in his Saviour, and modesty as to himself. He always spoke with the artless simplicity of a child. There was a remarkable reality in his utterances. He seemed from the first to live near to God, and to have a sweet sense of His favour abiding upon him. Though he was sometimes harassed by the enemy of souls, he was, I firmly believe, enabled to resist and overcome. Altogether I was delighted with him, and expected him to become a very useful labourer in Christ's vineyard. But the Lord has removed him from the field of blessed labour to the place of rest. I was not prepared for this. I thought him strong and healthy. But our thoughts are often vain." I trust his parents are comforted by the Great Comforter. May he bless them!"

The experience of our young friend, as related by him with such candour, simplicity, and truthfulness, was always a means of profit to all the members of, the class, and was very satisfactory to the leader of the class. The Rev. Mr. Baxter, who was the leader subsequently to Mr. Medicraft, says:

"I was grieved, though not surprised, to hear of the death of Thomas Shone. I had not lost sight of him mentally, though it is now so long since I was united with him in Christian fellowship. I have frequently thought of his ripening piety, and, as I could observe him, his notable consistency. For one so young, religion had become, inwardly, a real power; and over and along the life cast a sweet and gracious influence. I wish my memory recalled distinctly the details of any of his experiences, but it does not. I, however, do recollect the pleasure and profit with which I listened to them : so fresh, so honest, and so earnest did they appear, that while I was stimulated by them, I augured for their utterer a very honourable, because devoted, Christian career. It has, however, proved but a short one. But it has, I am sure, included in it sympathies, hopes, thoughts, truths that are the germs of a very glorious and blessed immortality. We should not mourn that their development and fruition will take place under influences more favourable than any this lifebattle can afford. He fought it well; and has stepped into another

arena.

While our young brother appreciated the means of grace, he gratefully acknowledged the care and goodness of God in all his providential dealings. He

writes, "Ishall always have to be thankful to God for being blessed with parents through whose kindness and watchfulness I have escaped many of the besetting sins of youth. Often have I been led by a pious mother to the House of God, and by her taught to lisp God's holy name. Many a silent prayer has been offered up to heaven for me, and I thank God they have not been unanswered; may God keep me faithful! Amen."

At one time he writes, "Have had the busy scenes of life to contend with, but still I feel happy."

At another, "Attended Chapelheard Mr. Jones-felt a sense of my unworthiness, but still God, through Christ, blessed my soul."

Again, on another occasion, he writes, "Could not get to Bethesda this Sabbath, but although detained, I realized the presence of God and was comforted."

Our young brother took a deep interest in attending to business, and evidently regarded the Apostle's injunction, "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." In the office in which he was engaged, he was beloved by all. His master, while speaking of him to his father, a short time ago, said, "Thomas was not an ordinary boy; there was something very particular in him. Thomas was a good boy."

The secret of his success may be seen in the following. Speaking with his mother one day, he said, "I have been reading a great deal of the history of Joseph ;"-and remarking how Joseph had prayed that he might find favour in the sight of his brethren, he said, "I have often prayed that I might find favour in the eyes of my master; and the Lord hath granted me my request."

In short, he was faithful to his master, faithful to his parents, faithful to himself, and faithful to his God. His father states, "Never was he idle. Many are the proofs of his attention to study, among the papers he has left behind him. If he had been spared, I have no doubt he would have been a blessing to his family, and a useful member of the Church. The Lord, however, has seen fit to remove him from us. 'Tis hard to part with one so full of hope and promise; but what God does is best and right. Our loss is his gain, and our prayer is that we may be enabled under this severe trial

For more than twelve months, there were indications of failing health; the natural freshness fading from his cheeks-the early symptoms of consumption gave much anxiety to his parents. And notwithstanding their utmost endeavours to obtain an effectual remedy by securing the best medical advice, it became too evident that this insidious and flattering disease was making slow but fatal progress, until he was so weak as to be unable to attend to business, and was, during the last seven weeks, confined to his home. He was kindly visited by our ministers, and by a large number of the members of our society.

The Rev. Mr. Bevington states, "On one occasion he said to me that he was waiting for his change. His peace was made with God."

At another time, "He stated that there was only one thing he wished, and that was, as he had given up his parents to the Lord, he wanted them to give him up freely to the Lord, and he could then die in peace. He was thankful to God for all his mercies, but above all for the gift of Jesus."

Mr. Griffiths, who has been long and intimately acquainted with him, says, "I often visited him, and conversed much with him, during his affliction, and was delighted with the calm and confident manner in which he spoke of his acceptance with God through Jesus, and of his perfect freedom from the fear of death. Though, in each succeeding visit, I saw the gradual wasting of his body, I saw as plainly that his soul was strengthened day by day.' Though at times he was extremely weak, so as to be unable to converse much, yet his constancy of peace and resignation was remarkable; this was apparent even under the most trying circumstances; even in the valley and shadow of death,' he evinced unwavering confidence in God. My visits to him, from first to last, were very edifying to my own mind."

Mr. Preston writes, "My first visit to Thomas Shone was on the 24th October, 1858. Mr. J. Broughton and I called together-there had been about thirty persons that day to see him. We found him happy in the love of Jesus. Again, on the 17th November, I called and found him sitting up, but very weak. What little he said was more like the experience of an aged disciple

than a youth of eighteen years of age. He spoke of the grand cardinal doctrine of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the only foundation of his hope, and said he had no doubt of his acceptance with God.

"On the 21st of November, saw him again, found him very weak and much altered. I asked him a few questions relative to his present experience, and found he was on the rock-'The Rock of Ages.' I asked him if he had any fear of death. He said no. He had, he said, given all up, and patiently waited for the coming of his Lord. I made some remarks on the body which had been reduced to a skeleton, and then spoke of the glorious resurrection, the body glorious, powerful, and immortal, and of the happy state of the redeemed in heaven. He appeared much delighted, and said, 'That will be glorious.""

We close this account in the words of his father. "On the night when he took to his bed for the last time, never more to rise in health, he clasped his mother in his arms, and said 'Dear mother, I shall not long be with you. Look to the Lord, put your trust in him; you will find the loss of me, but your loss will be my gain. Live near to the Lord, and remember that religion is a daily work.'

"Very many were the expressions he made in reference to his certainty of future blessedness, and of meeting his relations in heaven. I shall be there,' he said, 'to meet you and to welcome you.' His affection for his brother and sisters was unbounded, and intense was his anxiety for their eternal happiness. Frequently did he call them to his bedside, and exhorted them to give their hearts to the Lord and live for heaven."

Two nights before he died, he called his father and mother to him, and said, Father, you are aware that there will be a change in me, and so am I. I wish you not to give any alarm when I go; but strive to bear it patiently as well as you can. I don't know how I may depart, whether I shall be able to speak or not; but if I cannot, rest assured I shall be happy, for I am happy now. I have no doubt, mother, you will be at my head; I know you cannot help feeling, but try to bear it. Let me go as calmly as you can. You know, mother, that Jesus Christ will never let the enemy pluck me out of his hands; for I feel that he is my justification, sanctification, and redemption."

On the night of his death, when all

his family were assembled around his bed, he clasped his hands and cried, "Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly," and with his father's hand clasped in his, without a struggle or a sigh, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, Dec. 3,1858. His death was improved by the Rev. W. Mills, in an impressive sermon, in Bethesda Chapel, on Sunday evening, Dec. 26, 1858. T. G.

MR. CHARLES BERRY,

OF HUDDERSFIELD.

OUR departed brother was the son of our long-tried friends, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Berry, of Shelly; who both live to mourn the loss of their much-loved son Charles. Charles Berry was born on the 4th of February, 1819. He enjoyed the benefit of a religious training, which was manifest in all his after-life. Charles was fond of books, and an especial lover of music, as most of the West-Riding Yorkshire people are. To many it is a snare and a sin; but not so to Charles Berry. His father says, "From a child he was fond of books, spending all his leisure time in reading; and as he grew to man's estate, he gave his mind to music, and for some time before his removal to Huddersfield, he was organist in our chapel at Shelly." Charles was a weaver by trade; and by his industry he found time to learn to play on the pianoforte; and afterwards to make one for himself. In the art of music he was self-taught, and he became so well skilled in it, as to be able to lead with the organ the praises of the people in the house of God. He left no time, when a youth, unemployed; and seldom, if ever, was he seen with young men of his own age, running to do evil. His life was strictly moral.

Charles was an excellent penman; and about seventeen years ago he came to Huddersfield, and entered the service of Mr. Abraham Hopkinson, as bookkeeper, which situation he filled until his death. His master bears most honourable testimony to his worth. He informed me that "his confidence in Charles Berry was unbounded. He could trust him with any amount of money, counted or uncounted. His

diligence and perseverance in business were most exemplary. He was always at his post, and never found wanting. His patience was great, and from first to last, Charles and he never had a wrong word." To the workmen, both in town and country, Charles was ever

kind and obliging; and would so prepare the work that was sent out, as to give the operative the least possible trouble; and it would indeed be hard to say which will miss him most, the master or the operatives; for it was his constant endeavour to oblige both, and his memory will long be fragrant in their hearts.

But though Charles Berry was a strictly moral man, had in him some good thing towards the Lord God of Hosts, and was also a regular attendant on the public worship of God, for twenty-two years in our chapel, at Shelly, and for upwards of eight years at Huddersfield, yet he did not give his heart fully to God, nor his hand to the Church, until the close of the year 1849, or the beginning of 1850. He had always felt religion to be needful, but now he determined to seek its possession. The particulars of his conversion cannot now be ascertained; but his wife informs me that, about that time, they lost their first-born son, which deeply affected both their minds, and determined them to seek the salvation of their souls, and live to the glory of God. About this time also, Mr. Joseph Bailey, recently deceased, and Mr. Abraham Sykes, still living, were both made very useful to Charles Berry; they induced him to give his heart to the Lord, and to unite with the society that meets in High-street Chapel.

He first met in class with Mr. Joseph Bailey, at a house on Mold Green; but as that class did not continue, he and his wife united with the class of which Mr. Henry Brooke is the leader; and in which he continued to the day of his death. His leader bears honourable testimony to the sincerity, depth, and earnestness of his piety. He has especially been struck with Charles's growth in grace during the past twelve months. His experience in divine things was clear and most satisfactory; and his narrations of that experience were brief, scriptural, and from the heart. One of his class-mates says, "Charles did not say much; but what he did say was to the point and satisfactory." Charles Berry was not a great talker; but he was a great doer of the word. "His religion," said his master, "was not in his mouth, but in his hands. It was seen not in what he said, but in his handywork. It was practical."

Twelve months ago he was appointed the Secretary Steward of the Society assembling in High-street Chapel, Hud

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dersfield. I then became more intimately acquainted with our departed friend; and I soon perceived that Brother Charles Berry was an intelligent, a humble, and devoted Christian. He had eminently a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price." He discharged the duties of his office, I believe, to the satisfaction of all; and a fortnight ago last Thursday night, at our leaders' meeting, he was unanimously elected to fill the same office for this year. None of us expected that he would be a corpse the next day at half-past twelve o'clock. But such was the case.

The friend who first proposed him for the office of Society Steward, writes to me thus "Having watched with pleasure the uniformly consistent deportment of our departed brother Mr. Charles Berry, and knowing the abilities he possessed for official duties in the Church, I conversed with him respecting serving the Society as Steward, a short time before he entered on that office, when I was much struck by his replies. He pleaded his inability and unworthiness, and thought that his place was to move in some humbler sphere; but when the voice of the Church called him to that important post he promptly responded to the call; evidencing that his heart was engaged in the work of God. I saw him the last time he served the Church as Steward, seven weeks since, this morning. Duty seemed to him above all consequences; for he left home that morning very unwell, against the wish of his dear wife, who desired him to remain at home. having a duty to perform for the Church, he preferred duty to inclination and came. As an officer of the Church, he was faithful in the discharge of his duties, and remarkable for punctuality to his engagements.

But

"I had many conversations with him, and found that he was very intelligent, devoid of pride and ostentation, and of a meek and retiring disposition. His heart overflowed with love to God and man. He took a deep interest in the welfare of the Church; for often, when we have been walking together, would he say to me, 'Brother H what can we do to improve the Church?' He was diligent in his attendance on the ordinances, and was generally present at the prayer meeting held in the vestry on the Sabbath afternoon. Here he seemed fully at home; and often engaged in prayer with fervour and

earnestness, which bespoke deep-toned piety. On learning that he was confined to his bed through affliction, I visited him, and found him very weak in body; but as tranquil in mind as a calm summer's day. I read a psalm and prayed with him. During prayer he responded with much feeling. I went again afterwards, in company with Mr. B-, to visit him. We found him rejoicing in Christ; and hoping shortly to recover his health, and to mingle again with us in the house of the Lord."

That hope was vain. Mr. Berry never possessed a very strong body. He had a severe attack some six or seven years ago, which threatened him with death; but from which he was mercifully restored. About seven weeks ago, he took cold, which brought on a low fever, and the disease soon seized on his throat and his lungs; but still neither he nor his friends anticipated that it would so soon end in death. But, though death came when he expected it not, he was fully prepared for his change. When my colleague, Mr. Shaw, and I visited him, we were both greatly rejoiced at the intelligent and hopeful manner in which he spoke of his religious state and future prospects. He told us that he had no raptures; but a calm settled peace arising from his faith in Christ, and his intercourse with God. He was remarkably preserved from doubts and fears as to his spiritual safety through all his affliction. I never remember, in all my intercourse with sick and dying saints, during the last twenty-five years, seeing so striking an exemplication of Isaiah's remarkable words, as I did by the sick, and as it proved to be the dying, bed of Charles Berry, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”—Is. xxvi. 3.

His colleague in the office of Steward, Mr. Alfred Taylor, frequently visited him in his affliction; and he says, "The first time I went to see Mr. C. Berry, he had no thought of dying. In conversation he told me that while he was in health, he had a fear of death; but now he was afflicted, that fear had entirely left him. He said, 'I have no raptures, but I am very comfortable and happy in my mind.' The next time I visited him, I said, 'Well, Charles, what does religion do for you now you are on a sick bed He replied, 'O! it does a great deal for me. I have had some comfortable seasons during my sickness. I never felt happier in all

my life.' I then said, 'Well, Charles, you feel, then, that Christ is according to his promise?" He said, 'O yes; Christ is precious; and, Alfred, if the Lord spare me, I will do more than I ever have done for his cause; I will devote myself afresh to his service; and if not, I am quite ready to go hometo be with Christ, which is far better.' I came away much refreshed. I went to console him, but he consoled me. His conversation lifted me completely above the world. I do not know that I ever had a happier day in my life. Just before he died, he lifted up his hand and cried, 'Happy, happy, happy.""

In this peaceful frame he departed. On Friday morning, January 14th, as I was sitting writing, the thought struck me that I must go and see Mr. C. Berry. I went immediately; but being detained on the road by some business I had to transact, I did not reach the house till half-past twelve. His brother answered my knock, and when he opened the door, he said, "O! Charles has just expired." I went and gazed upon his lifeless remains, and then left the house, sorrowing, not for Charles, but for his widow and the two dear little ones, who had been thus bereft of their best earthly stay. May the widow and the fatherless children he has left behind him, be ever screened, supported, and blessed by Jehovah, who is the husband of the widow, and the father of the fatherless; and may we never forget that "Pure religion and undefiled before God is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."-Jamesi.27.

On Monday, the 17th of January, the remains of Mr. C. Berry were conveyed to Kirkburton churchyard, there to lie till "The last day." His master and mistress, a number of the work people, and several of the members of Highstreet met at the house, and accompanied the body to the grave. Before leaving, the writer read two suitable portions of Scripture, gave a short address, and prayed. He also improved his death to a numerous audience in High-street Chapel, on Sabbath morning, January 30th, 1859.

H. O. CROFTS.

MISS CHESTER,

OF GUERNSEY.

ON Sunday, December 19th, 1858, one of our much-respected friends, and a useful member of our church in Guernsey, Miss Chester, exchanged

mortality for life, at the age of sixtyone years.

In early life she was acquainted with the Scriptures, and impressed with the belief that true happiness could be found only in the ways of religion; and in youth, under the influence of Divine grace, she dedicated herself to God. Her repentance was sincere, and her conversion real. By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, she found remission of sins, and peace with God. Her class leader remarks that "her acceptance with God was a blessed reality, of which she had the clearest evidence, and the desire and aim of her soul was to obtain more and more of the spirit of holiness which qualifies for the inheritance among the saints in light." As a matter of duty to the cause of her Saviour, as well as for the sake of her own spiritual advancement, she became a member of the visible church. Her profession was adorned by a consistent deportment, and her conduct in the church and in the world testified that she was a follower of Christ. She was one of those who constituted our church in this island at its establishment in the year 1836. She warmly approved of the Scriptural and liberal principles of its government, as well as its Methodistic doctrines and ordinances, which from the commencement of her religious life she had learned to appreciate.

Church membership she knew was attended with its duties, as well as its privileges; and while she valued the latter, she was not neglectful of the former, and it was in the diligent observance of its duties that she most realized the blessedness of its privileges. She greatly prized the means of grace, and could truthfully adopt the language

"Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy honour dwelleth."

Her class leader observes :-" She has ever been ready to assist our church in every way in her power, and all who knew her can testify of her willing ac- · tivity in helping to sustain and advance its interests." She did not stand by and look on without concern, without sympathy, and without uniting in its efforts. She was always cheered and gladdened by the prosperity of Zion, and affected with sorrow when anything appeared to prevent its prosperity. Not only did she supply pecuniary aid-she also employed her personal influence and efforts in helping forward the good cause, taxing herself sometimes even