Lord; good is the will of the Lord, who cannot wrong me nor mine, but has made goodness and mercy follow us all our days”—we wonder how weak humanity survived such tragedies; and, as we think of all whom the headsman's axe left widows, and all whom inquisitorial terrors hunted from their home, and try to estimate that long agony by which a martyr church has maintained its testimony, we begin to appreciate the awful privilege assigned to Peter, and to the myriads who, like him, have trod in the Master's bleeding track since that morning when, stretching forth his own pierced hands, Jesus said to the apostle, "Follow me."

The fires of Smithfield are extinct, the Grassmarket gallows is taken down; and most of us expatiate at our ease in that wealthy place to which, through fire and through water, our fathers fought their way. But piety is not yet quite popular, nor do all men take the Lord Jesus for their King. There are still those who, in the effort to live godly, must suffer persecution. There are Sabbath honourers who lose their employment or their trade, and keepers of a conscience who forfeit patronage and profit. And not unfrequently, I fear, is the praying youth interrupted in his devotion by scoffing room-mates, just as the Bible-reading servant or church-going artizan is made a butt and a by-word by rude and jeering comrades. Nor is it easily borne. It tries the feelings, and it tries the principle; it tries the temper too, and it sometimes hurts both health and spirits. But, after all, you have the best of it. You are upon the winning side. The tables will soon be turned; the laugh will not always go against the saints. Even now, O scoffer, He that sitteth in the heavens laughs at you. The Lord holds you in derision; and when at last he speaks to you in wrath, you will feel the sharp recoil of arrows shot against the heavens. It is sorry wit which makes wise men look sadly at the speaker, and a poor jest is that which with shame and everlasting contempt covers its author.-Dr. James Hamilton.

CHRISTIAN CONSISTENCY.

Are you children and heirs of God? Then, be consistent; be heavenly-minded. Let your conversation be in heaven, from whence also you look for the Saviour, and where you hope soon to overtake Him. Take care of your hearts, especially in these times, when so many things are continually occurring which are apt to absorb you. Do not forget that your principal business is with heaven. If you are what you profess to be, you will soon discover how paltry, in comparison with truly high and ennobling objects, are all the vanities of earth. Do your duty in the world, with all your power, according to the rules which are prescribed in Scripture: but remember you are only passing through the world. You are pilgrims and strangers

here: keep up the spirit of pilgrims.

It does not become you, the

heirs of God, to cherish undue anxieties or eagerness about things below. Do your duty to the world, in whatever station of life it may please God to call you; but then pass on. Let your affections be upward and heavenward. A heavenly conversation corresponds

to your heavenly birth and expectations. Do not compromise or endanger these. Who in his senses would barter riches for poverty, a throne for a dunghill, a palace for a prison, heaven for hell?—Dr. Bunting's Sermons.

Biography.

MEMOIR OF MRS. FORD.*

"Oh, happy they, the happiest of their kind,
Whom gentle stars unite, and in one fate

Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend!
"Tis not the coarser tie of human laws

(Unnatural oft and foreign to the mind,)
That binds their peace, but harmony itself,

Attuning all their passions unto love,

Where friendship full exerts her softest powers

Ineffable; and sympathy of soul.

Thought meeting thought, and will preventing will,

With boundless confidence, for nought but love

Can answer love, and render bliss secure."

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

"Far from this world of toil and strife,

They're present with the Lord;

The labours of their mortal life

End in a large reward."

Our dear departed sister, MRS. FORD, was born at Chawleigh, Devon, on the 8th day of May, 1798, and died on the 10th day of January, 1863, aged 65 years. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. ROBERT BIRD, were engaged in the woollen trade. They had eleven children, all of whom grew up to maturity. The eldest son, with a view to improve his earthly interests, removed to Kidderminster, and there formed an acquaintance with a pious family, through whose influence, and his reading Russell's Seven Sermons, he became religiously impressed. At this time, the father through ill health became incapacitated for business, and this son returned home to assist him. The family attended church, but he found no food for his soul in the Establishment, and there were no Dissenters in the parish. In search of truth he went to Chulmleigh on the Lord's day, and sat under the

*The writer is indebted for information respecting the deceased, to Messrs. H. Pope, F. Martin, T. Holmes, and J. Ford.

ut steadily pursued her way, bringing forth the fruits of righteousless. Her peace was deep and lasting, her joy unspeakable. She held communion with God, kept His commandments, and followed hrist fully.

About the year 1847, Mr. Ford and family removed from Burringon to Barnstaple, and in a short time to Sandford, near Crediton, vhere dear Mrs. Ford finished her course with joy. As a Bible hristian, she was strongly and steadily attached to the cause, and ontinued so to the close of life. Because we did not preach in r near Sandford at the time, she worshipped at the Independent hapel in that place, and with the ministers and friends enjoyed any truly happy seasons of spiritual relief for many years. hristian conversation, fellowship with the Spirit, and prayer, were er loved employments. The cause of truth everywhere was the ame to her. She felt warmly attached to the Independent church, Sandford, and was unanimously and cordially received as a comnunicant in 1854. Her frequent attacks of affliction rendered it mpossible for her to be very active in the church, but her noble nind, amiability, and holy living more than compensated for the vant of this. It may be said she was esteemed and loved by all who knew her; a pattern for the church and a model for the world; most excellent Christian woman. Her intellect was lofty, her heart tender and alive to human misery, her thoughts were noble, her charity large and liberal, and her feelings deep and pure. She was washed in the blood of Jesus, and is now illumined by his glory. She honoured, loved, and spoke of Jesus, and for this reason we speak of her. Her domestic cares were unremitted, her love anxious, her gentleness unfailing. For her children's welfare, especially their souls' salvation, she was most solicitous. Never did she chide in anger, speak with impatience, rebuke with severity, or correct in passion. She tired not in patience, nor relaxed in self command. Her great weapon was "all prayer." She was as tender as she was firm, and it was this which made her servants feel that she loved them. She was most compassionate, gentle, and kind to all around her. The cares of a wife, mother, and mistress are great. Of these she did not complain, but calmly discharged her incessant duties in prospect of a great reward.

For the last four years of Mrs. Ford's life, her health was consto declining, and on two occasions it was thought her end was A beginning of January, 1863, a violent cold seiz on Bronchitis. No means availed to stay e, and shortly ceased to breathe. Mr. Pop moments, remarked to her, "You are batt calm as she answered him, "Yes, but it is

ministry of the Wesleyan Methodists. Finding their mode of worship to be agreeable to his views, preaching was commenced at Chawleigh in Mr. Bird's house; several of the family were converted, and the eldest son became a local preacher. The family had to meet much persecution and fierce opposition on this account, but they endured hardships, and made a home for the preachers, rejoicing because they were worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake. At the death of Mr. Bird, some of the family removed, preaching was discontinued, and in this state Br. James Thorne and Sister E. Trick found the parish, in the early part of the year 1819. An application made to Mrs. Jane Bird, who was now a widow, for permission to preach in her house, was acceded to, and the third Sabbath from that time, while Sister Trick was relating her religious experience, four of the family found peace in God through believing. Our dear sister Ford was one of them.

From this time regular preaching was established in Chawleigh, and subsequently three of the four became preachers of righteousness. They were greatly opposed, and had to bear the burden and heat of the day, of which but few now living can form an opinion. After all the other children had left the parental roof, Elizabeth remained at home with her aged mother, until about the year 1828 she became the wife of Mr. John Ford, then of Burrington, Devon, who had been a member of society and a local preacher among us for many years. Mrs. Bird resided with Mr. and Mrs. Ford until the Lord was pleased to receive her to himself.

Dear Sister Ford had carefully pursued her heavenly way, and notwithstanding the change in situation, her moral and religious character remained the same. She felt with the new relationship more of the importance of life. She was an "help-meet;" and intellectual and moral dignity corresponding with her husband's was necessary. The new era in her life was entered upon with much fortitude and strength of mind. Nor did her comprehensive intellect prove fatal to her gentleness, sensibility, and humility. She was not proud, and it was because she knew herself and the duties of life. Her knowledge would be a valuable remedy for the defective humility of many wives. Her graces were sweet and attractive. Her real worth and unaffected modesty were very generally remarked and admired, and her great benevolence in relieving the necessitious poor no less known and felt. She was a mother in Israel, and her interest in the progress of the Lord's cause was great. She did little in public, but constantly upheld the hands of others, and would often deprive herself of the public means of grace that her husband might attend them, who as she said could be more useful to others. She enjoyed providing for the temporal necessities of ministers and friends. She had a weak body,