the father; but he would not allow it to interfere with the discharge of his ministerial duties. The services he conducted for the benefit of others were means of grace to himself also. In these he found consolation to his own stricken and wounded spirit. The day after he received the distressing intelligence, he proceeded to Northampton to hold the session of the Bedford and Northampton DistrictCommittee, of which he was Chairman. Here he met with the seasonable condolence of his ministerial brethren, who deeply sympathized with him, and affectionately remembered him in their united prayers. He discharged the onerous duties of his office with great efficiency, and to entire satisfaction; while his calmness, Christian submission, and manly fortitude, as evinced on that deeply sorrowful occasion, were the admiration of all.

Four years later he was called to endure a trial even more painful. His only son (who was a husband and father) was accidentally drowned while bathing. This was, indeed, a heavy affliction to him, -a blow which was felt as long as he lived. Seldom, however, did he refer to it; and he was never heard to murmur. Like Aaron the High-Priest, under a severe domestic bereavement, he "held his peace." His confiding faith rested upon the all-seeing wisdom and boundless goodness of God; and he fully believed that it was one of the mysterious things which should be known hereafter.

For the long period of forty-five years he discharged the arduous duties of a Wesleyan Minister. During the greater part of this term, he was charged with the superintendency of a Circuit; and such was the esteem in which he was held by the Conference, and the trust which was deservedly reposed in him, that on eleven different occasions he was elected Chairman of his District.

As a Preacher, his talents were above mediocrity. His sermons were elaborately prepared; but they were natural in arrangement, bold in style, richly evangelical in sentiment. They abounded with lofty thoughts and striking illustrations, and were delivered with distinctness, earnestness, pathos, and power. His old and muchesteemed friend, Mr. William Biggs, of Bromham, near Bedford, one of the Treasurers of the Wesleyan Missionary Society for the Bedford and Northampton District, offers the following tribute :-"Having known him well for the long period of forty-five years, and having derived much spiritual advantage from his zealous and faithful ministry, which I had the happiness of enjoying for the term of eight years, it would be most ungrateful were I to withhold my testimony to one to whom, under God, I owe so much. Blessed with an athletic and robust frame, a manly voice, a sound judgment, a retentive memory, and readiness of utterance, the sanctified use of all these qualifications rendered him eminently fitted for the work of his Divine Lord and Master. In this work all his consecrated powers were constantly engaged; for his whole heart and soul were in it. His pulpitlabours need no comment of mine. Eulogium would be misplaced, where uniform success was so apparent : for, all criticism apart, he is the best Preacher who is most successful. The number of converts

who were added to the various Societies in which he laboured, and the spiritual fruit that followed the seed sown, witness both the ability and diligence of the sower, and the blessing of his heavenly Master upon his work."

In pastoral duties he was indefatigable. He mingled freely with his people, was always accessible, and took an interest in all their concerns. Hence the elder regarded him as a sincere and faithful friend; and the younger looked up to him as a father. Pastoral visitation is not religious gossip,-not the discussion of mere matters of ecclesiastical polity; but an apparatus of spiritual means, which must be regulated and sanctified by the word of God and prayer. As such, it is a most important supplement to pulpit-labour. In fact, it opens occasions of good to the visiter, as well as the persons visited, which to the mere Preacher are unknown. In some Circuits, where the numbers are large, the preaching-appointments numerous and distant, and the Ministers comparatively few, this important part of ministerial duty can be discharged only to a limited extent; and it would be well if such Circuits could obtain the aid of a retired Minister, who is not able to travel and preach as in his former years, but who is, probably, more fitted for the visitation of God's flock than at any earlier period of his history.

In the management of a Circuit Mr. Wilson was surpassed, perhaps, by none. He made himself thoroughly acquainted with everything connected with his office, whether relating to Circuit or Connexional Funds, to chapels or Missions; and, by a just and impartial nomination of efficient officers to assist him in carrying out these important objects, he rendered good service both to the church and the world. Mr. Biggs observes that "he was an excellent Chairman of Circuit Quarterly-Meetings, conducting the business with peculiar skill and

tact.

When our affairs at Bedford were most unpromising, he never gave way to despondency, but urged to further exertions, and cheered by hopes of success. Having well weighed every measure in his own mind, he was extremely firm in his determination to carry it out. Some, who did not know him well, were led on these occasions to think his conduct overbearing; but a better acquaintance corrected such notions. It was easily discovered, that, however forcibly and plainly he might express himself, nothing was further from his intentions than to give pain to any mind."

An instance of his truly Christian feeling may be mentioned :-At a Local Preachers' Meeting some question had been argued, with an unusual degree of warmth; and a zealous, warm-hearted brother had left the Meeting, with his mind hurt by some sharp expression inadvertently dropped by the Superintendent. Mr. Wilson, on being apprized of this as he left the Meeting, felt exceedingly uneasy, and could not retire to rest till he had walked to Elstow, a mile and a half from his own residence, and effected a reconciliation with his sensitive brother.

Forty-five years he discharged the full duties of an Itinerant Minister; and those only who know what that service is, and what

are its manifold but sacred cares, will be able to form any tolerably correct idea of his toils and sacrifices during this long period. It was a work, however, which he ardently loved. This made the yoke easy and the burden light, affording him, in his very labours, a rich and glorious reward. In the year 1846 he was compelled, by infirmities incident to declining age, to become a Supernumerary. He then took up his abode in Northampton, and subsequently in Bedford. His friend and relative, the Rev. William Dixon, notes, that "after his retirement from the full work of the ministry he continued to preach frequently on the Sabbath, and occasionally on the week-day, till near the close of life. He also took charge of a class, which increased and prospered under his care; and his memory is affectionately cherished by the bereaved members. He highly prized the means of grace, especially the prayer-meetings, and was seldom absent from them."

During this evening of his public life, he not unfrequently visited neighbouring Circuits on special occasions, and by preaching in behalf of Chapels, Schools, Missions, &c., diffused a truly blessed influence over a large extent of country. Such was his delight in his work, that he was extremely loth to give it up, and struggled hard against sinking nature. He said on one occasion, with characteristic decision, "If I had more strength and more breath, I could preach as well as ever I did." "The spirit indeed" was "willing," while "the flesh”

was "weak."

To the last, he attended the sittings of the District-Committee, not only in Bedford, where he resided, but also in Northampton and Luton. His opinion and counsel were highly prized, and always given, when called for, with the greatest readiness and affection. To the last he venerated and loved his brethren, courted their society, and delighted to mingle in their conversation. In the month of May, 1856, he was present at most of the sittings of the District-Meeting at Bedford; but his debilitated frame and frequent cough indicated that the time of his departure was at hand. There was about him a blessed ripeness for glory; and he told the writer that he was ready to go at any time. On the Wednesday evening of the District week, he was seized with illness in the street, on his way to the Lord's house. He speedily recovered, and would not be dissuaded from going to chapel, to hear an old colleague with whom he had twice travelled.

For some months prior to his decease, there was evidently a growing meetness for the heavenly world. His conversation was almost exclusively about things above. One of his most frequent expressions was, "Bless the Lord! I am going home: I shall soon be there." Again: "I live on the border of both worlds, and can scarcely tell in which I am. I have such delightful fellowship with my dear departed friends, that I seem sometimes as if I almost mixed with them." Again, and yet again,—

"There is my house and portion fair;
My treasure and my heart are there,

And my abiding home :

For me my elder brethren stay,
And angels beckon me away,

And Jesus bids me come.

"I come-Thy servant, Lord, replies

I come to meet Thee in the skies,
And claim my heavenly rest:
Now let the pilgrim's journey end,

Now, O my Saviour, Brother, Friend,

Receive me to Thy breast."

"When I reach home," said he, "how vastly will my knowledge increase! I shall see my Saviour, and all the wondrous ranks of angels, with prophets, martyrs, and the wise and good of all succeeding ages. And then the mysteries of creation, providence, and grace

The members of his class lay very near his heart. He had watched over them with a father's care, and daily did his supplications now ascend to God on their behalf. The last class-meeting he held was a season never to be forgotten. He spoke with great freedom, and his words were attended by a special unction from on high. His last prayer was peculiarly fervent and powerful,-uttered as if "quite in the verge of heaven." Several of the members had a sorrowful apprehension, excited at the very time, that they would be no more so privileged.

For several weeks Mr. Wilson's sufferings were very great, and the difficulty of breathing made conversation painful; but, when he was relieved from distressing paroxysms, it was delightful to be with him. He would express deep concern lest he should have said anything to grieve those about him, or lest he should have been too impatient to be gone. Humility, entire submission to the will of God, meekness, and grateful affection to his dear relatives, were most touchingly exhibited. During the last five days he was mercifully at repose from extreme pain; his peace was great and constant; and sometimes he had the joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. One morning, his dear wife observing, "You have had a nice sleep," he said, "Õ, why did you awake me? I thought I was gone. I have had such a

view of the glory and happiness of the other world, that I cannot describe it." Again he observed, "I should love to go out, and shout, Glory! glory!' O, if I could but preach once more, I would indeed tell them of the glories of heaven!"

Two days before his death, he seemed to have a special manifestation from God, and suddenly exclaimed, "O the glory! My dear Saviour is opening for me the pearly gates: I shall soon be there." Yet sometimes he appeared to have some dread of dying, wondering what he should suffer before the spirit left the body. Several times he repeated the lines,

"Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife,

And let me languish into life."

When his wife was trying to comfort him, he said, "You know nothing

about it: you have never died." But he was mercifully preserved from those convulsive struggles which, in his infirmity, he had so uselessly feared. In a moment, without any distressing throes, the victory was gained. Christ smiled his spirit away to everlasting rest. "Absent from the body, present with the Lord."-Thus died, January 13th, 1857, this honoured veteran in the Lord's service, full of years, usefulness, and grace.

His remains were interred in the cemetery adjoining the town of Bedford. A long procession, consisting of the Wesleyan Ministers, Local Preachers, Leaders, and Stewards of the Circuit, with the Dissenting Ministers of the town, showed the last token of esteem and regard. Many shops were closed; and, though the weather was very inclement, a crowd of respectable people accompanied the funeral. "Devout men carried" him "to his burial, and made great lamentation over him." The solemn service was conducted by the Rev. Robert Dugdale; and the Rev. Henry Fish, A.M., improved the event by an excellent sermon.

THREE DAYS IN THE DESERT.

IN the homes of the Hebrews the Red Sea was a household word. In the hearts of all classes of the people it was bound up with the memory of their great national deliverance. Their fathers had stood on the other side, and there they had wept and murmured. But one evening the sun had set; the shades of night gathered about the Egyptian armies which were pursuing the Hebrews; the cloud where God was came and settled midway between the two hosts; the side of the cloud on which Pharaoh looked was dark and black, but on the Israelites its other aspect smiled a promise of help. When all wAS ready, God clave a path for His people through the Red Sea; He built up on both sides a wall of water; and then He bade the Hebrews march. The millions move. Over their heads the cloud of fire throws a bright gleaming of light upon the valley; and by that light they march, half afraid to breathe until they gain the shore of freedom. By some means, the Egyptian foes ascertained that the Hebrews had moved on. Pharaoh gave orders to pursue. On rushed his obedient soldiers. The six hundred chosen chariots rolled along the bed of the sea in the rear of the Hebrews, and gained upon the fugitives every moment. Another eye than Pharaoh's watched their movements; and just as the last little child stepped upon the beach, and when the Egyptians were fairly in, God turned and looked unto them, and took off their chariot-wheels. The Egyptians were dismayed. A retreat was sounded, but it was too late. At sunrise, God spoke to the waters, and at once they rushed in foaming fury upon the hosts of Pharaoh, and in the heart of the sea the Monarch and his army found a grave. That morning the Hebrew Chief composed a national anthem; and, as they stood on the shores of the Red Sea,-the