gent preparation for the final conflict. On one of the last visits paid to him by the writer, he repeated, with much emotion, the following lines which he had often used in his class:

"Fix'd on this ground will I remain, Though my heart fail, and flesh decay;

This anchor shall my soul sustain, When earth's foundations melt

away;

Mercy's full power I then shall prove,

Loved with an everlasting love."

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace." J. G. C.

April 2nd.-At Little Droylsden, Grosvenor-Street Circuit, Manchester, Thomas Veevers, aged forty-one. He was born at Todmorden, in Yorkshire, in the year 1831, and was early sent to the Wesleyan-Methodist Sundayschool in that town, where he was noted for his good conduct and natural amiability of character. His first religious impressions were received under a sermon preached by the Rev. James Caughey. For months he struggled against his convictions, but at length sought for the blessing of conscious pardon, which he found "through believing." Though his character had been amiable before conversion, a great change was visible in him after that event. He at once became a decided Christian; for though he was but a youth, an apprentice learning his trade among a number of ungodly men, he boldly proposed that they should have prayer every morning in the workshop. Strange to say, this request was acceded to, and the gracious fruits remain until this day. His piety and intelligence soon attracted notice, and he was quested to become a local preacher. After satisfactorily passing the usual probation, he was for many years employed in this work with

re

acceptability and usefulness. It was his custom to rise early on the Sabbath morning and walk among the breezy hills surrounding his native town, endeavouring by prayer and meditation to prepare himself for his pulpit duties. Early in life he entered upon business for himself, and his prospects appeared good; but finding that his time was thus fully taken up, and that he had few opportunities of attending to spiritual concerns, or working for his Great Master, he resigned his business position, in order that he might give more attention to divine things. Soon after this the providence of God directed him to Tarporley, in Cheshire, where he was happy, and very useful, as a local preacher, often taking long journeys, and "zealous in his work." When circumstances made it again needful for him to change his residence, a friend offered to assist him in entering into business, but he steadily declined, preferring to have little care and more time for religious matters. His lot was cast at Little Droylsden, near Manchester. Here he laboured as he had strength and opportunity, until his Heavenly Father called him home. The last thing in which he was engaged was the making of desks, forms, etc., for use in a room that had been taken near his house for a Sunday-school and preaching-room. These were a "free-will offering," at which he wrought in the evening, after his day's work was over elsewhere. His interest in this little evangelistic scheme was great, and the greatest trouble of his last affliction seemed to be, that by it he was kept away from the "room." His illness was gastric fever, which was severe, and soon wasted away a somewhat feeble frame. His mind was kept in perfect peace, being "stayed on God," though he did not experience ecstatic joy. When it was thought he was dying, he was asked as to his state: he said, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." So it was in death

May 2nd.-At Deptford, Captain W. J. Green, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He was converted to God during the first voyage he made to the South Seas after being out of his apprenticeship. He was appointed second mate, under the command of Captain Morgan, whose pious life made a powerful impression on his mind. On his return home he joined himself to the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. While far away from religious friends, it is pleasing to find from his letters that he was faithful to his Christian profession. At a very early age he was made captain, and from that moment resolved that in his ship the Lord's Day should be honoured in the worship of God. This he was able to carry out, and the Bethel-flag, as it fluttered in the breeze, reminded the whole South Sea whaling fleet of the claims of the day. During his voyages he made the friendship of the Rev. J. Williams, of Erromanga, and other missionaries, and was often refreshed by their fellowship, as we learn from the log-books of his ship. In 1856 he retired from his command, and settled in Deptford, where he became very useful as a leader, Circuit-steward, and visitor of the sick. For four years he was laid aside from active duty; but in all his afflictions, he said, "I dare not murmur." Just before his death his wife asked him what he could tell her about the Lord Jesus? "O," he replied, "that He came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief!" These were nearly his last words. J. P.

May 4th-At Mount Pleasant, in

the Stourbridge Circuit, Mrs. Hannah Harper, aged seventy-five years. In early childhood, when attending the services of the Church of England, she was a subject of the striving of the Holy Spirit, and when she was seventeen years of age, under a sermon by the Rev. Gideon Ouseley, she was converted to God by a penitent faith in Christ, and so realized conscious pardon. She at once joined the Methodist Society, and continued a consistent member of it to the close of her life, giving evidence in various ways of her interest in Christ, and love to His Church,-by steady and untiring labours in the Sabbath-school; by visiting the sick, in which work she was very useful; and, so far as her means admitted, by liberality in supporting Christian missions to the heathen. In her last affliction, which was of a few weeks' continuance, she was favoured with a rich manifestation of Divine power, by which she was enabled to rejoice in the Lord exceedingly, assured that she should depart "to be with Christ," which is "far better." J. T.

June 1st.-At Lancaster, Bithiah Coke Bambridge, wife of the Rev. W. H. Bambridge, Wesleyan minister, and daughter of the late Rev. W. Wilson, sometime Wesleyan missionary in the West Indies. She was born at Nassau, in the Bahamas, November 28th, 1817. In early youth she was converted to God, and formally united herself with the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. She loved the Church, and worked hard for it. To the poor of the flock, her heart and hand were always open. She cared for the cause of God. On the 6th of May she was seized with apoplexy, and partial paralysis of the lower portion of the spinal cord; and though she lingered for twenty-six days she was entirely helpless, and almost wholly unconscious. She was at her post when the summons

came.

W. H. B.

June 6th.-Catherine Ann, the beloved wife of Joseph Best, of Wavertree, in the Liverpool PittStreet Circuit, aged forty-five years. She was the daughter of Mr. S. G. Roberts, one of the oldest local preachers in Liverpool. In early life she was taught the fear of the Lord. At ten years of age, under a sermon preached by the late Rev. Robert Young, she was brought to feel her sinful condition and her need of a Saviour, and very shortly realized peace with God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For thirty-five years she maintained her Christian profession without wavering. In the varied circumstances and relationships of life-as daughter, wife, and mother-her conduct was consistent and exemplary. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Her last illness was long and painful, but she bore it with meekness and patience. Her faith failed not. On the morning of the day of her death she said, "I know whom I have believed;" and with the "everlasting arms" beneath her she departed to be for ever with the Lord. M. C. O.

July 12th.—At Dawlish, Miss Sharland, of Wellington, Somerset, aged thirty-four years. From the time of her conversion, in 1864, until her death, she walked "in the light:" turning from the gaieties of the world, she followed Jesus fully; her whole heart was given to Him. Under the Spirit's teaching, it was to her no sacrifice, but an unspeakable pleasure, to obey the precepts of the Gospel. Clever, cheerful, industrious, with a refined taste, a feeling disposition, and

a sanctified heart, she was greatly beloved. To many a poverty-stricken one she bore relief, and to many a sufferer she spoke words of sympathy and comfort. While in health she witnessed for her Lord; and when sickness laid her aside, she proved His faithfulness, and witnessed for Him still. The fruit-bearing "branch" when "purged" brought forth "more fruit." Patience, trust, peace, joy, were her portion during a long and painful illness. The following few extracts from letters to friends describe her religious experience:"Although things present are often trying, as regards my future home all is bright and clear. It is finished!' Blessed words!

I feel

Jesus spoke them for me." "How many bright spots of lovingkindness appear in the desert of my affliction! Do they not loudly testify that our God is a God of love? I cannot praise Him enough for His great goodness. What is withheld, that my heart craves for, is withheld in mercy. If given, it would be to my hurt. There is only real happiness when we can feel, 'As Thou wilt.'" "I am still kept in peace-so bright-no shadows come between. O the love of Jesus! It' passeth knowledge.' Why should I be so blessed, I who am so full of sin?" When enduring great pain, and conscious that death was near, she said, "What are my sufferings in comparison with those of my Saviour? He has washed all my sins away." Often she exclaimed, "Jesus is very precious!" Thus trusting and triumphing, having "professed a good profession before many witnesses," she fell asleep. R. C. B.