folk-street chapel. God gave me most precious help in time of need. For this I am deeply thankful."

"December 3d.-Last evening we had a social meeting of the officers and stewards in Norfolk-street vestry. It was suggested that a gathering of this kind might be profitable, by drawing the bonds of union tighter, and giving a fresh impetus to personal and combined efforts to bring back to this shattered Circuit days of prosperity. This meeting will not soon be forgotten; it will live in many souls. May the fire long burn."

"March 14th, 1854.-This frail body must yield to disease. Am I living to God? I trust I am humbly striving to be the Lord's, always the Lord's. Help me, Saviour!"

"January 11th, 1855.-Last evening I went to Grimesthorpe. The congregation is much improved. I made an effort to be clear and pointed. The walk there and back is little more than seven miles. The night was dark. How truly happy was I in the winding lanes, reminded as I was of the mercies of God, who for forty years has given me the privilege to serve Him and His Church. I thought of my early Circuits, and my many dark journeys, long walks, and manifold vicissitudes. I love with increasing ardour my country work. Village preaching, though with its now fatiguing walks, I most ardently love. To drop one grain of immortal seed, what an honour!"

The taber

'January 27th.—I am now much distressed with palpitation of the heart. A dull pain, with an irregular action, is almost continuous. There is disease, but its extent at present is uncertain. nacle must sooner or later give way. The laws of the God of nature cannot be resisted. They may operate slowly; but, like the sleepless tides of the ocean, they are active by night and by day. I am anxious in my affliction to keep awake to its certain result, and to stand prepared for it."

"March 6th.-Severe temptations depress me. My harp is soon unstrung and tuneless. I am about to give tickets to three classes, and wish to make this duty a means of grace to myself. Lord Jesus, shield me in the time of battle and temptation." "March 29th.-My strength fails me. Medicine cannot do much for me. My official work is well nigh done. God help me calmly and quietly to quit the field, and give up the pastoral staff to more hale and competent servants! 'Guide me,' Lord, 'with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.'"

He

"April 7th. My mind is calm; God greatly blesses me. shines upon my soul in His parental love and favour. My conflicts at present are ceased. The sea is at rest. How grateful I am for His delivering hand and helping power! I am most anxious to finish the work He has given me to do."

"December 7th.-On this day, 1846, my daughter Mary Ann in the bloom of youth entered into the paradise where afflictions vex the soul no more. I shall not forget the hour when she felt her dissolution at hand. Looking at me with the utmost affection, she said, 'You will soon follow; it will not be long,'-as if wishful for a reunion,

and the commencement of new-born fellowship in heaven. So let it be! I seem to stand upon the last province of time's domain. Of late my mind has been much absorbed with the thought of death. It is an awful event. It is a lasting proof of man's sin, a perpetual demonstration of the justice of God. Yet sun-light goes into that deep vault: Because I live, ye shall live also.' We hear a voice, the voice of Jesus in the majesty of His condescension: 'I will raise him up again at the last day.' My dear children, lilies broken in the green stem, with my never-forgotten wife, are in His hand, and shall come forth to the resurrection of life.'

"July 10th, 1856.-Much occupied in preparing for the Confer

ence.

I am striving to live to God and under the influences of the Holy Spirit. I am still a subject of mental conflicts, but am most thankful for help. It is mercy, all mercy, from first to last.”

In the foregoing extracts mention was made of a meeting of friends in which a scheme was propounded for the relief of the Circuit in its embarrassed circumstances. We are enabled to give some account of the results of this meeting. A friend says: "Mr. Methley entered upon his labours in Sheffield after agitation had done great mischief. It was no easy task to pour oil upon the troubled waters; yet, amidst almost insurmountable difficulties, and many discouragements, he managed the affairs of the Circuit with admirable discretion. He projected a scheme for reducing the heavy debts on the three town chapels. This was successfully carried through. I shall not easily forget the admirable manner in which he conducted the first meeting connected with that most important movement. He appeared to weigh every man, and know what each ought to throw into the treasury of the Lord. He had got the amount in his mind which be thought should then and there be subscribed. And kindly and faithfully did he urge upon those present to give as God had prospered them. The scheme, to be successful,' he said, 'must begin well.' His appeal met with a cheerful and liberal response. The hearts of the people were touched. Offerings unto the Lord were forthcoming accordingly. His three beloved colleagues heartily joined in the work, and the united effort of ministers, officers, members, and friends, was crowned with success. The Almighty, to whom belong the silver and the gold, and who disposes all hearts, put His own seal upon the movement. Four thousand pounds were raised to reduce the debts on our too heavily burdened chapels. Other results also followed. During his third year's appointment with us, under the ministry of himself and colleagues, sinners were converted, and many accessions were made to the church of Christ."

In the Manchester First Circuit, to which Mr. Methley removed at the Conference of 1856, he finished his itinerant work. His three years of service there were chequered by much suffering. In the winter of the first year he was obliged to retire for some weeks to Cudworth, in order to recruit his health. But in age and affliction he nobly bore up, and attended diligently to his work to the end. He thus speaks for himself:

"October 11th.-By the Providence of God I have been brought to this city, and I humbly hope it is in perfect harmony with His infinite wisdom and goodness. I preached yesterday at Cheetham-Hill. I never felt so helped of God. To my own mind the assistance I received had the character of inspiration, I was so directly helped and empowered by the Holy One. I record this as a memorial of my sincere gratitude, my absolute dependence upon the special help of the Spirit, whose direct influence I distinctly acknowledge and thankfully glorify.

cast. I am now a SuperI trust it is all of God. I

"August 14th, 1859. The die is numerary. I have long thought of it. thank Him, in the name of my atoning Saviour, for all the mercies which have been bestowed on us. We think of residing at Sheffield. To be directed of God in this matter has been a subject of much prayer. I feel indeed that the summer of life is gone, manifold infirmities are upon me. I have an impression that life will soon close. I am seeking to be ready."

His last days were full of comfort and hope. We have but one record from his own pen :

"September 29th, 1861.-I am seeking in much prayer to be meet for my Lord's appearance. I rest on His atoning blood for daily acceptance, entire sanctity, and a meetness for heaven. I know for myself the import of the couplet which Mr. Wesley quoted when the good hope of heaven flooded his soul with light and peace :

This is my hope.

"I the chief of sinners am,

But Jesus died for me.'

Heaven is my home.

Heaven is my home. I leave myself in the hands of God. How frequently at the sacramental table have I sung,

'Happy, if with my latest breath

I may but gasp His name!'

Let my last words be a testimony for Christ. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, remember me for good!"

At

Mr. Methley continued to meet two classes, and to preach as his strength allowed. About six months before his death the sad tidings arrived that a beloved son had met with an accident at Sierra-Leone, from the effects of which death ensued in a few days. From that time his spirits never rallied. He strove to continue his work, and appear cheerful in the presence of others; but his health declined apace. length bronchitis set in, and the disease from which he had long suffered also made rapid progress. The strong man became feeble as a child. To the Rev. W. H. Taylor he said: "This bronchial ailment holds me with an unrelenting grasp. You must get my places supplied, and look after my classes; give me no work on the next Plan." On another occasion: "If I could only get to the chapel, and hear a sermon, meet my classes, and visit a few sick people, my sphere of labour would be magnificent." At length he said: "The Master is come, and calleth for me." From that time he ripened for death.

Sometimes he had much pain, and was greatly depressed through sore conflicts. But his faith in the Atonement was unshaken. After remarking one day how much he longed for such a visitation of the love of God as Mr. Welch, of Hull, enjoyed, he added, "But if not now, I shall have it in heaven; I rest upon the Atonement."

To the Rev. G. O. Bate he said: "It has been a desperate conflict,-hard work; but by God's grace I think I have been kept from sin." Reference being made to his past life, he said: "I have never trifled with religion, and all is well now; it is all right." He prayed much. Tɔ his daughter he whispered, "To patient faith the prize is sure." Ou reading the obituary records in the Minutes, he exclaimed, "They all die well; thank God, they all die well; and I trust I shall die well too." To Mr. Longden, two days before his death, he observed, that he had been blessed during the last few days with some unusual seasons of communion with the Spirit of God. He longed to preach to the people once again, that he might declare those things that had been shown unto him. Christ being referred to, he said, "I am a sinner saved by grace. Christ is near, but I want to feel Him nearer; it will be all right when I reach heaven.”

:

To the Rev. John Kirk he spoke of his sincerity: "I have aimed to be right all my life." Of his sufferings: "My sufferings are great; but hard metals require hot fires to fuse them." Of his hopes the passage from the collect being quoted, "Suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death to fall from Thee;"-" Yes, that prayer will be heard case." Of his trust: "I am resting on the blood of the Atone

in my

ment."

In the afternoon of October 31st, Mr. Kirk again saw him, and said, "I hope the Lord has given you the victory." Mr. Methley gasped the words, "The final victory is "Mr. Kirk interposed, "I mean the victory over the harassing temptations from which you have suffered so much the final victory you will have by-and-by in heaven." Mr. Methley smiled, and with a clear and full voice replied, "The final victory is sure, is sure." He spoke but little after this. His spirit was composed, evidently engaged in meditation and prayer; and at nine o'clock in the evening he calmly fell asleep, and entered into his rest.

We have been wishful in this memoir to let the subject of it speak for himself. The extracts from his journal make it unnecessary to add more than a few remarks upon his character. Mr. Methley retained his original simplicity during his long ministry. Born and brought up in the farm-house of his father, he cherished through life a lively impression of the beauties of nature. Indeed, none could know him without being aware that he had retained all the freshness of his early days in this particular. He was eminently the pastor of his flock. His friends will remember with what warmth of heart and simplicity he entered their dwelling, sat down among them, and gave them his advice and sympathy. This open-hearted carriage won for him their confidence and love.

From the commencement of his career he was a diligent reader,

possessing a well-selected library of the best English authors on theology, history, and general literature. Though mourning over frequent interruptions, he mentions a large number of volumes which he had perused.

The office of superintendent in the Wesleyan Connexion often entails great responsibility and anxiety. The management of some of Mr. Methley's Circuits was something like the management of an encumbered estate. Deficiencies had to be provided for, jarring interests brought into harmony with each other, and a discouraged people at times to be stimulated to activity. He preserved, however, the elasticity and the warmth of his spiritual affections to the end. He was particularly affectionate and kind to the young. "He 'naturally' cared for the church under his charge in all its interests, neglecting nothing, and doing everything in order." Knowing that the growth of a Christian society depends upon the spiritual life of its members, he was anxious "to feed the flock committed to his charge" with sound doctrine and judicious counsel. His Circuits, thus faithfully watched over, were usually kept in peace, and often rose to great prosperity. His work is done; and he stands before us as a true man, full of fine affections, and deep and wide sympathies, a genuine believer in the truths of the Gospel, a consistent and eminent Christian, a very able preacher, and a kind-hearted, careful, and indefatigable pastor of the flock of Christ.*

PRAYING AND WATCHING.

(EPHESIANS VI. 18.)

WATCHFULNESS and prayer are two duties so closely allied, that we habitually speak of them in conjunction with each other. We do this under the express sanction of many passages of Scripture. St. Paul directs us not only to be "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," but also, as he immediately adds, to be "watching thereunto with all perseverance." St. Peter, admonishing us that "the end of all things is at hand," warns us to "be sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter iv. 7.) And our blessed Saviour, when He found the disciples sleeping in the garden of Gethsemane, gave them this counsel, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." (Matt. xxvi. 41.)

It would be easy to point out a certain difference in the nature of these duties; inasmuch as the one is a voluntary act, a conscious outbreathing of the soul towards God, while the other is rather a habit than an act. Yet the spirit of watchfulness can only exist where there is a succession of acts of self-denial and self-control; and, on the other hand, prayer ought to be so frequently offered that it becomes a habit, as is evident from the com

* A sketch of the character of Mr. Methley, by the Rev. James Dixon, D.D., appeared in the Sixpenny Edition of this Magazine for 1862, p. 369.