Perhaps the most striking feature of his character was the spirit of praise which pervaded all he did and all he said. All who knew him were struck with this. In the house of God and in the field he was the same man. His diary shows the same spirit throughout. It was no mere enthusiasm or outward show of godliness, but the hidden fire of love to God which burned within, that shone in all his actions, cheering and blessing all around. Sometimes he would employ his time on the moor, in the immediate vicinity of his own dwelling; and, in looking over his diary, I find many references to the seasons of refreshing he here enjoyed in the recesses of the rocks. Follow him to the house of God: there his every breath was praise; and there was a characteristic eagerness in his attention to the word of life. He sat near the pulpit; and, his hearing having failed, he would sometimes rise involuntarily from his seat, like a hungry man, to catch the truth as it fell from the Preacher's lips. The determination of his whole life seemed to be,

"In praising thee with thankful songs,

My happy life shall glide away."

In his last affliction this was still the most prominent feature in his character. Many a time in his presence have I been convicted of ingratitude, while seeing with what thankfulness this holy man received the most ordinary blessings of life.

There was also an intelligent dignity in his religion. He was eminently a man of one book; and would sometimes call his Bible his dessert, generally reading a portion after every meal, and always after dinner. The book of God was to him "more precious than rubies," and by it he was "throughly furnished to every good work." His religion was anything but enthusiasm; though his ardour was remarkable, sometimes rendering him singular; and, had there been less intelligent morality and unvarying consistency, might have appeared to some unwarrantable. His whole life was a practical illustration of the Psalmist's resolution : "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after," &c. When in Barnard-Castle, the Clergyman, Mr. Davidson, met him; and, perceiving that he was a tottering old man, began to recommend to him a preparation for heaven. "Ah! Sir," said he, “that is what I have been living for, for more than sixty years." I was very much struck when, on visiting him during his last illness, and asking him if he were happy, he replied, "Yes; I have just been looking over my title-deeds, and all is right: they are sealed with precious blood, they bear the divine signature." All men looked upon him as the mature Christian; and in his death there was an intelligent peace, which only believers know.

His love to Methodism was of no ordinary kind. Next to true religion, he loved the system of Wesleyan Methodism. In maintaining our doctrines and discipline, and in the pecuniary support of our insti

tutions, his efforts were measured only by his abilities. It was remarkable, that when his affliction first came on, he said, his only wish was to see through the Centenary year; and so he did. He had the opportunity of attending the Centenary services; and was in high spirits at the tea-meeting at Barnard-Castle, Oct. 28th. He lived to see the last of our Centenary services, and went to heaven the following week. His attachment to the Methodist Preachers was such as I never saw surpassed. Had they been angels from heaven, he could not have received them with more unvarying kindness and hospitality.

Such were some of the excellencies of this good man. He has finished his course with joy, having been more than sixty years a consistent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist society.

MEMOIR OF MR. JOHN SEVERS,

Of Ripon:

BY HIS SON.

THE memoirs of departed Christians are not only interesting and highly profitable to the relations and friends of the deceased, but also to the religious public generally. It was the saying of an ancient Father, that the examples of the holy servants of God were like hot coals cast into the bosom of his soul, heating and warming him, and setting him all on a flame. Many have experienced this; and to the same useful result the present memoir of a plain but excellent Christian, whose experience and example in the ordinary walks of life were truly exemplary, is designed to contribute.

My father commenced writing an account of his early life and conversion to God, about ten years before his death; and, from time to time, added several particulars, relating chiefly to his religious experiHis own account is as follows :

ence.

:

"I was born at York, August 12th, 1762. My parents were regular attendants at the parish church. I knew very little of my father: he died when I was young. My mother was left with eight children ; but, through her industry, honesty, and frugality, we all received a tolerable education, and were decently taken care of.

"At the age of fourteen I was put apprentice to a tanner and fellmonger in Ripon. My lot fell among men who neither loved, feared, nor served God. Like too many at my age, I was easily led astray with the errors of the wicked, and followed the maxims, customs, and pleasures of the world. At my master's request, I went to the church every Sunday; but often on the same day walked in the counsel of the ungodly, stood in the way of sinners, and sat in the seat of the scornful.

"At last I was drawn by the Spirit of God to the Methodist chapel;

but for a long season rested in the outward means, and did not see or feel my need of a Saviour, until it pleased the Almighty to send that good man, the Rev. John Phillips, into the Circuit, in the year 1798. He preached one Sunday evening from these words: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,' &c. (John iii. 14, 15.) I call him a good man,' because he was the happy instrument, in the hands of God, in bringing me out of darkness into marvellous light. I was a brand plucked out of the burning. He told us, we had all been 'stung by the scorpion sin;' but if we would only heartily repent of our wickedness, and accept of mercy through faith in a crucified Saviour, there was mercy for us. I praise the Lord, I was then and there willing to accept of Jesus Christ as my Saviour. My heart danced at the sound of his name. I felt a ray of heavenly light enter my soul. My chains fell off, my heart was made free. I praised him then, I praise him now, and I hope to praise him through the ages of eternity, for the blessed sense of pardon which I then obtained.”

Thus, having spent by far too many years in the service of the wicked one, he was truly converted to God, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. Throughout the remainder of his life, and especially during his last sickness, he frequently expressed his sorrow that he did not sooner turn unto the Lord with full purpose of heart. By his subsequent conduct, however, he endeavoured to "redeem the mis-spent moments past;" and, during as many years as the Almighty was grieved with his people in the wilderness, during so many was He afterwards glorified by the upright walk and conversation of his servant. Having thus, through divine grace, given his heart to God, my father acted the part of a wise man in speedily giving his hand to God's people. He observes, "Soon after my conversion, that good man, Mr. Dowson, met me in the street, and affectionately invited me to his class. I went the following week, and never yet repented taking such a step; but hundreds of times have I mourned that I did not give myself to God, and join his people sooner."

The Mr. Dowson here mentioned was a genuine Christian, and a thorough Wesleyan. He helped forward the cause of Christ to the utmost of his power: and in those evil days, which are remembered by a few, when contention and division abounded, like a subject loyal to his earthly Sovereign, he stood "unshaken, firm, and fixed,” resolving that this people should be his people, and their God his God. His memory is blessed.

Having been a consistent member in Mr. Dowson's class about two years, and during that period made rapid advancements in grace, my father was requested by Mr. Phillips to take the charge of a class. This to him appeared (as it must to every genuine Christian) a very important and responsible undertaking. He trembled at the thoughts of it; but at last consented; and it is well known that his labour has not been altogether in vain. He remarks, "I generally advised those

committed to my care, to obtain the assurance that their sins were forgiven for Jesus's sake; and then exhorted them to do all the good they possibly could, and go on to perfection. When I saw any persons regularly attending the means of grace, and had reason to believe that they were determined to give up their sins, I advised them immediately to unite themselves to the people of God. I told them, I did not know how they could expect to join God's people in heaven, f they refused to unite with them here on earth."

Class-meetings were means of grace which he highly valued he was so regular in his attendance on his own, as not to be absent, as far as he could recollect, above four times in forty years; and he always acted up to the letter of that rule which requires the Leader to see each person in his class once a week at least, in order to see how their souls prosper.

In the year 1802 he was married to a pious member of the Wesleyan society. They had five children,-four sons and one daughter. John, the eldest son, who became a Class-Leader, and held other offices in the Wesleyan society, died in the year 1834. Ann, their only and beloved daughter, was for many years a Teacher in the Sabbath-school, and a Collector for the Missionary Society: she died in the year 1828. His dear partner died in the year 1836. Under these painful bereavements he was graciously supported, and fully resigned to the divine will. His three surviving sons are members of Christ's church, and are endeavouring to follow their father as far as be followed Christ.

The following extracts from his diary will assist the reader in forming some idea of his character :

"Sept. 21st, 1831.-I retired to rest on Saturday night, impressed with a sense of the divine goodness, and remembering with joy the prayer-meeting at seven the following morning. I awoke several times during the night, from a fear of sleeping too long. My heart was filled with gladness as the clock struck four. I could exclaim with confidence, My beloved is mine, and I am his.' I arose from my bed a little before six, and pleaded with God for myself, my family, and others. I went to the chapel a little before seven. In the first hymn we sung the following words :

'Will he forsake his throne above?
Himself to worms impart ?'

Gratitude and praise sprang up within me when I thought, that Jesus Christ had left heaven, and become a man of sorrows,' and that he had suffered, bled, and died, that I might at last leave earth, and ascend to heaven. I love to think, talk, and write about Jesus my Saviour. No one ever has done, or ever can do, so much for me. As I went to the chapel in the forenoon, I called to see a poor, afflicted family, who had been bereaved of a lovely child the preceding week.

I told them, 'A gardener that had a plant that could not bear the storms of winter out of doors, took it in; that their child had got safely housed before the storms came on; and that God in mercy had taken the innocent, and spared the guilty.' I received the word from God's servant with gladness. I went to my class at half-past one, and at half-past two heard Mr. Savage preach from these words: 'If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.' After service I visited a few sick people, prayed with them, and talked to them faithfully. I went to the chapel again at six, and heard a profitable sermon from, 'Let me die the death of the righteous,' &c. At the conclusion of the day I could say, that though I was tired in, yet not tired of, God's service."

The preceding extract is quoted for the purpose of showing how my father generally spent the Lord's day. It was always a high day to his soul. Nor did he wait upon his God in vain. It was evident, on his return to his family, that he had been with Jesus.

"March 16th, 1832.-While visiting a few aged and sick people to-day, I felt much of the power and presence of God: my cup ran over. O what peace and happiness the men of the world daily lose, by neglecting to serve so good a God! Truly, if there be no reward for the righteous hereafter, I receive that in this world which affords me an abundance of support and comfort.

To know He takes me for his own,

O what a happiness is this!'

"June 18th.-This day I received my quarterly ticket with a grateful heart. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have a name and a place among God's people. Through the past quarter it has been my endeavour to live nearer to God; and I have enjoyed more spiritual prosperity and happiness.

66

August 29th.-This afternoon I visited twenty families, and found many of them in a pitiable condition: poor as it respects the things of this world, but much worse respecting things spiritual and eternal. I conversed faithfully with them, as it pleased God to give me

utterance."

The preceding extracts, which form but a small part of the whole diary, prove, to some extent, that he was what he professed to be,—a man of God, a possessor of genuine godliness. He lived in the enjoyment of a clear sense of God's pardoning mercy, and pitied the obscure views, or easily satisfied desires, of those who merely hoped and trusted that they were in a state of salvation, but never pressed into the happy liberty of the children of God. He believed it to be the privilege of all who truly repented, and put their whole trust in Him whom God sets forth in the Gospel, to have the direct witness of the Holy Spirit that God had become their reconciled Father, and that they were his adopted children. This induced him more frequently to exhort the