idolater, or tears the idol from the heart. That place He has designed to occupy himself. In this instance, however, the idol was taken away,-their youngest child, sickened, and died, and while they both mourned their loss, and "refused to be comforted," they were led to reflect upon that heaven of which their child was an inhabitant, and what was better still, upon Jesus, who has opened the kingdom of heaven not only to babes, but to all who believe. They both sought and found the pearl of great price, and united themselves to the people of God about the year 1841.

But how mysterious are the ways of Providence-truly it may be said, "He led them about in a strange land." Their experience was that of the psalmist, "I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all our fathers were. Owing to the employment of Mr. Beevers, they had to remove from Skelmanthorp to Huddersfield; and from thence to Pontefract; from thence to Sheffield, from thence to Manchester, from thence to New Mills, from thence to Deighton, and from thence to Hull. Thus giving Brother Beevers, a fine opportunity of declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ to numbers in different circuits, inaccessible to many others of our local brethren. In this work, his partner evinced her interest by endeavours to remove obstacles out of

When

his way, so that he might ever attend to his appointments. residing in Hull, she passed through the crucible of affection. For six long months she was confined to her bed, with the disease of dropsy, anticipating for many weeks her release from the body. But her mind was calm and serene.

"Not a cloud did arise to darken the skies,

Or hide for one moment her Lord from her eyes."

She would gladly have hailed her liberation, nevertheless, like Job, patiently waiting (without a murmur), "until her change should come."

So

enabled her to triumph, and brought her out for a short time, to show to the world what His grace and love can do.

From Hull, they removed to Stockport, and though she never fully recovered from her late affliction, yet being of a cheerful disposition, she soon won the affections of her neighbours, who were ever ready to sympathise with and assist her as far as possible.

Living at a distance from the chapel, she was not able to attend to the ordinances of God's house so frequently as she wished; she sighed for "the house of the Lord," and said to the writer, "oh, how barren one's mind becomes, by not being able to worship with the people of God; one seems to be connected with a church to which one is unknown; I want to see and know the people." Her partner sought for a house near to our beloved" Mount Tabor," and finally succeeded. Then was her soul glad, when they said unto her; "Let us go

up to the House of the Lord." She joined our venerable and much respected Brother Barber's class, as being the most convenient. To her leader, she was ardently attached, and was never absent from the meeting, unless sickness prevented.

For a few weeks before her decease, her mind became beclouded; she knew not the reason, but her sky was overcast; "The Sun of Righteousness was hid from her soul, and she mourned on account of it, inquiring with the psalmist, "Why art thou cast down O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me; hope thou in God; I shall yet praise him, who is the health of thy countenance and thy God." This, indeed, became her experience, for before her final affliction, she regained her confidence, and again experienced His "lovingkindness, which is better than life." Now her faith became strong and unshaken. Her hope "like an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, her joy abounded, and the promises of the Bible were again precious to her.

About a fortnight before her death, she was again laid prostrate with her old complaint, during which time the writer visited her several times. When she expressed her confidence in Him who doeth all things well, and could say, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I

"Tho' painful at present, 't will cease
before long,

And then, O how pleasant the con-
queror's song!"

she seemed to whisper, "The conqueror's song, blessed Jesus." During night she, became weaker, and on the following morning, which was the Sabbath, she was perfectly conscious that she was dying, and whispered to her partner, "I am dying, my feet and legs are already dead, it is now seizing my hands," and then quietly resigning herself into the hands of Him, "who holds the keys of death and the unseen world," and without a struggle, she ceased to breathe, and entered into her Master's joy, on the 27th day of November, 1853, aged forty-one years.

She was interred according to her request, at the Borough Cemetery. She was carried by four of our local preachers, and the funeral obsequies were impressively performed by our highly respected and much esteemed young minister, the Rev. J. Innocent.

MR. GEORGE BUNTING,
STOCKPORT.

THE faded leaf, as it falls and flies before us "on the wings of the wind," reminds us at this season of the year of our own mortality; "We all do fade as a leaf." But should this silent monitor fail in its warning, one more cogent is brought to bear upon our minds-the falling of our friends, with whom we have been sweetly associated in church fellowship, or connected by the strongest ties of relationship. But how pleasing to reflect that our brother Bunting has fallen, like one of those leaves from the evergreen plant, which retains its freshness and beauty until the rude blast has torn it away.

Some time since he was the subject of a paralytic stroke, from which he never fully recovered, though he was able to go abroad; and as often as his enfeebled state of health would permit, he was found in his accustomed seat in the house of God, listening with eagerness to the truths of the gospel, even up to the last Sabbath he spent on earth, which was but three days before

his death. After the evening service, the love-feast was held, to which he stayed, and at which he attempted to speak. Not being able to stand, he sat in his pew and said, "My Christian friends," but could say no more; tears rolled thickly and fast down his cheeks; the whole assembly was moved. The writer remarked, "Brother Bunting has got very near home; he is just stepping into the swellings of Jordan. A very few more storms, and he will enter into rest." His partner in life wondered at these remarks, and asked herself, can it be so? Yes; so it was, on Monday he was apparently rather better than usual; on Tuesday he was unusually cheerful when visited by our estimable young minister, the Rev. J. Innocent, for whom he entertained the highest regard. But, when retiring to rest, he became the subject of another stroke; immediately he became unconscious, and remained so till the following day, Wednesday, at five o'clock, Nov. 2nd, 1853, when he entered into everlasting life, in the 65th year of his age.

For many years he was a member of our beloved community, to which he was ardently attached, and of which he was an ornament, serving it in the best manner he was able, by becoming the society's treasurer steward, in which he served for several years with great

satisfaction.

devout, the persevering of his flock. Her dear parents having long known the way of righteousness, early instilled into the mind of each of their numerous offspring the knowledge and fear of the Lord; and to this practice, through the Divine blessing, may be attributed those feelings of regard for the Sabbath, of hatred to sin, especially in its outward forms, and that reverence for God's house and people, of which she was very early the subject. It has now been a long acknowledged fact, that no children when capable of reflection can be regularly brought to the throne of grace, and the family altar, have the Christian example set before them, and Christian instruction given, without either then, or in subsequent life, being the subjects of the awakening influence of God's grace, and sincere desires to "flee from the wrath to come." This was particularly the case with our dear friend. So impressed was her mind with the importance of religion and its privileges, that she began to meet in class with our late excellent sister, Mrs. Piggin (mother of the Rev. H. P:), when she was between eleven and twelve years

of age.

According to her own account, and the testimony of those best acquainted with her religious experience, she experienced change of heart soon after she was twelve years of age, and could rejoice in a sense of her acceptance with God through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. Thus a blessed foundation was laid in early life for her future stability and usefulness in the Church of the Redeemer. Happy would it be for the interests of the Church generally, and for our young friends professing godliness, were such their early experience.

It was in the year 1843, during the superintendency of Rev. W. Mills, by whom she was (along with several others) publicly admitted as a member of our community, and continued such during the residue of her earthly career, about ten years, to adorn such profession by a steady consistent life. There was one feature in her religious experience that must not be disregarded, and which should especially be cultivated by our young people, namely, the keeping of a tender conscience, striving to avoid the appearance of evil, and endeavouring to shun what too many regard as trifling

sins. The cultivation of this state of mind is peculiarly adapted to preserve the conscience from the stain of sin, and promote in the heart the growth of true holiness. As an instance, we may notice, that being on a short visit to some relations in Mansfield (not decidedly religious), she was invited to a party of young persons. To her great surprise and grief, after tea was over, cards and dancing were introduced; and though she could not join with them, yet she afterwards confessed she was not sufficiently prompt in not immediately leaving the place, so that her presence might be construed into giving a sanction to such ungodly and foolish amusements. language after was,

"Oh, may the least omission pain

My well-instructed soul,
And drive me to the blood again,

Her

That makes the wounded whole." In the year 1852, when about 21 years of age, she was united in m rriage with one of our friends. Between them there had long existed a growing attachment, which continued uninterrupted to the end of her earthly pilgrimage Her confinement of a son (since removed by death), in July, 1853, laid the foundation of a very severe but short illness. From her generally previous good health, no serious fears were at first entertained by her friends. Owing to her extreme sufferings her mind often wandered, and the power of speech nearly failed; but during her few lucid intervals she was graciously sustained and comforted: Once when her dear father was conversing with her, she said, "Oh! I am very happy.' She spoke but little afterwards, and expired on the 4th August, aged 22 years.

Thus

she lingered but a few days, and then took her everlasting farewell of this sinful world, to be a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed in us in the world to come. During the period of health and vigor she had been very active as a teacher in our Sunday-school, and as a singer in our choir. Her talent in this latter service was above the common order; her sweet and melodious voice was heard with much pleasure in the sanctuary of God. She set a good example of diligent and persevering attention to the things of this life. It was evident by her becoming appearance, and the resources at her

Ꭱ

DIED, February 20, 1854, at the advanced age of 85 years, Anne, the beloved relict of Mr. Josh. Peake, late of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

My late dear and honoured parent, Anne Peake, was a. native of Newcastle, Staffordshire, and was brought up in strict attention to all moral duties, as far as concerns this world; but as religion formed no part in the creed of her parents, it cannot be supposed that much interest was taken in the spiritual welfare of their offspring. Notwithstanding this, my dear mother, in early life, felt the strivings of God's Spirit, and was graciously restrained from running to excess in folly. For some years she regularly attended the service of the Established Church, but knew nothing of saving grace until she was upwards of thirty-four years of age,-when, by a varied chain of Providences, she went to reside at Knutton Heath, and, with her husband, attended the Ministry of the Methodist New Connexion. The doctrines of the Gospel, as taught by this people, were altogether new to her, being so widely different from anything she had previously heard; yet she received the Word with gladness, and it was made the power of God unto her salvation. Her convictions of sin and her repentance were deep, which led to a cheerful compliance with the requisitions of the Gospel, as her subsequent life evidently proved.

For many years my dear mother was a lively, devoted member of the Church; and though not favoured with the advantages of education, yet, so far as her knowledge or influence extended, she might have justly put many wiser persons than herself to the blush, by the fearless yet affectionate manner with which she reproved sin, and urged upon the half-hearted the importance of decision on religious subjects. In a word, the tenderest sensibilities and warmest affections of her heart were engaged in God's cause.

If it was well with Zion, it was well with her; but if the Church languished, she was sorrowful. Truly it was the delight of her soul,

"After her lowly Lord to go,

And wait upon his saints below, Enjoy the grace to angels given, And serve the royal heirs of heaven." How truly is it said, "All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field!" In the present instance, health failed, and the mental faculties of my dear parent became so much enfeebled, that for the last eight or ten years of her life, it would have been impossible for any person not thoroughly acquainted with her to form anything like a correct estimate of her real worth as a Christian.

Being deprived in a great measure of outward means, she gave herself more fully to prayer, and enjoyed daily communion with her Maker.

In the month of January, 1852, it pleased the Lord to remove, by a sudden and unexpected stroke, my ever dear and honoured father. This circumstance produced a shock on his surviving partner, which no sympathy or kindness could effectually remove. For (to use the words of the sainted Mrs. Fletcher on a similar occasion) "The sun of her earthly joys was for ever set." Her frail bark, already shattered by age and infirmity, now sank apace. For the last few months of her life, she, from choice, resided with my family, in entire freedom from all domestic cares. During this period, she had several severe attacks of sickness, from none of which she entirely rallied. Early in the month of February she was taken with her last illness, which was literally a breaking up of nature, not to be healed by medicine or care. Happy for her, religion had not now to be sought. She knew in whom she had believed, and found Him faithful who had promised to be with his people, even unto old age.

But little was said during her affliction, but quite sufficient to prove that her hope of heaven was built on a sure foundation; and when at length called to pass through the valley and shadow of death, she feared no evil, for God was with her.

In conclusion, I may take the liberty of saying, that, within the short space of two years, it has been my painful duty to offer this last tribute of affection to the memory of both my dear

parents. To their example and prayers I must ever acknowledge myself an unspeakable debtor, and I humbly hope my last end may be as calm and tranquil as theirs. ELIZTH. HEATH.

Newcastle-under-Lyme, Jan. 17, 1854.

SARAH KNOTT.

SARAH KNOTT died in the Lord, Jan. 8th, 1854. She was blessed with a real change of heart when quite young, and drank deeply into the spirit of Christian holiness, and for some time enjoyed the rich blessing of perfect love to God. Her happiness while in this state was unspeakable. When she was married, her husband was a professor of religion, but a short time afterwards he lost his hold of salvation. This was a great disappointment to her; and her confidence being shaken, she lost a measure of her happiness. When she became a mother, she was, to some extent, deprived of the means of grace. By degrees she lost her peace, broke off her connection with the Church of God, and for some years was in a backsliding state. A short time ago her husband was restored to God's favour, and united with our society here. This circumstance had a good effect upon her mind; yet she did not earnestly seek salvation, until her last affliction assumed a dangerous aspect. Then she became earnest to be restored to the joys of God's salvation, and was very anxious for the company and prayers of the friends of Jesus. I visited her for some months, and had much conversation with her on the state of her mind. She was greatly depressed in spirits, and had very little comfort. She tried to believe, but her fears were too strong for her faith. I visited her one morning after she became confined to her bed; and, after some conversation, I read a portion of God's Word, and sung a hymn to her. She listened with profound attention; and when I had finished, she threw up her arms, and shouted, "Bless the Lord! Praise the Lord! It is sweet sing it again; sing it again." Her soul was in a perfect rapture, her fears were scattered, and her faith took fast hold of the blood of Jesus. When I had sung the hymn a second time, her joy was unspeakable and full of glory. After prayer and thanksgiving for what the Lord had done, I left her in the unclouded light of his favour. For some time

after this she enjoyed unutterable bliss, until her strength declined, when she settled down into a calm, peaceful confidence, which God enabled her to retain to the last. I saw her on the Friday previous to her death, but she was unable to speak. I asked if all was right. She put her hand on her heart, and then pointed to heaven. I believed her to be quite firm in her confidence, and clear in her evidence.

A few minutes before her death, she pointed to a corner in the room, and smiled. Neither her husband nor her sister understood her. Thinking she wanted something, they reached her several articles, but she intimated that these were not what she meant. They then began to think it was an invisible attendant that God had sent to conduct her to glory. Shortly afterwards, her soul left its frail prison, for the palace of God, in the 38th year of her age. Jan. 10.

A. LYNN.

DIED at Cobridge, Burslem Circuit. on the 7th January, 1854, SAMUEL STEEL, aged 77 years. Brother Steel had been a member of our community for more than fifty years; he had been a class leader, and sustained various offices in the church and school for more than twenty years. He was diligent, zealous, and persevering. About a week before his death he was in attendance in the house of God; one week's affliction brought him to the "house appointed for all living," but he was fully prepared for the solemn

event.

JOHN BALL-On Friday, the 13th of January, 1854, at Burslem, our esteemed brother, aged 52 years, departed this life in peace. Our dear brother's end was sudden and unexpected, though he had been long afflicted with asthma. To him death had no terrors. He had been a member for nearly twenty years, and for some years a valuable leader in our society at Bethel chapel. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

RICHARD EMERY-On Sunday evening, January 29th, 1854, in the 62nd year of his age, our esteemed brother was removed from earth to heaven. He had been a member of the New Connexion more than forty years, during which he had very efficiently sustained the office of class leader at Burslem