to the means of grace, both social and private. Class-meetings were to him spiritual feasts, and why? because he enjoyed a sense of Divine forgiveness, and experienced the witness of the Holy Spirit. It is the absence of this that makes classmeetings repulsive and love-feasts unfruitful. This Mr. Packer felt. He always held strong views on the advantages of the class-meeting as a means of stimulating Christians to self-examination, and as having been to himself a means of obtaining that assurance of the Divine favour which had allayed his constitutional doubtings, and inspired him with a Christian's hope. For near five years he sustained the office of Assistant Leader, and, as may readily be conceived, he found in the Sundayschool an agreeable and useful sphere of action.

It was as a Sunday-school man that Mr. Packer pre-eminently shone. As a teacher, he was fully alive to the importance of preparation for his duties, and always made such preparations as enabled him to interest his class, as well as instruct them. Such was his regularity, that the present superintendent of East Street boys'-school says: "During a period of more than twenty years, I never knew him to be absent from his school duties, unless illness or absence from home prevented his attendance." His punctuality was equal to his regularity; for while he held the office of superintendent, which he did for above twenty years, he made it a point of duty to be present so early, that he might be able to welcome the first arrivals of either scholars or teachers. He was a man of order. Blending affection with authority, he possessed considerable governmental power. He governed quietly and with ease. Both scholars and teachers were delighted with his régime, and readily acquiesced in his suggestions. His addresses to children were characterized by tact. He knew what children wanted, and he could execute as well as conceive. "It was impossible," says one who often heard him, "for any one to listen to his addresses without receiving the im

pression that he was thoroughly in earnest." One of his great points was to show the scholars "that sin was the transgression of law, and, unforgiven, must inevitably entail its own consequences," and sometimes his statements and illustrations were irresistible.

Mr. Packer was a large-hearted man. While he was second to none in his attachments to his own religious community, or in love for the Sunday-school in which he laboured so long and so devotedly, yet the outgoings of his nature could not be pent up within such narrow limits. He was not only one of the Committee for the Nottingham Sundayschool Union, but for many years was its active secretary, and at the time of his death he was both vicepresident and treasurer. To show the high esteem in which he was held by the ablest Sunday-school men of this district, we subjoin the following tribute to his memory, addressed to myself, prior to the improvement of his death. It was forwarded, on behalf of the Sundayschool Union Committee, by E. Wood, Esq., the President.

"Nottingham, Sept. 9, 1865.

"Rev. and dear Sir,-It was with feelings of the deepest regret that the Committee of the Sunday-school Union heard, from time to time, of the continued illness of their senior officer, Mr. Packer; and only when called together to receive an intimation of his death, could they realize the great loss they had sustained. All felt that not only had that committee lost one of its best officers, but each mourned his removal as a personal friend; only those who, long connected with the committee, and most active in its management, could know the industry and zeal of their lamented friend. Always at his post, and bringing to his work an amount of good sense and business habits, he came to be looked upon as one best able to advise in all movements contemplated by the committee. At one time it might be said that it was mainly through his exertions that the Union had been kept alive. For many years he was secretary; and the gentleness of spirit, kind temper,

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and affectionate devotedness with which he sought to promote the best interests of the rising generation endeared him to all his associates in the work.

"He was so unassuming and unobtrusive in his manners, that probably none will ever know, this side the grave, the amount of good he was instrumental in accomplishing; he was ever ready to unite with Christians of any denomination in any enterprise he deemed calculated to forward the highest interests of his fellow-men.

"After many years of really arduous labour as senior secretary, he was elected as treasurer and vicepresident of the Union, which office he held until his death. As a visitor to the schools in the country villages, he was particularly useful-some of which he had visited many times. His love of order and his thorough knowledge of Sunday-school work, and the way in which it should be performed, made him well able to advise the superintendents of smaller schools, and in many things to show them a more excellent way.' The kind and courteous way in which such advice was always given, made it the more acceptable as well as productive of more beneficial results... In the Sunday-school cause in this town it may well and truly be said that indeed a standard-bearer has fallen;' for none knew more than he the importance of the work, and few knew better how successfully to accomplish it.

"The remaining officers of the committee feel that the removal by death of their esteemed friend and respected coadjutor renders their work more difficult, deprived as they are not only of his help, but valuable advice. But though lost to the sight of mortal eye, they feel that their friend will long live in their memories; and that the memory of the just is blessed' was manifest at his funeral, which many attended, proving the high esteem in which they held him. May the admiration excited by his devotedness to the cause of truth and righteousness, be the means of inspiring others to imitate his example, and thus become

followers of those who through faith and patience are now inheriting the promises.-Yours truly,

"EDWARD WOOD, "President." In addition to the above expression of high Christian regard, we may remark that the committee of the Sunday-school Union have erected in the cemetery a tablet to his memory.

Mr. Packer's career through life was not one of unbroken change. We have already seen that he left his own early calling, to become the teacher of a British school. Here, however, he was not to remain un

disturbed. The Government issued orders that the masters of such schools were to pass an examination and receive a certificate. Mr. Packer accordingly went to London, and on his second visit the certificate was accorded. In connection with this "order," however, there were others affecting what we may term the machinery of the school, which Mr. Packer, not being a trained teacher, found to be intolerably burdensome; so he relinquished his position, and having by habits of economy and self-denial accumulated sufficient capital to enter into business, he did so, and became a partner in one of the Nottingham Lace Dressing esta blishments, in which he continued up to the time of his decease.

To sum up the striking characteristics of our departed brother in a few words, which all who knew will recognize as a faithful portrait, we observe, that he was manly, but meek; active, but even; generous, but frugal; persevering, but modest; hopeful, but cautious; he valued time, ruled well his own house, and in all the relationships of life exercised himself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and

man.

About 1863, the disease which terminated his life began to develop itself, but not so as to excite any alarm until within ten months of his death. Only about two months was he confined to his bed. Up to that time he attended to his office work, though often under excruciating pain. He was a great sufferer, but he suffered with great patience.

During his illness I frequently visited him, and found that at first he was mainly anxious about the interests of the Sunday-school. On every occasion his conversation indicated that this was his ruling passion. He appeared to have entertained a hope of recovery up to the day on which his son left for Chester-entering upon his first circuit as a Christian minister. Before their separation his son prayed, and during the day a deep depression weighed down all their hearts, none daring to communicate to the others their fears. It was a terrible day, but to none more so than to Mr. Packer himself. Knowing as he did something of the prospects of his family, he seemed to encounter a fearful struggle on their behalf. With the dawn of the next day, the clouds which had so thickly overshadowed his own mind were all dispersed, and without fully relating the circumstances which had led to this change, he exclaimed, "Oh, I am so happy! All is right now! When I am gone my family will be provided for!" We may here add that he entertained the belief that a special vision had been Vouchsafed unto him to give him this assurance, and though he was one of the last men in the world to yield himself up to the influence of delusion, he was so satisfied with this assurance that on family matters he remained ever after perfectly composed.

On Sunday, the 20th of August, he was evidently worse, and after the services of the day I went down to see him, and his gratitude for that visit was beyond expression. We entered delightfully into conversation on spiritual matters, and as I prayed there was a mysterious power in the place, of which all were conscious. We felt it to be the gate of heaven. From that day he rapidly sank. On Wednesday night he expressed a wish to see "George." On Thursday morning a telegram was dispatched to Chester, but it was delayed in the delivery until it was too late. About four o'clock he had become insensible, and at eleven in the forenoon of the 24th of

August, 1865, he departed this life "to be with Christ, which is far better." JNO. TAYLOR.

Nottingham.

MR. THOMAS GRIFFITHS. MR. GRIFFITHS was a very worthy man; one, in his own quiet sphere of usefulness, ranking among the best our Connexion has possessed. On being appointed to the Liverpool Circuit, it was my privilege at once to form his acquaintance. To me, always, was his conduct most considerate and brotherly; very much advantage and pleasure did I derive during my year of labour in that circuit, from visiting him and his excellent wife. It required but little time or power of perception to discover his real and great worth. I felt his goodness invariably in all my intercourse with him; and the estimate I then formed of his character I have had no cause to lower since, but rather to raise. He was deeply and intelligently pious, endowed with strong and well-balanced mental faculties, and approached very nearly, I believe, the completeness of a Christian man. Indeed, moral and mental wholeness was the peculiarity in Mr. Griffiths which impressed those most who knew him best. did not distress the church by a half-hearted allegiance, nor complicate her movements by a one-sided activity. Like the cloud "which moveth altogether, if it move at all," Mr. Griffiths devoted himself thoroughly to the cause of God, and by the presentation of the choicest fruits of his mind and heart, sought to realize the high and Divine aims of the church to which he belonged. With a beautiful consistency, he showed "piety at home." He pressed after inward, spiritual conformity to his Saviour with an ever-kindling ardour. The integrity of his life in the church and in the domestic circle was the superstructure men saw; it rested on the sure foundation, laid out of sight, of a true acceptance and communion with God.

He

It is, however, unnecessary for me to extend my remarks on my dear friend's character and life, inasmuch

as I have to append a memoir written, at the request of the Bethesda Leaders' Meeting, by Messrs. Preston, Williams, and Lee. These good brethren were attached friends of Mr. Griffiths, and in every way competent to produce an honest and useful memoir. I perfectly agree with the truth of what they have written concerning Mr. Griffiths, and I had no hesitation in reading it, as a fair representation of what he was and did, to a large congregation, which knew him well, assembled in Bethesda Chapel, on the evening of Sunday, July 15th. The reading of the memoir was followed by a sermon, from the words, "A man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."-Acts vi. 5.

It should be premised that the account of the first twenty years of Mr. Griffiths' life is from his own pen; and there is reason to believe that it was his intention, had he been spared, to continue this autobiography:

"I was born at Penymoneth, in the county of Flint, 7th March, 1825; so that now (1859) thirty-five years of my life have passed. Though not born of parents in affluent circumstances, they were industrious and religious. My kind and pious mother died when I was about three years of age. After her death, my father and his children went to live with my grandfather, where we had an interest manifested towards us scarcely surpassed by a mother's. In this house I was brought up in a religious atmosphere. A prayer-meeting and a class-meeting were weekly held in the house. But notwithstanding the religious influence surrounding me, I began to develop the depravity of my heart in the wickedness of my conduct. I regret now to think that I could dare to tell an untruth to my schoolmaster, or to my father, if I thought it would shield me from chastisement. And if sin was so powerful in me while favoured with so much to restrain it, what would likely have been my condition had I not had such restraint? I was early sent to a school, and was urged by my father to remain much longer than I was then willing; but I was very desirous of obtaining work, and,

merely from a feeling of ambition, became impatient of school; and I prevailed upon him to let me go to work at the brick-work. Here I was fortunately brought into the immediate society of men who were and had long been Christians; and it is to the interest these good men took in me, and the influence their character had upon me, that I attribute, under the blessing of God, my salvation. Several young men with whom I worked were members of the church, and frequently spoke to me on religious subjects. My father felt deeply anxious for my conversion; and, when he thought I was asleep, I have heard him in earnest whispers at the bedside praying for my salvation; and this, I believe, had a deep impression on my mind.

แ

When I was sixteen years of age, I began to feel some concern about spiritual things I was aware that I was at a critical period. when I was forming associations which might prove injurious. I was beginning to taste of the cup of sinful pleasure; and with a belief in the truths of religion, I felt that the taste of sin left bitterness. I began to feel a yearning for some good that would ease my soul, and I was persuaded that that good was the love of Jesus Christ. I began to pray to God— rather to feel after him, and to mourn for him. I determined that I would forsake my sinful ways and sinful companions; that I would repent of sin, and seek the favour of God. And while under these serious impressions, I was invited to meet in class. This was a trial: I had to meet in our own house, with my own relatives. I thought it would be easier to go amongst strangers; but I was enabled to take up the cross, and I felt that that step was made a blessing. My heart, which I felt before was hard, was melted. God's Spirit seemed to have a more free and gracious operation, now that I was willing to yield to him. And had I not indulged in mistaken notions on the witness of the Spirit, I believe that at once I might have, by believing, entered into rest. But I was wishful to do something to obtain pardon. I resolved that night,

while I was on my knees in prayer, that on the coming day I would be very different in my conduct; that I would think only upon holy things: but to my dismay I found my mind exercised with thoughts more sinful than had ever passed through my mind. This was to me the more surprising, as I had never been accustomed to such thoughts; it must have been the contest between sin and grace in my depraved heart. I, however, gave myself unto prayer; and occasionally I felt, while pouring out my heart to God, that he did forgive my sins, and reveal Jesus Christ to my soul as my Saviour. But how soon would Satan tempt me to the conclusion that my conversion was not real! My perplexity was much increased by reading a Calvinistic book on the nature of the new birth, in which the author expresses an opinion, that if the soul that obeys the advice which he gives in this work, does not realize peace with God, there is a doubt as to the possibility of his ever receiving it. This, at the time, was a great discouragement to me; and I must confess, that while I obtained considerable instruction from religious books, yet on the matter of my own conversion, I found my difficulties relieved more effectually by earnest prayer to God in secret, and by a simple childlike trust in the merits of the Saviour's death. I found that every act of faith in Jesus was confirmed and sealed to my heart by the Holy Spirit of God, infusing peace and joy into my soul. Indeed, I have found through the whole of my experience, that I live by faith in Jesus. The just shall live by faith.'

"About two years after I had united with the Christian church, I was exposed to a trial of my faith. It arose from a change which took place in the opinions of one of our ministers, Joseph Barker. I was very much attached to him when he travelled in the Hawarden circuit. His kind and winning manner was quite attractive to me; and when I heard reports of the orthodoxy of his sentiments being questioned, I was ready to conclude that such could, not be the case. I most eagerly read

the pamphlets he published at the time of his expulsion, and thought that he had been hardly dealt with by the Conference. I read his doctrinal views in the 'Investigator,' in which he professed to give his views on the divinity of Jesus Christ and on the atonement, and I concluded he was quite correct in his opinions. But he at length began to ignore the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. He also published the able, but pernicious works of Dr. Channing. With the beauty and excellent morality of Channing I was fascinated, and was nearly drawn into the same views theologically. But I felt a consciousness of there bcing something essentially wanting; for I could perceive that if the doctrine of the atonement were impugned, there was no use of profess-. ing to extol the Bible morality, while Bible doctrines were denied ; and that the practical effect of such opinions as those which Dr. Channing and Mr. Barker taught, was to lead to infidelity. I had a great fear of this, and I prayed to God to guide me into all truth. And I was, I believe, after carefully investigating the great truths and doctrines of Christianity, and by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, enabled to see the harmony and beauty of the Gospel -a Gospel which, while it is a most glorious display of the character of God, is pre-eminently adapted to the necessities of man, and powerful to his salvation.

"When I had been a member of society for about two years, I was requested by one of the leaders to give my attention to preaching. From this responsible work I felt a shrinking of mind; but still in my prayers before God I sought his direction. I prayed that if it was his will I should engage in that work, that I might be drawn into it; but if not, that no consideration whatever should induce me to undertake it. After repeated requests from the leading friends, I consented to attempt an exhortation in the house in which we held a week-night prayermeeting. It was, I well recollect, with much fear and trembling, but I was graciously assisted to speak to