health failed, and he was compelled to leave his Circuit. He sustained a long and painful affliction not only with fortitude, but thankfulness. On the evening before he died, he spoke of his "I prospects with great power and sweetness. love heaven," he said, "for its purity." His father was administering to him the sacrament of the Lord's supper, when he was called hence. "Let me drink of the blood of my Redeemer," he said, and almost immediately expired. His piety was deep, his disposition mild and unobtrusive, his talents good, and his deportment consistent with both his religious and ministerial profession. B. G.

Sept. 1st.-At Crow-Trees, Barrowford, in the Colne Circuit, Mrs. Grimshaw, in the seventyfourth year of her age, relict of the late T. Grimshaw, whose death is noticed in page 331 of this volume. She was a sincere, pious, humble Christian; and one, who was exemplary for the consistency of her deportment, and regular attendance on the house of God. To the poor she was a true friend; and the church of Christ, by her death, has lost a steady member and liberal supporter. She bore her last affliction, which was extremely painful, with Christian patience. Being asked, the day on which she died, if she was happy; she replied, "Yes!" Being directed to look to Christ, she said, "I have long looked to him, and he now supports me." After a few hours of excruciating pain, she “languished into life," having been a member of the Wesleyan society about eighteen years.

J. W.

Sept. 1st.-At Shepton-Mallett, Miss Emma Brignall. When about twenty years of age, she entered upon a Christian profession, becoming a member of an Independent Church; but the last six years of her life were spent in connexion with the Wesleyan-Methodist society. She enjoyed, through faith in the Redeemer, the witness of God's adopting love; assiduously cultivated communion with the Most High, as the source of spiritual life and strength; and clearly manifested its sanctifying influence. In her last illness, though called to endure great pain, she manifested uninterrupted meekness and resignation; and often said, "All is peace." In her will she bequeathed £50 to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and £40 to the Preachers' Annuitant Society. H. W. W.

Sept. 16th.-At Dundalk, Ireland, Miss Rachel Smith, in the thirtieth year of her age. In 1829 she united herself with the Methodist society in this town; and subsequently obtained an evidence of her acceptance with God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; which inestimable blessing she never lost. Her piety was deep, uniform, and consistent, and nowhere appeared to greater advantage than in the bosom of her family; her disposition remarkably amiable; her example edifying. She died in the triumph of faith. Her expiring words were, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" T. B

Sept. 31st.-At Knaresborough, in the twentyninth year of her age, Elizabeth Kilby, the

affectionate wife of the Rev. J. Mitchell, and daughter of the Rev. William Pearson, jun., of Bridlington. She joined the Wesleyan society in early life, and experienced a sound conversion to God; though, from peculiar timidity, and not always being aware of the device of Satan whereby he seeks to push even conscientiousness into unbelief, her mind was often perplexed by doubts and fears. Her conduct was unblamable, and gained her the esteem of all who knew her. Possessed of a superior and highly-cultivated understanding, she consecrated all her energies and talents to the service of her Maker, and the benefit of her fellow-creatures. She died in great peace. Her last words were, "Glory! Praise the Lord!" dying with the expression, "Glory!" on her lips. J. M.

Sept. 26th.-At Hexham, John Bell, aged sixty-eight; having been upwards of thirty years a member of the Methodist society. He was a man who, through his consistent deportment, had a good report from all who knew him; and though but a miner, won, by his piety, respect for religion from many who are "without." For several years he had been much out of health; but he regularly attended the means of grace, till the last day of life. On the Sabbath he attended the services of the house of prayer, and early on Monday morning he was suddenly called to meet his God. The respect in which he was held, was shown by the large congregation which attended when the sermon on occasion of his funeral was preached. J. C.

Sept. 28th.-At Brighton, aged sixty-eight, Mrs. Susanna Collins. For fourteen years in London, and twelve years in Brighton, she had been united to the Wesleyan society, and was remarkable for her love to the "gates of Zion," and, indeed, her punctual attendance at all the means of grace. Though generally diffident in her professions, yet, during her protracted illness, she was calmly confident; and, when passing through the valley of the shadow of death," she testified, "Christ is precious; he is precious." J. C.

Oct. 10th.-At Stroud, Mr. Walter Watkins, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. When seventeen years old, he joined the Methodist society, and shortly after found peace with God. For a long period he filled various offices in the Wesleyan Connexion, and endeavoured to make himself useful till the close of life. About a week before he died, he wrote to his son as follows: "I think my time will be very short; but my trust is in the all-sufficient merits of my Saviour. I come to Him as a poor sinner. I know that I have not followed cunningly-devised fables, but that there is a reality in religion, such as may be experienced." Mr. Watkins finished his course suddenly; but he died in the Lord. J. S.

Oct. 12th.-At Long-Stratton, in the NewBuckenham Circuit, in the seventy-third year of her age, Lydia Gostling, having been a steady member of the Wesleyan society upwards of fifty years. For about twenty-six years she had lived in service with Mr. Mallett, who intro

duced Methodism into Long-Stratton, and whose house was the Preachers' home for many years. G. N.

Oct. 14th.-At Carmarthen, Mrs. Bridget Timmins, wife of Aaron Timmins, Esq. She had been a member of the Wesleyan society upwards of forty years. By her death the Methodists here, and especially the poor, have lost a most generous friend. But their loss, we believe, is her eternal gain. J. P.

Oct. 18th.-At Dundee, aged forty-six, Jane, wife of the Rev. J. Beckwith, Wesleyan Minister. She had been a consistent member of the Methodist society twenty-six years. Her mind was richly cultivated by extensive and various reading; but as to the holy Scriptures she was most attached, so with them she was most familiar. She was diffident and retiring, avoiding all"display;" but she possessed great strength of mind, and was deeply devoted to God. In her last moments, though greatly depressed by the peculiar nature of her disease, she broke out into some of the most sublime strains of adoring praise to the Trinity, on the work of the Father, Son, and Spirit, in the salvation of man, that I ever heard; and exclaimed, just before she breathed her last, pouring out her heart to the Triune God,

"O let me catch one smile from thee, And drop into eternity."

J. B.

Oct. 18th.-At Bath, aged sixty-four, Mrs. Sarah Shum, widow of the late Mr. Yerick Shum. She had been a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist society upwards of forty-four years; and adorned her profession by a uniformly Christian conduct. For several years she had been deprived of the power of moving from her seat without help; and was consequently unable to attend the services of the sanctuary; but, during the whole of her confinement, she exhibited the most entire resignation. Her last illness was short. A few hours of suffering were followed by an apoplectic seizure, which deprived her of consciousness. But her friends feel assured, that, as she lived, so she also "died, unto the Lord." By her death the Wesleyan society in Bath has lost the last of the original members of a family who were greatly honoured of God, by a long course of extensive usefulness in the service of his church in this city. D. W.

Oct. 18th.-At Hempnall, in the New-Buckenham Circuit, Sarah Grint; having been an upright member of the Methodist society about ten years. During a long and painful affliction, she possessed her soul in patience. Just before she departed, her husband inquired of her if she were happy; to which she replied, "Yes; I am going to heaven." G. N.

Oct. 21st.-At Carhul, in the Bandon Circuit, Ireland, Mrs. Stanley, aged eighty-six years. About twenty-two years ago the Wesleyan Ministers began to preach in her house; and from that period her life furnished decisive evidence that the

Lord had established her goings. Her death was sudden; for, though full of years and very feeble, she had just before, in her usual health, been listening to one of her daughters, who read for her an obituary, published in a late Number of the Methodist Magazine. Requesting that the place might be marked, that it might be read again on the following day, she composed herself, and without a struggle, calmly fell asleep in Jesus. But, though her death was thus unexpected, and she was permitted to give no dying testimony, her friends rejoice in having the safe testimony of her previous life.

W. L.

But

Oct. 30th.-At Madeley, in the seventy-second year of her age, Mrs. Anne Taylor, widow of the Rev. Samuel Taylor, Wesleyan Minister, who died at Devonport, in 1821. For some years Mrs. Taylor was exercised with severe bodily affliction; and though residing close to the chapel, was unable for a long time to attend. she enjoyed that communion with God which raised her above her sufferings. Her trust was in God her Saviour; and she was kept in perfect peace. On the evening of her death, one of the Ministers of the Circuit saw her: she was per. fectly sensible, and spoke of her state in a very satisfactory manner, and joined in prayer with great earnestness. It was not thought, at the time, that her dissolution was so near; but, in a quarter of an hour afterwards, a sudden change took place, and her spirit quietly took its flight. J. E. M.

Oct. 31st.-At Rotherham, Mr. Thomas Bagshaw, aged seventy-four. He joined the Wesleyan-Methodist society when about eighteen years of age, and continued a steady member to the close of his life. He was generally one of the society's office-bearers, being chosen at different times by his brethren to perform the duties of Circuit or Society Steward, or Steward for the poor. They knew and highly esteemed his undeviating sincerity and uprightness. His health began to decline about twelve months ago, and occasionally he suffered much; but his mind was kept in peace. His language generally was, “*I am upon the Rock. All is right. The way is clear." There was through the whole, but particularly towards the close, of his affliction, a ripening for a better world. About ten days before his death, he had an attack of paralysis, which greatly affected his speech: some of his last words were,

"I view the Lamb in his own light, Whom angels dimly see;

And gaze, transported at the sight,
To all eternity."

T. E

Nov. 1st.-At Haverfordwest, Mr. William Cullis Relly, Postmaster, aged forty-two. At seventeen years of age, he gave himself to God and his church; and has consistently maintained his profession ever since. Of him it might truly be said, that he was a devout man, and feared God above many; and also, that through frequent perusal of it, with much prayer," the word of Christ dwelt in him richly." Though his last affliction wai

THE midnight is as bright as day!
On earth flames wide a stranger ray!
And yet no meteor wanders nigh,
No moon floats through Judea's sky;
But there is on the face of night
A mellow, pure, and holy light:
Each moment holier, purer, flowing,
But with a tender radiance glowing:
And on the shepherds' startled view
Are forms of glory breaking through
Those floods of splendour; throng on
throng,

Uplifting a triumphant song!

He might have come in regal pomp,
With pealing of archangel trump,-
An angel-blast, as loud and dread
As that which shall awake the dead;
His lightning might have scared the
night,

Streaming insufferable light;

His thunder, deepening, peal on peal,
Have made earth to her centre reel;
Deep voices, such as shook with fear,
At Sinai's base, the favour'd seer;
The wing of whirlwind might have borne
him,

O'er breezy hill, or listening vale,

Before; nor shall such sounds again

Break on the raptured ear of man,

Till, rising to his native sky,
He put on immortality.

It came that glorious embassy

To hail the' INCARNATE MYSTERY!
For this awoke that glorious hymn
From glowing lips of seraphim!
For this, a-down the radiant sky,
From bowers of bliss, from worlds on
high,

Appear'd, upborne on wings of fire,
That seraph host, that angel choir !

For this, too, flamed o'er Bethlehem,
The brightest in night's diadem,
That mystic star, whose pilot ray
Illumed the Magi's doubtful way;
Bright wanderer through the fields of
air,

Which led the' inquiring sages where,
Cradled within a worthless manger,
Slept on that morn the' Immortal
Stranger.

him:

He might have come, that Holy One,
With millions round his awful throne,
Countless as are the sands that lie
On burning plains of Araby;

And, arm'd for vengeance, who could stand

Before each conquering, red, right hand?

He came not thus; no earthquake-shock
Shiver'd the everlasting rock;
No trumpet-blast, nor thunder-peal,
Made earth through all her regions reel;
And, but for the mysterious voicing
Of that unearthly choir rejoicing;
And, but for that strange herald gem,
The star which burn'd o'er Bethlehem;
The shepherds, on his natal morn,
Had known not that the God was born.
There were no terrors; for the song
Of peace rose from the seraph throng:
On wings of love he came,-to save,
To pluck pale terror from the grave;
And, on the blood-stain'd Calvary,
He won for MAN the victory.

WELCOME, Christmas! welcome here!
Happiest season of the year;
Fires are blazing, thee to greet,
Families together meet;
Brothers, sisters, circle round,
Loud is laughter's joyous sound:
And old England likes to see
All her children welcome thee.

Welcome, Christmas! for thy voice
Calls upon us to rejoice,
Not with idle, passing mirth,
Born and perishing on earth;

Far be that ungrateful thought,
Ours are pleasures dearly bought,
Dearly bought, but freely given,
By the Lord of earth and heaven.

Fix we, then, on Christ our eye;
May we feel our Saviour nigh!
May we meet around the board,
All rejoicing in our Lord!
Be the Babe of Bethlehem near!
May his smile the season cheer,
And each gladden'd heart and tongue
Join the angels' Christmas song!