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tion and by letter, her anticipation of the period when she should meet her sainted husband, her parents, and her children, before the throne of God. During her last illness she emphatically said, "My whole trust is in the atonement of my Redeemer. I have not joy, but peace." On the morning of the day on which she died, she remarked to her son, that she had been a member of the church of God above fifty years; during which time she had endeavoured to aim at the glory of God: but she repeated that all her trust was in Christ. The final summons was sudden. After taking tea, and conversing with her attendant, she lay down, and calmly, almost imperceptibly, breathed her spirit forth; ceasing to live on earth, that she might live with her Redeemer and Lord in a better world. W. L.

DIED, at Devonport, April 16th, 1862, in the faith and hope of the Gospel, MR. THOMAS RUTGER, aged eighty-three. He was born at Herningham, Wilts, about the year 1779. He lived thirty. five years before he manifested any concern for salvation. One who knew him long and intimately, and by whom he was highly esteemed, writes as follows:-Upwards of fifty years ago, I first knew Mr. Rutger. He was then gardener at Clowance, Cornwall-the seat of the late Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart......It was in 1814 that he first manifested a concern for his soul. In that year a great revival of religion took place in the neighbourhood, which spread over a considerable part of Cornwall; and thousands were brought out of darkness into God's "marvellous light." During this revival, Mr. Rutger for the first time attended the Methodist chapel; and great were our surprise and joy to see what a change for the better had come over him. He joined the Wesleyan Methodists, soon obtained a clear sense of the pardoning love of God, and went on his way rejoicing. Giving proof that he was born of the Spirit, he was soon invited to take an active part in prayer-meetings. A suitable person being wanted to take charge of a class, he was appointed to this office; and the members were greatly blessed and edified. After the lapse of some years, he had to leave Cornwall, and go into Hertfordshire, where his master had a seat. Sir John, desiring to promote a faithful servant, wished Mr. Rutger to reside with him as house-steward. Here, not finding any Methodists, he obtained the use of a barn at How

Green, where preaching was introduced. The word of the Lord had free course, and our friend had the pleasure of seeing a chapel erected where the barn had stood, and a flourishing Society formed. A few years later he had again to remove to Shorlgrove, Essex, which became the family-residence of Sir John. Newport was the nearest village, but it had no Methodist chapel or preaching. room. Here also a barn was obtained, and fitted up; preaching was introduced, a Society formed, and the Lord owned and blessed the efforts of His servant. After a few years Mr. Rutger had again to remove to Limegrove, near London. Here he found the people of his choice, and had sweet communion with them, until the death of his honoured master, in whose service he had spent forty-two years, without receiving from him one angry word. The establishment being broken up, Mr. Rutger was requested to remove to the Manor-House, Devonport, where he passed the remainder of his life in peace and comfort.

There he was soon appointed to the charge of a class; and he punctually, acceptably, and usefully discharged the duties of his office, till age and infirmity compelled him to resign it. For a number of years he also well sustained the office of District Treasurer of the Fund for Disabled Ministers, and Ministers' Widows. He took great interest in this, as in the other institutions of Methodism. He was a constant and approving reader of our current literature. He was exemplary in his attendance on Christian ordinances, even when age and manifold infirmities rendered such attendance difficult and painful He had a kind and liberal heart, and was ready to help the needy, and contribute to the cause of Christ, according to his ability.

A few years before his death, Mr. Rutger had a severe attack of jaundice, and was strongly impressed that it would prove fatal. But his mind was tranquil and happy. Trusting entirely in the merits of Christ, he believed that "to die," would be "gain." It pleased God, however, to spare his life, and so far restore his health that he was again found occupying his usual seat in the Christian sanctuary.

Mr. Rutger was seldom able to meet in class, after he resigned his office a leader: but he desired to have his name recorded in the book of an old friend, recently appointed to the office of leader; who felt it at once a duty and privilege frequently to visit him at his residence

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for spiritual conversation, and who states that he always found him "enjoying a clear sense of the Divine favour through the atonement of his Redeemer,' and manifesting intense interest in petitions for the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit." He was evidently ripening for glory. He bore his sufferings, though frequently severe, with cheerful patience; viewing them as "a necessary discipline to prepare him for his heavenly home." During his last illness his faculties became impaired, so that he could not converse freely. But his confidence in God was unabated; and "his love to the Saviour appeared as strong and ardent as when he could more easily give expression to his feelings. Thus he continued till his spirit quitted the earthly tabernacle, and entered into the rest which remaineth to the people of God." JOHN GEDEN.

DIED, at Cheltenham, April 26th, 1862, in the seventy-ninth year of her age, MARY RATTENBURY, mother of the Rev. John Rattenbury.--She had been a consistent and earnest Methodist nearly half a century. Her conversion to God was clear. She was wont, throughout her Christian course, to speak with unwavering confidence and joy of her experimental knowledge of God her Saviour; and her life gave full evidence that she had indeed received the renewing grace of the Lord Jesus, and was walking by faith in Him. Few have been called to wade through deeper sorrows, or to endure a greater"fight of affliction," than she: but a strong mind, hallowed by Divine grace, sustained her; and, through many years of care and conflict, she not only discharged her domestic duties with faithfulness, but not unfrequently found time to minister to others also. It was a luxury to her to visit the sick, comfort the distressed, and act as nurse to the suffering. She frequently spent whole nights in watching by the bed-side of the afflicted and dying, ministering both to the body and the soul. She had in an eminent degree that "pure religion, and undefiled, before God and the Father," which is described by St. James,-"to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep" herself "unspotted from the world." God spared her to a good old age; but, in His inscrutable wisdom, permitted the last few years to be passed in unceasing and acute pain. Often her agony was great beyond expression. But, even in the seasons of most intense anguish, her faith never failed. She "gloried

In her, truly,

in tribulation also." "patience" had its "perfect work." Her end was peaceful, yea, triumphant. Some of her last words were, "Jesus is precious."

She was interred in the buryingground of Wesley Chapel; and the attendance showed the respect in which she had been held. Many of the most influential members of the Society and congregation, and not a few of the poor and the aged also, gathered to her burial. She had lived to rejoice, with holy joy, over her first-born, raised by the suffrages of his brethren, to the highest position in Methodism; and abundantly blessed, he believes, as the result of her never-ceasing prayers for him. It has been my lot to visit many of the Lord's people in affliction; but such an example of patient suffering I never saw before. Often have I retired from that sick chamber as from a sanctuary, and "glorified God" in this aged witness of His power. Her many Christian friends, while devoutly thankful for her release from protracted suffering, will not soon forget the hallowing influence of her strong faith and deep religious experience. They feel that she, "being dead, yet speaketh."

BENJAMIN B. WADDY.

JAMES RUTHERFORD died at Pittington, in the Durham Circuit, May 27th, 1862, in the seventy-fifth year of his

age.

He was born at Birtley, in the same county, and from a child was the subject of religious influence. At sixteen, he was led to give his heart fully to God; and he continued for many years a consistent member of the church. In 1830 he was appointed a class-leader at Shiney-Row, where those under his guardian care invariably found him to be a kind and affectionate instructer. In him the poor and distressed always found a friend; and they were relieved by him to an extent known only to himself and his God. He was at all times, according to his means, a liberal supporter of Methodism; and he was frequently known to make up any deficiency in collections or more private contributions; believing it to be a duty to sustain the rules of the church to which he belonged. He was a true friend to the ministers of Christ, and esteemed them very highly in love for their work's sake.

In 1831 Mr. Rutherford removed to Pittington, where he was employed as over-man in the coal-mines of the

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His

late Marquis of Londonderry. ability, as a practical miner, could scarcely be exceeded. No accident occurred, under his official management, during thirty years. Such was the confidence reposed in him by his employers, that he was solicited to accept the higher position of "viewer;" but he declined the responsibility. He was then requested to recommend one whom he considered eligible. Thus was the declaration fulfilled, "Them that honour me I will honour."

As the infirmities of age increased, he

became more and more desirous of securing a complete preparation for his important change. To the close of life he manifested deep interest in the members of his class. His attention to the duties of private prayer, and to other means of grace, was unwavering; and, as the result, he enjoyed great peace. "I am able," said he, "to cast myself on the atonement of Christ. If I live, I live unto the Lord; if I die, I die unto the Lord. So, living or dying, I am the Lord's." M. CRANSWICK.

RECENT DEATHS.

JULY 25th, 1863.-At Paris, of consumption, in the twentieth year of his age, Mr. James Hill. Although he was deprived when very young of the benefit of a father's counsel, the prayers and advices of a devoted mother were not in vain. He always manifested a love for God's house, and for His word, regularly attending the ministry of the Rev. F. Greeves, Dr. Kossen, and H. Wilson; and gave evidence, before his conversion, that the Holy Spirit was already at work in his heart. During the visit of Mr. Radcliffe to Paris, he became more deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly sought and found peace with God through believing in Jesus. He joined the Methodist Society, and from that time never missed any service he could attend. With the first instinct of his new life he began to strive to do good to others, and embraced every opportunity of pointing sinners to the Lamb of God. Both at Belleville and at Asnières he several times conducted religious services; and there are some who testify that God spoke to them through him. Early in this year he was attacked with sickness unto death, and he gradually became weaker. But no murmuring escaped his lips. He was meekly submissive to the Divine will, whether for sickness or health, for life or death. At first he wished to recover, that he might be the instrument of winning souls for Jesus ; but for a month before his death he desired not to live, but to depart, and be with Christ. His last words were, "I die in Jesus; I die in Jesus." W. G.

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him, in the church of his early choice, were witnesses of his true piety, liberality, and worth. His end was peaceful, through a confident reliance on the merits of his Saviour. S. F.

August 22d.--At North Allington, Bridport, in her fortieth year, Mrs. Esther Hockey; who, whilst a Sunday scholar at Crewkerne, was convinced of sin, and led to seek salvation through faith in Christ. She had to endure great opposition at first; but she earnestly resolved to obtain mercy, and erelong rejoiced in pardoning love. From that time she steadily and consistently walked with God, and in communion with His people. Her trials were many, and her affliction was severe; but her joy in the prospect of dying was full. W. P.

August 24th.-At Birkenhead, whither she had gone on a visit to her sister and daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Main, of Fortemouth, in the fifty-eighth year of her age. In 1831 she was led to the Saviour; and from that time till her death she was a consistent member of the church. About twelve years ago she was left a widow with ten children; but the Lord, in whom she trusted, was a Husband to the widow, and a Father to the fatherless. Accustomed to carry all her trials to the throne of grace, she had ample reason to recognize His good₫ hand in her family concerns. She was devoted to the best interests of her children, and had encouraging fruit of her godly solicitude. She was eminently unselfish; ever ready to lighten the troubles of others by making them her own, and to rejoice in the comfort of those around her. Her sufferings were severe, but her heart was sustained by grace. evil.

She rested on Christ, and feared no "All is well," "I am going to Jesus," "I am on the Rock," and similar expressions, were the evidence of her triumphant faith in Christ, as she awaited the call to ber Father's house on high. W. E

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