islands are dated in May last, at which time the Mission families were in the enjoyment of health, and continued to experience much of the presence and blessing of God in their labours.

At Lakemba the work of conversion from Heathenism to Christianity was making progress. Although instances of the genuine work of the Spirit in the conversion of the soul were not so frequent as the cases of formal renunciation of Heathenism and embracing a profession of Christianity, still, evidence was not wanting of a saving work of grace in the hearts of some of the people.

Rewa, from which place the Mission and press had been removed in consequence of the inconvenience and danger arising from frequent wars, has again been the scene of a sanguinary tragedy. The people of Bau, aided by one of the Chiefs of Rewa, by stratagem attacked the town, utterly destroying it with fire,

and killing numbers of the inaabitants. The King was murdered in the presence of his wife and children, his enemies regardless of their entreaties. Three hun

dred of the people fell in the attack, and several of the Chiefs were killed afterwards. It is stated that the body of the King was buried, and a great many others who could not be eaten while eatable.

At Somosomo, the Missionaries were in good health, and the work prospering.

Vewa had been visited by a gracious effusion of the Holy Spirit. The Lord had abundantly blessed and cheered the Missionaries in their work, and many of the once-ferocious Feejeeans had been converted to God. Persecution and opposition to the truth had, as might be expected, been met with; but the rage of the Heathen had hitherto been restrained.

SEPT. 27th, 1846.-At Liverpool, aged eightyfive, Mrs. Margaret Pemberton, having been a most exemplary member of the Wesleyan society fifty-five years, and a faithful Class-Leader upwards of thirty. Her conversion to God was very decided, and her subsequent career was marked by great energy and determination. On the day she made choice of the Lord for her God, and his people for her people, she cut off the world at a stroke, called upon friends and acquaintances, informed them of her purpose, and bade them farewell. And having set her hand to the plough, she never looked back. She had three classes under her care; the weekly oversight of which, together with visiting prisons, workhouses, and the abodes of sickness and sorrow, filled up the principal part of her time. She knew nothing of half-measures in religion. Her daily conduct was a distinct proclamation of nonconformity to the world in spirit and practice; and the secret of this was, her strong faith.

Her charity was bounded only by her ability, and self-denial was practised, that she might have the more to give to them that needed. For years before her decease, she seemed to live in constant readiness for her departure, and as if daily expecting to be summoned to her reward. Her last illness was severe and protracted; but her spirit gathered strength, as her body wasted, and the world receded. The humbling views she had of herself were, at this time, remarkable. She spoke of herself as an unprofitable servant, and as if she had neither done nor said anything for God, but that he had in mercy borne with her manners in the wilderness. The day before she died, she spoke of the city which had no need of the

sun, but the Lamb is the light thereof. She alluded to her future glorified body, and to her nearness to the innumerable company before the throne ; when, suddenly stopping, and recurring to her wonted devotional exercises, thinking it was evening while it was yet noon-day, she called all around to family worship, and prayed as fervently and as scripturally as ever, till her enfeebled memory failed in the middle of the Lord's Prayer. The next morning she fell asleep so calmly, that the friends around her bed were unconscious for some time that it was the stillness of death, and that her sanctified and happy spirit had escaped to Paradise.

E. W.

Oct. 24th.-At Bardney, in the Horncastle Circuit, Mrs. Mary Dixon, aged seventythree, mother of Messrs. Thomas and D. Dixon, of Grantham. In very early life she walked in the fear of the Lord. She was, from principle, attached to the Wesleyan doctrine, discipline, and Ministers; and manifested this attachment by her unbroken union with the church for more than fifty years. During the last ten months of her life her sufferings were lingering and severe, but they were all borne with true Christian patience. She often exclaimed, in the midst of violent pain, "Jesus, I love thee; yes, I love thee more and more!" And, in her last hour, when her voice failed, she waved her hand in token of a blessed victory. T. D.

Nov. 21st.-At Mitcham, in the Croydon Circuit, Mrs. Jane Pope, aged seventy-four years; having been a member of the Wesleyan church almost half a century. She was born at Gates

head, in the county of Durham, in the year 1772; and was favoured with parents who were among the first Methodists brought to God through the instrumentality of our Founder. It was her lot in early life to live in the family of the late Rev. John Gaulter, at the OrphanHouse, Newcastle; and she ever esteemed it a high honour to have done so. Being herself converted, and having joined the Wesleyan body, she continued a steady member to the end of life. Her religious experience was not of a showy or splendid profession, but is believed to have been sincere and consistent. In all the relations of life, as a wife, mother, and friend, she was faithful and affectionate, and much respected. Her death was somewhat sudden; but her end was peaceful and triumphant. W. C.

Nov. 23d.-At Flaxmoss, aged forty-seven, Mr. James Greenwood, a Local Preacher in the Haslingden Circuit. His life was characterized by kindness and Christian piety, and with a blameless morality. His health had been declining for some time, by which he was reminded of the approaching close of his mortal course. His experience, while confined to his chamber, manifested no rapturous joy, but a calm and peaceful serenity, and confidence in the mercy of God, through his Son Jesus Christ. During the last two days previous to his dissolution, though sensible, he took little notice, but gradually declined till the departure of life.

W. S.

Nov. 26th.-At Canterbury, aged seventyseven, Mr. James Blackley. For more than forty years he was an esteemed member of the Wesleyan society, and was strongly attached to its Ministers, doctrine, and discipline. His zeal and liberality, at the time of the erection of the chapel, were very manifest. For a few years past, his friends were sorry to perceive some declension in his religious experience. Happily, he also perceived it, humbled himself before God, whom he earnestly sought in prayer and faith, and the Lord mercifully "restored unto him the joy of his salvation;" so that he died in peace. S. Y.

Nov. 27th.-At Birmingham, aged sixty-eight, Jane, the wife of Mr. Samuel Loxton. She was awakened under the ministry of the late Rev. Joseph Taylor the elder, when about the age of sixteen; but nearly two years elapsed before she obtained a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. This blessing, which she found while engaged in private devotion, was uninterruptedly enjoyed for fifty years. In all the domestic relations of life, her calm and amiable disposition secured to her the affection and esteem of those with whom she was connected: she was universally beloved as a pious and unassuming member of the church of Christ. Her last illness was of short duration; but her end was tranquil and happy. G. T.

Dec. 13th.-At Cheetham-Hill, near Manchester, Anne, the beloved wife of Mr. J. F. Dutton, aged forty-four. The subject of this notice was in early life brought under serious impressions; and, yielding to the influences of the Holy Spirit, sought and found the pearl of great

price. She became a member of the WesleyanMethodist society when about fourteen years of age, and continued a steady member until her decease. Her faith in, and love to, the Saviour were unwavering and fervent. Her attendance on the ordinances of religion was regular and devout: she loved the Sabbath, and searched the Scriptures daily. Her intercourse with her fellow-creatures was marked by Christian kindness and fidelity. For the last six months of her life she was much afflicted, during which time she experienced the solace and joy of living faith. She was in a daily state of preparation for her final change, and quietly resigned her happy spirit into the hands of her gracious Redeemer. J. F. D.

Dec. 26th.-At Newbury, aged forty-one, Mr. Henry Killick. Early in life he was converted to God, joined the Wesleyan society, and continued a steady, consistent member to the day of his death. As a man of business he was much respected for his integrity and uprightness; and, in the various relations of life, he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. He sustained some of the most important offices in the church to which he belonged, with fidelity to God, credit to himself, and satisfaction to his brethren. His cheerful and abounding liberality in the cause of benevolence and religion, was well known both to Ministers and people, and will not soon be forgotten. The Newbury Circuit has sustained a great loss in his removal. The affliction which terminated his earthly career was of such a nature as not to allow of his saying much as to the state of his mind; but what he did say showed that he was ready for the solemn change. A little before his departure, as though heaven was in view, he exclaimed, "O glorious, overpowering! My work on earth is done. God is our refuge and strength, and my present help in trouble. O happy change! It will soon be over."-" The memory of the just is blessed." J. E.

Dec. 29th.-At Kilrush, in the Bandon Circuit, Captain Andrew Poole. For a considerable period he was indifferent to his spiritual interests, and lived, whilst in the army, according to the course of the gay and pleasurable world. When retired from military life, he was providentially led to reside for a season in Bandon, attended the services in the Wesleyan chapel, was made the happy subject of conversion to God, and united himself to the society. A class was formed in the place of his residence; and several, during that time, were brought to the knowledge of the truth. He was a liberal contributor to our different Funds; and, feeling deeply interested for the rising generation, established and supported a daily school for many years. His attachment to our cause was cordial and unwavering to the end. He was faithful in confessing Christ before men, and his testimony for the truth was always supported by a holy and consistent deportment. IIis health had been declining for a long period; yet his last illness was but of short duration. He was graciously sustained in the final conflict, and joyfully testified his complete victory over the last enemy, through our Lord

esus Christ.

J. F. M.

Dec. 30th.-Aged thirty-five, Martha, the beloved wife of Thomas Spencer, Esq., of the Moss, Prescot, in the St. Helen's and Prescot Circuit, leaving eight children under ten years of age, as well as her afflicted husband and a numerous circle of friends, to lament their loss. Mrs. Spencer's character was amiable; and, being early devoted to God, she became exemplary in the discharge of all relative duties. Her Christian experience was scriptural. For about twelve of the last hours of her mortal existence, she appeared unconscious of anything around her; nevertheless, her peace with God was solid, and her prospects with regard to the future were clear. A. W.

Jan. 3d, 1847.-In the city of York, aged seventy-seven, Mr. William Agar. About the year 1790 he gave himself to the Lord, and for a period of nearly fifty-seven years was a decided follower of the Lamb. In no ordinary degree he was possessed of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Although of a retiring turn of mind, his piety was of such a character that it could not be hid. He was, therefore, both well known and highly esteemed. His last illness, which was of short duration, did not find him unprepared. A short time before his death, after praying for his beloved wife and nearest connexions, he quoted those lines:

"Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on thee."

His passage over Jordan was remarkably calm and easy. He entered into rest on the first Sabbath in the new year. D. W.

Feb. 5th.-At Cheetham-Hill, aged seventyfive, Sarah, relict of Mr. Holland Hoole, late of Oldham-street, Manchester. She had been a Methodist more than fifty-four years. Soon after her marriage, she and her husband had their attention attracted by the sight of a congregation listening to a sermon delivered in the open air in one of the streets of Manchester. Under that discourse she was convinced of the necessity of pardoning mercy, and renewing grace. She was invited to a class, and under the instruction of her Leader, and of the Methodist Ministers, Mrs. Hoole soon found the pearl of great price; and, with an earnestness peculiar to a youthful and ingenuous mind under the influence of divine grace, she devoted herself to God. She never forgot her vows; in all the relations of life she exhibited the grace, love, and gentle courage of the Christian. She was not exempt from trials; but it was her habit to carry all to God in earnest and believing prayer, the result of which was, that, however heavy her afflictions might be, she was never overwhelmed. The departure of her second son as a Missionary to India, in 1820, was followed, within a few months, and before his arrival could be heard of, by the death of her beloved husband. Her family, by whose affections she was consoled, was again reduced by the death of her youngest

son, and of a daughter, both young persons possessing piety and talent of much promise. Her heart, torn and afflicted, bowed in meek submission to the will of God. She had entire freedom from the anxiety and care which are usually incident to advanced age. She conversed cheerfully with the Ministers and friends who visited her, and to her latest moment appeared not to experience what are emphatically called the sorrows of death." Having kept the sayings of Christ, she did not "see death," but "fell asleep," in tranquil repose on the atoning merits and redeeming work of her blessed Lord. Many useful lessons might be drawn from this brief narrative. The only one we shall mention is," Let him that soweth sow in hope." The Preacher whose sermon was the means of Mrs. Hoole's awakening and conversion, probably never knew of this instance of the success of his ministry; much less could he be aware that the further fruit of his labours was to be found in the conversion, by her instrumentality, of her husband, who was for many years useful as a Class-Leader and Preacher; and of her eldest son, who also, for many years, filled the same important offices; and of all her other children, and even of more remote descendants and relations; and it may be that, by the Missionary labours of her surviving son in India, some in that distant and heathen country may have received spiritual and saving benefit in consequence of the grace which was vouchsafed to her under that one sermon. "The sower soweth the seed," he "knoweth not which shall prosper, this or that;" but "some falleth on good ground, and bringeth forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold."

E. H.

Feb. 13th.-At his own house, Oldham-street, Manchester, Mr. Alexander Braik, for nearly half a century a most conscientious, upright, consistent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist society, and for many years a useful ClassLeader and Local Preacher. He had sustained several other responsible and important offices in the Connexion,-as a Trustee of various chapels, Treasurer of sundry local charities, member of several connexional Committees. He was especially active in the memorable Centenary year, and strenuously and successfully exerted himself in the arrangements for increasing the comforts of old and worn-out Ministers and Ministers' widows. His last affliction was painful and protracted, but in him patience had her " perfect work;" and, on several occasions, overwhelming manifestations of the divine goodness filled him with holy rapture. His apartment was

"Privileged beyond the common walks of life, Quite in the verge of heaven."

His family have sustained an irreparable loss; and the poor, especially the poor of the Methodist society, have to mourn the removal of a sympathizing friend and generous benefactor. R. W.