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commenced by his being invited to go to a class meeting by Mr. Hay, of Carrickfergus. He went, joined himself to the people of God, and not long after he had a class meeting in his own house; and, excepting a short interruption, this has continued to the present day, being a period of more than forty years.

The interruption referred to was occasioned by the following circumstances. Some time after he became captain of a vessel he was enticed to join with other captains in their revellings. He gave way-he complied-he threw off the reins of self-government, and for a time he became a drunkard, and was discharged from the vessel. While he was in this state of apostacy the class meeting was removed from his house to another. This was a cause of great pain to his dear wife and daughter, but when he repented of his sin the class was recommenced in his house.

This relapse into sin proved a severe scourge to himself and his family. Previous to that he had accumulated a little money, which would have smoothed his path to the grave: it was soon all spent. When he came to himself, and remembered from whence he had fallen, he wept bitterly. His penitence on account of this sin only died with his death; his tears only ceased to flow when he took his flight into that happy world in which all tears are wiped away from our eyes.

His peace, however, was as conspicuous as his penitence. Although he wept on account of his sins, he rejoiced in the consciousness that they were all forgiven. The constant witness of the Spirit was the great blessing of which he was the happy possessor. He frequently repeated, with deep pathos, that interesting description of the new man: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

His confidence in the providence of God was as firm as his confidence in his grace. His motto was, “The Lord will provide." This cheered him in many painful circumstances through which he was called to pass in his old age. He loved his Bible: his attachment to the Scriptures was manifested in the following circumstance. When a young man he went on board a vessel, to the whale fishery, on the coast of Greenland. When there their ship was buried between two icebergs: the men were obliged to take the small boats, and slide them on the ice, in order to save their lives. They had not time even to save their clothes; but although they could not save the vessel nor their clothes, he saved his Bible.

About six years previous to his death he was seized with a paralytic stroke, and subsequently he had attacks of paralysis, one of which at last took him away. The day before his death he had a severe paroxysm, which entirely deprived him of the power of moving himself, attended with a profuse expectoration of purulent matter. He died in faith, witnessing both to small and great the power of religion to smooth and calm the way to eternity. He died in peace, after having proved, for more than forty years, the power of the atonement to save the soul, leaving the impression on the mind of all who knew him, that he is gone to be with Christ, which is far better. He died October 28, 1847, in the 73rd year of his age.

He was followed to his grave by a numerous company of his neighbours and friends, who were addressed by the writer from the side of his grave. His death was also improved in a funeral sermon, preached from Numb. xxiii. 10, to a numerous and attentive audience. W. HARDCASTLE.

RECENT DEATHS.

Died at Clough, in the Todmorden Circuit, 20th of July, 1847, Mary Woodhead, aged 35. Her death was sudden, but she was prepared for the solemn event. She has left many sorrowing friends and relatives, who hope

When we were about fourteen years of age we learned to dance. Many, many nights have we spent together in the dancing-room. This led us into other follies, for which we both have had to mourn before God. We were workmates as well as playmates up to October, 1797, when he left his native place, and removed to Sandbach. I followed him the ensuing year, when we renewed our acquaintance. We worked together, slept together, ate together, and were companions in sin and folly. In 1807 a revival of religion took place in Sandbach. Upwards of 80 were added to the small society in that town in about six months. George Atkins joined the society at this period, but did not continue long a member. He married an unconverted woman, and during a union of upwards of thirty-three years, he never gathered courage to decide for the Lord and abide the consequences. In March, 1842, he became a widower, and the Sunday following he was seen at the Wesleyan Methodist Association chapel. Mr. Downing, his former and subsequent leader, then spoke to him about joining the Society. Mr. Atkins said that he had made up his mind to "join." "That day fortnight," I believe," says his leader, "he came to class. His mind was filled with distress and gratitude→→ with distress for having continued so long sinning against God, and gratitude that his life had been so long spared. In six or eight weeks he found peace. He seemed to give himself up fully to the Lord. He was universally respected in his class, and perhaps never did we speak or pray but we all felt benefited. I do not know of any blot upon his character, from the time of his joining the Society till his death; and, upon a review of the whole of our acquaintance, I do not remember one instance of deceit, or low cunning, or dishonesty, in his conduct."

His last affliction was but short-of about ten days' duration, though his health had been declining for some time. During his affliction he uniformly expressed himself with calm and unwavering confidence. His leader had an interview, of two hours, with him on Friday evening prior to the watch-night, December 31, 1847. This was felt to be a very precious season, especially during prayer. He said very little after this. It was next morning his daughter, seeing his end draw near, knelt down beside him, and said, "Father, you are going." He said, "Yes." She said, "Father, you are dying." He again said "Yes" and after a short pause he raised his voice and said, "With boldness I am going to glory." These were his last words. He breathed his last at ten minutes past eight, on Saturday morning, January 1, 1848. His remains were interred on the 5th, and a funeral discourse was preached on the occasion, by Mr. Downing, senior, to a large audience on Sunday, January the 30th, 1848. R. C.

MR. JOHN BISHOP, OF CARRICKFERGUS. THE subject of the following memoir was born in the Scotch quarter, Carrickfergus, in the year 1774. His father was a member of the Established Church, his mother a member of the Presbyterian Church. He derived great benefit from attending the Sabbath school. When a child he was a subject of the strivings of the Holy Spirit. His disposition was meek, quiet, and consequently amiable. His manners were kind and obliging. He was the friend of all, and the enemy of none. His feeling in this respect was strongly exemplified by the fact that he would never suffer any person to speak ill of the absent, in his presence. unreproved. He would always put the best possible construction upon anything which might appear censurable. His conversion was not like that of the Philippian jailor, but like that of Lydia. He sometimes observed that he could not recollect the time and place in which he found peace with God. It was not, however, a circumstance totally concealed. Some of the circumstances of that event were recollected with grateful acknowledgment of the Divine goodness. His religious career

commenced by his being invited to go to a class meeting by Mr. Hay, of Carrickfergus. He went, joined himself to the people of God, and not long after he had a class meeting in his own house; and, excepting a short interruption, this has continued to the present day, being a period of more than forty years.

The interruption referred to was occasioned by the following circumstances. Some time after he became captain of a vessel he was enticed to join with other captains in their revellings. He gave way-he complied-he threw off the reins of self-government, and for a time he became a drunkard, and was discharged from the vessel. While he was in this state of apostacy the class meeting was removed from his house to another. This was a cause of great pain to his dear wife and daughter, but when he repented of his sin the class was recommenced in his house.

This relapse into sin proved a severe scourge to himself and his family. Previous to that he had accumulated a little money, which would have smoothed his path to the grave: it was soon all spent. When he came to himself, and remembered from whence he had fallen, he wept bitterly. His penitence on account of this sin only died with his death; his tears only ceased to flow when he took his flight into that happy world in which all tears are wiped away from our eyes.

His peace, however, was as conspicuous as his penitence. Although he wept on account of his sins, he rejoiced in the consciousness that they were all forgiven. The constant witness of the Spirit was the great blessing of which he was the happy possessor. He frequently repeated, with deep pathos, that interesting description of the new man: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

His confidence in the providence of God was as firm as his confidence in his grace. His motto was, 66 The Lord will provide." This cheered him in many painful circumstances through which he was called to pass in his old age. He loved his Bible: his attachment to the Scriptures was manifested in the following circumstance. When a young man he went on board a vessel, to the whale fishery, on the coast of Greenland. When there their ship was buried between two icebergs: the men were obliged to take the small boats, and slide them on the ice, in order to save their lives. They had not time even to save their clothes; but although they could not save the vessel nor their clothes, he saved his Bible.

About six years previous to his death he was seized with a paralytic stroke, and subsequently he had attacks of paralysis, one of which at last took him away. The day before his death he had a severe paroxysm, which entirely deprived him of the power of moving himself, attended with a profuse expectoration of purulent matter. He died in faith, witnessing both to small and great the power of religion to smooth and calm the way to eternity. He died in peace, after having proved, for more than forty years, the power of the atonement to save the soul, leaving the impression on the mind of all who knew him, that he is gone to be with Christ, which is far better. He died October 28, 1847, in the 73rd year of his age.

He was followed to his grave by a numerous company of his neighbours and friends, who were addressed by the writer from the side of his grave. His death was also improved in a funeral sermon, preached from Numb. xxiii. 10, to a numerous and attentive audience. W. HARDCASTLE.

RECENT DEATHS.

Died at Clough, in the Todmorden Circuit, 20th of July, 1847, Mary Woodhead, aged 35. Her death was sudden, but she was prepared for the solemn event. She has left many sorrowing friends and relatives, who hope

to meet her in heaven. She, after having endeavoured to serve God about fourteen years, died in peace and triumph.

Died at Todmorden, Dec. 28th, 1847, Martha Dawson, aged 44. She was an afflicted woman, and a prey to doubts and fears, but prior to her removal she obtained a happy deliverance, and a delightful manifestation of Divine love and mercy. She died very happy in the Lord.

Died at Causey Wood, in the Todmorden Circuit, Dec. 30th 1847, Mrs. Mary Wilson, aged 70 years. She was a quiet consistent Christian, and much respected by all who knew her, from the period of her conversion-which took place in 1814 -until the time of her death. She died in the faith and hope of the Gospel.

Died at Todmorden, January 16th, 1848, Mr. John Fielden, aged 93. He was not only the oldest person in the neighbourhood, but also the oldest n ember of a Christian church, having been connected with the Wesleyan Society, and Wesleyan Association, about 70 years. His mental faculties were impaired towards the last, but he looked to, and believed in his Saviour, and is, doubtless, now beholding his glory. His Christian career-stretching over "threescore years and ten -was consistent and happy.

Died at Wadsworth Mill, in the Todmorden Circuit, January 24th, 1848, Mrs. Betty Cockcroft, aged 83. She endeavoured to serve God upwards of forty years, and in her last hours experienced his supporting grace. She was a woman of good sense and blameless life, and had the privilege of seeing many of her children to the third generation fearing, loving, and serving God. She realized a happy death.

Died at Causey, in the Todmorden Circuit, Jan. 28th, 1848, Mr. Mitton Smith, aged 37 years. He was brought to God about a year ago. His removal was a heavy stroke to the family, leaving a wife and five children; but they sorrow not as others which have no hope. As a dying Christian he experienced the consolation and support of religion.

Died at Swineshead, in the Todmorden Circuit, March 7th, 1848, Mrs. Sarah Greenwood, aged 83. She had been a Methodist upwards of 40 years. Her end was peace.

Died at Knowlwood, in the Todmorden Circuit, April 4th, 1848, Elizabeth Sutcliffe, aged 27. She had been a member of our Society about three years. She was a Sunday School teacher, and her death was very triumphant.

B. GLAZEBROOK.

Died on the 2d of May, 1848, in his 28th year, Mr. J. W. Miatt, of South Shields. Our loss may be best understood when we say, that our dear brother held the office among us of leader, local preacher, circuit steward, and trustee. He was uniformly respected by all who knew him, and possessed a large circle of acquaintance and friends. The church has lost a useful and active member, his dear wife a most affectionate husband, and the world a real benefactor. His sufferings of body were great, but he bore them all with exemplary patience. He "died in faith." A more extended notice may be given at

some future time.

S. S. BARTON.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ANNIVERSARY MEETINGS IN LONDON.

BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held at Finsbury Chapel, on the 24th of April. The chair was occupied by the Rev. C. M. Birrell. The report stated, that the number of places, where the Gospel was preached by their agents, was 300; that the Society had 109 Sabbath schools, containing about 7,000 Scholars, conducted by nearly 1,000 Teachers. The additions to the Churches during the year had been 583, and that the number of members

was 4,752. The receipts for the year were £4,751. 6s. 8d., and the debt of the Society, 706%. 10s.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THIS Society held its Annual Meeting on the 27th of April, in Exeter Hall. John Henderson, Esq., of Glasgow, presided. The total income for the year, was near 23,000l. The number of volumes of Scripture, printed by the Society during the past year, 74,000; making a total of 817,270 volumes which have issued from its press. The Society has four printing establishments. It has upwards of two hundred stations and labourers.

BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS.

THE Fifth Annual Meeting of this Institution was held, in Freemason's Hall, on the 27th of April. The chair was taken by J. D. Paul, Esq. The Society last year employed eight Missionaries, also a Female Scripture Reader, whose labours have been attended with much success. A Bible Class has been opened for Jewish Girls, and is well attended. Several Jews have been baptized, and others are enquiring for the way of Truth. The total receipts for the year amounted to 3.291. 4s. 74d., the expenditure to 3,2101. 2s. 5 d., leaving a balance in hand of 50l. 2s. 2d.; but the outstanding claims will more than exhaust that sum,

WESLEYAN (CONFERENCE) MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held in Exeter Hall, on Monday the 1st of May. James Heald, Esq., M.P., presided on the occasion. The report stated, that the expenditure of the Society for the year, was 114,6067. 17s. 6d. This includes an investment in the funds of 5921. 4s., contributed towards a mission to China. The income, including a balance of the former year, of 4,994l. 9s. 4d, was 108,613. 11s. 1d; leaving due to the Treasurer, 5,9931. 6s. 5d.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THIS Society held its Anniversary Meeting on the 2nd of May, in Exeter Hall. The chair was taken by the Archbishop of Canterbury. This Society is in the fiftieth year of its existence. The receipts from the general and special funds, amounted to 91,980%, and the expenditure (without the local expenses), to 98,408/. Besides which, the local funds, received and expended, amounted to 9,312., making the total income, 101,292. This institution has 138 missionaries, including fourteen native clergy men.

BRITISH ANTI-STATE CHURCH ASSOCIATION.

THE Annual Meeting of the Council of this Association took place on the 3rd of May, at its offices in Warwick-square. The Rev. Dr. Cox presided. The report stated that, during the past year, Mr. John Carvell Williams had been appointed to the office of Secretary. That deputations from the Executive Committee had attended public Meetings; Lectures had been delivered and Local Committees formed in most of the principal towns of England. The total receipts for the year were 1,546/. 11s. 2d. leaving a balance in hand of 115. 11s.

In the evening the Annual Public Meeting was held in Finsbury Chapel, Dr. Thomas Price, the Treasurer, presided. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. G. Barrett, of British Guiana; Rev. John Burnet; Rev. Dr. Lang, of New South Wales; Rev. J. H. Hinton; Rev. J. R. Campbell; Edward Miall, Esq, and George Thompson, Esq., M.P.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE forty-fourth Anniversary of this Society was held in Exeter Hall on the 3rd of May. The chair was taken by Lord Bexley. The secretary reported that the issues of the Holy Scriptures, or parts thereof, by the Society, during the year were, from the Home Repository, 837,361 copies; from the depots abroad, 286,706, making 1,124,067 volumes. The Society, since its formation, has issued 20,865,837 volumes. The receipts for the year amounted to 90,1461. 88. 4d., and the expenditure to 105,042/. 19s. 1d., being 14,8967. 10s. 9d, beyond the income. The liabilities of the Society amount to 41,800.

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