speaker, "let us never give up hard cases, supposing that they are given over of God, and devoted to destruction; but let us ever remember that Christ has said that he can save to the uttermost."

GOD OF MY MOTHER!-An infidel of talent and respectability, under the power of the truth, bowed his knees at a revival meeting, and cried in agony, "God of my Mother, have mercy on me!" "God of my mother!" How much is revealed in that single exclamation! How conclusively it proves this man had a mother whose faithfulness left an impress on his soul too deep to be obliterated by time! How eloquently it pleads with other mothers to be diligent in the inculcation of moral and religious truths!

A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE OF CHRIST. -It is stated that there are twentyeight Jewish converts to the Christian religion in New York, who meet every Sabbath. A periodical is published in New York, entitled "The Israelite Indeed," which takes the ground that Jesus of Nazareth is the true Messiah. A convert Jew lately stated in a Boston prayermeeting that he was led to investigate the Christian Scriptures by hearing Christians pray for the descendants of Abraham. He stated that 600 converted Jews are now preaching Christ.

THE WIFE OF HOWARD THE PHILANTHROPIST.-The philanthropic Howard was blessed with a wife

of a singularly congenial disposition. On settling his accounts one year, he found a balance in his favour, and proposed to his wife to spend the money on a visit to the metropolis for her gratification. "What a beautiful cottage for a poor family might be built with that money!" was the benevolent reply. The hint was immediately taken, and the worthy couple enjoyed that greatest of all gratifications-the satisfaction of having done good for its own sake.

DISCOVERY OF A ROYAL TOMB IN EGYPT.-A letter from Cairo, in the Constitutionnel, says :-"The general subject of conversation in this city is a discovery which has just been made by the well-known archæologist, M. Mariette. He has found at Thebes, after long and difficult researches, the tomb, still intact, of Pharaoh Amosis. The king is lying in a coffin, completely covered with gold leaf, ornamented with large wings painted on it. Thirty jewels of great value were found in the same coffin by the side of the king, as was also a hatchet in gold, ornamented with figures in lapis lazuli. Some years ago M. Mariette had a similar piece of good fortune in finding, in the tomb of Apis, the jewels which now form the principal ornament of the Egyptian Museum of the Louvre. The jewels of Amosis are still more valuable from their number and quality. This discovery of a royal tomb intact is the most important one that M. Mariette has yet made in Egypt."

MRS. ANN FINCH,

WIFE OF WILLIAM FINCH.

Written by her Husband.

My departed wife was born June 11, 1792. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Vaughan, formerly resided in Carmarthenshire, North Wales, but finally settled in Ketly, near Wellington, Salop. During their residence in Wales, they enjoyed the favour of listening to the venerable Wesley and

his ministers. In Ketly there was no Wesleyan chapel at that time, and they deeply regretted the loss of a faithful ministry. Thirsting, however, for the water of life, they invited the Wesleyan ministers to preach in Ketly, and opened their house for religious service.

The circuit was very wide, and the ministers rode to their appointments on horseback, accompanied with their saddlebags, containing books, &c.,

for a journey which would take them twelve or fourteen days to accomplish. During their sojourn in Ketly, they were accommodated at Mr. Vaughan's house. Often has my dear wife referred to these pleasurable visits, and the hours so profitably spent in listening to the interesting and instructive narrations of God's providential and gracious dealings with these first Methodist preachers in their toils and different spheres of usefulness. And when we consider the narrators were such as the beloved Lomas, Blancherd, Martindale, Bardsley, Crowther, and Jones, we could wish we had been favoured with a seat amongst them, and had enjoyed the pleasure of bowing with them at the family altar.

Notwithstanding these privileges, my beloved wife did not surrender her heart fully to God; but was carried away by the influence of the fashionable world, remaining blind to the glories of a Saviour, and a stranger to settled peace. About this period, in the providence of God, I was sent to the Dawley Green circuit, under the auspices of the Rev. R. Windfield, revivalist, whose labours God had signally owned in the conversion of souls in many parts of the country. Miss Ann Vaughan often heard me preach in that locality; and while listening to a discourse on Mark ix. 46, by God's blessing upon my humble efforts, she was led to discover her need of salvation, and so strong were her convictions of sin, that she stated, "I dared not lift my eyes towards heaven, through fear of being stricken into endless torments." Shortly after, I was preaching from these words, "I have a message from God unto thee," when she became still more intensely anxious, and saw that nothing short of becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus would avail. I subsequently descanted on John xvi. 31, and at the close of the sermon she was enabled fully to renounce self, and entirely to rest the immortal interests of her soul on Christ alone. She was saved; and in the same meeting a sister of the deceased also found peace with God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and she lived and died forgiven.

About this time I decided to take with me a companion in the path of life, to share my sorrows and joys, and to help me in my works of faith and labours of love. My affections were placed upon Miss Vaughan. I saw in

her person, and piety, and attainments, the attributes of a suitable partner, and at once a correspondence commenced. Soon after taking this step, I had a severe and protracted affliction, brought on by excessive toil in the ministry. My medical adviser said I must leave the circuit, desist from preaching, and gave it as his opinion that I should never preach again. These tidings were discouraging to us both, and then a dark cloud came over our future prospects, and especially was this felt by her about to become my wife. Her fidelity was tried. Through Divine mercy, my health was so much improved as to justify our marriage, which event took place Dec. 31st, 1825.

For some time after our marriage, our early struggles were severe, disappointments frequent, and prospects gloomy. But we acknowledged God in all our ways, and he sustained our hearts, and brightened our hopes. In 1828, we settled at Dudley Port, near Birmingham, and immediately united with the Wesleyan Methodists, by whom we were cordially received, and with whom we worshipped until the division, in 1835, which resulted in our joining the Methodist New Connexion, from which period my lamented wife adorned that beloved community by a truly consistent Christian life. To say she was faultless, would be accounting her more than human. But, in the course of thirty-three years' pilgrimage in this world of cares and troubles, I cannot recollect one wilful act in opposition to the requirements of the laws of that holy religion she professed and possessed.

As a wife, she was in all respects all I could desire. "The heart of her husband did safely trust in her, so that he had no need of spoil." She frequently accompanied me to my appointments, and rendered important assistance in the prayer-meetings, after public service-consoling the tried, encouraging the tempted, and directing penitents to the peace-speaking blood for a present salvation.

As a mother, she watched with care the expanding intellects of her children, and paid strict attention to their morals, frequently taking them aside to converse with them on the subject of personal religion, and the blessings of early piety, and to pray with and for them. Loving the habitation of God's house herself, she trained her children to keep holy the Sabbath day, and to

Her

delight in Sabbath exercises. labours were not altogether in vain. Still she did not witness that fruit she anxiously waited for. Her last effort for their conversion was made in her dying hour, extracting from them a promise that they would follow her as she followed Christ, and at last meet, a whole family, in heaven. I should have no greater joy than to find that the dying request of my dear partner is realized in the salvation of our chil dren.

As a neighbour she endeavoured to promote the peace and happiness of those she had any connection with. If differences existed, she was a peacemaker, and on several painful occasions she was eminently successful in harmonising discordant elements, and reestablishing peace and unity.

The

ministers of Christ she loved for their work sake, giving them at all times a hearty welcome to her house and hospitalities. To the Circuit and Connexional funds she cheerfully contributed, according to her ability. To the poor and destitute she was ever kind. God only knows how far she went in relieving distress, as it was her aim "not to be seen of men,"

She was useful. Believing in individual responsibility, and that each unit in the church should employ every power for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, she tried to persuade men to be reconciled to God. Nor did she try in vain; God blessed these efforts with encouraging success. As an instance of her usefulness in this way, I cannot refrain from giving an extract from a letter I have received from Mr. J. Williams, of Wednesbury. He observes: "Your dear wife induced me and my brother to attend a Monday-evening prayer meeting arranged to be held in our own house. Never shall I forget the kind and affectionate manner in which she entreated us both, as brothers, to be present at that meeting, urging as a powerful reason how pleasing it would be to our parents, and especially to dear mother, who was a consistent member of the Church of Christ. These appeals, often repeated, followed by the influences of the Holy Spirit, made such an impression upon my mind as to produce decision of character; but I can assure you I had a great struggle. I had made an engagement on the evening of the prayer meeting to go to a place of worldly amusement with a

sinful companion. Satan fought hard to lead me astray, and if he had succeeded that night, I cannot say to what lengths of wickedness I might have gone. Thank God I broke my engagement with my companion, kept the promise made to your late partner, and was found in the prayer meeting at the time of devotion. This I regard as the turning point in my life. In this state of mind I went one Sabbath evening to hear the Rev. R. Waller, now in glory. My former impressions were deepened, and I cried for mercy. On the Thursday evening following, in the vestry of Dudley Port Chapel at a prayer meeting, I found peace with God. Never shall I forget the joy evinced by your late wife, yourself, and my own dear parents on that joyous occasion."

The desecration of the Sabbath by those around her pained her much. Many times would she stop on her way to the house of God to speak to Sabbath-breaking sinners, and, by mild entreaties, she has persuaded some to accompany her to the temple of worship. In several cases she has brought them as a shepherdess would a torn sheep, uncombed and unwashed, to hear words by which men are saved. In other cases a promise was given that they would come when they had washed and changed their apparel, and very rarely did any deceive her. If all the members of our churches would go and do likewise, many would be the crown of our rejoicing in the day of the Lord.

By the request of the leaders' meeting she took the responsibility of a female class, and although often discharging her duties with fear and trembling, yet for about twenty years she held this honourable position in connection with our society. Being strongly attached to her little flock, she was often heard commending them to God, and, as their good shepherd, praying that He would guard and guide them into the fold above.

In 1855 her health gave way. Suffering from a severe cough, it was deemed expedient to try change of air; accordingly, in September of the above year, she visited Admorton Spa, and then returned to Ketly, the place of her nativity. During her absence from home, in compliance with an invitation I had received from the Rev. T. Boycott, then superintendent of the Longton circuit, to preside at their annual missionary meeting, I went to the Potteries, and preached in Fenton chapel

on the Sunday morning. I had no sooner concluded divine service than I received a shock that I shall never forget. The sad news was communicated to me that my dear lamented wife had been struck with paralysis, which had deprived her of the use of one side and of her speech, while attempting to write me signifying her intention to return home.

For more than three years she bore this heavy affliction with Christian firmness and submission; she never murmured or appeared discontented with her lot. It is also worthy of special remark that, although denied the pleasure of speech on all worldly affairs, she could accompany me in prayer at the family altar, and sing:

"If this be death, I soon shall be
From every sin and sorrow free;
I shall the king of glory see.
All is well! all is well!"

On one occasion an unconverted brother called to see her; soon after he entered the room she fixed her eyes upon him and tried to arm her tongue for utterance, and, to the surprise of those in the room, that tongue which could not speak on earthly topics, was loosened to put this important question to her brother:-"Got a garment ready? Got a garment ready?" Having made this inquiry, silence sealed her lips again. This brother died before her, but not until he sought and found the wedding garment. The peculiarity of her affliction was at times a great pain to my mind, and under these emotions I have said to her, “My dear, how glad I should be if God would restore you to speak to me, and walk with me once more to the house of prayer." She would smile sweetly upon me, and then break out with her favourite phrase, "All is well!" In this happy spirit she was found waiting for her change

to come.

In corroboration of what I have written touching the character and speech of my departed one in her affliction, I will now give a portion of a letter of condolence received since her demise, from the Rev. T. Boycott, of London :

"Be assured, dear brother, that we deeply sympathise with you and yours under the loss you have sustained in the death of dear Mrs. Finch. A mother in Israel has left us, only to enrich the church above. We cannot mourn as those who have no hope. Her very severe and protracted afflic

tion would partly prepare you for the solemn stroke, and her Christian graces and progress in holiness, making her meet for the inheritance of the saints in light, would reconcile you to that Providence which has removed her a short time before you to a happier world. Although the peculiarity of her affliction rendered her speech so defective during the last remnant of her life, yet she was not altogether mute. We shall never forget her remarkable utterances in prayer, and her clear voice and free articulation in the celebration of Divine praise. Thank God she is gone-gone to glory, where she will praise her Redeemer for ever without a faltering tongue. She lived for heaven-she lives now in heaven. May we triumph so when all our toils are o'er!"

For some three weeks before her departure it was evident that a change had taken place in her physical condition. She was much more inclined to sleep, and symptoms of a more threatening nature developed themselves.

On the Friday previous to her death, I was assisting in raising her to dress, when she was again stricken; yet, as it was her custom, she wished to be taken down into her sitting-room, which wish was gratified. On the same day she had another stroke, from which she never rallied, but gradually sank into the arms of death, retaining her consciousness to the last.

It was delightful to witness the heavenly smile with which she awaited the arrival of the last enemy. That smile I shall never forget.

On Sunday, the 19th, she was extremely ill, and seemed conscious that her end was near, and with some emotion she appeared in haste to give the last token of her affection by kissing her children and myself; after which, lifting up her eyes, she said, "Makehaste-Jesus!" In this calm frame of mind she lingered until Tuesday. A short time before she died, she twice raised the dear hand that she could move, and as it fell upon the bed each time, said, "Jesus-Jesus!" She never moved it more-her work was done, and in a few moments fell asleep in Jesus, with that precious name on her lips she loved so ardently through the greater part of her life, on December 21st, 1858, aged sixty-six years.

In conclusion, I desire to express my gratitude to those Christian friends

who, in letters of sympathy, have soothed my sorrowing heart, since the companion of my life has been removed to her long home, and especially do I feel obliged to our esteemed Editor, the Rev. W. Cooke, for his favour. His testimony to departed worth is honourable, discriminating, and just. With an extract from his kind communication I will close this memoir of my lamented wife. He observes :

"Your dear partner was a noble woman-generous, open-hearted, and full of Christian kindness. It was delightful to be in her company. She is gone, and her absence will, I am sure, be deeply felt by others as well as yourself; but our loss is her eternal gain. Her affliction was too painful for us to desire to detain her from her eternal rest and happiness by a protracted stay here, in a state of helpless suffering. Her Heavenly Father has called her to her blissful reward. May we prepare to follow her!"

Her death was improved by Mr. James Williams, of Wednesbury, on Sunday evening, January 23, 1859, to an overflowing and attentive audience, from Rev. xiv. 13.

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

MR. JOSEPH BAILEY.

THE late Mr. Joseph Bailey was born near Huddersfield in the year 1821. He was early taken by his parents to a place of worship, and in his youth was led by the Holy Spirit to seek after the knowledge of God. Under the public ministry he became deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly sought the blessing of pardon through our Lord Jesus Christ. It was in the privacy of his own chamber, while reading with many tears the oracles of Divine truth, particularly the eighth chapter of Romans, that he was enabled to understand the way of faith, by a venture of his soul upon Christ, thus "receiving the spirit of adoption, whereby he could cry, Abba, Father!" Experiencing the rich enjoyment of a true fellowship with the Saviour, he looked around with affectionate concern upon those who had never sought the same blessedness. Observing those who mixed with God's people in the sanctuary, he invited them to class and the week-night meetings, at which he was generally present. Some, on the bed of death, have declared that by such means he was instrumental in their salvation.

In the year 1852 he married, and removed to Bradford. He had then been for some time employed as a local preacher, and often, when remonstrated with by friends for travelling so far, sometimes early and late, he would say:- "Well, if I have but little strength, mental or physical, if that little can be brought to bear upon the great interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, I greatly rejoice." But he was most at home in Sabbath school duties. There he was most assiduous, successful, and happy. When surrounded by those little immortals, who gazed upon him in earnest simplicity, his loving heart became more tender as he explained to them the wondrous story of a Saviour's love.

In the spring of the year 1856, he came to reside in Leeds, and entered upon a new business with great alacrity As a tradesman, his high sense of honour, and his Christian integrity, shone before men; but his piety was unobtrusive, and led those who knew him best to admire his conduct, as according so well with the principles he professed. For some months his health seemed considerably improved; but as the winter advanced, he began to feel the effects of a severe attack of bronchitis; and the following year, notwithstanding all that could be done to induce a restoration, it became painfully evident that his strength was gradually declining. The Rev. James Stacey says:-"Being in Leeds in the month of May, and hearing that Brother Joseph Bailey was ill, I called and spent some time with him. He was greatly altered from what I had known him in Huddersfield, and though he seemed to have no decided apprehension of death, I was all but certain that consumption was wasting away his life beyond the hope, if not the possibility of a revival. I had formerly known him to be a very humble, teachable, and childlike man of God. He was eminently gentle and peaceable in disposition, having, in a greater degree than most Christian men, that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which, in the sight of God, is of great price. He was kind and obliging in temper, and that temper which was in some degree natural to him, sanctified by the grace of God, disposed him, according to the measure of his ability, to do good to all men, but especially to those who Iwere of the household of faith. We had some sweet conversation on divine A A