genuineness. He manifested an affectionate and earnest spirit, a kindness and warm-heartedness, which greatly endeared him to all with whom he had intercourse, and a conscientious regularity in his attendance upon all the ordinances of religion. He was from the first a thoroughly decided character; and this was a prominent feature in his subsequent conduct." His consecration was full and final. Henceforth his time, his energies, and his resources, were liberally devoted to the service of God. He identified himself with all the movements of Methodism, cheerfully enduring reproach and persecution. He sought the society of his ministers, frequently accompanying them to or from their country appointments. He also evinced a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of the young, not a few of whom he led to the sanctuary and the class-meeting. Sunday-schools and cottage-services were the scenes of his zeal; and he was soon called to the important duties of a Local preacher. He began, in a word, that course of incessant Christian activity which ended only with his life. It is to be regretted that he did not seek, at this period, to supply his educational deficiencies by diligent and systematic mental culture. This would have greatly increased his subsequent usefulness. But if he erred in this respect, it is to be feared that many young men in the present day err in the opposite direction, and are ambitious of intellectual improvement, to the neglect of their responsibilities as Christians. The church wants agents who combine disciplined intelligence with burning zeal and indefatigable activity. But, of these two qualifications, the latter is immeasurably the more important. Many a young man, whose miscellaneous reading, or attendance upon popular lectures, will make him a mere smatterer in science and literature, might become, by entire consecration to God, and by ener getic co-operation in the movements of the church, an instrument "of the great power of God" in the salvation of souls, to his own eternal advantage. "Gaining knowledge is a good thing," says Wesley; "but saving souls is better."

In the year 1814, my father was united in marriage to Miss Eliza beth Goodwin, the youngest daughter of the Rev. John Goodwin, one of the earlier Methodist preachers, who for forty years laboured in some of the most important Circuits of the Connexion with superior ability and considerable success. This union was crowned with the Divine blessing. My father's domestic happiness, temporal prosperity, and public usefulness, in a great measure, may be ascribed to it. Ten children, the fruit of this union, are living; three of whom are engaged in the work of the Christian ministry, and the remainder are “walking in the fear of the Lord." Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cox became residents at Tipton-Green, then a rural hamlet, but since become the abode of a busy, crowded, thriving population, occupied mainly in collieries and iron-works. It was a kind and wise Provi dence which placed in Tipton my father and other like-minded

Methodist worthies, who might counteract the demoralizing influences which are generated in a population rapidly increasing in number and wealth, and who might ply in its otherwise neglected streets and lanes the blessed activities of "Christianity in earnest." Here he spent the rest of his days, about forty-six years; and here, in the cemetery connected with the parish church, his mortal remains repose," in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life."

This long period of my father's life was diversified by few remarkable incidents. It consisted of a series of somewhat monotonous secular and religious engagements, exhibiting a steady progress in piety, influence, and usefulness; and verifying the words of the inspired moralist, "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Since the memoir of an "eventless life" must consist mainly in the delineation of character, the remainder of this sketch will be devoted to an outline of the qualities exhibited by my father in his active career, along with a few striking occurrences as illustrations of his principles and spirit.

He was fitted both in body and mind for an earnest, laborious, public life. In his youth he was delicate, in consequence of rapid growth; but he realized a robust manhood, and for many years was capable of great exertions. In person he was tall, well-proportioned, and athletic, with an open, engaging countenance, a sonorous voice, whose ordinary tones would fill capacious buildings. His manners were unaffected, courteous, and winning. In later years, when the snows of age had whitened his head, his appearance was venerable and imposing. His intellectual faculties were strong and well-balanced. He had a quick perception, a retentive memory, a sagacious judgment, added to a resolute will. He had a keen insight into character, and formed rapid, yet usually correct, opinions of men and things. His tact in dealing with varieties of character was shown in his securing the co-operation of others in schemes of public utility. While cautious and deliberate in forming his purposes, he could be persevering in their accomplishment. He was sanguine in temperament, and had a highly emotional nature; a heart full of generous affections and tender sensibilities. Transparent sincerity, honest frankness, kindly warmth of feeling, characterized all he said and did. These qualities imparted

a charm to his society, and inspired all with confidence and esteem. Into this rich and susceptible nature the leaven of true piety was introduced, and it influenced his whole being; enlightening his understanding, guiding his judgment, hallowing his affections, and forming his habits and associations. "Your beloved father," observes the Rev. Charles Prest, "having given his heart to God, and apprehended religion in early life, obtained a stability of enjoyment, and manifested the virtues of Christianity with vigour and constancy. These results pre-eminently belong to early consecration of ourselves to the service of our heavenly Father. That which was emotional in him became

combined with the intelligent exercise of the understanding, and led him to an enlightened, humble, and grateful communion with God. .His genial piety led others similarly to devote themselves to

God."

A few of the more obvious characteristics of this piety may be specified. It was thoroughly scriptural and evangelical. His commercial and public engagements precluded the formation of studious habits; so that of science and polite literature he knew little. But he was familiar with the word of God, and with the doctrinal standards of Methodism. Above all, he had a practical knowledge of the work of the Holy Spirit, and of the Christian life in all its phases and stages; so that few could impart, either to penitents or believers, wiser or kinder counsel. He never left his "first love," but through life retained his primitive simplicity and fervour. He guarded against formality; not using the ordinances and phraseology which have been created by a highly spiritual religion, without that inward experience which alone can impart consistency and vitality to them. He never lost his relish for the class-meeting, the prayer-meeting, the lovefeast; but attended them all with holy joy. Unchilled by lapse of time, by the trials of life, by physical prostration, this holy warmth glowed with unabated ardour to the close of life. While thus fervid even to vehemence, he was truly humble and reverent in spirit. He did not exercise himself "in great matters," or in "things too high" for him; but he thought soberly of himself. Under a deep sense of his deficiencies, he spoke modestly of his Christian attainments, and gladly received the instructions of others. In all his religious duties he manifested profound veneration for the Divine Majesty. While full of zeal, delighting in religious revivals, ever ready for the open-air service or the penitent-meeting, and constantly looking for present spiritual results, he had just views of the dignity of Divine worship, and of the reverence due to the house of God; so that in the fervours of holy excitement he never transgressed the bounds of strict decorum.

He was singularly conscientious in the use of the means of grace. These were never neglected, however numerous might be his public engagements, however oppressive his commercial responsibilities and cares. During thirty-six years' observation, the writer has not known one whose attendance upon the week-night ordinances was so punctual and invariable as his. The Sabbath he regarded as the delight of the Lord, holy and honourable, exulting in its blessed privileges, and striving to prevent its desecration by others. His piety was free from gloom and moroseness. He was far too absorbed in the grave realities of life to be trifling; but there was a rich vein of humour in his nature which, in hours of relaxation, was ever and anon apparent. He was beloved by children. In his walks the little ones came up to him for the smile and the loving word. There were moments, indeed, in which his excitable temperament, the impetuous energy with which

he prosecuted his purposes, rendered him liable to irritability of temper; but his anger, like the spark from the smitten flint, was soon extinct. His conduct in all the relations of life was uniformly characterized by sincerity, kindness, and truth. "Your father's character," writes the Rev. Charles Prest, "was marked by high conscientiousness and a manly sense of honour, far superior to that which, however admirable in many of its manifestations, is frequently allied to pride, and has its root in selfishness. Self-respect in him was united to the fear of God; to a desire to do His will; and to a grateful solicitude for the Divine glory, and for the reputation of the Christian profession among men. Many incidents in his life prove this. His attachment to the cause of God resulted from the deeply-felt obligations under which the Gospel had placed him. In sustaining and promoting the welfare of the church of Christ he was liberal from his boyhood, and unostentatiously laborious till labour was no longer possible."

During his residence at Tipton, my father was engaged in a laborious and ever-enlarging business. This, under the Divine blessing, his own skill and industry had created. "Seldom," remarks the Rev. J. Goodwin, "has the golden precept of St. Paul, 'Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,' been more strikingly and uniformly exemplified than by him." He was thoroughly master of his business in all its details, attended to it himself with punctuality, conducting his affairs with discretion and integrity, and hallowing all his activities by a devout spirit. In the early period of his commercial career, he met with a severe trial; but "integrity and uprightness" preserved him at that crisis. He had overcome the difficulties which commonly attend secular undertakings at the outset, having secured his position, formed valuable connexions, and realized encouraging prospects. At this juncture, an ironmaster, for whom he had executed extensive contracts, suddenly failed; involving him in what appeared to be an overwhelming loss. Bankruptcy seemed inevitable. Trusting in God, however, he grappled with his embarrassments, invincibly determined to obey the apostolic injunctions: "Provide things honest in the sight of all men ; "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another." His wife, as high-principled as himself, thus addressed him: "Well, Thomas, we are young; we can work hard, and fare plainly. We will pay twenty shillings in the pound; and our contributions to the cause of God shall be the last things we will reduce." "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely." God rewarded his fidelity. While his creditors confided in his honesty, a gentleman, connected with no Christian church, offered to advance him any sum he needed, on his own security. The acceptance of this kind offer happily proved unnecessary; and, a gratifying measure of prosperity subsequently attended him through life. Would to God that every Christian tradesman, in the season of commercial embarrassment, displayed the same rectitude!

It will be readily inferred that my dear father was exemplary in his domestic relations; but few have discharged duties as the head of a household with greater wisdom, fidelity, and tenderness. While he laboured diligently to promote the temporal interests of his children, he was supremely solicitous about their spiritual welfare. He maintained his authority, but it was paternal authority; benign and persuasive. He was scrupulously attentive to domestic worship. Nothing was permitted to prevent its observance. It was not a hurried or formal ceremony, but a devout and heartfelt service to God. His prayers were not the repetition of stereotyped forms of expression, but were singularly fresh and appropriate. They were offered with deep earnestness, and often accompanied by soul-subduing unction. He watched over his children with prudent vigilance, correcting their faults, fostering every virtuous tendency, and encouraging their union with the Church of God. Those of his sons who are devoted to the Christian ministry can never forget the affectionate interest he took in their early efforts, the excellent counsel he gave them, nor the earnest supplications he offered for their fidelity and success. While he appreciated the honour of having a son who was deemed suitable for the important Mission to China, which had been nobly commenced by the Rev. G. Piercy, yet the departure of his Josiah was a severe trial. The distance of the country, its immense population, our comparative ignorance of the people, the unsettled state of the political and commercial relations between China and Great Britain, the short time the Wesleyan Mission had been established, the great difficulties which might be expected to attend Missionary operations among that people, in addition to the ordinary perils of travelling and of climate, combined to make the enterprise appear formidable, and to call for an arduous exercise of faith and resignation. The image of the griefstricken father, after the parting with Josiah, is vividly present to the mind of the writer. Tears trickled down his cheeks, as he said, "I shall never see him again." But he struggled to acquiesce in the Divine will, and was aided in the effort by one of his daughters, who, at that moment, seated at the piano, for her own solace, began to sing a favourite hymn on "Resignation;" each stanza of which ended with the appropriate line,

"Thy will, my God, Thy will be done."

Ever after, the Mission to China engaged his warmest sympathy; intelligence of its progress was received with avidity; daily intercession ascended for its prosperity. And it is pleasing to record that the Missionary son was permitted again to see his revered father, and to minister comfort to him during the last few months of his life.

(To be concluded.)