about

Church fellowship with us eighteen months before his death, and from that time evidenced a strong attachment to the people of God, and a delight in the communion of saints; and having obtained the regenerating grace of God in the season of health, and his faith having been severely tried in the furnace of affliction, he entered into rest on the 27th day of February.

His death was improved to a very large assembly, on Sabbath evening, March 18th, in a discourse on the prayer of Balaam-"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" E. W.

MRS. SUSANNAH JOHNSON, THE wife of our brother, T. Johnson, was born, of Wesleyan parents, at Colchester, in 1828. She was early taken to the Sunday-school and to the house of God. At about fifteen years of age, her early religious impressions ripened into deep conviction under the ministry of Mr. Davids, Independent minister, in Colchester. Having felt the weight of her sins, and found peace through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, she became united with the Independent church, of which she appears to have been a consistent and useful member. In the Sunday-school she was especially at home. She also embraced every opportunity of visiting the children of her charge, and ministering to the comfort of the sick and the poor in her neighbourhood. For a length of time she had to travel two miles to the school in which she taught; but whatever the state of the weather, she was always found at her post. Her cheerful and active piety appears to have afforded great satisfaction and pleasure to her minister, Mr. Davids. In the order of Divine Providence she removed to London, and eventually, with her husband, became united with our society at Britannia Fields, of which, to the end of her brief course, she continued a steady and consistent member, and the leader with whom she longest met speaks well of her religious experience. The last

occasion on which I saw her previous to her illness, was when surrounded with a large family circle, at Christmas time, to join which several of the poorer members of the society had been invited. About this time she began to feel the walk to the chapel unusually fatiguing a feeling which she tried to cast off by strength of will. She was

at length confined to bed, apparently from cold; and although no serious consequences were at first apprehended, the hope of her recovery soon grew faint, and in about a week after the first serious symptoms appeared, she was gone. During the greater part of her illness, the disturbing effect of the disease which removed her prevented that collected expression of experience which is ever felt to be desirable, and at times she seemed harassed by temptation, but her confidence in Christ was restored. She enjoyed the reading of the Scriptures, and the conversation and prayers of religious friends. "Ah!" she said, when the writer had prayed with her, "that does me more good than all the doctor's medicine." The words

"Just as I am, without one plea,

་་

But that thy blood was shed for me, O Lamb of God, I come,' were repeatedly on her lips, and she sung as she had scarcely been heard to do while in health, hymns, or parts of hymns, presenting themselves very readily to her recollection. Some faint hope of her recovery remained almost to the last. On the morning of January 19th, the medical attendant spoke of improvement; but before midnight she had departed from her earthly home to those "realms of the blest of which she had so recently been singing-an affecting instance of the uncertainty of life, enforcing the necessity of living in constant readiness for the summons of our Lord. Her death was improved to a large congregation. G. G.

MRS. SARAH ACKERLEY, Or Altrincham, the subject of this brief notice, was brought to a knowledge of salvation in early life. She is believed to have been a follower of the Saviour for nearly seventy years, having begun to seek the Lord when about sixteen

years of age. For several years past she has been the subject of affliction, in the midst of which she has been enabled to stay her mind upon the Lord. This old disciple was a member of our Brother Ambler's class, where, if her health would admit, she was sure to be found. The classmeeting was a means of grace she highly prized, for here she experienced the "communion of saints." In relat ing her experience, her manner was remarkably interesting, and sometimes her expressions were very delightful.

On one occasion, when a stranger visited the class, he remarked that he had not often heard experience related with such clearness. It always afforded her much pleasure to see additions to the class. During nearly the whole of the last winter she was confined to her house. The writer of this notice had the privilege of seeing our departed friend on the Sabbath and the Wednesday evening preceding her death. Whilst ardently longing for the summons of the messenger, her soul rested entirely upon the Saviour. On being asked if her feet were'upon the Rock, she clapped her hands, and shouted, "Yes, and they have been for a long time." One of her daughters asked her if she had any fears-and she replied, "No, I know in whom I have believed." She was conscious almost to the end. A few minutes before she breathed her last, she fixed her eyes upon one particular spot, as if she was permitted to enjoy a faint glimpse of the glory which awaited her, a pleasant smile overspread her countenance, and without a struggle or a sigh she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, on Thursday morning, March 15th, 1860, aged eighty-two years. S. MELDRUM. Altrincham, April 8th, 1860.

JOSHUA WILKINSON WAS born at Cheadle in 1801. During the earlier part of his life he was accustomed to worship in connection with the Established Church, and for a time

sung in the choir. On coming to reside in Pendleton, in 1842, he was induced by his wife to attend our Bethesda Chapel. Here he became the subject of serious impressions, which resulted in his joining the Church in 1848.

He was naturally of an irritable disposition, but his temper was controlled, and, to a large degree, subdued by the grace of God. Indeed, the genuineness of his conversion was manifested in the great change that was wrought in his life. After having given his heart to God, he began to labour in our Sabbath-school. About five years ago he became diseased in his arm. disease, which was of a most painful kind, continued to afflict him during the remainder of his life, causing him to be laid completely aside from active labour. In his case the furnace of affliction was heated to a considerable degree. During his lengthened affliction, it was his lot to suffer the will of

This

God; certainly a more difficult thing than to do his will. His state of mind during his affliction was, on the whole, patient and confiding. Sometimes he was subject to depression, but at other times he was enabled to rejoice. During the last summer, he spent a short time in Southport, hoping that the treatment he would receive there, in connexion with the salubrious air, would be beneficial. His hopes, however, were disappointed. The writer of this notice visited him on several occasions, and found him in the midst of his pain, resting his soul on the Lord Jesus Christ. About a month before his death, he entered the Manchester Infirmary, to undergo the am putation of his arm. Though the operation was most skilfully performed, he never afterwards entirely rallied, but, gradually declining, he at length fell asleep in Jesus in the institution above named, on the 18th February, 1860, aged 59 years. S. M.

MRS. MARTHA COOKSON. THE subject of this notice in early life was the subject of a considerable measure of restraining grace; she was thus happily preserved from falling into open sin. About twelve years ago she was united in marriage to our friend Mr. W. Cookson, who was at that time a member of the Chapel Street Independent Chapel, Salford. Though not a decided character, she appeared even then to be seriously inclined. About twelve months after her marriage, she returned home from the house of God filled with joy, telling her husband she had good news for him; that, through the instrumentality of a faithfully preached Gospel, a saving change had been wrought in her heart. On removing to Pendleton, five or six years ago, both her husband and herself joined the Church connected with our Bethesda Chapel. Probably owing to her former association with a Congregational Church, where the relation of experience in class-meetings is not practised, she could not command sufficient courage to speak of the dealings of the Lord with her soul. She seemed, however, to enjoy this Methodistic means of grace. When she was quite young, two of her brothers died of consumption, and it was her duty to nurse them. From that time a strong impression was formed in her mind that she would die of the same disease. This impression she intimated to her

husband and friends on several occasions. About twenty months since she was afflicted with bronchitis, which appeared to baffle all the efforts of her medical attendants, and ultimately terminated in consumption. For several months she was completely laid aside; until near the close of life, however, she indulged the hope of recovery. Indeed, in the morning of the day on which she died, when her husband intimated that the doctor had but a poor opinion of her condition, she replied, "Well, I am in the Lord's hands; if he think proper he can raise me up, whatever the doctor may say."

On one occasion, in answer to her husband's inquiries, she said she felt happy in the Saviour's love, and was quite resigned to the will of God. This assurance she frequently repeated to him and other friends. The writer

of this notice frequently visited our departed friend. On every occasion of these visits, while expressing her opinion as to the possibility of recovery, she declared that she placed herself entirely in the hands of the Lord, whether for life or for death. Her hope of heaven rested entirely on the atonement of the Saviour. There seemed to be no doubt as to her acceptance with God. A few days before her death, she said to her husband, "William, I sometimes feel that I have some little doubt; my assurance at such times is not so clear as I should like it to be; but, at other times, I feel perfectly happy.' He read to her a portion of an address, by the late Rev. John Angell James, on the "Assurance of Hope;" and asking her some time after if she felt any doubt, she said, “No, I don't see that I have any reason to doubt." Her youngest child having died of inflammation on the chest, a few days before her own decease, she naturally indulged in a mother's grief; but checking herself, she expressed her resignation to the wise arrangement of God's providence. Half an hour before she died, her husband asked her if she was still happy. She replied in the affirmative, at the same time expressing a hope that she was not deceiving herself. She then engaged in earnest prayer, and shortly after her husband had pleaded on her behalf, that she might be assisted in the final struggle, she died in his arms on the 15th day of March, 1860, aged 32 years.

SAMUEL MEldrum.

New Windsor, Salford.

MRS. SARAH HART.

DIED on April 5th, 1860, Mrs. Sarah Hart, of London first circuit. Our sister was an humble, pious, and consistent member of our Brunswick Society. For a long period she was confined to her dwelling, and partly to her couch, in consequence of having lost the use of her feet. But she endured this serious privation with great patience and resignation. At intervals her mind was somewhat depressed and her faith feeble; but as she drew nearer to death her confidence gathered strength, her hope brightened, and her consolations were more abundant. During the last month she suffered much, but she was graciously sustained. Among the precious sayings which fell from her lips, she exclaimed, "I am going home. I am going to my Father's banqueting house above. Yes, to my Father's house, where there are many mansions. Precious Jesus! He is my all and in all." She sung, as well as she was able, the lines

"My God, I am thine, what a comfort divine! What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine!

She died in peace, aged fifty-eight years, and her happy spirit is now among the glorified in heaven.

THOMAS GOMMERSALL,

BARNSLEY.

THOMAS GOMMERSALL was born at Barnsley in the year 1796. In 1827 he was brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, under the ministry of the late Mr. Batty. He continued a consistent member of our society for about eight years, when, yielding to the influence of bad company, he lost a sense of the Divine favour, and fell from the profession of religion. He continued in this fallen state till 1855, when, under a sermon preached by the Rev. C. Hibbert, he was again convinced of sin, and yielded his heart to the Saviour. He at once united in Church fellowship with us. His leader bears the following testimony to his piety :-" Our late brother met with me five years, during which time I have every reason to believe that he enjoyed the power of godliness. The relation of his experience was characterized by great humility and godly sincerity." His last illness was long and painful; but he found the grace of God sufficient for him. He often expressed his thankfulness to

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God in again restoring him to his favour: Unspeakable mercy!" "Boundless love!" and similar expressions, frequently fell from his lips.

He continued in a happy and peaceful frame of mind, and at last sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, aged sixty-three years. Barnsley. W. R.

Three Years in Turkey. The Journal of a Medical Mission to the Jews. By John Mason, L.R.C.S.E., late Medical Missionary in the Turkish Empire. Pp. 383. London: John Snow.

THERE is no part of our world so fraught with profound interest as the empire of Turkey. It comprehends the lands of Bible history. It is the scene wherein the patriarchs sojourned; where Israel wandered, and afterwards became a flourishing kingdom; where Jehovah spoke to men from his holy oracle, and venerable prophets declared his will, and foretold events which have since become historic facts; where the Incarnate Son of God suffered and died for the world's salvation; where the Holy Spirit was poured out in its fulness of blessing; where apostles laboured, and the primitive Churches were planted. It is a country, too, where a spurious religion has for ages supplanted Christianity, and held the decayed and feeble Churches of the East in degrading bondage. It is a country where great and glorious prophecies have yet to be fulfilled, and recent events show that the hour is rapidly approaching when they shall be accomplished, and the motley groups of nations and religions shall experience a wonderful transformation. As the time approaches the interest deepens, and the wakeful Christian watches each movement in the great drama with profound solicitude. Hence we take up this volume with eagerness to note the experience and observations of an intelligent and pious man, who has been labouring for three years as a medical missionary in that land. The sons

of Abraham were the special objects of his evangelical mission, but the nature of his official duties brought him into contact with men of all creeds and all conditions of society. Hence his ample opportunity for observation, and the consequent value of his judgment. The volume, while well written, abounds with facts and incidents, with sketches of creed and character, with notices and inferences on both past and current events, that are of the highest interest both to the individual Christian and to the directors and managers of missionary institutions. One cannot but regret that the labours of the author in a field so wide and so important were limited to the brief period of three years.

Anecdotes: Religious, Historical, and

Scientific. By Matthew Denton.
Third Series. London: Primitive
Methodist Book-room.

WE might have supposed that " Arvine's Cyclopædia of Anecdotes" had so far exhausted available stores of this kind, that for some time to come there would be little chance of another labouring with much success in the same line. But here comes Mr. Denton with his third series of "Anecdotes: Religious, Historical, and Scientific," by which we understand that the present volume has had two predecessors of the same character. We have not seen the two former volumes; but this is a good one, and though for the most part the anecdotes are not new, yet they are excellent in their kind, and well adapted to give point to admonition, illustration to truth, and impressive force to precept.

The History of a Ship, from her Cradle to her Grave. By Grandpapa Ben. London: W. H. Collingridge.

HERE is a book for boys who want to build a toy ship for themselves, and for persons of larger growth who wish to know all about a ship-how it is constructed, the names and uses of its various parts and rigging, and how it should be managed in all weathers. For the sake of rendering the whole plain and easy of comprehension to the juvenile reader, numerous engravings and diagrams are interspersed throughout the volume; nor does it appear that the author has omitted anything that would tend to render his work useful and entertaining.

Meliora a Quarterly Review of Social Science in its Ethical, Economical, Political, and Ameliorative Aspects. No. 9. April, 1860. London: Partridge & Co.

THE articles in this number are on the Blind-Macaulay and his Writings-Causes and Cure of Drunkenness-The Treatment of LunaticsSlavery in the United States-and An Irish Patriot. We have not room to give our readers a critical estimate of the several articles, but we are bound to say that there is here some vigorous writing, which will well repay the reader. The article on Lord Macaulay and his writings is searching and powerful.

The Revival. A Weekly Record of Events connected with the Present Revival of Religion. Vol. I. July to December, 1859. London: the Book Society, 19, Paternoster-row; also Morgan and Chase, Titchbornecourt, High Holborn.

A CHEAP weekly serial, issued as a brief record of the progress of the present gracious revival of religion.

The Bible Reader's Journal. A Medium of Scripture Exposition, Christian Intercommunication, and Biblical Research. January 1 to March, 1860. London: Morgan and Chase, 72, Hatton Garden.

A MONTHLY serial, intended to assist

in the interpretation of the sacred volume. Select passages are explained by various writers, and an opportunity is held out for intercommunication on Biblical topics.

New Sketches and Skeletons of Sermons, Devout and Practical; specially prepared, and wholly Original. By the

Rev. W. G. Barrett. Second Series. London: Thomas Jepps, 12, Pater

noster-row.

We have here one hundred and twentysix outlines, comprised within the brief space of 476 pages; and, in the absence of time to examine them with care, we must leave the author to speak for himself.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

The Revivals Reviewed; their Progress and Results. Original Correspondence from Ministers and other Friends in Ireland. Part IV. of "Revivals in Ireland." By James William Massie, D.D., LL.D. London: John Snow.

Short Hymns for Union and Revival Prayer Meetings. London: Thos. Riley.

Evangelical Alliance. British Organization. Report presented to the Thirteenth Annual Conference, held in Belfast, September, 1859. London: Office of the Evangelical Alliance.

The Chariot of Israel, and the Horsemen thereof. A Sermon. By the Rev. Alex. Raleigh. London: John Snow.

My Country. The History of the British Isles. By E. S. A. London: Wertheim, Macintosh, and Hunt; Edinburgh: Kennedy; Dublin Curry & Co., and G. Herbert.

Cod Liver Oil. Its Medical Use, Kinds, and Varieties. London: Ansar, Harford, & Co.