but having, whilst in health and strength, learned the happy art of dying daily, she viewed the approach of the last enemy with great composure, and often spoke with joyous feelings of the prospects that opened before her. Shortly before her death, she exclaimed, “I am on the verge of eternity; but all is well. I am happy, happy!" G. R. Oct. 18th.-At South-Willingham, in the Louth Circuit, Mrs. Mary Chambers, aged sixty-three, for more than forty years a consistent and exemplary member of the Wesleyan society. She was never known to lose her first love, but walked before God as an Israelite indeed, Her death was eminently peaceful. H. P. Oct. 19th.-At Longnor, in the Leek Circuit, Mrs. Oliver, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Oliver, in the thirty-fourth year of her age. In early life she was led to seek, till she obtained, the Spirit of adoption. This was about thirteen years ago; when she immediately united herself to the Wesleyan society, and remained a consistent member to the close of her days. During a severe and protracted affliction she was divinely supported, and at length departed this life in the full triumph of faith. W. J. B. Oct. 19th.-At Gadbrook, in the Northwich Circuit, Mr. Thomas Millington, aged eighty one. He joined the Methodist society in 1779, and shortly after found peace with God. In the year 1795 he was appointed a Class-Leader, and discharged the duties of the office with affection and fidelity to the close of life. For many years he received the Preachers into his house, and esteemed them very highly in love for their work's sake. As he approached his latter end, he experienced an increasing deadness to the world, and looked forward to his "change" with a joyful hope of glory. A few days before his death, he partook of the symbols of his Saviour's dying love, and triumphantly testified, that He was indeed able to save to the utmost, and to the end. Some of his last words were, "It is all glory; the Lord is with me; I find him to be a God of love." He continued in this happy frame till he ceased to breathe. J. B. W. Oct, 20th.-At Stank, near Harewood, in the Leeds West Circuit, aged nearly seventy years, Mr. James Parker, of that place, who, for the space of forty-two years, held the responsible and confidential situation of farming-bailiff to the Right Honourable the Earl of Harewood. His conversion to God took place in early life; and he was for forty-five years a consistent and respected member of the Wesleyan-Methodist society in Harewood. For some years he was the Leader of a class; in meeting with which, while he loved and diligently frequented all the ordinances of God's house, he found his especial delight. His last seizure, by a complaint which he had previously been subject to, was sudden, and the prostration of his strength was rapid. He was able, however, to witness a good confession in a dying hour, and his end was peace. T. G. Oct. 20th.-At Brathwaite-green, in the Kendal Circuit, Mr. George Gibson, aged sixty-nine years. When about twenty-four years of age, he was truly converted to God, joined the Me thodist society, and soon afterwards became a zealous, faithful, and successful Local Preacher; which office he held, together with that of ClassLeader, until the close of his life. For some months, his strength had been gradually failing A little before his death, at his special request, the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered to him and a few aged fellow Christians, when he sung with great emotion a part of the hymn, "We know, by faith we know," &c. From this time his soul calmly waited for the hour of its release, resting on the merits of the Redeemer. To the Vicar and Curate of the village, who took pleasure in visiting him, he repeatedly said, "I am on the Rock of ages." His last words were, Oct. 22d.-At Doogary, in the Brookborough Circuit, Ireland, the Rev. Henry Lucy, Wesleyan Minister, in the thirty-eighth year of his age, and twelfth of his itinerancy. He was brought to a saving and experimental acquaintance with divine truth in the year 1821, by God's blessing on the Wesleyan ministry; and immediately joined the Methodist society, in which, in a few years, he became a Minister himself. He was a zealous and faithful labourer, very useful, and much beloved in the Circuits in which he travelled. In his last illness, he was kept in a calm reliance on the mercy of God in Christ, til be slept in death. He died very happy in God. J. C. P. Oct. 24th.-At Stockport, aged forty-two, Mis Hannah Wright. In early youth she was brought to the experience of vital godliness; but subsequently allowed the comforts of religion to be injured by unbelieving doubts, which she rather indulged than resisted; so that, though she re solved to persevere in the ways of piety, her path was clouded and uncomfortable. In her last ness she became distressingly alive to her unfaithfulness; but, while she took shame to herself, she gave glory to God, who had preserved her with her face Sionward. She looked to the Lamb of God, and sought for the application of his blood with deep earnestness; and the blessing was not long withheld. She was restored to the joy of salvation, and, to her last moment, r joiced in God. Just before she died, she wa heard to say, "All is well! all is well! My God, my God, receive my spirit." Oct. 26th.—At Withern, in the Alford Circuit, of consumption, Miss Elizabeth Grant, in the twenty-second year of her age. Affliction found her at peace with God; and during its continu ance, though it was sometimes very painful, bat confidence in Christ was unwavering, and her consolation abundant. The morning on which she died she was observed to be gazing upwards, as though heaven were opened to her vision, and, stretching out her wasted arm, exclaimed, with deep and holy feeling, "There is my house and portion fair; She soon after most affectionately bade her Oct. 26th. At Aughrany, in the Dungannon Circuit, in the seventy-third year of her age, Mrs. Mary Irwin. She had been a steady member of the Wesleyan society for upwards of fifty years, during which time her house was a home for the Preachers. She was a woman of few words, but of deep piety. Her end was peace. J. A. Oct. 27th. At Killavenagh, in the Wicklow Circuit, in the ninety-first year of his age, Mr. Richard Gilbert, a consistent and cordially attached member of the Methodist society upwards of fifty years. Having obtained the peace of God in his own soul, through the instrumentality of the Methodists, he opened his house for preaching, hoping that others might experience a similar benefit. Nor was his hope vain. The religious meetings were kept up under his roof for more than half a century, and God made them the means of much good. He was graciously prepared for his final change, and beneath the weight of his infirmities gradually, but without fear, descended into the valley and shadow of death. The Lord was with him, and his last moments were not only peaceful, but triumphant. J. H. Oct. 30th.-At Freshford, in the Bradford (Wilts) Circuit, aged twenty-four, Mary Ann Goford, a young woman of decided piety, amiable temper and manners, an acceptable Sundayschool Teacher, and a valuable Missionary Collector. She died of rapid consumption. During the whole affliction she was blessedly supported, and, at last, departed in the triumph of faith and J. R. hope. Oct. 31st.-At Castley, in the Otley Circuit, Mr. Charles Atkinson, aged seventy-five, who had been a steady member of the Wesleyan society for fifty-one years, and a useful Class-Leader for forty. He was a man of decided yet unaffected piety, amiable manners, and unblemished reputation. About an hour before his death, with a countenance which expressed even more than his words, he said significantly, that he had just been favoured with a sweet heavenly breeze." These were his last words. W. S. Nov, 4th-At Founces-street, Dublin, aged fifty-three, Mr. George Brown. From an early period he was graciously influenced by the fear of God, the benefits of which he experienced throughout life. His integrity and correctness, his kindness and suavity, secured him the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. The estimation in which he was held was strikingly evinced by the large sums of money which several benevolent persons, knowing he would be a faithful and judicious almoner, from time to time confided to his care for distribution. For the last six or seven years he and his family were closely and cordially connected with the Wesleyan society, and five of his sons met with him in the same class. His death occurred without any immediate previous illness. After retiring to rest, at the usual hour, and apparently in his usual health, he fell asleep. About three or four o'clock Mrs. Brown was awakened by his loud and uneasy breathing. She arose, and called up the family; but when they entered the room, all was over. He had died in a fit of apoplexy. His death is lamented both as a public and private loss; nevertheless his mourning friends enjoy the consolation of knowing that, by the grace of God, he was prepared for his change. His dying testimony, indeed, was not given; but his living testimony had long been given, both in a close walk with God, and an often-declared trust in Christ, as his only and all-sufficient Saviour. W. S. Nov. 10th-At Keighley, Mrs. Mary Atkinson, aged sixty-nine, widow of the late Mr. Robert Atkinson. Her mother was convinced of sin under the ministry of the late Mr. Grimshaw, of Haworth, in 1734; and was, together with her husband, a member of the Methodist society from early life to its close. Mrs. Atkinson was led, in her sixteenth year, by the sudden death of an older sister, to seek for the personal enjoyment of the religion, the truth of which had been set before her from childhood. She soon found what she sought; and having joined the Methodist society, continued in connexion with it till her death, a period of more than fifty years. During the last week of her illness, she often spoke of the goodness of God, and her entire deliverance from the fear of death. In this happy state of mind she died. J. S. Nov. 11th.-At Cookstown, Ireland, aged sixtysix, the Rev. John Remmington, Wesleyan Minister. He joined the Methodist society in 1790, and was called into the Itinerant work in 1802. He travelled with acceptance till 1834, when he became a Supernumerary. For some time his health had been declining, and for the last nine weeks his sufferings were great; but he enjoyed uninterrupted happiness. Not long before he died, Mrs. Remmington asked him, "Is Jesus precious?" He replied in the affirmative; and then summoning all his remaining strength, he said, "All's well; farewell;" and soon afterwards expired. J. W. Nov. 15th. At Selby, Rebecca, the youngest daughter of the Rev.J. Bate, aged fifteen. From an early age she has feared the Lord, and followed his "drawings from above;" but some time ago she was led by affliction to seek "the farther grace," and obtained a sense of "sweet forgiving love." In suffering she was patient, and died committing her spirit into the hands of her Redeemer. J. B. THE DECLINE OF THE YEAR. "Trs sad in Autumn's changing hour And the wind whistles overhead! Not thus the blithe and joyous Spring Gave promise to our eyes; Nor Summer's bright and golden wing, That wore a thousand dyes; The flowers they wreath'd, the gifts they gave, Seem'd deathless,-yet are in their grave. And silent now, I sit and muse On all that once was fair; For Autumn's gay and varied hues No more those branches wear; For half their leaves are spread beneath, And half seem trembling at a breath. I listen to the rustling sound, As, falling one by one, They strew with their frail forms the ground, And glitter in the sun, To perish there that waved so high, The summer birds that found repose, Save the wild wind-not such as blows On Spring's fair wreath, or Summer's rose. Each songster felt the changing year, The leaves and flowers of Spring: They live where still their songs are sweet, Nor want nor chilling winds they meet. Not solely now the leaf, the flower, We mourn thus snatch'd away Nor weep the ruin of the bower, That seem'd above decay: They fail and fade with whom we grew : When suns are bright on high, For ever from its place removed, The form we knew, the face we loved. Yet like the bird that hail'd the morn, THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. How fair and how lovely it is to behold The sun in its splendour approaching the west! Its race is near run, and, refulgent as gold, It glides through the ether, as hastening to rest. It sinks, but in sinking 'tis only to rise, Its splendour and glory afresh to display: It sets, but in other and far-distant skies It rises and reigns in the brightness of day. Yet far more resplendent than this is the scene He dies, but no pencil can ever display The splendour and glory that burst on his sight, As, guided by angels, he speeds on his way, Through the portals of praise to the temple of light. T. H. INDEX то VOL. XVII. OF THE THIRD SERIES N. B.-Besides the particular references to each Article, the following -infant, remarks on, by Dr. Chal- Barbadoes, destruction of the Methodist- r Africa, remarks on the languages of, | Baptism, advice on, by Conference, 783 Barnard, Hon. and Rev., speech of, in 【 America, United States of. Methodist (Home) and MISSIONARY NOTICES. Backsliding, remarks on, 35-4 Baines, E., Esq., M.P., speech of, in Balaam, character and sin of, 495, 573 Third Series. Barritt, Rev. J. W., remarks by, on final, Bates, Dr., remarks by, on the apostolic Beecham, Rev. John, final interviews of, Bible, part of the, printed for the use of versary of the, 434-deserves unqua- Bible Society, Paris, speech of M. Guizot Blind, books for the, 379 Bramley Circuit, revival in, 376 Browne, Sir Thomas, on distinctions among mankind, 269-his method of Bull, Bishop, on the importance of time, 505 298-letter from the Rev. W. Bridgnell, Chapel-Loan Fund, to be assisted by the Chapels opened. Cheetham-hill, 48- Christ, dominion of, over the invisible CHRISTIAN RETROSPECT. Rebellion in Lower Canada: national Negro apprenticeship; state of Ca- Church of England, remains of good in Clarke, Dr., death of, mentioned, 126 |