Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

God were shut against him, until about noon, when some young Christian friends persuaded him to go with them into a plantation near at hand; and there, in the exercise of faith, he was enabled to rejoice in a sin-pardoning God. During the whole of this struggle he had taken no food; and he was at length so weak as to be unable to walk home without support.

The

Thus began his religious course. songs of Zion became at once his employment and recreation, heightening all his delights. His confidence in the atoning sacrifice of Christ was unfaltering; and his references to it in prayer were constant, and indicative of reverent appreciation of its merits. He fed on his crucified Redeemer, and proved that His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed. No wonder, therefore, that he grew and flourished in the courts of our God. Nor was he at all afraid that the world should know what Master

he served. Not that he courted observation; for modesty was a prominent feature of his deportment.

His last illness was lingering, and he suffered much. But for life or death he left all to God. On the last Saturday of his life he asked a neighbour if she would see George Lamb,-an aged leader, who was then very near the end of his pilgrimage, -and was told that, if

he had a message, she would take it. He then said, "Tell him it is not likely we shall see each other again in this world; but we are sure to meet in heaven." George died the next morning, and Robert on the Tuesday following; so that they were not long divided.

The closing scene was evidently nigh, and he seemed pleasurably to anticipate its approach. On the Sunday morning, being told that his aged friend was gone, he replied, "And I am ready, waiting:

'Our conflicts here will soon be past,
And you and I ascend at last,

Triumphant with our Head."" Again: "I have not sung much for many weeks past; but I shall soon sing again." "It was replied, "You will 'sing more sweet, more loud; and Christ will be your song." "Yes," said he, "that is the theme." He further asked several in the room to promise to meet him in heaven; to which they replied, "We will." May they remember their solemn pledge, and have grace to redeem it! A few hours before his dissolution he said, "I have seen Jesus and the angels;" and asked his wife and mother if they could not see the chariots and horsemen standing ready WILLIAM SHEARMAN.

to receive him?

RECENT DEATHS.

JUNE 19th, 1862.--At Gloucester, Mr. Alfred Jones, a native of Stoke, Staffordshire. He was early in life taken to the house of God, and at sixteen experienced saving conversion. Anxious to be useful, he soon became a Local preacher, and with little interruption continued in that work of faith until the close of life. His attachment to the principles of Wesleyan Methodism, though more than once severely tested, never wavered. As a Circuitsteward he consulted alike the comfort of the ministers and the interests of the people; while to his brethren, the Local preachers, he was affectionate and faithful. By kindness and catholicity of spirit, he won general confidence and esteem. His end was affectingly sudden. On Sunday, the 15th of June, he preached on the "faithful saying;" on the Wednesday following he was seized with apoplexy, and in twentyfour hours ceased to live. The last words he was heard to articulate were, "I am in the hands of God." T. 0.

Sept. 13th.-At Warwick, near Carlisle, Mr. Mitford Atkinson. He was born at Kirkby-Stephen, Westmorland, in 1790.

Early convinced of sin, but having no spiritual advisers, he remained in a state of mental disquietude for three years. Light at length dawned upon his soul; and, relinquishing all human merit, he trusted in Him who came "to seek and to save that which was lost." He subsequently became a Local preacher and was recommended for the ministry; but social difficulties interfered. About this time he married the daughter of a clergyman, and went to reside in Carlisle; where for several years he honourably fulfilled the offices of leader, District-treasurer of the Children's Fund, and trustee for several chapels. Business engagements causing him to travel through different parts of Cumberland, Westmorland, Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, he was well known in these counties, as an original and successful preacher. When the Society in Carlisle was almost wrecked, he was the only leader in the city who stood firm. His last affliction was protracted, but peaceful; and at length his spirit gently escaped to enter upon the sabbatic rest of heaven. Ꭺ.

[blocks in formation]

Circuit, Mrs. Trout, aged ninety-two. Convinced of sin in the year 1795, while exposed to a thunderstorm, she promptly abandoned her worldly ways; and soon she rejoiced in Christ Jesus. From that time, to her death, she was deemed a fine pattern of cheerful obedience to her Lord. A retentive memory, and a love of the Bible and the Hymn-Book, caused her converse during the last few years to consist mainly of "psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs." When paralysis had partially deprived her of the power of speech, the words which escaped her were such as "Jesus salvation-heaven." M. R.

[blocks in formation]

was soon fully employed in that important work on the Lord's day; generally preaching three times, and travelling over many miles. In this department of service his labours were both acceptable and useful. The grace of God was meanwhile seen in his life and conversation, producing in him meekness and gentleness, honesty and integrity, and those fruits of the Spirit which dignify and adorn the Christian. His affliction was lingering and painful; but God sustained him. After he had patiently endured he received the promise, and was taken to his rest in heaven. G. R.

Nov. 12th.-At Witney, Mr. John Early, sen., in his eightieth year. Forty years of his active life were devoted to God; during the whole of which period he was the chief stay and support of Methodism in his native town. Christian kindness, love of peace, loyalty to the cause of God, unostentatious liberality, catholicity of spirit, and resignation to the Divine will, were some of the most prominent features of his character. Of late years, he suffered loss of sight, and manifold infirmities; but in all these depressing circumstances he was graciously supported; and, while flesh and heart failed, God was the strength of his heart, and his portion for ever. In his last illness he was often very happy; praising God, speaking of the precious blood of Jesus, and quoting the promises of God's word, and a favourite couplet of a well-known hymn,

"And lead me to the mount above,

Through the low vale of humble love." Several times, when asked, "Have you any doubts!" he replied, "O no! I feel that heaven is my home." E.

Dee. 1st.-At Hull, Mr. John Richardson, aged eighty-two,-"an old disciple." To his mother's influence and prayers he attributed, under God, his conversion at the age of fourteen. She was the first to introduce Methodism into Aldbro', Holderness, and was long remembered by the old people

of the district as a zealous and useful Christian. Her son lived to see his children and children's children engaged with him in the service of God. His religion was of an active kind. In prayer-meetings, lovefeasts, &c., his voice was often heard; and in leading two large classes he was many years made very useful. As a trustee, he was concerned, in 1813, in the erection of Waltham-street chapel, and, in 1840, of Great-Thorntonstreet chapel. He was, in all circumstances, a constant supporter of Methodist doctrine and discipline. And truly he enjoyed his religion; it beated from his very countenance. In prayer he was remarkable. At his place of business, in his closet,-before going to the sanctuary, and, indeed, commonly before leaving his house, he was wont earnestly to seek God's blessing. ful during the night, was frequently heard. of age came upon him, more conspicuously. To the last day of his life, he never permitted prayer to be offered without bowing his knees before God, though this had become a tedious and difficult effort. His great characteristic was thankfulness. Many years he was extremely deaf: yet he never failed, when able, to be in his place at the hour of worship. While waiting for his change, he was anxious to derive benefit from the discipline to which he was subjected; and his profiting appeared to all. At last he suddenly fell asleep, and woke to be with Christ for ever. R.

When he was wakehis song of praise When the infirmities his graces shone the

Dec. 20th.-At North-Lopham, near Diss, Mrs. Beales, aged thirty-nine. She was awakened in 1843, at a week-evening service, under a sermon preached by the Rev. John Drake. Shortly after, in her own house, at noon, she found peace with God. She continued to walk in the light of God's countenance, and adorned her profession. Her illness was short, and she had to struggle with the powers of darkness. But her last day was one of sunshine and victory. "I believe," she said, "that Jesus died for me: Yes, I do believe that Jesus died for me.' 19 And again,-

"For me my elder brethren stay,
And angels beckon me away,
And Jesus bids me come,"-

several times repeating,

"Jesus bids me come."

With these words on her lips, her spirit returned unto God who gave it. E. E.

Dec. 26th.-At Winterton, near Bartonon-Humber, in the thirty-ninth year of his age, and the fifteenth of his ministry, the Rev. Francis T. Tranmer. He early became a member of the church, and walked in the fear of God; but in his journal he speaks of his conversion as having taken place at the age of seventeen. From that time he appears to have rejoiced in an assurance of the pardoning love of God; and, with this, a conviction arose in his mind that it was his duty to

He

preach the gospel of salvation. He was a man of deep piety, and of unostentatious manners; and an affectionate pastor. Toward the close of last November, having been overtaken by rain on a Sabbath spent in the country, he appears to have taken cold from preaching in his wet clothes. became languid, and visited Scarborough, hoping to be benefited by his native air; but returned without any improvement. When he was able to speak, his brief remarks and prayers were such as to afford great consolation to his sorrowing family and friends. On being asked, a little before his departure, to hold up his hand if he felt Christ precious, he instantly raised both hands; and then his ransomed spirit passed away into an everlasting rest. W. D. G.

January 6th, 1863.-At Market-Rasen, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Glew, in her forty-first year. In 1848 she became the subject of saving grace. From that period to her death she was a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. The various societies in this town for the relief of distress, and the extension of the Saviour's kingdom, have lost in her an active and useful member. "The heart of her husband safely trusted in her." During her affliction all her expressions indicated a low opinion of herself, but exalted views of the fulness and sufficiency of the Saviour. her favourite lines were,

"In my hand no price I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling."

Some of

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Jan. 12th. At Stafford, in the eightyfourth year of her age, Mrs. Sarah Jones, relict of the late William Jones, Esq. From a record preserved in her family, it appears that she received her first token of churchmembership, in 1803, from the hands of the Rev. John Barber, then stationed in Burslem; who occasionally, at the earnest request of a small band of disciples, visited Stafford. From that date she continued, during sixty years, a member of the Wesleyan Society. She sustained the office of teacher in the first Sabbath-school in the same town. It was her constant anxiety to train up her numerous family "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" and she had eventually the gratification of knowing that they and

their children were walking in the fear of God. She was retiring in her habits, and distinguished by "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit;" but it afforded her great pleasure to minister to the servants of her Lord. She was exemplarily assiduous in her attentions to her husband during years of painful affliction. Ere yet the infirmities of age had precluded her attendance on the means of grace, she decidedly expressed in her class her feeling that Jesus Christ was made to her "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Of late, though at times troubled with doubts and fears, she was prepared to receive the precious promises of Scripture, and she again and again expressed her assurance of an interest in the blood of Christ. A few days before her death she called upon those about her not only to read, but to sing, the 73d hymn,

"Away with our sorrow and fear," &c. And at length, with a countenance beautifully placid, she escaped to another and a better state. J. S. T.

Jan. 28th.-At Chacewater, in the Truro Circuit, Mr. Richard Benney, aged fortythree. At the age of fourteen, he gave his heart to God. As a Local preacher, for twenty-six years, he was received with the greatest acceptance. The Bible, Missionary, and Tract Societies owed much of their efficiency at Chacewater to him. He was a man of sound judgment, deep piety, amiable disposition, catholic spirit, and uncompromising principle. In him the church has lost one of its most efficient leaders, and one who was looked up to for counsel. One of his last public acts was to canvass the parish, in company with the clergyman, on behalf of the Lancashire distressed poor, and no mean joy it afforded him to meet with a liberal response. His illness was but of six days' duration. But death found him ready to meet his God. While the Rev. G. L. Church was engaged in prayer with him, he expressed his thanks that God had blessed him so abundantly, and made him so eminently useful. When the prayer was ended, Mr. Benney took Mr. Church by the hand, and said, "If I have been able to do any good, I am thankful; but I trust only -yes, only-in the merits of Christ my Saviour." At another time he said, "I have been searching for my sins. They have been very numerous; but I can find As his end approached, he was constantly saying, "O beautiful valley O lovely music!" Just before he exchanged worlds, the friends sang at his request, while he too joined,

none now."

"Soon shall I learn the' exalted strains
Which echo through the heavenly plains;
And emulate, with joy unknown,
The glowing seraphs round the throne."

J. W.

[merged small][graphic][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »