THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION DECEMBER, 1848. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR OF MR. JOSEPH BOULTON, HOT LANE, HANLEY CIRCUIT. JOSEPH BOULTON, the son of Samuel and Mary Boulton, was born at Walkmill Lane, in the parish of Madeley, in the county of Stafford, on the 24th January, 1789. When he was only five years old he had the misfortune to lose his father, who was killed by an explosion in a coal-pit. He was thus in early life left without the fostering care of a father. Soon after his father's death he was taken under the care of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Joseph Colley. He was sent to a school kept by a Mrs. Stubbs, where he acquired the rudiments of reading and spelling. He continued at school till the eighth year of his age, at which period he was removed and sent to work. He was first employed during the summer season in a brick-kiln, and in the winter he laboured as a collier in the mines. When he was about nineteen years of age, feeling his deficiency in learning, he began to attend an evening school Here he learned to write a good hand, and also acquired a competent knowledge of arithmetic. Indeed, it appears that in this respect he at length became more skilful than his teacher. In 1811, being of good moral character and tolerably conversant with figures, he was employed by the Sneyd Colliery Company, and continued in their service till the year 1819. During this period he was several times promoted, and received each time an advance of wages, as a reward for the increased value of his services and his unflinching integrity. In 1819 Mr. Robert Heath, his employer, thinking he was deserving of a better situation than he then held, recommended our late brother to the office of vestry clerk for the parish of Burslem. From the high recommendation thus given and from the excellent character he bore, he succeeded in obtaining the situation, and sustained it for a period of twenty-nine years, to the entire satisfaction of the parish authorities. His conduct in this important office was marked with uniform integrity and great industry and regularity. He was indeed one of the most punctual of men, and truly conscientious in all his dealings, whether in public or private life-whether in the family, the office, or the Church. He deemed it a duty to assist the poor whenever he had an opportunity, and many through his means obtained relief without knowing the name of their benefactor. Our deceased friend entered into the marriage state in 1811, and fulfilled all the duties of a husband and father in the most exemplary manner. Deprived of early education, he nevertheless by self-application acquired much useful knowledge. His attainments in grammar, geography, arithmetic, and mathematics were respectable and highly cre ditable to his industry and good sense. Above all, his knowledge of the word of God was extensive and familiar. His memory was stored with passages from the sacred oracles, and he could apply them with much readiness and effect. Our brother was the subject of early religious impressions, and more than thirty years ago he became a member of the Wesleyan Society in Burslem. About the year 1816 he began to attend the New Connexion chapel, and for the last thirteen years he was a steady and consistent member of our society in Burslem. His affliction was of the most painful and protracted nature, but he exemplified the utmost patience, and his "strength was made perfect in weakness." I frequently visited him during his affliction, and always left him with the conviction that he was prepared for his Master's summons. He delighted to expatiate on the goodness of God and the preciousness of Christ. His faith in the atoning blood of the Saviour never seemed to waver. He had read the Scriptures with prayerful attention, and its promises afforded him the sweetest consolation. His sufferings at length drew to a close, and he died full of faith, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. I subjoin the following notice of our late brother, written by one of our leaders at Burslem, who knew him long and respected him highly. tions. "As a man, Brother Boulton was courageous, victorious over fear, gathering strength from danger, and bound the faster to duty by its hardships and privations. At the same time he was a child in simplicity, sweetness, and benignity. His firmness had not the least alloy of roughness; his countenance, which at times bore a stern decision, was to many of us pleasant. He was also truly alive to domestic affecWho that saw him in the bosom of his family can forget the deep sympathies and the overflowing joyousness of his spirit? His home was pervaded by his love as by the sun's light. A stranger might have thought that his whole soul was centred there. It was not so; he felt for all men, but especially for the poor and the oppressed. I could mention a number of instances of his liberality, but one I cannot omit. I told him the circumstances of a friend of mine in a few hours afterwards he put half a sovereign into my hand, with a strict charge not to tell who was the donor. "As a Christian, the character of Christ was his delight. His faith in Him had something of the clearness of vision. "There were two principles which our late dear brother seized firmly. One of them was, the sense of the Infinite!' He fixed the Almighty before him, and was constantly aiming at perfection. I have often been struck with his reverence for the name of God. I remember calling to see him with two other friends a short time before his death. I shall never forget the scene. He requested us to sing him one of the songs of Zion. As soon as we commenced he rose to his feet, uncovered his head, and stood silent while we sang a part of the hymn; but near the close he raised both his arms, and exclaimed in rapture, Glory be to God! Glory be to God! I am going home.' He seemed as if he heard a voice say, "Lift up, ye gates, ye everlasting doors, And let the heir of glory in!' "The other principle he grasped firmly was, the free-will of man. This doctrine appeared to him the grand explanation of the mysteries of our being, and which gave to his soul inexpressible delight. To him life seemed a state in which a free being is to determine for himself his own course amidst sore trials, 'and to advance towards perfection." I am not going to say that our brother was perfect, for to say so would be to say that he was not human; but this I may truly say, that I never saw one endure affliction with such patience, nor meet death with such resignation. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."," J. N. MEMOIR OF GEORGE CROSLAND, OF LINDLEY, IN THE HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT. GEORGE CROSLAND was born at Lindley Moor, in the Huddersfield Circuit, in the year 1820. In early life he had many advantages for religious improvement. Whilst but a child he was taken by his parents to the house of God. His family connexions were closely identified with the church of God. Surrounded by those who loved him tenderly, he was born and brought up under influences favourable to the development of early piety. These are privileges which cannot be too highly valued, especially when we remember the snares and dangers which are thrown in the way of the young, and the natural tendency of the heart to depart from the living God. The connexions of our young friend were so many restraints upon him to prevent his rushing heedlessly to eternal ruin. He The subject of this memoir in very early life was playful and buoyant in his natural disposition. Hence the danger of his forming connexions, and being led away by the almost irresistible influence of his passions. This is a rock on which many have split, and the shore is strewn with the wrecks, which warn others where the danger lies. George was preserved from running into those excesses of sinful pleasure which distinguish the course of too many young men. was restrained by the grace of God. At a proper age he was sent to our Sabbath school at Lindley. The instructions he received there had a very salutary influence upon his mind. The seed sown took root, and in after years sprang up to the glory of God. His young mind was brought more closely into contact with the truth of God, which was pressed upon his attention. His imagination became excited, and the ardent mind of George aspired to something high and lofty. His judgment was not yet formed-was not as yet regulated by wisdom and experience, but carried away by the first impressions which the teaching of others inspired. George would gather his schoolfellows around him, and in his way preach to them. There the juvenile orator stood, perhaps inspiring young minds with the fire and energy of his own. At this time, too, he became fond of singing, for he was |