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From all quarters, tributes of respect to the memory of the departed began now to be poured. The newspaper-press of his native town, South-Shields, and of Hull, where he had resided during the greater part of his life; the captain, to whom he had been apprenticed for seven years, with whom he afterwards served eight years as chief mate, and who was, mainly, the instrument of his conversion; the Port of Hull Society, of whose committee he was an active member, and in whose meetings, though so diffi dent, he was always acceptable; the class-leaders, with whom he had delighted to meet when on shore; and the Methodists of Hull, who crowded to hear his funeral sermon ;-all hastened to testify their high respect for his character, and their deep sympathy with his bereaved family. But, as might have been expected, the most affecting testimonies to his worth were borne by those who had either sailed with him on shipboard, or witnessed his zeal for God on foreign shores. One of the latter class deserves to be quoted, both for the sake of the confirmation it gives to the accuracy of the preceding sketch, and for the evidence it affords of the catholic spirit of the writer. The Rev. H. M'Swiney, chaplain at Cronstadt,-to which port it is believed Captain Heron sailed more frequently than to any other,-under date May 17-29, 1861, wrote thus to the disconsolate widow :-" If ever man was ready to meet his God, your husband was ready. His deep, consistent piety, his Christian charity, were known and universally respected. He was looked upon here as the best of us all; and most conscientiously do I believe he merited that opinion."

No monumental marble can be erected to mark the spot where the ashes of this Christian sailor repose; nor can even the date of his death be correctly ascertained. But that his spirit has been received into the safety and blessedness of the separate state, and that his body shall be raised in glory, when "the sea shall give up the dead that are in her," no one doubts who knew him and believes the Bible.

JOHN W. GREEVES.

DIED, at Allendale, Northumberland, May 2d, 1861, MR. JOHN LOWERY. He was born at Allenheads, in August, 1800. His early life was favoured with but few intellectual or religious advantages, and he grew up ignorant, worldly, and careless, with the multitude. constitutional reserve and self-control,

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however, kept him from profligacy; and he never so far lost his desire for the ap proval of the world as to throw off the restraints of propriety. He regarded religion as a respectable institution to be occasionally honoured, but not as a law of life to be always obeyed. With such opinions and feelings he passed forty years of his life; growing wiser in worldly knowledge, and developing more than common shrewdness in business; but remaining, in unsuspecting quies. cence, the victim of deep delusion con. cerning his highest interests. usually attended the Church of England; and despised "the people called Metho dists" with more than ordinary intensity. The doctrine of conversion he reckoned to be the most absurd article in the creed of fanaticism, and he forbade all over whom he had control to listen to the teaching of those who held such a notion. Notwithstanding this opposition, it pleased God, by the instrumentality of Methodist preaching, to bring the wife of Mr. Lowery under conviction of sin, and then to a knowledge of sal vation. This was in the year 1844. He soon perceived the outward indications of the change which she had experienced; and, from unseen causes, himself became the subject of deep spiritual anxiety. He was persuaded to attend the means of grace which had been blessed to his wife's conversion; and, after some struggles with prejudice and pride, he was found an humble suppliant at the throne of grace. He received Christ in all simplicity. He was enabled to accept the Gospel with a singular clearness and certainty of faith, which gave firmness to his subsequent experience, and became the foundation of the superior earnest ness and diligence which marked his Christian career. He felt that the great truths and facts of religion, to which in former days he had been strangely blind, demanded all his attention and devotion. In this spirit he began to attend the Sabbath-school, where he found attractive and congenial occupation, which he pursued with unwearied zeal and love till affliction and death separated him from it. Having been appointed to the office of Leader, he entered upon its duties with fear and trembling, but discharged them with persevering and conscientious thorough ness. His class grew in numbers; and his own decisive, punctual habits sensibly impressed those under his care. For several years he served the church as Society and Circuit Steward; and though sometimes sternly resolute on

points of minor importance, impatient under opposition, and affected in judgment by a narrowness contracted from early associations, yet he was "found faithful," attending to the secular matters of the church in a spiritual disposition, and willingly consecrating time and substance to the service which he regarded as his dignity and joy. In August, 1857, his labours were interrupted by an attack of paralysis. When he partially recovered strength, the warning of a sudden and serious seizure was not lost. He "set" his "house in order," and afresh prepared for eternity. In three following years the graces of religion flourished more plentifully in his soul. "Rough places" were "made plain," and "the crooked" became "straight," as the day of the Lord drew nigh. On Friday, April

26th, 1861, leaving home early, and apparently in usual health, he went to his place of business, where he had been but a few moments when he was once more stricken with paralysis; and, after a week of suffering, during which he was conscious but speechless, he departed to his endless reward.

His history suggests, that the "Lord of the vineyard" deigns sometimes to employ those who have stood "idle" most of the day; and that we should not despair of ignorant or prejudiced manhood:

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- for He who converted Saul of Tarsus can transform bitter opponents of the truth into favoured instruments of grace and mercy; and the very elements of nature which give stubbornness and pertinacity in vice, may, under better influences, become the framework of a robust and resolute virtue. W. F. S.

RECENT DEATHS.

APRIL 2d, 1862.-Jane, the beloved wife of W. Hewby, Esq., of Ripon. Having the advantage of early religious training, she feared the Lord from her youth, and maintained to the end a steadfast attachment to His cause and people. She devoted herself to make home loved and happy, and in this was eminently successful. She delighted in reading the Scriptures, and in secret prayer; and her profiting by these, as well as by other religious exercises, was clearly apparent. Her life of peaceful and unassuming piety was crowned with a blessed end. Throughout a protracted affliction she experienced the sustaining power of religion, and her latest moments were moments of serenity and joy. E. B. W.

Nov. 12th.-At Comberbach, near Northwich, Mr. Thomas Bagaley, aged sixty-seven. He was brought to a saving knowledge of Christ about thirty-four years ago, under the ministry of the Rev. James Fowler, and joined the Society at Middlewich.

He was

a man of sound religious experience, and upright conduct; of a quiet and retiring spirit; fond of the company and conversation of ministers and Christian friends, on their visits to his hospitable home. Through the last year his health gradually declined; and daring two months he was seen only by the members of his family. A few days before his death he sent a message to his aged sister, expressing a blessed hope of meeting her in heaven.

T. A.

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hours before her departure, while joining in prayer with her venerable mother, she obtained a large measure of the Holy Spirit, which raised her into a holy triumph. "All is well. Happy! happy!" were some of her last words. This was the early close of a devoted life. When but ten years of age, she sought and found the peace of God. Her note of admittance into the church bears the signature of her venerable father, on whom she had the privilege of waiting, during his last days, with exemplary tenderness. Her religious character was one of marked decision, and her life one of selfdenying zeal. Many young friends, to whom she was much endeared, have, since her death, found their way to Christ. May they be followers of her through life, and "inherit the promises" with her in glory. J. P.

Dec. 15th.-At Dundee, Jane Taylor. She was amiable in her temper, and ardent in piety; an example in her attendance at class, though often in great bodily weakness, In her last sickness, she lived in the spirit of prayer, and in humble dependence on the atonement of Christ. She enjoyed a blessed sense of the Divine presence, and was often unutterably happy. A few hours before her departure, she was sorely buffeted by the adversary. Prayer was made, Satan was vanquished, and this last assault was succeeded by a holy and glorious triumph. Thus died a young Christian, in her twentyfourth year.

"Yet these, new rising from the tomb, With lustre brighter far shall shine;

Revive with ever-during bloom,

Safe from diseases and decline."

R. H.

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Jan. 8th, 1863.-At Dundee, James Robertson. Although a working man, he had paid considerable attention to the cultivation of his mind; and his attainments were very respectable. He was, however, deeply prejudiced against Methodism and its peculiar means of grace, till, lately, by God's blessing, the blameless and consistent deportment of his truly pious wife was the means of breaking up his prejudices. He began regularly to attend the chapel, and about twelve months ago found peace with God through faith in Christ. Hopes were entertained that his would be a long and useful career; but disease soon marked him for its prey. In his last sickness, he enjoyed undisturbed confidence in his Father God, and a blissful tranquillity of mind. The night before he died, he requested a few friends to sing, "Now I have found the ground," &c. It was a deeply affecting occasion. The presence of God filled the room. R. H.

Jan. 15th.-At Barton-on-Humber, aged sixty-three, Ann, wife of Mr. John Huntsman. A sermon preached by the Rev. John Beecham, then the junior minister in this his first Circuit, appears to have led to her personal conversion. She joined the church of God, and for nearly forty-six years continued one of its steadfast members. She loved the Saviour, and delighted in His worship and service, although for some years after her marriage distance from the house of God, and feeble health, often prevented her attendance on the public ordinances. Her husband having a few months since retired from his farm, and come to reside at Barton, she gladly availed herself of the spiritual privileges there afforded. She was

at the chapel three times on the first Sabbath in the present year, including the Covenant Service and the Lord's Supper; but was taken ill the next day. From the first she had a presentiment of approaching dissolution; but she expressed her resignation to the will of God. Death, she said, was not to her the king of terrors; but Christ was precious. After severe mortal suffering, while surrounded by an attached family, she calmly slept in Jesus. W. D. G.

Jan. 20th.-At the residence of his parents, Thirsk, the Rev. T. H. Holyday, of St. Neots, in the twenty-third year of his age, and the second of his ministry. He was a young man of most amiable disposition; was deeply pious, and much devoted to his blessed work.

During an affliction of three months, he was graciously supported from on high, and at times had abundant peace. He frequently said, "All is well;" and "All is right." When near his end, he exclaimed, "Christ is precious; never more so." Mr. Holyday has left behind him a fragrant example. R. M.

Jan. 21st.-At Wakefield, in her eightieth year, Ann, relict of the Rev. William Leach. She lost both parents before her twelfth year; but their God was the Guide of her

youth. In very early life the Spirit strove with her, and, in her nineteenth year she became fully decided. Naturally timid, she too often kept the sorrows of her heart to herself, and mourned in private, when the advice of experience and friendship might have opened her eyes to the devices of Satan, and the privileges of the children of God. But, resolute and persevering, she at length obtained the blessing she sought, and rejoiced in the peace of God. Nearly sixty years she walked in the light, and was "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." She sustained the office of leader in several Circuits, with fidelity and love. Her last illness was short, and comparatively free from suffering. Her mind was kept in perfect peace,"resting continually," as she said, "on the bosom of her loving Saviour." Her faculties were strong and clear to the last; and her well-stored memory supplied passages of Divine truth, and of our incomparable hymns, for her comfort and support. "Jesu, Lover of my soul," and "Rock of ages," with many others, were most ap propriately expressive of her feelings. While earnestly longing to depart and be with Christ, she manifested no symptom of impatience. "Why do Thy chariot-wheels so long delay! No longer than is needful, Lord, delay!" Not even the shadow of a cloud crossed the horizon. "I come quickly," she said; "Lord, come and meet me." On receiving a little wine, she repeated twice, "I shall soon drink it new in my Father's house above." Her spirit escaped to the realms of everlasting day, while she was in a peaceful slumber. E..L

Jan, 23d.-At Hull, after a long and painful affliction, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. William Abbey, aged forty-six. More than twenty-five years she was a consistent member of the church,-first at Toddington, near Dunstable, and afterwards in HullWest. She thoroughly enjoyed religion, and adorned the doctrine of Christ by her habitual cheerfulness. While in the possession of health, she diligently endeavoured to do good; and was especially useful in connexion with the Benovolent Society. Many months of extreme feebleness preceded her death; and during this period her soul was often cast down. A painful sense of her own unworthiness drove her at times almost to despondency. But, on the Sabbath before her death, she rose wonder fully above her weakness: doubt and fear fled away, and she rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. She exhorted all who saw her to live to Him, prayed fervently for her husband and children, and responded joy fully to the prayers which her husband offered on her behalf. At her request the family attempted to sing, "Rock of ages; and, when their voices failed, she sang akne the praise of her Redeemer. She lingered until Friday, and then died in peace. C. H. F.

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