street if it had not been for shame. He was connected with the singing in Beth. esda for upwards of thirty years. His fine, strong, mellow voice has often made the chapel ring with the praises of God. Though his voice shall be no more heard on the mountains of Israel, yet it will for ever sound forth the Redeemer's praise on Mount Zion above. It was, however, his own conviction that singing occasioned his death. He believed that the great inward weakness that caused him so much suffering was produced by his exertions in singing. Prudence in all religious efforts is a very proper thing. The great mischief is that of labouring when the natural energy is exhausted. Mankind have only so much physical strength, and when that is gone they ought to rest until nature is replenished with more. If this rule were observed, little harm would be done by the efforts necessary to carry on the worship of God.

During his Christian journey, he had several severe attacks of affliction; but God was always with him in the deep waters and made his sufferings a blessing to him. By affliction he learned how to die; he had as complete a victory over death as ever a soul had. Mr. John Ridgway called one day to see him, and found him much reduced by the sharp progress of affliction; but his voice was full, his grasp of friendship strong, and his mind was happy. After a little conversation on the present and the past, the discourse was turned to the future, and to the probable issue of his sickness, whether for life or death. "Oh," says he, "Death and I have come to a right understanding about that matter. I look at him as a friend, and have nothing to fear. I consider him as a messenger that opens to me the kingdom of heaven; and I therefore bid him welcome. To live has long been Christ to me, and now to die will be exceeding gain." All this and far more was uttered with a cheerfulness and pathos which at once proved its sincerity and the joy and consolation it afforded.

During his last affliction I saw him several times, and I ever found him like a man of God who had death under his feet, and calmly rejoicing in hope of for ever sharing the endless bliss of heaven. The last visit I paid him was the day before his death. On asking him how he was, he said, "I am poorly, but the soul is right; it is not for me to dictate to the Lord, must wait his time." In this calm, waiting frame of mind he met the last conflict, when he emerged from

his prison of flesh to the palace of God in heaven, January 23, 1852, aged sixty. four. A. LYNN.

ELIJAH MOUNTFORD.

ELIJAH MOUNTFORD, Hanley Circuit, was born in Shelton, Staffordshire Potteries, April 2nd, 1813. His mother was a truly pious woman, and was for many years a consistent and much-esteemed member of the Bethesda Society. She was deeply solicitous for the spiritual and eternal welfare of her children, and as soon as they were capable of receiving instruction, she conversed with them frequently about salvation, and intreated them to give their hearts to the Lord. Her labour was not in vain. The subject of this account was taken by his father to the Bethesda Sabbath-school when he was six years of age. He soon became very fond of the school, and was constant in his attendance. He passed through the various classes in the school until he entered the class taught by our late friend, Mr. Joseph Bullock, from whom he obtained much information on various subjects. His mind was frequently impressed with the importance of personal religion; but he did not give his heart fully to God until he arrived at manhood. He was very orderly in his conduct, and in various ways sought to be useful in the cause of God. In 1829, he was made a teacher in the Sabbath-school, the duties of which office he faithfully fulfilled for several years, and for a considerable period he was a valuable superintendent of the senior girls' school in Bethesda.

He was also for three years the leader of the choir, and was likewise an assistant-leader to Mr. Allbut's class. His conversion took place in 1832, under the following circumstances. The young person with whom he kept company, and who afterwards became his wife, lost her father by death. This occurrence so affected her mind that she resolved to trifle with her soul no longer, but from that time to devote her life to God. Moreover, she informed him that unless he would resolve to love and serve God she could no longer keep his company. They conversed frequently and freely on this all-important subject; and the desire to be a Christian, which he had long stifled, became so strong that he decided to join the Society, and sought the Lord in deep humiliation and sorrow of heart. He had considerable perplexity respecting the nature of saving faith. Its simplicity was a great mystery to him. He

read books on the subject, and got but little light.

On one occasion, whilst conversing with a fellow-workman on the all-important subject of believing, it occurred to him that to believe must be an act of his own, and that if he believed now he should be saved now. Whilst pondering over this thought, he resolved to make

the effort, and he said, "I will believe, I do believe." In a moment, the gloomy guilt that hung over his soul, and made him so unhappy, passed away, and a feeling of peace and joy, such as he had never felt before, filled his liberated spirit. From this time he was seldom without a comfortable assurance of God's favour. His first class-leader was our esteemed friend Mr. R. Malkin, who spoke of his love to the means of grace in the most satisfactory manner. In 1836, he entered the married state; and as his wife and he were members of the same Society, and as they had much union of sentiment and feeling, they proved in reality helps meet for each other, and, perhaps, enjoyed as much real happiness as falls to the lot of most persons in their circumstances. He dearly loved domestic life: his own home was his favourite place. When he became a father his happiness was greatly increased. He loved his children most tenderly; and when they grew up, so as he could talk to them, and they could sing the praises of God together, it was a high gratification to him. Many happy hours his dear partner and he employed in teaching their children to sing the praises of God.

I suppose it is scarcely possible for any man to have a stronger affection for a family than he had for his. When he was taken ill, and doubts were enter.. tained respecting his recovery, nothing troubled him so much as the thoughts of leaving them without a father to watch over them and provide for them. As a servant, he was highly esteemed by his master. He entered the employment of our excellent friend, John Ridgway, Esq., in 1824, and remained with him twentyseven years. Mr. R. esteemed him highly as a confidential servant; and our brother had a great respect for his master, whom he had so long faithfully and honourably served. Mr. Bale, the nephew of Mr. Ridgway, had many opportunities of observing his conduct, and he says he never met with a more upright and conscientious man: things that some people would pass over as mere trifles would occasion him much anxiety, on account of his strict adherence to truth. sup

pose it is a little more than two years since he first became unwell. During that period he was flattered with the hope of the recovery of his health. Of his recovery he was very desirous for the sake of his family; but the symptoms of decline became so evident, that he was advised, as a last resort, to try a change of air. He accordingly removed into Cheshire, and remained there for three months; but the disease had taken too fast hold on his constitution for any means to remove it. As he found his strength declining he returned home.

When his friends saw him they were quite shocked at the change in his appearance; and the general impression was, that his end was near. A few days after he reached home my attention was directed to him, and I went to see him. I was fully convinced that he would soon be in the house appointed for all living. I felt it my duty kindly to intimate to him that I believed he would not get better, and that if he wished to have the support of divine grace he must resign all into the hands of God. This allusion to the probability of death deeply affected his dear wife, and her distress brought his own feelings into a painful state. From this time he more than ever prayed for divine grace to submit to the will of the Lord. I saw him again in a few days, and regretted to find that he had not fully given up his children. The youngest child seemed to cling around his heart in such a manner as made him feel it very difficult to disentangle himself from him. I spoke to him very closely on the subject of being resigned to the divine will, and told him he could not fully receive the supporting grace of God unless he was fully resigned to his will. His paternal affection was strong that the struggle with his feelings and the will of God was very great. While we were thus conversing, his wife, to my surprise, said, "Elijah, give us up, and I will give you up!" This advice of his wife appeared to relieve him greatly, for up to this time she had clung to him as strongly as he did to her.

I made some inquiries respecting his conversion, which he seemed quite willing to give me, though it exhausted him much. I then prayed with him and left him. When I was gone, he desired to be left alone, and he betook himself to earnest prayer for grace to surrender his family into the hands of God; and in a short time the Lord gave him the victory, and filled his soul with unspeakable peace and joy. Some time after, his wife returned to the room and found his

face covered with perspiration; while she was removing this, he opened his eyes. She inquired if she had disturbed him, and if he had been asleep? He said, "No. I was just thinking about matters. I am surprised at you. Although you have had so much to do for me, you are as willing to wait on me as ever. Yet after manifesting all this love for me, how is it that I am able to give you up? It is not for want of affection for you." She said, "Oh, no, it is the Lord that has enabled you to do it." The reserve that he had felt through life to speak on religious subjects was now entirely removed, and his soul was filled with a holy boldness, and he was constrained to speak to all who came near him about the bliss he enjoyed. He urged them to cleave to God and make religion a chief business. He was surprised to find himself so completely loosened from those who had been so dear to him. He told Mrs. M. that he believed God would take care of her and the children. In the last conversation he had with his eldest son, he gave him his hymn-book, and charged him to attend the house of God and love and serve his Maker, and he would be sure to bless him. Having thus re signed his children, he desired them to be kept out of his sight, lest he should be tempted to take them back again. Finding he was soon to die, he had a wish to see his father and sister who lived in Cheshire. When they arrived, and his father saw him, he burst into tears. Mr. M. said to him, "Father, you have come to see the last of me. You know how long I have been afflicted, yet the Lord has taken care of me, and he is now about to take me to himself. There I shall see my dear mother, next to my dear Saviour. I shall look out for her, and oh! what a happy meeting we shall have! Father, give your heart fully to God, and I shall greet you on the shore." Mrs. M. had waited on him night and day, until it was judged needful for her to have a night's rest. It was arranged for one of the neighbours to wait upon him, that she might go to bed. This she felt reluctant to do, lest he should not have the attention she thought he needed; but Mr. M. urged her to go and get a good night's rest. When she went to take leave of him for the night, he said, " Now go to bed and be quite content, for I shall have a glorious night. John will read and I will pray, and I shall perhaps sing before morning!" Mrs. M. said, Nay, you cannot sing, you have lost your voice." Oh, but," said he, " I may perhaps sing

the new song before morning, and that will be glorious." The Sunday morning previous to his death, his old friend, Mr. R. Malkin (since then gone to rest), paid him a visit. On inquiring how he was, he said he was very ill, but very happy. Mr. Malkin spoke to him about the suitability of the Gospel to meet the wants of mankind. He said it succoured and sustained them in all their trials. In the truth of these remarks he feelingly concurred. He observed, "I have been trying to remember a hymn." Mr. Malkin inquired if he could recollect any of the words? He said, "Yes, theseHere I'll sit, for ever viewing

Mercy's streams in streams of blood." Mr. Malkin pointed it out to him and repeated it, and it so met his views and feelings, that it threw him into an extacy, and with a full voice he cried, "Glory! glory! glory!" Such was the feeling produced, that all present were affected to tears. Mr. Malkin remarked it was a most wonderful season. In the evening of the same day, friend Hoyland, one of the Bedford leaders, called upon him. Mr. Mountford told him he had something to say to him before he went home. Friend Hoyland sat down by his bedside, and Mr. M. thus addressed him: "I am as weak as a little child. My strength is nearly all gone. I do not expect ever to arise from this bed, but I am perfectly happy in the religion of Jesus Christ. The sting of death is extracted, and the fear of dying is taken away. I am not afraid to die. All will be well." The same person was with him the last two hours of his life. He asked him several times if he had good footing. He answered, "Yes; all will be well!" Hoyland told him he had heard a sermon on "Unto him that loved us," &c., "In the sermon, it was observed that all could sing this song in part-all sinners could sing "Unto him that has loved us," but they could not sing 'He has washed us from our sins in his own blood;' but you can sing the whole song." He said, "I can." The very last words he uttered before he breathed his last were: “I shall sing the new song." Thus died Elijah Mountford, September 16, 1851, aged 38. A. LYNN.

March, 1852.

Mr.

ELIZABETH WHEYWELL OF UPPER HANLEY,

Was the daughter of James and Nancy Thomas, of Little Madeley, Staffordshire. She was born March 20th, 1775. We have no particulars respecting the years that preceded her being brought under

conviction for sin. The instrument in the hands of God of enlightening her mind was a pious minister of the Established Church, in Madeley. From this time she regarded religion as the chief business of her life on earth, but when or where she got in possession of the divine favour, we have not been informed. In 1812 she came to reside at Longport; here she became acquainted with our people, and began to hear the gospel by our ministers. In 1814 she joined the Society, and met in the same class as the Rev. W. Ford, previous to his going out to travel, and was admitted a member at the same period as he was. From Longport she removed to Snegdgreen. There she united with the late W. Cartledge's class.

In 1819 she was united in marriage with Adam Wheywell, a member of the same class. They were true helpmeets for each other. In 1825 they came to Shelton, and were both members of the Bethesda Society. Here they enjoyed many sweet opportunities of fellowship with the followers of Christ. In 1828 they removed to Liverpool. Here also they lost no time in joining the Liverpool Society, and they were very happy with the friends in this place. Their class was then led by Mr. John Fowler, senior, and after his decease by Mr. John Tilston, who in a letter to our friend Wheywell gives his views of sister W. as a Christian. He observes, "I feel great pleasure in saying, that for a number of years I had the privilege of Christian communion with your dear wife. Often has the relation of her experience encouraged my hope, and strengthened my faith. Her prayers were always refreshing; there was so much simple breathing of the soul to God, such resignation to his holy will, such ardent love to her fellow-travellers to Zion, and such earnest desires for the prosperity of the Church of Christ. These things proved that her own soul was deeply imbued with the spirit of her divine Master. Those who have witnessed her patience under painful affliction, could not but admire the wonderful power of divine grace in supporting her mind, when witnessing the peace she enjoyed. It might well be said, Happy are the people who are in such a case; yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Her example still lives in my memory. May it have a sanctified influence on my heart!"

In 1847 they returned to the Staffordshire Potteries, and since then have been connected with Bethesda and Upper Hanley Societies, where our dear friend finished her course, She was a mem

ber of brother Johnson's class. Some time ago her health began to decline, and she suffered greatly; but in her patience had its perfect work. She often said, in the language of Job, "Though thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee." Her faith maintained its hold, and her perfect resignation to the divine will enabled her to triumph over all temptations to murmur and repine.

She had much love to the people of God, and their visits to her in her affliction were a soothing cordial to her feelings. Her leader observes, when he entered the house to see her she would hold out her trembling hand, and feebly grasp his with Christian affection. When asked how she was, she usually said, "Weak in body, but, bless the Lord! happy in soul." All the means of grace she highly prized. She has been heard to say that she never wilfully missed her class-meeting in her life. She spent much time in earnest prayer. In the night-season she has often been heard breathing out her soul unto God; and she did not forget the Church of the Redeemer. Nothing delighted her more than to hear of the salvation of souls. Her Bible was her daily companion. It was her practice to read a portion night and morning, and frequently through the day. She drew much consolation from this source. When fully convinced that her end was near, she could think of dying with the greatest calmness, and often spoke of it as if she were about to take a pleasant journey. She frequently referred to her arrival in glory with pleasing emotion. The evening before her death she intimated to her husband that she was sure Death was near, and desired that way might be made for his approach. She said, "My love! I shall not die to night, but to-morrow the Lord will call for me.' And so it came to pass: on the 12th of Sept., 1851, she entered her heavenly rest, aged seventy-six.

March, 1852.

A. LYNN,

SUSAN LANGTON.

I AM fully aware that fond and affectionate parents often panegyrize the character of their departed children, whether they are deserving of commendation or otherwise. This course, however customary, I do not intend to pursue in recording an account of the demise of one of my dear children.

Susan Langton was my fourth and youngest daughter, born in Downpatrick, Nov., 1833. After her birth she was the

subject of severe affliction for nearly a year, her life being often despaired of; but being removed at the following Conference to the Newtownards Circuit, a change of air effected a complete renovation of her health and constitution, so that she became strong and vigorous.

Being brought up with the strictest forms of morality and the constant exercises of religion, her translation from nature to grace, from degeneracy to regeneration, from the ruins of the fall to the liberty of the children of God, was by almost imperceptible advances; and being naturally of an exceedingly modest and retiring disposition, she made but humble professions of attainments in the divine life; for often those who make the most glowing and lofty pretensions to elevated piety are very defective in manifesting an exemplary conformity to the requisitions of God's holy law. I am always inclined to infer a person's spiritual state more from tempers and conduct than from splendid speeches and towering professions of religion. The subject of this brief memoir manifested through life the most unblemished walk and conversation. She was born of New Connexion parents, baptized by brother Thomas Leymon, sat under our ministry, married to a husband in our own denomination, died among our praying friends, and was buried by Mr. McIntyre, one of our own ministers. For ten years she was a Sunday-school teacher, a tract-distributor, a missionary collector, and actively employed in doing all possible good in the cause of God. She always possessed a serious turn of mind, and as a consequence of this her conduct was uniformly characterized by steadiness and consistency. She never was known to run into any excesses, nor to tolerate herself in any criminal indulgences. She always manifested a conscientious regard to parental authority; I never remember one single act of disobedience during her whole life. She invariably manifested a rigid attention to the observance of the Sabbath day, occupying her time when not in the means of grace in reading pious little books, which she carefully treasured up as her own property, and especially the Bible, the fountain of eternal life. At her class, in which she met regularly, while others sat in silence, she always stood up, and in artless, unaffected simplicity, told what the Lord had done for her soul.

She was possessed of the tenderest sensibilities of mind. When she heard of the prevalence of calamity by pestilence or famine, she would be so affected

as to retire to bed with intense sorrow. Her placid, unassuming, natural and gracious disposition, entitles her to a more interesting memorial than I am competent to delineate. Her pious mother bestowed the most undeviating attention to her spiritual and temporal interests, in common with the other members of the family; and in the character of the dear departed one we have a pleasing instance of the salutary power of parental example, instruction and government, and an unequivocal attestation to the truth of that divine declaration, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The exquisite sensibility of her heart induced her often to indulge in unwarrantable grief. Consequently, while others would engage in innocent pleasantry, she was generally solemn and serious; this caused us many times to say that perhaps the good Lord would take her early away, as she seemed unfit to bear up against the rude storms of adversity in this vale of woe; and so our anticipations were realized.

In Nov., 1851, she was married to Mr. Charles Langton of Dublin, who was a Sunday-school teacher, the secretary of our official meetings, a prayer-leader, and a member of our Society in Dublin, universally esteemed by all denominations. It is extremely desirable for the people of God to be united in matrimonial alliance with those who possess similar doctrinal sentiments, who worship in the same community, and, above all, with those who travel in the same road to the land of immortality. More genuine, unabated affection I never witnessed between husband and wife than was cherished between Charles Langton and his endearing companion; but oh, how ruthless is the hand of Death! what connexions does he not sever asunder! how devastating are his doings among the human ranks ! Just when the prospects of the happy pair began to open, when the world seemed to smile, when arrangements were completed for secular and spiritual prosperity, the King of Terrors knocks at the door, and at the trying, tender period, the weeping husband must deposit his best beloved in the charnelhouse of death! Oh the instability of all terrestrial bliss! Oh the severe and painful strokes of adversity to which we are subjected in this world! How needful to be persuaded that God's dispensations are all infinitely benevolent, and calculated to work for our good!

The sceptic may scoff at piety, the worldling may barter its invaluable