escaping every pain that he had keenly felt, and the weariness of a state in which "all things are SO "full of labour" that " man cannot utter it."

There is sometimes to be seen, even on the face of those who have died in the Lord, a sign which is of value to us mortals, (who judge of most things outwardly,) as indicating the triumph and joy of the spirit that has departed. It was a consolation to the family and friends of Mr. Smetham, to observe that neither suffering nor disease nor death had been able to obliterate the smile which had played about his face for some days before his departure, and which had now settled into the expression of a deep tranquillity and delight,—an expression which is probably impossible, except to those who depart this life "in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection."

MEMOIR OF MRS. JANE HUNT,

OF RINGWOOD, HAMPSHIRE :

BY THE REV. JAMES PARKES.

THE following account has been prepared at the request of the bereaved husband, who desires to magnify the grace of God, and afford counsel and comfort to the Christian church. The writer enjoyed long and confidential intercourse with his departed friend; to whose eminent spirituality and usefulness he bears willing testimony.

"By the still beauty of her life, she strove

To win for heaven."

Mrs. Jane Hunt (whose maiden name was Hunter) was born at Deal, in Kent, November 25th, 1788. Her parents were highly respectable members of the Established Church, from which they considered it wrong to separate. She attributed her first religious impressions to maternal effort; and she obtained further spiritual light under the ministry of an excellent Clergyman, who had embraced Wesleyan views of Christian doctrine. From very early life, she reverenced the word of God, loved the habitation of His house, and feared His name; but she did not see her sinfulness and peril, nor did she "behold the Lamb of God." She waited for "light," but beheld "obscurity;" for "brightness," but she walked in "darkness," and was only feeling after God. At the age of thirteen, when recovering from illness, she expressed to her mother a desire to become a communicant at the table of the Lord. This was stated to her Minister, who proposed this heart-searching question: "My dear child, do you think that God would be just if He were to cast you into hell?" Her answer is unknown; but, evidently, it did not satisfy him, as he withdrew, advising her to stay a little longer.

Three years afterwards, while reading one of Mr. Hervey's works, she had a deeper view of her sinfulness, and understood the way of

faith more perfectly. She also wrote a form of self-dedication to God. To this important period of her life she often referred with thankful joy; in one memorable instance adding," Now I know that

'One only gift can justify

The boasting soul that knows his God;
When Jesus doth His blood apply,

I glory in the sprinkled blood.""

At the age of seventeen, she was admitted to the long-desired privilege; and, from that time, she regularly partook of the Lord's Supper, enjoying also the private spiritual instruction of her devoted Pastor, the Rev. P. Brandon, whose care over her was specially blessed of God. Four years passed without any occurrence that requires minute record; but a period now arrived, when her faith was to be tried as "by fire," and to "be found unto praise, and honour, and glory."

About the year 1809, a devotedly-loved cousin joined the Methodist Society, and thus excited the surprise and displeasure of her family; for "this sect" was "everywhere spoken against." Miss Hunter often conversed with this relative on the peculiar tenets and privileges of Methodism, that she might form an enlightened judgment. Such was the strength of evidence which she felt, in favour of Wesleyan doctrines and discipline, that she deliberately resolved to join her now thrice-beloved friend; saying, "Whither thou goest, I will go: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." But she believed that, at present, her strength was to "sit still," and look to Him who says, "I will guide thee with mine eye." While she thus prayerfully waited upon God, He assured her that He approved her wish and purpose. Thus animated and confident, she "conferred not with flesh and blood;" but, in June, 1811, solemnly gave herself to the people whom she had long loved, and with whom she resolved to live and die. To the "still small voice" which thus directed her she joyfully responded, "Thou, LORD, art among this people: Thy cloud standeth over them, and Thou goest before them." This was an eventful step. She knew not what awaited her; yet she was not afraid, but walked "by faith," trusting in the "good Spirit" who saith, "I am the LORD thy God, which teacheth thee to profit; which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go." But it was a way "dark and slippery ;" and at its gloomy entrance she was tempted to sigh, "My way is hid from the LORD." Still she "staggered not at the promise;" but appealed to the Guide of her youth, and calmly stayed her mind upon His word. And, surely, she needed His presence; for she was now to be forsaken by those whose love had hitherto been her earthly all. A dark cloud overcast her once bright, happy home. She heard no familiar household voice, to cheer her onward "in the ways of the Lord." A father's eye grew stern; a mother's look lost its tenderness. The full warm flow of fond affection ceased. Words became few and cold; and then came a strange silence, to be broken only by the command of parental

authority, that the daughter should leave her home, and find an asylum where she pleased. She heard, and felt; yea, wept; but obeyed. She said, "I am the least in my father's house," and went forth, not knowing whither she went; for it was uncertain whether she could find any lodging in the town, except at an inn.

Yet her "heart" was "fixed." She remembered the covenant of God; and, "in the multitude of" her "thoughts within" her, His "comforts delighted" her "soul." She thought of One who knew the way that she took; and confidently said, "Thou tellest my wanderings put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?" "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." And it was so. The Lord led her to the house of her fond friend, her pious cousin; whose mother, though prejudiced against "Dissenters," and declaring herself to be disgraced by the conduct of her daughter, yet kindly offered the homeless one a refuge, and soon treated her with a tender love, almost like that which she had lost. None of these things moved Miss Hunter. She counted "all things but loss:" she "suffered the loss of all things," that she might "win Christ."

As she looked back upon the lost home of childhood, she clearly traced, along her path, the impress of His foot who always leads forth "by the right way." That was enough. She had only hearkened to His counsels; and though her "foes" were they of her "own household," she could not hesitate to believe that the Lord had chosen her "inheritance;" and she bowed in homage to Him who says, "He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me." Six years after this severe trial of her "faith and patience," she thus stated her views of it, and the motives which led her to submit so cheerfully to the afflictive alternative :-" Many blame me for submitting to the painful step of leaving my parents, rather than give up the Methodists: but I am surprised that they should measure my conduct by their rule; as, in matters of religion, every one ought to have a rule of his own. Mine was the will of God, at least as far as that will was perceived by me. I was not 'drawn away,' as they term it, by the Methodists; but I do, yea, I must, believe that I was drawn to them by the Spirit of God. I wanted the fellowship of saints,-the benefit of Christian communion, -the assistance of those who understood and conversed on spiritual subjects. My mind was athirst for spiritual good; and in no other section of the Christian church could I obtain the blessings which I ardently desired: in the Methodist class and band meetings, I found that these helps were to be obtained, and therefore it was that I joined this community. I feel truly thankful for the circumstance that has given rise to renewed reflection on the propriety of that act : my heavenly Father has again given me the testimony of a 'good conscience; and I feel, also, that my attachment to Methodism is firm and decided. I feel a oneness of spirit with that people; and my prayer is, that my fellowship with them may be made the means of uniting me more closely to the Saviour. Blessed Jesus !—

One the FATHER is with THEE;

Knit us in like unity:

Make us, O uniting SON,

One, as THOU and HE are one!'"

It appears, from her diary, that she obtained a sense of pardon the year before she became a Wesleyan. Her cousin having told her that it was her privilege to know her sins forgiven, she sought it with great agony of soul, until she was "filled with all joy and peace in believing." She was not brought into this happy state amidst great external excitement; but in retired, deep communion with God. One fine moonlight night, while she lay in prayerful meditation on the holy Scriptures, a passage which occurs in the Canticles was applied to her mind with unusual sweetness and power: "My Beloved is mine, and I am His." She was then enabled to exclaim, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid." This sense of pardoning mercy she appears to have retained through life; for, though the "beginning of" her "confidence" was sometimes wavering, she was taught to renew her act of trust in the Saviour whenever doubt arose, and was thus strengthened to "walk in the light" of Ilis countenance.

In 1812 she writes:-"I reflect upon the past with 'shame and confusion of face;' but with unfeigned gratitude to God for healing my repeated backslidings, and at last making me fully willing to give up myself entirely and unreservedly to His service.

"About three years ago, the Lord gave me His Spirit to witness that I was His child: and now, He is graciously pleased again to shine upon my soul, renewing the blessed assurance,My Beloved is mine, and I am His;' whilst the Saviour is unceasingly precious.' I believe that my worthless name is graven on His hands, and my once-sinful soul is washed in the fountain of His blood."

From this period she grew in grace; ardently desiring and pleading to be "filled with the Spirit." She writes, in the fulness of grateful affection,

"JESU, Thy boundless love to me

No thought can reach, no tongue declare!'

I think very few are privileged to enjoy more, and I am sure no one deserves less, than myself. The Lord encourages me to go forward, by manifesting Himself to my soul in His all-sufficiency, and by giving me to walk continually in the light of His countenance. O God! enter not into judgment with Thy servant!' Yet, notwithstanding my great unworthiness, I feel more of His presence and power. 0, my Saviour, plunge me deeper into the ocean of Thy love!"

There were, indeed, dark hours of temptation, which occasionally turned her "harp into mourning." She thus records her spiritual conflicts::

"I have been greatly distressed this day by my cruel adversary: he disputes every inch of ground with me. This morning I had exceedingly great temptation, and I began to fear that it would be

too much for me; but One who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities,' graciously interposed, and enabled me with strong cries and tears to approach the mercy-seat,-to beseech the Lord, in tender compassion to my soul, to knit me more closely to Himself; to give me a large increase of faith and love, with the full assurance of hope;' and to arm my soul continually with the panoply Divine.”

Again: "Satan is a cruel foe. This afternoon he thrust sore at me;' and if I withstood, it was with great difficulty. I begin again to feel doubtful of my experience. O Lord, I do beseech Thee to give me wisdom, readily to discern the dictates of Thy Holy Spirit, and the suggestions of the subtle enemy; and keep, O keep me, gracious Saviour, from casting away my confidence, which hath great recompense of reward."

Again: "Satan assumes the garb of an angel of light;' but, glory be to the Captain of my salvation, I am now aware that my fiercest and most frightful foes are not always the most dangerous. When Satan comes armed with terror, I instantly flee to my only refuge; but when he tries to allure, then I need strong faith and great courage."

The last powerful assault of "the wicked one" that she mentions, appears to have been the most malicious and determined :—

"To-night I have to record, with mingled feelings of gratitude and shame, the most dreadfully wicked suggestions of my everwakeful and active adversary; and the tender mercy of my God, in not only breaking his snares, which had well-nigh succeeded, but in repeating to my soul, in a very sensible manner, 'I am thy God!'— O, how did this humble me! how greatly did it encourage! and how was my faith strengthened! O, if I ever behold the Saviour in His glory, how ashamed shall I be that I ever doubted the existence of such a Divine Person! and that I ever allowed the thought, that the Koran and Shaster might be as true as the Bible! Lord, fill my soul with holy shame! I do, from my heart, bewail my wicked unbelief. Give me, henceforth, I beseech Thee, a firm and lasting faith, that I may never, never more depart from Thee!"

Nearly three years were passed in close, fearful contest with "wicked spirits; " but she stood "in the evil day," and soon shouted for joy that God defended her and bruised Satan under her feet. Henceforward her diary abounds with acknowledgments of the faithful love of God, and with expressions of fervent praise.

"Ten days," she writes, "have elapsed since I recorded the tender mercy of God; and every moment of that time has been crowned with lovingkindness. I can rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing,' and 'in everything give thanks.' My humbled soul cries out, Why such waste of love to me?"

At another time,-"O what bright manifestations of my heavenly Father's favour have I had this day! My heart overflows with gratitude.

Thy glorious Name and Nature's powers

Thou dost to me make known.'