live close to God, and he will make you competent." In the spirit of this advice he entered on his work, and in the same continued to engage in it to the end. He was both acceptable and useful in it. He felt that office called him to increased diligence in his own spiritual concerns, and especially to a more careful attention to the book of God. He was faithful in seeing every member once a week, and the sick he never overlooked. Little leisure as he had, and fatigued as he might be with worldly labour, these visitations had nothing of mere task-work about them. His duty was his delight. The worldling knows nothing of the pleasure which this poor, hard-working man enjoyed, in his few intervals of rest from toil, in hasting backwards and forwards to call upon those over whom the church required him to watch. He especially delighted in visiting the house of mourning, that he might console those who dwelt there. He was often, and very willingly, the almoner of the late benevolent Mrs. Allen, of Shiney-Row. In 1811 Thomas again married; and when he became a parent, he manifested a truly Christian care for both the spiritual and temporal welfare of his children. He thought, with good Richard Baxter, that "conversion in families is family work," and he always sought to promote it. He was likewise active in endeavouring to spread vital godliness in his neighbourhood, especially among the colliers. In conjunction with Mr. Charles Allen, and a few other devoted friends, he was instrumental in introducing the means of grace in not a few of the villages and hamlets scattered around; and in many of them the result has been the establishment of flourishing societies. Sabbath-school labours were likewise both useful and acceptable. 66 His In 1829 he became a resident at Lumley, in the Durham Circuit; but change of abode made no difference in his conduct. He evinced the same willingness as before to do all in his power to get good and to do good. It was acknowledged in the world as well as in the church, that he was the friend of all, and the enemy of none; and that his only objects in living seemed to be to save his own soul, and to promote the salvation of others. In the course of a few years, however, it became painfully evident to his friends that his strength was declining; but they rejoiced to see the proofs of increasing strength in the inner man. Infirmities occasioned no murmuring. Speaking to one of his friends on the subject of " entire sanctification," at one time, he said, " I enjoy it more and more:" and his testimony was confirmed by his unwavering meekness and patience. Some members of the family being afflicted, two of his sons came to visit him from some little distance; when he cheerfully observed to them, "You see we are more honoured than you; for whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth." But it was a good saying of Mr. Fletcher's, Afflictions are often God's choicest blessings." His declining strength being mentioned to his wife, she acknowledged that it was so, and added, "But he seems to live entirely for another world." He still, however, was able to attend in his usual place in the house of prayer. The last time he was thus present, the Minister expected not coming, he was requested to conduct the service. He consented, but said, "You had better some of you take up your cross, and do it yourselves; for you will not have me long." He prayed with great fervency and power, and read 2 Timothy iv. When he came to the verse in which the Apostle said that the time of his departure was at hand, he appeared to be deeply affected, referred to his own past experience, and to the importance of dying well, and exhorted all who were present so to live that they might always possess the sure and certain hope of immortality, and have nothing to do but to die, when they came to their dying hour. The service was a very solemn one, and very profitable. On the next day, he was brought home much bruised by a quantity of coal which had fallen on him in the pit. He survived the injury about ten days. He was able to speak only at intervals; but when he did speak, he witnessed a good confession. His inward happiness was delightfully apparent. He seemed already to be living in another world. Just before he died, pointing as if to some object before him, he said, with a countenance beaming with unearthly rapture, "See! see!" These were his last words; for, as soon as he had uttered them, he ceased to breathe. THOMAS DUNN. 58. Died at Knottingley, in the Pontefract Circuit, March 28th, Mr. Matthew Tunningley, in his eighty-first year. He was converted to God in the year 1787, when, also, he joined the Wesleyan society. Being one of the first Methodists in the place, he was exposed to considerable persecution, and had to suffer for righteousness' sake he continued, however, "steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;" and his self-denying toil was crowned with success. His religious state and course were characterized by great evenness; by nature and grace he was formed for sobriety; he knew nothing of sudden impulses of excitement and effort, followed by long intervals of coldness and inactivity; all with him was regular, substantial, and progressive. His constant language was, "Bless the Lord, I feel happy! Christ is my Saviour!" Whether found in public life, in the house and service of God, in the quiet of his own dwelling, or on the bed of sickness, he was always right as to the best things, and in spirit and conversation happy and heavenly. His attachment to the Bible was remarkable. Many of his last years were chiefly occupied in storing his mind with its precious truths; and his conversation and prayers discovered a striking familiarity with Scripture language and doctrine. His attendance at the house of God was regular, its impressive services ministered to his peace; purity and joy raised his heart and hope to the service of heaven, and formed grounds of enduring attachment to the "place of the Holy." The path of duty was also faithfully regarded by him, whether in meetings for Christian fellowship, for public and social prayer, or in visiting the poor and sick. In this latter department of Christian service he was very useful. His preference for his own section of the church was well-grounded and decided. It was not the result of educational prejudice, for he had had no religious training; nor of ignorance, for he was well informed on the points of difference between the Wesleyans and other Christian bodies: but it was derived from personal experience and observation of the spiritual advantages which its members enjoyed, and a conviction that God employs and honours it, and that its means and agencies are well adapted for supporting and extending the Gospel. With true charity, he likewise communed in spirit with the church universal, and thankfully acknowledged the good existing in each section of it. Mr. Tunningley's whole deportment in things secular and religious was eminently upright and consistent. With him there was no double-dealing; his words were all true, and only true; his actions, honest, not barely and doubtfully, but fully and plainly; so that all persons acknowledged, without hesitation, that he was a good man. For some time before his death, he was obviously growing in grace and in meetness for heaven. He sometimes remained the greater part of the night in prayer. One season of this kind, during the early part of his last affliction, is particularly remembered. After praying a considerable time, with uplifted eyes and hands, he exclaimed, "Glory, glory, glory!" So great was the rapture of his spirit, that his strength almost failed. Throughout his illness his mind was stayed on God. More than once he declared, "I seem to be as sure of heaven as if I were there already." In his dying hour he rejoiced greatly in God his Saviour, and in the hope of dwelling with him for ever. Being sensible of the approach of death, he said, "Pray, pray, pray!" All who were present with him joined in solemn prayer, and felt the nearness of the place to heaven itself. At length his breath shortened, a few feeble convulsive movements followed, and all was over. He finished life in prayer; having been a member of the Wesleyan society fifty-seven years, and a Class-Leader fifty-three. WILLIAM JACKSON, 2d. 59. Died, April 9th, at Wetwang, in the Driffield Circuit, aged twenty-nine, Mrs. Hannah Sowersby. She was in her youth not only irreproachable in her outward deportment, but of a mild and amiable disposition. In very early life the Holy Spirit powerfully convinced her of sin, and the necessity of a change of heart; but it was not until the beginning of the year 1835, that she yielded to his divine influence, and sought after the salvation of her soul. One Sunday evening, at a prayer-meeting, held in the Wesleyan-Methodist chapel, while she was engaged in fervent penitential supplication to God, and assisted by the prayers and directions of others, she was enabled to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; " and was assured of the adopting love of God towards her by the direct witness of the Holy Spirit. All her transgressions were forgiven, and she was renewed in the spirit of her mind. She could now cry, "Abba, Father.” "Justified by faith," she had “ peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Regenerated by the Spirit, she could thankfully say, "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." From this time she went on her way rejoicing, "walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost;" adorning her Christian profession, as a member of the Wesleyan society, (which she had joined,) by a consistent deportment. On the 15th of July, in the same year, she was united in marriage to Mr. W. Sowersby, of Wetwang, the schoolmaster of the village, and a Wesleyan Local Preacher. Their union, though of short duration, was very happy, as she was truly an help meet for him. Mrs. Sowersby was of a delicate constitution, and frequently suffered from severe affliction. About three years after her marriage, she took a severe cold which fixed upon her lungs. Not apprehending any danger, medical aid was not called in for some time, when it was found that decline was making rapid progress. By the blessing of God on the means employed, however, the complaint was so far checked, that she was partially restored. In March, 1843, she became a mother; but in consequence of great weakness was obliged to wean the child; and in October following she caught a fresh cold, at the opening of a new school-room, and it soon became evident that her life was in imminent danger. She lingered on, however, for some time, and, under the delusive character of her complaint, was led again to hope for a recovery. In this state of excessive weakness, she was called to pass through a severe trial: the child, which was very dear to her, as her first-born and only son, was smitten and died. Though she did not charge God foolishly, her grief was great; and, under its exciting influence on her weak frame, a blood-vessel was ruptured, and her shattered constitution rapidly gave way. Confined now to her habitation, and deprived of the means of grace, her religious friends occasionally held a prayer-meeting in the house, which was made a great blessing to her. On the second or third time of their meeting, she was favoured with a remarkable manifestation of the love of God, which loosened every earthly tie; so that generally, to the close of life, she was engaged in praising and adoring the God of her salvation. To a neighbour who called to see her, she said, "I have often wondered how the poet's words could be true, when he says, Labour is rest, and pain is sweet, but now I feel it by experience." About a fortnight before her death she was confined to her bed, gradually growing worse, but still happy in God. To one of her Ministers, who, on one of his regular visits to the place, called to see her, she said, "I am resigned to the will of God. I do not expect to recover; but my soul is safe in the hands of my Saviour." Two days before she died, when in great pain, she exclaimed, "Come, Lord Jesus! O my blessed Jesus! Sweet Jesus!" On Sunday she appeared to be dying; but continued in the same happy frame of mind, using similar expressions. On the afternoon of Monday, she looked round upon her husband, mother, and brothers, to whom she addressed some affectionate expressions. To her husband she had previously said, "I am going to leave you; but I shall be looking out for you to join me.' A short time before she died, her husband, who was just by her, heard her whisper, "It is like ours; it must be ours!" as though she had caught a view of her child, which had been taken to heaven a few weeks before. These were nearly her last words. A few minutes before one o'clock, her happy spirit took its flight to the paradise of God. SETH DIXON. 60. Died, May 16th, in the Wakefield Circuit, Mrs. Mary Ann Teal, aged thirty-two. She was the daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Mary Groves, late of Bramham-Hall, near Ripley. Her education, without extending to merely fashionable accomplishments, was such as qualified her for usefulness and respectability in life. When only six years of age, she was visited by the gracious strivings of the Holy Spirit. Her whole behaviour evidenced that this was really the case; so that from her very childhood she walked in the fear of God. In 1831 her eldest sister died happy in the assured prospect of heaven. Afflictive as was the event, it proved a dispensation of mercy and salvation to the whole family. A blessed revival of religion, indeed, took place in the neighbourhood; and in these "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," Mary Ann was made a partaker of the blessedness and peace of the Gospel. She was married to Mr. Teal in her twenty-first year, and shortly after removed with him to a farm, the property of her father, in the neighbourhood of Selby. During her residence there, which was about six years, her Christian deportment and walk with God were closely maintained. On removing to Warmfield, (five years before she died,) she again connected herself with the people of her choice, and took the same interest in the prosperity of religion which she had manifested in her former places of abode. The cares of an infant family, and of a farm-household, did not prevent her from seeking the peace and prosperity of that branch of Christ's church with which she was connected. To all human appearance, she occupied such a post of usefulness, that her stay on earth was extremely desirable. But the ways of God are not governed by the views and desires of men. For some months previous to her death, it became evident that she was marked as an early inmate of the house appointed for all living. She herself appeared to be aware of it; for it was affecting to observe the earnestness and fervour with which she sought to be ready for the great change. Nor did she seek in vain. The work of grace was evidently deepened and matured in her heart. Her heavenly Father was making her "meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light;" and devoutly did she give thanks unto him. Occasionally she complained of being harassed by inward temptations, though these often appeared to be the natural effects of disease on a delicate constitution, connected with a sanctified and tender conscience; but she always found relief in prayer, and the exercise of faith in her merciful Redeemer, and more frequently rejoiced in the consolation which she received in him. At one time she was greatly strengthened by referring to the words of St. Paul: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." On other occasions various hymns proved refreshing sources of encouragement: two verses may be particularly specified :— "Drooping soul, shake off thy fears; Fearful soul, be strong, be bold : Tarry till the Lord appears; Never, never quit thy hold !" "Not all the powers of hell can fright A soul that walks with Christ in light; He walks, and cannot fall: Clearly he sees and wins his way, On one occasion she joined in domestic worship with such fervour and confidence, that the whole family were enabled to rejoice with her. On a similar occasion she said to Mr. Teal, "I think that if I were in heaven, I could look upon nothing, and see no one, but Jesus." The earnest thoughtfulness and care which she had for the spiritual welfare |