was earnest, and energetic in her prayers and cries to God for mercy. Oh, how fervently would she pray for herself, her family, and her classmates! There was in her prayers a spiritual fervour which quite delighted me; and, though it does not appear that there was any particular time stated when the Lord spoke peace to her soul, there were clear evidences of her conversion. It was clearly seen that a divine change was wrought in her soul; her subsequent life gave full proof of this. Her heart was gradually opened, like that of Lydia. In her there was no turning aside-no wandering away from the truth; she was firm as a rock in her adherence to the cause of God. When she left Mr. Broadbelt's class, she joined with our friend Mr. Cunliffe; and when unable to go out at nights, she met in the preacher's afternoon class, of which she died a member. So far as her means would allow, she was a liberal supporter of the cause of God; she did this from a deep conviction that it was her duty. She told me one day that, shortly after she had joined the church, often, when she had no supper, and no means of getting any, she had paid her penny at the class. She observed, "I felt I ought to do so." She and her husband joined together in their temporal matters, Divine Providence smiled upon their efforts, and “ peace and plenty crowned their days."

She was the mother of eleven children, ten of whom she has left to mourn her loss. In the training of her children she was firm and determined in her authority, always insisting on their attendance at the house of God and the Sabbath-school; and the result is, the sons and daughters remain true and devoted to the cause of God. To her the family owe a debt of gratitude. "I shall never forget," says one of the family, one Sunday evening, when I was a very little boy,we had just returned from chapel, and she began to reprove my sisters for their abrupt manner in entering the house of God. When she had done this, she taught them a form of prayer to be addressed to God on going into the chapel." Her labours in this respect were not in vain; she has had the satisfaction of seeing most of them, after being scholars, become teachers, and others officers of the school, and many of them members of the church. Oh, may they all form a part of the church militant, that they inay form a part of the church triumphant above! She had full con

fidence in God as the Governor of the world, and could trust her all safely in his hands. When she was in deep trouble, all her concerns were placed in the hands of the Lord, and often while engaged with domestic cares could she say and sing

"When I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes."

Religion was the all-important business of her life. She did not make a flaming profession; she was a woman of few words and of retiring habits. Mary-like, she sat at the feet of her Lord, and bathed them with her tears. Yes, she loved the Saviour. She was peaceful and obliging in her disposition-a keeper-at-home; not a busybody in other people's matters. Hence she gained the esteem and love of all who knew her.

Up to the year 1848 her health was good; at that time it began to decline, and in the year 1849 she lost an affectionate son-one who was tenderly, dearly loved. He was a young man of great promise and of considerable mental power. He was cut down in the prime of life: just when the flower was beginning to show its beauties, death cut it down. This was a heavy stroke; it fell upon her with great weight, threatening to crush her: it was almost too much for her. trust that youth is now blooming in immortal youth and glory in the heavenly land, and that the mother and son are united again. Oh, what a happy meeting they would have! She was never well one whole day from the day of this young man's death. Painful as this dispensation was, there was no murmuring. She often said, "It is for some wise end."

We

She had not been able to attend the house of God much for the last two years, but still kept her confidence firm and unshaken in God. A short time ago two of her daughters, both of whom were married, and had families, went to America. The parting was painful; the mother's heart was full of poignant grief, and whilst we are writing these lines they know not that they have lost their mother. She was confined to her bed for more than a fortnight, during which she often spoke of her death with great calmness and composure. On one occasion she said to her daughter, "Hannah, my dear child, I feel I cannot live long,

I

and I hope you will not murmur. shall be far better off, and the Lord will take care of you if you put your trust in him. I have been a very unworthy creature, but God has taken care of me."

One day, when I was called to see her, I found her very weak. I spoke, to her of the providence of God and quoted the passage, "All things work together for good to them who love God." Before I had concluded the passage she said, "Yes, to those who love God. Do I love him? I am

afraid I shall be wanting at last." Here the tears started from her eyes, and she said, "Will all be right at last?" I spoke of the evidences of our love to God, and when I had done she said, "I feel I love Jesus." When speaking to her daughter of the family, one day, she said, "My family have always been a great care to me. I have prayed scores of times for you all, that not one of you may be lost;" and who does not wish and pray that the prayers of that now sainted mother may be answered! She then said, "I have striven to bring you up in the best way I could, and I do hope that every one of you will follow me to heaven." When speaking of her daughters in America she said, "I have given up all hope of ever seeing them again in this world, but tell them it is my request that they will serve the Lord here, and prepare to meet me in heaven." When speaking of death she said, "The Lord prepare me for his heavenly kingdom." Her daughter Hannah replied, "Mother, I hope you feel sure that He has done that." She then said, "I feel I can put my trust and confidence in God, yet I should like to have more rapture and triumph; but I have followed the Lord at a great distance; I am a poor creature, but the Lord knows my heart, and knows that I would be his." Hannah replied, "Well, mother, the Scriptures say, 'He, will not break the bruised reed.'" She replied, "Nor quench the smoking flax.' This," she said, "has been a great comfort to me.' She then addressed her youngest daughter with much feeling, and besought her to put her trust in God. When speaking of her departed son, she said, "My poor Ralph has been a great blessing to me." She was unable to say much after this, but the sweet calm which rested upon her, and the holy resignation which she felt, were sufficient to make all who saw her say,

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

When suffering great pain she exclaimed, "Thy will be done." When asked if Christ was precious, she said, "Yes." Her sufferings were great for two days and nights, but her heart was fixed. She never expressed a wish to get better, but lay sweetly resigned to the will of God. The heavenly messenger at length came and put an end to her sufferings: she died March 27th, 1853. Her death was improved in St. George's-road chapel by the writer of these lines, from 1 Cor. xv. 55, 56, 57.

As a Church we have lost one of our most attached and devoted members, but she is gone to heaven; we shall meet her there. Her memory is sweet to us. Oh! that all her family may follow her to heaven. Bolton.

B. TURNOCK.

ELEANOR FOOTE.

OUR sister was born in Guernsey, the 9th of September, 1822. She was of a meek, quiet disposition, very dutiful to her parents, and amiable even before her renewed state, and, perhaps, we do not go too far to say, that we believe she was loved by all who knew her. She married Mr. William Baskfill in May, 1843, by whom she had six children, five of whom are now motherless: but their loss is her eternal gain.

When the Rev. John Taylor was our minister, he held protracted meetings for exhortation and prayer. These meetings were continued for a fortnight, when several penitents found peace with God, some of whom have held their confidence to this day. Our departed sister went to these meetings, and, although moral in her conduct, she saw and felt that she was a sinner-she began to cry for mercy; and, at a subsequent meeting to that in which she was wounded by the Spirit's sword, God, for Christ's sake, set her soul at liberty by his victorious love. This was in the autumn of 1847. then not only gave her heart to God, but also gave her hand to his people, and continued a member of our society till death.

She

About two years since our sister was attacked by illness, which ended in consumption. During her illness she was greatly deprived of the means of grace, her medical attendant advising her to quit the town, expecting the country air would prove beneficial; but the disease was too deeply rooted in her frame ever to be removed. She

grew weaker and weaker, and at last took to her bed, on which she lay for only twelve days before she breathed her last.

A few days before she took to her bed her friends saw she would not be long here; they apprised her of it. She was startled, not thinking she was so near her end-her evidence for God and glory was not satisfactory to herself. She felt she had not grace sufficient to give up her partner and little ones. Satan now made his last attack; severe and long was the struggle. She sent for a pious friend, a neighbour. He came; he encouraged her to put her trust in God; he prayed with and for her, yet apparently to no effect; he had to leave her in the state he found her. Soon, however, after he had departed, she found deliverance, and exclaimed, "My God is reconciled," &c.

The fear of death was never more felt by her. From that time she gave up all her family, and all else beside. She now longed to depart, to be with Christ, the Saviour she had known and loved more than five years.

Living a distance of about three miles, the friends could not visit her so often as she or themselves would have wished; nevertheless, she was visited by several of us. The writer visited her three times during the time she lay on the bed of death. He, with the other friends, can say, of a truth, it was profitable to visit her, so resigned to the will of God was she, such longings to be with God in heaven, such assurance had she that heaven seemed already to beam in her eye. So gracious is Jehovah, so present with his people in their time of need. Glory to his holy name!

We found it good to be in that room, for, of a truth, God was there. Our souls were watered from above; we were well repaid for walking about six miles. They that honour me, saith Jehovah, I will honour.

During the time she felt convinced that she would soon have to die, she would see none but God's children, excepting it were some whom she knew, and for whose souls she felt concerned. These she would entreat to give their hearts to God-to seek till they found a Saviour for themselves. She would say, "A dying bed is not the time to seek religion;" adding, "if I had not had religion before, it would now be too late."

I asked her if her evidence of her acceptance with God, through Christ,

had always been retained since she first found it. She replied, "I cannot say that it has at all times been clear; yet I cannot say that I have ever lost it." Now, we must remember that our beloved sister had been in a state of great weakness, and that for a long time, surrounded, too, by several little children, deprived of nearly all the means of grace, and even the sight and conversation of pious friends. But our Lord is a gracious God. He is good. He knew her circumstances. He proportioned his grace and strength to her day. To his name be all the praise.

She suffered much during the last day she spent on earth. She had great difficulty in breathing; the windows were opened by her desire. She felt a fear lest she should be impatient, and a murmur might escape her lips: so tender was her conscience, so sensible of the goodness of God. But the Lord supported her-faith and patience held out to the last. Oh how good is Jehovah!

About ten minutes before her departure, her mother (a truly pious person) put the question to her, "Is Jesus precious?" She with difficulty answered, "Yes; whom else have I but him." These were her last words. May her sorrowing partner and motherless children so live and die as to meet her in glory.

She died, Friday, 6th May, 1853, aged 30 years and eight months. JOHN OZANNE.

RECENT DEATHS.

DIED, at Brighouse, in the Halifax Circuit, April 20, 1853, William Blackburn. Our brother had been a member of the Methodist New Connexion, first at Soyland, then at Huddersfield, and afterwards at Brighouse, for more than thirty years. During the whole of this time he sustained the character of a pious, an honest, and upright man. For some years past his health had been in a declining state; and for the last six months of his life he was not only laid aside from labour, but for a considerable portion of that time he was confined to bed. In his affliction he was frequently visited, and always gave satisfactory evidence of the safety of his state. His views of the plans of salvation were correct. He was built upon the Rock of Ages, and though not often the subject of rapture and extacy he possessed that peace and calmness

of mind which are the portion of God's people only. He had an excellent and profitable gift in prayer, and had been appointed to take charge of a class; but his natural timidity, and the humble views which he had of himself and his capabilities, prevented him from taking up his cross, if any other brother was present who could lead. His end was peace, and he died in the possession of a well-grounded hope of heaven, He has left a widow and family to mourn in the vale of tears, but their loss is his gain. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.

J. CURTIS.

DIED at Hunslet, June 2nd, 1853, William Britton, aged thirty-seven years. He was a backslider, but when he came to himself and lay some months on a sick bed, his conviction of sin and danger returned; his guilt stung like an adder and bit like a serpent; he sincerely and deeply regretted his departure from the way of righteousness, and was earnest and importunate in his cry for mercy. His inquiries were aided by the visits of the ministers and pious relatives and friends, and God in boundless mercy restored him to the joys of his salvation. On my last visit I found him dying, but exulting in God his Saviour; and he was sufficiently collected to give the most satisfactory assurance of his reception to heaven, through the merits of that Saviour whose blood cleanseth from all sin. This instance of restoring grace, like the conversion of the penitent thief, is recorded not to encourage presumption but to check despair. William Britton was indeed a brand plucked from the burning. C. ATKINSON.

On the 21st of May, Mrs. Susannah Hart sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. About thirty years ago she united herself with our cause in this town, and remained one of its most constant and devoted friends to the close of life. Her holy deportment soon won the confidence and esteem of the friends, and she will be long held in remem

brance as one who did great honour to the cause of truth and righteousness.

Though her health was much impaired, she held up and attended to her duties until a few weeks ago, when a severe affliction laid her prostrate on a sick bed. The best assistance that could be obtained proved ineffectual: her enfeebled energies gradually gave way, and death appeared inevitable. For some time her dear children and Christian friends endeavoured to hope, but, from the first, she felt convinced that her recovery was impossible, and that the time of her departure was at hand.

But this apprehension created no fear. Firmly and immovably fixed on the Rock of Ages, she was perfectly secure, and calmly waited her end. Death to her had no terrors. The world had lost its charms; and the joys of heaven allured her home. She had no raptures, but a settled and uninterrupted peace-just such tranquillity and peace as might be expected to crown the closing moments of an eminent follower of the meek and lowly Jesus.

Her dear children and a wide circle of attached friends feel her loss; but, guided by those principles under which our departed sister lived and died, they must follow her to the skies, and there renew a lasting fellowship, where pain and death are felt and feared no more. WM. BAGGALY.

Liverpool, June, 1853.

DIED, on Tuesday, May 31, 1853 our beloved friend, John Wood, in the 60th year of his age. Our dear Brother Wood was well known and much respected by all the ministers who, of late years, have travelled in the Leeds Circuit. He had been a member of our community upwards of thirty years. His visits to the abodes of sickness were frequent, always welcome, and invariably instructive and profitable. His soul is now at rest with Jesus.

A lengthened account of our brother may be expected.

J. MALLINSON.
New Road End, Leeds.

FOUNDATION OF A NEW

CHAPEL AT BATLEY. ON Whit-Tuesday, May 17th, the first stone of the intended new chapel was laid. A number of ministers, trustees, members, and scholars assem

bled in the old chapel at 3 P.M., and went in procession to the site, where a very large concourse of people had collected together to witness the ceremony.

The Rev. J. Curtis gave out the 306th hymn. The Rev. C. Atkinson

engaged in prayer. After which the choir, together with the Sabbath school children, sung a beautiful piece, under the able leadership of Mr. B. Willson.

The stone was laid by B. Senior, Esq., in the name of the Holy Trinity; and J. Jubb, Esq., read a copy of the document deposited in the stone. The Rev. C. Hibbert of Lindley, delivered a very able and appropriate address, which was well received; and a further address was given by the Rev. C. Atkinson, of Hunslet. The Doxology having been sung, the Rev. J. Livingston engaged in prayer; after which the whole dispersed (probably about 3,000 people), highly delighted with the proceedings. A goodly number of the friends adjourned to the large School-room, where a tea was gratuitously provided by the ladies.

After the tea services were dismissed, Isaiah Flint, one of the circuit preachers, opened the meeting with singing and prayer. Mr. J. Taylor presided with his usual ability, and the meeting was subsequently addressed by the Revs. T. Cartwright, J. Livingston, J. Curtis, C. Atkinson, and J. Flint; and Messrs. Crampton, Yeoman, Nettleton, Parker, and Blakely. After a vote of thanks to the chair, the ladies, the committee, and the speakers, the benediction was pronounced, and the meeting dispersed. The Rev. J. Nicholas, the superintendent of the circuit, was unavoidably absent, being at the time attending the Conference. The intended new chapel is to accommodate near upon 1,000 people. It will be a noble edifice, constructed upon the most modern principles, and, to crown all, if not entirely unencumbered by debt, not more than a fifth or a sixth of the cost will remain to encumber the estate.

I. F., Sec.

RE-OPENING OF MOSSLEY

CHAPEL.

OUR chapel at Mossley has been closed for several weeks, for the purpose of painting, altering, and otherwise improving it; and now that it is finished, there is great and general satisfaction, and the whole reflects great credit on the judgment, zeal, and taste of the managing committee. The pews and wood-work throughout the chapel are painted light oak inside, and dark on the outside. The pulpit is considerably altered, Corinthian caps put on pillars, and painted imitation bronze. The communion re-carpeted, and fitted up

with carved chair and table, painted oak, to match the pulpit and pews. The two bottom rows of squares in the lower windows taken out and replaced with ground glass. The ceiling, which was in very bad order, and full of cracks, has been thoroughly repaired and whitened. The vestry fitted up with seats all round, covered with black hair seating, and wooden backs painted oak. The minister's vestry has also been recently fitted with oil-cloth, mirror, wash-stand, &c. Crimson curtains and rods are placed in the chapel to screen the wind from the first two pews near each door, which, previously, were exceedingly cold. Several pews are made larger, and are now comfortable family pews. In the gallery, under every seat, a space which used previously to be open, and caused it to be very cold, has been boarded, the benefit of which will be felt by all during the winter months. organ has been thoroughly cleaned and repaired. The pews prior to the alterations were painted green inside, which caused the place to have a very cold appearance; but now being, as above stated, light and dark oak, the effect of the alteration is to give the chapel a much warmer and more compact appearance. Covering the inner doors with crimson instead of green, and also the crimson curtains, add very much to the effect.

The

The expense has been considerable, but the great improvement made has justified the outlay; and the sanctuary in which we now worship is the neatest we have ever seen-spacious, commodious, and attractive. The re-opening services took place on June 5, when two sermons, full of evangelical sentiments, were preached by the Rev. W. Mills of Hanley to large congregations. The collections amounted to the handsome sum of £168. This, with a surplus in hand of last year's income will about cover the whole expense, amounting to upwards of £200. Great praise is due to Joseph Kershaw, Esq., and to D. Buckley, Esq., for the time they have devoted, the zeal manifested, and the taste and judgment they have evinced in superintending the whole affair; and to the friends generally for the liberal manner in which they have responded to our call for their pecuniary aid. Now that we have a temple so complete, may the gracious Jehovah fill it with his glory, and gladden his people by making it the birth-place of thousands of souls.