1843-4.-AT Farsley, in the Bradford East Circuit, Mary, the wife of Samuel Hainsworth, aged sixty-four years. She was convinced of sin under a sermon preached by the late Mr. Garnett, at the Baptist chapel, Farsley. Occasionally attending the Methodist ministry and the class-meeting, she ascertained the agreement of their doctrines with the word of God, and joined the Wesleyan society at Farsley in 1798. Fixing, she fixed. Mrs. Hainsworth now earnestly sought the forgiveness of her sins by faith alone in Jesus Christ. She was graciously pardoned; and enabled, also, to declare the lovingkindness of the Lord to her neighbours. In the diligent use of the means of grace with which she was now favoured, her personal holiness and zeal for the salvation of souls rapidly grew. It has been often remarked, that "Methodism has work for all workmen, and workmen for all work." Mrs. Hainsworth's life verified the observation. She lived, indeed, in humble circumstances; but the Lord gave her work to do for him, and a heart to do it. In visiting the sick, in encouraging the penitent, in strengthening the feeble-minded Christian, and in persuading people to abandon their evil ways and seek the Lord, she became an useful exemplar. Some of the most devoted members of the Farsley society readily mention their obligations to the advices of this excellent woman. After serving God and his church for forty-five years, she slept in Jesus.

J. T.

July 4th, 1845.-At Farsley, in the Bradford East Circuit, Mrs. Ann Hainsworth. Her father (the late Mr. John Slater, of Yeadon) happily united public zeal for Christ with the inculcation of religious instruction at home. His daughter Ann was thus early made a partaker of the grace of life, and was added to the church of the living God. The secular avocation of Mrs. Hainsworth was in the manufacture of woollen cloth; but, though brought up in such an arduous calling, she found time for reading the word of God, and for prayer. She had a very strong propensity for the acquisition of knowledge. To her "faith" she added "knowledge." Considering her situation in life, her reading in doctrinal and experimental theology was extensive. Both her mind and her heart were sanctified through the truth. In varied information, in discrimination of character, and in sound judgment, she greatly excelled many of her equals. Her piety, also, was fervid. Her heart was full of holy zeal and gracious sympathy. In her attendance at the means and ordinances of God's holy house, she was exemplary. Even long after consumption had produced unmistakeable signs of her approaching decease, was she seen, weak and exhausted, in the house of the Lord. Her latter end drew nigh. She now reaped the richest consolations from her former diligence in Scripturereading. While she relied, by continuous faith, on the atonement of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the treasures of divine truth within sup

plied her soul as with a well-spring of peace and power. Occasionally she was in heaviness through manifold temptations; " but the grace of Christ was all-sufficient. Towards the close of life, she requested her friends to read John xiv. At the conclusion, she exclaimed, "He shall change this vile body, and fashion it like unto his own glorious body." At another time she remarked, "I rely on that word: Yea, though I walk through the valley and the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,""&c. A friend observing to her, "What a happy meeting you will have of relatives and friends in glory!" she replied, "My heaven' will be to see my Jesu's face."" Thus, blessing men, and praising God, her spirit gradually ascended to her Lord. She has left behind a husband, a son, and many friends who will long admire and love her memory. J. T.

June 1st, 1846.-In the Leeds Fourth Circuit, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. S. H. Moxon, druggist, Leeds, aged thirty-one. In early life she was the subject of gracious influence; and when about eighteen years of age, under a sermon by the Rev. R. Wood, she was convinced of her state as a sinner, and also of the propriety and importance of church membership, of the privileges of which she immediately availed herself. Shortly afterwards, she obtained a clear sense of the pardoning mercy of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. From that period, to her death, she was conscientiously careful to adorn her profession by a consistent and holy life. Her piety was marked by humility, meekness, and love. According to her means and ability, she endeavoured to make herself useful to others. Her death was sudden and unexpected; but she was found ready. For some time previously, her experience was distinguished by great spirituality; and it was evident, to her husband and friends, that she was growing meet for heaven. J. K.

June 23d.-At Spring-Gardens, Huddersfield, Mr. Humphrey Dyson, aged forty-three. From his youth he had sat under the Wesleyan ministry, and for many years cheerfully contributed to its various institutions; but he remained a stranger to the saving grace of God until October 5th, 1843. On the afternoon of that day, while in earnest prayer in his bed-room, the Lord chased away his guilt and sorrow, and filled him with joy unspeakable. From this time to the hour of his death, he walked worthy of his profession. He was highly esteemed as a commercial man by all who had any dealings with him; and his memory will long live in the affectionate remembrance, not only of his excellent and deeply-affected widow, but of all his relatives and neighbours. "The memory of the just is blessed." (Prov. x. 7.) J. H.

August 4th.-At Redfield, in the Kingswood Circuit, aged seventy-five, Mr. Joshua Smith;

who had been for more than forty years an esteemed member of the Wesleyan society, and had long sustained the offices of Class-Leader and Trustee. To the whole economy of Methodism he was sincerely attached, highly valued the means of grace, and diligently studied the word of God. The fear of death existed not; for his prospects of heaven were unclouded. "O what a disastrous thing it would be," he said, in his last illness, "if I now had religion to seek ! " When on the verge of the eternal world, he remarked that he could say, with Mr. Wesley,

August 13th.-At Tipton, in the Dudley Circuit, Mr. David Jevons, aged sixty-seven. He was converted to God rather early in life, and for several years filled the offices of Trustee and Class-Leader. He was a man of great firmness, sincerity, and honesty; so that he commanded general respect. He was diligent in religious duties, read his Bible much, and laboured to train up his family for heaven. Some of his children are following him to "the better land," and all of them are greatly indebted to him for both spiritual and temporal blessings. After consistently serving God for many years, he was very suddenly taken to his gracious reward.

R. L.

Sept. 3d.-At Lower-Bebington, in the Liverpool North Circuit, Mrs. Kivell. She became a member of the Methodist society in 1816. Previously, her religion went not beyond a moderate attention to its externals: she had a form of godliness, without its saving power. From the consistent walk and conversation of some pious neighbours, her attention was awakened to the fact, that there was more in religion than she possessed. Subsequently, by means of a protracted affliction of more than three months' continuance, and the visits of a pious ClassLeader, the light which had begun to dawn upon her mind was increased, and her religious impressions were deepened. On her restoration to health, she repaired to the sanctuary of God, to pay her "oft-repeated vows ;" and, under the ministry of the word, was more deeply convinced of sin, and of her utter want of righteousness. She felt that it was indeed an evil and a bitter thing to sin against God, sought the Lord with strong cries and tears, and at the sacrament of the Lord's supper, whilst in the act of receiving the memorials of the Saviour's body and blood, she, by faith, beheld Christ crucified as for her, was enabled to trust in his infinite atonement and mediation, and there and then was filled with peace and joy in believing. The beginning of her confidence she, through grace, held fast to the end. This embraced a period of more than thirty years, during which she experienced a large share of those painful exercises common to the Christian warfare; but she endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Her heart was fixed, trusting in the Lord. To the casual observer there was little in her character to excite special

notice; yet she maintained in quiet and constant exercise her strongly-marked Christian graces. If love to God, his Ministers, his people, his word, his sanctuary, and the ordinances of his house, be an indication of elevated piety, then was it prominently shown in her. The fear of death was for many years taken away; and as she was a long time in a precarious state of health, it was pleasing and consolatory to her family to witness the power of divine grace, enabling her to advert to the putting off her earthly tabernacle with evident satisfaction and joy. When her end drew near, all was peaceful and serene. A dear friend repeated the verse,

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath," &c.

She said, with a placid smile on her countenance, "Those lines have just passed through my mind ;" and while her head was leaning on the bosom of her friend, and her family were commending her to the God of all grace, He vouchsafed to her an almost imperceptible transition from earth to heaven. E. W.

Sept. 4th.-At Whitchurch, Salop, Mrs. Venables; who was brought to God during a gracious revival of religion in this place, in 1818. Being left a widow with a family, and dependent on her own exertions for subsistence, she had to contend with difficulties, which her attachment to God and his people, and her conscientious discharge of religious duty, often threatened greatly to increase. Out of all the Lord brought her, and blessed her latter end more than the beginning. In January last, she had an attack of illness, and was only able to attend the means of grace a few times afterwards. On the last opportunity she reached home with difficulty, observing, that she thought she should not be able to go again. On one occasion she was distressed with doubts respecting her acceptance with God; but, wrestling with Him in earnest prayer, she obtained a blessed manifestation of divine mercy to her soul, and afterwards went on her way rejoicing. At length the hour of departure came, and, without either struggle or groan, she exchanged mortality for life, in the seventy-third year of her age. S. T.

Sept. 5th.-At Ramsgate, in the eighty-third year of her age, Mrs. Frances Cunningham, relict of Mr. John Cunningham. This "old disciple" was honoured with godly parents. Her father, the Rev. Mr. Mayses, was a Baptist Minister; and his holy life, his pious counsels, and his paternal solicitudes produced a good and lasting impression on her mind. About the year 1810, this excellent woman was brought under the Wesleyan ministry, from which she derived great good; and, feeling it to be her duty, she became a member of the Wesleyan church. Being qualified for usefulness, she was appointed to the office of Class-Leader, in which she continued to the close of her earthly career. She was of a catholic spirit; but, from a deep conviction of the excellency of Methodism, she became strongly attached to its doctrines and discipline. As her end approached, she felt the solemnity of entering into her Maker's presence; but all was right. With clasped

hands, uplifted eyes, and an emphasis not soon to be forgotten, she said to her friends,

"Jesus, thy blood and righteousness

My beauty are, my glorious dress;
'Midst flaming worlds, in these array'd,
With joy shall I lift up my head!"
R. S.

Sept. 8th.-At Newport, Isle of Wight, Mr. Edmund Wavell, aged seventy-one. When Mr. Wesley visited this town in 1790, Mr. Wavell (who was then a youth) heard the Founder of Methodism preach, and was impressed with the importance of spiritual and divine things. In the following spring he joined the society, and soon gave proof of his piety, by holding meetings in the country for prayer and exhortation. For many years he took a lively interest in Wesleyan Methodism, and filled the offices of Leader and Trustee. Subsequently, he sustained spiritual loss; but the blessing of God accompanying peculiarly painful domestic affliction, he was led to give diligence to make his calling and election sure. He showed his love to the Christian sanctuary by regularly attending its services, and exemplified the humility of even a little child. For some months previous to his death, his health had been declining. On the Sabbath before he died, he expressed himself as having had a comfortable day, after which he gradually sunk into the arms of death. G. O.

Sept. 9th.-Suddenly, at New-Road-End, in the Second Leeds Circuit, William John Hardy, aged nineteen years. Being favoured with a religious training from his infancy, he was early led to cherish serious thoughts, and to form correct habits. About two years ago, he was brought, through a deep sense of his own sinfulness, to cast his soul on the atonement of Christ for salvation. His life was brief, but not useless. Toward the close of his short career, he suffered much, but patiently. He then spent his time chiefly in reading the Scriptures, writing, and prayer. His simplicity and manifest piety endeared him to all his acquaintance. He kept a short diary; and the last record of his experience was, "I have a good hope, through grace, of one day mingling with those around the throne of God, that have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" The fear of death was so taken away, that he regarded that solemn change as a peaceful falling asleep. C. D.

Sept. 10th.-At Lowestoft, Mrs. Ann Beecroft, aged seventy-three. Having long witnessed the good conversation and religious happiness of four of her children, who had been brought to God by the ministry and ordinances of Methodism, she was constrained, about four years ago, to avail herself of the same fellowship, in order to the attainment of like blessedness. This she sought and obtained. Her religion was in beauteous coincidence with the elements of her character,-modest and retiring, humble and benignant. To inquiries, during her mortal affliction, respecting her prospects, she replied, "Happy, happy, happy! No cloud; all bright, bright! I long to go home, to be with Jesus." She died in great peace. H. G.

Sept. 14th.-At Sennen, in the St. Just Circuit, aged thirty-seven, Mr. Richard Bone, for several years a Wesleyan Local Preacher and Class-Leader. At six o'clock on Lord's-day morning, he was wont to meet a few young men for theological improvement and prayer. On his dying bed, he said that, while for his family's sake he should be thankful might he be spared, death had no sting for him. T. H.

Sept. 17th.-At Freshford, in the Bradford (Wilts.) Circuit, Mrs. Lewis, aged seventy-six. For about half a century she was a useful member of the Wesleyan society. Her end was most peaceful. J. F.

Sept. 22d.-At Rotherham, Mr. John Worsley, Governor of the Union Workhouse. He was convinced of sin under the ministry of the Rev. A. E. Farrar, about thirty years ago. He was regular and devout in his attendance upon the means of grace, and especially at the week-night services, evidently profiting by the word preached. He discharged the duties of a Class-Leader with fidelity. He was well fitted for the situation he occupied in the Workhouse, and was greatly beloved by the inmates, many of whom were brought to a saving acquaintance with Christ through his counsels and prayers. His death is regarded as a public loss. The affliction which terminated his earthly career was severe; but he bore his sufferings with patience. Resting on Christ for salvation, with a hope blooming with immortality, he passed to a better inheritance.

J. H.

Sept. 23d.-At Ramsbury, in the Hungerford Circuit, Mr. Charles Culverhouse, aged thirtytwo. About ten years since, at a revival of religion at Ramsbury, he was brought to God. His convictions were strong, and his conversion was clear; his disposition was amiable, his manner courteous, his walk circumspect, having a good report of all men. He was a successful Superintendent of the Ramsbury Sunday-school, several of the children having died happy in the Lord. On the first Sunday of this year, on opening his Bible, his eye fell on these words,-" This year thou shalt die :" his mind was deeply affected, and he was stirred up to greater diligence. His last illness was short. A few days before he died, Mrs. Culverhouse asked if he thought he should go to heaven if he died. He replied, "I have no doubt of it ;" and died praising God. P. O.

Sept. 24th.-At Devizes, Sarah, wife of Mr. William King, aged fifty-five. When about fifteen years of age, she was brought to God under the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodists, and became a member of the Methodist society at Stroud-water, in Gloucestershire. For the last forty years she has been an humble, steady, and uniform member of the society. During several years she held the office of Class-Leader in Devizes, and in that situation was greatly esteemed. Her last affliction, though short, was severe. Her faith rested on the promises of God. On being asked if Christ was precious, she exclaimed, "Yes!" The morning before her death, with uplifted hands, she said,

Sept. 27th.-Aged eighty-one years, Mr. John Skinner, of St. George's, in the Third London Circuit. In 1791, he joined the society then assembling in Gravel-Lane; and under a sermon preached by Mr. Pawson had his sorrow, under which he had been long labouring, turned into joy. About the year 1795, he was appointed a Leader, which office he retained till the time of his death. In the year 1811, the chapel was sold, being on the present site of the London Docks; and a new chapel was built in the Back-road, of which he became one of the Trustees, and in all its subsequent difficulties took his share of the responsibility, and more than his share of trouble in the management, and was, when the chapel gave place to commercial enterprise, (being required by the Blackwall Railway Company,) the only surviving Trustee worshipping there. Until within a short period of his death, when he found, that of his "fourscore years, their strength was indeed labour and sorrow," he regularly attended public worship and his class, although the distance he had to walk three times a day was considerable. His last illness was short; but his lamp was trimmed, and his testimony was satisfactory. He frequently repeated the verse composed by Mr. Charles Wesley, when in similar circumstances,

"In age and feebleness extreme," &c.

His prayer was answered. By his death the only link which connected that society with the early days of Methodism, and with the valued men on whose names he used to dwell, and of whose labours he used to speak, with so much delight, is broken. L. F.

Sept. 28th.-At Tregew, in the Falmouth Circuit, Miss Jane Carvosso, (grandaughter of the late excellent William Carvosso,) aged twentysix. She had been a member of the Wesleyan society about eighteen months; having been brought to a knowledge of the truth during a revival of the work of God in Flushing. Her death was awfully sudden. She left her father's house, on a visit to some of her relations; was

observed to slide gently from the pony upon which she was riding; and, in five minutes from the time of her leaving, was brought home a corpse. Her afflicted parents and relatives are comforted with the persuasion that she was by grace prepared for her solemn change, and that their loss is her eternal gain. H. P.

Oct. 12th.-At Sheffield, Mr. Thomas Smith Skidmore, second son of the late Mr. William Skidmore, and brother of the Revs. W. J. and John Skidmore. Early given to God, while yet young in years he gave himself to God's people, and from that time continued deeply interested in the prosperity of the cause he had embraced. He possessed rich mental endowments, and a large acquaintance with divine truth. He was thus eminently qualified for an honourable and useful position in the church; but a wise, though to us a mysterious, Providence has removed him to the more lofty employments of heaven. He lingered for four months in extreme weakness; but was enabled to cherish, throughout, an unshaken trust in God, and an entire submission to his will. Occasionally he was harassed by temptation, which sometimes was severe; but he never cast away his confidence. He was kept in perfect peace, and often thankfully acknowledged it. He also said much about the cleansing efficacy of the blood of Christ; and, for several days prior to his death, anticipated, with great joy, the blessedness of seeing his Saviour in heaven. His departure was alike peaceful and sudden. Awaking from a sound sleep, he asked for refreshment; but before it could be brought, he exclaimed, "This is death!" and instantly ceased to breathe. He died in the twenty-fifth year of his age.

J. S.

Nov. 9th.-At Sudbury, in Suffolk, aged sixty-nine years, the Rev. Thorpe William Fowke, Vicar of that town. He was a native of Walton-on-Thames, and, when eighteen years of age, being then a student at Cambridge, was converted to God under the effective ministry of the Rev. Charles Simeon. From that time he appears to have steadily persevered in the way of righteousness, being remarkable for the kindliness of his disposition, and the catholicity of his spirit. He was a lover of the Bible Society, and of good men in general, to whatever section of the Christian church they might belong. His piety was characterized by meekness, humility, and holy fervour. After a long and severe affliction, during which his mind was cheered and sustained by the grace of Christ, he peacefully slept in Jesus. As he had liberally assisted in the erection of a Wesleyan chapel in Walton, and of a Dissenting chapel in the neighbouring village of Horsham, sermons on the occasion of his death were preached in both those places of worship on the evening of Sunday, November 22d. Mr. Fowke presented a handsome Bible and Prayer-Book to the Wesleyan chapel at Walton, with his name inscribed upon the back of each. In these days of bitter exclusiveness, it is with pleasure that we record this example of pious liberality and zeal.

T. J.

Nov. 10th.-At Bedale, aged fifty-five, Hannah, the wife of the Rev. Thomas Savage. In early life she was brought to a saving knowledge of divine truth, and with meekness and decision of character ornamented her religious profession. She was occasionally called to drink largely of the cup of affliction, especially during the last year; but with patient faith she "called upon the name of the Lord." She was an affectionate and faithful Class-Leader, and greatly esteemed in the Circuits in which her husband travelled. Her last days were cheered with a good hope through grace, and her end was not only marked with great peace, but holy triumph. T. S.

Nov. 12th.-At Wells, in the Walsingham Circuit, the Rev. James Burley, Wesleyan Minister, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He was born at Leeds, in Yorkshire, in the year 1768, but lost his parents in early life. Mr. Johnston, of Leeds, took him under his care, and engaged to be his future guardian; and being a man who feared God, he trained up his charge in His ways by whose blessing he was led to fear the Lord. He was early the subject of converting grace. As he was in the habit, when opportunity served, of attending the ministry of our venerable Founder and his coadjutors, their eminent labours were instrumental in teaching him the way of God more perfectly. He availed himself of the advantages of Christian communion, by joining the Methodist society. In the year 1796, he was called into the itinerant work, in which he laboured with zeal and fidelity for thirty-seven years; and such was his serious, amiable, and peaceful disposition, that he invariably commended himself to the good opinion and high esteem of all with whom he had intercourse. Through the weight of years and increasing infirmities, he became a Supernumerary in 1833, and settled in Wells, where for several years he was very useful in preaching, and in visiting the sick. During the last few months of his mortal sojourn, such was the complete prostration of all his powers, that he was unable to converse with any one: he did not appear to be the subject of pain or disease, but through age and feebleness was reduced to a state of almost utter unconsciousness of anything that was passing around him; and yet, when prayer was offered, he would exclaim, "Glory, glory," and audibly respond, "Amen:" thus he continued growing weaker, till at last "the weary wheels of life stood still," and he sweetly fell asleep in Christ.

J. T.

Nov. 17th.-At Leamington, Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson, mother of the Rev. John Nelson, aged seventy-two. Soundly converted to God forty years ago, she continued to the day of her death to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour. She was a valuable member of the Wesleyan society, and attached to its doctrines and discipline. The nature of her complaint precluded the possibility of her saying all she wished relative to her Redeemer; but every lucid interval was marked by expressions of love and praise. Mrs. Nelson exemplified the Christian character in all the loveliness of a cheerful piety; and it is

known by her friends that she has been made the honoured instrument of leading in the way of truth a number of young persons, who became devoted followers of the Lord Jesus. W. H. C.

Nov. 30th.-At Chester, aged seventy-eight, Mr. William Hankey. His father dying when he was young, he was left to the guardianship of a pious mother, whose prayers and advice he mentioned with gratitude even to the close of his mortal career. Being fond of singing, he was often led into company, and exposed to temptation. Notwithstanding the Holy Spirit constantly strove with him, he as often procrastinated; until one Sunday evening, in 1794, as he was returning from the old Wesleyan Octagon chapel in Chester, he was so impressed by the truth, as to resolve to commence family worship, and to seek the Lord. He did not seek in vain. In the discharge of the duties of a Leader of a class, he was characterized by punctuality, affection, and fidelity. He was a prayerful reader of holy writ, and derived therefrom "doctrine, correction, instruction, and reproof." In visiting the sick he was exemplary. Some time ago, two members of his class were confined, by sickness, in the Chester Infirmary, where he visited them; and, finding this employment instrumental in the communication of great spiritual good to himself, he continued his weekly visits to the inmates of that institution to the close of life. The work of grace in his heart was evidently becoming deeper, and the relation of his experience of divine truth was marked by greater spirituality. He attended John's-street chapel on Sunday, Nov. 29th. In the evening he was not in his usual health: he spoke in a humble strain of himself, and joined in family worship with considerable fervour. The following morning he was apparently better; but had scarcely reached his shop, when he expired. "How many fall as sudden, not as safe!"

J. T. H.

Dec. 10th.-At Stourport, the Rev. William Clough, Superintendent of the Stourport Circuit, in the forty-eighth year of his age, and the twenty-fourth of his ministry. He was converted to God in early life, and entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1823. The year following, he went out as a Missionary to the West Indies, where he laboured hard for several years; and, it is believed, that there the foundation of that disease was laid which terminated his valuable life. His last affliction was long, and exceedingly painful; and had, at times, a depressing influence upon his mind; but he was enabled, by divine grace, to submit patiently to his Lord's will, often repeating, with great emotion, "The will of the Lord be done." Observing, a short time before his death, his afflicted and affectionate wife weeping, he said, (and these were his last words,) "Sarah, do not weep: I am going; but all is well;" and shortly after he fell asleep. His removal, at a comparatively early age, is deeply deplored by his brethren, by the societies and congregations amongst whom he exercised his ministry, and by his family, to whom he was eminently dear. J. S.