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DIED, in February last, at St. Agness, near Truro, aged fifty-one, MR. WILLIAM STEPHENS. In the year 1795, under the ministry of MR. Tuos. YATES, he was convinced of sin, and filled with alarming apprehensions relative to the state of his soul. He retired immediately to his closet, where, with strong crying and tears, he made known his requests unto God. The same day he went to a class-meeting; and at the close of it, set up the worship of GoD in his family, which was never afterwards neglected. But he continued in great distress of mind for four months; often wandering in the fields to give vent to his feelings, and frequently watering his couch with his tears, and mingling his drink with weeping. It pleased GOD however to set his soul at liberty, while he was hearing a sermon; and now he went on his way rejoicing. About the year 1799, he was appointed to fill the office of Class-leader, in which he was diligent, faithful, and affectionate; watching over his flock as one that must give an account. He was eminently a man of prayer. In his daily occupation he often sought opportunities for retirement, that he might commune with his GOD; and his fervency in this duty was remarkable. He was also diligent and useful in visiting the sick. Often, when unable to walk, through weakness, he rode to administer consolation to the afflicted. His illness was tedious and painful, but he bore it with patient submission to the will of GoD. His consolations were great; his faith was unshaken; and he sometimes felt such raptures of joy, that he was constrained to cry aloud, and say, "O, help me to praise the LORD! I cannot describe what glorious views I have of the happiness of heaven." The fear of death was totally destroyed; and he spoke of his burial with the greatest composure. When tempted to doubt, he exclaimed, "What, GoD forsake me?, No, he will never leave me, never forsake me. I will trust, and not be afraid." A little before his departure, he said, "CHRIST is precious: I am going to heaven;" and even when speechless lifted up his hand, in token of victory over the last enemy. Thus calmly and triumphantly did he enter into the joy of his LORD. R. TREFFRY.

2. Died, at Louth, Feb. 1st, 1822, aged seventy-five, MR. JOHN BOOTH. When about twenty-four years of age, the LORD deeply awakened him to a sense

of his lost state, as a sinner, both by nature and practice; and feeling the burden of his sins to be a weight intolerable to be borne, he earnestly sought salvation, by a diligent attcudance upon all the means of grace. It pleased GOD soon to turn his mourning into gladness, and to fill him with joy and peace in believing. He now joined the Methodist Society in Louth, in which he continued to the day of his death, a period of more than fifty-one years. Soon after his conversion to GOD, he was appointed a Class-Leader; for which office he was eminently qualified, and which he filled for about forty-five years, much to the edification of those who had the privilege of receiving his judicious advice and faithful admonitions, and of sharing in his fervent prayers. Forty years ago, he began to act as a Local Preacher, and was the instrument of first carrying the Gospel (as preached by us) into many villages in this neighbourhood, where congregations have been collected, and christian societies formed, among whom the word and ordinances of GOD are row regularly administered, and many of whom will be his "glory and joy" in the day of the LORD JESUS.-His stability in his religious profession and attachments, was highly worthy of imitation. Having proved the Gospel as preached by the Methodists to be the power of GOD to his salvation, with them he determined to abide; knowing that whether they were the apostles of GOD to others or not, yet doubtless they were to him, for he was the seal of their apostleship in the LORD. But while he was cordially attached, both from conviction and gratitude, to the whole system of Methodism, he was no bigot, but a truly catholic Christian, and ever ready to acknowledge, with gratitude, the good that was done by persons of other denominations; for he loved all who loved our LORD JESUS CHRIST in sincerity. He was so faithful in reproving sin, as to be a terror to evil doers. He knew no man after the flesh. Whosoever sinned in his presence, was sure, if he had an opportunity of speaking, to fall under his righteous rebukes. Diligence was another of his distinguishing excellencies. He carefully attended to method and punctuality in the management of all his affairs, both temporal and spiritual. Thus he had time for every thing, and always had something to do. His diligence was

particularly apparent in his attendance on all the means of grace. He was careful to be in his place in the house of GOD, when the service began; and whenever he had to conduct the worship, to begin precisely at the time. He was very liberal to the poor, and the cause of GOD. Through the divine blessing onhisindustry he had acquired considerable property, for which he was always ready to acknowledge his obligations to GOD, and to testify his gratitude by giving largely for the relief of the needy, and for the spread of the Gospel. Of late years, I believe he gave away nearly a fourth part of his annual income.-His zeal for GOD was not a transient flame, but a steady, burning, and shining light, which, during half a century, was never once extinguished by sin, or obscured by lukewarmness and indifference. It was this which led him, in the earlier part of his life, to walk fifteen, twenty, and even thirty miles, on the Sabbath-day, to call sinners to repentance. His humility was also very exemplary. Though so blessed in his worldly circumstances that he was enabled to retire from business, several years before he died, and though, from his established reputation for picty and moral worth, some of the most respectable people in the neighbourhood thought it a privilege to converse with him on the deep things of GOD, yet he always retained the most modest views of himself; and readily acknowledged that he had been raised by the bounty of God's providence, from a state of poverty, to that of competence and ease, which he then enjoyed. He continued, from conscientious motives, to live in the same frugal way, to which he had been accustomed, in order that he might have the more to give away. And whenever he was obliged to speak of his labours in the Gospel, it was in terms that made it plain, that he wished to lose sight of himself, and to give all the glory to GOD. His communion with GOD was deep and constant; and in the discharge of all the relative duties of life, he was regular and conscientious. As a father, and a husband, he has left few equals, and perhaps no superior. The affliction that terminated his life was an ossification of the heart. During his last illness his mind was sweetly stayed upon GOD, and he was filled with joyful confidence,

"Not a cloud did arise to darken the skies, Or hide for a moment his Lord from his eyes." In this happy state he remained, till his spirit returned to God.

"The memory of the just is blessed." "For they enter into peace, they rest in their beds; each one walking in his uprightness." CORBETT COOKE.

3. Died, Feb. 12, aged twenty-nine, MISS ANN CHAPPLE, of Bodmin. She was a very regular attendant at the Established Church, and also at the Methodist Chapel, for several years previous to her conversion. By this diligent use of the means of grace, her mind was gradually enlightened; but being of a gay turn, it was with her a difficult matter

"To tear her soul from earth away,

For JESUS to receive."

In 1816, when at a prayer-meeting in the Chapel, her brother gave an exhortation. The word was with power; and she became a decided character. She had now a broken and a contrite spirit. She suffered under her load of guilt for some time; but at a subsequent meeting for social prayer, she was enabled to "believe with the heart unto righteousness," and could then rejoice with joy unspeakable. From that time she adorned the doctrine of GOD our Saviour in all things. She was no trifler with GOD; no tatler or busy-body in other men's matters. Simplicity and godly sincerity marked the whole of her conversation. She appeared to have entered into the very spirit of that important advice, "Be diligent; never be unemployed; never be triflingly employed." Her faith was not dead, or inactive. She often visited, and, according to her limited means, relieved the poor and the distressed. In her Diary she frequently expresses herself in terms like these: "I am never so happy as when I am, in my poor little way, employed for GOD. I am afraid of nothing so much as lukewarmness." The last lines she wrote in her Diary are, "I bless GOD, my soul is happy. Prayer is more delightful. My faith is stronger; and I long to drink more deeply of those streams of bliss, which flow from communion with my GoD. LORD! I am most unworthy; but O! remember Calvary, and save me to the uttermost." It was recently agreed to form a Branch Missionary Society in Bodmin. Miss C. had consented to become one of our Collectors; but, alas! when the day came for canvassing the town, to obtain Subscribers, she was confined to her room through a cold attended with a slight fever. In the afternoon of that day, Miss C. conversed largely on Missions, and on the duty of continual exertions for their support. When informed of the success which the other Collectors had met with in Bodmin, she greatly rejoiced; and expressed her resolution to pay particular attention to that business, if permitted to live. But about ten o'clock, on the same evening, without a

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4. Died, February 14th, 1822, aged eighty-seven, MR. JOHN PAUL, of Launceston. He was, for sixty-four years, a steady Member of the Methodist Society in this place. In the beginning of his christian course his repentance was deep and genuine; at times he was nearly brought under the influence of despair; but soon his sorrow was turned into joy, and the love of GoD was shed abroad in his heart, a sense of which, it is believed, he never afterwards lost. His subsequent life evidenced, in a remarkable manner, the reality of his conversion to GOD. His piety appeared to be deep, solid, and uniform. His faith, frequently tried as by fire, attained a more than ordinary degree of purity and vigour, and produced those "fruits of righteousness" which are "acceptable to GOD, and approved of men." By his uprightness and integrity, he commanded the esteem of all with whom he was connected, and neutralized the opposition of the enemies of religion. He sustained, for many years, the offices of Class-Leader, and Local Preacher, with considerable credit to himself, and advantage to the cause of CHRIST. Towards the close of his life his bodily and mental faculties gradually declined; but his confidence in GoD remained unshaken; and having long waited calmly for his release, he came to the grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season, ripe for everlasting glory.

JOHN SLATER.

5. Died, Feb. 6th, 1822, aged fifty-one, MRS. SARAH STOCKS, wife of MR. JOSEPH STOCKS, of Carlton, in the Wakefield Circuit. In the twenty-second year of her age, she was fully convinced of her sinful state, and soon obtained, by faith in the atonement, a clear sense of pardoning mercy. From that period she continued to adorn her christian profession. Her genuine piety, and uniform conduct, rendered her well worthy of a place in the register of those who have lived and died in the LORD. The value she set upon the preaching of God's Word was extraordinary; and she equally prized the privilege of meetings for christian fellowship. From her class she was seldom absent. Her charities to the poor were very considerable. Her pleasing

manners and amiable disposition made her to be greatly respected by her friends, and in the neighbourhood. Her last days were most happy. She expressed to me, not long before her death, her reliance on the great atoning Sacrifice, in terms of more than ordinary confidence. Though ready to sink under bodily weakness, her mind appeared as vigorous as ever; and she was enabled to triumph in CHRIST. Not quite an hour before she departed, her relative, MR. STOCKS, sen., of Manchester, inquired how it was with her. She replied, "All is well;" and, a moment only before her death, repeated those lines,

"Far from a world of grief and sin, With God eternally shut in." This was the closing scene of a sincere humble Christian, who uniformly ascribed the commencement, the progress, and the consummation of her salvation to the free and unmerited grace of God, through JESUS CHRIST.

SAMUEL WOOLMER.

(N. B. For the remaining Articles in our possession, concerning Persons who died in February last, we hope to find room in vur next Number.)

RECENT DEATHS.

May 18. At Chester, the REV. ELLIOTT JONES, late one of our Missionaries in Hayti. Of this excellent man we shall probably receive some further account for our Obituary.

May 19. At Brampton, near Huntingdon, the REV. THOMAS TATTERSHALL, aged sixty-eight. He was a TravellingPreacher in the Methodist Connexion for forty years; but became a Supernumerary at the last Conference. He had been in a state of growing debility for some time; so that, on the 28th of April, when he preached his last sermon, he was obliged to sit during that exercise. "On the 18th of May," says the REV. JOHN MASON, "hearing that he was much worse, I hastened to see him. But he was so weak, and the organs of speech, in particular, were so enfeebled, that he could hardly articulate. On my asking, if CHRIST were now precious to him, he seemed quite collected, and made a strong effort to answer in the affirmative. Lifting up his feeble arms, and clasping his hands together, two or three times, his mind seemed full of joy at the thought. On my asking, if we should pray, he answered with earnestness,

To be sure pray; and never, never cease.' While I prayed, he repeatedly and distinctly added his Amen' to the petitions I offered up. When I parted with him, he prayed with much

1

fervour, that the LORD would bless me, and hoped we should meet in heaven. A few hours before he died, he said, Bless GOD! all is well! I am happy!' This was the last connected sentence he uttered."

May 21. At Douglas, Isle of Man, the REV. JOHN BRAITHWAITE, of Whitehaven. To the numerous friends of this very amiable and respectable Minister, the following extract of a Letter from the REV. JOHN BUMSTEAD will be interesting: How mysterious are the ways of GOD!-Last week I received a letter from my much respected friend MR. BRAITHWAITE, saying that he had with him in Whitehaven, his daughter, sonin-law, and their four children, from Bradford, and that they had a desire to pay a short visit to the Isle of Man. About the 2d of June was the time they had then fixed upon. But the weather being fine, and the Trader being ready to sail last Friday, they came off at that time. They had but little wind, and that not fair; and consequently were kept at sea from Friday evening at eight o'clock till Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. MR. BRAITHWAITE was sick soon after he got to sea: perhaps the sickness brought on his old complaint, the Angina Pectoris. It was with great difficulty that he was got ashore, and brought in a chaise to my house. Medical aid was in a few minutes obtained, but to no purpose. A few minutes after twelve o'clock, he expired in my arms. MR. B. spoke but few words after he came. I asked him if he was happy in GOD; he said, 'Yes, happy! peated several times the following words: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' J. BUMSTEAD."

He re

April 8. At Ramsay, Huntingdonshire, aged forty-three, MR. HENRY MARTIN, a valuable Class-Leader and Local Preacher." In 1800, he heard MR. ANDERSON preach from "Prepare to meet thy GOD." Under that sermon he was awakened; and continued to strive against sin, but was often overcome by it, until the August following, when, under a sermon preached by MR. PINDER, he discerned the way of faith more clearly. He then sought, and soon obtained, salvation from the guilt and power of sin. He now became zealously concerned for the conversion of sinners. He was the instrument of introducing the preaching of the Gospel, by the Methodists, into several places where much good has been done; and was ever ready to do all in his power to promote the cause of God. In his last illness, being asked how he felt in the prospect of eternity, he cited se

veral passages of Scripture, as illustra tive of the state of his mind; among which were Ps. xxiii. 4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me ;" and Ps. lxxiii. 25, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee." He continued to express entire readiness to suffer all the will of God, and exclusive dependance on the merits of our Divine SAVIOUR, till his spirit returned to God.

April 12. At Gunnerside, in the Richmond Circuit, aged 61, MR. WILLIAM BUXTON; a man eminent for piety, zeal, and usefulness, and a successful Local Preacher for nearly forty years. He was convinced of sin, when only thirteen years of age, under a Sermon preached by the REV. JOHN WESLEY, on " Behold the LAMB of GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world." He died in the full triumph of faith.

April 21. MRS. ANN PYE, of OverWyersdale, in the Lancaster Circuit. Through grace, she was enabled to meet death without fear; and could say, with PAUL, "I have a desire to depart, and to be with CHRIST."

April 24. At Keighley, Miss NANCY BRAYSHAW, aged thirty-nine. For more than twenty years she maintained a firm and zealous attachment to the ways and people of GOD; and was diligent in visiting the sick, and in persuading her neighbours to flee from the wrath to come. She was remarkable for industry, economy, self-denial, and kindness to others. In her last illness, she was most graciously supported, and died in the full assurance of faith and hope.

April 30. At Keighley, MRS. MARY SCOTT, aged 79. She endured much affliction with christian fortitude; had no doubt of her final safety; and was greatly favoured with divine consolations in her last moments.

May 16. At Halifar, after four days' illness, MR. JOHN FOURNESS. He was an old and very valuable Member and Leader of the Methodist Society, in that town; and his loss will be very long lamented by those who knew him best. Of him it may be truly said, "He was a faithful man, and feared GoD above many.' We hope that some account of him will be furnished for our Obituary in a future Number.

MAY 20. At Weymouth, MRS. ELIZABETH BARNES, aged fifty-three. She was among the many who became truly pious by the blessing of GoD on the labours of the late excellent R. C. BRACKENBURY, ESQ., at Portland. Her life was useful, and her death exceedingly happy.

HIGH on thy heavenly seat,
JESUS, to thee 1 pray!
O see the sinner at thy feet,
Nor turn thine ear away.
Embolden'd by thy word,

A HYMN.

By want and weakness prest,
To thy divine compassions, LORD,
I pour my full request.

I ask the joy unknown,

That from thy presence springs,
When, prostrate at thy awful throne,
Thy Mercy's shadowing wings
Temper the light which breaks
Resplendent from thine eye;
When soft the whispering SPIRIT
speaks,

"The LORD is passing by."

I ask that sight of faith,

To humblest mourners given, That view of thy mysterious death, Thy pleading power in heaven,

ELEGIAC

Inscribed to MR.

"THE desire of thine eyes" is dead; The nuptial tie is broken;

Th' endearing" wife of thy youth" has fled

At the word her GOD has spoken. Long tried in this valley of tears,

This world of care and anguish, "Without her were fightings,-within her were fears,"

As her health continued to languish. But firm in the faith she remain'd,

On her SAVIOUR's merit relying: She was by the grace of his SPIRIT sustain'd,

And triumph'd o'er fear of dying. Now wafted to bliss in the sky,

She joins the babes she bore thee, (Who early were call'd to the mansions on high,)

Among the saints in glory.

Which calms the troubled breast,
When guilty fears invade,
And bids the trembling spirit rest
In thy perpetual aid.

I ask that hallowing fear,

That heaven of humble love, Which joins a saint in worship here

To saints redeem'd above.
E'en now, the veil withdrawn,

In fellowship with thee,
O might the day of glory dawn!
The twilight shadows flee!
On me, thy suppliant child,
Be all thy form imprest,
Thy nature pure, thy Spirit mild;
That, meet for heavenly rest,

I may that call attend,
Which shall my soul remove,
And from thy footstool here ascend,
To share thy throne above.

STANZAS,

on the Death of his Wife.

A. B.

"O follow me!" earnest she cries,
Her voice from the heavens descend-
ing;

"Press onward to gain the most glorious
prize,

All earthly good transcending.

"The path of obedience pursue,

The world's vain pleasures resisting;

In the strength of the SAVIOUR, O.fight thy way through,

To the end of the race persisting! "And soon shall the conflict be o'er :My minist'ring spirit, delighted, Shall greet thy approach to the heavenly shore,

To be ever and ever united!"

R. D.

Workington, Dec. 6, 1821.

EPITAPH

On MRS. ANN GOODDY, of Cudworth, near Barnsley, who died in peace, Aug, 23, 1821.

Nor with dark doubts, and agonizing dread,

Were these rever'd remains to earth consign'd;

Not with faint hopes ;-nor mourn'd we for the dead;
But for ourselves we griev'd; that, left behind

By her, whose spirit hath outsped the wind,
Soaring to heaven her permanent abode,

Depriv'd of her safe soothing aid, we find
Woes and temptations still along life's road;

Where all safe paths are strait, but ruin's ways are broad.

Printed by T. Cordeux, 14, City-Road, London.

I. K.

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