could be long in her presence without feeling that she lived a healthier atmosphere than that which surrounds ordinary Christians. She was regular and diligent in her attention to all Christian duties. Very often she ventured beyond what her strength would justify, in order to attend the house of God; and she seldom went without being met by God, and returning refreshed in spirit. For four or five years her health was very feeble; but during the eight or nine months preceding her death she grew stronger, and hopes were entertained that the danger was passed, and that she would ultimately recover. In entering on the York New-street Circuit, she became worse; yet it was thought that this unfavourable change was the result of fatigue, and that it would pass away. But these anticipations were disappointed; aud soon the period arrived when hope could be indulged no longer. She felt this; but committed herself to Christ, and calmly resigned all to His disposal. During the last fortnight of her life she suffered much, but complained not. When told by her medical attendant that recovery was scarcely possible, she said, "I could have wished to live a little longer, for the sake of my family. I did not think that my end was so near; but there is a better lot awaiting me." Again and again she said, "I am resting on Christ, and Ile is near and precious to me." Her sufferings continued to increase, but her faith failed not; she held fast her profession, and her heart was calm and tranquil. For two days she was unconscious, and then quietly departed to be with Christ for ever. During her affliction she seemed at intervals to descry

It was about this time that the Spirit of God powerfully convinced her of her sinful state. She became deeply concerned about her soul, and joined the class of the late Mr. David Watson. Soon afterwards she obtained an assurance of the pardoning love of God through Christ; and, having herself found peace, she be came very anxious for the salvation of the members of her family. Her attempts to induce them "to flee from the wrath to come were at first unsuccessful; and she had to bear, for several years, persecution and reproach in the domes tic circle. But she persevered; and at length she began to receive her reward First her elder sister was induced to go with her to chapel, and ultimately to join the Society, and was soon made a partaker of the love of God. Next, ber parents were prevailed upon to show more respect than hitherto for the Lord's day; and, after a few years, they also were con vinced of their need of a change of heart. This conviction resulted in her mother's joining the Methodist Society, and in her father's listening to her religions counsels. She had, indeed, in a peculiar way, an opportunity of "showing piety at hote" During forty years before his death her father's hearing was so far lost, that he could not hear the truth of Christ as publicly ministered in the sanctuary; but his heart was reached by means of books, which his daughter brought home from school; and when he anxiously inquired, what he must do to be saved, she was delighted to communicate to him what she remembered of the sermons she had heard, as well as to tell him what she herself kne of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Saviour. At length she had the happiness of knowing that all the family were in the way to heaven.

She continued to work in the Sunday. school for some years, and was always ready for every good work. The Missionary cause held a high place in her affec

tions. She was an ac ive collector for many years; and, when unable to continue the work herself, through family duties, she was careful to find one to take her place, so that the cause of God might not suffer. She was one of the promoters of a Materual Society, and took great interest in its operations to the last.

But the principal work that she was called to do in the Church, was the taking care of two Society-classes. About the year 1828 she joined the class of the late Mrs. Robinson; and at her death, which happened about eight or nine years later, she was appointed the leader. A few years afterwards she formed another class,

especially for young persons, which continued to grow during the twenty years she held it, until it has now become a very important one. These two classes she led faithfully to the end, enjoying the respect and love of all the members.

She was very careful about the duties of social and family prayer. When very young, and under her father's roof, she obtained permission to set up the familyaltar, and herself led the devotions. This she continued to do until she was mistress of her own house, when it became her duty, once a day at least, to conduct family worship; au although she was surrounded by several young men, she did not shrink from the exercise, but per. formed it faithfully. It is believed that, as a fruit of her prayers, many were added to the Church. She put forth such simple faith in the declarations and promises of God in Christ, that these services were really ❝ seasons of grace and sweet delight" to those who were engaged in them.

She gave counsel wisely to those about ber, as many who have had the benefit of her advice can testify. Her younger sitter says, “I remember how anxiously she watched over me. To her love and care I owe much; for when I was only four years old, she took me to the Sunday-school, and from that time to her last illness, I have always felt her counsel to be right."

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She could administer reproof faithfully, where she thought it was needful; but the prominent feature of her character was her quiet and unassuming piety. It may be said of her, that she showed out of a good conversation her works with meekness of wisdom." She had her failings; but they were few; and her conduct was such as became the Gospel of Christ.

Her Christian character was brought out clearly by many painful dispensations of God's providence. She was called to pass through some severe trials both of body and mind. She experienced bereavement, also, in very painful forms. About ten years ago, her eldest and dearly-loved daughter was taken from her to a better world, at the age of twenty-seven. Next, her elder son was taken; and, sixteen months afterwards, her only surviving daughter, at the age of twenty-three.

Under these trials she manifested true fortitude; and by her meek resignation to the will of God, together with her unshaken confidence in His goodness, she showed that her communion with her Lord was close and unbroken. For the last three or four years, she became much weaker in body, but her growth in grace

was evident to all. About twelve months ago she met with an accident, which brought on increased bodily infirmity; and another accident ultimately caused her death. On the day of its occurrence she was more than usually cheerful; and when aware of the probability that death was near at hand, she manifested no alarm, but said to those around her, "Do not be afraid, I am not." Prostration of body and mind soon followed, and continued in a greater or less degree until her departure. She died on October 30th, 1867; but her removal was only the gathering bome of a shock fully ripe for the heavenly garner. M.

THE late THOMAS LAYCOCK was born at Harden, in the Bingley Circuit, in the year 1798, and fell asleep in Jesus at Bingley on November 24th, 1867, aged sixty-nine years. He had a godly parentage; and in early life was led to the house of God, and instructed in Scriptural truth. He was one of the first scholars in the Harden Wesleyan Sunday-school,—an institution to which, through life, he was warmly attached, and in which he was successively a scholar, a teacher, and an officer. He always held his pious mother in high esteem; and her affectionate counsels and appeals made a deep impression upon his mind. When he was about twentyone years of age he was convinced of his siuful condition, and for ten days earnestly sought the Lord with strong cries and tears. His sorrow on account of his sinfulness was so great, that he awoke his mother during the night to tell her of the deep distress of his soul, and to ask her advice and prayers. Such was his mental agony that he could sleep but little, and often left his work to wander into the fields and woods, to pray in solitude; but at length light dawned upon his mind, and, through faith in the Lord Jesus, a blessed change took place in his feelings. His own oft-repeated and expressive words, with reference to this event, were, "I was soundly converted to God in Harden chapel, and I could point out the very place where the Lord spoke peace to my soul." To this gracious change he frequently referred in the class-meeting, band-meeting, lovefeast, and in social intercourse. He often said, "What a mercy, that the Lord inclined my heart to seek His face when a young man!" Having thus put his hand to the Gospel plough, he never turned back. "With a glad heart and free," he consecrated the spring-time of his life, and the summer and autumn of his days, to the Lord that bought him. His hearty and

willing service to Christ now sanctified all his engagements; and he maintained the Christian character, in its integrity, steadfast unto the end.

He always took a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of young people, the members of his class, and the loved ones at home. His scholars at the Sabbath-school will not soon forget his sound and practical advice, his pathetic and faithful appeals to their reason and conscience, and those encouraging exhortations to a life of piety which were the outgushing of a renewed heart and a joyful spirit.

He had a retiring disposition, and an undemonstrative manner, which strangers might mistake for coldness and reserve; yet his attachments were warm and true, and by those who knew him best he will long be remembered for his Christian geniality and cheerfulness.

His punctual attendance on all the means of grace was exemplary. He did not neglect the Sunday-morning prayer meeting, the band-meeting, or the lovefeast;

and though he "studied to be quiet, and to do his own business," avoiding all unnecessary display, yet he delighted "to do good and to communicate." He was not distinguished by commanding talents, yet he was always found in his work, carnestly and steadfastly labouring in his own sphere, as a Sunday-school teacher, class-leader, and prayer-leader. He discharged the onerous and responsible duties of a class-leader for thirty-five years, with acknowledged fidelity and great success,― no fewer than six classes having been successively formed out of the one which he led. His labours were thus abundantly blessed, in the building up of Christ's people; and his heart was often cheered by the affectionate esteem and sincere attachment of those who met with him.

He had "a good report of them that are without; and many instances might be cited of the respect paid to his character by worldly men who were associated with him in daily toil. His quiet, decided answers to their captious questions, and not seldom his discrect silence, were productive of much good.

He lived under the influence of that "charity" which "suffereth long and is kind," and which "thinketh no evil." He was never known to speak evil of any one, but always put the best construction on any report which he might hear injurious to any person's character.

Nor

did he allow others, in his dwelling, to speak evil of the absent, especially of the ministers of the Gospel. He was never heard to speak disparagingly of a sermon.

At home he was much beloved by his family, over whom he had great influence, ruling by the gentle force of Christian kindness. Twice every day he gathered all his family around him for worship, and this he. continued to do with unbroken regularity throughout his Christian course. His prayers were always marked by a rich unction, and a solemn and impressive fervour; and, in answer to his intercessions, showers of blessings came down upon his children.

His love for God's Word must not be overlooked. It was truly sweeter to him than honey or the honeycomb. Each day was marked by a serious and attentive perusal of its contents; its promises were to him exceedingly precious. He was, in an important sense, a man of one Book; and yet he found great pleasure and profit in reading our denominational literature, and enjoyed with a keen relish what was solid, good, and pure iu general publications.

He was often tried in the furnace of affliction, and his faith and patience were severely exercised; yet no repining word was known to escape his lips. The habit of prayer, and of "watching thereunto with all perseverance," braced his soul for service and for suffering. During the last ten years he suffered severely from dyspepsia and asthma, yet his temper was never soured by his almost ceaseless pain.

At length the closing scene, which he had long anticipated, came. He had no fear of death, because he had endeavoured to live every day as if it were his last. To one of his family, who called to see him two days before his decease, he said that he thought this illness had come to take him away; but, he added, "You all know that it will be all right;" and, comforting his weeping wife and children, he said, "The Lord will provide. He is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind. I know where I am going." And then his face was lit up with a gleam of heavenly light; and with faltering voice he gave the loved ones his last blessing. Thus, with his lamp trimmed and burning, he received the summons of his Lord to that "good home" of which he had often spoken; and, with those that have gone before, he now casts his crown at Jesu's feet, "lost in wonder, love, and praise." WILLIAM LEES.