DEC. 21st, 1857.-Aged eighty-three, at Middlemarsh, in the Sherborne Circuit, William Martin-commonly called " Father Martin," for his mature age, patriarchal appearance, and long standing among his brethren. He was a faithful, zealous, and laborious Preacher of the Gospel when Methodism was little known, and its fol lowers but few in number; being wont to "pro claim salvation from the Lord, for wretched, dying men," not only in the cottage, but frequently in the open air,-for which a strong constitution and powerful voice greatly contributed to qualify him. Beloved and respected by Christians of all denominations, he had also a good report of those that are without. His life was unblemished, and his death most peaceful and happy. At his funeral, the officiating Clergyman with much feeling bore ample testimony to his moral worth and Christian character.

G. S.

Feb. 25th, 1858.-At Liverpool, in the seventysecond year of her age, Elizabeth, relict of the late Mr. John Mylchreest, a devoted Methodist in the Isle of Man, and for years an acceptable and useful Local Preacher. Descended from parents in whose hospitable dwelling the Ministers of Christ ever found a home, her heart in early life was gently opened to the reception of Divine truth. Under the counsel and pleadings of those honoured men, especially of the late Mr. John Crook, often designated "the apostle of the island," she gave her youthful heart to God; and to her dying day she was found in hallowed association with His people. In her solicitude for the religious welfare of the young,-in her unwearied attentions to the sick and dying,-in her esteem for the Ministers of Christ, not unfrequently her welcome guests,-in her reverence for the word of God, and her conscientious observance of the means of grace, especially those of Christian fellowship and prayer,-she truly carned the honourable designation of " mother in Israel; " whilst, in her Christian widowhood, the requirement of apostolic times was beautifully exemplified,"Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work." Her end was suited to her life. During her brief conflict with the last enemy, there was light in the valley; her every breath was prayer or praise. The administration of the Lord's Supper (of which, with her sorrowing family, she joyously partook) was a peculiarly gracious season. Almost her last words

were, "Thank God for the communion of saints!" Thank God for Methodism ! In accents of holy triumph, she sank in death to wake with God. W. W. S.

June 5th.-At Prescot, Mrs. Alice Atherton. Many years she was a consistent Methodist. Her end was eminently peaceful. A short time before she died, she said, "I feel Christ very precious to my soul. I have great peace." Soon after this, she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, aged fiftyfour. W. B. T.

June 15th.-At Otterton, Mr. John Bale, of Exeter, aged thirty-nine. He obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins at Taunton when seventeen years of age, and made a good confession of his faith before many witnesses while receiving adult baptism at the hands of the Rev. Joseph Earnshaw. Very early in his religious life he began to unfold those qualities of goodness, zeal, and sympathy, which afterwards highly distinguished him. He was the instrument of his brother's conversion; he attended the alms-houses to read and pray with the inmates; and, although the youngest of an orphan family, he was looked upon as their father. On his removal to Exeter about twenty years ago, his worth was at once appreciated. He was called to various offices in the church, and displayed peculiar gifts for usefulness. He was specially clever as an advocate of religious movements, both in their pecuniary and spiritual aspects. His clearness of perception and warmth of affection were aided by much persuasive power. In social life he was cheerful without levity, frank without imprudence, and shrewd without unkindness. Possessed of much natural buoyancy, he was a fair specimen of deep devotion to God without gloom, and of strong human sympathies blended with supreme love to Christ. In him might be seen unbending integrity, close attention to secular duty, care for the rights, feelings, and opinions of his neighbours,-along with a deep and tender interest in the cause of Christ, the institutions of the church, and the salvation of the world. He was a man whom everybody loved, and in whom many placed their affectionate confidence. But he was quite free from selfimportance. His humility was very marked, and formed the appropriate drapery of all his virtues. The disease which hurried him hence fell upon him most unexpectedly, while pursuing his earthly calling at a distance from home. When his wife and friends arrived at his bed-side, he was found in much pain of body, but in great peace of mind. In a day or two he was with Christ. The evening before his death, on seeing the sun decline in the west, he exclaimed, "My sun is setting without a cloud." This was most characteristic. His life had been sunshine, and "In the evening time" it was "light."

W. W.

June 21st.-At Lincoln, aged twenty-three, Thomas Roger, the beloved and only-surviving son of the Rev. Thomas Brown. When at Woodhouse-Grove School, he was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, and enabled to rejoice in a sense of pardon through faith in the blood of atonement. Subsequently he maintained

a consistent character as a member of the church of Christ, walking in the fear of the Lord. Ho was retiring, but uniformly kind, obliging, and faithful in all the relations of life. He came to an end most sudden and mysterious, being accidentally drowned. His sorrowing and bereaved family are consoled, under this pressing calamity, by the assurance that their loss is his eternal gain, that he has

"Found the rest they toil to find,

Landed in the arms of God."

T. B.

July 2d.-At Stonehouse, Plymouth, Mr. Samuel Radcliffe, in the thirty-first year of his age. He was converted in early youth, and soon began to be useful, first as a Sunday-school Teacher, and subsequently as a Local Preacher. In 1850, being recommended for the ministry, he entered the Richmond Theological Institution; the advantages of which he gratefully embraced and highly prized. After a year his health failed. When returning one Sabbath evening from preaching, he was seized with a severe cold. Hopes were entertained that rest and recreation would restore him; but they were soon shaken. With deep regret he left the Institution, and began to abandon the long-cherished thought of becoming a Minister of Christ. A temporary sojourn in Madeira was tried, without effect. His decline was gradual, but certain. The tender and unwearied kindness of a loving brother could only alleviate a disorder which it was impossible to arrest. For four years he was confined to his room; sometimes in extreme pain, and frequently expecting to die. Throughout this period, a steadfast trust in the atonement preserved his spirit from murmuring, and cheered him with peace and hope. At the last he seems to have been warned of his approaching end. Awaking in the morning, he said," Brother, I have been dreaming I shall die to-day." That day he fell asleep in Jesus. W. P. S.

July 5th.-At Dewsbury, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, Mr. Jolin Norman. He had been a Wesleyan Methodist forty-three years. As an officer in the Excise, duty called him to reside in various parts of the country; but, wherever he went, his character was sustained as a faithful disciple of Christ, distinguished by stern uprightness, and much amiableness in private life. "The rush of numerous years" bore down a constitution of much more than common vigour; and for some time before his death Mr. Norman was very feeble. As his final hour approached, he said, "I am near my journey's end. This sickness is unto death. I can say from my heart, Thy will be done.' 'I have fought a good fight -I have kept the faith. All is well." S. A.

July 6th.-At Hull, aged forty-four, Mr. John Craft. On the 4th of the same month this truly devoted follower of Christ was in the house of God; but, on returning home, was suddenly arrested by that affliction which soon terminated his carthly life. He was a man of sincere and ardent piety, and was found ready for the coming of his Lord. Ilis last moments were just what might have been expected from his previous

character. All who visited him were delighted to witness his happiness, and to hear of his blessed hope of eternal life. He departed in great peace. W. B.

July 7th.-At Canterbury, Jane, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas G. Cozens. From her infancy she was carefully trained in the ways of God, by a pious, affectionate mother; at the age of nineteen she became a member of the Wesleyan Society; and for twenty years she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. Her religion was unobtrusive and unassuming, but genuine and influential. In the quiet seclusion of domestic life she walked with God. With the poor and the afflicted she knew how to sympathize. Her Christian anxiety for her children was great, and her prayerful efforts for their salvation were constant. Her death was sudden, but safe. The peace of God kept her heart; and, trusting in the merits of her crucified Saviour, she passed away to "be for ever with the Lord." W. B.

July 9th.-At Exeter, Mr. George Sercombe, aged sixty-one. At the age of eighteen he was convinced of sin at a prayer-meeting, and a few months afterwards he found peace with God in a lovefeast at Ashburton. In 1827 he removed to Exeter, where, for the last thirty years, he took a leading part in the affairs of Methodism, as Trustee, Class-Leader, Circuit-Steward, and Treasurer of different institutions. He was well qualified for such a position, by a good understanding, an amiable temper, earnest piety, and unwavering attachment to our doctrines and polity. He was always consistent with himself, and with his profession; unaffected by controversy or secession, and faithful to the church of his first love, whose afflictions he made his own. His heart and purse were ever open at the calls of Christian charity. His genial soul, sanctified by piety, and chastened by domestic affliction, took a deep interest in human weal or woe. Tears of tenderness would often gather in his eye, and pleasant smiles play about his lips. He was early and regular in attending the house of prayer, and equally diligent and punctual in his business habits. His active life was brought to a sudden close. He returned home from a journey, indisposed; malady defied remedy; and in a few days he was gone. The calmness of his mind in the sick chamber was remarkable. Two of his expressions, "I am on the Rock," and, "He sticketh closer than a brother," were finely illustrated during the dying scene. About two hours before his departure he was assisted to rise from bed, when he sat down, and wrote a valuable letter of advice to his eldest son. Then he took another sheet of paper, and tremulously inscribed a few almost illegible lines to his dear wife; but, before he had finished, the hand forgot its cunning. He now fancied that angelforms were around him; and conspicuous in this death-vision were the Lamb and the cross. thodism in Exeter will long mourn this bereavement, and another inserted in this month's notices. W. W.

Me

July 12th.-At Sowerby-Bridge, David Boocock, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He had

been forty years a consistent and zealous Methodist in Sowerby-Bridge, and long a ClassLeader and Local Preacher. He was much beloved in life, and greatly lamented in death.

J. F.

July 13th.-At Winchmore-Hill, in the HighWycomb Circuit, Mr. Thomas Butcher, aged forty-six; a Class-Leader and Local Preacher. He was highly esteemed as an humble, peaceable, benevolent, and consistent Christian.

J. W. C.

July 19th.-At Bridport, aged seventy-five, Mr. William Crowse. For many years he was a consistent Methodist, and one of the most liberal supporters of the cause. Having witnessed the spiritual destitution of various other countries, he was sincerely attached to the Missionary Society. The last few years of his life, his health was feeble, and he was thus deprived, to some extent, of the privileges of the sanctuary: but his firm reliance was upon the Redeemer, and, placing his unshaken confidence upon this rock, he could say, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." His end was sudden. He appeared to be in his usual health, when his wife left the room. Thinking he would like to sleep a little, she did not return for two hours; when, lo! he lay on the couch a lifeless corpse. His soul had returned to God who gave it.

W. A.

August 1st.-At Altrincham, Mrs. Mayson, aged seventy-eight. She had been a Methodist nearly half a century, and during the greater part of that period an acceptable Class-Leader. She possessed "a meek and quiet spirit," and trusted only in the merits of the Redeemer's death for her present acceptance with God, and the eternal salvation of her soul. For some time before her death, through the failure of her health, she was seldom permitted to enjoy public worship; but, while the earthly house of her tabernacle was in course of decay, she joyfully anticipated an entrance into that house of God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. As the time of her departure drew near, she longed to be absent from the body, that she might be present with the Lord; and desired her friends to pray that she might have her release and full felicity. And, as the earthly Sabbath drew near to its close, her emancipated spirit entered upon the enjoyments of that Sabbath which is everlasting. She rests from her labours, and her works do follow her. D. H.

August 5th.-At Plymouth, Mr. James Bazeley, aged eighty-three years. He was born at Collumpton, Devonshire, where his mother, a Methodist Class-Leader, gave him a religious education. As an officer of Excise he had to reside in various parts of England, everywhere respected for well-doing. On his retirement from public life he settled in Plymouth, and for several years was a worthy member of the class 'ed by the late Rev. Thomas Bersey, who was 50 his confidential friend. Being of economical habits,

and unmarried, he acquired some property which enabled him to do good to the cause of God and the poor. His affection for the church of his early choice was shown in bequests to its Funds amounting to several hundreds of pounds; one hundred of which will be a valuable relief to the chapel-trust of his native town; while the Fund for disabled Ministers receives £200; the Wesleyan Missionary Society, £150; and the Theological Institution, £100. He was a man of few words and retiring habits; he had humble views of himself, and trusted for salvation in the merits of Christ alone. He suffered much in his latter years from a painful disease, which he bore with patience and resignation. He died in peace with God and man. O. II.

August 20th.-At Southampton, in the seventysixth year of his age, Mr. Joseph Kingwill. From a child be feared the Lord, and in 1813 he experienced a saving change. In the order of Providence he was called to undergo varied severe and protracted trials; but in submission to the Divine will he was enabled to say, "Shall we receive good at the hands of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?" and to hold fast his integrity. He was a judicious Class-Leader, and a punctual and laborious Local Preacher. He loved the means of grace; and, when he had retired from business, he sought and found a residence near the public sanctuary; saying in his heart, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth." The closing part of his life was peaceful and spiritual. His last words were, "O, the converting grace of God! What should I do now, were it not for the converting grace of God?" In five minutes after this his last testimony to the power of grace, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus. M. I.

Sept. 18th.-At Chesterfield, on the sixty-sixth anniversary of her natal day, Sarah, the faithfully attached wife of the Rev. T. H. Walker. Maternally, she was descended from a family of title and great wealth; but she esteemed it a higher honour to belong to the family of faith. Her first religious convictions were received in the parish church of Knaresborough ; afterwards, from choice, she united herself to the Methodist Connexion, for which she entertained a strong and decided attachment. As a Christian, her course was one of uniform uprightness. In the various relations of wife, mother, and mistress, her conduct was most exemplary. It was her study, alike in health and sickness, to render home happy. As a Pastor's wife, her "praise is in all the churches." In every Circuit she enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew her; especially of the poor, to whom she was ever a sympathizing friend. Her last illness, which was of three years' continuance, and of a very distressing character, was borne with uncomplaining patience. One of her favourite sayings was, "Great peace have they that love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them."

W.