Barnsley, we must first mention its beautiful symmetry and completeness. It is lamentably characteristic of too many professors of Christianity, that, while some one quality stands out with commanding prominence, others equally important are either altogether wanting, or exist only in a very imperfect degree, and are obscurely manifested. The very opposite of this was the case with the subject of this sketch. It is not pretended that she was free from infirmities and defects. Of these she was often painfully sensible. She mourned over whatever she discovered to be defective in her religious character and attainments, and earnestly and prayerfully sought the removal of all that was contrary to the mind of Christ. And thus the genuineness of her piety was made manifest. For the sincerity of that religious profession may be justly suspected, which does not prompt us to aspirations after high degrees of spiritual excellence.

Another feature of Mrs. Barnsley's religious character was its robustness and vigour. She was not wanting in feminine gentleness and tenderness; but hers was not a religion of mere sentimental excitement, a short-lived and precarious enjoyment, which can flourish only in summer sunshine, but to which the blasts of adversity and tribulation are speedily fatal. Her Christian graces evinced the workmanship of the Divine Spirit. She did not

build, on the only foundation, "wood, hay, and stubble,"-things of small value, and easily liable to destruction; but "gold, silver, and precious stones," -things which were both ornamental and enduring. She did not faint in the hour of trial, although by no means free from painful exercises. She did not shun the cross, but resolutely took it up, however grievous and contrary to natural feeling. Nor did she grow weary in well-doing; but honourably persevered in the path of duty, and in enterprises of usefulness, when discouragements were formidable and co-operation very limited. Unmoved, except with sorrow, by the want of steadfastness in others, she did not allow herself to become tired of religion, because some who professed it acted inconsistently with its obligations and requirements. She set the Lord always before her, and "endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." Thus, through all the trials of ordinary life, all the vicissitudes of a protracted religious profession, she exemplified a calm and steady perseverance, being "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."

Another prominent feature in the character of Mrs. Barnsley was her un selfishness and considerate solicitude to promote the happiness of others. This vario.usly exemplified. Almost

was

from her first connexion with the Methodist Society, she showed her readiness to take part in enterprises of usefulness. Several valuable institutions belonging to the Islington chapel and Society, if they did not absolutely originate with her, were promoted and sustained by her energy and liberality. She was largely instrumental in establishing the Dorcas Society; the day and infant schools; was an energetic and liberal supporter of Missions to the heathen; and administered to the necessities of some poor and needy people every week, supplying them, up to the last few days of her life, both with food and money. She was kindly considerate and prompt in showing attention to young people, who were distant from their friends, and whom, as strangers, she observed at the chapel; and often she invited them to her own house, after the public service on a Sabbath evening, to partake of her hospitality, and to share in the devotions of the household. Such attention could not fail to produce a deep and beneficial impression, and no doubt frequently led to happy religions results. It were to be wished that other persons, similarly circumstanced, would imitate so laudable an example.

Without the slightest tinge of bigotry, and with earnest desires for the prosperity of other religious communities, Mrs. Barnsley was warmly attached to her own denomination. Its institutions and ministrations had afforded her, through a long succession of years, the means of spiritual improvement and comfort, and opportunities of varied and extended usefulness. She was attached to the classmeeting, and exemplary in her attendance on it, believing that, when properly used, it is a most valuable means of promoting spiritual growth. The Methodist ministers she loved and honoured. They were always welcomed to her house, and had in her a sincere and warm friend. Ministers coming to Birmingham on public occasions found under her roof an agreeable abode, and were most cordially admitted to share in the generous, although unostentatious, hospitalities of her domestic circle.

What Mrs. Barnsley was in her own family may be easily conjectured. In the treatment of her children, she combined tenderness with wise counsel and

of speech was gone; and with one smile of affectionate recognition her eyes closed upon all worldly objects. She was no longer an inhabitant of earth, but had reached her resting-place in the skies. "Absent from the body" she was "present with the Lord." This event occurred on Monday, December 30th, 1867, on the anniversary of her marriage, in the sixtysixth year of her age.

This attempt to describe the excellencies of one of Christ's devoted

followers is intended to instruct and

encourage the living. We neglect a valuable opportunity of improvement, if we fail to study the virtues of departed saints, and to glorify God in them. What they were, we too are exhorted to become, through the grace of Him to whom we all have access in Christ. Let us awake to emulation and diligence, not being "slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

AUGUST 16th, 1866.-Some of the servants of the Lord Jesus, though not known beyond a limited sphere, are nevertheless highly valuable, and their absence from their accustomed post is long and deeply felt. Such a servant of Christ was Thomas Dakin. He was led to the Saviour during a period of remarkable revival, vouchsafed in connexion with the services of Methodism in the place where he passed the greater part of his life. It was very interesting and instructive to listen to the accounts he would give of the spiritually mighty men of his youth. His conversion was of a decided character, but was preceded by a prolonged struggle between the "old man and the power of Divine grace. He used to say that, at one period, he made it a practice to compose himself to sleep during the former part of the Sunday evening service, for he knew that there would be no sleep for him during the night that followed, through the reproofs of an awakened conscience. Many a time, too, did his heart quail beneath the occasional remarks dropped by the leader of the prayer meetings. They sang of heaven, but he was reminded that there was no heaven for impenitent sinners; the privileges of God's people were set forth, but it was clearly explained that none were the sons of God but those who were "led by the Spirit of God." Would that tens of thousands of our unconverted hearers might listen to such sermons, and experience such nights as Thomas Dakin did, until they too decide for God! Possessed of no remarkable powers of mind, and often afflicted with weakness of body, placed also in very humble circumstances, he made his influence to be felt, and his very name seemed to be a power for good. Naturally he was retiring, even to a fault; but wherever duty called he went, and his Master was with him. We never heard him charged with any failing but the one hinted at above; and it may be truly said, that his character was pure and unblemished. He was a blessed example of the value of a clear apprehension of the fulness of the provisions of the Gospel, and was a humble witness of the power of Christ to save to the uttermost. The grace which has often made others giant warriors in the battle

field, made Thomas Dakin the faithful and constant watcher of the tents. Whoever abideth in Christ" bringeth forth much fruit." His faithfulness to the Church of his convictions and choice, his patient continuance in well doing, when the love of many" to her "waxed cold," his readiness in the time of severe trial, notwithstanding his diffidence, to "stand in the gap," and his conscientious attendance upon all the services of religion, are beyond all praise. Although for years almost wholly dependent upon charity, his weekly contribution was ever, with sacred pleasure, laid upon the altar; and he thankfully embraced the opportunity of earning a few pence by some little errand, in order that he might have something more to give for the support of the ministers, or for the heathen, whose claims always had a strong hold upon his affections. He truly did what he could. In him many a labourer for Christ has lost an earnest intercessor at the Throne of Grace. The Society with which he was so long connected, many sick persons whom he visited, and even many who are still "without," but who acknowledged the power of Christ in him, will long miss him. Wearisome nights and days were appointed to him before his departure; but he had "strong consolation," and "knew in whom he believed." He entered into rest in the seventy-first year of his age, having been a member of the Methodist Society fifty years.

October 12th, 1867.-At Chatteris, Mrs. Elizabeth Brecken, aged fifty-seven years. For more than thirty years she was a member of the Methodist Society, and a sincere, though timid, Christian. In her last illness she possessed ber soul in patience, and died calmly resting on the merits of her Redeemer. J. G.

November 16th.-Aged seventy, Ann, the beloved wife of Thomas Broadbent, Esq., of Grove House, Ardwick, Manchester, and daughter of the late Thomas Holy, Esq., of Sheffield. Under the training of parents eminent for their devotedness to God, and zeal in His service, she realized in early life the power and blessedness of experimental religion; delighting greatly in the public and social means of grace, and

Wesleyan-Methodist Society, and adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. When she was asked, "Is Christ precious?" she replied firmly, "He is;" and declared that He was the one Object of her trust. Her last words, while gasping for breath, were, "Pass-through -death-triumphant-home."

W. G. D

February 10th.-At Liverpool, in the Pittstreet Circuit, in the eighty-first year of her age, Mrs. Grace Kirk, relict of Mr. Samuel Kirk, late of Thorp-Hesley, in the Rotherham Circuit. She gave her heart to God, and sought and found salvation, through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the ninth year of her age. She forthwith joined the Methodist Society, and for seventy-two years, in the various spheres in which she was called to move, she was a modest, uniform, and consistent follower of her Divine Master. Her house, whilst she resided at ThorpHesley, was for many years the home of the Local preachers on their appointments to that place; and for some time previous to the family removing to Liverpool, the ministers of the Circuit also enjoyed the hospitalities of the same home. While Mrs. Kirk was not unmindful of outward things, the great absorbing principle of her protracted life, was to keep her heart right with God, and stand with her lamp trimmed and her light burning. Nothing would stir the depths of her soul like a heart-searching sermon, filled with the marrow and fatness of the Gospel, or with Christian experience from the heart of some eminent follower of Christ. As her strength declined, she anticipated "going home with evident delight. Her prospects, through faith in Christ, were bright and clear; and at length the long-wished-for summons came, and her spirit rose to mingle with the sanctified above.

J. T.

February 10th. At Lower-Town, in the Keighley Circuit, William Shackleton, in the sixtieth year of his age. He was born at Moorside, near Lower-Town, April 9th, 1808. He was the child of godly, Methodist parents, who trained him up in the fear of the Lord; and in very early life he was a subject of deep religious impressions. The thoughtfulness and the sobriety of judgment, for which he was always remarkable, were manifested even in his boyhood. When twenty years of age he began to meet in class; but three or four years passed away before he received a clear sense of his acceptance with God. His sincere and earnest desire to enjoy the Divine favour strengthened into a holy determination which led him, along with his only brother, to wrestle all night in prayer for pardoning mercy. As that memorable night was closing, and the dawn of day appeared, the sun of righteousness shone clearly upon his soul, and by simple faith in the atoning blood he was made happy. In his youth he evinced a great desire for mental improvement, and succeeded

in storing his mind with useful knowledge. His connexion with the Lower-Town Sabbath-school, begun when a boy, was undisturbed through life. He was appointed to the office of class-leader when comparatively a young man. The confidence which the Church placed in him was honoured, and the hopes which were entertained were fulfilled by his course of usefulness in this department of service. He sought to understand the condition of those who met with him, and to direct and strengthen them by sober, judicious, faithful counsel. His words were often like "apples of gold in pictures of silver," and were greatly blessed to his charge. As a Local preacher he laboured during a period of thirty years with fidelity and acceptance. His preaching was plain; but it was also remarkably practical and searching, and sometimes it rose to a strain of powerful eloquence. His patient study of the Word of God, his quiet energy, and his unswerving fidelity in the discharge of duty, will cause his name long to be remembered with esteem and love. His deep and tender filial affection for his mother through a long affliction, is worthy not only of the admiration, but the imitation, of all in similar circumstances. As a brother, he was distinguished by loving thoughtfulness; and as a friend, he was ever faithful. The affliction which proved fatal extended over a period of nearly six weeks. He had a desire, "if it were the will of God," to live a little longer; but he was thoroughly delivered from the fear of death, and the inordinate love of life. That Gospel which he had long preached to others he felt, in affliction and death, to be the strength and solace of his own soul. There was no struggle at the last; he fell almost imperceptibly into the closing slumber; and, as the mortal scene closed, there was a serene and lovely smile on the thin, pallid countenance. "So He giveth His beloved sleep." P. F.

March 6th.-At Chelmsford, aged seventyeight years, Mrs. Isabella Rice. She was a native of Askrigg, in Yorkshire. Of the circumstances of her conversion no particular account can be given; but for many years past she was a consistent member of the WesleyanMethodist Society, remarkable for integrity of character, unobtrusiveness of demeanour, and a faithful discharge of duty. In every thing affecting the prosperity and increase of Christ's cause, she evinced a lively interest to the last. During her brief illness, she was sustained by a firm faith in Christ as her all-sufficient Saviour. Her patience and resignation also were very marked. A short time before her death, upon a suggestion being made to her that she should once more commemorate the dying love of the Redeemer, she joyfully acceded to the proposal, and joined with other friends in this solemn service with much fervour; and in about two hours afterwards, her spirit fled away to be for ever with the Lord. J. D. J.