Appeals were soon addressed to him from neighbouring localities, where they had heard of his services, and wished to know and participate in them. New services were thus originated, and in eight months three Evangelical congregations of Spaniards were founded in Algeria.

Not less interesting than this work is he who conducts it. As he has often told his story, we may repeat the substance of it. M. F. Ruett was born at Barcelona, of a Catholic family, and was destined for the bar. At the age of twenty-two he went to Italy to finish his studies, and settled at Turin. He soon learned Italian, and, being a man of talent, he shortly became distinguished as an advocate. But one day, as he passed through a street in Turin, he was surprised to see a number of persons enter a house. Curiosity prompted him to go in, and he found a large room, which a serious assembly soon filled. Some inscriptions on the walls attracted his attention: "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ;" "The just shall live by faith," and so forth. A man entered a desk, (it was Pastor Meille,) offered a prayer, and delivered a discourse on subjects new to him. He left the meeting in a pensive mood; but went a second time, and a third time. More and more urged by the wants of his soul, be purchased a New Testament, read it with eagerness, and at last besought the pastor to receive him into his church. To be brief: after some months he became an evangelist in the service of the Protestant community at Turin.

Nothing indicated that he should quit this post, but the Lord had designed him for a more difficult field. A dream determined him to leave Italy. Twice he thought himself carried over snowy mountains, and borne by an irresistible force to an agitated crowd, which spoke his mother tongue. There, priests awaited him, and threatened him with violence; but, braving their anger, he preached the Gospel. This reiterated dream seemed to him to indicate the will of God. He left Turin and went to Barcelona, where, Bible in hand, he preached the good news of salvation by faith. The authorities interfered; he was arrested, cited before the Tribunal, and commanded to keep silence. No sooner was he released than he began afresh. Again he was arrested, and with no better result. From the balcony of his house the bold champion of

the Gospel preached Christ to his countrymen. This could not be endured. He was bound with cords like a bandit, and, having been again dragged before the judges, was this time banished from the kingdom-as a heretic. Exiled from Spain, he settled at Gibraltar. There were Spaniards there, and through them the truth might, perhaps, get access to the kingdom which excluded it. He was not deceived. One of his regular hearers was Manuel Matamoros, and it was from the preaching of the exile that Matamoros received the first germs of the faith for which he too was to be exiled. In 1863, M. Ruett had to leave Gibraltar for reasons unknown to us, and went to Algiers to commence the work of which we have spoken. There are, in all, from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty hearers in the three places where he has established regular services. Many leave, it is true, but they carry with them good seed which, doubt not, will some day germinate in Spain.

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UNITED STATES. BIBLES FOR THE SOUTH. INCREASED CHRISTIAN LIBERALITY.-While I speak of the American Bible Society, it is proper to say that it continues to send large supplies of Bibles and Testaments to the people and armies of the South. The number of volumes thus sent has been increased by many thousands since I wrote you on this subject.

The Methodist Episcopal Church has reduced the work of benevolent contributions to a very perfect system. The gross amount of the collections made in this denomination in the year closing with October, 1864, was 558,000 dollars. The estimate for the coming year is larger by 64,000 dollars, and reaches the amount of 622,000 dollars, of which the full half is appropriated to Foreign Missions. No doubt is entertained that this large sum will be contributed.

Similar statements might be made concerning the increased liberality of every Evangelical denomination. Christian men among us are giving upon a scale that has had no example in our previous history. Nor are their gifts regulated by a nice calculation of the proportion between a dollar in gold and a dollar in paper. They are giving freely in proportion to the need; and the fact is almost as pleasant to our patriotism as to our piety. It encourages us to think of our nation as a vineyard

ABRAHAM CLARKSON was born at Baffham, in the parish of Kirby-Underdale, on the Wolds of Yorkshire, A.D. 1769, of parents who feared the Lord. And, though he lost his father in 1775, his widowed mother discharged her duty faithfully toward a numerous family. Several of them, if not all, were early associated with Methodism. In the old Circuit-Book, which contains names and states of the members in each Society in the Pocklington Round," from 1787, (the year after Pocklington became the head of a Circuit,) the names of William, Elizabeth, and Mary Clarkson appear as members of the Grimston Society. How the first religious impressions were produced in the mind of Abraham, he has left no written record to show. Perhaps," writes his son, "while he was standing by a mother's knee, listening to such instructions as were suited to a youthful capacity, the heavenly seed might be sown, which eventually germinated, and brought forth the fruits of righteousness." These home-efforts, followed by the soulstirring services of the last century, were every way likely, by the Divine blessing, to impress a nature so thoughtful, vigorous, ardent, and impulsive as that of Abraham Clarkson. By one means or other, it pleased God, ere the interesting season of youth was past, to awaken in his mind a deep-seated conviction of the transcendent value of his soul, and of the tremendous peril to which through sin he was exposed; which drove him to seek the Lord with all his heart. And, while wrestling with God in prayer, patriarch-like, he prevailed; his faith was imputed to him for righteousness; and he was made the "friend of God." To the close of a prolonged and successful life, he rejoiced in the maintenance of that friendship, which verily proved to him, as to all who know it, a pearl of great price." Prompted by the instincts of his new nature, as well as enjoined by the highest authority, and counselled, doubtless, by the good people around him, he sought the communion of saints,

and, undismayed by obloquy, joined the Methodists in 1794. Behind him he has left two of the quarterly tickets of membership for that year, along with two hundred and fifty-eight for following years. Nor did any of the storms that swept over the church during sixty-nine years sever him from its fellowship, or induce him to relax his strife for heaven.

Though his residence was three miles from any place of worship, he was rarely absent from the public or the social means of grace. Twice on the Sabbath, or even thrice, he was wont to travel the distance, often on foot, accompanied by his wife; sometimes both were on one horse, with saddle and pillion. He thought little of braving the darkness, mire, and storms of a winter's evening, on the Wolds, to get to a prayer-meeting. Nor did he serve God for nought. "Following after," in order to " apprehend that for which also he was apprehended of Christ Jesus," he sought and found the great blessing of entire sanctification; so that, cleansed from all sin, and "filled with the Spirit," he could testify of a blest experience greater than angel-tongues can tell, or angel-minds conceive. "He lived," says

his son,

"with a desire to die, and enter upon the full enjoyment of that happiness of which he had such a foretaste. How long he continued in the possession of this great salvation I do not know; but, after some time, he lost it; and I have heard him say, that he never again enjoyed such rapturous manifestations of the Divine presence and favour." Possibly, two things contributed to this loss: first, the paucity and distance of effective religious ordinances, public and social; and, secondly, his not entering on some wider sphere of Christian exertion and benevolence, in order to advance the purposes and glory of God, especially in the salvation of immortal souls. Nevertheless, though the rapture attendant on the first attainment of perfect love subsided, the sanctifying grace invested his character permanently with qualities not visible, or not so fully developed, in those who never soared to

God from gross vices and follies. His conduct was strictly moral, in the sight of his fellows; his disposition, dutiful and affectionate to his parents; his demeanour, kind and courteous to all. But, with all these indications of some good thing in his heart toward the Lord God of Israel, he was early convinced of the innate depravity of his nature, and given to see that he had sinned, and come short of the glory of God. His awakening, and his earnest endeavours after salvation, will be best told by one who was among his earliest religious associates:

"My acquaintance with the deceased commenced in 1816. The Rev. George Highfield and Edmund Grindrod were then stationed in Bolton. Under their faithful ministrations, he was fully convinced of his lost condition, and became an earnest seeker of salvation. At every opportunity he was found at the means of grace, public and private, on the Sabbath. He was never absent from the eight o'clock preaching on Sunday morning at the old chapel in Ridgeway-Gates, nor was the still earlier five o'clock prayer-meeting neglected; and he might nearly always be seen at the week-evening services. In the use of these and other ordinances he diligently sought an assurance of the Divine favour. About this time the late Rev. William Bramwell, then stationed in Manchester, held a lovefeast at Walkden-Moor, at which Mr. Marsden was present. He stood up, with a number of others, at the request of Mr. Bramwell, who desired to know how many penitents were present. During that service the power of God was made manifest, and many found the pearl of great price. Mr. Marsden was greatly encouraged, but did not then obtain the blessing of pardon." But he was not far from the kingdom of heaven. The God who had said, "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart," was about to fulfil His own gracious promise. A memorandum, found among Mr. Marsden's papers, and bearing date of February 14th, 1818, tells us how He did so:-"After a night of mourning for Christ and my soul's justification, (a night of about eleven months,) on the evening of this day, at a band-meeting held at Mr. Bowers's school-room, while Peter Wilkinson was praying, the Lord spoke comfortably to my soul by His Spirit, and filled me with peace and joy through believing. I saw no visible appearance, but felt in an instant so

unspeakably happy, that I cried out, and said, 'Glory, glory, glory be to God! Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise His holy name!'" Again, the following day: "This morning I found my soul much blessed under the preaching, by the Rev. Jonathan Turner, on these words: "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.""

Having with much earnest striving entered in at the strait gate, Mr. Marsden made it his object henceforth to walk in the narrow way. To maintain

the life of God in his soul, and to be enabled to walk worthy the high vocation wherewith he was called, he was careful still to use with all diligence the various means of grace. During the last few months of his life he attended the new chapel in Park-street, where the earnest and devout manner in which he joined in the liturgical service was very marked, and he expressed himself as much profited and edified. As a thorough Methodist he highly appreciated the class-meeting, and other means of Christian fellowship; witnessing in them a good confession of his personal faith in Christ as the sole foundation of a sinner's hope, and of the settled peace with God which flowed from that faith.

While by no means obtrusive in his religious profession, he was ever faithful, never shrinking from the avowal of his discipleship when occasion required, and always letting it be seen by his de. portment. It was in the domestic circle, perhaps, that his excellencies were most apparent. He had a profound solicitude that his household should be blessed. Hence the duties of the family-altar were performed with scrupulous fidelity and solemn impressiveness. The Scriptures were devoutly read and expounded, and prayer was fervently offered. By precept and example he was careful to impress the minds of his children with a due sense of the importance of eternal things; and his great desire was to see them choose the better part,-a matter in which his pious solicitude has been, in a good degree, rewarded.

Mr. Marsden was actively engaged in the commerce of life; and, by the blessing of God, he prospered. He was

diligent in business, as well as "fervent in spirit," in both "serving the Lord." It is hardly needful to add, that he was upright and honourable in his dealings with his fellow-men. He had the goodwill and esteem of his

workpeople, who knew that he was not only ready to give that which was just and equal, but ever kind and considerate, as one knowing that he also had a Master in heaven.

As a man of business, characterized ake by prudence and integrity, he was highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen; at whose desire, and by their suffrages, he held the office of honorary overseer, and occupied a place at the council-board of the Corporation.

In connexion with the church of which he was an attached and devoted member nearly fifty years, he filled the various offices open to the laity in a Methodist Circuit. Long was he an efficient school-superintendent; and a chas-leader upwards of thirty-five years. He took an active part in the management of the trusts with which he was connected, and in due course sustained the office of Circuit-steward. In each department he was found faithful. There were times when he was called to stand forth prominently in the defence of constitutional Methodism, and in some instances his fidelity exposed him to obloquy from disturbers: but he was always found acting in harmony with those of his brethren who were loyal in the maintenance of godly discipline, and the advancement of truth and righteousness.

On the morning of Sunday, December 20th, 1863, Mr. Marsden rose as usual, and prepared himself for the services of the sanctuary; but, being seized with sudden pain, he judged it best to remain at home, desiring, however, that his dear wife, with the family, would go up to the house of God. On their return, he was much worse. Medical aid was now procured. A measure of relief was obtained, and hopes were indulged. Mr. Marsden had been engaged at intervals, during the morning, in reading the word; and, on the return of the family, had made inquiry respecting the public service. Up to past eight in the evening, his medical attendant considered that he was in a fair way of recovery; but, near midnight, the pain returned with increasing violence.

His

beloved wife, observing him fall back, and now seriously alarmed, entreated him to speak; but there was no reply. The family were summoned, but it was only to witness the last sigh of their beloved head, who thus silently and suddenly breathed out his soul into the hands of his Redeemer and Lord.

JOHN TINDALL.

MRS. ANNE JANE COULSON was the eldest child of Isaac and Abigail Taylor, of York; and was born on the 17th of March, 1813. Her mother's family have for three generations been connected with Methodism in the Tadcaster Circuit. Brought up by praying parents, Anne Jane Taylor was in early life often and powerfully wrought upon by the Holy Spirit. But it was not until she was fourteen years old, that she yielded to His gracious strivings. On Sunday, April 18th, 1827, after hearing Mr. Mortimer preach, she waited on God, an anxious inquirer and penitent, (the first person who engaged in prayer being her beloved father,) and, after earnestly pleading with God, was enabled to trust in Christ. "To-day," she writes, "I have been made happy in God; I know, I feel, Christ died for me." She immediately joined the Methodist Society; and in its constant and profitable fellowship she remained during her life. Her youthful piety was greatly strengthened by meeting in band, as well as by the habitual reading of the Scriptures, and by private prayer. She faithfully watched over the early steps of her two brothers in the heavenly way, and took much pleasure in collecting for Missions to the heathen.

In 1836, on her twenty-third birthday, she was married to him who now mourns her loss. From that date she resided at Hazlewood. Timid, sensitive, and at a distance from the town, she was too much kept back from those engagements and associations which are ever helpful to a healthy piety. At times she was sorely cast down; and her soul, craving more active exercise in Christian service, refused to be comforted. The true remedy was gradually learned by experience. As she overcame her retiring disposition, she became more cheerful and confident in her own spirit; and her appointment to the charge of a class mainly contributed to this happy change in her character. Evil reasonings were forgotten; faith became lively; and she walked "in the light." As a mistress, she diligently cared for the temporal comfort of her servants, and earnestly laboured to promote their spiritual interests. She thought of the poor, and did not forget "the fatherless, and the widows, in their affliction."

About twelve months before she was removed, her medical advisers intimated that her sickness was unto death. The announcement was trying. Nature wept for the coming separation from those whom she loved as herself.

But grace