mind and a loving heart. Frequently, too, has she enjoyed the peculiar blessedness of the peacemaker. One thing in which she excelled was unwearied Christian hospitality. To her its exercise was an esteemed privilege, of which she would never allow herself, if possible, to be deprived. Most cheerfully she supplied every comfort needed by the Master's servants. Many who preceded her to the realms of glory have acknowledged her kindness; many yet on earth corroborate their testimony; and she always asserted that she had her reward in the edifying conversation and the fervent prayers of the messengers of Christ whom she entertained. In the work of the British Association for the Evangelization of the Jews she took a practical interest, and its agents were always her welcome guests. In fact, she never hesitated to assist in any project, within a woman's province, which she was convinced would be for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. When her husband sustained the office of Circuit-steward, she was more than a help meet to him: her skilled appreciation of household arrangements securing for ministers and their families many comforts and conveniences respecting which office-bearers are sometimes too indifferent. It was cheering to those engaged in the Itinerancy to be met and welcomed by her so affectionately; and none have ever left the Circuit without regretting their separation from such a genuine sister in Christ. "Take her for all in all," says one valued pastor, who knew her well, "she was one of the best specimens of Christian womanhood I ever met with. She had a truly noble mind, and a heart as tender as ever beat in a lady's breast." Of course she was not without trials and difficulties. Acute sickness sometimes brought her very low; and the parting with so many of her children -eight of whom successively left the parental roof to sojourn in distant lands told upon her strength; but her firm faith enabled her to triumph over all. She realised the design of her Heavenly Father that these things should contribute to make her a "partaker of His holiness ;" and her personal religious experience grew brighter and more elevated. During Mr. Moody's meetings in Dublin in the year 1874, she had for nearly three weeks the happiness of witnessing God's work in great prosperity; and no invitation could induce her to forego the higher gratification of seeing sinners brought to the Saviour. A leaflet found in her pocketbook on the words, "To serve the liv. ing and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven," denotes the attitude of spirit which she constantly maintained. Its last lines are, "Be this my one desire, Lord, Whate'er my earthly state; To serve Thee and to wait.” Her end was befitting such a life. Her last evening on earth was spent in conducting a tea-meeting for the Sunday-school children and Juvenile Missionary Collectors. The attendance was larger than usual. The children's songs were most joyous; and the addresses to them were lively and interesting. All seemed happy; but none more so than she whose thoughtful care and loving labour had chiefly tended to promote this happiness. The sweet concluding hymn was beautifully rendered,— "I love to think of the heavenly land, Where white-robed angels are, Where many a friend is gathered safe, From fear, and toil, and care: There'll be no parting-There'll be no parting-There'll be no partingThere'll be no parting there." And the refrain was sung rapturously a second time after the last verse; but none then dreamed that their next meeting with her would be in that "heavenly land." The next day she seemed desirous of rest; but spoke a good deal of the meeting, and of some of the children in whose future welfare she expressed an interest. About two o'clock she was engaged in household duties, and was observed by her son to enter the parlour and sit down in an easy chair. This being unusual at that hour, he continued to look, when he saw a shadow pass across her face, and her head droop. He called his sisters, while he ran for a physician. Only a few moments elapsed before he returned, but all was over. Without the slightest trace of suffering, her sanctified spirit had passed away to the bosom of that Saviour "whom having not seen," she had long "loved," but whom she was now to see face to face. One who writes, "The memory of her thoughtful, unobtrusive, intelligent kindness to me when in the Roscrea Circuit has always been refreshing," further remarks,-"I have said, in speaking of her death, How like a She " was translation!'" Even so. not; for God took" her. She fell asleep in Jesus on January 19th, 1876, aged fifty-three years. Three days afterwards a large congregation assembled in the chapel, before her remains were committed to the tomb, and the mourners were cheered by the words of faith and hope, "Come, let us join our friends above To joys celestial rise: In earth and heaven, are one." The Superintendent of the Circuit, the Rev. Martin Hynes, made an impressive appeal to all to be "also ready;" and on the following Sabbath he spoke of her life as resembling that of Enoch in its thorough and sustained devotion. RECENT DEATHS. AUGUST 16th, 1876.-At Bradford, (Kirkgate Circuit), Mr. Haigh, in the eightieth year of his age. He was born in Manchester, December 19th, 1796. Through Methodist teaching he was early converted to God, and from his youth gave himself to the service of the Church. When eighteen years of age he became a Local-preacher, in which office his labours, continued almost to the time of his decease, were most acceptable and useful. For more than half a century he held a prominent official position in the Church of his choice; for which he cherished an intelligent and unalterable attachment. During the early period of his life his Methodist principles were severely tested; but both in peaceful and in troublous times he was found faithful. In the various capacities of steward, trustee, and treasurer or secretary of different Societies, his usefulness was very great; and it was his joy to consecrate whatever business talents he possessed to the service of Christ. But this was not all: he was ever ready for duties of any sort in connection with the Church. As a class-leader he was greatly beloved; and, in co-operation with all kinds of religious workers, he rendered service, whose worth cannot be estimated. The ministers of Methodism were held by him in great respect; and with them he had constant and intimate fellowship. Nor was he ever reluctant to help the cause he so much loved by his purse as well as by unceasing labour. Almost to the last he retained much of his physical and mental vigour; his habit of early rising, doubtless, conducing to this. Hence, he did not retire from one of the many offices which he filled. Not long before his departure he attended a Missionary Meeting at Barwick-in-Elmett, and revived old and blessed associations in the neighbourhood distinguished by the residence of the venerated William Dawson. On his return home sundry engagements overtaxed his strength, yet no danger was for some time apprehended. Medical aid was obtained; more serious symptoms were discovered; and despite all care he soon passed away. Letters written to relatives shortly before his decease, show the serenity and submissiveness of his spirit. "I am in the school of patience," he said; "but I can trust in Jesus, whose presence I realise." Again, "I cannot trust in anything I have done, but I can rely on Christ, who has done so much for me." When death was very near he exclaimed, "Bless the Lord; glory be to His name!" The Kirkgate Circuit has sustained a great loss in the removal of Mr. Haigh. His extensive knowledge of Methodism in all its departments, his fidelity to principle, the clearness of his intellect, even to the last, the kindness of his spirit, and his uniform readiness to minister to the interests of Christ's cause, placed him among the best of the laity of our Connexion. As a ripe shock of corn he was ready for the garner. J. H. September 27th,-At Botesdale, in the Diss Circuit, Mrs. Mary Porter, relict of Mr. John Porter, formerly of North Lopham, in her eighty-seventh year. In early life she was led to seek her happiness in God, and joined the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. Divine light broke upon her mind as the light of the early morning, which gradually increased to "the perfect day." Her faith in the Lord Jesus was firm and unwavering, and her filial confidence in God gave repose to her soul; so that, under all circumstances, she was enabled to suffer the will of God with child-like submission. After her marriage she was requested to take charge of a class, and members from other classes were offered her to commence with. These, however, she declined, preferring to seek persons from the world; and soon the class numbered twenty-five. She was always punctual in her attendance, and carefully looked after absentees. Three times her class became so large that it had to be divided. On one Sabbath morning two youths residing in the house desired to accompany her to class; and they both became Local-preachers. For fifty years her house was the home of the Circuit ministers, where they generally spent two days every fortnight; and she often said that she felt it to be an honour to minister to them. She diligently attended the public means of grace, even in rough weather; regularly maintained family worship, and trained her children in the way in which they should go. In many ways she promoted the cause of God. Her letters to her relatives and friends on religious subjects were numerous and highly prized. Her interest in the welfare of the poor was great, and that interest was manifested in cheerfully contributing to the relief of their wants. She often referred to her departed friends, and her anticipation of meeting them again. For many years she was blind, but she bore this privation submissively and cheerfully. As her end drew near, ber sufferings became great, but her confidence remained unshaken. To her daughter, with whom she had lived for many years, and who was most attentive to her comfort, she said, “I am looking out, expecting, hoping, and believing. I have no fear; I am quite safe; I am willing to go or to stay. Through the atonement of Christ I shall enter heaven." On being asked if she was on "the Rock," she emphatically exclaimed, "Yes! yes!" Thus she passed away, not only peacefully but triumphantly, having been a member of the Methodist Society about seventy years. J. F. Shorncliffe Camp, 1134 Robin Hood" of DIVINITY. See also POPE'S "COM- Hedged goodness (Job i. 9, 10), 778 Homilies by St. Bernard: Glory and The Apostolic resolution (Acts vi. 4), The cry of the overwhelmed (Psalm The moral significance of baptism into The promise of the Spirit (Joel ii. The quarterly tickets for June and The sower and the reapers (John iv. 4 E DIVINITY, continued. EARLY METHODISM AND DIGNITARIES Edwards, Rev. William, Conference EMINENT ARMINIAN DIVINES: Episco- Bristol (District Mission), 178, 369, Carlisle: Caldewgate, 564 Home-Missionary Anniversary, 1876... 562 Hull (District Mission), 1136 London: German Mission, 369, 1045 -New Cross, 468, 854-Lambeth: London: Second (District Mission), 82 Norwich and Lynn (District Mission), Oxford: Woodstock, 946 Reading: Henley-on-Thames, 372 Zetland, 853; Lerwick, 851-Walls, Huntingdon, Lady. See EARLY METH- India, the native States of, 998-progress |