Nov. 16th.-At Cheltenham, Mr. Joseph Neal, in the seventieth year of his age. He joined the Wesleyan society in Hull, at a very early period; and has been employed as an active and devoted Local Preacher upwards of half a century, and also as a Class-Leader for many years. He was "an Israelite indeed," and a living proof of the power of Gospel principles. His last illness was severe; but he bore his affliction with entire resignation to the will of God. His faith in the atonement of Christ was firm and unshaken, and his hope of heaven truly inspiring. He said much that was expressive of the happy state of his mind during the closing scenes of life. His last accent was, "The glory surpasseth." Dec. 6th.-At Grosvenor-Place, Bath, aged twenty-nine, Mary Anne, elder surviving daughter of the late Mr. W. G. Horner. More than seven years ago, she and her three sisters were enabled, by abounding grace, to give themselves "to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." A covenant-service in their native city was rendered, at this important crisis, eminently useful to them; and their simultaneous decision was soon crowned by the enjoyment of a "common salvation." During the evening preceding her death, Miss Horner made pathetic reference to an expository remark of the Rev. John Brown, as the immediate occasion of leading her to realize peace in believing. The same precious bless ing was shared by those around her, who all were now mutually attached in the bonds of a twiceblest sisterhood; and the visitation of grace, which had been long sought in the prayers of the living and the dead, prepared the circle for a succession of desolating visitations of Providence. Fanny, Emily, and their brother Thomas, were removed, with most affecting rapidity, to the family above. But the scene on which the clouds of sorrow gathered, was brightened by the glorious presence of Him who is "the Resurrection and the Life." Each sufferer, dying, conquered; and rarely was deepening desolation more alleviated by succours which the world knows not of. With untiring affection, Miss Horner joined her excellent mother and sister in ministering to those who were marked for an earlier rest than her own; and, during her remaining years of gentle, uniform, duteous service on earth, she looked with joy for a blessed re-union in heaven. Her excellencies, shrinking from more general observation, were unfolded in the quiet of home, and there shed welcome influence. Her illness was severe, but brief. She expected death with composure truly characteristic; and, firmly trusting in her Saviour, obtained the last victory. W. L. T. Dec. 23d.-Aged forty-six, Hannah, the wife of the Rev. Robert Thompson, of the Leeds Second Circuit. Under a sermon preached by the Rev. William Atherton, when about fourteen years of age, she was first awakened to a sense of her guilt and danger as a sinner, shortly afterwards obtained peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and joined the Wesleyan society. Subsequently, by residence in a place where the Methodists had no church, her fellowship with them was interrupted; and this circumstance, as in other cases, led to spiritual loss. About twenty years ago, she was reunited to the people of her early choice, and regained a sense of acceptance "in the Beloved." From this date, piety towards God became the uniform habit of her mind, sustained by an exemplary attendance on the appointed means of grace. To be conspicuous, was never her aim; but she "studied to be quiet, and mind her own business," which lay, according to her judgment, within the limits of her family circle, and in the walks of privacy and retirement. From the commencement of her last affliction, she anticipated and spoke of a probably fatal result, while others entertained a different opinion. Very many and very satisfactory were her expressions of humble confidence in God through Jesus Christ, of submission to his will, and the hope of a better life. With increasing fever her constitutional strength was unable further to contend; apparent improvement proved to be but progressive weakness; and while her family were willing to hope that the worst was past, the complicated sorrows of a mortal sickness ended, somewhat suddenly, in the "rest which remaineth to the people of God." S. J. POETRY. THE BRAMBLE IN EGYPT. "BUT of all the trees, or evergreens, or flowers, the sight that charmed me most was the first appearance of the 'bramble' of my dear native land. There it flourished amidst the wild shrubs of Egypt: it certainly looked somewhat improved in its condition; for the leaves were lighter, the flowers larger, and the bushes loftier than those which grow on the wolds of Yorkshire. Yet my gaze was riveted to it, as by a magic spell; for every blossom told some tale of youth and home." ("Sketches by a Resident in Cairo:" see Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, November, 1846.) FAIR wilding flower, I deem'd not thus, 'neath Egypt's sultry skies, A spell is round thee, and I gaze, and o'er my throbbing breast Far brighter blossoms round me glow, and loftier boughs than thine- Thebes, with her marble fanes, hath pass'd; and Memphis, in her pride, Not now I view them; for, sweet shrub, alone I gaze on thee; My childhood's home! the chestnut boughs, the jasmine's starry flowers, The clustering blossoms flashing out to morn's awakening gleams! And more, O more than all beside, the soft, deep tones of love; Where are they now? Mine eye is changed, its early light is gone; Thou answerest not; yet well I read, in the shadows of my breast, Yet weep I not! thy brighter flowers, on this far-distant soil, LONDON PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. |