said, "I think that I never was so happy in believing in God as my Father as at the present season." In the class-meeting, too, his testimony to the grace of God, while always expressed with the greatest cantion, had been steadily growing brighter. In full possession of his faculties, and knowing that he should not live to see another day, with a calmness that deep sorrow could not disturb, he bade his family farewell with much tenderness, and with expressions of fondness that will always linger in the ears on which they fell. His closing words conveyed his unshaken trust in the surpassing love of God. While he felt his present life ebb away, he knew that he was going into the presence of the King eternal, immortal, invisible, whose Son had called him from darkness to light, and by Whose merits he would share the inheritance of the saints. The Church militant mourned their loss, but they are comforted when they reflect that he sleeps in Jesus. F. E. T.

February 7th.-Elizabeth Shirley; who was born in London on the 5th of April, 1811. In her childhood sne was led to Southwark Wesleyan Sunday-school, where she was brought under gracious influences which resulted in her early conversion to God. She afterwards became a zealous teacher, and also united herself to the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, of which she ever afterwards continued a pious and consistent member. In the year 1840 she embarked, in company with her devoted mother, for South Africa. And now commenced those vicissitudes in life which often prove so trying to Christian emigrants, and under which many have suffered serious spiritual declension and loss. Happily Mrs. Shirley was found true to her Christian profession, and she maintained her ground. After a passage of seventy-five days, by the good providence of God, she and her mother landed in safety at Algoa Bay. The Wesleyan Missionary Society had already established a station in this part of South Africa, for the benefit of British settlers, as well as for the religions instruction of the natives, and the newlyarrived Methodist emigrants delayed not to join themselves with the people of God. If all professing Christians would do the same on arriving in foreign lands, how much misery and disappointment would be avoided, whilst the cause of Christ would be strengthened in the presence of the heathen. After a residence of six years in Port Elizabeth, during which they very much enjoyed the means of grace and

became warmly attached to many Christian friends, Mr. and Mrs. Shirley, with their aged mother, removed to Cape-Town, the capital of the colony. Soon afterwards, on being appointed to the charge of the Cape of Good Hope District, the writer became personally acquainted with Mrs. Shirley; and he still entertains a very pleasant recollection of her "spirit of meekness," her love for God's house, and her regular attendance upon all the means of grace. She was for several years a consistent member of the "ministers' class. During her sojourn in Cape-Town she lost her aged mother, who had been a steady member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society thirty-five years, and who died, as she had lived, in the faith and hope of the Gospel. Mrs. Shirley bore her bereaveIment with Christian fortitude, and hailed the visits of her pastor to the house of mourning with feelings known only to those who have received the kind attentions of Christian ministers and friends in times of affliction in a far-off and foreign land. In the year 1856, the way appear ing to open, Mr. and Mrs. Shirley decided on returning to their native country. The voyage was trying and protracted, but after tossing on the mighty deep for seventy-seven days, they safely arrived in London. After residing for some time in Aylesbury, they finally settled at Croydon, where they immediately united themselves with the people of their choice, and soon became as warmly attached to the Wesleyan chapel, and to the members of the Church, as they had been in other places. In 1867 the health of Mrs. Shirley began seriously to decline, and she paid a short visit to the Isle of Wight, with the hope of promoting its improvement. There the writer had an opportunity of talking over the incidents of former years, and of bow. ing together with his friend once more at the throne of grace, in sincere gratitude to God for all the way in which He had led His servants these many years in the wilderness. He was much struck with her pale and emaciated appearance, but was delighted with her heavenly spirit. Her Christian experience was of the same clear, confiding, happy character as it had been many years before in Africa, only more matured; and she seemed evidently ripening for the upper and better world. Her health was no better when she returned home, and for the last two years of her life she was often prevented from attending the public means of grace. When confined to the house by illness, she was wont to mark the hour of the classmeeting, and retire to her chamber with

her Bible and Hymn-Book, there seeking for communion and fellowship with God. She was also "instant in season, out of season," in striving to do good to all with whom she came in contact, as if impressed with the conviction that her day for working for the Lord would be very short. It is believed that many a word of counsel, advice, or encouragement, spoken by Mrs. Shirley in much feebleness of body was directed to the heart by the Spirit of God, and bore fruit after many days. She was, moreover, very anxious that her dear aud only son should become decided for God in early life; and her great joy was to see him unite himself to the Church to which his parents were attached before she w+8 called hence. At length, the patient sufferer became so weak as to be entirely confined to her bed, and it was apparent to all that she was rapidly sinking. But her mind was kept in perfect peace, and she invariably expressed her firm reliance on the precious Atonement of Christ. When ber son inquired, "Mother, are you happy?" she responded, with a heavenly smile, "O yes!

'Happy in my Saviour's love,

And in His arms expire.'

August 5th.-At Shrewsbury, Miss Parsons, in great peace, after a few days' illness. In early life she was most obedient to the wishes of her parents, and after the death of her father, she endeavoured, as far as possible, to make up the loss to her mother, by her devoted attention. She gave her heart to God in her youth, and her life showed very clearly that she had experienced a Divine change. She had humble views of herself and her capabilities, yet, by the love of Christ, she was constrained to engage in one good work after another, until there was scarcely a department of usefulness with which she was not connected. She was an eminent example of what a Christian lady, who has time at her command, can accomplish by method, diligence, and perseverance. She had a liberal hand, and her house through many years was a home for the preachers of the Gospel. She prized the class meeting, being regular in her attendance. Her self-denial was exemplary, and, in a quiet way, she paid much attention to the poor. The memory of the just is blessed." J. W. R.

October 9th.-At Kensington, in the Bayswater Circuit, Miss Anne Ince, aged sixty-two years. From early life she knew the Lord as the God of her salvation, and was anxious to maintain the Christian profession in its blamelessness and purity. Zeal for the honour of Christ, the spread of His Gospel in the world, and the salvation of souls redeemed by His blood, formed a prominent element in her character; and yet it was little that she could do for the advancement of these most desirable objects, beside prayer, and encouraging the efforts of others; being through the greater part of her life a sufferer from pain and disease, confined to her bed or her sick room. It was believed that could she be permanently removed into a warmer climate she

might spend her days in comparative ease and health; but in these northern regions her recovery was hopeless, except during short intervals. As the realization of such benefit was only hypothetical, and the means of her removal were not forthcoming, she was content to spend a suffering life in her native land, looking in confidence and joy to a region where there is no more pain. Fain would she have taken an active part in advancing the cause of Christ, both at home and abroad, but her "lot forbade;" yet she remembered that where there is a "willing mind" it is graciously "accepted by the great Master, and was content to honour Him by an example of meekness and of holy resignation; for her soul was even as a weaned child. But her faith never faltered, and hope brightened to the last. A little while before she expired, when the power of articulation was all but lost, she repeated the cheering lines,—

"To patient faith the prize is sure,
And all that to the end endure

The cross, shall wear the crown." Some years ago, when she lived in London, and the late Dr. Hannah sustained the office of Theological Tutor in the Hoxton Institution, his residence was not far from that of Miss Ince, whom he often visited for the purpose of prayer and religious conversation; and they cherished for each other to the end of life sentiments of esteem and affection. They have now met, never more to part. Miss Ince belonged to a family which has been greatly distinguished by the providence and grace of God. Her brother, the late Mr. William Ince, was for many years a pillar and an ornament of the Methodist Society connected with the chapel in Great Queen-Street. He was a man of

eminent uprightness and integrity, and ready for every good work. His wife was a remarkable example of sanctified intelligence combined with simplicity, and therefore highly esteemed by an extensive circle of friends; being, at the same time, a useful class leader, a visitor of the sick, and a liberal friend of the poor. She and her husband were among the most intimate friends of the Rev. Richard Watson, and watched with him many nights during his mortal sickness. A memoir of Mrs. Ince was drawn up for insertion in this Magazine, and placed in the hands of the late editor for that purpose; but in consequence of his sudden and unexpected death, which took place immediately after, the manuscript was unhappily lost, to the grief and disappointment of her family and friends. The memorials of her use. ful life are lost upon earth; but her record is on high, and is also enshrined here below in many loving hearts.

T. J.

December 15th.-At Bomere-Heath, in the Shrewsbury Circuit, Mr. Edmund Harper. In 1831, when near eighteen years of age, he was convinced of sin, and soon tasted that the Lord waз gracious. About two years afterwards he became a local-preacher, and for thirtyseven years he was an acceptable and useful labourer, warning sinners with much tenderness and faithfulness, and often urging on believers the duty and efficacy of prayer. He was remarkable for consistency of character. This is testified by men of the world, as well as by his Christian friends. Both by doing aud giving, he was ever ready to help forward every good work. In his house the preachers of the Gospel always met with a kind reception and entertainment.

In

prayer he excelled, pouring out his heart with ease and fulness, with variety of sentiment and expression, and with holy fervour. He was tender and sympathizing in his spirit; but, whenever it was necessary, showed that he feared not the face of

man. For some time before his death, he expressed his desire to be entirely holy, and that his "first and last word every day should be praise." Three days before his departure, he read a chapter with a Christian friend, commented on it with much feeling, praised God for the salvation provided, and for what he then enjoyed. The next day he spoke with much emotion of the mercies of God to him. The uncertainty of his continuance here being mentioned, he expressed his resignation to the Divine will. Thus, when the fatal seizure came, he was found ready.

J. W. R.

December 23d.-At Nottingham, Mr. John Jackson, aged sixty-nine. He was born at Easingwold, in Yorkshire, and when twelve years old gave himself to God. While a youth he was appointed a prayer-leader, and used for many years to visit a very distant village to hold meetings. After his removal to Nottingham, he became a class-leader and Sundayschool superintendent. He was prompt, faithful, and kindly in the discharge of his duties in the Church; and was much esteemed for the gentleness of his spirit and his blameless, holy life. He was a man of prayer. The last three years of his life were spent in much feebleness and pain, and for some weeks his intellect was obscured. But even the wanderings of his mind showed how his heart was right with God; snatches of holy song, Scripture texts, and words of prayer were continually escaping from him. Two or three intervals of consciousness will ever be memorable to his family, for the earnest and solemn charges which he addressed to them and his fervent pleadings with Heaven. Once he broke out in singing, "My Jesus to know," etc., his countenance at the same time telling of his great happiness. Then the stupor came over him again, and after lying ten days in that condition his spirit was released to join the heavenly choir before the throne of God. J. H.