while reading the word, and while waiting upon God in private. Yesterday I felt much of the Spirit while preaching the word of life; some of the people wept, while others greatly rejoiced. May the love of Christ ever constrain me to seek the wandering sons of men."

St. Paul, in writing to the church of God at Colosse, tells them that Epaphras laboured fervently in prayers for them; and that his object was that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. And it is a fact, that if we would be useful in the ministry, we must closely follow such an example. The words of an eminent French Pastor, addressed to young men about to be engaged in the ministry, are well worthy of solemn consideration. "The work of the minister of the gospel, the work of the Christian pastor, must be performed to a great extent in the closet; it is an affair between God and himself." Whether brother Tilley ever read these words I know not, but every one who knew him would agree with the writer that he acted as if deeply and solemnly impressed with the sentiments they contain; for he was a man of much and fervent prayer. He felt prayer to be his safe-guard, that if he would keep himself in the love of God he must pray much in the Holy Ghost. But the people of his charge lay near his heart, and had his most fervent and sincere prayers. Nor did he forget the ungodly; it will be seen that he deeply sympathised with his Lord and Master, and fervently prayed that he might be successful in winning them from sin to holiness, from Satan to God. Yes, it was at the throne of the heavenly grace that he sought the gift of the Holy Ghost to warm his heart, and to enlighten his mind; so that with a heart filled with love, and a mind filled with heavenly light, he might preach with acceptance and profit the unsearchable riches of Christ. Who can tell the value of a man of this description as an itinerant preacher ! how blessed the influence that he must exert, wherever his lot is cast!-spreading abroad the savour of Divine knowledge and love in every place. May we imitate this pious and praying example, especially may the mantle of this departed brother fall on the rising ministry. We often find in his diary such records as these: "I want to preach the gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; I wish to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and giving to every man his portion of meat in due season. I know that this qualification must come from God, and I must get it on my knees in secret prayer."-" It is the baptism of the Spirit I want; this fits me for the pulpit. I want so to live, and so to preach, as to save myself, and those that hear me."

He firmly believed that God in Christ has made ample provision for all men; that Jesus gave his life a ransom for all; hence he writes, "I could not preach, did I not believe that Christ died for

all." He often was painfully exercised in view of the greatness of the task assigned him, and depressed in mind, yet he had seasons of hope and joy. In August, 1839, he writes

"I see my own weakness, but am not without hope of seeing better days. I want to feel more for precious souls, and long for a revival of pure religion. May I be filled with the Spirit, for without the Holy Spirit with me, my preaching will be mere sound." Paul's injunction, "Watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry," would seem to have been deeply impressed on Br. Tilley's mind, and had its influence on his conduct. "I have been much affected of late with the thought of the possibility of preaching to others, and of myself becoming a castaway. May I be diligent in my Master's work, and serve him with a single eye! It is not enough that I preach others, I must preach to myself. Oh, my heavenly Father, help me, and give me the power of godliness.

April, 1840. "I feel that without faith it is impossible to please God. I want stronger confidence in him, more holiness, and more wisdom to guide souls to Jesus. I am too often trammelled with the fear of man, but when the Spirit is with me, all fear subsides, and I have courage." I find nothing recorded in his journal from the above date, till April 1841, when he writes,

"I have made a fresh covenant with God. I bless him for His goodness, and am resolved to spend and be spent for His glory. I have felt much of His presence for the last few days. To win souls I must have more holy unction. I am among sinners, living without God, and without hope of future blessedness, and I see that God saves men by his church. But to accomplish her mission, she must have more life, she must arise and shine, that the world may see that she is heavenly, and be influenced thereby. Oh!—

'When shall this barren earth,
Travail with a general birth,'

and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ?"

This is a right state of mind for one sent of God to publish salvation, and to gather the lost sheep into the fold of the Great Shepherd who gave his life for them. And whatever qualification a man may have beside, he lacks the essential, who has not this. May we all, as the heralds of the cross, possess the same deep piety, and love for souls, and abound therein.

Later he writes;-"I am determined to preach a free, full, and present salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. I see the need of

urging on the people, the importance of present submission to God. Delays are dangerous. When I am preaching I often feel affected with the thought that I may be addressing my hearers for the last time, and that they may be eternally affected by what I may then be advancing, and the manner in which I may be advancing it. Oh, Lord, still stir up thy gift in me." Again, "I see such a fulness in Jesus, as fires my soul to be filled with God. And all is to be obtained by faith. I must be sanctified as well as justified by faith. I am the child of many mercies, and would gratefully adore the Giver of all good."

In the August of this year he entered on his new station, and had serious thoughts about the success of his labours.-"I find from experience that without the divine presence and blessing I must labour in vain. The Scriptures are the fountain of truth, and the Spirit alone can give me the proper interpretation of them. The more I read them with prayer, the more light I receive, and the more delight I feel. It is the gospel only that is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. May this gospel from my lips be quick and powerful, that sinners may feel its power, believe, and be saved. I believe that God will hear my prayers; for he hath said, Ask and ye shall receive; and He is faithful, He cannot lie. I have an Advocate above, who hath procured the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the promise is, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." Faith lays hold of the promise, and I feel I have more power with God. I trust I am where I ought to be, for I feel the presence of the Lord with me; and I pray, hope, believe, for more holy unction."-" Jesus saith, Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, I will do it.' I hope to see a revival; believing prayer must prevail with God. My soul is getting into action; I have a stronger desire for the conversion of sinners, and the sanctification of believers, and the Lord is blessing my humble labours. If I can get the church to co-operate with me, we must succeed. But whether they will help me or not, I will lay myself out for God."

Toward the end of the year, he records "Last night a person professed to receive the blessing of perfect Love. I hope she will hold fast her confidence, and retain it, for we retain the blessing, as well as receive it, by faith." He again adverts to the presence of the Spirit, and expresses his own pleasure, while preaching from, "Happy is the people, whose God is the Lord," and adds,-"The Lord's people rejoiced much in God their Saviour. I hope the good wrought will be lasting." And then, with regard to himself, "I feel that I must watch and pray if I would make progress. I am prone to be slothful; I want to feel the blessed Spirit with me all the day long."

During the year 1842, he appears to have written more than usual in his diary. We can only give here a brief outline.

"January. I know that I have not lived to God in the past year as I ought. He has mercifully saved me, and reasonably required of me fruit; but I have brought forth little. What a mercy that I have an Advocate with the Father. I trust I shall be more fruitful in winning souls. Yesterday's labours were comforting. May the seed sown bear much fruit! I am under infinite obligations to God. Oh that my will might be fully conformed to his pleasure. I feel him with me now, and am interested in the salvation of souls, and the honour of his name." During this month, the Lord was working very blessedly in some parts of the Connexion. In this our dear brother greatly rejoiced, while he also laboured, and longed for like prosperity on his own station. This desire almost amounted to impatience.

"If I do not see a revival here soon, I shall conclude that I am the hinderance. My heart is pained within me, to see sinners perishing around, and the church in such a state of lukewarmness." And such feelings as these are frequent with pious, plodding, pains-taking ministers of Christ. It is a sad fact that many church members forget that they have been designedly created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works, and instead of being helpers, are often the greatest hindrances in the work of saving souls. A dull, sluggish people is a terrible burden to any man whose soul, as was our dear brother's, is ardently panting after the salvation of sinners. It has been our pleasure to see revivals, and to labour in them, but in some cases it has cost us a painful conflict to set right the fallen church. How blessedly we should triumph over earth, and hell, and sin, if the whole church were alive to God, and deeply impressed with their solemn responsibility, to shine as lights in the world, and to hold forth the word of life. God be praised that we have found some right at heart in this matter, who have felt as expressed by George Tilley in the following-"To do good is all I wish to live for. Oh! Lord, fill my soul with love to thee and to precious souls."

"Follow peace with all men," is an apostolic injunction, of vast importance, and all who knew our brother would be impressed with his very peaceful demeanour. And yet he was the subject of persecution for righteousness' sake." I see the truth of the Apostle's words, All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. May I bear all with patience. I fear that I have not all the patience with the ungodly that I ought. Oh! for the mind of Christ; for

entire resignation to the divine will.”

Later in the year he says, "I must still, look to Jesus for wisdom, courage, and love. To be in a frame of mind to give all praise to God demands watchfulness. In the dust is my place, at the feet of

Jesus. I have now sweet peace; but I have often hard struggles with the corruptions of my heart. I must be more holy-I am a needy creature

'Weaker than a bruised reed,

Help I every moment need.'

My mind has been painfully exercised in view of the importance of the work assigned me, and of my ignorance and unfaithfulness. It has cost me many tears, and sorrows. Yet I am taught thereby where my strength is-Jesus is my stronghold in the day of trouble. And when I yield myself fully to the Lord, he fills me with himself, and makes me to rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. I feel now a calmness of soul to which I was once a stranger.

'May. My experience of late has been varied. The enemy has sometimes come in like a flood; at other times I have been for a considerable while free from these painful assaults. When I can keep my mind fixed on God, my faith increases, my heart warms, and my affections glow with heavenly love. This morning I have enjoyed much sweetness in reading the word of God. I do not seem to want a commentary, so much as the presence of the Holy Ghost to warm and sanctify my heart.

"August. I have felt much peace of soul of late; and I often have found that after these seasons of calm, some painful trial of mind has followed. But hitherto the Lord hath helped me. Jesus must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. The Lord was with me last Sabbath. I saw the tearful eye. I still long to be useful, and this greatly depends on my personal piety. I want more love. This would render me much more useful, and propel my soul along through all its conflicts."

Among later records, towards the end of this year, we find these, "Why art thou cast down, oh, my soul? why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.' I am often led to inquire thus. I am this morning sorely tempted, and am not so patient and resigned to suffer these painful conflicts as I ought to be. Yet I bless God, that I am bound for the kingdom of glory, and resolved through grace

'To break through storms of every kind,

And leave all worldly cares behind,

To gain a crown above.'

May I be a living sacrifice to God."

One of the last records of this year was," Mine is an important office to warn every man, and teach every man, in all wisdom, and to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

"January, 1843. As the hart pants after the water-brooks, so pants my soul after the living God. And all I want is treasured up in Jesus."