In the year 1802 her father removed from Baldock; but, Providence opening the way in a signal manner, she entered into the marriage state with Mr. Richard Hudson, a member of the Methodist society, and a zealous and useful Local Preacher, who succeeded her father in the farm at Baldock. In this she recognised the hand of God, and never had cause to repent a step taken with much deliberation and prayer. United to a man of kindred spirit with her own, she zealously prosecuted the path of Christian duty, and by her works of piety in the church, and works of mercy in the world, was made extensively useful. Her attendance on the public ministry of the word was worthy of imitation. No little thing would prevent her from worshipping God in the "great congregation." In meetings for social prayer she obtained much spiritual comfort; and frequently, whilst pouring out her soul to God, an uncommon unction would rest upon the people. In class-meetings she was ever at home. Her naturally strong and penetrating mind, together with her decided and ardent piety, specially fitted her for the work to which, in the order of Providence, she was called. Her instructions, exhortations, and reproofs were always well-timed. It was her custom to pray in her closet for each member in succession, and solicit blessings for them according to their respective states and circumstances; and she had the pleasure of seeing that neither her prayers nor labours were in vain. Her attention to the sick and dying poor was exemplary. A considerable portion of her time was spent in visiting the habitations of want and disease. Often with an infant at her breast would she go from house to house, carrying in her hand something for the body, and in her heart much for the soul. Many years ago a malignant fever raged very fatally at Baldock, and a general panic spread through the town. Mrs. Hudson felt it her duty to visit and relieve the sufferers, and did so without sustaining the slightest injury. This is not intended as a reflection on more timid Christians: perhaps in such a case it is well to be guided by the openings of Providence, and the secret drawings of the Holy Spirit. The way of duty is always the way of safety. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson resided at Baldock upwards of twenty years; and, by their liberality and uprightness, were the chief pillars and ornaments of the Methodist society there. At their house the Preachers ever found a comfortable home, and many can bear testimony to the unwearied attention and kindness which they always received beneath this hospitable roof. In the year 1823 Mrs. Hudson removed with her family to Wymondley, a small village in the same Circuit. To leave a choice circle of Christian friends, as well as a cause somewhat flourishing, was a great trial to her; but the removal was followed by important results. Preaching was commenced at her own house, a class was formed, and several persons were brought to God, some of whom remain steadfast and unmovable to the present day. At this place she was called to experience a heavy trial in the death of her husband,* who, after a short illness, was taken to his reward. She was enabled to rejoice in the midst of her sorrow. Just as Mr. Hudson expired, she exclaimed, in the fulness of her heart, "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ:" thus affording an instance of the power of true religion to administer comfort in seasons of deep affliction, and, subordinating nature to grace, to lead the sufferer to a patient and even joyful acquiescence in the will of God. For some years IIitchin, a respectable town, two miles from her own house, and containing a population of more than five thousand, had pressed heavily on her heart. She felt for the people that were living in darkness and sin, and resolved to attempt something to bring them to God. A friend offering his house, the Rev. James Golding preached the first sermon in the year 1828. Mrs. Hudson was the principal instrument in the hands of God of planting Methodism in this new soil; and under her kind and fostering hand it continued to grow. By her unwearied diligence in attending meetings for prayer, and her visits from house to house, especially to the poor and the afflicted, many were induced to attend the preaching, and subsequently to unite with her in church-fellowship. She soon raised a class, and in little more than three years from this period, had three others under her care. God was pleased to smile upon the infant cause, so that after worshipping in a dwelling-house about eight or nine months, a barn was procured and opened for preaching. This event, in the day of small things," was looked upon as greatly progressive; and to many this rude structure proved "the house of God and the gate of heaven." About twelve months after this, a small chapel was purchased, principally through the liberality of a gentleman now living, "whose heart the Lord had opened." These things are mentioned because they are intimately connected with the personal history of our deceased friend. In these changes she was deeply interested, and has been known to spend whole nights in prayer to God for the prosperity of his work. In the year 1832 she lost a pious son in the prime of life. The day on which he died she herself ruptured a blood-vessel, and was earnestly requested by her medical attendant to avoid as much as possible both bodily and mental exertion. Hearing, however, that her son was dying and requested prayer, she seemed to forget her own indisposition, poured out her soul in his behalf whilst lying in bed; and being removed to his bedside, with the tenderness of a mother and the piety of a Christian, she encouraged and com * For a Memoir of this devoted man, see the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine for May, 1829. forted his departing spirit with the promises of the Gospel. She had learned to say with holy Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." In the following year she removed with her family to reside at Hitchin. In this event the hand of God was signally engaged; and it shows that the Almighty frequently makes the dispensations of his providence subservient to the important purposes of his grace. The rising cause at Hitchin much needed her judicious and cherishing care; and by becoming a resident, she was able to give it even more of her time and attention than formerly. This she continued to do to the last fortnight of her life. In the autumn and spring of 1833-4 a considerable increase took place both in the society and congregation. The chapel became too small. A larger one was projected, and opened in the following July. In the erection of this place, her holy wishes appeared to attain their summit. In being spared to witness the completion of a large and commodious chapel, to attend its opening services, and to see a Wesleyan Minister resident in the town, she seemed to arrive at the climax of her desires, and observed to some of her Christian friends, that she felt ready to say, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Six weeks after the opening of the new chapel she was visited with typhus fever, which she bore with Christian submission and patience. The disease baffled the power of medicine, and rapidly undermined a frame worn out in the best of causes. During a great part of her illness she was delirious; but in her lucid moments she expressed great confidence in God, and much "joy in the Holy Ghost." On one occasion, fixing her eye upon her medical attendant, she inquired what her disease was; and, observing some hesitancy in replying, she said, "You need not fear telling me; I am not afraid to know." Soon after she exclaimed, "I long to behold him array'd With glory and light from above; I languish and sigh to be there, O when shall we meet in the air, And fly to the mountain of God!" A friend inquiring if she were happy, she said, "O yes; I feel more than I can express." In the evening of the same day, she waved her hand in an ecstasy of joy, and exclaimed, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." On the day before her death, she said, "Christ is precious, and I long to be with him." These were the last words that were heard distinctly. She fell asleep in Jesus, September 20th, 1834, in the sixtieth year of her age. Mrs. Hudson's general character was marked by many strong and pleasing traits. In temporal affairs she was a pattern of uprightness and diligence; and by her economy, industry, and integrity, she secured the respect of all who knew her. ut it was chiefly as a Christian, that her great excellence appeared. Her piety was above the common level, and her religious attainments of a high order. The frame of her mind was truly heavenly, and her conversation and deportment were ever in accordance with it. The writer had the privilege of living under her roof for thirteen months; and he can say that he never knew her perform an improper action, never heard a wrong expression drop from her lips, never beheld in her an unholy She was temper. (6 an Israelite indeed in whom there was no guile." She was a woman of much prayer and of strong faith. Oft has the writer overheard her in an adjoining room fervently supplicating the throne of grace, and that too at an early hour. It was her custom on a Sabbath morning to carry into her closet the Preachers' plan of the Circuit; and, spreading it before the Lord, she would earnestly pray for each of the brethren in succession. She felt the force of the apostolic exhortation, "Brethren, pray for us.” When a small chapel in the town of Hitchin was offered for sale, she, along with others, felt very desirous that it should be purchased for the use of the Methodists; but knew not where to obtain the necessary means. A gentleman, having recently begun to attend the preaching, and the Superintendent of the Circuit (the Rev. John Bell) being invited to lodge at his house, it was agreed that Mr. Bell should mention the state of affairs to him, and leave the matter to take its own course. Mrs. Hudson we at home; but, instead of retiring to rest, she spent the whole of the night in prayer. In the morning she hastened to meet Mr. Bell; but, before leaving home, she observed to her family that she felt confident that God would answer prayer. This was the case. The gentleman before referred to, with great cheerfulness, came forward in a most handsome manner: the chapel was purchased, and in a short time was entirely freed from debt. Her zeal in the cause of God deserves to be especially noticed. The glory of God, and the salvation of souls, were manifestly the grand objects of her desires and labours. She "travailed in birth” for souls; and God in numerous instances gave her the desire of her heart. In conjunction with a few others, who now "rest from their labours," she was the instrument of introducing Methodism into many towns and villages in the counties of Bedford and Hertford, and lived to see much good result from these labours. She stood by the infant cause in reproach and persecution; for she believed it to be the cause of truth and of God. Her zeal appeared to increase with her years, and to the last she evinced the strongest solicitude for the salvation of souls. Though dead, she yet speaketh, and furnishes a strong confirmation of that truth, "The memory of-the just is blessed." DIVINITY. MESSIAH'S PROCEDURE IN EVANGELIZING THE WORLD: A SERMON, Preached at Hayle, during a Missionary Tour in Cornwall, and published at the request of the Friends of the Wesleyan Missions in that place. BY THE REV. ABRAHAM E. FARRAR. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth." Isaiah xlii. 1-4. If you turn to the twelfth chapter of St. Matthew, you will find this prediction distinctly applied to our adorable Redeemer; and its incipient accomplishment referred to the mode in which he put forth his miraculous agency: an application furnishing the key to our subject. The term "judgment" is, by the fourth and fifth verses of the fiftyfirst chapter of this prophecy, expounded of the Gospel. "Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth; and mine arm shall judge the people." Here judgment is described as a "law," not already published, but which was to "proceed" from God; his "salvation," already "gone forth;" his "righteousness," which was approaching, as "a light of the people." Judgment literally means "legal decision; a sentence delivered in a court of law, by some competent judicial authority; but used by the Jews to denote a decision favourable to the party in whose cause it was pronounced. And here is the declaration of "the righteousness of God in the forgiveness of sins:" a decision of mercy on the basis of justice; for "God set forth his Son to be a propitiation, to declare his righteousness in the remission of sins," and "by him all that believe are justified." The prophecy, therefore, in its full accomplishment, anticipates the evangelization of the world; and places before us the character of that procedure by which it is to be effected: a procedure which it represents as under the immediate appointment of the Father; noiseless |