. August 18th, 1844, being invited to meet in Class by brother Hewett, she accepted the invitation, and gave herself to God. For a season she sought with great earnestness before she received the knowledge of salvation. One Sunday evening, as she was pleading with God, in the chapel, she was enabled to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, with her heart unto righteousness, and then and there she obtained the pardon of her sins, and peace with God; her joy in the Lord was now unspeakable, and full of glory. She was so happy she could not keep it to herself, and she resolved on letting her mother know what God had done for her soul. One day she said to her mother, "I have often heard people talk about finding the Lord, but I could not understand what they meant, but now I know what it means; for one night I was pleading with him to make me his child, in the chapel, and he filled my heart with peace and love, and I was so happy, I now understand what it is to find the Lord." From this time she gave every proof of her sincerity, by a holy and proper deportment. She adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. She was a good deal harassed with timidity, in relating her experience, yet she loved her Class-meeting, and was constant in her attendance. The negligence of members, in this respect, is often a great grief to the minds of leaders; such persons not only hurt the minds of their leaders, but rob themselves of a rich blessing; but this was not the case with Harriet. In August, 1846, Mr. Waller held a series of Revival-meetings, in our Chapel at Mexbro', on which occasion he delivered some discourses on entire sanctification. By what she heard

she was convinced of the need of a further work of grace, and she came forward amongst the penitents in search of it; and, praise God, he applied the cleansing blood of Christ to her soul, and she entered fully into the rest of faith, where

"Fear, and grief, and sin expire,
Cast out by perfect love."

From this period she enjoyed uninterrupted peace. She now felt she could bless the Lord at all times, and his praise was constantly in her mouth. One day being asked how she was getting on, she replied, "I am happy, I am happy, Jesus does bless my soul." From this time her power with God in prayer was remarkable; it was quite a privilege to unite with her in this duty, and hear her plead the promises of God. She seemed to take hold of the blessings promised by faith; and by acts of faith she brought the Divine influence down, in such a manner, as filled the place with glory.

About three months before her death she gradually declined in health, but her soul ripened fast for glory. She appeared to be apprehensive that her end was near. Being one day worse than usual, she said to her mother, "Oh, mother, you will soon have to part with me, I feel I shall not be long here." Her mother was quite startled at the remark, and said, "Oh, Harriet, I hope not, for I feel as if I could not live without you;" and gave vent to her feelings in a flood of tears. Our Sister then said, "Mother, you must not shed one tear for me, for I am quite ready, and quite happy." On another occasion she said, "Oh, mother, I do feel happy." Her mother said, "Do you?" She said, "Yes, I do feel very happy. There is a crown of bright glory waiting for me." These lines she delighted to sing. Her whole thoughts seemed to be in heaven. She was sometimes tempted to fear she should become burthensome to her family, and often prayed that the Lord would prevent this by taking her to heaven; but this was in submission to the will of God. Her friends did not think her death so near. The day before her death she appeared better than usual, and sat up until ten o'clock; at eleven o'clock her mother gave her a little mixture she had prepared for her cough; she inquired the time, when her mother told her, she said, "It has been a long hour, but I shall soon have ease;" these were the last words she spoke. Her mother left her for the night, and slept until five in the morning; on awaking she did not

DIED at Lye Waste, in the Stourbridge Circuit, August 30, 1847, in the 83rd year of her age. Like many of her fellowcreatures around her, Phoebe lived destitute of religion until it pleased God to send the Methodists into the village, when, passing by the place where they were then worshipping, she heard them singing the songs of Zion in a most delightful manner. From that time she began to seek the Lord. She made her case known to our Brother, Joseph Brooks, who explained to her the plan of salvation. Invited to attend the preaching, her partner consented to go and hear the word of God for himself. God conveyed that word to his heart, and caused him to say, "What must I do to be saved?" He was pointed to "the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world," and he, like the Corinthians, first gave himself to the Lord, and then to his people. Having first obtained the forgiveness of his sins, he was anxious for the salvation of his wife. At length the Lord spoke peace to her soul, and she immediately united with God's people. She was regular in attending the means of grace. At her Class she was also punctual, and always expressed her thankfulness to God for the change He had wrought in her, and for that peace of mind which she now possessed. For many years she seemed to be like Moses on the mount, being always happy in God. She was ever found ready to forward the ark of the Lord, as far as her circumstances would permit, until worn down by old age. It may justly be said of her, that she came to the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe, gathered home to the garner of her God. During her last affliction, she was regularly visited by the writer of this account, and many of her associate. She was always found happy in God. On one occasion she said, "Show me how a Christian lives, and I'll tell you how he'll die." On another occasion she said to the writer of this account, "I have had a glorious sight. I have seen Jesus; I shall soon

be free from a world of grief and sin." On another occasion, when visited by one of her Class-mates, she exclaimed, "It's all right-it's all for the best-for all things work together for good to them that love and fear God.'" When calling

to see her, just before her departure, she still loved to hear of Jesus-it delighted her soul; and when unable to speak, with eyes lifted up towards heaven, she sweetly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. Her death was improved on Sept. the 19th, in our chapel at Lye Waste, to a crowded and deeply-affected congregation. And thus, looking at her life, and seeing the triumphant manner of her departure, we may say, in the words of the text, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." BENJAMIN CHANCE.

RECENT DEATHS. DIED on the 15th Nov., 1847, Frances Shelford. She had been connected with our Church, in this town, for 28 years, during the whole of which period she "ornamented her profession," by "walking as becometh the Gospel." She attended our last Revival services in Parkplace- Chapel, and was gladdened on the Sabbath evening by witnessing the conversion of her eldest son, and on the Monday night, by seeing one of her daughters bow in penitence before God, cry earnestly for mercy, and obtain the salvation of the Gospel. At such a scene her soul was filled with joy unspeakable, and with tears of gratitude she exclaimed, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." In a few days after she was afflicted with a malignant fever, which has been so prevalent in this town. Her affliction was borne with patienceshe was happy in God-and called upon her daughter to rejoice with her, saying, "Bless the Lord, bless the Lord, I do feel so happy." She entered into rest on the above-mentioned day, aged fiftyfour years.

HANNAH COLLINS, another of our members, died about the same time, of the same disease, and, after a fellowship of many years with the Church militant, has now joined the Church triumphant, where the inhabitants shall never say, "I am sick."

WM. HAWKINS, Esq., having lived to a good old age, and enjoyed the fellowship of saints for many years, in connection with our people, in this town, came to the grave as a shock of corn ripe for the garner. He died on the 8th of December, aged seventy-eight years. He was ardently attached to our Community, and longed to witness its prosperity.

DIED, on the 13th of Dec., 1847, at Hucknall, in the Hanley Circuit, Ann Goodfellow, wife of one of our esteemed friends in that place. Our deceased Sister was brought to a knowledge of the truth when she was about nineteen years of age, and was very diligent in her attendance upon the means of grace. She particularly enjoyed the services attending the Conference of 1835, which happened shortly after her union with the Church. Not long afterwards, our Sister entered into the marriage state; and she found in her husband a companion suited to her mind. They lived and walked happily together in the ways of righteousness, until the Lord pleased to call her to himself.

In

Our Sister had to walk, for the most part of the period, through the paths of deep poverty. The cares of a rising family, with the many afflictions to which they were often subjected, had a depressing influence upon her spirits, and for a time led her to be less regular in her attendance upon the means. this state the writer found the family when he came to reside in Hucknall, in 1843. Soon afterwards, she was encouraged to give her heart afresh to the Lord, and to endeavour to rise above her troubles. This she set about in good earnest, and was soon enabled again to rejoice in God her Saviour; and she pursued her course with ardency of spirit, and an evident desire to be useful.

This

In the winter of 1846, a serious affliction again overtook her partner, and also a grievous accident befel one of her children, which was likely to prove detrimental to the child through life. again was a severe trial; and, as it were, to crown the whole, her own health began sensibly to decline. All this our Sister bore with becoming Christian fortitude; but although, through Divine mercy, her husband and child after a time recovered, she was evidently destined for another world. Still hope was entertained, that as the spring advanced, her health might improve. But the Lord had ordained it otherwise, for spring and summer passed away, and only left her more enfeebled.

ON December 29th, Elizabeth Meeder sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, in the ninetyfirst year of her age. In early life she was united in marriage to a man who, like Saul of Tarsus, was a blasphemer, and a persecutor of the Church. But in a mysterious way he was led to Zion Chapel, and under the plain searching ministry of the Rev. John Revill, he was converted to the faith of the Gospel, and led to rejoice in the assurance of personal pardon. He went home from the service, and told his wife she must go with him, to the same place, and hear "the wonderful preacher." She accompanied her husband to Zion Chapel, felt the saving efficacy of the same Gospel, and became a partaker of the same grace. They both gave their hearts to the Saviour, joined the same Church, and for twenty years met together in the same Class. He was taken to his God, and she was left to mourn his loss, and anticipate the fellowship that should be renewed in the skies, and continue without interruption for ever. In life her experience was rich, and in death her confidence in God was unshaken. She triumphed in her latest hour, and soared to the palace of angels and God-where Jesus has fixed his abode.

His

ON Saturday morning, February 26th, Joseph Durnal, of Shelton, fell asleep in Jesus. His affliction was of long continuance, but his consolations were neither few nor small. He was justified by faith in the blood of Christ, and sanctified through the spirit of Christ. faith was strong, his evidence clear, and his joy ecstatic. His latest foe was under his feet, and heaven was brighter in view. Some of his last words were, 66 Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." His age was thirty-eight years.

P. J. W.

DIED at Hanley, on Thursday morning, March 2nd, Ann Haslam, relict of the late Rev. William Haslam, one of the fathers of the Methodist New Connexion. Her end was peace. She had reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years. P. J. W.

RICHARD MITCHELL died at Burslem, March the 10th, 1848, aged seventy-four years. Our late friend Mitchell had been a member of our Connexion for more than thirty years. For the last few years

DIED at Sheffield, March the 14th, 1848, Elizabeth Holmes, aged sixty-five years. She had been a member of our Society at Scotland-street about four years, during which time her conduct was uniformly that of a Christian. She highly prized the ordinances of the Lord's house, and, as often as opportunity afforded, was there. On some occasions she was the subject of much mental depression, arising from the temptations of Satan, and an embarrassed state of circumstances; she, however, did not sink into despair. Her confidence was in the Lord; and, amidst the trying scenes through which she was called to pass, she endeavoured patiently to submit to His will. The circumstance of her death was very sudden and alarming. On the morning of the 13th, the day before she expired, while standing in the vestry connected with the above-mentioned chapel, she was seized with a stroke of paralysis, which soon put an end to her existence on earth. She was perfectly sensible to the last moment of her life, but for twelve hours could not utter a distinct word. I visited her a very short time before her death, and was happy to find that she was patiently waiting for the coming of her Lord. How soon is life gone! May both reader and writer be prepared for the change which awaits us! THOS. CARTWRIGHT.

DIED at Brighton, March the 15th, 1848, in the thirtieth year of his age, John Levison Gower Ward, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, and eldest son of John Ward, Esq., of Durham, at which place the deceased was born, July the 15th, 1818. By his pious and excellent parents, he was brought "up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" but the precious seed, thus sown, did not satisfactorily appear, and give back its increase, until he was chastened by the painful and protracted disease which occasioned his death. Being obliged, for more than two years, to retire from active duties, he had ample leisure for serious meditation, reading, converse, and prayer; and, from repeated interviews with him, I know

that he certainly availed himself of such means of religious improvement. His own acknowledgment was made in the words of the Psalmist: "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." The views and feelings which he entertained respecting his own moral condition, were those of genuine penitence; his hopes of Divine acceptance rested on the atonement and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ; and he sought further sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, both to sustain under suffering, and render him fully meet for that heavenly inheritance which is "incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away." During the first part of his illness, he seemed to think it was a hard measure that, with encouraging prospects of a successful professional career, and before he had reached the usual meridian of life, he should thus have his "purposes broken off;" but he was subsequently enabled to yield an enlightened and unreserved submission to the will of God. In such a state of mind, and with joyful expectation of a glorious immortality, he waited "all the days of his appointed time, until his change came."

The following resolution of our late Conference was duly forwarded to him:

"That the cordial thanks of this Conference be presented to J. L. Gower Ward, Esq., Barrister, for the professional services he has so courteously and effi ciently rendered to the Chapel Committee, in preparing the Connexional and Model Chapel Deeds." "It is remarkable," he said to the writer, "that my last work on earth should be the preparation of these documents for the Methodist New Connexion." W. FORD.

DIED at Hot Lane, near Burslem, on the 17th of March, 1848, Joseph Boulton, aged fifty-nine years. Brother Boulton had been a member of the New Connexion at Burslem for many years, and was much esteemed by all parties for the integrity of his character. He was well known in the town, having occupied the important office of vestry clerk for nearly thirty years. The disease which terminated in his death was of the most painful nature, but the grace of God was found sufficient. He never murmured, but gave himselfinto the hands of his Saviour; and, after an affliction of nearly two years' duration, his spirit took its flight to heaven. J. N.

On the morning of April 3rd, died Miss Oldknow, aged seventy-one. She was a member of our Church for nearly half a century, and a leader of a large Class for

thirty-four years and a half. She was educated in Socinian views, from which she was mercifully rescued by the grace of God. During a long life she maintained a high Christian character, and commanded, as she richly deserved, universal esteem and love. She was eminently useful in a large circle of relatives; and to the Church she was an example, and an ornament, and a blessing. The courtesy of her manners, the sweetness of her disposition, her charity, her tenderness, sanctity, and judgment, were calculated to win all hearts to herself. She suffered severely for some months from neuralgia, and a widely spread cancer, and was insensible for a few days before her death. She often declared, in her sickness, that she felt the preciousness of those truths which she had so firmly believed, and so long taught to others. She loved her friends and the Church more than ever, as she drew near to death. Though she had spent her long life so blamelessly before men, and so usefully, she was deeply penitent before God. When she thought of her defects she was troubled in spirit; but trusting in Jesus she enjoyed peace. She said, "The religion I

have so often recommended to others is my support now." One Sister, a member of her Class, said, "You are coming near to the swellings of Jordan," and she replied, "Yes, I am, my dear, but my trust is in Jesus, and, trust our next meeting will be in heaven." Alluding to the noble building which is being erected for the Post-Office, of which her brother is Post-Master, she said, "I should rather be carried to the silent grave than to that house." She enjoyed constant peace, by faith and a confident hope. Her removal from amongst us is deeply deplored as an almost irreparable loss; but she served several generations faithfully in the Lord, and her holy life, which was the result of saving faith in the atonement, is crowned with an endless reward. She desired me to preach her funeral sermon, from the same words that our venerated minister, Mr. Wall, was requested to preach from, by her deeply pious, and deeply lamented sister, Mrs. Bassett, after her funeral, in Dec., 1804; viz., " Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." T. MILLS.

PETER TAYLOR died at Hot Lane, near Burslem, April the 15th, 1848, aged sixty-one years. Brother Taylor had been a member and leader at Burslem for more than thirty years. During the last few years he had been afflicted with asthma, and was thus prevented from taking so active a part in the Church as