breaking, the happy spirit peacefully passed to the rest of heaven. 'He sets as sets the morning star, which goos Not down behind the darken'd west, nor among the tempests of the sky; But melts away into the light of heaven." W. J. H. January 15th, 1865.-At Hedon, in the Patrington Circuit, in the fifty-second year of her age, Mrs. Martha Webster, widow of the late Mr. Francis Webster. She was of Wesleyan parentage, and feared the Lord from her youth. In early life she became a member of the Methodist Society, and employed herself in various ways, as she had opportunity, for the good of others. For several years before her death she was called to suffer frequent and painful affliction; but would still, when occasionally able, go out to visit the poor and afflicted around her. She was not afraid to die, but cheerfully signed to the will of God, and quite happy athe hope of heaven. Thus peacefully, in the faith of Christ, she somewhat suddenly departed this life, to rejoin those she loved in the presence of her Saviour in a sinless and enduring world. A. L. January 22d.-Mr. Thomas Austin, of Keele, in the Newcastle-under-Lyme Circuit, was born in the parish of Madeley, Staffordshire, in 1788. He obtained the remission of his sins, in a field, forty-eight years ago, and maintained a consistent membership with the Methodist church to the end of his course. He was a diligent and faithful classleader for forty-four years. His devotion to the canse of Christ was unremitting and self-sacrificing. Though only occupying the position of a farm-labourer, by industry and frugality he was enabled to contribute largely to religious objects. Soon after his conversion to God he built a small chapel at his own expense. He was a contributor to the funds of the Missionary Society, by gifts which, though the savings of hard toil, might have indicated considerable wealth. About eighteen months before his death he was seized with paralysis; but such was his attachment to the house of God, that, by the kind assistance of his friends, he was in his place Sabbath after Sabbath, until he joined the sanctified above. He died, as he had lived, resting on Christ. J. H. was never wilfully neglected, nor would she retire to rest until after family prayer. Sho loved the house of God, and always endeavoured to be in her place before the service commenced. When very young she had great pleasure in attending the Sundayschool, and on becoming a teacher laboured diligently to impart spiritual knowledge to February 2d.-At Boston-Spa, in the Tadcaster Circuit, aged sixteen years, those who were committed to her care. She had for a long time anticipated an early death, and looked forward to it with a joyous hope of soon entering heaven. Her affliction was very severe, but she never murmured. Patience had its "perfect work" in her. On awaking one morning in great pain she said, Elizabeth Buck trout, daughter of Mr. R. Buck trout. She was converted on the 29th of January, 1860, when eleven years of ago For several days she experienced great temptation as to the reality of the change; "O what are all my sufferings here, When near the closing scene, her father February 5th.-At York, in the seventyfirst year of his age, the Rev. William Robson. He was converted to God in the nineteenth year of his age; and, after being employed in various departments of usefulness, he at length felt it on his heart to offer himself to the work of the ministry. He commenced his duties as a Wesleyan minister in the year 1821, and for a period of thirty-four years fulfilled the duties of his sacred calling with diligence, fidelity, and judgment. As a preacher, he was plain, earnest, practical, and thoroughly evangelical, "always giving prominence to those leading and vital doctrines of the Gospel which peculiarly distinguished the original Methodist preachers." As a pastor, he was faithful, kind, and respectful, and generally succeeded in his efforts to promote the peace, prosperity, and edification of the Societies that were committed to his charge. He retired from the full work of the ministry in the year 1855, and from that period to the time of his death resided in York, where he found many kind friends, and, according to his strength, ample opportunities of usefulness. He never fully recovered from the effects of an accident which occurred to him while in the Driffield Circuit. It entailed upon him years of feebleness and suffering, and in all probability, shortened his days of active service; yet in all this he cheerfully acquiesced in the will of God. The night before his death he exclaimed, "Nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ nothing in heaven, nothing on Shortly before he bat by faith she overcame, and her happy earth, nothing in hell!" ecantenance, beaming with joy, manifested passed away, he looked up steadfastly into the fact to whispered, "They are come, they are come!" and then quietly and triumphantly exchanged mortality for life. T. R. " Her February 5th.-At Trethnall, Mrs. Major, sister to the late Rev. Richard Robarts, in the eighty-fifth year of her age, after sixty-four years of membership with the Wesleyan church. A frequent reference to this estimable woman is found in the life of her brother, written by the late Rev. William Toase. In her early life she was subjected to much opposition for her union with the Methodist church; but she "endured patiently, as seeing Him who is invisible.' Through life she walked before the church, the world, and her family, with an upright heart. Great decision of character marked the whole of her career. attachment to the doctrine, discipline, and ordinances of the Wesleyan church was strong and undying. She was "jealous, for the Lord of Hosts'" sake, for every apparent departure from the primitive simplicity of our fathers. She would often quote the saying of the Rev. R. Treffry, sen., "If religion has not made you singular it has done nothing for you.' "What concord hath Christ with Belial? (2 Cor. vi. 15.) The last few years of her life she was cut off from the public ordinances of God's house; but her confident hope and peace with God never fled. She would frequently remark, "I have nothing to recommend me to God but Christ's righteousness. This is all my hope: here I rest; all is grace. I have no merit to plead ; but much unfaithfulness to confess." In this state of mind I found her during three years of pastoral intercourse. Her last affliction was brief, and the tabernacle was gently taken down. During the last few days she often expressed her confidence in God. Just as the spirit took its flight, she was heard to whisper "Happy! happy!" One of her sons said, "Are you happy, mother?" She looked as if surprised, which seemed to say, "Can you doubt it?" but the tongue had lost its cunning. The spirit had passed to realize that for which she lived, suffered, and believed. Her children, and her children's children, "rise up, and call her blessed." J. W. February 11th.-At Stroud, in the eightyfourth year of her age, Mrs. West, "amother in Israel," having been a class-leader fifty years, and a visiter of the sick poor forty years. When about twenty years of age, she was convinced of sin. The cheerful and consistent piety of an elder sister served to strengthen her impression in favour of a life of devotion to God. Pride in dress, and a degree of vanity on account of her personal appearance, prevented her for some time from coming to the Saviour. Discovering the hindrance, she humbled herself before God, and under a sermon by the late Rev. J. Heaton, from Isaiah xii. 1, she was filled with peace and joy. From this time to the end of life, a period of sixty-three years, she enjoyed the Divine favour. She early commenced reading books suited to promote her growth in religious knowledge, and to prepare her for future usefulness. Before coming to Stroud she was much perplexed as to which was her right path. Meeting with the following lines, she was relieved and blessed : "Let Thy bright cloud point out my way, Show when to go, and when to stay, And fix the bounds of my abode, Where I may glorify my God." The beneficial effect of her example, conver sation, and labours in Stroud, for half a century, made it manifest that she had been led where she could glorify her God. In the year 1814 she was united in marriage to Mr. Charles Peaty. In 1828, having been for some time a widow, she became the wife of Mr. John West. Her piety was cheerful and constant. Her classes prospered, and her visits to the sick were valued. For a considerable time, she calmly waited for her change. As it drew near she said, "I know God will be with me.' "Jesus will not forsake me." Her departure was so tranquil, that the moment in which it took place could not be discerned. She fell asleep in Jesus. J. W. R. February 28th.-At Croft-West, Greenbottom, Mrs. Carvolth, aged sixty-two. In 1827 she was led to seek religion, while laid on a bed of affliction. On her recovery she at once united herself to the Wesleyan church and for thirty-eight years showed by an holy life the reality of the change experienced in affliction. Both in her single and in her marriage state, her zeal for God was great. Her husband writes, "while health continued she was the same earnest, prayerful, happy woman, ever striving to do good to the bodies and souls of all with whom she met." The last twenty years of her life she was greatly afflicted, and for ten years she was almost entirely deprived of the public means of grace. Though often suffering from great depression of spirit during her latter years, she never lost her hope in Christ. Turning to God in prayer she always found comfort. As her end drew near her sufferings were great she would cry out, "Lord, be pleased to take me, or take away the pain." In these seasons of pain she feared that she should not have dying grace. But in the midst of her fears she never lost her hold of the Saviour. "I can cling to Christ," she said: "Yes, to Christ's cross." Thus calmly trusting in her Lord, she passed to the rest of the skies. J. W. Often WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. JUNE, 1865. ATHANASIUS. III. MANIFOLD PERSECUTIONS. CONSTANTINE, a sincere patron of Christianity, indebted to Christ, as he believes, for a great victory, and who may now be considered as an inquisitive, yet not humble, catechumen, presumes to act as head of the church. Slighting the commandment of the Saviour whom he professes to adore, he, in reality, refuses to become a Christian by refusing to be baptized, since, in his own judgment, it will be more proper to wait until the close of life before accepting admission into the Christian church. His biographer tells us, indeed, that he read the Bible, and satisfied himself thereby concerning the Divine Person to whose favour he believed himself indebted for victory over Maxentius; but there is no trace in the Eusebian books, or in any fragment we have of the writings of the convert himself, of any higher motive than gratitude for success, and a natural desire to hold fast the advantages of conquest. This is the man who summoned the bishops of Christendom to assemble in his presence for the purpose of making peace between two hostile parties; and presided over this venerable assemblage with an ostentation of impartiality, the more easy as he was indifferent to the merits of the case, and ignorant of the importance of the subject. In that state of mind he readily sanctioned the act of the majority; but the result was anything but peace. Bishop Alexander and his young friend Athanasius return happily to Alexandria. From Alexandria Arius is banished,-banished by the Council because of heresy,-banished by the Emperor for the sake of peace. Eusebius of Nicomedia and Theognis of Nicæa are also banished on the same account. The bishops, in general, return to their homes, many of them soon to die, for they are aged and worn out; and all of them being separated by long distances, they who most need faithful counsel are debarred from communication with the wiser and more steadfast of their brethren. The friends of Arius, and the enemies of Athanasius, who had encountered him and his followers with extraordinary subtilty and energy when they came before the Council, are silent for a time. For themselves they resolve to make the best of their opportunity to advance their party; and Constantine, for his part, is already under their influence. Such being the state of things, VOL. XI.-FIFTH SERIES. 2 I |