publications, which vie with each other in attractions for the populace, are evils which must be met more actively than ever by the press itself, from whose "liberty," chiefly, they have sprung.

Having once more used our privilege, and addressed the reader for a moment directly, we have now to turn to the work of the coming year. We do so, conscious of ever-deepening responsibilities, many imperfections, and of our entire dependence upon Divine aid for any measure of success; yet, not without hope that the Wesleyan-Methodi-t Magazine will, as heretofore, perform its part towards the advancement of the Gospel, and the establishment of the kingdom of Christ.

MEMOIR OF MRS. ELIZABETH SAMUEL.

BY HER HUSBAND, THE REV. PETER SAMUEL.

MRS. ELIZABETH SAMUEL was born in London, November 20th, 1800, and was in her infancy taken by her parents to Edinburgh; where, as she grew up, she was privileged to sit under the ministry of the Methodists in the old Calton chapel. Early impressions were made on her mind, which resulted in her conversion to God. During a year's residence in Paisley, she "passed from death unto life," under the ministry of the late Rev. Thomas Mollard. On her return to Edinburgh, she became a member of the Superintendent minister's class, which she never left till 1831, when she was called to accompany her husband to the West Indies. Her experience in the Divine life was above the average of that of youthful professors of religion. In 1829, at a lovefeast conducted by a late well-known minister, she bore her testimony to the grace of God in a manner remarkably calm, clear, and touching; and at the close of her statement the minister expressed his conviction "that the sister who had just spoken enjoyed that high state of grace which is preached among us as attainable on earth." The Rev. Dr. George Scott, referring to this period of her history, speaks of her "calmly fervent zeal ;" and adds, "There was no noise, bustle, or display; but she was ever decided, always to be relied on; quietly firm and quietly fervent. She was a pattern to professors of her age in Edinburgh. When a few of us who were young resolved to hold a daily prayer-meeting, at six o'clock in the morning, during the winter of 1829-1830, she joined our company; and whoever might be absent, Elizabeth Burck was sure to be there and in time. I recall with pure delight those early associations." For several years she conducted a Sabbath-school, unaided and alone, attending to it regularly and patiently, till called to another sphere of usefulness in a distant land.

After the death of her mother, her father made her his housekeeper. When the writer, impressed with the excellence of her character,

sought his consent to a correspondence designed to issue in marriage, the parent at once pictured to himself the perils of a missionary's life. Bursting into tears, he said, "If I lose her, I lose my greatest, my only earthly treasure; but I will leave it to herself to choose." She, on the other hand, assured her father that she would follow his counsel; and, though painfully alive to the sacrifice, he ultimately decided that the union would be for her happiness, and gave his sanction to it.

After a few weeks spent in London with the family of the late Rev. John James, she accompanied her husband to the ship at Gravesend, to proceed to the West Indies. The following extracts from her diary illustrate her sentiments and feelings during the voyage, and evince the sincerity and depth of her piety:

"October 28th, 1831.-This day I left London with my dear husband and Mr. Burrows. Mr. and Mrs. James came with us to Gravesend, and remained till three o'clock, when they returned home, followed by our best wishes and prayers, that the Lord would abundantly reward them for their kindness to us." "I feel an ardent desire that the Lord would mould me into His own image, and prepare me either for living entirely to His glory, or for an early

death.

"29th. Though poorly, I find the truth of that promise, 'As thy day, so shall thy strength be.' I am enabled, in some measure, to commit all my affairs into the hand of my faithful Creator.

"30th.—I had little sleep in the night. I felt my mind drawn out in prayer to my Heavenly Father, and am thankful that here I can raise my Ebenezer, and say, 'Hitherto hath the Lord helped me.' We had worship this morning, but none of the crew were permitted to attend. Although we have not the advantage of worshipping in the Lord's earthly courts, yet He has promised to be where two or three are gathered together in His name. What a blessing is this in the midst of the mighty ocean! May the Lord keep us in the hollow of His hand, and give the winds and waves charge concerning us! How good it is to live near to Jesus, and feel every moment that we have an interest in His atonement! This is the privilege of all His people, and mine through faith.

"November 3d.-I awoke early this morning in a praying frame of mind. On deck I read the Bible and Fletcher's Life, and felt that the holiness which this eminent man possessed may also be mine. May the Lord help me to seek it!

"4th.-How easily surrounding objects divert the mind from the centre of true happiness! I want more of 'the mind that was in Christ.'

"5th.-It is the desire of my soul that all I have and am may be consecrated entirely to the service of my Redeemer.

"6th.-Praise the Lord for another Christian Sabbath! I found it good to join in the worship of God.

"8th. We walked the deck, and sang some of our sweet hymns. Truly my mind was raised to that world of spirits, whither we are fast hastening. May the Lord prepare us for a place near His throne, even among the first ranks of His cross-bearers!

"9th.-I this day enjoyed an opportunity of spending some time in secret prayer. Blessed be the name of my Heavenly Father, I feel the possession of religion to be of more value than all the world can give. May He give me all the fulness of love I am capable of enjoying in this life, as a preparation for the great work to which He has called me,-to lead perishing sinners to the Saviour.

"13th.-Isle of Wight. This has indeed been one of the days. of the Son of man.' The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in the evening after preaching. Mr. Burrows and my husband assisted in the holy solemnity. The Lord was present in the power of His Spirit. I believe it has been the best Sabbath I have spent since we left Scotland. Surely the Lord in mercy has refreshed us, that we may serve Him, in the strength of such rich food, perhaps many days. We know not whether we shall enjoy such another Sabbath on this side eternity.

"14th.-Visited the graves of 'The Dairyman's Daughter' and little Jane, then the cottage of the Dairyman, where his son now lives,-scenes I never expected to see. I was highly gratified, and, I trust, profited.

"27th.-Early this morning we left the Isle of Wight, followed by the prayers of many for our safety and success. Such kindness as has been shown to us here I never before experienced. All the friends vied with each other who should pay us most attention; and they loaded us with many tokens of their affection, which will remind us of them in a distant land. Blessed be God, true religion is the same in all places. My soul was very much alive while among this people, enjoying the ordinances of God's house.

"December 11th.-Very sea-sick for two weeks. I truly feel the value of the little religion I have. It enabled me in the midst of the fiercest gales that blew to say, 'Thy will be done!' I felt a willingness to perish in the midst of the Atlantic, if the glory of God might thereby be promoted. At the same time, I had perfect confidence in His power to save me, if the kingdom of His grace could be extended by my life being spared. May He give me an increase of love, to prepare me for doing His will; and an increase of humility, to fit me for suffering it.

"25th.-Mr. Burrows read prayers, and my husband preached from 2 Cor. viii. 9 I felt it good to wait upon God, although on

the mighty waters. How many tens of thousands were similarly engaged on land! "26th. I finished reading the Memoirs of David Brainerd and Henry Martyn. When I think of their holiness, zeal, self-denial, and deadness to the world, in the midst of trials and persecutions, I feel ashamed of myself, and especially of my coldness in the Missionary cause. May the Lord give each of us now entering upon this great work a richer baptism of His Holy Spirit! May He spare our lives, and make us abundantly useful!

"27th.-Reflecting how many miles we are from home, and how improbable it is that we shall see all our friends again in this world, I am led to earnest prayer that we may all be made meet to be partakers of eternal glory.

"28th.-Near the close of another year. Alas! how little have I done this year for God. How little of the mind of Christ do I possess, in comparison with that fulness treasured up in Him for all who earnestly seek to enjoy it. Lord, help me to press after it with

greater diligence!

"29th. I felt poorly this morning, yet found it good to wait on God in earnest prayer, and in reading and hearing His word. May I never be ashamed of Him who loved me and gave Himself for me, and who by His grace enabled me to give up country and friends in hope of being made useful to the souls of my perishing fellow-sinners. Blessed be God for the prospect of spending an eternity of happiness in the unclouded vision of the Lamb!

31st. The last day of this year; perhaps the last year of my life; but the will of the Lord be done. It has been to me the most important year of my earthly course. I have been united to one who has been solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry, and who, I trust, will be spared and made a blessing. Thank God, I have seen His hand in all the way through which I have been led; and I cannot doubt that it is His will that I should be in my present position. I feel no regret at having left all for Christ's sake. I do not wish to be idle, but useful in my day and generation; and, praise the Lord, I am still a believer in that precious doctrine, which for many years has been a comfort to my mind,—the doctrine of a particular providence, numbering even the hairs of our heads.'

"Finished reading the Memoirs of Harriet Newell.

many of her views and feelings concerning Missionary life coincide exactly with my own. Lord, make me more holy. Amen!

"1832. January 1st.-Service on deck. Mr. Burrows preached on 1 Peter iv. 8. How solemn the thought that, ere this year closes, some of us may be in eternity!

"We have just passed the place where five of our missionaries, with their wives and children, perished in the 'Maria' mail-boat, in 1826.

Yet we are preserved! After service Mr. Burrows, my dear husband, and myself joined in singing the covenant hymns, having no other means of unitedly dedicating ourselves afresh to the service of our covenant-keeping God. Lord, help us to keep in mind our obligations, and give us grace to keep our vows!

In the state of mind indicated by these extracts from her journal, she entered upon the Mission-field. Nearly five years later she writes,

"August 28th, 1836. Port Antonio. Sabbath evening.-I again record the dealings of God with me after a silence of nearly five years, during which goodness and mercy have followed me. To the glory of Divine grace, 'I am what I am.' Hitherto the Lord hath helped me. This day I set out afresh to seek a deeper work of grace in my soul, that in the strength of God I may serve Him better than I have done. As my Heavenly Father has lately helped me in the trying hour, may He help me to live more for eternity; may all I say and do tend to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom; and may the little one lent us for a season, with the other two, be stamped with His own seal, and be His in time and eternity! Amen.

"September 11th.-I lament that I love the Lord so little, and glorify Him so imperfectly by active obedience. My privileges are very great, and so is my responsibility. May He quicken my soul, which is so prone to cleave to the dust! O for a fresh baptism of His Spirit!

"October 23d.-In taking a view of the dealings of God with me during the last eighteen years, I am overwhelmed with the thought of His sparing mercy and forgiving love. He has kept me and blessed me, made my cup to run over with temporal mercies, and has granted me the highest spiritual privileges. I come afresh to the atonement of Christ.......I desire to die daily to this world, and to live in expectation of future glory.

September 3d, 1837.-Many around us have sickened and died, while, with my dear husband and children, I am spared."

The passages just quoted shed light on her views and feelings after being engaged in the work of a missionary's wife several years. As the cares of her station multiplied, she appears to have ceased to record her religious experience; but she continued to adorn her profession, as a follower of the Saviour, under every change that marked her path during the twelve years she was in Jamaica. She saw the evils of slavery; witnessed its death-struggle; and beheld with joy the happy day when eight hundred thousand sons and daughters of Africa were proclaimed free subjects of the British Crown. When her children sickened and died, and when medical men urged her to address parting words to her husband, as in three hours she would