tations, painful and disgraceful as they have been, will be overruled for extensive good. They will lead to the purging away of a vile leaven of Antinomianism which for some years has polluted a few of our societies, and retarded the work of God; they will produce a spirit of more entire dependence upon God, and call forth more earnest prayer for the maintenance and preservation of his cause; they will

create an abhorrence of faction, by showing the actual wickedness to which it prompts its reckless disciples; they will call greater attention in the societies generally to the simple and holy objects of primitive Methodism; and they will thus, by God's merciful and wise operations, terminate in the increased union, stability, and usefulness of the Connexion. London, May 25th, 1835.

DEC. 24th, 1834.-At Leake, in the Boston Circuit, Mr. John Elsey, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. He was converted to God in the year 1820; and from that period till his death was a steady, consistent member of the Methodist society; and so long as his health would permit, a diligent teacher in the Sunday-school. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the children, and his affectionate addresses will be long remembered by many to whom they were given. During his last affliction, which was protracted and flattering, his mind was kept in a peaceful and happy frame. He firmly rested upon the atonement, and calmly committed himself into the hands of the Almighty. In this state of holy serenity and submission, and while his friends were indulging the hope that his health was improving, he suddenly finished his course, and departed to be with Christ. J. R.

March 12th, 1835.-In the London North Circuit, in the seventy-fifth year of her age, and the forty-fifth of her connexion with the Methodist society, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. William Bullivant, and the affectionate mother of the Rev. W. J. Bullivant. When about the age of thirty, her sister, the first wife of the late Rev. G. D. Dermott, prevailed upon her to accompany her to a Wesleyan preaching house, in the neighbourhood of Wellingborough. The late Rev.

James M. Byron was the Preacher, the Spirit of God applied the word with power to her heart; she was "convinced, and judged of all." From that day she resolved to forsake the vanities of the world, and devote herself unreservedly to God; so that it was not long before she found "the pearl of great price." She soon after joined the Methodist society, of which she continued a steady and consistent member to the end of her pilgrimage. She delighted in the public means of grace, and also in private duties. She was strongly attached to the doctrines and discipline of Wesleyan Methodism; and deeply deplored the attempts made at different periods, by those who are given to change, to subvert the peace and prosperity of the body. The Ministers of the Gospel she esteemed highly in love for their work's sake; and during her residence in the country she counted it both a privilege and an honour to receive them into her house, and to minister to their wants. She had a mind well stored with sacred knowledge; having devoted much of her time to the perusal of God's word, and the writings of the Rev. Messrs. Wesley, Fletcher, Benson, Clarke, and Watson. For the last eighteen months her health gradually declined; but it was not until within a month of her death, that any immediate danger was apprehended; when she was informed that it was the opinion of her medical attendant that such was the nature of her disorder, that her end would be sudden, and that her dissolution was at hand. Up to this period she had greatly dreaded the pains of dying; but upon learning that her end would be thus sudden, she said, " have no fear; it was not death I dreaded, but the agonies of dying; for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day

339

upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." Being afterwards asked if she could rely upon the atonement of Jesus, she replied, "I can! I can! I can!" and then, with increased emphasis, "I can, I am sure I can!" Although during the whole of her affliction her sufferings were severe, yet not a murmur escaped her lips. On the day previous to her death she appeared so much better, that hopes were entertained of her recovery; but he who doeth all things well had determined otherwise. While in the act of rising from her bed, her spirit took its flight to the paradise of God. Thus did her heavenly Father answer the prayer contained in the lines of her favourite hymn, which she was wont so frequently to urge :

"O that without a lingering groan,

I may the welcome word receive;
My body with my charge lay down,
And cease at once to work and live."

W. J. B.

He

March 15th.-At Dalton, near Huddersfield, in the fortieth year of his age, John Hoyle; who had been an upright, steady, and consistent member of the Methodist society for twenty-three years; and a useful and acceptable Local Preacher for about fourteen years. He was awakened under a Dissenting Minister; and his distress of mind was for a season almost insupportable. At a bandmeeting in Cleckheaton, where the late Rev. W. Bramwell presided, he found rest for his soul. subsequently said, "I have never lost a sense of the favour of God, though I have been an unprofitable servant." His last illness was short, but exceedingly heavy, being a severe inflammation of the lungs. I said to him, "Brother Hoyle, you have a dear wife, and six children; can you give them up?" He replied, "I have done that already. God has been very good to me all my life long." He seemed to be on the borders of the promised land; and it was truly delightful to see him approach the last enemy with an assurance of complete victory. He said," To die will be great gain. I am happy, happy!" These were some of his last words. He was much beloved, and died praising the Lord. J. H.

March 28th.-At Maryborough, Queen's County, Ireland, whither she had been removed for change of air, deeply and deservedly regretted, in her forty-eighth year, Frances Mary, the beloved wife of the Rev. George Burrows, Wesleyan Missionary. She was daughter of Robert O'Brien, Esq., late of Drumhalla, in the county of Leitrim. Having been, through the instrumentality of the Methodists, brought to the experimental knowledge of" the truth as it is in Jesus," she immediately united with that people; and during a period of twenty-two years, continued a consistent and faithful member of the society. Her last illness, which was protracted and severe, she sustained with Christian fortitude and patience, uniformly testifying her unshaken confidence in the atonement and love of Christ, and affection

ately recommending him to all who visited her. On the night before her death, she said, "This is my last night here; the next I shall be with my Saviour." Without a struggle or sigh, her peaceful, happy spirit, released from the burden of the flesh, departed to be for ever with the Lord.

G. B. April 1st.-At Wisbeach, Mrs. Sarah Allen, wife of John Allen, aged sixty-two, having been a steady member of the Methodist society about forty years. When young she had the privilege of occasionally hearing Mr. Wesley, on his visits to Lynn; and under his ministry her young mind was affected with the importance of divine subjects. It appears that she did not join herself to the Methodist society till some years after this period; but during the whole of her pilgrimage, she expressed gratitude to God for having been so highly favoured as to sit under Mr. Wesley's ministry. Her attention was particularly arrested by the carly rising of Mr. We-ley; his lodgings, at Mr. Keed's, being near the house where she then lived; and she was not a little surprised to sce a light in the chamber where Mr. Wesley slept so early as four o'clock. Her pilgrimage was marked by many trials and severe afflictions; but the Lord was her support. During her last illness, which confined her for about six months, her sufferings at times were very great; but her faith in the atonement of Christ was strong; and her evidence of the divine favour was bright. She frequently expressed the pleasurable pro-pect she had of being with Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, and of meeting her Christian friends who had gone before her. Her end was peace. P. J.

years.

April 1st.-At Blackwall, in the Third London Circuit, Mr. John Clippindale, aged sixty-four He commenced his religious career among the Methodists at an early period of his life; and when only thirteen years of age received his first ticket from the hands of Mr. Wesley. Of his mother, Mr. Wesley had formed a high opinion, and greatly respected her judgment. In the infancy of the Methodist society in Poplar, when the prospects were dark, it was proposed to Mr. Wesley to withdraw the preaching. "Never," said he, while Mrs. Clippindale lives." Under the roof of such a parent, he enjoyed many religious advantages, and owed his future stability of chaWhen racter, in part, to her judicious counsels. seeking the Lord, he encountered considerable persecution; and for a few months, under the influence of fear or shame, he abandoned the despised society in Poplar, who worshipped in a small chapel, called, out of derision, "the Pantile shop," and associated with the throng who assembled at City-road. He soon, however, returned to his duty, and remained a steady and attached member to the last. For near forty years he was a faithful and successful ClassLeader. His charities were extensive and numerous. By his dutiful attentions, his parents were comforted in declining years. Many of the poor and afflicted Irish Preachers experienced his bounty for several successive Conferences, through the medium of the late Rev. W. Myles, who was his almoner. His last affliction was short and severe, but found him watching. He bore a most cheering testimony to the power of divine grace, and by his death glorified God, urging upon his children, his friends, and his inedical attendants, the necessity of securing an interest in Christ. His end was triumphant; and he is sincerely lamented by all classes of the community, whose respect he had earned by a long course of uprigh and consistent conduct.

J. F.

April 15th.-At Sibsey, in the Boston Circuit, Miss Utterby, aged thirty-one; having been a useful member of the Methodist society, in that village, for fourteen years. At the age of seventeen she was deeply awakened to a sense of her guilt and danger, and sought the Lord with strong cries and many tears; often spending nearly whole nights in fervent prayer, till the Almighty blotted out her sins, and caused her to rejoice in his salvation. She soon became a

diligent Teacher in the Sabbath-school, and an active Collector in aid of the Wesleyan Missions; and in both these engagements she cheerfully laboured, so long as her health would permit. As her frame was naturally delicate, and her constitution weak, she was frequently brought low by affliction; but her sufferings were always endured with meekness and resignation. The friends who visited her during her last illness were often constrained to say, "It is good for us to be here." She was fully aware that her end was near, but feared no evil; being able to say, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." J. R.

April 17th.-At Kilham, in the Bridlington Circuit, Thomas Lamplough, in the sixty-second year of his age. He had been a member of the Methodist society about forty years; and he was often heard to say that he could point out the place in a field where the Lord set his soul at With liberty from the guilt and power of sin. the Bible, Mr. Benson's Commentary, and the Methodist Hymn-book, he was very familiar. His death was preceded by an illness of four months; during which time he was enabled to exercise strong confidence in his Redeemer; and it may be truly said that his end was peace.

J. R.

April 17th.-At Leyton, Mr. William Pocock, aged eighty-five years. Previous to his last illness, his mind appeared to be in much perplexity respecting his spiritual state; yet he usually expressed an entire dependence on Christ alone, through whom he implored the divine favour:

and not in vain: for he was visited with a merciful refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and died in peace. R. G.

April 17th.-At Peterborough, aged thirty four, Elizabeth Warne, the affectionate and beloved wife of Mr. George Warne, a useful and respected Local Preacher. From her childhood she had been a subject of gracious impressions and spiritual desires; and often observed, that had she, in early life, become acquainted with Methodist class-meetings, and been favoured with judicious counsel, and Christian communion, she might have enjoyed the consolations of true religion much sooner than she did. She remained a stranger to true religion until the year 1828, when her acquaintance with the Methodists commenced. In a prayer-meeting, during that year, she found peace with God. From that period, she held fast the beginning of her confidence steadfast to the end. For many years before her death, she endured frequent and severe affliction, which she was enabled to bear with cheerful submission to the divine will. By these frequent chastenings, accompanied by the influence of the Holy Spirit, did the Redeemer purify her unto himself. During her last illness, she distinctly declared, that her prospect was bright, and her evidence of the divine favour clear. She was, throughout her Christian course, remarkably punctual in her attendance upon the means of grace; and was a woman of sincere and fervent piety.

P. C. H.

April 19th.-At Willenhall, Mr. Joseph Read. In the earlier part of his life he sinned against the Lord exceedingly. In the thirty-first year of his age, finding himself oppressed by evils which his sin had brought upon him, he determined, by the help of God, to lead a new life. Being, by the invitation of his sister, brought under the Wesleyan ministry, he soon became deeply convinced of sin; earnestly sought for pardon; and while in the act of fervent prayer, the Lord set his soul at liberty. He was afterwards an ornament to his profession; a Leader of two large classes; an active Sunday-school Teacher; and a liberal contributor to the various funds connected with that society. After walking in close communion with God, and fellowship with his people, for about thirty years, he departed in peace, in the sixty-second year of his age. R. W.

April 24th.-At Ackworth, in the Pontefract Circuit, Mr. Richard Smith, aged sixty-one years, He was born at Greasborough, in the Rotherham Circuit, was brought to a saving knowledge of God at the age of fifteen years, and soon after that

became a member of the Methodist society in Rotherham. At the age of twenty he removed to Ackworth, at which place he resided till the day of his death. He sustained the offices of Local Preacher and Class-Leader for upwards of forty years, and more than once that of Society Steward. To him the Sunday-school in that place was much indebted for his valuable services, having been for many years its Superintendent. During the last few months he met about forty of the children in class, on whose minds the Lord had begun a good work; this employment, together with a revival, which has brought some stout-hearted sinners under the influence of divine grace, greatly enlivened and benefited his own soul. He was a man of uprightness and integrity; and the whole of his conduct of late evinced that he was ripening for glory. At his family altar he read, and prayed, and felt, to the spiritual benefit of all who united with him; and the members of the society observed that the world sunk in his esteem, and its temptations lost their power to seduce. Ilis attendance on the means of grace was exemplary: in them he beheld the beauty of the Lord, while he inquired in his temple. His last affliction was short and severe; but an entire resignation to the will of God was manifested, till the closing scene drew nigh, when he expressed a desire to depart, and to be with Christ. "I long," said he, "to be at home; but all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." Among his last expressions, he observed that the Lord was with him; and that was the best of all.

T H. April 25th-At Sibsey, in the Boston Circuit, Abraham Bonnet, aged fifty-three. He had been for many years a member of the Methodist society, and was eminently a man of prayer. His last affliction was short, but his end was peace.

J. R.

April 28th.-At Carlow, Ireland, Mrs. Howard, aged forty-one years; the beloved wife of Mr. Stott Howard, and daughter of Mr. William Babington, of Summer hill, Dublin. She was distinguished by meekness, gentleness, patience, and Christian cheerfulness in her family; zeal in the Missionary cause; and attachment to the Ministers and people of God. Having obtained peace with God, she united herself to the Methodist society, and continued a steady member to the last, a period of fifteen years, during which she never lost her first love. In 1824 she took charge of a class of females, in the Sunday-school, whoin she brought to her own house every Sabbath morning, for religious instruction. God blessed her in her labour of love; and she had the pleasure of seeing most of them converted to him by her instrumentality. About three months since consumption seized her. During her illness, which she bore with patience, and resignation to the divine will, she frequently spoke of "the mansions" which Christ hath prepared for his followers, and rejoiced in her interest in them. A few weeks before her death, at a time when she appeared to be dying, she said, "I am not afraid to die; I am going to heaven." A few hours before she departed, her daughter said, "Mother, are you happy?" She replied, "Yes, my dear; I am happy." She said no more; but yielded up her spirit into the hands of the Lord.

J. H.

lent woman not only received the Methodist Preachers into her house above fifty years, but did much to promote the cause of Methodism and education in the populous neighbourhood where she resided, and was greatly and justly beloved by her neighbours and Christian friends. The name of Betty Allan, for by that name she was known, will live for many years in the affections and conversation of those who were benefited by her example, counsels, and benevolence, and who will rejoice to say, with Paul, "She hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also." She gra dually sank under the infirmities of age, and died in peace. She has left £400 for the carrying on the cause of Methodism at Shiney row; £300 to the Wesleyan Missions; and other bequests to the funds of the Circuit and Connexion.

J. R. B.

April 29th.-1t Hull, aged fifty-three years, Mr. William Clarkson, a Trustee, and for several years a faithful and diligent Steward of the Wesfeyan chapels in Hull. He was an amiable man, and a consistent and useful Christian. His last affliction, which was painful and protracted, he bere with patience and resignation; and after committing his beloved wife and family to the care of God, he departed from this world with the most cheering hope of heaven. W. C.

April 30th.-At Cardiff, Mr. John Thomas, aged eighty-two years, sixty of which he had been a member of the Methodist society, and a ClassLeader fifty. Very early in life he was convinced of sin; and was led eventually to join the Methodist society in Cardiff. Many methods of annoyance were at that time practised against them; and frequently when he was praying in the room then used for public worship, large stones were thrown at him, by which his life was endangered. When he joined the society it contained but eight members; but he lived to see Methodism in Cardiff rising in public estimation, and useful influence, and the society much increased, and still increasing. Through the grace of God he possessed a meek, humble, and affectionate spirit; was faithful to his word, much beloved, and very useful in the church; and especially in visiting the sick. The pious of different denominations held him in high esteem; and many of those who were not themselves pious, were constrained to bear testimony to his consistency of character. He was zealous and liberal in the Redeemer's cause; and by the divine blessing prospered both in temporal and spiritual things. He was very anxious to have the Cardiff chapel free from debt, and left £50 by will toward this good work. His health had been rapidly declining for several months; and a few days before he died he became speechless; but his understanding was preserved. He revived a little the next day. "On being asked, "Is Jesus precious?" he answered distinctly, "Very precious!" Some remark being made to him of the mercy of God, he replied, "Boundless mercy! mercy all!" Having long given an honourable proof of the truth and excellency of religion, brought forth fruit in old age, and borne his dying testimony to the truth, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus. R. W.

May 2d.-At Leeds, Sarah, the beloved wife of Mr. John Lord, late of Hallewell, Bolton, Lancashire. She was brought to a knowledge of the truth in the fifteenth year of her age, under the ministry of the Rev. James Wood. Being early impressed with the duty and advantage of family prayer, she obtained leave of her parents (who at that time were strangers to religion) to commence this exercise, which was greatly blessed to the members of the family. She was a woman of a meek and quiet spirit; and had many and severe trials, which she bore with exemplary patience. Her last illness was but of five days' duration. She expressed strong confidence in God, as her abiding portion, and repeated with great emphasis the following lines:

"With him I on Sion shall stand,

For Jesus hath spoken the word,
The breadth of Emmanuel's land
Survey by the light of my Lord."
Being asked if she was happy, "O yes," she replied;