successful collector; so that when the joyous celebration of its Jubilee took place, she could look back on an unbroken connexion with it of fifty years. One of her last acts was to forward by the writer, four days before her death, her annual donation to the Windhill Missionary Meeting.

While resident in Halifax, her heart was ever devising liberal things; and she was one of a noble band around whose hospitable board many earnest conversations of ministers and friends occurred, which culminated in the erection of Wesley chapel. Here she became the wife of the late Mr. Benjamin Mills, an excellent and devoted member of the Methodist Society: but the union, though a happy one, was brief, and his early removal was mourned by many. Bowing submissively to this afflictive dispensation, she received rich communications of blessing from on high; her spiritual gifts and graces acquired greater maturity; and her exemplary deportment and eminent fitness for the task, led the late Rev. W. Hinson to request her to take charge of the class vacated by the removal of Mrs. Galland. The responsibilities of a position so important occasioned great searchings of heart, and she shrank from the proposal; but, after much prayer, and influenced by the counsels of her best friends, she felt that she could not absolutely refuse the call. The sequel illustrates the wisdom and happiness of those who neither anticipate, nor tarry behind, the distinct indications of Divine Providence, and proves that "He takes not away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before His people." The duties of her new position were discharged with such judgment, fidelity, and affection, that she won the admiration, and secured the love, of her intelligent and godly charge.

On her marriage to Mr. Crabtree, and removal to Shipley, she entered on the same course of Christian usefulness; and, as long as health permitted, was "in labours more abundant." The Rev. Samuel Allen remarks, "I had the opportunity of observing the soundness of her judgment, and the equanimity of her temper, in trying times. As a leader it was quite evident that her heart was in her work, that she loved the souls committed to her care, and used the influence of her character, office, and position to build up Zion.' I have a vivid recollection of ticket-renewals, when she evinced her strong attachment to Methodism,-a system which she unswervingly upheld, and fearlessly recom mended to others. It has been my honour and privilege to be acquainted with many

excellent women and 'mothers in Israel,' of whom Methodism may be justly proud, and not one of them has a higher place in my esteem and affection than Mrs. Crabtree."

Among other traits of character, we may allude to her habitual spiritualmindedness; her conversation and bearing indicating the habit of intimate communion with the Triune God, and evincing an extensive acquaintance with the teachings of His word and the operations of His grace. Her religious experience was not clouded by doubt or uncertainty; and she shared largely in the "blessedness " of those "who hunger and thirst after righteousness," being enabled to testify, with consistency, that "the blood of Jesus Christ" the Son of God "cleanseth from all sin."

Her Christian generosity was prompt, discriminating, and ample, according fully with the wishes, and sustained by the example, of her devoted husband. The "widow and the fatherless," and all whose temporal or spiritual necessities presented legitimate claims on her sympathy, ever found in her a willing ear, a tender heart, and a ready hand. Many an aged pilgrim, and numbers of the poor and destitute, will recall acts of generous and thoughtful kindness which will not be forgotten in that day when "the King" will declare, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

Nor ought her love to the ministers of Christ to be passed over. In her house they ever found a hearty welcome and a benignant smile; and for their personal and domestic comfort she was deeply concerned. As the wife of a Circuit-steward, she was ever ready to show marks of respect and affection to those who are literally "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," whom she "esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake;' and in various other modes she strove to imitate Him "who went about doing good."

Her spirit was naturally buoyant and elastic; and the language of praise and thanksgiving was frequently on her lips. Few persons could more appropriately exclaim with David, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Familiar with the Wesleyan Hymn-Book, she loved to join in "the service of song" in the social circle, and in the devotions of the sanctuary. Even when her vocal powers were enfeebled by disease, and articulation became difficult, she several times attempted

"When I survey the wondrous cross," &c.;
"But O when that last conflict's o'er," &c.;
"O for this love let rocks and hills," &c.;

and when, exhausted by the effort, she sauk in her chair, she would break out in some expression of thanksgiving or fervent praise.

In the erection of the beautiful chapel at Windhill she evinced the liveliest interest, and her attendance on its services, amidst increasing debility and languor, was most exemplary.

Her last affliction was protracted and severe; but her faith never faltered. Her ecaversation and spirit indicated a mind calmly resting on the covenant of redeeming love, and fully matured for the glory of the heavenly state; and when the progress of disease rendered articulation difficalt, her ejaculations and gestures told of unbroken peace and abounding joy. "You are very poorly," observed her medical attendant;-" but very happy," was the prompt reply. She often exclaimed, with deep feeling, "My precious Saviour! My precious Saviour!" In one of my last interviews with her, when the powers of nature were well-nigh exhausted, and life was ebbing ont apace, after I had reminded ber of the unfailing fidelity of her covenant-God, and the stability of the Rock of Ages, she replied emphatically, "O yes! O yes!" When the question was put to her, whether she found Christ precious? she summoned all her remaining energy, and replied in the affirmative; adding, in feeble tones, "I am waiting for the coming of the Lord."

She had long dwelt in the border-land, and on the banks of the deep-flowing river which "divides that heavenly land from ours;" and her passage through it at last was gentle. While the congregation with which she had been accustomed to worship were engaged in Divine service on Sunday, January 27th, 1867, she safely crossed the stream, and, escorted by the shining ones, “passed through the gates into the city" to dwell "for ever with the Lord." If aught could add to her happiBess, it would be the knowledge of the fact, that the period of her decease was distinguished by a gracious visitation from above, resulting in a blessed revival of the work of God, and the addition of many souls to the Church of Christ. May the same spiritual religion be continued from age to age, until "He shall come to be

JOHN P. LOCKWOOD.

ANN ELIZABETH JACKSON was converted to God in early life, under the earnest, loving ministry of the Rev. Robert Bryant, who has since gone to his heavenly rest. It was in the Wesleyan chapel, Alford, whilst he was discoursing on the duty of the young to "remember now their Creator," that she determined to yield her heart to God; and during her stay in the house of a pious uncle and aunt she was enabled to cast her soul on the atonement of Christ, and found "joy and peace in believing." Although somewhat unfavourably circumstanced, in the earlier part of her Christian course, she was enabled to persevere even unto the end. The advantages of early decision of character were manifested in her subsequent experience. She had tasted of "the powers of the world to come;" and this world and its vanities had no charms for her, and no real hold on her affections. Thorough earnestness of purpose marked her career, and she habitually enjoyed, through faith, the blessing of God's chosen ones. She met for several years in the class of the late lamented Mr. J. F. Smyth, of Boston, from whom she received much encouragement and fatherly counsel. He took a lively interest in her welfare; and, being well acquainted with her peculiar trials, was enabled to contribute largely to her stability and comfort. His sudden removal from the church militant deeply affected her, and impressed her with the necessity of deeper spirituality, as a preparation for the great change. When bereavements are thus sanctified to the church, they answer the end of Him who ordains them :

"For us they sicken, and for us they die."

Shortly after her union with the people of God, she became a Sabbath-school teacher, and made it a rule, for many years, to attend every Sunday. In this office, she was made a blessing to many. Being naturally of a gentle temper, and manifesting in her deportment and life "the fruits of the Spirit," she commended religion, both by precept and example, to her youthful charge. She delighted to dwell on the love of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ. The means of grace were to her channels of living water, especially the ministry of the word. It was her privilege to enjoy the faithful expositions of the Rev. John Morris, who laboured happily in the Boston Circuit for three

Her

years; and for two years she was favoured with the friendship and counsel of the late lamented Philip Hardcastle, whose memory was very precious, and whose sermons she frequently referred to as being specially blessed to her. In the early part of the year 1851 she became the wife of him whose melancholy task it is to pen this brief memorial. It was no small trial to her to leave Boston, where so many friendships had been formed and cemented in connexion with Methodism; but she found in a new sphere that God could open out new and unexpected channels of comfort and blessing. Her meek spirit and rare talents soon made a large circle of friends, and for fifteen years she enjoyed happy Christian communion with them. Her piety was unobtrusive but heartfelt; and no one could fully appreciate its depth and power save those who were intimately acquainted with her. Over the domestic circle she shed a beautiful influence. love for her family was intense, and she cheerfully devoted all her spare moments to the training and instruction of her children. For some months her physical powers were impaired, and it was her impression that the affliction with which it had pleased Almighty God to visit her was unto death. They who loved her and who had a deep interest in her life, were unwilling to entertain the thought; but it became painfully apparent, as time wore on, that such was indeed the case. This feeling led her to set her house in order. She spent much time in prayerful meditation and self-examination; the word of God became more than ever precious to her, especially Christ's own words; and she found that, through faith in the promises, she could realize His abiding presence. As she drew near the end, her confidence increased, and the holy calmness with which she passed through the last conflict was enough to lead the coldest heart to exclaim, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers." Trusting in "the blood of the everlasting covenant," she passed to the Church above, on March 8th, 1867, aged thirty-nine years.

G. J.

MR. JOHN WHITE died September 15th, 1867, at Grove, in the Canterbury Circuit, in the sixtieth year of his age. He lived in forgetfulness of God, and ignorance of himself, until his twentieth year. About that period the Rev. Western Plumptre (brother of the late Member of Parliament for East Kent) conducted Divine worship, on some emergency, in the parish church of

Grove. His preaching was so earnest and searching, that it produced a great effect in the neighbourhood, and large num bers came together to listen to ministra. tions not at that time common in the Established Church. Actuated by a feeling of curiosity, John White went to hear him, and was deeply convinced of sin. He mourned over his lost and guilty condition as a sinner; but in the Established Church there were no social means of grace, and no helps to a trembling penitent. Under the paternal roof he was even less favoured; for he met with opposition, and varied persecution, from a godless father. But his penitential distress attracted the notice, and called forth the sympathy, of some members of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society in the village, who took him by the hand, taught him the way of God more perfectly, showing him the method of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. He soon obtained the peace of God, united himself to the Society, and engaged zealously in some of those courses of Christian usefulness which the Methodist Church opens to her members in such rich abundance. He became successively a Sabbath-school teacher, class-leader, and Local preacher; and laboured in these spheres with more than common accept

ance.

At Grove, Divine service among the Methodists had been held for a long time in the house of an excellent member of Society who, several years ago, removed to a neighbouring village. Mr. White immediately opened his house for the preaching, and under his roof the services have ever since been held; and it is a fact that speaks much for his consistent and holy walk, that there was no Local preacher more acceptable to his humble neighbours, in his own house, than himself.

In his last affliction he suffered acutely, but he bore his pain with unmurmuring resignation to the will of God. The precious truths which he had so often preached to others now sustained him. In the immediate presence of death he had no fear, no shrinking, no terror. He met the last foe in the strength of Christ, and triumphed over him. Many of his pious utterances were most joyous and exultant; and at length he passed away, full of the peace of God and of holy hope.

THOMAS HARDING.

MRS. CONWAY died October 11th, 1867, at Runcorn, in her thirty-fourth year. She was of a retiring disposition, but sincere and faithful. Her conversion is

described by herself, in a letter addressed to a sister-in-law, and dated November 21st, 1861. "I have become in heart and soul a Methodist; not persuaded into it by others, but of my own free choice,-influ enced only by an earnest desire to unite myself to that church in which I have found rest to my soul. I must tell you, dearest sister, something of the new joy and peace which have sprung up within, even Christ the hope of glory. I had long been seeking rest for my weary spirit, but found none. At the beginning of last month, however, we had a week of special services throughout the Circuit; and it was at the second of these that the Spirit of God strove so powerfully with me that I was forced to cry aloud for mercy. And that Saviour, who is ever waiting to be merciful, enabled me to cast myself wholly apon Him,-to lay the burden of my sins at the foot of His cross, and then sent me

on my way happy and rejoicing in His love. And my song each day, and all day, is, 'Christ for me.' My heart is constantly crying out,

'If all the world my Saviour knew,

Then all the world would love Him too.'

My dear sister, I know you will rejoice with me, in this my newly-found treasure. O! pray for me that I may never lose it, but retain it steadfastly to the end."

On the Sunday night before her death, she expressed to her husband a fear that her affliction might prove fatal, and added that, while she should like to be spared on his account, yet, whatever happened, all would be right, as she had not a doubt of her acceptance with God, and she could leave herself in His hands. Her spirit took its flight on the following Friday morning. H. J. S.

MARCH 2d, 1866.—At Middleham, Mr. William Petch, a godly farmer. At the age of sixteen, be "put his hand to the plough," and never looked back." For half a century he was a diligent labourer in the work of the Lord. On his farm, and equally in his family, he bonoured God. In a field he obtained a sense of pardoning mercy; and often, amongst the furrows, he found a holy place. He cultivated his heart, and his "profiting" was apparent. While in regard to God he walked in the sunshine, in regard to men he walked in the shade. His moral character was unexceptionable, and his religion opened to him enjoyments, beyond any that earth can afford. Eminent y devout, he realized the Divine presence everywhere, and praised God in everything. For forty years he lived in the enjoyment of perfect love, witnessing to the mufficiency of the grace of Christ, "out of a pare heart and faith unfeigned." His zeal in the service of his Saviour was unwearied. To win souls to Christ was his ceaseless endeavour; and he was not without success. In his house, be maintained a godly discipline; "he commanded his children and his household after him." He combined cheerfulness with gravity. His "speech was always with grace;" and he was "an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile." His end was truly peaceful: the stroke was gentle. He came "to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." J. B. D.

March 27th, 1867.-At Beckingham, in the Gainsborough Circuit, Mary Stovin, who had been a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society for fifty-four years. She was a sincere and devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ; and, for thirty years, kindly entertained His minis

August 18th.-At Manchester, in the Grosvenor-street Circuit, Mary Anne, relict of the late Mr. James Binns, aged seventy-two years. Her first association with Wesleyan Methodism was as a scholar, and afterwards as a teacher, in the Gravel-lane Sabbath-school; with which, for upwards of twenty years, she stood connected, securing the respect and affection of all who knew her. In the year 1811, she became a member of the Methodist Society, and was one of the first Missionary collectors in the city of Manchester. After her marriage to Mr. Binns, -a truly devoted, Christian man,-the cares of a numerous family left her but little leisure for the more active duties of Christian benevolence; yet, whilst exemplary in her attendance on the social and public means of grace, she ordered well her household, training up her children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Her piety was uniform: manifesting itself in a consistent, blameless walk, not only within the precincts of her home, but before the Church and the world. She was a diligent student of the Holy Scriptures, and was thoroughly grounded in the belief of their Divine inspiration and authority. Mrs. Binns was, from conviction, a Wesleyan Methodist. Her attachment to the doctrines, the economy, and the ministers of Methodism, was strong and ardent. Like her excellent husband, she never wavered in her devotedness to the Church of her early choice; but in seasons of strife and difficulty, they were both found on the side of order and godly discipline. Her last illness, though lingering and painful, was sustained with Christian fortitude and