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DEATHS.

WILLIAM WRIGHT, ESQ., late of Graham's-Town, South Africa, was born in the city of Dublin, April 16th, 1793. His father was a member of the Society of Friends, who died in America, when the subject of this brief record was only six years of age. Of the early days of his boyhood no memorial is left. It appears, however, that at the age of fourteen he met with a severe accident, which confined him to his bed for several months. During this time friends supplied him with religious books, which he read with much profit; and he became convinced of the necessity of seeking an interest in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. After his recovery, and return to the world, these good impressions became by degrees less powerful; but they never entirely lost their effect upon his mind. At this period he was in the habit of attending Divine service at various churches, and, among others, at that of the Wesleyan Methodists. Finding the doctrines and principles of the latter to coincide with his own views, and receiving good under the ministry, he joined himself to this section of Christ's church.

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Passing over a period of ten years, of which no record has been kept, we meet him in the city of Bath in 1816. this place he became acquainted with the lady who survives as his widow. After his marriage, he removed to his native country, and commenced business. The Lord abundantly prospered the work of his hand but, owing to the distracted state of that unhappy isle, (Papists having perpetrated many outrages upon Protestants in the neighbourhood,) he determined to leave Ireland, and seek a home where he could worship God beneath his own vine and fig-tree, none daring to make him afraid. He accordingly removed his family to England about the time of the emigration of British settlers to Albany; and the inducements held out were such as caused him to join them. He arrived in the Colony, bringing such property as would enable a young family to start respectably in the world. In common with the British settlers of 1820, he experienced at the outset much difficulty, and suffered severe losses. But, in virtue of that persevering and indomitable spirit which characterized the settlers of 1820, his courage never failed him; and, after

many struggles, and much toil, he became a resident of Graham's-Town, and commenced business, in 1826. Active in mind, and trained to business habits, he soon established a prosperous trade, which continued until the year 1842. During these sixteen years, he was among the originators of some of the most flourishing public institutions in the Eastern Province.

Having by this time realized a respectable fortune, he retired from the turmoils of active business to enjoy the quiet of a country life at his estate, Prospect, on the Tarka. Finding, however, that he had to contend with many disadvantages in reference to the spiritual training of his family, and that his own time was not so usefully occupied in the church as he considered his duty to God demanded, he returned to Graham's-Town in 1846.

When representative government was conceded to the Colony in 1852, Mr. Wright was urgently invited by various constituencies to represent them in Parliament; but he declined, until, a vacancy having occurred in the representation of Cradock, in 1856, numerous requisitions were addressed to him by the electors of that district. Having valuable landed property and family connexions there, he acceded to the request, and was unanimously returned as Representative. Declining health compelled him to resign his seat, much to the regret of the constituents; who sent him a most satisfactory address, thanking him for his services, and expressing their deep regret at the cause of his retirement.

From the time of his arrival in Graham's-Town, he joined himself to the Wesleyan Methodists, among whom he was a useful, active, and valuable member for upwards of thirty years. His spiritual birth dates from the year 1837, at which memorable period a glorious revival of religion was experienced throughout the whole Wesleyan body in the province. From the diary of the deceased, which commences in 1848, a few extracts may be selected, showing the state of his mind from that time to a very recent date.

On the 1st of February, in that year, he thus writes: "Thanks be to God for most overpowering views of His love to-day, while contemplating His deliverances and mercies. I feel such a fulness

of the love of God, and such a trust and confidence in His dealings with me, that it appears that nothing could draw me off from my confidence in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

From this time to June 28th, 1849, we find many entries indicating his faith and trust in God under various trials and temptations. "I expect to be saved," he says, "although sometimes walking under a cloud. But this is revealed to me, (and I feel it now,) that, although my heart is deceitful, Jesus died for me; and I feel Him very precious to my soul, even as a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Again, January 20th, 1850, while suffering severely: "Thanks be to God, my heavenly Father, for every afflictive dispensation; without which, it appears to me, I could not be so perfectly made meet for the kingdom. And this is proved to me, not only by my own experience, but by Scripture: He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.'

Again, in September of the same year: "I think my soul is ripening for a better world; meetening for the heavenly inheritance." In the following month, returning from his place of worship on a Sunday morning: "What shall we have to answer to our God, if we are not profiting, and growing in knowledge and holiness, under such a ministry!"

February 17th, 1851: "It appears to me, that, although cast down, I am not forsaken; for, though troubles endure for a night, joys come in the morning. May God make me more faithful to endure, as seeing Him who is invisible, and patiently to bear the cross, that I may wear the crown!"

March 3d: "Attended this morning prayer meeting, and found a blessing. Again, at my family-altar, where God has often blessed me indeed. To-day, in a peculiar manner, I have found it true of the courts of the Lord, that better is an hour spent there than a thousand elsewhere.

"On Sunday morning, September 11th, 1853, Mr. Green preached from, 'And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.' I feel this day great cause of thankfulness to the Giver of all good. I think that I can respond to the text; and, testing myself by the word of God, the only safe rule, I can say with deep humility that I dwell in love.' There are the infirmities of the flesh, and the remains of the carnal mind which

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have to be removed; for which removal I greatly long. I still feel great hungering and thirsting. I am still full of hope, which sometimes bears on eagles' wings;' a 'glorious hope,' that 'lifts my fainting spirit up.' But I frequently feel my mind too much engrossed with worldly things. I want a spirit of diligence in the things of God, in prayer and closet-studies. Were it not that God is love, what would become of me?"

Turning to January, 1854, we find the following: "Having in the usual solemn way renewed my covenant with God, I here now ratify it afresh, and give myself afresh unto God; and beseech Him that He would take me anew to be His servant, to be disposed of as the Lord, the righteous God, may see fit, making me a vessel to honour, that I may be useful as it pleaseth Him. I here vow to give myself more unreservedly to the Lord by His grace, and to love Him and serve Him more for the time to come. now I feel I am God's, and He is mine, and shall be mine for ever and for ever."

And

June 11th, 1855: While Mr. Shaw was preaching this morning, I felt I enjoyed a share in the benefit. My soul exulted, and does still exult, and I hope I ever shall exult, in the great salvation from sin wrought out for me and all mankind by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

'O, for such love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues
The Saviour's praises speak!""

In December following: "As the year draws near to a close, I would gladly begin to cast up my accounts, as to what I have been doing through the year. And shall I not rather put it, What has the Lord been doing for my soul? If I trace back my own works through the year, I find that many of them tended to sin and death, nor could I count up the sum of my transgressions. Suffice it now to place on record, that, whatever they have been, the Lord has had mercy on my soul, and taken away my sin: my sin of ingratitude,-my sin of neglect of His ordinances and statutes,-my worldlymindedness, my littleness of love to Him, my impatience, and want of resignation in all things with which the Lord has seen good to try me. But this I desire to record, that my God has been faithful and kind, and better to me than all my boding fears."

The last entry in his diary, dated September 16th, 1856, concludes thus: "I find my poor human nature giving way;

but grace sustains me. To God be all the glory!"

His medical adviser recommending change of air, in January he went to Port-Elizabeth. For a time the change seemed to have a beneficial effect; but, after the first week or two, he again became worse, and appeared to be gradually sinking. Sometimes he considerably revived; and on such occasions he would converse much, and take great pleasure in hearing some good book read to him. But this was comparatively seldom, and in general he would hear nothing but the Bible. He seemed very much to enjoy having the members of his family in his room morning and evening for familyworship; and upon one occasion, just before engaging in this exercise, he made the remark," No one can tell how much of the presence and love of God I have frequently felt, whilst bowed at the familyaltar. Yes, I can truly say, as a dying man, that oftentimes I have felt so overpowered with the love of God, that I have wished I might be taken straight to heaven."

One morning, when his family were gathered around his bed, he said, after giving advice to one who was present, Now, I should like to praise God with you once more." He was asked which hymn he should like.

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath," he replied. One of his daughters commenced singing, and all present joined in this hymn of praise. Weak as he was, he raised his voice with the rest, during the singing of the first line, but was unable to proceed. All were overcome, and could do little more than sing the first verse. John xvii. was then read, and prayer offered. The season was one not to be forgotten.

He was quite resigned to the will of God, whether to live or to die; and would sometimes check himself when giving expression to a wish,-" But I want to have no will of my own." He did, however, desire, if it were the will of God, to get home, that he might die at Graham's-Town. The last few days of his stay at the Bay, he became much weaker; and it was feared he would not be able to accomplish the journey.

During this time he spoke little; but his few expressions were those of confidence and trust, as well as resignation to the will of God. 66 He wanted," he said, "to praise God more." Though he had not great joy, he testified that "his anchor was cast within the veil."

Mr. and Mrs. Wright, with their

daughters, left Port-Elizabeth on Thursday, February 19th, 1857. In the evening he became very weak, and changed for the worse. "Whatever is the will of the Lord," he said, " is my will. Blessed be God, He is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever......I long to be gone, greatly long. Blessed be the name of the Lord, who does all things well! I die in faith, and hope, and love." His daughter asked him if he had any fear of death. "No, no, no, my darling," was his emphatic reply. After a time he asked for a little wine, and, on receiving it, signified that he considered it as “ sacrament to the Lord."

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After this, by easy stages, he was removed to his own house. On Sunday morning his weakness was extreme. He spoke but little, ejaculating occasionally favourite texts of Scripture, and expressing his trust and confidence in God. As the sun descended beneath the western horizon, his breathing gradually became fainter and fainter, until at length the silver cord of life was snapped, and the disembodied spirit returned to God who gave it,

Thus lived and thus died Mr. William Wright, at the age of sixty-four years. Contemplated as a British settler, his character stands out as a fair sample of the men of 1820, in whose early history his name will stand conspicuous. He partook of their trials, but bore them with a gallant spirit, and finally overcame them. Endowed with great natural shrewdness, and trained to habits of business, he became one of the most successful traders in the community, amassing a competency while most other men only (as it were) entered upon their career. His religion was that of the heart; his great aim was to please God; his highest enjoyment, to walk in the light of His countenance. His Christian

character was also displayed in his liberality to the church and his charities to the poor. His love to the souls of men burned within him steadily; and his desire to send the Gospel to those who sit in darkness was not a mere sentiment, but was shown practically by his munificent contributions to the Mission-funds. In the church he held for many years various important offices and trusts. He was Treasurer to the Sunday-school, to the Chapel-Trust fund, and to the Branch Missionary Society. He was also one of the Circuit-Stewards, in which office his zeal and liberality were alike conspicuous. As one of the Trustees of Commemoration Chapel, he rendered essential aid in carrying this noble edifice to completion.

The poor and needy of this city have lost a sympathizing friend, whose charities are known only to God and the recipients. Let it be ours to imitate his excellencies, to follow him as he followed Christ, to exhibit the same godly jealousy for the church, the same zeal in promoting its essential interests; and, as we contemplate his character, to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord.*

C. H. C.

DIED, at Graham's-Town, October 1st, 1856, after a short but severe illness, MARY ANN, the beloved wife of Mr. B. M. SHEPPERSON, M.L.A., and eldest daughter of the Honourable R. Godlonton, M.L.C.; aged forty.

The late Mrs. Shepperson came to the Colony in 1820. She was then about three years old, and, being the only child, was greatly beloved of her parents, whose affection she repaid by that cheerful and intelligent obedience which gives a charm to youthful character, and the brightest promise in reference to the future. On the passage, she was most mercifully preserved from death. She was a passenger with her parents in a transport named the "Chapman," an old bluff-built vessel of a thousand tons' burden, drawing some sixteen feet of water, with great height from the water-mark to the main deck. On nearing the line, the ship lay becalmed, as is common in that latitude, for several days; the sails flapping idly as the unwieldy vessel rolled from side to side, beneath a cloudless and burning sun. To afford the seamen some occupation, the Master of the ship ordered them to take off the hatches, and "rouse out" the lower decks. During this opera

tion, the subject of this sketch seated herself, perfectly unconscious of danger, on the coping around the main hatch; and, the vessel making a lurch, she was precipitated backward into the lower hold, a depth of not less than twenty-five feet. The alarm and anxiety felt at the moment were indescribable; as was also the gratification, especially of the parents, when she was brought up, and restored to them by the astonished seamen, among whom she fell, perfectly unhurt. Though so young, she never forgot this merciful providence.

On reaching the land allotted to her parents, near the mouth of the Fish River, she had to endure all the privations and discomforts of a settler's life. There were no schools, no churches, no spiritual advice, no instruction. For many months, in very inclement weather, (for the season was winter,) her family had no shelter save that afforded by canvas. All this time they were without servants. Mary Ann, though so very young, was at once the comfort and helpmate of her parents. Her docility and affection were ever apparent; and the little offices she was able to perform were done with cheerful, willing alacrity, which shed (as it were) a gleam of bright sunshine on the dreary toil of an emigrant's life. Circumstances led her parents to remove to Graham's-Town, after a short residence at Bathurst; and here the promise of her childhood was fulfilled in her youth.

That she was the subject of religious impressions at an early period, is abundantly shown by her own recorded statements. A little narrative, written by her for the "Christian Watchman," and published in that periodical, April, 1855, will be abundant as well as most satis

*The following legacies have been left to various Societies and institutions by the late William Wright, Esq.:

1. To the Wesleyan Missionary Society

2. To the Wesleyan Missionary Society, for passage-money of young Ministers to the
Eastern Province..

3. For the relief of chapels, or toward the erection of new ones

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........ 350

4. To the Wesleyan Sunday-school..

5. For the erection of alms-houses

150

6. For the relief of the poor in connexion with the Wesleyan congregation at
Graham's-Town

150

7. For the purpose of laying out and improving the interior of the burial-ground in
connexion with Commemoration Chapel

8. To the Wesleyan Superannuated Preachers' Fund

50

200

75

50

100

2,600

9. To the British and Foreign Bible Society

10. To the Graham's-Town Library

11. To the Graham's-Town General Hospital 12. To a Lunatic Asylum....

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"I FIRST met Letitia* at a boardingschool in Graham's-Town, among a number of scholars. She attracted particular attention from her engaging manners, but more particularly from our having been told that she was a Methodist, a member of the Wesleyan Society, although only fourteen years of age.

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"We all pitied her; for we thought it was a dreadful thing to be a Methodist so young as she was, and expected she would always be in a state of despondency. our surprise, we found her quite as cheerful, and much happier than any of us; and, from the sweetness of her temper, she soon became a general favourite. We could not fail to be struck with the great forbearance she exhibited when we made light of the religion she professed. Her character was so consistent, that we began to think there was something in religion, after all; and, although she was junior to some of us, we felt considerable restraint in her presence, as she never would countenance any unbecoming frivolity.

"One evening, as we were sitting in the school-room, in the absence of our governess, our lessons being over, it was proposed that we should have a dance to pass the time away. One exclaimed,' O no do not have a dance: Letitia will not join with us, she is such a saint.' 'Do not say so,' she said: 'indeed I am no saint, but a sinner; I hope, a sinner

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saved by grace. However, I certainly think the time might be more profitably employed: suppose we were each to tell a tale.' We all exclaimed immediately, "Yes! that is the very thing;' and one said, sarcastically, Letitia can begin, and tell us how she came to be so religious.''Well,' replied she, I would willingly do so, if I were sure you would not ridicule what I say.' We promised to comply with her wishes, if she would only tell us all about it, and with eagerness listened.

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"My parents,' she began, have long been professors of religion. When very young, I attended the Sunday-school, where I received much good. The last year before I came here, I was a Teacher in the school. I knew I was born in sin, but never felt myself a sinner until the revival a few months before my coming to school. I then felt that, though so young, I was a great sinner, and prayed to God to forgive my sins. I felt just like Christian in the Pilgrim's Progress,

that my sins were indeed a great burden to me. One night, while praying, I felt, to my surprise and inexpressible joy, that my burden was gone; and I determined that I would serve God as long as I lived, and also endeavour not to disgrace His cause. Well!' one exclaimed, 'I believe, after all, it is a good thing to be religious; for I think Letitia is decidedly the happiest girl in the school. Her conduct is so good, that she is never in disgrace like the rest of us; and, before she goes to bed, she says such long prayers, that I am sure she would go to heaven were she to die before morning.'

It was asked what prayers she said. She replied, with some little hesitation, 'Well, I do not say prayers, but I pray.' What is the difference?' 'A great difference. I pray for things that I want for myself or others, and conclude with the Lord's Prayer.' 'I wish,' said one, you would pray aloud, that we might hear what you say.' 'Indeed,' said she, 'I fear you only wish to criticize what I say.' No, no,' several replied; 'we will promise not to do so :' on which she promised to think of it. On retiring for the night, she stated that she had decided to pray with us, if we still wished it.

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We all knelt around the bed; and never will that evening be effaced from the memory of the writer of these lines. We felt an influence from above, and several were melted to tears; the soft accents from her youthful lips, and the simplicity of her earnest supplications, touched our hearts, inspiring us with reverence for God, and impressed us with the realities of the spiritual life. She continued thus to pray with us very frequently; which, with her consistent and gentle conduct, was the means of much

* Letitia married the late amiable Charles Bailie. Perhaps no young couple ever entered upon the journey of life with more pleasing and cheerful auspices; none ever had their path more densely clouded. The Kaffir war of 1835 broke upon them suddenly, and blighted all their hopes. Their dwelling was fired, their property carried off, and a few months afterwards the husband was slain by the Kaffirs in the Amatolas, while gallantly fighting in defence of the Colony. The spot where he fell is well known by the designation of "Bailie's Grave." Subsequently the widow married Mr. C. Thornhill, of Cradock; and, after maintaining her Christian character amidst all the changes of an eventful life, was called to her reward at the carly age of twenty-five.

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