1. DIED, April 26, 1822, aged twentyfive, MR. THOMAS LIDDLE, of the Alston Circuit. From his infancy he was the subject of serious impressions; but as he grew up, he stifled the convictions of the HOLY SPIRIT, and was guilty of repeated acts of hostility against GOD. Being, however, an habitual attendant upon the public ordinances of the Gospel, he saw, in process of time, the extent and spirituality of the Divine Law; and that it requires the strictest obedience towards GOD, and the most scrupulous honesty to man: divine light shone into his mind, and he felt the necessity of a present salvation. About this time, being sixteen years of age, Divine Wisdom thought it proper to deprive him of his affectionate mother, who was eminently pious in her life, and whose death was truly glorious. This dispensation was the means of stimulating him to seek more earnestly that religion which is promised in the Gospel. He now thought it necessary to unite himself to the people of GOD, from whom he received the greatest encouragement; and after he had diligently sought the LORD for the space of eight weeks, it pleased God to set his soul at liberty from guilt and fear, through faith in JESUS CHRIST. From that time, it appeared to be his constant aim and effort to make daily progress in the divine life, and to have that mind in him which was also in CHRIST JESUS. MR. WESLEY'S "Plain Account of Christian Perfection," the faithful ministry of the word, under which it was his privilege to sit, the experience of the people of GOD, and various promises of the Sacred Writings, all concurred in stimulating him to seek for entire purity of heart; in which pursuit he was greatly encouraged by the powerful operations of the HOLY SPIRIT upon his mind. About the year 1817, he was selected to take the charge of a Class. In that office he was active, steady, and uniform. He endeavoured to see every person in his class once in every week; and was careful to impress upon their minds the necessity of attending the public and private ordinances of the Gospel, and not to be satisfied without that power of godliness, which alone can make men happy in life, and raise them above the fear of death. His conduct corresponded with his profession; and he was frequently found in his closet, making his request known to GOD for the Church of CHRIST collectively, and for the members of his Class individually. His fervent desire for the salvation of others also led him cheerfully to obey what, after much fasting and prayer, he judged to be a divine call, by engaging in the important work of calling sinners to repentance. His talents, as a Local Preacher, were not extraordinary; but they were such as rendered him, in general, acceptable and useful. He was exceedingly punctual and conscientious in attending to his appointments; and while recommending the religion of CHRIST to others, he took care to be influenced by it himself. His frequent abstemiousness, (for he generally fasted twice every week,) his studious manner of life, and some imprudence in fulfilling his appointments in a very boisterous season of the year, combined to injure his health, and laid a foundation for that affliction which terminated in his death. Being of a weak and delicate constitution, his disorder, which was a nervous fever, made a rapid progress; and in the space of about three weeks, he was released from his earthly tabernacle, and received into the paradise of GOD. At the commencement of his affliction, he always expressed himself as being resigned to the Divine Will, and leaving himself wholly in the hands of GOD, frequently saying, “Not as l will, but as thou wilt." His prospects of eternal happiness were bright; his confidence was wholly founded upon the merits and mediation of JESUS CHRIST; and he could joyfully say, "LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Thus be lived and died in faith; an edifying example of the power and excellence of the Christian Religion. May we follow him, as far as he followed CHRIST!-By those who knew him, his character will be long had in remembrance. He was eminent for piety, and for diligence both in public and private duties, especially in that of visiting the sick, to whom he was very attentive. In that department of pious and benevolent activity, he was particularly useful. His disinterestedness, meekness, and gentleness, his cheerful self-denial, his willing and obedient spirit, his unfeigned humility, his detachment from the world, and his heavenly-mindedness, were very conspicuous. It was thought by some, that he was not sufficiently 2. Died, May 8, 1822, MRS. SARAH HEAP, the late wife of MR. WILLIAM HEAP, of Halifax. In the year 1801, she experienced a deep conviction of sin, and that godly sorrow which worketh repentance. This was followed, in a few months, by her deliverance from the curse of the broken law through faith in the Great Atonement, and by a sound and genuine conversion to GOD. It appears, however, that she afterwards suffered some spiritual loss; as she greatly regretted, in her last illness, that she had been, comparatively, so cold, and so remiss in her walk with GOD. There is reason, however, to believe, that she was habitually under the influence of religious principles and feelings; and for some time before her death, she manifested an increased devotedness to GOD, and a growing meetness for the heavenly state. Her last affliction was short; but her conversation was peculiarly weighty and edifying. All was calm and serene; and she appeared to have no doubt of her being "accepted in the Beloved." About half an hour before her departure, she exclaimed with much fervour, Glory, glory be to GOD! Praise him! Praise him!" and would not be satisfied till her surrounding friends had knelt down for the purpose of joining her in solemn thanksgivings to Him who had dealt so graciously with her soul. She herself knelt down; and indicated a wish to die in the posture of prayer and adoration. Being persuaded, however, to resume her chair, she breathed a few times more, and then the immortal spirit took its flight to an eternity of enjoyment.-Many, who were regular partakers of her bounty, have sustained in her removal the loss of an invaluable friend. Her liberality to the poor was indeed extensive, though without ostentation; for she was desirous that her "left hand should not know what her right hand did." It was a maxim with her, that, to cherish a spirit of liberality and benevolence is one of the surest ways of securing the blessing of GOD on our worldly undertakings. JAMES FARNELL. the 3. Died, at Camborne, in Cornwall, May 17th, in the thirty third year of her age, MRS. NEWTON, the late wife of MR. L. NEWTON, of that place. She was a member of the Methodist Society about twelve years; and during that time enjoyed a scriptural assurance of favour of GOD through JESUS CHRIST, and was a consistent professor of religion.-As a wife, and as a mother, she was deservedly esteemed. In her domestic habits, she was a woman of unwearied diligence, and in the order and regulation of her household, she practically adopted the motto, "A place for every thing, and every thing in its place."-She generally enjoyed a comfortable state of health; and in appearance was as likely as any one in ten thousand to have seen a good old age: but GOD, in his inscrutable wisdom, had otherwise determined; and her family have been unexpectedly called to experience the pangs of a bereavement, which to them was inexpressibly distressful. Their loss, however, has been her eternal gain. Her affliction was severe, but whenever she was able to collect her thoughts, and to give utterance to her feelings, it evidently appeared that she was highly favoured of GoD. Her spirit breathed the most ardent piety, and was borne up in the anticipation of death, by strong confidence in GoD, and the blessed hope of eternal felicity. At one time, when speaking to her husband of the happiness that awaited her, he read to her, from the last chapter of the Revelation, these words: " Blessed are they which do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city:" when she cried, "O I can see them (meaning the gates and the city) much more plainly than you can." She afterwards repeated the following verse: "Hallelujah, they cry, to the King of the Sky, To the great everlasting I AM; To the Lamb that was slain, and that liveth again! Hallelujah to Gop and the LAMB!" At another time, she had all the family called up, to take her final leave of them. To the servants she said, "O how I do love you; you cannot think how much I love you. Do turn to GOD! I entreat you to seek true religion, and be sure to meet me in heaven."-To her brothers she said, "My dear brothers, will you try to meet me in heaven?" They replied, "We will:" But she, being desirous of pressing them to a practical fulfilment of their promise, said, " But how will you try? and when will you begin?" She then gave them some suitable admonitions and advice. Halifax. 3 X To one of her sisters, she said, "I give HANNAH" (her eldest child) "into your care; be sure to dress her plainly; don't let her walk about on the Sabbathday; and be sure you take her to the chapel."-To the child she said, "Now, my dear HANNAH, this is, perhaps, the last time I shall see you; and these are your mother's dying words. Your mother, my dear, is going to heaven! She has no fear or doubt. Obey your father and your aunt; and be sure to be a good girl, and meet me in heaven!" In nearly the same terms, she next addressed herself to her boys. When her infant child was brought to her by the nurse, she kissed the babe, and said, "O how I should like to take it with me; for then I should have two children in heaven. But here, nurse, I must give it back again to you; and I charge you to be sure to take care of it." She had buried one child already.. After this affecting scene, she spoke but little. Her last words, however, were those of christian triumph. Collecting all her remaining strength, she cried out, "Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Glory glory! glory!" Soon afterwards, her freed spirit entered into the joy of her LORD. Camborne, May, 1822. JAMES JONES. RECENT DEATHS. THO. BRIDGMAN, communicates the following particulars, which we insert here at length, because we learn that no other account of MR. WEST is in contemplation. MR. WEST was a native of Ireland. Scarcely had he attained his seventh year, when the light of GoD shone upon his mind, and the power of his HOLY SPIRIT wrought a saving change in his heart. Nor does it appear that he ever lost the savour of that piety, thus so happily and so early bestowed upon him.-In his ministerial character, MR. WEST was a man of zeal ;-few preachers have been more active in the work of GOD, or more successful in winning souls unto CHRIST. He faithfully discharged the numerous and important duties of the itinerant ministry for thirty-eight years, during many of which he was totally blind. The close and constant attention of a dutiful and affectionate daughter supplied, however, in no inconsiderable degree, this great and irreparable loss. Of the former years of his ministry, fifteen were spent in his native country, and the remainder in various parts of Great Britain. In 1817, growing intirmities induced him to become a Supernumerary, in which character he lived five years, not, however, without frequently occupying the pulpit; until, exhausted in strength, he was obliged, though very unwillingly, to sink into a state of inactivity. MR. WEST was also a man of prayer, and particularly alive to the interests of religion. Several times in a day, through the whole of his christian career, was he in the habit of entering his closet, and pouring out his soul in fervent prayer to GOD. And when near the close of life, and unable to bow before the LORD without assistance, he frequently requested to be placed in his favourite posture. The effects of this were such as might be expected. Often did he express his increasing ripeness for glory.-For a considerable time previous to his dissolution, he was reduced to the lowest state of debility, so as frequently to remind me of those humiliating words, "It is sown in weakness, it is sown in corruption, it is sown in dishonour." But he continued to evidence a deep interest in the work of GOD. When informed of the large addition of members to the Methodist Societies during the last year, and that GOD was graciously and powerfully working upon the minds of several young persons in Aberdeen, he raised his feeble hands, and exclaimed, in an impressive manner, Sept. 2. At Aberdeen, the REV. WIL-Glory be to GOD.' About a week LIAM WEST, in the 80th year of his age. A letter from his Son-in-law, the REV. JUNE 24. MRS. DUTHY, of Rotherhithe, near London. She died in the peace and triumph of christian faith. "I know," she said, "in whom I have trusted; and I rejoice that I am going to Him." August 25. At Birmingham, in the sixty-sixth year of her age, MRS. SARAH MASON. "At the age of sixteen, she obtained a clear sense of God's pardoning love, through JESUS CHRIST; and notwithstanding the various trials connected with her long pilgrimage, she says, in her diary, From that time, I never doubted my acceptance with GOD for a single moment.' She had been a member of the Methodist Society, in Birmingham, for fifty-one years, and a Class-leader for fifteen. Her walk before the world and the church of GOD was correct and exemplary, and her attachment to the people with whom she was united in religious fellowship was uniformly sincere and strong. In her dress, she was exceedingly neat; her manners were easy and unaffected; and her household arrangements were exemplary for their order and cleanliness." before his death, he expressed to a friend the sweet peace he possessed, the joyful hopes of heaven that filled his soul, and his high and adoring sense of GOD's great mercy to him. The last time he was known to move his hands was, to use his own expression, in lifting them up to the LORD in prayer and praise; after which he lay speechless and motionless for several days, and then, quietly falling asleep in JESUS, entered into the joy of his LORD.-A venerable Minister, who had long known him, observes, in a letter to MRS. BRIDGMAN, I always considered your excellent father to be a man of strict unbending integrity, of genuine piety, and of no mean gifts as a Minister of the Word of Life. I have beheld him in various circumstances of sorrow and joy, and have seen him in all, the man and the Christian."" Sept. 8. At Wells, in Norfolk, after an illness of only four days, MRS. MALLINSON, late wife of the REV. M. MALLINSON, of the Walsingham Circuit. She had experienced, for a considerable period, a clear sense of God's love to her in CHRIST JESUS; and has now, doubtless, taken possession of that "fulness of joy" which is reserved for obedient believers in a better world. Sept. 11. At Stoke-Newington, near London, MRS. SMITH, the late wife of RICHARD SMITH, JUN., ESQ. She was a woman of superior accomplishments and talents; of most amiable character and manners; and of genuine piety. Her last affliction was very painful and protracted; but the calm and tranquil patience with which she submitted to the Divine Will was highly exemplary, and edified, while it astonished, all who beheld it. She was permitted to pass, during some periods of her illness, through the "deep waters" of bodily suffering, and of severe temptation. But she nobly sustained the struggle to which she was called; her fight was the "good fight of faith;" and that faith was finally victorious.-Death does not often prey on so much loveliness: but his triumph is only partial and temporary. The SAVIOUR Whom she loved, and in whom she trusted, has said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die." : Sept. 18. Near Nottingham, MRS. JERRAM, the late wife of MR. WILLIAM JERRAM, formerly of London. The loss of this excellent woman will be deeply and deservedly lamented by her family and friends. September 18, after an illness of only twenty-four hours, in the forty-second year of his age, MR. JOHN JINKINGS, of the vicinity of Hythe, in the Dover Circuit. "He was a man of genuine piety, amiable manners, and active zeal; a steady member of the Methodist Society, a valuable Classleader, and a liberal supporter of the work of GOD. He continued in the faith of JESUS, and in the commandments of his Gop, until his Great Master thus suddenly removed him from a suffering church on earth, to a reigning church above." POETRY. POETICAL ADDRESS, BY THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS; Recited at the Opening of the New School-Room at Kingswood, September 11, 1822. (See p. 661 of this Number.) Ultima Cumæi venit jam carminis ætas : Magnus ab integro sœclorum nascitur ordo. VIRGIL. I, WHO, erewhile,* among thy youthful choir, My song might live in Fame's immortal roll; • Alluding to a piece recited on a former occasion, in celebration of Kingswood School. Nor thou, lov'd KINGSWOOD! e'er lament the day The Prophets' Sons, a new and numerous throng, Pour'd recent plaints thy echoing bowers among :"O ALMA MATER! (cried the rising race) "Our swelling ranks require an ampler space; ،، Whence, soon returning from the Avonian spring, ،، Mid better minstrels than our age allows, ،، Wreaths ever-blooming round thy honour'd brows ! " "Tis done! 'tis done!-Upon my raptur'd view Radiant in light, appears the Era New. "Enlarge her tent!" (proclaims the Power Divine, ،، Give to her cords their super-added length, "And deeper drive her stakes of undecaying strength! He said :-Obedience meets the high command, And lo! the pristine boundaries expand! Where, Athens, now thy porch ? thy classic shades, Old Hecadem? Alas, your glory fades, By brighter beams eclips'd. So, from their spheres For us, who witness this triumphant day,- The bright memorial of paternal love! And O ! from hence, to' illume and bless the earth, May Learning, led by Piety, go forth, With all the human Virtues in their train, And all the Graces of MESSIAH's reign, Thrice welcome Visitants! to every shore, Till Time expires, and-KINGSWOOD is no more! Printed by T. Cordeux, 14, City-Road, London. |
