Feb. 17th.-At Ribstone, in the Knaresborough Circuit, in the eighty-first year of his age, Mr. Peter Burnell. He was brought to the enjoyment of religion, and joined the Methodists, when eighteen years of age, and became a Local Preacher in 1776, in which capacity he laboured for nearly sixty-two years. He maintained an unblemished character, and was, as a Preacher, acceptable and useful. He died as he had lived, having peace with God through our Lord Jesus J. S. Christ.

Feb. 20th.-At Margate, Miss Susanna Truss, aged seventy-eight, who for twenty-eight years had adorned her profession as a consistent and zealous member of the Methodist society, and for the last eight years had been laid aside by affliction, having had a paralytic seizure while on her knees, praying with the class over which she had watched with great affection for nine years previously. But though disabled for all public duty, her love to souls, and zeal for the glory of God, were unabated, and often evinced by the letters which she wrote to warn the careless, to comfort the distressed, and to encourage those who were setting out for the kingdom of God. As her sufferings and weakness increased, she evidently sunk more fully into the divine will, and looked more steadily at the glory towards which her heavenly Father was mercifully leading her. Not long before she died, her kind medical attendant asked if she was in pain, and she replied, "Yes, such pain as defies all human skill,-the pain of death; but blessed and praised be God, it is not the pain of hell." Her very countenance indicated the great peace which she enjoyed. The day before she died, she desired that her dying love might be given to an aged disciple who had often visited her during her illness, and that he might be told that "she would get the start of him, and welcome him to the realms of bliss." Just before her dissolution, she was asked if Christ was still precious; and not being able to speak in reply, she raised herself in the bed, and then gradually sank away in death.

T. R.

Feb. 20th.-At Minerva-House, Hackney-road, in the First London Circuit, Sarah, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Early, aged thirty-eight years. From early life she was favoured with religious instruction, which was accompanied to her heart by the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit. At the age of fifteen she gladly received the word, and devoted herself first to the Lord, and then to his people by his will. In disposition she was diffident and retiring, and eminently distinguished by a meek and quiet spirit. Her piety was of an unobtrusive character, and rather seen than heard. It was remarkably exemplified in the consistency of her Christian deportment, and in her vigilant and prayerful attention to all her domestic and maternal duties. Her constitution was feeble; and her piety was, in consequence, tested by almost uninterrupted affliction, in which she exhibited great patience, meekness, and resignation. During her last affliction, her mind was graciously sustained; her confidence humble, but realizing. Her lamp was burning. The "kingdom of God, which is righteousness, peace, and

joy in the Holy Ghost," was set up in her heart. To the writer, a short time before her death, she expressed her simple and entire trust in the atonement, and her assured hope of immortal life through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. In her immediate approach to the eternal world, the Saviour whom she had long trusted spoke into her inmost soul the promise,"Fear not, I am with thee." The love of life, of husband and children, was vanquished by the love of something infinitely superior. They were cheerfully resigned; the soul was cast upon Christ; and she exclaimed,

"My God, I am thine, what a comfort divine, What a blessing to know that my Jesus is

mine!

Yet onward I haste to the heavenly feast: That, that is the fulness; but this is the taste!"

J. F.

Feb. 22d.-At Pensford, in the Bristol South Circuit, Mr. Joseph Lowe, aged seventy-seven. He had been a member of the society about sixty years. He was deeply convinced of sin in early life, and was much opposed by his dearest earthly relations; but God raised him up spiritual friends, by whose Christian advice he saw the way of peace, and was soon enabled, for himself, to trust in Christ. His exemplary conduct and ardent prayers were soon instrumental in bringing his friends to a better state of mind. He was admitted into the Methodist society by the Rev. Jeremiah Brettel, for whom, as well as for the old Preachers generally, he retained a very affectionate regard to the end of his life. About twenty years ago he was prevailed upon to take the charge of a class, but his extreme diffidence tended to hinder his usefulness. He was free from presumptuous boldness, but subject to unreasonable timidity. He brought up a numerous family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eleven children were spared to manhood, three of whom have since died in the Lord, and the remaining eight all have their faces Zionward. For the last sixteen years he suffered much from asthma, and often his languor and depression were excessive. But though his natural spirits were broken by disease, his heart was fixed on the promise and all-sufficiency of God, and cheered by the hope of future bliss. In his last hours he expressed his firm trust in the goodness of God, and his entire dependence on the great atonement, saying,

"I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me."

The last words he was heard to utter were,
"Blessed Jesus, blessed Redeemer;" soon after
which his spirit escaped from earthly suffering
to heavenly rest.
W. C.

Feb. 24th.-In the London North Circuit, Mr. Robert Perkins. He came from Norfolk to London in 1806, and was providentially conducted to the City-road chapel, where, under the powerful preaching of Mr. Benson, he was made savingly acquainted with the truth as it is in Jesus. As a man of business his integrity was strict; as a husband and father he was affectionate; as a

Christian professor, devout and consistent. He died of typhus fever, so that in his last illness, which was very brief, he was seldom able to say much about his spiritual concerns; but it was evident that all was well, and that the comforts of religion, which he had enjoyed for above thirty R. P. years, supported him to the last.

Feb. 25th.-At Freckleton, in the Preston Circuit, aged seventy-four, Mrs. Hall. She was a member of the Methodist society upwards of twenty-five years; and during the earlier part of that period encountered considerable opposition in her Christian course. She zealously promoted the erection of a chapel in that village; and spent much time in prayer, that God would remove certain difficulties, which occurred in proeuring a title to the ground on which the chapel stands. In the exercise of prayer, she was remarkable for her simplicity; and she frequently said that she had received many signal answers from the throne of grace. Her last illness was protracted, and during its earlier stages very painful; but she was enabled to rely upon the merits of the Redeemer, and to rejoice in the prospect of the glory which awaited her. When her end drew near, her friends engaged in prayer on her behalf; and on one of them inquiring, "Is Jesus precious?" she replied, "Yes:" her friend then said, Glory be to God!" to which she answered, "For ever and for evermore; and, "Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen!" Shortly J. B. after, she fell asleep in Jesus.

"

March 12th.-At Bradford, Yorkshire, Mr. John Rouse, in the forty-fourth year of his age. About four years ago, he had a dangerous illness, and became deeply concerned for his salvation. He requested a Wesleyan Minister, then in the town, to be sent for, who was happy to find him a true penitent, anxious to know God as a sinpardoning God. For several days a distressing fear of being lost eternally prevailed; but a few hours before God spoke peace to his troubled heart, a spirit of earnest prayer was poured upon him, which continued till one o'clock in the morning; when suddenly his oppressive sense of guilt was banished; and peace, love, and joy sprang up in his soul. This was to him a most delightful change. He soon joined the Wesleyan society, and remained a steady, consistent member to the day of his death. For some time his Christian graces had been rapidly increasing. This was evident in his strong desires for closer communion with God; his love to early devotion; growing regard for the holy Scriptures; decidedly spiritual conversation; pious solicitude for the spiritual welfare of his nearest relations; his anxious concern for the good of his work-people; and especially for their poor children; for whom he provided a week-day and two Sunday schools, one of which he attended every Sabbath, while his health would permit. He latterly adopted a practice which proved of much use and comfort to him: he wrote on his memorandum-slate a text of Scripture, which impressed his mind during his morning reading, as likely to caution or comfort him during the day. The last was as follows: "My heart and my flesh faileth; but God is the strength of my Some of his heart, and my portion for ever."

near

J. R. B.

March 17th.-At Buston-Vale, in the Alnwick Circuit, J. Appleby, Esq., in the seventy-first year of his age. About forty years ago he began to attend the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodists, and became deeply impressed with a sense of his sinful state, and the necessity of an interest in Christ; but some considerable time appears to have elapsed before he attained the peace which is through believing. It was under a sermon preached by the Rev. William M'Kitrick, that he obtained a clear evidence that the Lord had blotted out his sins; and from that period to the close of his life, he was enabled to maintain an exemplary measure of Christian consistency. His attention to the social means of grace, and the duty of public worship, was punctual and diligent. In Alnmouth, the place he attended on the Lord's day, he erected a chapel at his own expense, and secured it to the Conference for the use of the society; and in connexion with this he has left property, from the proceeds of which £20 a year are to be paid to a school master or mistress to teach a number of boys and girls, to be chosen by the Trustees; £4 a year to the funds of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and £2 a year to the Kingswood and Woodhouse-Grove schools: the residue is to be applied to the Mr. Appleby Quarter Board of the Circuit.

was firmly attached to the Wesleyan body from the commencement of his religious career; and to the close of his life he retained an ardent admiration of the character and labours of its distinguished founder. In domestic life, he evinced affection, kindness, and fidelity. His commercial transactions were distinguished by His last illness was frankness and integrity. short, but his mind was tranquil and serene. The last two or three years of his life he showed an increasing spirituality of mind, and a strong desire to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God: and in the closing scene he manifested a calm and steadfast confidence in the great T. A. atonement of the Redeemer.

March 18th.-At Betley, in the Nantwich Circuit, Frances, the beloved wife of Mr. William Swinnerton. When a child, being blessed with

.

the care, instruction, example, and prayers of a pious mother, she was impressed with the importance of eternal things; was convinced of sin; sought redemption in the blood of Christ; and soon obtained an assurance of her adoption into the family of God. From the age of fifteen, to the close of life, she was a steady upright member of the Methodist society. She was an amiable, intelligent, and affectionate wife; a kind neighbour; and she sincerely loved the Ministers of Christ. After enduring a long and severe affliction with Christian patience, she died in peace, aged thirty-five years. R. S.

March 21st.-At Thirsk, Mr. William Jackson, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. In the early part of his life he lived without any regard for the will of God, and was even notorious for sin until forty years of age; but he often declared afterwards, and with tears, that he sinned against the convictions of his conscience. About the year 1801 he was brought to the saving knowledge of the truth; and notwithstanding the evil habits which he had formed, he from that time maintained a consistent character. His attendance at the means of grace, especially the Sunday morning prayermcetings, for many years was exemplary. He was upon the plan as an Exhorter; and for upwards of twenty years led a class in a neighbouring village. In these offices he was plain and faithful, thinking little of either labour or expense, if the cause of God required them. His ear was always open to the cry of the sorrowful and destitute: few ever possessed a more feeling heart, or had a hand more ready to help. About twenty years ago, some of the Leaders and members of the Thirsk society agreed to pray every Friday morning, at eleven o'clock, for the prosperity of the work of God among them; which practice was continued by Mr. Jackson to the end of life. He had a slight paralytic seizure about a year ago, and it was evident for some time that he was sinking under his infirmities. When asked the state of his soul, he would, with a heart filled with gratitude, and eyes swimming with tears, bless God for saving him, "the chief of sinners." He was a lover of Methodism, and cheerfully contributed to its support; and has bequeathed nineteen guineas each, to the Mission and Chapel Fund, and ten guineas to the Preachers' Fund.

S. C.

March 25th.-At Monkwearmouth, in the Sunderland Circuit, Roger Sanderson, whose age exceeded one hundred years. His age cannot be more exactly ascertained; but that it was at least as above mentioned, is inferred from his having frequently stated, that he was following the plough, when he heard the news of the rebellion in 1745. He was a poor, but pious and cheerful, old man. He became a member of the Methodist society at the age of thirty-five, and continued affectionately united with it till his peaceful removal to the society of the disembodied saints. His indigent mother was supported by him many years; and when his labours ceased through the feebleness of age, he was partly supported by Christian benevolence. At the request of the Leaders'-Meeting, the death of this poor and old

disciple was improved by the Rev. Robert Jackson, in a sermon preached at the Wesleyan chapel in Monk wearmouth. I. K.

March 25th.-At Middleton, in the Oldham Circuit, in the thirty-fourth year of her age, Mary, the beloved wife of the Rev. Philip Hardcastle, jun., Wesleyan Minister. Her death was T. D. sudden, but peaceful.

March 26th,-At Sancton, in the Pocklington Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Marshall, in the sixtysixth year of her age, and after a painful illness of about nine weeks' continuance. For several years she had been a devout and circumspect member of the Methodist society, and with her excellent husband kindly and hospitably entertained the Wesleyan Ministers, on their regular visits to the village, where they have long successfully preached the word of life. Under her last affliction her sufferings were very great; but she was cheered and sustained by the grace of the Lord Jesus. In answer to the inquiries of her friends, respecting the state of her mind, she said, "The Lord has helped me; he does help; and he will never leave me." On another occasion, when speaking of the divine support with which she was favoured, she emphatically said, "Firm as a rock; firm as a rock." T. J.

March 28th.-At Little-Castle, in the Carlow Circuit, Mr. John Bradley, aged seventy-four. At an early age he was, by means of the Wesleyan ministry, brought to the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, and throughout his afterlife maintained a consistent Christian character, and was the undeviating friend of Methodism. His house, for nearly fifty years, was a home to the Wesleyan Ministers who visited those parts, many of whom to this day can bear grateful testimony to his kindness. He was a man of amiable manners, and of very tender conscience. His health had been declining for the last three months, yet he was only about five days confined to his bed, during which time he manifested entire resignation to the will of God, and breathed his last in the "full assurance of faith."

R. B.

April 1st.-At Holmfirth, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. Anthony Close, surgeon, and oldest daughter of Mr. Benjamin Butterworth, clothier, of that place. Her esteemed parents, who are the immediate descendants of Wesleyan Methodists, having themselves experienced the benefits of religious discipline, trained her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, so that from a child she feared God. Under a sermon preached at Honley, by the late Rev. Joseph Hollingworth, she, and a sister, now living, were brought to see and feel that they were sinners, needing salvation, and soon obtained pardon and peace. Her piety was deep, cheerful, uniform, and influential. Towards the end of life, when apprehensions of danger began to be entertained, she calmly waited the event, saying, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, so that whether it be life or death, all is well." She died in great peace, sincerely lamented, not only by her bereaved husband, and immediate relations, but by a large circle of Christian friends. R. M.

April 5th.-In the Birmingham West Circuit, Isaac Parsons, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. In early life he was brought to the saving knowledge of the truth, and for many years was an esteemed Leader and Local Preacher. He was a lover of good men, and a firm Methodist. For several years he had suffered severe affliction, but never was heard to murmur; and once, on hearing his affectionate partner yield to her feelings, he immediately said, "You must not say one word. God is merciful: I have deserved hell" His end was calm and peaceful. The Saturday prior to his decease he returned from London, and on entering his home it was evident the journey had been injurious to his health. On Monday he seemed to revive, but it was only for a short period. The last night of his life he was heavily afflicted, but bowed his knees before the throne of grace, and fervently prayed for all around him, and commended his soul into the hands of his Redeemer. He afterwards lay down, and while asleep, without the knowledge of his attendants, his spirit took its flight to God. W. N.

April 6th.-In the Second London Circuit, in the sixty-sixth year of her age, Mrs. M. A. Gardner, daughter-in-law of the late Dr. Gardner. She was a member of the Methodist society upwards of fifty years. Her last affliction was long and painful, occasioning great depression of spirits; and as she always cherished very humbling views of herself, she was frequently brought into a very doubting state; but when relieved from the pressure of disease, she could rejoice in God as her reconciled Father, through faith in the precious blood of Christ. She was eminently a woman of a meek and quiet spirit, and her delight was in the law of the Lord. In the discharge of her parental duties she was exemplary, in the kindest manner showing her solicitude for the spiritual well-being of her children, three of whom, with the partner of her life, had reached the haven of rest some years before. The last day was a season of peculiar bodily suffering, so that she earnestly desired to be clothed upon with her house which is from heaven. Her end was very peaceful.

J. S. G.

April 11th.-In Red-Lion-square, in the Second London Circuit, Mary, the beloved wife of the Rev. William Jenkins, aged seventy-five years. She was brought out of the gay and fashionable world more than fifty years ago, by the power of God, through his word preached in the Old-green Meeting, at Northampton. She joined the Methodist society in that place, when it was very small, and very poor; and was enabled to persevere through much persecution,

"choosing

April 12th.-At Stoke-Newington, London, aged twenty-two years, Sarah, the daughter of Mr. John Jeffs. From infancy she was dutiful and obedient to her parents, and rewarded by her conduct their prayerful solicitude for her salvation. Having been accustomed, in company with her mother, to attend the ministry of the Rev. J. Campbell, of Kingsland, she became convinced of the necessity of decision of character, and about three years ago sought admission into the church under the pastoral care of that venerable Minister. From that time she maintained great Christian consistency. In her last illness, her sole trust for salvation was in the atonement, and she died in expectation of eternal J. F. life through Jesus Christ.

April 13th.-At Scarrington, in the Newark Circuit, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, Mr. John Marsh; it is supposed from the rupture of a bloodvessel on the brain. The stroke of death suddenly overtook him while riding round his grounds; but his friends have the consolation of knowing that the habitual piety and trust in Christ in which he lived, prepared him for the solemn event. About twenty years ago, when suffering under an affliction which he then thought would be unto death, and conscious that he was unprepared to meet his God, he thankfully received the visits and ministerial advice of the Rev. John Hickling and other Christian friends, which proved a great blessing to his soul. On recovery, he immediately joined our society, and continued to walk in the ordinances of God among us to the day of his death. He will long live in the affectionate esteem of his Christian brethren, and a respectable circle of friends and neighbours, who deeply regret the loss they have sustained.

B. A.

April 18th.-At Bradford, Wilts, in the seventyfirst year of her age, Mrs. Ann Milsom, one of the early race of Methodists in that place, and a woman deeply experienced in the things of God. She received a clear sense of pardoning mercy in 1785, and held fast her confidence and rejoicing to the end. Her spirit was humble, meek, patient, and thankful; her conversation edifying, and her whole deportment blameless. For several months, towards the close of life, she had to pass through severe sufferings; but her Saviour was with her in the furnace, and she proved his utmost power to save. In nature's final struggle, Christ was near and precious; and almost with her expiring breath she was enabled to exclaim, "Glory, glory!"

J. R.

April 18th.-At Poplar-Mount, 'Axminster, Bridget, relict of the late Rev. Mark Daniell, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Forty-five years the deceased maintained an unblemished Christian profession. In her character were blended benevolence, integrity, and devotedness