growth in grace. When about eighteen she removed to Leeds, and subsequently she was remarkably diligent in attention to the means of grace, enjoyed great peace through believing, and manifested the genuineness of her piety by blamelessness of life. Everywhere she endeavoured to show herself the upright and consistent Christian. She was a faithful and affectionate wife, a prudent and loving mother, and discharged the duties of her station with praiseworthy diligence. What she appeared before the world she was in the seclusion of her family. She was regular in her closet devotions: alone, she sought communion with God and read His word. Her faith and love were thus daily fed, and sustained with rich supplies from above. God was "the strength of her heart," and is now her "portion for ever." Those who knew her most intimately loved her most. The relation of her experience at the last class-meeting will never be forgotten by the members present. During her short and severe affliction, she "Never murmured at His stay, Or wished her sufferings less." Her faith in God was strong to the last. Her language was, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; "The Lord will do all right:" and then fell asleep in Him she loved so truly, in the thirtieth year of her age. July 8th, 1865.-At Pendleton, in the Irwell-street Manchester Circuit, aged fortynine, Mr. William Aspinall, a native of Blackburn, and for five-and-twenty years a consistent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. Under the care of a pious mother, he was early instructed in the ways of God and truth, and although not until riper years were reached a subject of God's saving grace, he was yet preserved from the sins and follies to which youth especially stands exposed. His whole deportment, well nigh from reason's dawn, was well conducted and moral. As in the case of Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened," he was gently led to place his sole reliance for mercy and salvation on the merits of a crucified Redeemer; his subsequent career being uniformly that of an humble, self-renouncing, faithful follower of Christ: in quietness and peace, he held fast his integrity. As an office-bearer of the church, he was eminently courteous and faithful, seeking the prosperity of Zion, and rejoicing in her welfare. He was naturally of a timid and retiring disposition; yet his unvarying gentleness and probity were such as to produce an impression on the minds of those who knew him best, that to him there had been given largely of the grace which "suffereth long and is kind," which "envieth not," which "vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Aspinall was a diligent student of Holy Scripture: the Bible was to him the Book Mr. of books. All light and frivolous literature he conscientiously avoided. The privilege of Christian fellowship he highly prized: till prevented by affliction, he was a regular attendant at the weekly class, deriving from the related experience of others instruetion and solace. In the relations of husband and father, those who more especially mourn his loss, call to remembrance his undeviating kindness and fidelity: such was the affectionate, yet salutary control exercised over his children, that he secured at once their fear and their love. The family circle was eminently a happy one. To this indeed, the stated celebration of family worship, in the reading of the Scriptures and in prayer, must have contributed greatly. A lengthered affliction preceded his removal to a happier world, yet in patience he possessed his soul; no murmuring expression ever escaped his lips. The prospect of dissolution, when opening before him, disturbed him not. Resting on the Atonement, he calmly awaited the summons to depart. The last words he was heard to utter, were, "Yes, Jesus is precious!" His death was more than ordinarily peaceful. Without a struggle or a sigh, he simply ceased to breathe: "Sinking in death, to rest with God." August 20th.-At Tavistock, in the twentyfifth year of her age, Rachel, the beloved wife of the Rev. William Parsonson. She was the child of pious parents, and was blessed with the advantages of Sunday-school instruction. In comparatively early life she was converted to God, and retained with clearness the evidence of her acceptance to the close of life. In the various places where she resided Sabbath-school teacher, and as a guide to she was made exceedingly useful-both as a the young. The kindness of her disposition, the propriety of her deportment, and the savour of her piety endeared her to all who knew her. Paths of usefulness in the church were opening up before her; and the hope was cherished that her life might be prolonged for successful service in the cause of God. But He saw otherwise. Throughout her affliction she was kept in a state of peace, and expressed great confidence in God,while her patience and gentleness were truly exemplary. In the wanderings of mind occasioned by fever, her chief utterances were those of prayer and praise, with quotations from Scripture and the Wesleyan Hymnbook; and often (although in the utmost feebleness of body) she tried to sing parts of the songs of our Zion. She had been married but a few months, when she fell asleep in Jesus. August 29th.-At the Wesleyan Missionhouse, Cantonment, Bangalore, in her fortyninth year, Katherine, the beloved wife of the Rev. Matthew Trevan Male, and daughter of the late Rev. William Buckley Fox. In early life she was a subject of the gracious influences of the Holy Ghost, especially in connexion with the ministry of the Rev. G. B. Macdonald, then one of her father's colleagues. When about fifteen years of age, she gave her heart to the Lord, and became a member of His church. In the Missionwork she was deeply interested; and in that work was, in a more than ordinary degree, a "help-meet" to her husband. In the promotion of female education in India she laboured, for many years, with much devotedness, almost beyond her strength. For a year and a half before her lamented death, her work was not only among Hindu girls, but also among the European women in the barracks of the different regiments stationed in Bangalore. She much admired the following lines, and endeavoured to realize what they express:— "I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching, wise October 8th.-At Shaftesbury, the Rev. Robert Gover, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and the fortieth of his ministry. He was born at Rochester, in the year 1798; and his parents, who were much respected members of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, were impressed with the belief that he was destined to become a Minister of the Gospel. After the completion of his education, he pursued his theological studies in London, under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Mortimer, a clergyman of the Church of England; and he would probably have entered that church had it not been for a change in his sentiments, and a persuasion that as a Wesleyan Minister he could more effectually serve God, and more successfully preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His character, as a man and a Christian, was one of singular beauty and purity. The great mainspring of his life was a devotion to duty. Unselfish, selfsacrificing, affectionate in all his relations, and generous, he was beloved wherever he went, and by none so much as by those who knew him best. His manners were gentle and refined, and he possessed a peculiar facility of suiting himself, as circumstances required, to all classes of society. "I To soothe and sympathize." She lived not unto herself. Her illness was short; and not until the last day of her life was any immediate danger apprehended. But her Saviour was with her, and gave her a calm triumph over the last enemy. am too weak," she said, "for much excitement; but I have the essential, the Atonement. None but Christ, the blood of Christ." Almost her last words were, "It is a blessed thing to be so near the gates of death, and to have no fear." M. T. M. He October 4th. At Gainsborough, Mr. Frank Shipham, aged twenty-four. He was nurtured in Methodism, and in his thirteenth year became truly converted to God. then felt deep concern for the salvation of others, and as a diligent Sabbath-school teacher, tract-distributer, and prayer-leader, endeavoured to promote the cause of God. His cheerful and frank disposition, combined with uniform uprightness, secured him the confidence of the managers of the Bank in which he was employed, as well as the respect of the community at large. During the protracted and painful illness which so early terminated his career, he continued to be a diligent student of the word of God, large portions of which he committed to memory. From this practice he derived incalculable profit when no longer able to read. He wished to be faithfully dealt with, as to his spiritual interests, by those who visited him; nor did he himself fail in fidelity to others. He much delighted in religious conversation; and his patience and composure, in severe pain and in the prospect of death, were most marked. During the last few hours of life his sufferings were acute; but, in a manner very affecting and consolatory to his friends, he repeatedly expressed himself "quite sure" all was right. To his medical attendant he said, "O Doctor, this is hard work, but I shall soon be in a better country;"-"O, this blessed assurance!" last testimony was, "Jesus is precious." A. H. M. His His countenance was always serene and untroubled. He was ready to sympathize with the afflicted and distressed; and numbers will long remember his cordial greeting and genial smile. His preaching was quiet and logical, while at the same time impressive and pathetic; his whole life evincing a zeal for the glory of God and the welfare of man, His loss is deeply lamented by a sorrowing family, by numerous friends, and by those who sat under his ministry. But he was a "just" man, and was prepared for a life of endless purity. For him death has been swallowed up in victory. R. M. G. October 23d. At Chatburn, in the Clitheroe Circuit, where she had resided during the last two years, Jane, the widow of the late Mr. Roscoe, for many years resident at Stone Clough, in one of the Bolton Circuits. When young she was brought to a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, and received a note on trial for church-membership at the hands of the celebrated William Bramwell. When settled in life, she became a generous supporter of the cause of God in proportion to her means, and was accustomed during a considerable number of years to entertain the Ministers with great hospitality and kindness. No one, who had opportunities of marking the conduct of the late Mrs. Roscoe, could fail to observe that she was a person of comparatively few words, thoughtful, and serious, but withal cheerful: a demeanour which was the result of much reading of God's holy word, and prayer. A severe attack of bronchitis terminated her course within the short space of five days. She was enabled to sustain the affliction in a truly Christian manner. When very near the close of life, she gave utterance to the lines, - "Happy, if with my latest breath," &c. Her end was remarkably peaceful, in the seventy-fifth year of her age. W. W. He October 24th.-At Bedford, Thomas Herbert Barker, M.D., aged fifty years. joined the Wesleyan church twenty-seven years since, and continued a member until his death. Having found peace with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, at a prayer-mecting held in the vestry of the chapel where he worshipped, he immediately joined the people of God, and made a formal profession of his faith in Christ. The evidence of his adoption into the family of God was not always so clear as was desirable, but he trusted in the merits of Christ for salvation, and walked in the fear of God. He entertained humble views of himself, and frequently spoke of his spiritual state with deep emotion and many tears. In his last illness he deeply felt his unworthiness, and regretted that he had "spent so much time in art, literature, and science." When reasoning on the mysteries of religion, he checked himself, saying, "I must go back to first principles." "I am a sinner." "Jesus died for sinners." "I believe in Him," &c. The passage "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me," was rendered a great comfort to him: he frequently repeated the last words,-"thou shalt glorify Me." He attained to great eminence in his profession, was highly esteemed for his urbanity, and his death is regarded as a public calamity in Bedford and its neighbourhood. He died in the Lord, and in joyful hope of a glorious resurrection. T. A. R. October 25th. Mrs. Ann James, in the Nottingham North Circuit, in the sixtieth year of her age. She was converted to God when fourteen years of age, and from that time was a consistent, zealous member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. Few loved the means of grace more than she did. Though for years heavily afflicted, she attended her class as long as she could. The last time she was there she had to rest three times on the road. During the last months of her life, through the cold nights of last spring, she was obliged to sit in her chair. But no murmur was heard to escape her lips. She was always happy in God, and died, as she had lived, relying on the atoning blood of Christ. J. L. October 29th.-At Flegg-burgh, in the Yarmouth Circuit, the Rev. James Waller, who was brought to God through the instrumentality of his own father; who, being a godly member of the Church of England, attended service twice on the Lord's day, and then regularly preached in the evening in his own kitchen to as many of his neighbours as might choose to attend. At twenty-one years of age Mr. Waller became a member of the Wesleyan Society in Lynn, with his pious father's full concurrence. A year afterwards he began to preach Christ to others publicly, and at the age of twenty-five the Wesleyan Conference received him as a probationer for its ministry. During fortythree years he laboured with much acceptance in the Lord's vineyard; and after spending what strength remained to him for twenty years longer, in occasional and valuable service as a Supernumerary, he passed away from earth in the full assurance of hope. Mr. Waller was one of the oldest men in the Wesleyan ministry. G. B. November 6th.-In the Lambeth Circuit, Mary Foster, in her twenty-sixth year. Until she was three-and-twenty years old, she knew not the things which made for her peace; but an evangelistic effort in connexion with the Waterloo-Road Society resulted in her conversion as well as in that of others. She at once desired to join the church which had been made a blessing to her, and from that time went forward in the way to life, prizing every opportunity of attendance at the classmeeting and at the Sabbath-school. An unhealthy residence and other unfavourable circumstances hastened into decline a constitution predisposed to disease, and for many months it was evident to herself and to others that her death was approaching. But she knew in whom she had believed. At her last attendance at class her simple testimony was as cheering as ever, "that Jesus was with her," that "she knew and trusted His love." Her sufferings were great; but her mind was kept in peace, being stayed on the Saviour in childlike faith and confidence. Her last words were, (on being asked whether she wanted anything.) "I should like to go to sleep when Jesus pleases." W. L. November 9th.-In the Lambeth Circuit, Stephen Hysted, a man "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." While resident some years since in the Faversham Circuit, he was induced to decide for Christ and His church; and on his removal to the metropolis he continued to identify himself with the people of God. Within the last few months his piety had become increasingly apparent to all. On the morning of the day on which he died, he had (in prayer with his wife) commended his soul and body to the care of his heavenly Father, and went forth at an early hour to his accustomed employment. His work, however, was suddenly cut short. A fall from a considerable height in a moment removed him from a scene of trial and conflict to the rest which is above, from a clay tabernacle below to the "building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." W. L. INDEX. GENERAL INDEX. A hundred years ago: the Conference of 1765, 705 Agricultural "gangs," evils of, 1088 America (United States of). Anecdotes of early Anselm, Archbishop, the theology of, 894—refer- Antinomianism, rise of, 785 Ardmillan, Lord, on the authority of conscience Army, our work in the, 81, 466, 561, 657, 945, Asbury, Rev. F., first meeting of, with Dr. Coke, 349 "Assassins," the, of the Middle Ages, "Re- Athanasius. I. Arius, and Arianism, 289-II. Augustine, doctrine of, 804 Baptism, what is the use of? 54-account of Rev. Barr, Rev. T., on Mary Queen of Scots, 147, Baxter's "Saints' Rest," account of the com- Beschi, the Jesuit, in India, 619 Bible, edition of the, in Kaffir, 557; in Fiji, 559 Bible Society, British and Foreign, 556, 557, 559, Blaikie's (Dr.) "Heads and Hands," extract Blood, purification of the, illustrated, 1119 Calvinistic controversy, writers on, in the seven- VOL. XI.-FIFTH SERIES. Calvinistic doctrine of necessity, arguments Calvinistic reasoning, observations on, 920, 921, Cambridge, distinguished students at, in 1605-9, Catholic, note on the meaning of the word, 581 China, relict of Monotheism in, 140. See also Christian ministers, remarks on the perils of, by Christianity, evidences for, in the conversion of Chrysostom, sketch of, 673 Church, the, and the world, 630 Church, Greek, sects, doctrines, and ceremonies Church of Rome. See Popery. Church of Scotland, Free, Institution of, in Class-meetings and class-leaders, Methodist, re- Codex Sinaiticus, account of, 311 Copernicus the astronomer, sketch of, by the Constans and Constantius, Emperors, different Crucifixion, the, and the resurrection: order of Damascus, modern, visit to, 354 Deaconesses, their mission and progress on the 4 E Derby, Lord, his translation of Homer's" Iliad,” Design, the argument from, for the existence of Dimensions of large churches, Mr. E. B. Denison DIVINITY. Afterward, Matthew xxi. 28-32, 1073 Parable of the pharisee and the publican, 204 The departure and return of "the glory of the The healing of the paralytic: an illustration of Eastern festival, and its lessons, 60 Elizabeth, Queen, difficult position of, in rela- Embury, Philip, and party, emigration of, to Employers and their servants, 906 Encyclical letter of Pope Pius IX., observations Evangelical Alliance, 565, 1141 Fairbairn's "Imperial Bible Dictionary," note Farmer, Thomas, mentioned, 600 Fox's "Book of Martyrs" should be in every Free-will, Dr. Whedon on, 1015 Gibbon, on the early progress of Christianity, 260 The civil war in America: the Pope's En- 161-164 Misunderstandings between England and General Sherman's march through Georgia Decision of the Judicial Committee of Privy Assassination of President Lincoln: pros- End of the civil war in America: approach- The Gastein Convention: the cholera, and The Fenians: the British Association for American demands on Great Britain: GLANCE AT PUBLIC OCCURRENCES, administration: the Negro obstacle: Negro Goodwin, John, his "Redemption Redeemed," Gordon, Duchess of, sketch of her life, 1092 Liverpool: Brunswick, 84,370-Pitt-street,178 London: Great Queen-street, 89, 975-Rad- Manchester: Grosvenor-street, 179, 370, 1138 Runcorn: Widness, 466 Sheffield, East, and Attercliffe, 371, 947, 1139 Sunderland: Monkwearmouth, 563, 948, 11:39 Windsor: Chertsey, 177, 946, 1042 |