sister at home; to this several other neighbour's children were added. Never did she commence school without offering devout and earnest prayer to God for his blessing. From her young charge, she obtained the strongest possible affection. "Though dead, she yet speaketh" to them. A few days before her death, she was at the class-meeting, and appeared unusually happy in Jesus. In conversation with a mother in Israel afterwards, she expressed a very earnest desire for closer communion with her Saviour. All things combined to show that she was drawing near to the end of her short pilgrimage, and that she was preparing for her home above. Her countenance seemed to shine with heavenly radiance. On the 22nd October, 1856, she was seized with great prostration and congestion of brain, and, on Thursday, the 23rd, she left her earthly tabernacle for the "building above, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," aged seventeen years. By her death, her parents have lost an affectionate daughter, and the church below a consistent and useful member. Her death was improved by the Rev. J. Innocent to a large and attentive congregation, on Sunday, November 30th, in a sermon to the young, on Prov. iv. 7. SARAH PINNOCK. OUR late respected sister, Sarah Pinnock, was a native of Madeley Wood, in Shropshire, and very early in life was sent to the Wesleyan Sundayschool of that place. In the year 1836 it pleased the Lord graciously to revive his work in that neighbourhood, and she, with many more young people, gave her heart to God, and joined his church. She received her first ticket on trial when little more than sixteen years of age. The trials and persecutions she had to contend with were neither few nor small; for being young in the way, and the only serious member of the family, it made her way at times very uncomfortable. It pleased the Lord, in the order of his providence, to open her way into the family of the Rev. W. Bird, then superintendent of the Madeley Circuit, as servant, where she found a home, and was treated, to a great extent, as a child of their own, and her memory is respected by them to this hour. She was led from time to time to change her situation, and her anxiety was as often manifested, when settled, to meet with the people of God in class. Her punctuality when health would permit and an opportunity offer itself, of attending the house of God, was an evident sign that the work of grace was genuine, and had taken hold of her whole soul. Her love to God's holy word was great; she made it, through Christ, the ground of all her hope. She was not wavering, but fixed in principle, anxiously desiring to be a sincere Christian. She found it no small trial to leave the people of God in Wolverhampton, with whom she had been united for several years, and by whom she was highly respected and beloved, to come into this neighbourhood, and join our little church at Prince's End, Tipton. Being a stranger among us, she was at first rather shy, but the few short months she was with us she gave evident proofs that we dwelt in her soul in love and unity. For some time prior to her last affliction, she was strongly impressed that her end was drawing near, and though anxious to live for the comfort and welfare of her surviving friends, she was evidently making sure work for eternity. Her sufferings were very severe, but in the midst of all (to God be all the glory!) she in great patience possessed her soul. Though for some time, through the weight of the affliction, she was a little delirious, yet there were intevals when it was very evident that the religion of our Lord and Saviour was the great support of her spirit. She often, in this trying position, sang aloud the praises of Almighty God; once in particular she heartily sung "When passing through the watery deep, They cannot harm for God is near." The choicest of Mr. Wesley's hymns were with pleasure read by her, and in her last moments were a rich source of comfort to her soul. Her earnest exhortations to her nearest relations, it is hoped, will not soon be forgotten. She regretted much that she had not done more for the Lord. On the Friday morning preceding her death a scene presented itself which will not soon be forgotten by the surrounding friends. An aged father, about whose soul's welfare she had been very anxious, presented himself to take his last farewell of his dying child. She used her utmost endeavours to persuade him to give even then, in his old age, his heart to God. When about to take the last kiss from her dying lips, she clasped her arms around him, nor would she leave her hold until he promised to acquiesce with her strong desires for him to meet her in heaven. A few hours before she died, though not able to articulate, she sang what by a friend was supposed to be "Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood She lay motionless for some time, the eye steadily fixed, and without a struggle or a sigh she entered into her eternal rest. She was a faithful friend, and was most respected by them who knew her best. She was an affectionate daughter, wife, and mother, and her loss in the bosom of her family is greatly felt-but their loss is her eternal gain. She entered into rest December the 28th, 1856, in the thirty-seventh year of her age. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Her death was improved to an overflowing congregation on Sunday, February 1st, 1857, by the writer. JAMES HUGHES. AMELIA CORBETT, HALESOWEN, STOURBRIDGE CIRCUIT. SISTER Amelia Corbett was born October 8th, 1828. She was early introduced into our Sabbath-school, where she was much esteemed for her kind and amiable disposition. She was the child of pious parents, who trained her up in the fear of the Lord. About the age of fifteen years she united herself with our church at Halesowen. When she commenced meeting in class, she took great notice of what was said to her, and evidently felt its importance. In a short time she became the subject of deep impressions and conviction for sin. These feelings (under the blessing of God) were produced by hearing her sister, Mrs. Hulston, relate her Christian experience. Her anxiety continued to increase. One morning she was sorely troubled respecting her salvation; her sister was sent for, who prayed earnestly and believingly for her salvation, and it . came. She obtained the blessing of pardon, and was made happy in the love of God. The life of our sister was characterized by steady perseverance, and holy confidence. Her Christian experience was generally of superior order. She appeared to cling to the promises; in the darkest season, when the church was in its lowest and most afflicted state, she never hung her harp upon the willows. Her delight in the means of grace was manifest from her regular attendance, and the interest she took in the ordinances of God's house. Her general deportment was such as became a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the church, those who knew her best esteemed her most. As a teacher in our Sabbath school, she was held in high estimation, and now she is no more, teachers and scholars alike lament her. In the domestic circle she was dutiful to her parents, and was anxious for their temporal and spiritual welfare. Her last affliction was short, but very severe. Death came with rapid strides, but no feelings of alarm were awakened in her peaceful breast. She gave ample testimony respecting her security. She felt herself on the rock of ages. Our friend, Mr. Pardoe, on one occasion asked if she was satisfied with her state, to which she replied, "Since lying here, I have seen many defects; but Christ and his salvation are mine." In reply to other questions, all were assured, that her confidence was strong in the Saviour, her hope firm, the promises precious, her prospects bright, and God her all in all. A short time before she died, she earnestly exhorted her sisters to serve the Lord, requesting one of them to take her place in the church and school, saying at the same time, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness," &c. The last Sabbath she attended the house of God, she thought it would be the last opportunity of the kind she would be favoured with; on the following evening, while listening to Mr. Reynolds in our school-room, similar thoughts passed through her mind, those thoughts became a reality in a few short days. She departed in peace. The church has lost a valued member and helper-the Sabbath-school has lost a good teacher, and a large circle of friends lament her departure. She died August 29th, 1856, aged twentyseven years. Her death was improved by our friend Mr. Pardoe to a large and deeply affected congregation. Halesowen. W. P. Died at Halifax, March 27th, 1857, WILLIAM WADSWORTH, aged 62 years. Our late brother had been a leader and local preacher in this circuit for upwards of thirty years. In these capacities he was made very useful, and the instrument of many conversions. His heart was truly in the work of his Master. His faith in his Saviour seemed never to fail. By his long course of consistent conduct, by his punctuality in attending to his appointments, and by his willingness at all times to labour for the conversion of souls, our brother secured not only the approval of his conscience and his God, but the affection and esteem of a large circle of friends. During the last four months of his life he was confined to his bed, but bore his affliction with calm resignation. Neither doubts nor fears perplexed his mind, and the religion which had made him happy and useful in life, sweetly sustained him in his dying hour. On the morning of his death he said to his afflicted wife, "I believe I am dying; glory be to God, the victory's won!" His wife replied, "I'll follow hard after thee." He then said, "I'll welcome thee in, if it be permitted." These, we believe, were his last words. J. N. Died at Ripon, in February last, JOHN ELSWORTH. He was a man of very steady habits his quiet consistency was the most remarkable trait in his character; he seldom experienced rapture but always peace. His last affliction was painful, but borne with a very cheerful submission to the will of God. It was most instructive and refreshing to stand by his bed, and converse with him on divine things. He had indeed a "good hope through grace." And when the hour of dissolution came, he passed away to heaven. God was with him in the valley, and at "evening-time it was light." J. O. Died, at Leeds, on Saturday, April 25th, MRS. HARRIET CHADWICK, in the 26th year of her age. Our departed sister was the child of pious parents, who placed before her and their family an example of consistent piety, by whom also she was brought up to attend the Sabbath school, and the ordinances of God's house. Favoured with such privileges and influences, she in early life became the subject of religious impressions and convictions. These, under the preaching of a sermon by the Rev. C. J. Donald, about eight years ago, were greatly deepened. Then, or shortly after, she, with others, some of whom entered within the veil before her, united herself in church fellowship. From that time, until her death, she continued a worthy and consistent member of our society at Bethesda-a society which, during the last year, and indeed for several years past, has, through removals and bereavements, been deprived of a great number of its most valuable members. While sorrowing over the death of friends, we can rejoice that the Eternal Shepherd still survives; and we know the promise of his spiritual presence to his church, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." For the last two years of her life, our sister Chadwick was the subject of affliction; previous to that time her health had been good, but then consumption threatened very rapidly to take her away. Through the kind interposition of Providence, however, the fears of friends were removed, and the stroke of death for awhile averted; and as there had been a rapid change for the worse, bringing our sister down almost to death's door, there was also a rapid change for the better, inso much that, during the whole of the winter, her health, though delicate, was such as to induce and justify the hope that returning spring would bring with it a restoration to better health, and that life would, at least, be somewhat prolonged. This was otherwise ordered by him who doeth all things well. During her last illness, which was not of long duration, our sister found it hard to resign herself to the will of God, and to the thought of death: and no wonder at this-with a kind husband, an infant child, many earthly comforts, and a prospect of usefulness in the church, no wonder that she should de- POETRY. WEEP NOT. WEEP not for thy loved one whose form lies at rest, I know it is bitter from loved ones to part, Who are dearer than life to the fond, faithful heart; Through a dim vale of tears the pale features to view, To feel that the sad heart must sorrow alone, And yearn to be join'd to the blest spirit flown;- In a beautiful land of glory and love. Though on earth the loved tones of that dear voice are o'er, In that beautiful land of glory and love. Thy lost one, made perfect, is join'd to that throng Oh! there may ye meet, where no partings are known, Then, weep not-oh, mourn not!-thy lost one's above, P. V. G. DE MONTGOMERY, |