upon me with fear and trembling; but, having assumed it, I have felt it to be my duty, looking up to God for guidance, to vindicate, so far as it was in my power to do so, the Church's faith, and at least rescue it from the charge of conniving at false teaching in the person of one of its prelates. The accusations brought are many and weighty. They touch the greater number of those doctrines which have been most debated within the Church, and which are unanimously regarded as fundamental. It is with the deepest pain that I have arrived at the conclusion to which I am driven, that my brother, once a witness for the truth, is now a destroyer of that faith which in days past he upheld. I do not stand alone in this conviction. It is hardly too much to say that the whole Church concurs in it. On account of these writings which have been under review, nearly every bishop of the Church of England has called upon him to resign his see, and, on his refusal to do this, has inhibited him from officiating in his diocese. And both Houses of the Provincial Synod and Convocation of Canterbury have pronounced their formal judgment against that work of his which has attracted most attention, but which is hardly more dangerous than the other. They have united in a solemn declaration that 'the book contains errors of the gravest and most dangerous character, subversive of faith in the Bible as the word of God.' This is a very heavy condemnation. It has, however, further, in my judgment, been most clearly and convincingly proved against the accused,

in the proceedings which have taken place before the bishops of this province, that, not on one point only, but on many, he has contravened and denied the Catholic faith, as taught and expressed in the creeds, articles, and formularies of the Church. It becomes, therefore, my painful duty, first to declare that, convicted as he has been of false teaching on many grave and fundamental points, involving a wide and systematic departure from the faith, he is unfit, so long as he shall persist in these errors, to bear rule in the Church of God, or to exercise any sacred offices whatever therein; and, next, to pass sentence accordingly. In this opinion, and in the sentence which I am about to give, my assessors entirely agree. I have only to add that, if it be desired, as has been intimated, to make a formal appeal to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, I shall consent to forward my judgment to his Grace for revision, waiving in this particular case, which is in itself novel, and of great importance to the whole Church, any real or supposed rights of this Church, and feeling that it will be a very great relief to submit my decision to the chief pastor of the Church at home, and to share my responsibilities with him, and, if he should see fit, with the other bishops of the national Church." His Lordship then delivered judgment, depriving Bishop Colenso of his see, unless on or before the 4th of March next the Bishop shall file a full, unconditional, and absolute retractation in writing of all the objectionable extracts, in London, or a like retractation by April 16th in Cape-Town.

success was great; and she had charge of three considerable classes up to the time of her mortal affliction. She was a judicious counsellor, a generous friend, and a liberal benefactress to the poor. Her love to Methodism was intense, though freed from all sectarian taint; and she cherished the highest esteem for its ministers. At the commencement of her illness, she was in a state of amazing religious dejection, verging on despair. Probably, her malady (disease of the heart) occasioned this; and, no doubt, Satan was permitted to

assail her faith, in order that the power of Christ might be more signally glorified in the merciful deliverance which followed. At length, she emerged from the gloom of despair into the brightness of assured hope. The deliverance was complete and triumphant ; and, although her physical sufferings became more and more acute and exhausting, depriving her almost entirely of sleep for three wearisome weeks, yet her faith was never again shaken, nor her hope dimmed. Peace, joy, and even ecstasy, prevailed in her greatest anguish and prostration; and occasionally she broke the stillness of night, and made the dark valley ring with her songs, poured forth in sweeter and more musical strains than had been ever before heard from her voice. This blessed victory was sustained, day and night, by beautiful and select passages of holy Scripture, which she continually repeated from a richly-stored memory. passed away in a quiet sleep, her departing spirit leaving the impress of its own hallowed benignity on her lovely countenance. R. S. E.

She

MRS. ISABELLA PENNY, late of Preston, was born at Lancaster, December 29th, 1798. Her parents were in a respectable position of life, and regularly attended the Established Church. Her uncle and aunt, the late Mr. and Mrs. John Leece, of Preston, took her into their family while but a child, and adopted her as their daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Leece were among the first Methodists in the town of Preston. The former was personally acquainted with Mr. Wesley. He was a man of strong sense, consistent piety, and useful talents. For long years he was a classleader, Local preacher, and trustee of many chapels; and, to the last, a firm friend and liberal supporter of Christ's cause. Under his roof Mrs. Penny found a peaceful, bountiful, and Christian home. Here she obtained a godly training, which produced the most happy effects in her subsequent life. In the year 1819 she became deeply convinced of the necessity of personal holiness, and resolved to seek it with all her heart. She soon happily obtained pardoning and renewing grace, and became active, diligent, and useful. Her only regret was, that she had not done this before. She united herself to the Methodist Society and joined the class of the late John Howard, Esq.,-a gentleman of good position and great influence, who lived and died a devoted Methodist.

After her conversion Mrs. Penny was fully intent on doing good to others. She was one of the first Missionary collectors in Preston, and a visiter of the Samaritan (Benevolent) Society. She also became a teacher in the Sundayschool, and a tract-distributer. Her efforts were not spasmodic and transient, but regular and continuous. She attended the school, and distributed tracts, till the claims of her family demanded all her time. To the close of life she retained her love for Christian Missions, and for the poor at home.

In the year 1821 she was united in marriage to Mr. John Penny; who, happily, like herself, was a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. In every sense she was "a help meet" to her husband; a pattern of industry, frugality, and order. Her house was model of neatness and comfort; and she was ever ready to welcome her Christian friends to the hospitalities of the social board.

As a mother, she was deeply attached to her children, and most anxious for their salvation. She has bequeathed to them the legacy of a good example, and the boon of many prayers. Some of her latest intercessions were, that those she was leaving behind might meet her in heaven.

Thirty-five years her husband's class met under his own roof; and she always felt it a privilege and pleasure to have such a meeting in her house. On several occasions Mr. Penny filled the office of Circuit-steward; and many letters re ceived since her decease bear grateful testimony to her affectionate solicitude for the comfort of her ministers and their families. For some years, owing to domestic afflictions, she resided in the country, and regularly attended a small village chapel. She heard our respected Local preachers, as well as the regular ministers, with much profit; and at her house all the Lord's servants invariably received a hearty welcome. meetings she much prized; and, toward the close of life, these invaluable means were made a greater blessing to her than ever. When she lived in the country, and had some miles to travel, she was seldom absent from the circle of those who assembled to exhort and edify one another.

Class

A short time before her decease, she returned to her residence in the town, hoping to enjoy more fully the means of grace, and the society of her old friends. God, however, had determined otherwise: for, within three weeks, abe was

For a short time, in the summer following, he yielded to a lukewarm disposition. But, in answer to the prayers of God's people, he recovered his ground. Henceforth his "path" was that "of the just," which "shineth more and more unto the perfect day." As a leader and Local preacher, he was diligent, punctual, acceptable, and useful.

Five years ago, he was called to suffer a painful bereavement. While labouring in the mine, his eldest son fell down the shaft, and was killed on the spot. Though the father murmured not, yet he never fully recovered from the shock. The Rev. F. A. West, then President of the Conference, was the honoured instrument of ministering strong consolation to the bereaved parent, both by preaching, and by sending a sympathizing letter.

For several years the health of Mr. Peacock was so precarious that he could seldom preach. During his last affliction he was graciously supported and comforted. Some relatives, seeing how greatly he suffered, were compassionating his case, when he said, "Don't call me poor: I am rich in faith, an heir of glory; and am going to a crown." Shortly after, with the name of Jesus on his lips, he entered into the rest remaining for the people of God.

JON. BARROWCLOUGH.

WILLIAM was the fourth child of Edward and Hannah FORD, of Chinley, Derbyshire; and was born on the 9th of January, 1790. His parents were strictly moral, and regular in their attendance on the ministry of the Rev. J. Sutcliffe, Minister of the Presbyterian chapel.

After years of sin, William strolled heedlessly, one fine Sabbath-day, into the Wesleyan chapel of the village, when the Rev. Joseph Agar was preaching. "Often had I felt it my duty to serve God," he said; "but I never felt myself such a sinner before. The word came with power. But, instead of yielding to the influence of truth, and of the Holy Spirit, I went to the nearest tavern to stifle conviction. A month after, the Lord took the hammer of affliction, and brought down my stubbornness. I caught a fever, then prevalent in the village. It was of a most fearful character: almost entire families were swept away. I expected to be among the number. This brought me to consider my ways,-to repent, and seek the Lord while He might be found. Nor did I seek in vain. About eleven

o'clock at night, March 18th, 1814, the Lord spoke peace to my soul, and bound up my broken heart."

The genuineness of his faith was clearly shown in the works immediately flowing therefrom. The following incident is an illustration,-"My first work, after my conversion, was, to make restitution. As I was returning home late one evening with two of my wicked companions, they, regardless of consequences, began to damage the property of a neighbouring farmer. I took no part with them: I felt such conduct to be very wrong. But I now gave my class-leader a sum of money, wishing him to forward it to the injured farmer. Never, till then, was my mind at rest about it!"

William Ford first became a member of Society in the Buxton Circuit. He was subsequently appointed leader of a class; which office he sustained to the time of his decease. It pleased God to bless his first efforts to be useful. He attended a prayer-meeting on one occasion, when the cottage was well filled, but he was the only praying man present. How to Occupy the time was the question. Lifting up his heart to God for help, he began an exhortation. Two young men were then convinced of sin, who became truly pious, and both died in the faith.

Forty years he laboured, and not without fruit, in the capacity of Local preacher. It deserves record, that his last sermon was on Proverbs xiv. 32: "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death."

In his family he was a pattern of regularity, and remarkably punctual at the family altar. Up to his seventieth year he was able to attend his various appointments with a good degree of comfort. In September, 1862, it became evident that he was sinking. His last Sabbath was spent with one of his old Local brethren, and his own little family. At the close, he said it had indeed been a day of rest to his soul. On the Wednesday following he said, "I am a sufferer, but the Lord gives me patience." His son remarked, that the Lord had given him grace to serve Him, to labour in His vineyard, and to suffer His will; and that this was a pledge of the rest; --that He would give dying grace, when needed. "Yes," he replied, "thank God! He will." All the promises were precious; but his soul seemed to cling most to that one,-"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." On Thursday

his son said, "You find Christ precious." "I do," he replied. "I feel much of His love, but I want to feel more. We know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God,'" &c. On Friday he was engaged much in ejaculatory prayer. On Saturday morning a friend said to him, "A few more storms, William." "Yes," he replied; "they will not be many. I shall soon land." So he did, about noon. With eyes uplifted, and lips moving in prayer, he breathed his last, November 29th, 1862, in the seventy-third year of his age. J. B.

BENJAMIN DARLING, late a Local preacher in the Bradford East Circuit, was the son of a sailor. He was born on the rock of Gibraltar in 1797. Neither of his parents had so much as the form of religion: the sunny gladness of a Christian home was not his heritage. He grew up in folly and sin; and, till he was twenty-five years of age, earnestly followed the desires and vanities of a corrupt heart. For some time he had lived in Bradford, and was married, being a stranger still to God, a prodigal in a far-off country. One Sunday night both he and his wife were singularly, but mercifully, led into Kirkgate chapel. David Stoner, honoured of God and beloved of man, was that night preach ing with his usual fervour. Nor did he preach in vain the "arrows" of the Almighty were "sharp in the heart of the King's enemies,' ," and many that night were subdued under Him. Benjamin and his wife were simultaneously awakened, and in the disquietude of their soul groaned for deliverance from sin and wrath. Within a few minutes of each other, they were made free, and exulted in the liberty of the children of God. Benjamin was now "a new creature.” It was no mere impulse, passing away with the occasion, but a new creation, to which his changed life gave full testimony. Capable of strong emotion, though not easily excited, he yearned to see others made "partakers of like precious faith." But now a want was felt which had never before pressed upon his attention: he could not read, and he thirsted for knowledge. Resolute in determination, the man the married man-the father-took up his alphabet and "primer," and bent his powers to the acquisition so much desired, until for himself he read the sacred oracles, and with joy drew water from that well of salvation. The volume of inspiration was no longer a sealed book; for the

eyes of his understanding had been opened, and the power, so lately acquired, was most diligently and profitably used. With plodding perseverance he read books of divinity and history, under the guidance of the Rev. Dr. Townley, T. H. Walker, and J. Rigg, who took great interest in him, and, seeing in him the promise of usefulness, engaged him in the service of Christ. To hear him preach in after years, and to converse with him, showed that he had intermeddled with much knowledge. To an unusual degree of excellence had he cultivated his power of expres sion; and "acceptable words" forcibly conveyed his thoughts. His was not a zeal which led him to labour abroad whilst he neglected his own house or his own relatives. The one thing he did, nor did he leave the other undone. His mother, late in life, and many members of his family who have died in the faith, will praise God for his self-denying zeal in warning them to "flee from the wrath to come." His neighbours felt that a godly man had come in their midst. When the clergyman appointed to the neighbourhood entered upon his seemingly difficult and discouraging toil, he found in Mr. Darling and his wife those who not only encouraged him in his work, but aided him likewise. By the higher classes of society this good man's devotion and consistency were observed, and men of station sought his society, and confessed themselves profited by his conversation. And let it be said for their honour, and the honour of our brother, that when the church erected by the persevering labour of the Rev. Mr. Stowell was consecrated to the service of God, Mr. Darling was a guest at the house of the gentleman where the clergy and others assembled to dine.

There were times when he endured much on account of the firmness with which he held his convictions of right and truth. Unflinching amid strong trial, he still maintained his fidelity to the church of his choice, and his love to its ministers. His country, also, shared largely his loyal affection. For many months his resignation to the will of God was tested by a most painful disease. But his faith triumphed, when "heart and flesh failed;" for God was indeed "the strength of his heart, and his portion for ever." And this, though Satan was allowed to buffet him, and in his latter days he was at times sorely oppressed. Visits paid him can never be forgotten. The hearty welcome, tl.e