age. When Methodism was introduced into Redditch, in 1806, her name was entered upon the list of members for that year; and for sixty-five years she witnessed a good profession. Before her conversion she was wholly given up to worldly pleasures, and had such a distaste for religion, that when her husband found peace through believing she became his persecutor: she felt that all their earthly hopes were blighted by this change. But when, under a sermon from the late Rev. John Nelson, she became convinced of sin, and afterwards found peace with God, she displayed the same determination of character in upholding, defending, and extending the religion she had before so violently, opposed. In the early days, when Methodism was a term of reproach, and those who persecuted it thought they were doing God service, she was one who endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. After her conversion, her expensive worldly habits were given up, and pecuniary embarrassments very soon gave place to temporal prosperity. Her husband and his partner were successful in commercial transactions, and conscientiously endeavoured to "honour the Lord with their substance." Her love for Methodism, its ministers, and institutions, was intelligent and ardent. Her home was ever open to any of its friends, and anxious inquirers for salvation always found there one who was willing and able to guide and encourage them. Deeply read and experienced in the word and ways of God herself, she used her talents in conducting a Society-class, and engaged with zest and success in whatever seemed likely to promote the cause of God, until the growing infirmities of more than eighty years reminded her that her active work was done. Just before the angelic convoy came to bear her spirit hence, she exclaimed, in her own characteristic way, "Please to wash my hands, and let me appear clean before the Lord," and then fell asleep in peace. P. P. She February 14th, 1872.-At Stanney, in the Chester Circuit, Miss Mary Mason Carter, in the 26th year of her age. It was her privilege to belong to a Christian household; and under its happy influence she feared God from her youth. When about ten years of age she realized her need of Divine mercy, and during a special service was enabled to believe with her heart unto righteousness, and with her mouth make confession unto salvation. From that period up to the time of her death she walked with God, and was, in all the relationships of life, a beautiful example of Christian gentleness, consistency, zeal, and usefulness. For many years she was a most diligent and indefatigable collector for the Missions; often walking through wet and muddy lanes for many weary miles; and wherever she went, her pleasant and genial manners, and her thorough devotedness to the work, were rewarded by success. also evinced her catholicity of spirit by becoming a teacher in the Sundayschool connected with the parish church, where she laboured with much acceptance, until compelled by failing health to give up the work. Her last affliction was long and complicated; but she was ever cheerful, patient, and resigned. Her sick room was indeed "privileged beyond the common walk of virtuous life," and both by herself and her friends was often felt to be "quite in the verge of heaven." For some weeks before her departure she was at times delirious; but during a lucid interval, just before the end of her affliction, she sang with great sweetness and surprising energy, "I can believe, I do believe, that Jesus died for me!" Shortly after she sank into a calm slumber, from which she passed away to a heavenly rest, leaving behind her a name that will long be fragrant to all who knew her. LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, 46, HOXTON SQUARE. WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. MAY, 1872. MEMOIR OF MR. JOSHUA ROBINSON, OF DEWSBURY: BY HIS SON, MR. JOHN RYLEY ROBINSON, LL.D. JOSHUA ROBINSON, who was born at Dewsbury, on the 9th of May, 1801, was the son of Joseph Robinson, a Wesleyan local preacher in that Circuit. While still a child he would beg his mother, when putting him to bed, to kneel down, and pray that God would forgive him all that he had done wrong, and bless him, and "make him a better lad." These gracious drawings from above followed him as he grew in years. Early in life he dedicated himself to the service of that Saviour whose love to ruined man he frequently heard proclaimed by his father from the pulpits of the places of worship to which he accompanied him. At the usual age he was put apprentice to Mr. Bradley, of Bingley; where, though he was removed from the godly home in which he had been trained, the Holy Spirit did not leave him, but continued to work upon his heart. That the necessity for personal religion was deeply felt by him at this time appears from passages in a letter to his parents, referring to the unexpected death of a fellow-apprentice to whom he was much attached. After describing in glowing colours the virtues and piety of his late companion, and the shock to his own feelings occasioned by his decease, he concluded thus, "Knowing that we all must die, let us prepare, so that, like a faithful watchman, we may be found upon our guard. Then death to us will have no sting, and the grave no victory." A prayer written about the same time, and carefully put away amongst his most treasured papers, shows the devout feelings of his soul:-" Almighty and Eternal God, who art the Sovereign Ruler of Heaven and Earth....... With humility and sincerity would I devote my heart to Thee. But how can it be that Thou whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain,-O how can my poor, worthless heart be converted into a fit residence for Thee; a heart so often rebellious to Thy will, so often doing despite to Thy laws, wandering from Thy statutes? O Thou great and Almighty God, VOL. XVIII.-FIFTH SERIES. 2 c cast me not off in Thine anger, forsake me not; but blot out mine iniquities, pardon my transgressions, and shed Thy love more fully abroad in my heart." Amongst the acquaintances he formed whilst resident at Bingley were two young men similarly desirous with himself of " fleeing from the wrath to come," and determined with him to devote themselves to the service of God. The three often attended the same prayermeetings, class-meetings, and other means of grace; and their hearts were lovingly knit together as they walked out into the country, related to each other their Christian experience, and urged each other to increased diligence in the things relating to their eternal welfare. The fellowship thus established ripened with advancing years; and though William Longbottom died a devoted missionary on the Australian field, and Thomas Cryer wore out life in his Master's service on the plains of India, the closest intimacy and attachment was to the end maintained betwixt them, by the constant interchange of letters. Of the nature of this correspondence, the following brief extracts will sufficiently speak. William Longbottom, who afterwards entered our ministry, writes in 1819: "I received your letter this morning. It afforded me great pleasure to find that you were in good health, but abundantly more that you are determined to serve that God of whose goodness you have already tasted. It rejoices my heart that you remember me at a throne of grace. I also remember you in my private devotions....... Dear bandmate, while separate from each other, let us delight in the law of the Lord,' and meditate therein day and night."" On the 6th of November, 1822, his friend writes: Pray for me, and give me the best advice you can. I believe God will bless you and make you a blessing. I am thankful to God on your account, especially for the mark of His approbation which He gave you on your first attempt to preach. My daily prayer is, that you may be made a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."" His first sermon, referred to in the letter just quoted, was preached at Morton, October 13th, 1822, from, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." It was with fear and trembling, as his correspondence with his friend shows, that he entered upon this important work, but having once undertaken it, he never looked back or became weary in well-doing. He strove to prepare himself thoroughly for the pulpit, carefully reading the best commentaries and works on theology, and frequently remaining so engaged for hours after his family had retired to rest. His sermonbook bears evidence of his great diligence. It contains one hundred and seventy-six discourses, most of them carefully written out at |