had great love and reverence for the Word of God; and not only "searched the Scriptures" to know the path of duty, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, but made the Bible her counsellor in every want and difficulty of life. Many instances can be remembered in which she was guided, in very intricate cases, by prayerful study of the Word of God. On sacramental occasions she was never satisfied without receiving her "portion," which she looked for, and not in vain, from her loving Saviour. These seasons of holy fellowship with God in Christ were gratefully remembered during the ensning month; and in them she frequently obtained warning or encouragement, which could not be fully un derstood or appreciated till the circumstances of the future showed their applicability to her need. Mrs. Rushton was remarkable for her child-like, simple faith, which led her to expect the exact fulfilment of God's promises. She never had any difficulty in worldly affairs, nor any other trouble, however small, but she "took it to the Lord, and with Him she left it." She would not leave the throne of grace till she had fully disburdened her heart of its care; and then, she used to say, "It is in the Lord's hands; I have nothing more to do with it; I am not going to take it out of His hands again." This confidence resulted in constant peace. She realized the truth of the prophet's assurance: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."

While living in Birmingham Mrs. Rushton had, at one time, the charge of three classes. One was on Tuesday morning, which she found it extremely difficult to attend; but, through much prayer, forethought, and sacrifice, she was never absent. Another was a Catechumen class for the young, in which she not only sought to lead inquirers to a personal closure with the Saviour, but laid the foundation of intelligent piety, by diligently instructing them in the authenticity of the Scriptures and the evidences of Christianity. She tried to lead her youthful charge to an earnest study of those Scriptures which she loved so much; and by her simple and natural expositions, gave them an interest in the Holy Volume never to be lost. It is believed that every member of this interesting class was converted, and joined the Church on earth, and a few have entered the Church above. As a class-leader, Mrs. Rushton was very faithful, as well as winning and affectionate; her remarks were always simple, and often pithy and pointed, and

showed great natural insight into character. During the last few years of her life she suffered great physical weakness, and was unable to meet a large class; and as the members were removed, one by one, by distance or death, she did not attempt to fill their places; but the few who remained were greatly attached to their revered leader. If any were detained from the weekly meeting, she used to say to them, "You must come and meet me some other time, for I must know how your souls prosper." She was especially successful with the timid and retiring, who, like Nicodemus, at first came in private, but were led eventually to join the little flock, and testify what God had done for their souls.

The last year of Mrs. Rushton's life was spent in the retirement of the sick chamber, in which she realized the comfort of that religion which had been her guide through life. She often enjoyed rich seasons of communion with God; and her face would be radiant with holy joy, when, on the return of her family from public worship, she would say, "You have been to the stream, but I have been to the fountain;" or, You have been to the temple, but the God of the temple has been with me: so fully did our Heavenly Father compensate His afflicted child for the loss of the public means of grace.

The last entries in her diary arc quotations from the Scriptures, with a line of personal application. Psalm xci. 1: "The secret place:' His favour, let me dwell there. All is yours, and ye are Christ's.' What can I want more?" "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.' This I daily prove; therefore let not my heart be troubled, but lean on my Beloved." "Christ in you the hope of glory.' Blessed word of comfort to me."

She had no fear of death; for though she felt it to be a solemn thing to die, yet she felt assured that her Saviour, according to His promise, would be with her in the dark valley. When a young person in health expressed a fear of death, she said, "God will not give you dying grace to live with; you do not need dying grace for the daily business of life. Seek grace to live every hour to God, and leave the unknown future to Him who will never leave nor forsake you."

As her weakness increased, she often quoted the verse, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." She frequently repeated a verse learned in her early days,

"A little longer and we know

Happy entrance will be given; All my sorrows left below,

And earth exchanged for heaven; and, when scarcely able to articulate, would express her hope of heaven in the few significant words, " A little longer." During the last day of her life she was almost too weak to speak, but feebly uttered, "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit;" "Come Lord Jesus:" and she soon after sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and realized an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom and glory.

MARY HOOLE, one of the sisters of Dr. Hoole, died at Cheetham-Hill, Manchester, on Monday, March 16th, 1868, in the sixty-ninth year of her age.

In her childhood her disposition was confiding and affectionate; and, as she was the oldest of five sisters, she had many opportunities for the exercise of the tender care aud kindness in which she never failed.

Converted to God in early youth, she maintained an exemplary consistency to the close of life. For many years she was engaged in teaching, an occupation in which she found much pleasure, and in which she won the affection of her numerous pupils, while she secured the respect and confidence of their parents.

After a long course of useful and happy toil, a gently-increasing feebleness of body gave notice of dissolution, and the patient sufferer became sensible of her approaching end. This solemn intimation found her ready. Her confidence in the Divine mercy was unshaken. She rested on the all-sufficient atonement of Christ, and rejoiced in His prevailing intercession on her behalf. Her prayers were prayers of faith; her heart was full of love; and her mouth was filled with praise.

Often, during her illness, she would ask to have played to her some favourite tune, and would much enjoy the singing; though she would say that she herself had lost the power to sing, and should not be able to sing any more until she got to heaven. She desired that her brother might be informed that her views and feelings in reference to the Divine Saviour and His work, and her prospects of heaven, were exactly such as he would wish them to be. Her conversation was the comfort of her

sisters in their sorrowful anticipation of losing her. When greatly distressed by a sense of entire helplessness, she would remind them that Jehovah was her Almighty Friend.

The hymn beginning,

"Jesu, Thy boundless love to me," was called her hymn. On the day she died, it was read to her at her request; and, having had the last verse repeated, she said, "I want to pray that verse;" and again and again she said, "In that important hour," with great emphasis. She then requested that her deceased sister Jane's favourite hymn might be read to her, referring to the verse repeated by her when she was dying,

"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
For good remember me !
Me, whom Thou hast caused to trust
For more than life on Thee:
With me in the fire remain,

Till like burnish'd gold I shine,
Meet, through consecrated pain,
To see the Face Divine."

Frequently, during her last hours, she would raise her hands and exclaim, "Praise the Lord!"" Bless the Lord!"

About an hour before she died, ber beloved friend, Mrs. Martin, the wife of the Rev. John Martin, paid her a visit. She said to her, "Miss Hoole, you are in the valley." Mary said, "I suppose so, but it is not like it," going on to say, "Jesus, Thy boundless love to me, No

thought can reach, no tongue declare," &c.

Her last smile indicated her pleasure at seeing Mrs. Martin. When through weakness she could now no longer remember the order of the words of the hyma of which she was so fond, she had them real or repeated to her by her sisters.

The attention of kind friends was a great source of comfort to her during her weeks of illness; and it pleased God to take her happy spirit to Himself while the Rev. John Martin was kneeling at her bed-side, engaged in prayer. "To depart and to be with Christ," which is far better than all earthly blessings, was her earnest desire; and her desire was fulfilled noder circumstances the most appropriate and consoling. To God alone be the praise ELIJAH HOOLE.

RECENT

FEBRUARY 4th, 1868-At Southampton, aged seventy-four years, Mr. Martin Weeks. When seventeen years of age he decided for the Lord, and united himself to the Independent Church. In

DEATHS.

the year 1837 he joined the Wesleyan Methodists, and spent amongst them the last thirty-one years of his life. For more than twenty years in filled the office of chapel-keeper, and, by his

respectful and obliging deportment, won the esteem of all who knew him. He was a man of few words, possessed a meek and quiet spirit, and his experience of Divine things was rich and deep. His last affliction was brief and severe; but it found him quiet ready for his change. When racked with pain, he never murmured, but was often heard to say, "Precious Jesus." He spoke very delightfully of his confidence in Christ, and of the hope he had, through Him, of eternal life. With much feeling he quoted the lines,

"Join all the glorious names

Of wisdom, love, and power,
That ever mortals knew,

That angels ever bore ;

All are too mean to speak His worth,
Too mean to set our Saviour forth."

R. M.

February 24th.-At Bingley, in the fortysixth year of her age, Hannah, the beloved wife of Mr. Matthew Platts, of Fairmount. Blessed with a godly parentage, she feared the Lord from her youth; and at the age of thirteen became a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. During the whole of her Christian course, she was ever ready to engage in the various activities of the Church with which she was connected; and for a lengthened period laboured acceptably and usefully as a Sundayschool teacher, Bible and Missionary collector, and tract-distributer. The sincerity of her religious profession was evidenced by her meekness, humility, and practical benevolence. Her punctuality in attending her class, and the other means of grace, was most marked. She had a strong attachment to Christian ministers, and took a deep interest in every thing that affected the interests of Christ's cause. "Her own works praise her in the gates." As a wife and mother, as well as in other relations, she was affectionate, diligent, and faithful. Her last illness was short and severe. A fortnight before her death she was present at her class-meeting, and in the course of the same week attended a series of special religious services. On the succeeding Sabbath, she was in her accustomed place in the sanctuary; but the same evening became seriously ill, and in eight days entered into rest. W. L.

February 28th.-At Redcar, Mr. Coverdale Smith. He was born at Estow, in the year 1834. His parents were members of the Established Church, and he was brought up to attend its services, and became a Sunday-school teacher. The clergyman took much interest in him, and treated him with great kindness; but he became painfully conscious that there was something in religion which he did not possess. After a considerable time spent in this state of mind, he went, on a Sunday evening, in July, 1857, to the Methodist chapel,-there being no service in the church, and heard Mr. Hutchinson, of Redcar. He was so impressed, that he followed the preacher on his way home, to have conversation with him. Mr. Hutchinson pointed out to him the simple way of salvation by faith in Christ; and they both retired into a by-road to pray. Mr. Hutchinson commenced singing that verse,

"Believe in Him that died for thee,

And, sure as He hath died, Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free, And thou art justified."

After singing it several times, Mr. Smith was enabled by the Holy Ghost to rest on the Saviour, and obtained the blessing of conscious pardon. He immediately joined the WesleyanMethodist Society, and began to exhort and pray with people. It was not long before he began to preach; and he was even proposed as a candidate for the ministry, but the state of his health being precarious, he was not accepted. A sphere of labour was opened to him, asa Local preacher, in the Stokesley Circuit, and afterwards at Walsingham, while his occasional services were extended to the Durham, Bishop-Auckland, Barnard-Castle, Alnwick, Middleham, and other Circuits. His last sermon was preached at Bowes, in the Barnard-Castle Cireuit. He was then much out of health; and afterwards went to Redcar, to be under medical treatment. Upon his arrival, he felt that his work was done, and wished to see his most intimate friend, Mr. J. Dawson, for their mutual comfort and religious joy. A few minutes before he died, he asked for a little water, and repeated,

"Let the water and the blood

From Thy wounded side which flow'd," &c.

His last word was "Hallelujah," and as he uttered it, he raised his hand in triumph. He died respected and beloved. More than four hundred persons from various Circuits attended his funeral. According to his request, there was inscribed on his coffin the text, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin."

T. B.

March 21st At Cross-Banks, Shipley, aged sixty-eight years, Mr. Thomas Crabtree. In early life he obtained converting grace, and, having joined the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, his attachment to the Church of his choice was earnest and abiding. He efficiently sustained all the offices which Methodism provides for her intelligent and godly members; and in the history of the Shipley Circuit, his name will ever have considerable prominence. His health had been feeble for some time, and the means employed for its invigoration proved unsuccessful. The debility induced by his last affliction rendered continuous conversation impracticable; but his mind was serene, and his faith assured. As he drew near the close of life, he expressed in broken accents his unshaken trust in Christ, and his joyous hope of heaven. After a severe paroxysm of pain, he exclaimed,

"Come, let us join our cheerful songs,

With angels round the throne," &c.; and addressing the writer, he waved his hand, and said, with a smiling countenance, "I am going to claim my heavenly mansion; " adding, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin." In this frame of mind he passed safely" through the gates into the city," "to be for ever with the Lord." J. T. L.

March 21st.-At Chelmsford, Benjamin Carpenter Lewis, second son of the late Rev. Joseph Lewis. In early life he was very susceptible of religious impressions, and in after years he often referred to the prayers and teachings of his mother. These impressions, however, passed away, and, as he grew up to youth and manhood, the gaieties and pleasures of the world completely drowned any serious thoughts he had once had. For several years he sought his happiness in the world, and it was only a short time before the death of his father that he was led to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and to seek, with a broken heart, reconciliation to God. Never was there a more marked or decided change than Mr. Lewis's conversion presented. Old things, indeed, passed away, and all things became new. The Spirit breathed a new life into his soul, and his great desire, from that time forth, was in all things to please God. The simplicity of his faith; the beauty, earnestness, and power of his prayers; and the intense relish he felt for Christian communion, will never be forgotten by those who were united with him in church-fellowship. All through his long and painful affliction he never once murmured or repined; but acknowledged the goodness and mercy of God in all His dealings with him. Only a few days before his death, in the clearest and most forcible language, he expressed to one very dear to him the constant sense he felt of the presence of God, and his gratitude to those around him for their kindness and attention. While his friends mourn the loss of one whose intelligence, geniality, and affectionate disposition endeared him greatly to them, they mourn not as those without hope, for they have the assurance that he has gone "to be with Christ, which is far better." F. W.

March 28th, At Denby-Dale, Mr. Joseph Wood, aged eighty. He was the son of godly parents, who were among the first Methodists in this part of Yorkshire. Although he was carefully trained to fear and worship God, it was not until he was about twenty-three years of age that he was savingly converted. From that time he was remarkable for deep and consistent piety. For more than fifty years he laboured in the cause of Christ; and his works do follow him. He filled many offices in the Church; but it was as a Class-leader and conductor of the Sabbath-school, that his usefulness was most apparent. He felt an absorbing interest in the welfare of the young, and used all available means to promote their spiritual good. At different periods of his life, domestic bereavements, troubles in business, and the conduct of unreasonable men, tested severely his faith and patience. His last illness-an affection of the brain-was tedious and somewhat painful; but at intervals he bore striking testimony to the love of God, and to the sustaining power of llis grace.

April 2d-At Heanor, in the Ripley Circuit, Mr. Joseph Smith, in his seventy-fifth year. He had not the advantage of a liberal education, or of a religious training. By great force of character, under the Divine blessing, he pursued a

successful business career; but it was not until after his marriage that he became a decided Christian. In 1815, she who now especially mourns his loss, accompanied him to a village lovefeast, when both were led to give their hearts to God. They at once joined the Mechodist Society. For fifty-three years Mr. Smith met in the same class; first as a member, and afterwards as the leader. He took a deep and constant interest in the Society's affairs. His character was marked by Christian humility and sincerity; but he was frequently restrained by timidity from the public expression of his religious experience. During the last few years there was an evident growth in grace; and when the final affliction came, he was blessedly ready. Ile was free from temptation, and his natural fear gave way to holy confidence and triumph. "O, my blessed Saviour," he said, "Thou wilt never leave me! O, to sit with Thee upon Thy throne! O, the everlasting light! I shall be 'for ever with the Lord.' Of His abundant mercy He saves me." Some of his last words were, "Victory! Everlasting joy! Henceforth a G. S. crown!"

May 7th.-At Green-Street Green, in the Gravesend Circuit, Mr. William Peat, in the sixty-third year of his age. Very much of his early life was spent in France, where he lived according to the course of this world. Soon after his marriage, he returned to England. The death of his eldest child, who was suddenly taken away, led him to resolve to seek God; and while hearing a funeral sermon by the Rev. R. Rymer, in Dartford chapel, be found, through Christ, the pardon of his sins. In the village where he resided there was no place of worship; and at once, with the consent of his pious wife, he opened his house for Methodist services. This effort was crowned with success, and resulted in the formation of a Society and Sunday-school, and in the erection of a chapel, under the Superintendency of the Rev. Dr. G. Scott. Mr. Peat was a man of great modesty, ever "esteeming others better than himself." He lived a blameless life. His last days were days of sorrow and mental disease. But the few expressions that he uttered in his illness showed that his heart was right with God.

J. P.

May 31st.-At Boroughbridge, in the Ripon Circuit, Mr. James Swale, after an illness of only a few days. On one Sabbath he was in his place in the house of God; on the next he passed to the higher service of leaven. He was a consistent Christian, unassuming, of a kind and cheerful disposition, hospitable, and active in promoting the interests of the cause of God. For a number of years he held the office of Society-steward, and discharged his duties with the greatest diligence and fidelity. His experience, as given at the class-meeting, for several weeks before his decease, was remarked to be more than usually joyous and confident. He departed peacefully trusting in Jesus, having just completed his fifty-fifth year.

A. H. M.