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up my heart to God and pleaded with Him: I had not prayed long, before my heart was filled with peace, and I felt my sins forgiven. I seemed as if in a new world. From that time to this, except in one, it may be two instances, and then only for a short time, I have never had a doubt of my acceptance with God. I have always felt that I had a religion, which not only made me happy, but prepared me to die."

He was truly a new creature in Christ Jesus; "old things had passed away, and all things had become new." The whole of his subsequent life was in evidence of this Divine change. He was uniformly, and everywhere, the same consistent Christian before the church; and he had "a good report of them that are without." He showed piety at home, and sustained the relations of a husband and father, with affection and Christian fidelity. His home was a sanctuary where the altar of daily devotion was reared, and the fires kindled from heaven never went out. The head of the family has passed away, but his household walk after him, and forget not the God he adored.

In the world he was "not slothful in business," but "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." In the church, while he valued the ordinances of God's house as a means of keeping alive his own soul, and of growing in grace, he also had

"A yearning pity for mankind, A burning charity,-"

which led him zealously to labour to save souls from death. His abilities were not great, but they were sanctified to the glory of God. As a Local preacher he was remarkably punctual to his appointments, earnest and indefatigable in his Master's work. In some of the villages God put honour upon His servant, and made him useful in the conversion of many sinners. He was also useful as the leader of a class, and was beloved by the members who now mourn his removal from them.

He was called to bear some reverses in life, but he bore them as a Christian, casting all his care upon God who cared for him.

When his last affliction came, it found him ready to suffer as well as to do the will of God. For about six months disease wasted his strength, and bowed down the strong man, but he murmured not. His mind was kept in great peace, and he cherished at times the hope of re

covery. When told, at length, that his medical attendant had said that his case was hopeless, he looked with emotion at his wife, for whose sake he wished to have been longer spared, and said, “It is all right." He waited a few days in calm resignation, and then without a struggle entered into the joy of his Lord. He died October, 1864, in the sixtythird year of his age. L. WATERHOUSE.

Ar Pontnewynydd, in the Pontypool Circuit, December 30th, 1864, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, MR. SAMUEL PUGH, brother of the Rev. Theophilus Pugh. Very early in life he was a subject of deep religious impressions; and had he had some one to foster those religious awakenings, he would probably much sooner have been brought to the knowledge of the truth. When he was about twentyone years of age, there was a revival of religion in the place where he resided: when he, with several others, yielded to the Spirit's influence, and gave his heart to God. One Sunday night, shortly after he began to meet in class, while in a prayer-meeting, the Lord set his soul at liberty, and gave him a clear sense of the pardon of his sins. From this time to the end of his journey, he went on his way rejoicing. At the time of his conversion his father was not only a stranger to religion but opposed it and its professors; but Samuel and his brother took up their cross and commenced domestic worship, and God was entreated for the family. Several were brought to God, and finished their course with joy. In the year 1827 his name was placed upon the Localpreachers' plan, and for about thirtyseven years, as health and circumstances permitted, he faithfully laboured in the church of his choice, expecting no reward on earth, but a full one in heaven. He read much, but the Bible was his favourite book. He read the Scriptures carefully through twenty. eight times in the last nineteen years of his life. He did not offer to the Lord or to the people that which cost him nothing, but, by study and prayer, brought out of the treasury of God things both "new and old." He was eminently of a meek and quiet spirit; his words were few, except when he could speak a word for Christ; then he would pour out his full soul in "thoughts that breathe, and words that burn." His sterling piety qualified him for the important office of class-leader,

which office he sustained with great usefulness to others for upwards of thirty years. During the last few years of his life, he was often and much afflicted. This made him sigh for his heavenly home. His daily walk with God, however, was still close and comforting. He would often say tohis friends and correspondents, "I am resting upon the atonement.' The evening before his death, although extremely weak, he rose from his bed, fell upon his knees, and requested his wife to do the same. He then offered a long and most fervent prayer for his family, the church, and the world; and for the presence of the Lord, to be with him in the last struggle. With difficulty he got back to bed, unable to speak, except in a few disconnected sentences, which his friends caught from his dying lips, such as- "the atonement:"" "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ:" "The garden, the agony, the bloody sweat:

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Come, come, come!" In this happy state he breathed his soul into the hands of his blessed Redeemer.

THEOPHILUS PUGH.

JOHN COWPER TOPHAM was born at Pentrich, in Derbyshire, and departed this life at Belper, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His youth was characterized by truthfulness, strict integrity, obedience to parents, and the fear of the Lord. At the termination of his apprenticeship he went to Manchester. The wife of his employer was a Wesleyan Methodist; and her gentle, intelligent, and consistent piety deeply impressed the mind of our late friend. He accompanied her occasionally to the Wesleyan-Methodist chapel, and there learned the ways of the Lord more perfectly.

In the spring of 1819 he took up his residence at Belper, and commenced business on his own account. One of

his first acts was to connect himself with the Methodist Society. This step was taken intelligently and deliberately, yet with some anxiety, as his friends were members of the Established Church, and considered him to be losing in social position by becoming a Methodist. He was willing, however, to bear "the reproach of Christ," and never regretted the choice he had made. His connexion with the church of God was more than a name; nothing could satisfy him but a personal religion, a personal repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing to his own soul the consciousness that God "pardoneth and absolveth all them that

truly repent and unfeignedly believe His holy Gospel." Hence a piety, living, cheerful, fruitful. Being made a partaker of the grace of life, he "gave diligence to make his calling and election sure." Few men were more diligent in business than he. At the same time he was ever anxious to keep secular things in their proper place. solemn words, “What shall it profit a These man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" seemed to be ever present to him, and he acted accordingly. A portion of each day was devoted to reading, meditation, and prayer. He thus "6 and in the knowledge of our Lord and grew in grace, Saviour Jesus Christ." Day by day he brought his religion into his business, and not his business into his religion. Godliness was in him the great regulating power, the golden thread interwoven with the web of life.

As he freely received, so he freely gave. His experience, influence, time, money, were at the service of those around him he put forth his hand, in order to lessen human misery and promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of men. The heathen abroad, and the suffering and neglected at home, shared in his sympathies and aid. Not a few can say, he " was a succourer of many, and of myself also." For several years he superintended a large Sabbath-school. In this important sphere of duty some of his most happy and useful hours were spent ; and many will have to bless God for ever, for his loving and energetic labours. As a leader he sought, with affectionate earnestness, to invite the members of his class to a fuller trust in Christ, and to a closer walk with Him. He was a trustee of different chapels, and more than once the Circuit-steward. He studied the moral and spiritual wants of those around him, and sought by tracts, and books, and letters, to promote their highest welfare. He sowed by all waters, and the fruit will be found "after many days."

The youths in his own establishment always formed a part of his own family, were special objects of solicitude. They and were immediately under his own eye. Whilst he sought to make them efficient business men, he was ever anxious that each of them should be the wiser, happier, and better for having been under his care. Their best interests were sought, not so much by words as deeds. He was a sincere lover of "whatever things are true, honest, just,

pure, lovely, and of good report." One and another, and yet another, whilst under his roof, gave himself to God, and to the church by the will of God. Some of them have died in peace; some have to "the margin come :" whilst others are actively filling spheres of usefulness in the church and in the world. Nor did he limit his Christian efforts to his own denomination; much as he admired the church of his choice, he found other openings of usefulness, and cheerfully entered them.

The Sabbath was a delight to him. Waiting upon the Lord in His own appointed ordinances, he renewed his spiritual strength, and walked with God, through the help of the Spirit, with staid and even pace.

The year 1834 was marked by an irreparable loss. His married life had been one of more than ordinary happiness. His beloved wife was gentle, affectionate, confiding; one that feared the Lord, and her husband "safely trusted in her." It pleased God, however, to gather her loving, submissive spirit to Himself. This was a severe blow to him; his deep sorrow had no voice; and after the roll of thirty years the tear would fill his eye at the unexpected mention of her name. Although his heart bled, he did not "charge God foolishly," but bowed and blessed as he bowed, saying, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away." He knew that through the mercy of God,

"Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution,

She lives, whom we call dead."

This inroad upon the family circle led him to realize more vividly the brevity and uncertainty of earthly joys, and the necessity of having his own lamp trimmed and light burning. Of the past he writes, "I am often ashamed of myself, of my prayers, of my all but useless life, and of the little glory I bring to God; and yet through infinite mercy, I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This was followed by renewed consecration to the service of his great Master, and by growing anxiety for the spiritual welfare of his children and household.

In 1858 it pleased God to deprive him of his much beloved and only son. This was a severe trial; since it cut away the support on which he had begun to lean. His hope had been to leave a son behind him, wiser and better than himself, to fill a sphere of usefulness in the church

and in the world more efficiently than he had done. It pleased Him however "who giveth no account of His matters," and yet "doeth all things well," to disappoint this hope. His son died in the thirty-sixth year of his age; to him "the peril's past, the fear's annulled, the journey at its close."

This painful dispensation seriously affected the health of our departed friend. His spirit submitted, and kissed the rod that smote him; but the "earthly house" received a shock from which it never recovered. Through the mercy of God this affliction also yielded fruit. It appeared in an increased spirituality of mind; a fuller surrender of himself to his great Benefactor; a more lively anticipation of the friendships and enjoyments of the "better country." We need only cite the following record: "Lord Jesus, into Thy hands I commit my spirit; on the infinite merit of Thy blood I rest my soul." Then, as if in the act of renewed trust and self-surrender the clouds had parted, and heavenly light had fallen upon his consecrated spirit, his full heart found utterance in the words of our own poet,

"There, there at His feet we shall suddenly meet,

And be parted in body no more."

During the last twelve months his strength had been perceptibly failing. A disease of the heart was a source of anxiety to his family and friends: be only with calmness viewed the end. He "knew in whom he had believed." This was the ground of all his hope here he trusted for grace and glory, looking for the mercy of our God unto eternal life. Nor did he look in vain: the God of all grace met the need of His servant, who, having "set his house in order," patiently awaited the call.

The termination of his course was semewhat sudden. On the previous Sunday and Monday he was apparently much better, and hope was entertained that he might be spared for some time to come. The following day, however, alarming symptoms appeared, batting all medical skill. Under this new and aggravated form of his disease, the little strength he had rapidly gave way; Wednesday and Thursday were days of great physical restlessness: then came a long sleep, and "he was not, for God took him."

On the following Sabbath suitable and impressive discourses were delivered: in the morning by the Incumbent, and

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OCTOBER 31st, 1862. -At Tollerton, in the Easingwold Circuit, Mr. William Fawcett, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. The circumstances connected with the conversion of Mr. Fawcett are not known, except that in comparatively early life, he was induced to surrender himself to the service of God. But the reality of his piety was undoubted. Mr. Fawcett was a man of prayer and faith, and exhibited a meek and quiet spirit. the village in which he resided he possessed considerable influence, and it was employed for good. It was his delight to do what he could for the cause of God, towards which, in its various departments, he liberally contributed. So long as health allowed, no one was more regular in his attendance at the sanctuary. For many years the Wesleyan Ministers found a generous welcome at his house. For more than forty years he sustained the office of class-leader. In his last illness, he was much comforted by the manifestations of God's love to his soul. On one occasion he remarked, "I do love the Lord with all my heart, and mind, and soul, and strength. I did not think I could have loved Him as I do: He fills my heart to overflowing." His last words were, "Glory—— none but Christ! He will soon say 'it is enough.'"

I. G.

June 21, 1864.-At Leeds, Mr. Robert Muff, son of the late Rev. Isaac Muff, and only brother of the Rev. John I. Muff, Wesleyan Minister favoured with godly parents, whose prayers were answered in his early piety, he became a member of the Wesleyan Society previous to his leaving WoodhouseGrove School. He was afterwards apprenticed at Leeds, and immediately joined the Society there, and was soon actively employed as a Sunday-school teacher, prayer-leader, and tract-distributer. During this period, those with whom he was engaged, left the Wesleyan Connexion, and were wishful that he should do the same. He wrote to his revered father for advice, and received the laconic reply, "My dear Robert, study to be quiet, mind your own business, and meddle not with them that are given to change." This counsel he took, and continued a member of the church of his father. In subsequent years he entered into business, in which he was diligent and successful; but when the class-night returned, however great the pressure of work, he repaired to the place of religious communion. For many years he was a useful leader, and without ostentation filled various offices of the church with acceptance and fidelity. About seven

"They die as sets the morning star Which goes not down behind the darkening west,

Or hides amid the stormy sky:

But melts away into the light of heaven."
J. J. T.

DEATHS.

years prior to his decease, he retired from business owing to the failure of eye-sight, and in a year or two he became totally blind. This calamity he felt greatly, but bowed to the appointment with submission. Though thus suffering, he was constant in his attendance at the sanctuary, both on the Sabbath and week-day services, and took delight in meeting with God's people. For some time his health had been declining, but not so as to alarm his family, till within a few days of his death. He then found "grace to help in time of need," and emphatically expressed his confidence in the promises of God. On the last morning of his life, he repeated the lines,

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"Jesu, Lover of my soul," &c., and asked those around him to sing. or three verses of the hymn were sung, evidently to his satisfaction. Among his last words were, "Jesus Christ, He is my Redeemer, He is my Redeemer." When prayer was offered, he clasped his hands, and fervently responded to the petitions. He gradually sank into the arms of death, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, having been a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society upwards of forty years. J. I. M.

September 14th.-At Well, in the Bedale Circuit, in her sixty-seventh year, Mary Hardy. When quite young, she was led to give her heart to God. There was a remarkable revival of religion in her native village, when she was thirteen years of age, and her youthful heart was softened by the Holy Spirit's agency. She and one of her companions, who survives her, were made joyful partakers of God's saving grace. Both united themselves to the Wesleyan Society, and were permitted to meet in the same class for upwards of fifty years. Classmeetings and lovefeasts were services she particularly delighted in, and she invariably spoke with much warmth of feeling of God's dealings with her soul, and of Christ's ability and willingness to save "to the uttermost all those that come to God through Him. Those who were most intimately associated with her, speak of her with the greatest respect as a woman of strong faith, and as a consistent and devoted follower of the Lord Jesus. Though poor, she maintained an unshaken confidence in God's providence, and she was never put to shame. By denying herself she was able to give to the cause of God in such a liberal manner, that her friends often expressed their astonishment. She died as she had lived, a humble believer in Christ.

T. W. B.

August 25th, 1865.-At Manchester, in the Grosvenor-street Circuit, Mr. John Starkie, in the ninety-first year of his age. He had been upwards of sixty years a constant and consistent member of the WesleyanMethodist Society in America, at Preston, and in Manchester. His class-leader says: "The simple and edifying statement of his Christian experience in our class-to which he was led by his grand-children up to the last week of his life-always did us great good.' He was in his accustomed place in the sanctuary on the Sabbath before his death. He passed away suddenly, whilst sitting in his chair at home, and is among those, we trust, who "sleep in Jesus." His consistent life, his love for and enjoyment of the means of grace, and his oft-expressed dependence upon the merits of Christ for salvation, are our grounds for believing that, when by reason of old age the wheels of life stood still, his happy spirit passed to the joyous presence of his Lord. E. H.

August 30th.-At Staleybridge, in the Ashton-under-Lyne Circuit, Mr. Robert Hadley, aged forty-two. He was converted to God in the year 1843, under a sermon preached by the Rev. Gervase Smith. Having given himself to the Lord, he gave himself to the church by the will of God. He was soon appointed a class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-sehool, the duties of which offices he faithfully performed. His last affliction was painful and protracted. At times he expressed a wish

to recover.

Affection for his family, and a desire to be useful in the church, appeared to render life desirable. Nevertheless he expressed his entire resignation to the Divine will, assuring his friends that, "it would be right, whichever way the affliction terminated." The message came at last in love, and our brother peacefully exchanged the sufferings of earth for the glories of heaven. J. B.

September 4th.-At Sherburn Hill, in the Durham Circuit, Isabella, wife of George C. Seymour, in the twenty-seventh year of her age. Though the child of pious parents, and a subject of deep religious impressions, it was not until the year 1859 that she felt a saving interest in the blood of the Redeemer. Since that period she continued to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. Not being of a strong constitution, she had to pass through deep waters of affliction; but her resignation was manifest in her frequent expression, "The will of the Lord be done. She was of a remarkably even and cheerful temper, her daily life being an effective recommendation of religion to others. In her last illness she gave utterance to such expressions as these, "The Lord is my Shepherd;" "Rock of Ages, cleft for me." "When nearing the closing scene, she said, "It will soon be over now.

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I shall soon be in heaven." After a short struggle she peacefully passed into the presence and joy of her Lord. 8.

September 11th.-At Milford, in the Haverfordwest Circuit, Captain Lewis, aged sixty-three. For about forty years he lived "according to the course of this world," though a subject of God's restraining grace, and often experiencing the strivings of the blessed Spirit. A very painful worldly loss, the faithful ministrations of Divine truth, and the efforts of Christian friends were the means of bringing him to decision; with a deep conviction of sin, he sought earnestly the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. His conversion was remarkably clear. He was filled with peace and joy through believing. He was now a man of one business; and with an energy and constancy seldom equalled, he sought to glorify God by doing good to the bodies and souls of men. In December, 1844, he accepted the agency of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, in Milford Haven. For this work he was eminently qualified. He knew the circumstances in which sailors are often found, and his heart yearned over them. He was, in his efforts to benefit them, "instant in season, out of season," afloat or on shore: and very many of these will be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. With equal diligence he visited the sick and distressed, to numbers of whom he was the messenger of mercy. A hearty Mcthodist, and filling usefully the offices of classleader, chapel and Circuit steward, he was also ready to co-operate with all who loved Christ, and who endeavoured to extend His His last illness was probably the result of undue exertions when recovering from a former serious attack of disease. When it became evident that the sickness would be unto death, he was not alarmed. Deeply conscious of his own unworthiness, he yet knew whom he had believed; ani blessedly realized the all-sufficiency of Christ's grace. "O! the precious blood of Christ! He bore our griefs, He carried our sorrows;" were examples of his frequent utterances. On being reminded of some departed nes whom he had been instrumental in leading to Jesus, he smiled and said, “What an honour on unworthy me. O! my shortcomings and unfaithfulness; but the blessed atonement -I rest on this,-

cause.

'Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee,'" &c.

After much suffering, and while life was ebbing gently away, he was heard to say,"His love is as great as His power,

And neither knows measure nor end." Thus he entered the world of rest and love, to experience its greatness and blesseduess for ever. M. S.

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