ness at that period. I well remember the happy time when God spoke peace to my soul. My soul was filled with love to God and man. I was as happy as the enjoyment of God could make me. I stood amazed at the unmerited mercy and goodness of God to such a vile sinner, and often sang that beautiful verse, so expressive of my feelings,

'What am I, O thou glorious God,

And what my father's house to thee,
That thou such mercies hast bestow'd

On me, the vilest reptile, me !
I take the blessing from above,

And wonder at thy boundless love.'

Having experienced this divine change in my own soul, I believed that the Lord could and would do the same for every fallen son of man. My heart burned with zeal for God. I felt a longing desire that all might taste the grace that found out me.' I saw that by far the greater part of my fellow-creatures were on the brink of eternal ruin, and unconscious of their danger. I thought, in the simplicity of my heart, if I only told them they were on the verge of destruction, they would surely escape for their lives. But here I soon found that my hopes were too sanguine: some of my acquaintances, when I spoke to them, turned the whole into ridicule; others said, I was beside myself, that the Methodists had driven me crazy; while one or two were constrained to say, 'Nay, but he is right,—we wish we were so too;' but manifested no disposition to leave their companions. Though I was somewhat discouraged, yet from the word of God I learned that it was so from the beginning. I felt that the work in my own soul was real. This I knew, that whereas I was blind, now I was enabled I knew that I was a sinner saved by grace,-saved from the guilt, the love, and the practice of sin. I saw that I was not my own, having been bought with a price.' My chief concern now was, how I might most fully show forth the praises of Him who had called me out of darkness, into his marvellous light.' I was often melted into tears whilst I repeated that short but energetic hymn,

to see.

'My soul, through my Redeemer's care,' &c.

I could repeat every word as my own: it was the sincere language of my heart. I often look back, with mingled feelings of humiliation and gratitude, and find it good to remember the rock whence I was hewn, and the hole of the pit whence I was digged.' Those were indeed days of the right hand of the Most High to our family."

In full accordance with the important and truly scriptural sentiments contained in the preceding extract, when he obtained mercy he began to work in his Lord's vineyard. He was soon noticed by the Ministers and officers of the church, as a person adapted for great usefulness; and in June, 1814, it being found desirable to divide

the class to which he belonged, he was appointed to the important office of Leader; an office for which he was admirably qualified, and in which he continued to the end of his valuable life, to the great spiritual benefit of hundreds of persons, who during that period were successively the objects of his charge. The following extracts from two of his letters, addressed to young converts, evidence his earnest desire for the spiritual benefit of those who had been brought into the fold of Christ.

The first of these was written when he himself had not been a member of the society twelve months; and it shows a maturity of judgment and experience characteristic of a father, rather than either a young man, or a babe, in Christ. Addressing his friend, on the most important of all subjects, he says,—

"Our divine Master has exhorted us to strive to enter in at the strait gate; thereby intimating that the passage is not only narrow, but that it is beset with many enemies. If we intend to become Christians, we must expect to meet with difficulties and opposition, not only from the profane men of the world, but from those also who profess to be the followers of Jesus Christ, such as have the form,' but neither have, nor desire to have, the power, of godliness.' These are frequently the greatest enemies to true religion: they possess the cunning of serpents, without the harmlessness of doves. Those who have once been your companions, will try a thousand methods to allure you back again to their forsaken society; some of them, perhaps, with an appearance of tender fondness, and many more with outward banter and ridicule; and, what is still more dangerous, you will be derided and insulted by those whose affection and esteem you naturally desire. But be not discouraged. Christ is the Captain of your salvation. When you take a survey of all these hosts of enemies encamped against you, lift up your head, and say, 'Greater is He that is for us, than all that are against us.' Endeavour to act a gallant and resolute part; remembering that 'He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.' He has done it in ten thousand instances: he has enabled many of his saints to triumph in the very flames. Paul and Silas sang in the stocks, and Stephen had heaven opened to him when his enemies 'gnashed on him with their teeth.' Let us continually place eternity before our eyes, and ever consider that the longest life, when compared with eternity, sinks into nothing."

The second extract is as follows:

"I trust that you feel a daily growing in grace. This is your glorious privilege; and, blessed be God, nothing-no, nothing-need prevent this from being the case. Be thankful for what you have received; and remember, that to use what you have, is the sure way to get more. It is in the diligent, serious, and constant use of the public and private means of grace, that we have a right to expect the

end. They are the channels through which the Lord has been graciously pleased to convey the rich blessings of salvation to the souls of his people in every age. I think, I specially urged upon you the constant and serious perusal of God's word. Few, even of those who fear and love God, are sufficiently alive to the great advantage of making the sacred Scriptures their most familiar companion. I hope you retain a clear sense of God's mercy, through Jesus Christ, to you as an individual. Do not suffer anything to keep you from coming again, and again, and again to Jesus."

Those who knew Mr. Fishwick best will bear testimony, that the important advice which he gave to others was embodied in his own experience and practice. He retained, to the end of his valuable life, a clear assurance of his own adoption into the family of God; his reliance upon the atonement of Christ was entire ; and he studied the holy Scriptures humbly and prayerfully, to ascertain his duty and his privileges.

The "zeal" of which Mr. Fishwick speaks, when he first obtained a sense of pardon, continued to "burn with inextinguishable blaze,” and led him actively to employ his talents for the promotion of the glory of God, and the salvation of souls. One of his earliest religious friends says, "I was honoured by being associated with him when he first engaged as a Sunday-school Teacher, and have witnessed his untiring and laudable zeal in that and other charitable institutions. He also took a deep interest in the establishment of Wesleyan dayschools, and was exceedingly anxious that they should be found in connexion with every society and chapel. On that at Burnley, which owes much of its prosperity to his constant efforts in its behalf, he bestowed all the attention of a tender parent." On this important subject, the writer may be permitted to state, Mr. Fishwick felt most deeply. It was his avowed conviction, that there is a solemn obligation resting upon the church, as the church, to educate her children in the knowledge of Christian truth. But whilst Mr. Fishwick was laudably anxious to promote the work of God at home, and diligently employed his time, talent, influence, and property for this purpose, he was not forgetful of the claims of a "world that lieth in the wicked one." The friend above alluded to says, "I well recollect, when Missionary Meetings began to be held, and Societies organized, he did not stand as an idle spectator, but engaged heartily as one of its first agents in this town, (Burnley,) by accepting a District to canvass for subscribers. This duty he attended to for several successive years; and it is well known how he continued, not merely with unabated, but increasing, zeal, his labours in that good cause."

In the year 1826 Mr. Fishwick was united in marriage with Miss Kay, the eldest daughter of the late Thomas Kay, Esq., of LongHolme. This union, founded upon strong and mutual affection, was eminently happy; but, alas! was soon dissolved; for on the 5th of

August, 1831, his beloved wife, after suffering greatly, triumphed gloriously over her last enemy, leaving Mr. Fishwick, with three infant daughters, to lament his irreparable loss. It has often been remarked, that a happier pair than Mr. and Mrs. Fishwick never lived. It is greatly to be regretted, that no extended memoir of this eminently holy woman has been published, as the excellencies which adorned her character were worthy of universal imitation. Through life Mr. Fishwick cherished the fondest remembrance of her character; and though his heart bled at the dispensation by which "the desire of his eyes was taken away," yet he was enabled, in the exercise of humble submission, to say, "Thy will be done," and to look forward to a happy re-union in a better world.

"The soul has o'ertaken his mate,

And caught her again in the sky,
Advanced to his holy estate,

And pleasure that never shall die;
Where glorified spirits by sight
Converse in their happy abode,
As stars in the firmament bright,

And pure as the angels of God."

Mr. Fishwick was accustomed to mark the striking and interesting events of divine Providence, whether of a national, domestic, or personal character. Hence, during the season of great commercial embarrassment, which prevailed extensively in 1826, he writes as follows:—

"Since the present distress commenced, I have been led to think much on the subject; and I feel that I dare not look upon it as coming from any other source than God. After the example of an infidel world, how often do we, who are better taught, endeavour to account for national calamities as the effects of merely human or secondary causes, while they evidently appear as the marks of divine displeasure! O, then, let the people that are called by His name examine themselves, and they will soon discover that the Lord has a just controversy with them! Whilst the churches at home have been exerting themselves to send the Gospel to the ends of the earth, have they been humbly and thankfully receiving its great and free blessings into their own souls? To the charge involved in this question we must plead guilty. Let us, then, as individuals, humble ourselves before God, and be resolved in the strength of grace to

'Give up ourselves through Jesu's power,

His name to glorify.'"

On recovering from a severe attack of affliction, about four years ago, he wrote as follows to a member of his family :

"I trust my afflictions have led me to view things more in the light of eternity. I have been endeavouring to look to the Saviour for

grace to enable me to adorn my profession in all the relations of life. Come, then, my dear sister, with your unworthy brother, to the Saviour's feet, and let us there 'learn of Him who is meek and lowly of heart,' and we shall-yes, we shall-find rest to our souls. O let us seek to imbibe His spirit, and learn to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil his law. If there be one duty more than another arising out of true friendship, it is that which requires us to warn faithfully of dangers near, which are always more easily discerned by others, than by the person who is exposed to them. As to defects, infirmities, and ignorances, alas! I daily see and feel that I am made up of them. Tell me of these as often and as much as you see I deserve. Let us try if we cannot help each other on by our prayers, our faith, and our more holy living."

As a tradesman, Mr. Fishwick's whole conduct was under the direction of Christian principle. It is the testimony of one who knew him better than any other person, that, for the space of thirty years, in which he was engaged in business, he never knew him deviate an hair's breadth from the strictest integrity. The excellencies of his character in this respect were more fully developed after his removal from Burnley to Long-Holme; which event took place in the early part of the year 1836. Finding himself placed at the head of a large establishment, with several hundreds of persons in his employ, he deeply felt the importance of his situation, and his obligations not only to give unto his servants that which is just and equal, but especially to care for their spiritual and eternal interests. The excellent hymn "for Masters," the 470th in the Wesleyan Collection, was strikingly exemplified in his whole conduct. While all who knew Mr. Fishwick in the capacity of a Christian master will agree in this testimony, they will especially recognise the literal application of the last three verses to him.

"As far from abjectness as pride,

With condescending dignity,
Jesus, I make thy word my guide,
And keep the post assign'd by thee,

"O could I emulate the zeal

Thou dost to thy poor servants bear!
The troubles, griefs, and burdens feel
Of souls intrusted to my care:

"In daily prayer to God commend

The souls whom God expired to save ;
And think how soon my sway may end,

And all be equal in the grave!"

It scarcely need be said, that he secured, in a very large degree, the confidence and esteem of his servants. Never was a master more beloved and honoured while living, or more sincerely and deeply