date November in that year. He immediately united with the Church, was a consistent Member, and endeavoured to be useful to his fellow-creatures. For about two years he continued in connexion with the Primitive Methodist Society, after which time he had to leave Radford on account of his employment. He then went to reside at New Lenton, where he united with the Wesleyan body, and continued a Member of that denomination about seven years. On his return to Radford he joined the Methodist New Connexion. After he had been connected with our Society for a short time, he informed his wife that he felt at home, and thought that he should there end his days, which has proved to be the case. Our Brother was unwavering in his Christian profession; for though he united with different sections of the Christian Church, there was in him no compromise of principle, no change of religious sentiments. At the commencement of his Christian career he received Christ Jesus the Lord as his only Saviour, and therefore had no cause to change his religious views. The name of the Lord was to him a strong tower into which he fled for refuge and was secure. him as rivers of water in a dry place; it was as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land; yea, Christ was his all in all. There were a few traits in the character of our Brother worthy of notice. He esteemed the Sabbath of the Lord as set apart for sacred purposes, and was very desirous to be in the Spirit on that day, that he might worship the Lord aright. Frequently, when the Sabbath arrived, he observed, "I am glad of another Sabbath, for I want a day of rest." He was one of the few who regularly attended the Prayer-meeting on the Sabbath morning. In this means of grace he felt happy, and when the number of those present has been small, he has afterwards said, "Though there have been but few of us, it has been a good time, I have felt my soul refreshed." He always viewed the Sabbath as an emblem of that rest which remains for the people of God. The sentiment of the poet was one which pervaded his own mind:

It was to

"The Christian Sabbath is design'd
A spot by God in kindness given;
The prospect mountain of the mind,
Whence it may view the rest of heaven."

His love for the Sabbath continued to the end of his life.

In the relation of his religious experience he was clear and scriptural, being always ready to give a reason for the hope which was in him, with meekness and

For

fear. It is true, that though he was sometimes elated with joy, at other times he was depressed with sorrow; yet this did not produce in him any unsteadiness of conduct. He constantly kept the prize in view, and laboured to reach the goal. In the private means of grace he was very happy, and lamented any circumstance which prevented his attendance at Class, which was to him a very refreshing means. Our Brother was deeply interested in the welfare of Sabbath-schools. He became a teacher at the beginning of his religious course, and was desirous to teach "the young idea how to shoot," and point the infant mind the way to heaven. several years he sustained the office of superintendent, and often did he endeavour to impress on the minds of the rising generation the necessity of a change of heart to prepare them for heaven. It was remarked by one who well knew him, that wherever he was known he was respected, but this does not fully express the estimation in which he was held in the School and in the Church; for he was more than respected, he was beloved. Like every other good man he had, no doubt, his failings. These he saw and deplored, but they were such as were almost exclusively known to God and his own soul. For several years his health had been declining. In the winter season he was troubled with a cough and had difficulty in breathing, but he continued to attend to his employment until the Christmas of 1845. At that time some of his friends advised him to rest from labour for a few weeks. To this he consented, hoping in a short time to be able to resume his employment. For some time he had been under medical treatment, but thought that he should be restored. He appeared to suffer from an ulcerated sore throat, which at first baffled the skill of his medical attendant. At that time he had no cough; but though his throat became better, the disease seemed to fix itself more deeply; his cough returned, and his lungs were evidently much affected. From that time he had but little hope of recovering, and even less desire, for to several he said, that he would rather die than recover, as he felt assured that heaven would be his home. He was highly favoured during his affliction, no temptation being permitted to assail him, no cloud to arise to hide from his view the Sun of RighteousThe glory of the Lord rested upon his tabernacle, and his habitation was "privileged beyond the common walks of virtuous life; quite on the verge of heaven." His mind was kept in perfect peace. He frequently observed to those who visited him, "I have not those ecstacies of which

ness.

I have heard some speak, but I have a 'settled peace, and I am thankful for that." On one occasion he stated, "That religion which I professed in health supports me now."

During his affliction he spoke of being much edified by reading the Scriptures, and mentioned the following portions as having been made a great blessing to his soul, viz: the ninety-first Psalm; the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeeth chapters in the Gospel by John; the eleventh and twelfth in the Epistle to the Hebrews; and the first Epistle of John. In his affliction he was frequently visited by the Ministers in the Circuit, and by others of his Christian friends whose conversation and prayers were edifying to his mind. To one who frequently visited him on Saturday evenings, he often said, after pious conversation, reading the Scriptures and prayer, "This has been a good time, I feel my soul refreshed, thank the Lord for it. I wanted such a season as this. It will prepare me for the Sabbath." To another who was accustomed to visit him on the Sabbath-morning, after having engaged in similar exercises, he would say, "Now I shall get through the Sabbath comfortably, the Lord is very good to me." Many of his Christian Brethren found his habitation to be a sacred spot, where they had delightful access to the throne of grace, and while they were instrumental in watering his soul they were watered themselves. Many rejoiced to have the privilege of visiting him. One friend who saw him about two days before his death, felt his mind deeply impressed, observing as he came from the house, "Brother Ball is ready for the coming of the Lord; he is waiting for his coming." Another who saw him the day before he died, stated that she felt as if she were near heaven while in his room. Our Brother lingered till the 16th of April, 1846, when about ten minutes to twelve, P. M., his soul departed to be for ever with the Lord. He was in the thirty-eighth year of his "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."

age.

T. RIDGE.

MRS. ELIZABETH JARVIS WAS the oldest daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Stracey, (a Memoir of whom appeared in the August Magazine for 1833) and was born in April 1819. Under the pious care of her excellent mother, she was brought “ up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" but not until about

twenty years of age did she, as an awakened sinner, believe in Christ, "with the heart unto righteousness, and with the mouth make confession unto salvation." The ministry of Mr. Poxon was specially use. ful to her; and it was during his station at London in 1839, that she became a member of the church. Having herself experienced the advantages of true religion, she was anxious to be instrumental in diffusing its blessings amongst others; and for this purpose she became a tract distributor, a Sunday School teacher, and a collector for the Missions; nor did she cease to feel a deep interest in such works of benevolence, even after her own activity was interrupted or entirely prevented by increasing family duties, and frequent,bodily indisposition.

October the 19th, 1841, she was united in marriage to Mr. James Jarvis, a spiritually-minded young man, and one of our most devoted and consistent members. Their religious sentiments and experience in divine things being the same, and holding Christian fellowship with the same Body, they were "not unequally yoked." In her beloved husband, Mrs. Jarvis found a tenderly affectionate and suitable helpmate. "We lived," he writes, exceedingly happy in each other's company; although my dear wife, after our union, was at no time properly well."

66

Suffering formed a principal part of the moral discipline under which it pleased the infinitely wise and gracious God to place his handmaid. Her constitution from childhood was delicate; and its feebleness was increased by an injury she received in her arm when only fifteen years old, and from the effects of which she never fully recovered. To her personal weakness were added the cares of sickly children; and, about two years before her death, the protracted and dangerous affliction of her husbandwhose life was considered past hope, led to incessant watchings and effort beyond her capability. After passing through her last confinement with more apparent strength than usual, decided symptoms of consumption became manifest; and, returning to the bed from which she had so recently been raised, in five short weeks her earthly course was brought to an end. For a long time before her departure, as well as when eternity was evidently near, her general state of mind may be said to have been-joyful confidence in the Providence and grace of God, and unmurmuring resignation to His righteous will. In her own case she felt the truth of those scripture declarations: "Now no chastisement for the

present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

At

A few statements, nearly in the words of Mr. Jarvis himself, will close this account. "When able to converse, she spoke to her visitors-especially her father and sister, respecting the importance of religion; saying, Look at my dying state! What should I do without religion? I am too weak to seek it now. O begin to lead a religious life.' the commencement of her illness, she wept with grief at the thought of leaving me and the children; but was afterwards enabled to give all up, frequently observing-What God does must be right.' Although the enemy of souls tempted her much; yet was she more than conqueror through the blood of the Lamb.

"During the last two or three weeks, she could say but very little; yet when able to speak, her expressions were those of rejoicing in God her Saviour, and of longing to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better, and these were co-mingled with prayer to be kept from impatience while waiting until her change should come. Three days before her death, she said to me with difficulty, 'What is the matter with me? Send for Mr. R- (her medical adviser). I can't see my speech seems gone-my breath is going. How strangely I feel! Am I dying?' To which, on my replying Yes, my dear,' she exclaimed, 'O how happy! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

Still more plainly, Jesus show thyself! Thou hast me altogether. I am enabled to give up all to thee. My dear husband and my children, I shall soon be in heaven, singing Hallelujah; and I can sing it even now.' She then in a strong and clear voice repeatedly sung, Hallelujah! adding, 'What a mercy! None but Jesus now! There's the crown. O how beautiful, how splendid with diamonds! What a delightful place! I will sing better in heaven; yes,'-when her voice failed her. I wept and rejoiced; and felt that it was a privileged scene, 'Quite on the verge of heaven.'

"My beloved wife lingered until Tuesday, the 26th of October, 1847: when, without a struggle or a sigh, she fell asleep in Jesus, in the twenty-ninth year of her age. She left four children, but the youngest has since died.

"Peace! 'tis the Lord Jehovah's hand
That blasts our joys in death;
Changes the visage once so dear,
And gathers back the breath.'"

W. FORD.

RECENT DEATHS.

DIED at Liverpool, October 27th, 1847, aged seventy-seven, Jane Symcock, of Chester. Our departed Sister was awakened and brought to God when upwards of sixty years of age, and had been a consistent and devoted Member for fifteen years. Her last illness was short, and alleviated by the enjoyment of Divine consolation. To the Rev. T. W. Ridley, who visited her, she stated that her confidence in God was unshaken, her mind calm, and her entire trust in the great atonement. Her end was peace.

P. C.

Sel

MARY ROBERTS departed this life on the 9th of November, 1847, aged seventyseven. She had been a Member of our Society in Chester many years, and from the period of her first connexion with the Church, her deportment was exemplary. Her piety was ardent; her disposition cheerful, affectionate, and amiable. dom has it been my lot to witness the sorrows and infirmities of old age, sustained with such cheerful resignation to the will of God. Without a single attendant, exceedingly feeble in body and poor in circumstances, she retained her confidence and spirituality. Her last affliction was somewhat protracted, and she often expressed a desire to depart, exclaiming, "Come Lord Jesus, and come quickly." Death was disarmed of its terrors. She advanced into the gloomy valley without fear, and died commending her spirit to the mercy of God.

P. C.

Her

DIED at Shelton, November 27th, 1847, Sabina Maria Bate, aged twenty years. Her illness was sanctified to the salvation of her soul. During its progress she prayed earnestly for mercy, and at length obtained a sense of forgiveness through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. evidence of the favour of God was remarkably clear, and her joy was almost ecstatic. She held fast her confidence, and rejoiced in God her Saviour until the end. Her last words were, "Glory, glory, glory." P. J. W.

DIED at Rochdale, December 6th, 1847, George Butterworth, aged twenty-six