festations of the full meaning of those words, God is love,' as he was not able to express." To this friend he said, "I want to shout,-to shout his praise ;-but I am so weak." After an absence of a few hours, the same person going to his bed-side, Mr. Robinson, with a countenance beaming with "joy unspeakable," said, very emphatically, "I have had a shout." In his seasons of recollectedness, his every breath was prayer and praise. Christ was his only theme; and his memory, which was richly stored with divine truth, was remarkably vigorous at the last. He would often repeat, with peculiar emphasis, portions of the sacred word, and especially those in which the atonement is most prominently set forth. Mr. Robinson was prepared, by very remarkable manifestations of divine grace, for those severe conflicts with the enemy of souls which, a day or two before his departure, he was called to endure; but the Lord did not suffer his servant to be tempted above that he was able, but with the temptation also made a way for his escape." To one of his relations he said, "I seemed to shrink with horror from the very thoughts of death; but," he added, "Christ came in, and that gloom and horror instantly fled." As the closing scene drew near, his little remaining strength failed so much, that he was scarcely able to converse; but whilst he could articulate, he expressed his entire confidence in the merits of his Saviour; and in the exercise of that confidence, and in the possession of the good hope through grace, he entered into his everlasting rest.

His brethren, the Local Preachers of the Circuit, have inserted in their Minute-Book the following sketch of Mr. Robinson's character: "We have to record the lamented death of Mr. John Robinson, which occurred on the 7th of December, 1842, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. He was converted to God under the ministry of the Rev. Joseph Benson, at the age of sixteen, joined himself at that time to the Wesleyan body, and remained through life an attached, consistent, and useful member. His piety was unquestionable, intelligent, and mature; his preaching clear, scriptural, and highly acceptable. His spirit was lowly and benevolent, his character irreproachable, his love to the Bible remarkable. He sustained many offices in the church to which he belonged, with credit to himself, and satisfaction and benefit to others. In his last affliction he had some severe conflicts; but he was greatly comforted of God. By faith he overcame, and in Christ he died." JOSEPH NICHOLSON.

7. Died, at Burslem, December 15th, Miss Elizabeth Timmis, aged twenty-eight. Naturally her disposition was somewhat reserved, and, therefore, little can now be said of her early religious history. She joined the Wesleyan society prior to 1831, being led to take that step by those convictions of sin under which her mind was labouring; and shortly afterwards, through faith in Jesus Christ, she was truly converted to God. Though the particulars of her conversion are not remembered by her friends, yet, that such a change had been wrought, was evidenced by her truly Christian temper and conduct; and when any of her friends conversed with her on religious subjects, she was always found to be humbly confident of her acceptance with God, and sincerely desiring and striving to become more and more conformed to his will. In her statements of her Christian experience at the meetings of her class, she was generally enabled to testify that she had

redemption in the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and that she was aspiring after higher degrees of holiness.

Her natural constitution was delicate, and for some years she suffered much from ill health; but she ever bore her pain and weakness with patience, meekness, fortitude, and great resignation to the divine will. These remarks will especially apply to her afflictions in 1841 and 1842. She appeared to all acquainted with her to profit greatly by her sufferings; and so far were they from occasioning a spirit of complaining, she became more and more cheerful, and was evidently stronger in spirit for physical weakness, and happier in soul because of pain in body. One of her friends remembers speaking to her of the late Rev. Richard Treffry, jun., whose life was singularly characterized by suffering and weakness, but who said that it had, notwithstanding, been a most happy one: she replied, with unusual animation and contentedness, "So has mine." When in health, her zeal in Sunday-school teaching is worthy of observation. Her love to the work was ardent; and she always regarded the children of her class as a charge committed to her by divine Providence; and she therefore conscientiously sought, while communicating a knowledge of the letter of God's word, to induce them to yield themselves, heart and life, unto him. She highly valued all the means of grace, and her attendance on them, when health permitted, and she was not lawfully hindered, was regular and diligent; and she was not neglectful of closet exercises, but delighted much in them.

Since her death, a friend from the country, with whom, in some part of 1841, she resided, hoping to derive benefit from change of air, speaks of her as being frequently absent from the family; and it was soon discovered that she had retired to her own room for communion with Him who seeth in secret, and rewardeth openly. Her piety was sincere and enlightened. Being sometimes unable to take her proper share of home duties, she read much; but most time was devoted to the book of God, which was her chief delight. She regarded the daily perusal of the Scripture to be an imperative duty. The Wesleyan hymns she often read, and had become very familiar with them. She also read Mr. Wesley's Sermons through, and often spoke of the great profit which she derived from them. Our connexional biography she greatly prized, and a long catalogue of volumes which she carefully and prayerfully read might be given; and for some years she regularly perused the large Numbers of our excellent Magazine, as they monthly issued from the press; thus holding communion with the spirit of the body to which she rejoiced to belong. Her manners were affable and kind, so that she was beloved by all who knew her. The law of kindness was on her lips; and that charity lived in her heart, which "hopeth all things." One who has been happy in her acquaintance more or less intimately for nine or ten years, never heard her speak evil of an absent person: at all times she sought to put the best construction on the motives and conduct of others. She was also characterized by humility, meekness, a forgiving temper, affectionate obedience to her parents, and love to all that was good.

In June, 1842, she was taken ill, and her friends for some time despaired of her life; but it pleased God to bless the means used for her recovery, so that for some months she appeared to have regained her usual health, and it was hoped that she would be long

spared, and be a source of comfort to those who were favoured with her more intimate society; but it was appointed to be otherwise. At the watchnight held as usual at the close of 1841, aș she rose from her knees when 1842 had commenced, she was strongly impressed with the thought, as though the words had been spoken to her, "This year thou shalt die ;" and as the conclusion of the year approached, she often expressed her surprise that her life was yet spared. On the evening of December 10th, she attended the meeting of the public bands, and afterwards spake of the blessings she had enjoyed there, and appeared to be even unusually happy in God. On the evening of the 14th, she said she felt very heavy and sleepy, although apparently in her usual state of health. In the morning, the feeling of heaviness continued. Having breakfasted, she began to attend to her customary domestic duties; but about ten o'clock, being alone, she became suddenly convulsed: medical aid was instantly procured; but it was unavailing. She lingered till the afternoon, and then her spirit returned unto God who gave it.

WALTER LAWRY.

8. Died, January 4th, 1843, at Martinstown, in the Dorchester Circuit, Miss Rebecca Norman. Upwards of ten years ago, when about the age of nineteen, while on a visit at Lyme-Regis, she was deeply impressed while hearing a sermon preached by the late Rev. J. Prior, from Num. xiii. 27, 28. She saw herself as that "inconsistent approver of religion" which he described her convictions increased, and she persevered in seeking until she found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. She now saw it to be her duty to unite herself to a Christian church: she did so, and adorned the profession she made to the end of her life. While she cherished all the graces of the Spirit, the effects of none were more prominent than those produced by unfeigned humility. She loved retirement, and shrank from publicity; but when the cause of God appeared to require her avowal of religion, she possessed that holy courage which has the arm of the Lord for its strength, and rejoiced in the self-denying principle inculcated in the word of God by our Lord on all who would be his disciples. Her untiring zeal in the cause of Christ, and love to all his followers, especially to those who were members of that section of the Christian church to which she belonged, were very conspicuous. The opportunities she had for religious improvement she anxiously embraced; and that piety which cheered her in life sustained her in prospect of death. The affliction which terminated her earthly course was consumption. She was submissive to the divine will, and waited with composure for the moment when her spirit should be called to quit its tabernacle of clay; but, while waiting, she was still acting, doing to the last what she could to extend the knowledge of the Redeemer. A letter, written by her a few weeks previous to her death, will confirm this statement: it was addressed to a friend from whom she wished to obtain a donation for the Missionary cause. She says,—“ You will doubtless be much surprised at receiving a line from me. You have, of course, been informed of my illness; but perhaps you may not yet be aware it has now assumed such a form that I have not the slightest reason to believe I shall ever recover. With death in my view, I am endeavouring to 'set my house in order.' I have but

few things to engage my attention; amongst those few is a little money to be paid to the Missionary Secretary: your kind donation of last year has not been forgotten by me; and my motive in writing is, earnestly to beg you to renew it: it is not by any means probable I shall ever make a similar request. I am sinking fast, and never expect to see you again in the flesh. My poor dear father will doubtless visit Lyme, at least I sincerely hope he will, as soon as possible after my release from this world of sorrow: it may be some weeks, or it may be months; my heavenly Father only knows. I calmly wait his time."

While anxious for the spread of truth in heathen lands, she also evinced an earnest desire for the spiritual welfare of those by whom she was surrounded. On several occasions she spoke to me of persons who were afflicted, and accompanied me to their dwellings, with the hope that the visit might be useful to them. For her family, and especially for her affectionate parents, she felt the most anxious solicitude: she seems never, even in the most trying hour, to have lost sight of the present and eternal welfare of these dearest earthly friends. Like many other Christians, she experienced that Satan desired to have her; but she looked to the Strong for strength, and her "faith failed not." She was passing through one of these seasons on the day that I preached at Martinstown; yet, even then, it appears she remembered at the throne of grace him whom she delighted to call her father. Before I went to preach she spoke to me of being buffeted; but I am informed by Mrs. Taylor, who had accompanied me for the purpose of spending a little time with her, that, soon after I left, on a person remarking to her that her father was gone into the chapel, she replied, "I am very glad he is ;" and, lifting up her eyes heavenward, she prayed that the Lord would meet her father and bless him, "just, just, just as he needs." Owing to her debilitated state she had nearly lost her voice, yet, in a far louder tone than was usual, and to the surprise of those who surrounded her, she soon after exultingly exclaimed, "Yes, the Lord is my salvation." On our return from the place of worship, I again visited the sick chamber. As I approached her bedside, she expressed herself as having longed for my return, to tell you," she said, "the enemy is gone; yes, he is gone : I think he left me while you were praying for me in the chapel.” From this time she enjoyed in general uninterrupted peace, and was sometimes blessed with seasons of rapturous joy. In her last moments she was enabled to rejoice in God as the God who doeth all things well, and in Christ as her Saviour, by whom she was about to enter heaven. While she lived she thought of sinners: in language and in action, too, she cried, "Prepare to meet thy God." The desire for the salvation of souls influenced her in the choice of those who should bear her mortal remains to the tomb: she selected six young men who were in an unconverted state; hoping that the office she assigned them would lead them to serious reflection, and to a present preparation to meet their God. On the day of her decease she was composed, cheerful, and able to read three letters which she had that morning received; but being afterward seized with a fit of coughing, she said, "I shall be choked;" and instantly her happy spirit departed to "be with Christ, which is far better." JAMES TAYLOR.

66

DIVINITY.

THE REAL AND ABIDING PRESENCE AND EFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY GHOST IN THE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY.

"I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life." (Nicene Creed.) RELIGION, in its essential principles, love to God and love to man, is immutable. The facts, and the method by which the faculty for regaining, enjoying, and manifesting this religion is produced and maintained in the recipients of divine mercy since the apostasy of the human race, are also unalterable: as they v were in the beginning, so they have continued, and so they remain. Amidst the circumstantial variations of succeeding dispensations, religion, in everything necessary to its existence and its saving application, has been the same; and at all times perfect. It has proceeded from the same God, rich in mercy towards a ruined world; it has been made possible by the one allsufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction of our Saviour Jesus Christ; to which all the arrangements, ordinances, sacrifices, and sacraments of the ages had reference, and from which they derived value and importance as means of that one faith, which, in all believers, has been produced by the Holy Spirit; who has been the uniform and only efficient agent in working the salvation of men. The Holy Ghost has always glorified Christ by applying the benefits of his atonement to the faithful; he has invariably been "the Author and Giver of life." He wrought the faith of Patriarchs, who, amidst the solemnities of their altar-worship, respected the one atonement of the world's Redeemer; and thus obtained witness from God, by the same Spirit, that they were righteous, and testimonies that they pleased God. By him pious men, under the dispensation of Moses, waited for the consolation of Israel, and saw by his illumination the true propitiation for sins, in the faithful and sacramental use of their magnificent ritual. In a word, all the good which has been found in men has been produced by his divine agency; and all the evil which has been restrained in the ungodly, He has restrained. All light, all holy feeling, all godly principle, all strength, comfort, all heavenly transformations, all preservation in welldoing, have proceeded and do proceed from Him, and from Him alone; and without his blessed operation all means, institutions, worship, sacraments, and efforts profit little, and fail to produce salvation. As the atonement of the Saviour is the only meritorious cause of religion in the world, so the Holy Spirit alone has been the efficient agent in making and keeping men religious; and of preventing evil men, by the reproaches of conscience, the fear of consequences, and by other methods of his striving, from becoming worse.

The Christian dispensation is pre-eminently the dispensation of the Spirit, in which his divine operations are more fully vouchsafed to the church and the world, for the accomplishment of the work of redemption and the glory of Christ. During the apostolic age, the Holy Ghost confirmed the word with signs following; and various and rich were the extraordinary gifts then communicated; but which, after authenticating the apostolic commission and confirming its testimony, were discontinued, as having fulfilled the purpose of their manifesta

VOL. III.-FOURTH SERIES.

K