persons then forming the society on the hill. As a Class-Leader, Prayer-Leader, and visiter of the sick, he was diligent, blessed, and made a blessing. Sometimes his spiritual progress was in a measure retarded through his natural levity of disposition; but the last six months of his life evinced a growing concern for his full meetness for heaven. During his affliction he became more and more heavenly-minded, was filled with joy and love, so that he frequently broke out in songs of praise. When fast sinking into the arms of death, as if summoning all his powers, he shouted, "Glory!" and soon after breathed his last. J. L.

July 3d.-At Barnstaple, Mrs. Joanna Gould, aged seventy-two, who had been a member of the society about twenty-five years, during which time, it is believed, she walked closely with God. Her death was sudden; but she was not unprepared. At her class-meeting, a few days only before her death, she appeared to be remarkably filled with divine comfort; but no one thought that it was the last time of her meeting with her Christian friends. J. F.

July 6th.-At Barnstaple, Mrs. Mary Gould, relict of the late Mr. John Gould, aged fifty-five. She joined the Methodist society in 1810, and continued a member of it to the end of her life. She was often called to suffer much, especially in the last year of her pilgrimage; but she was very graciously supported, and in the time of affliction, her religion shone with great brightness. Though seldom able to speak aloud, she would feebly whisper, "God is good; Christ is precious; He supports me; he is all in all." She thus continued to rejoice in God till released from all her weakness and suffering by death.

J. F.

July 8th.-At Southampton, aged sixty-nine, Mrs. Rebecca New, who, for more than forty years, had been a consistent and exemplary member of the Methodist society. She was converted to God about her fifteenth year, and from that time discharged every relative and social duty so as to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Her last illness deprived her of the power of giving utterance by words to the confidence and feelings of her heart towards God; but she manifested, at all intervals of consciousness, that her treasure and her heart were in heaven.

J. T.

July 8th.-At Bingham, in the Newark Circuit, aged forty-six, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. George Berry. The loss of her pious mother, thirty years ago, led her to join the Wesleyan society, and to seek till she found the pardoning mercy of God. The genuineness and strength of her piety were manifested by compassion for the afflicted, love to the Ministers of Christ, strong attachment to the exercises both of public and private devotion, and diligent attention to the duties of domestic life. The sickness of which she died attacked her on the 14th of May. Her language in affliction was, "Praise the Lord: he is very good." She had an unshaken trust in the merits of Christ, and continued to the last in the full light of faith and hope.

G. B.

July 17th-At Chelsea, near London, aged thirty years, Mrs. Mary Pollard, the wife of Mr.

William Pollard. In early life she was instructed in the duties of the Christian religion, under the parental roof of Mr. Joseph Crossley, of Welton, in Lincolnshire; but it was in the twenty-third year of her age that she became (as did also her husband) a decided follower of our Lord Jesus Christ; and very shortly after their union with the church, they became partakers of the saving grace of God. From that period Mrs. Pollard maintained a uniform and steadfast profession, being held in general esteem by her Christian friends, especially for her meek and unostentatious disposition, which was strikingly evidenced in full submission to the divine will. In the affliction which terminated her earthly pilgrimage, not a murmuring word escaped her lips; and to the last she possessed a firm and unshaken confidence in the atoning merits of her. Saviour. She died in the full triumph of the faith of the Gospel.

C. R.

July 17th.-At Slapton, in the Leighton-Buz. zard Circuit, Mrs. Rickard, who had been for many years a consistent, zealous, and useful member of the Methodist society. She was strongly attached to the people among whom she had enjoyed many happy seasons; and not very long before her death, manifested it by joining her husband in cancelling a debt to them from the Trustees of the chapel of £100, on condition of receiving the interest during their lives. Her last affliction, though short, was severe; but her end was peace. W. B.

July 20th-At Bishop-Stortford, aged thirtyseven, Mrs. Jane Ware, wife of Mr. John Ware, Supervisor of Excise. In 1824, at Darlington, she was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus; from which time to the day of her death, she was a steady member of the Methodist society, holding fast the word of life. Her last illness was borne with Christian resignation and thankfulness. Being asked a little before her departure, "Are you saved from the fear of death?" she replied, "Perfect love casteth out all fear." Thus did she triumph through the blood of the Lamb over the last enemy, death, and fell asleep in the Lord.

R. E.

July 25d.-At Barnard-Castle, aged sixty, Mrs. Hannah Dixon, widow of the late Mr. William Dixon, of the above place. She was converted to God at the early age of ten, when she began to meet in class; and for fifty years was a consistent member of the Methodist society, She was especially regular in attending to her closet duties; and during the latter part of her life, generally spent two hours in the morning in private devotion, reading the Scriptures on her knees, and earnestly supplicating the throne of grace, especially for the salvation of her children. As her end approached, she was evidently ripening for heaven; and she at last died, exclaiming, "I am entering the port in full sail."

S. W.

July 27th. At the house of James K. Heron, Esq., Swinton-Park, near Manchester, the Rev. Robert Stephens M'All, LL. D., Minister of the Independent chapel, in Mosley-street, in that town. Some further particulars respecting this distinguished Minister may be expected in our next number.

July 28th.-At Bridgewater, in the Taunton Circuit, Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Richard Preece. She was brought to God in early life under the Wesleyan Ministry, joined the society, and continued a consistent and devoted member to the end. She was a Teacher in the Sundayschool, a Distributer of Tracts, and a Collector for the Missions; and during the last three years of her life, she was an useful Class-Leader, much beloved by the members of her class. The disease that terminated her useful life was a consumption; and although her affliction was long and painful, she bore it patiently: frequently saying, "All is well." The last day of her life was marked by very evident tokens of the divine favour; her heart was filled with love, and her mouth with praise. All her trust was in the atonement of Christ; and she died so triumphantly, that all who witnessed her last hours were constrained to say, "Let me die the death of the righteous."

J. E.

August 1st.-At Grove-Terrace, Leeds, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, Mr. Benjamin Stocks. During the period of nearly half a century, this excellent man was united to the Methodist society in Leeds; and at different times discharged, in a manner highly honourable to himself, those duties connected with the offices which he sustained, as Trustee, Circuit-Steward, &c. By his counsel, his influence, and his property, he cheerfully supported every measure which was conducive to the honour of God and the happiness of man. He has left to his family a name which is untarnished, and an example worthy of imitation. It was his study to attach his children to that religious society of which he was for so many years a consistent member; and he had the gratification of knowing that all his seven children were treading in his steps, having given themselves to the Lord, and united with the Methodist society by the will of God. His sufferings were protracted and severe; but they were borne patiently. From the time that he was confined to his room to the termination of his life, he never manifested any anxiety as to the result of his illness; but with Christian confidence, grounded on his faith in the atonement, he anticipated in the full assurance of hope, the period when mortality should be swallowed up of life. W. V.

August 3d.-At Birkenshaw, in the Birstal Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Sharp, in the eightieth year of her age. While listening to the clear, forcible, and impressive preaching of the Rev. A. Mather, in 1795-6, she was deeply convinced of sin, and saw it to be her privilege to know her sin forgiven. She sought the Lord earnestly; and while kneeling at her bed-side, pleading the promises of God, with her Bible open before her, the burden of her sin was removed, and she was enabled to rejoice in the God of her salvation. She joined the Methodist society in the year 1797. Her piety was deep, cheerful, practical, and diffusive. During a long life she maintained a high character in the society of which she was a member; and among Christians of other denominations, who knew her, she was highly esteemed. In her last illness, she was greatly supported, and looked forward with joy to the time of her de

parture. Many times she repeated, with great emphasis and a smiling countenance,

"By death and hell pursued in vain,

To thee the ransom'd seed shall come;
Shouting, their heavenly Sion gain,

And pass, through death, triumphant home." After blessing her children, she quietly gathered up her feet, and breathed her happy spirit into the hands of her Redeemer. J. W.

August 6th.-At Lloyds, in the Madeley Circuit, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. William Smith, in the seventieth year of her age. In early life she joined the Methodist society, and had the privilege of meeting in class with the late Mrs. Fletcher, upwards of twenty-six years; and so high did she stand in the estimation of Mrs. Fletcher, that she frequently recommended her to others as an example of piety worthy of imitation. During the period of forty-nine years that she was a member of our society, her conduct was irreproachable, and her piety above suspicion. In connexion with her pious and respected hus band, she carefully inculcated on her children the advantages of early piety: and her labour was not in vain; for she saw them not only respectably settled in life, but also useful members of the same religious community. The affliction which terminated her mortal existence was painful and tedious; but as her day, so was her strength. Death was disarmed of his terrors, and the dying saint was enabled to triumph in her last moments. As a friend, she was sincere; as a wife and mother, prudent and affectionate; as a Christian, circumspect in all her ways. Her life was holy, and her end was peace. J. M.

August 10th.-At Rotherham, aged seventy-six, Catherine, the wife of Mr. Thomas Bagshaw, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Green, who were the parents of Methodism in this town, and "endured a great fight of afflictions" on account of it. She joined the society in 1773, when she was twelve years of age, and continued a member till her death; making a period of sixty-five years. Her piety was deep and uniform. Her life was zealously devoted to the benefit of others, both in the church and the world. She nevertheless entertained the most humbling views of herself. By those who knew her, she was very much esteemed. She was a warm admirer of Wesleyan Methodism, and for many years a useful ClassLeader. In her last affliction, she prayed,

"When pain o'er my weak flesh prevails,

With lamb-like patience arm my breast." Her end was divinely serene and peaceful.

J. A.

August 11th.-In the London North Circuit, aged forty-five, Margaret Reddall, the beloved wife of Mr. John Reddall, builder. She was the daughter of the late Mr. George Scarlett; and very early in life became acquainted with the saving truths of the Gospel, under the ministry of Dr. Clarke. For many years she walked in the light of God's countenance, and adorned in all things the doctrine of God her Saviour. The ordinances of religion, and especially the fellowship of saints, were highly prized by her. Her piety was deep, but her profession silent and unobtrusive. Her various relative and domestic

duties she discharged with fidelity and zeal, leaving an example to her surviving family which will never be forgotten. In the society of her husband and children, she took great delight; and to assemble with them in the house of God, was a pleasure only to be surpassed by her personal communion with God. Her last illness was short, but severe: her sufferings for four days were agonizing, but her strength was proportioned to her day; and she waited the approach of death with fearless confidence. Beholding her weeping husband and children around her bed, she said, "How often have I pictured this scene!" Her dying charge to each of her children was solemnly impressive. After pleading with God for the full assurance of faith, she was enabled to rest her soul firmly on Christ, as her great High Priest, ever living to make intercession for her. She expressed some fears lest the enemy of souls should be permitted to annoy her in her last moments; but in this respect the Lord was better to her than her fears had suggested. To her husband she said, "Dying work is hard work, but the end will be glorious:" and then, with a voice faltering in death, she exclaimed,

"O what are all my sufferings here,

If, Lord, thou count me meet
With that enraptured host to appear,
And worship at thy feet!"

And, after a brief silence, she said,
"I shall behold his face,
I shall his power adore."

And soon after, with much earnestness,
"Finish then thy new creation,

Pure and spotless let me be."

A little while before she died, she exclaimed, "O Lord, I will praise thee; though thy hand is heavy upon me, yet I will praise thee,-praise thee now and for ever." Thus died a saint of God, a mother in Israel, a blessed monument of divine grace. Having nourished and brought up children, ministered unto the saints, and been faithful in every good word and work, she has now entered into rest. J. R.

August 12th.-At Hartley, in the North-Shields Circuit, Mrs. Margaret Straughan, aged twentyeight. She enjoyed the advantages of a Methodist ancestry and early training in the fear of God. She was an unpretending but sincerely pious Christian, made perfect through suffering. She loved the people of God, and her house was one of the Preachers' homes. During her long afflic

tion, she triumphed over the world, and died more than conqueror. The following lines, which she often repeated, are strongly descriptive of her character and experience :

"Still let me till my days are past

At Jesu's feet abide;

So shall he lift me up at last,

S. A.

And seat me by his side." August 13th.-At Aigburth, in the Liverpool South Circuit, Mr. Joseph Russell, aged sixty years. In the year 1798 he was awakened under a sermon preached by Mr. James Sykes, then a Local Preacher in Whitehaven; but not having clear conceptions of God's method of justifying the ungodly through faith, he did not receive the Spirit of adoption until the year 1805, when one day, while wrestling with God in prayer, the Scrip tures lying open before him, the following passage was applied with power to his soul: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." He was filled with peace and joy through believing; and from that time to the day of his death, he endeavoured to walk before God with a perfect heart. Having obtained the salvation of God himself, he became intensely concerned to promote the salvation of others. For thirty-five years he sustained the office of a Class-Leader, the duties of which he discharged with fidelity and success; and for nearly the same length of time he was an active and useful Local Preacher. He also filled the offices of Society and Circuit Steward and Trustee, with credit to himself and advantage to the church of God. He was remarkable for the constancy of his attendance on the house and ordinances of God; and to the last he adorned his Christian profession by walking at all times as became the Gospel of Christ. The affliction which terminated his valuable life was protracted and painful; but "as his sufferings abounded, his consolations also greatly abounded by Christ," till at length "the weary wheels of life stood still," and, without a struggle or a groan, his happy spirit entered into rest.

T. H. S. August 16th.-At Epworth, aged eighty-one years, Belton Buttrick, a member of the Methodist society from the year 1802; in all which time he has maintained a steady and consistent character. For several months past he has seldom left his room, and his faculties failed so that he could not converse much; but his mind was directed to the best subject, and he died in peace. M. C.