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was convinced of sin under the Wesleyan ministry, and became a member of the church in 1834. In the midst of painful opposition she perseveringly maintained her holy profession, never shrinking from the In the performance of family-worship. training of her only child, and in rebuking evil-doers, the mildness and firmness of her For many character beautifully appeared. years her house was open to the ambassadors of Christ; and one of her last labours of love was in behalf of a larger chapel in Tuxford. -She had long been feeble, and toward the close of life she suffered much, but without murmuring. Some of her last words were, "I did not think that dying would be thus: C. P. all is light. I am on the Rock."

August 10th.-At Bolton, Mary Anne, the beloved wife of Thomas Taylor, Esq. Very early in life she was brought to the knowledge of her Saviour; and was thus prepared for a life of Christian activity, and From the patient endurance of suffering.

first she was a decided and consistent Christian; displaying much of the meekness and lowliness of her Lord. She was a fine instance of combined liberality of sentiment and strict rectitude, of womanly gentleness and strength. Her Christian fortitude, daily renewed at the throne of grace, comforted the hearts of those who watched her decline; until, in answer to her last and earnest prayer, "patience" had "her perfect work." The last few weeks of her life were passed in a state of unconsciousness; which became so complete as to prevent all intercourse with friends, and was broken only by her entrance into the "fulness of life," and perfect "communion of saints." "The heart of her husband did safely trust in her;" and "her children arise up, and call her blessed." J. M.

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August 15th. Near Spalding, aged eighty-one, Mrs. Cotton. Forty-three years ago, under the ministry of the Rev. John Lewis, who had just returned from NovaScotia, her heart was fixed to serve the Lord. Having found peace with God through faith in Christ, she pursued a course of humble and obedient love to the end. In age and feebleness, she fell down in her bed-room, about fifteen weeks before her death, and broke her leg. She bore patiently the consequent sufferings, and submissively longed for her release, that she might "go home, and dwell with Jesus." She died in peace, and passed to the land of the blessed. R. T.

August 25th.-At Bramley, Mr. John Lupton, aged seventy. Converted to God in early life, he was for more than half a century a member of the Methodist Society, and for forty years a gifted and useful leader;during which period he frequently sustained other offices of trust and responsibility. By unbending integrity in his commercial transactions, and by virtues in the domestic circle, and in the church, he won the esteem of

many. The nature of his last affliction pre-
vented much conversation; but his friends
are cheered by the assurance that he had
long been maturing for the heavenly state,
and that he now shares the blessedness of
the servant whom the Lord when He cometh
shall find watching. His latest testimony
was, "All is right-all is well.-I am going
to heaven!"
J. P. L.

August 27th.-At Pendleton, in the Irwell-street Circuit, Manchester, Florence Appleyard, who was born in the village of Balcarry, Somersetshire, May, 1788. When seventeen years old, she obtained salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, under the teaching of the Methodist ministry. In 1813 she became the wife of the Rev. John Appleyard, with whom she lived lovingly until 1826, when he died. Many years of her widowhood were spent at Frome, where she was "well reported of for good works." She "brought up children," among whom is the Rev. J. W. Appleyard of Mount Coke, South Africa; she "relieved the afflicted," and "diligently followed every good work." On her removal from Frome, much of her opportunity for active work in the church ceased; but in more private life she attained by the grace of God a sweet maturity of Christian gentleness, and trust, and purity. The months of her last sickness were brightened with much thankfulness, and with delight in God. Her life closed with cheerful anticipations of the better life beyond death, wherein "He that sitteth on the throne" makes "all things new." G. O. B.

September 20th.-At Bramley, the Rev. James Allen, 1st. An early conversion to God was the commencement of a religious career which increased in beauty and power to the close of life. He received an early appointment as class-leader; an office well sustained by his grave and consistent bearing. He entered the ministry in 1806, and for forty-eight years discharged its duties with fidelity, acceptance, and success Among the fruit of his labours are several now occupying important stations in the church of Christ. In 1854 indications of failing health rendered retirement from fall work expedient; and during the last eight years he resided at Bramley, delighting to render such services as his remaining strength allowed: services which were performed with a zeal and efficiency most remarkable. Fidelity to Christ, and uncompromising attachment to the church of his choice, in combination with true catholicity of spirit, were prominent traits in his character. He had for some years consistently testified that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin;" and the last messenger found him calmly waiting, with girt loins and sandalled feet, for the coming of the Lord.-The few utterances which exhausted nature allowed were full of confidence and joy. His death was in beautiful keeping with a life of purity and love. J. P. L.

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WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1863.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN KEMP:

BY MR. JOHN STEELE.

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It is to be regretted that MR. KEMP kept no diary, and preserved no other record of his life and early labours. The particulars of his conversion were communicated to the writer a few weeks before his friend's death; and an intimate acquaintance, of forty years, during which a regular correspondence was maintained, has furnished the materials from which the following memoir has been compiled.

Mr. Kemp was born at Carthorp, a small village near Bedale, in the year 1777. His parents were in humble circumstances; who, having the fear of God before their eyes, endeavoured to train up their children in the way they should go. There is reason to believe that his father was led to seek religion through the instrumentality of an old man, a resident in the village, who had been awakened, while a soldier in the British army, under the powerful ministry of George Whitefield. On returning to his native place, this good man began to exhort his neighbours to flee from the wrath to come, and to tell them what great things the Lord had done for him. Among others to whom he was made a great blessing was the father of Mr. Kemp, in whose death there was ground for hope.

"The word of the Lord was precious in those days." There was in all that neighbourhood no evangelical preaching, no gospel vision. Gross darkness rested upon the minds of the people. Mr. Kemp attended the Church of England in the forenoon of the Lord's day; was, on the whole, outwardly blameless; but still remained ignorant of spiritual things. He was apprenticed to the business of a slater, and removed to Kirkby-Malzeard, a small town at a little distance from the place of his former abode. While there, during one of the annual "Feasts," he was invited to a Methodist prayer-meeting at Ringbeck, a neighbouring village; a meeting to be held with a view to counteract the evils connected with the mirthful occasion. He at first gave a flat refusal; but no sooner had he done this, than his conscience smote him. "These men are the servants of the most high God," said he, "sent to show me the way of salvation; and yet I refuse to hearken and go with them." Deep convictions seized him, and he resolved to go to the meeting. Yet, lest he should be seen, and called a Methodist, he waited till evening, that the gathering shades might cover him. Like Nicodemus of old, he at first "came to Jesus by night." This, how

VOL. IX.-FIFTH SERIES.

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ever, proved an important era in his religious history; and to it he ever afterwards referred, as the commencement of his heavenward journey. He broke off from his ungodly companions, connected himself with the Methodists, and began to seek mercy at the hands of God. His conviction for sin was deep; twelve or thirteen weeks he went forth "weeping, bearing precious seed." Still he persevered, and, like Jacob of old, cried, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." God heard and answered; brought the penitent up "out of the horrible pit, and out of the miry clay ;...put a new song in his mouth," which many afterwards heard him sing; "and established his goings."

Brought to the enjoyment of pardoning love, he went on his way rejoicing, holding fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end. Soon after his conversion, he began to labour in the vineyard of the Lord, by calling sinners to repentance. For a long time he could not be prevailed upon to take any higher rank than that of an exhorter, regarding that as his own province. He went out into the neighbouring villages, where there was a lamentable dearth of the means of grace. His beginning was very small; his appearance and dress, anything but clerical; his manner, plain; his talents, not of a very high order: yet his fervent zeal, added to simplicity and genuine piety, helped him through all; and his labours were owned and blessed of God. Encou raged by his Superintendent, he ventured to take a text, and became a Local preacher in the Ripon Circuit, which was at that time very extensive. When he had laboured in this capacity ten or eleven years, the late Rev. Daniel Jackson spoke to him on the subject of giving himself up to the ministry. He shrunk from a work so great and important, regarding himself as utterly incompetent. But there was an urgent want of labourers. Many Circuits could not be supplied with preachers. In such emergency he at length yielded, and left himself in the hands of God, and of the church. He was accepted by the Conference, and appointed in 1807 to Newtown, Wales. The journey was long; the facilities for travelling were very different from those of our time; and his means were scanty. But, having bid farewell to all his early friends, he went forth, with his scrip on his back and his staff in his hand, to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom. The Circuit was very laborious, walks were long, roads bad, and privations many; but an ardent, selfdenying zeal bore him up above all. At the risk of his life, he crossed rivers, and encountered dangers from which others shrunk, rather than disappoint a congregation. God gave him favour in the eyes of the people, and crowned his labours with success. He was invited, and he consented, to remain a second year.

His next station was Aberdeen. Notwithstanding the distance, he performed a great part of the journey on foot; the Circuit being too poor to bear his travelling expenses, and he being unwilling to burden the Contingent Fund. In Scotland, as in Wales, he was "in labours more abundant." On one occasion, having to attend a DistrictMeeting forty miles distant, he set off on foot, and halted not, even for refreshment by the way, till he had accomplished his herculean task. His constitution at that time, and for some years following,

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