extreme as to force from him the exclamation, "Oh, this is hard work!" but instantly checking himself, he added, "Not my will, but thine be done." This was nature's last struggle. Perfect ease and calm soon followed, and the pardoned and sanctified spirit passed imperceptibly to the joy of its Lord. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace." A.

MRS. RACHEL EMSLEY, OF Hunslet, died October 26, 1860, aged fifty-seven years. She joined sister Heap's class about sixteen years ago, and continued a member of it to the end of her life. Our community, with its scriptural and delightful ordinances, and means of grace, was precious to her. In connection with it she grew up to be a mother in Israel; and in her labours for its prosperity she found true satisfaction. For many years she was a valuable and much-esteemed member of the Hunslet Ladies' Sewing Meeting, which, under Mrs. Blackburn's efficient management, has accomplished such great things from year to year for the benefit of the chapel.

At the beginning of her illness, our late sister had to mourn over many doubts and fears in regard to her soul and its eternal prospects. Her sense of unworthiness was great and distressing to her. She was, however, afterwards enabled, through the exercise of faith in Christ, as her all-sufficient Saviour, to overcome them all; and for many days before her death she lived in full assurance of faith, rising in joy and hope to an unusual elevation. She repeated many verses from our sweetest hymns, and seemed to find nutriment in them for her soul. Passages of Scripture, too, especially its promises, were revived in her memory, and appeared to be opened and applied to her soul with new vividness and fulness of meaning, for her support and comfort. In this way was our sister Emsley favoured to spend her last days on earth, and in this way was she called from earth to heaven.

A large number of the members of our society and congregation followed her remains to the grave-sorrowing, it is true, but not as those who are without hope. Hunslet. J. O. MARY ANN SANT FOR many years stood connected with our Church at Burslem. She was

a young woman of excellent character, and, amidst many privations and afflictions, maintained a consistent, Christian deportment. For some months past she laboured under a disease, which, despite the efforts of medical men, gained upon her constitution. She was, however, perfectly resigned. The week before her death she intimated to her employer that she was conscious her end was drawing near. She also expressed herself as being ready for her change, having a good hope, through grace, of an incorruptible inheritance beyond the grave. On Thursday, December 6th, 1860, she went to her employment, as usual, although but very feeble. She intimated to her widowed mother her wish to return home to her humble meal at the dinner hour, instead of having it brought to her. She had put on her bonnet, and was preparing to leave the manufactory, when she was seen to stagger. An alarm was given, but before her mother, who was in another department of the manufactory, could arrive, she had breathed her last. The remembrance of her consistent piety, and delight in the services of the house of God, forbid that we sorrow even as others that have no hope.

"For ever with the Lord;

Amen, so let it be!

Life from the dead is in that word;
'Tis immortality."

JANE M'CORMICK (whose maiden name was M'Millen) was born in the year 1788, at Ballyconnell, near Bangor. Her parents were honest and industrious, and members of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. R. M'Cormick and his beloved wife united with the Methodist New Connexion Society in the year 1817. At the above period they opened their house for prayer-meetings, class-meetings, and for the preaching of the Word of God. The ark of the covenant. has had a resting-place here up to the present time; and Mr. M'Cormick is waiting the call to go hence, and enter the abode of his dear partner, who has gone before to "the great palace of angels and God." The whole family are worthy members of our Church in Bangor, and most cheerfully contribute towards its funds, according to their means. It has been often made the subject of remark, that

the Holy Spirit descends in a very marked and special manner upon the Word delivered in this place. Of those who once met here in class in former days, many of them have slept in Jesus, amongst whom was our late Brother Patterson, who departed this life last year in the full assurance of hope.

The subject of this memoir enjoyed religion from the time she united with the society in this place. She was almost constantly confined to bed for about twenty months before her decease, yet she was never once heard to murmur or complain. For a length of time she seemed to be perfectly weaned from the world. Her thoughts and heart were fixed on things above; yea, her conversation was in heaven. She had the full use of her mental powers up to the night on which she departed this life. It was indeed a treat to visit her; and, in doing so, the writer was often refreshed and blessed. She had no doubt of God's love to her, but rejoiced in feeling "Christ precious ;" and could declare, from heartfelt experience, "I am in Christ; and when this tabernacle of clay dissolves

'Yon is my Father's house, my portion fair; My treasure and my heart are there,

And my abiding home.'"

There was little change in our sister until a few hours before her death. One of her daughters noticed that she was more restless in bed, and at one time engaged in a posture of prayer. She inquired, "Mother, what is the matter with you?" She replied, that her mind was peaceful, and heaven was in view; and that she was praying and preparing for the change. Her soul was resting on Jesus. Her dying hour brought glory to her God. In a few hours the weary wheels of life stood still, and her spirit entered into glory, without a struggle or a groan, on the 23rd of April, 1860.

S. NICHOLSON.

JAMES HEWITT. JAMES HEWITT, a pillar in our Church at Dudley, was taken suddenly to his reward on the 19th of November, 1860. His naturally amiable spirit and upright Christian character had long endeared him to a wide circle of friends, not only in Dudley, but throughout the whole of this extensive Circuit. He was a trustee of several of our chapels, and a superintendent of one of our Dudley Sunday-schools-an

office which he sustained for many years, with great credit to himself, and with equal benefit to the institution. When the two smaller schools were merged in our magnificent new schools, on Rose Hill, brother Hewitt was appointed to the same office, in con nection with several of his brethren. To this new and important sphere of labour he brought the best energies of his mind and heart, and never relaxed in either until his Lord came to call him to his reward. Sunday morning, November 18th, found him, as usual, at the post of duty. In the afternoon he opened the school by singing, reading, and prayer. Soon after that he was found in one of the class-rooms by his friend, Mr. Clarke, evidently in a state of great suffering. He complained of violent pains in his head, which were followed by a numbness of the hands. Prevailed upon to leave the school, several of the friends came forward to assist him home: they got him into the street, but there he lost the use of one side. A chair being procured, he was placed upon it, and carried forward to his own house, but he never spoke afterwards. Everything was

done which science and affection could suggest to restore him, but in vain, and the next day he breathed his soul into the hands of his Redeemer, aged 43. "Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.'

99

On the following Thursday he was carried to his grave, amidst the sighs and tears of a multitude who had assembled to pay the last mark of respect to his memory. His co-trustees and superintendents, with the teachers and scholars of the school, walked first, followed by the ministers and other friends of the circuit; then came the hearse bearing the body, and, after that, the relatives as chief mourners. Rarely have we ever witnessed a more affecting scene than this-especially in the chapel where our departed brother had sat as a devout worshipper on the preceding Sabbath. The Rev. W. Baggaly conducted the service, assisted by his colleagues. The bottom of the chapel was well filled, and a great number crowded into the galleries; but scarcely a dry eye was observed throughout the whole of that vast assembly. His body was placed in a new vault, fronting the chapel, and no doubt some little memento will be raised to his memory in the school-to the in

terests of which he

and ardently devoted.

was so sincerely

Brother Hewitt

has left a widow and six small children to deplore his loss. But "a father of the fatherless and a judge of the widow is God in his holy habitation." W. B.

SARAH PITTAWAY. SARAH PITTAWAY, of Darby Hand, in Dudley Circuit, died in the Lord on Thursday, the 15th of November last, aged 65. She was found in connection with our old friends at Darby Hand upwards of thirty years ago, and was much and deservedly esteemed as a consistent follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Her attention to the means of grace was most exemplary, and she evidently rejoiced in drawing near unto God in the ordinances of his house. She had been somewhat feeble of late, but that was attributed to the infirmities of age, and no apprehensions were entertained of her speedy dissolution. But, on the morning abovenamed, instead of rising and coming down to breakfast, as usual, her happy spirit burst its fetters, and ascended to God, who gave it. Such a sudden and

unexpected event plunged the whole family into grief; but they "sorrow not as those who have no hope." A life of piety is an infallible guarantee for a peaceful and happy death; and even when no one is present to gather up the last words of a departing saint, we know that an angelic convoy is at hand to waft the triumphant spirit to the skies. W. B.

THE REV. CHARLES BOOTMAN. OUR beloved friend and brother, the Rev. Charles Bootman, departed this life December 5, 1860, aged 51 years, and was interred at Bethesda Chapel, Hanley Circuit. We have received no particulars; but we feel assured that he died in peace, and that our loss is his eternal gain. For about one month this devoted man resided under our roof, and we were greatly edified by his godly couversation, his meek and humble spirit, and devoted zeal in the work of God. May Jehovah sustain and comfort the bereaved widow and children!-ED.

REDUCTION OF DEBT. SALEM CHAPEL, MANCHESTER, NORTH

CIRCUIT.

AT the present time, when our community is engaged in vigorous attempts to liquidate chapel debts, the Connexion will rejoice to hear of a bold and successful effort which has just been made by the friends in connection with Salem Chapel. It will be in the recollection of many of our readers, that this elegant, chaste, and commodious sanctuary was erected nine years ago, by a few attached and enterprising friends worshipping at Peter-street, but who had removed into the neighbourhood of Broughton and Strangeways. Seeing a promising opening in the locality, they determined to erect a chapel which should be at once a credit to the body, an ornament to the neighbourhood, and a blessing to its population: this was accomplished by an outlay of about £3,500, towards which amount £1,900 has been raised, including £1,000 realized by the Ladies' Sewing Meeting. The treasurer, being £200 in advance

on the current account at our last audit in June, found us with a debt of £1,830. The trustees at once resolved to reduce it to £1,000, being encouraged by the generous offer of our liberal and kind-hearted friend, Joseph Love, Esq., who, being on a visit three years ago, promised, when we were prepared to effect the reduction, to come over and assist us. A special meeting of a few friends was called to inaugurate the movement, when about £300 was promised, and it was decide that a canvass of the friends should be made, and the effort completed at our annual November tea-meeting. Application was made to Mr. Love to visit us, and he promptly and cheerfully complied with our invitation. On Sunday, November 18th, two sermons were preached, in the morning by Rev. W. Cocker, superintendent of the circuit; in the evening by Joseph Love, Esq., of Durham, and collections made which exceeded our expectations. On the following evening, November 19th, the annual tea-meeting was held in

the school-room, which was tastefully and artistically decorated by our young friends, Messrs. Walter Haines, A. F. Chadwick, and assistants; over six hundred persons were present. After tea the friends adjourned into the chapel. On the platform were Joseph Love, Esq., the chairman; the Revs. W. Cocker, B. M. Scott, T. Allin, J. Addyman, S. Meldrum, R. Henshaw, J. Taylor, T. D. Crothers, and C. Shaw; John Ridgway, Esq. of Hanley; Robinson Ferens, Esq., of Durham; and Messrs. A. Pilling, W. Jenkinson, J. Turner, E. W. Makinson, M. A., W. Martin, W. Derbyshire, S. Holt, John Makinson, and R. Hankinson. The Rev. W. Cocker announced the opening hymn, and Rev. B. M. Scott engaged in prayer. Mr. Cocker then introduced Joseph Love, Esq., as chairman, who, on rising, was received with loud and prolonged applause. Mr. Love expressed the pleasure he felt in being present at so large and respectable a meeting, and at the manner in which he had been received. He said it was three years since he occupied a similar position in that elegant and beautiful chapel; he had come again on the invitation of his esteemed friends at Salem, whom he had always honoured for their energy and devoted labours. He had promised that when they were prepared to make a strenuous attempt to reduce the debt, he would come and help them; he was now prepared to redeem his promise. He was pleased to see the liberal sums the friends at Salem had given, and on looking around the chapel, he heartily wished their purses were equal to their tastes.

The Rev. W. Cocker then read a list of subscriptions promised, and stated that further subscriptions would be thankfully received during the evening; he referred them to their programme, at the foot of which they would find forms for their contributions, which they could fill up, tear off, and forward to the platform. In the course of the evening, scores of the slips were filled up, and announced by Mr. Cocker. Amongst them was the munificent sum of £100 from the chairman, and £20 from John Ridgway, Esq. Speeches were delivered by the ministers, and by J. Ridgway, W. Derbyshire, and A. Pilling. The chairman, on coming to the name of the Rev. T. W. Ridley, read a letter conveying the painful intelligence that he was unable to be present, on account of severe personal

affliction. The announcement was received with deep regret by the meeting, his presence having been anticipated with much pleasure. In the course of the evening, several anthems were given by a numerous and efficient choir; two hymns were sung, one of which, ending with the chorus, "There will be no more sorrow there," produced a most thrilling effect. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Cocker announced that the sum required had been obtained, and immediately the choir struck up "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," which was heartily sung by the large congregation. Mr. Martin moved, and Mr. Robinson Ferens seconded, a vote of thanks to the Ladies' Sewing Meeting, and to the Revs. W. Cocker, W. Jenkinson, J. Turner, S. Holt, and A. F. Chadwick, the committee who had collected subscriptions and superintended the arrangements for the meeting. Mr. John Makinson moved, and the Rev. S. Meldrum seconded, a vote of thanks to the ladies who had presided at the teatables, and to the organist and choir. On the motion of Mr. Holt, seconded by Mr. Turner, a cordial vote of thanks was presented to friends who had so liberally responded to the appeal made to them for contributions. Mr. Love vacated the chair, which was taken by Mr. Ridgway, Mr. Jenkinson then proposed, "That the most cordial thanks of this meeting be presented to J. Love, Esq., of Durham, for his uniform kindness manifested towards the friends of Salem, and for the interest felt by him in the trust estate; also for his kind, cheerful, and efficient services in the chair, and for his handsome donation of £100 towards the liquidation of the chapel debt." Mr. E. W. Makinson having seconded it, it was put to the vote and was carried with acclamation, the entire audience rising. Mr. Love thanked the meeting, and stated he should be happy to attend a meeting at some future time to celebrate the entire extinction of the debt. A cordial vote of thanks was then passed to Mr. Ridgway. The choir then sung the Hallelujah chorus, Mr. Cocker pronounced the benediction, and thus ended the best and happiest meeting ever held in Salem. The following list of subscriptions was announced in the course of the evening :

Joseph Love, Esq., 1007.; Mr. W. Derbyshire, 527. 10s.; Mr. Jenkinson, 521. 10s.; Mr. Kearsley, 527. 10s.; Mr.

R. Hankinson, 267. 5s.; Mr. Brookes, 25.; Mr. Martin, 25l.; Mr. Makinson, 25.; Mr. John Makinson, 25l.; Mr. Turner, 251.; John Ridgway, Esq. 20l.; Collected by the late Mrs. Makinson, 18.; Ladies' Sewing Meeting, 15.; Mr. E. Hankinson, 117. 5s.; Mr. Thomas Wall, 10l.; Mr. J. Jackson, 10.; Rev. W. Cocker, 5l. 5s.; Mr. John Talent, 5l. 5s.; Mr. Ainsworth, 5.; Mr. Holland, 5l.; Mr. Jonah Andrew, 5l.; Mr. Teale, 5l.; Mr. O. Jackson, 5.; A. Friend-T. M., 5l.; Juvenile Sewing Meeting, per Mrs. Lenny, 5l.; An Old Friend (Stockport), 5l.; A Connexional Family (Lees), 5l.; Mr. Lamb, 5l.; Mr. Pilling, 5l.; A Wesleyan, 5.; Mrs. John Makinson, 51.; Mrs. Kearsley, 21. 2s.; Mr. Wagstaff, 21. 2s.; Mr. Henry Smith, 27. 2s.; Mr. Madeley, 2l. 2s.; A Bolton Bachelor, 2; Mrs. Sugden, 21.; A Friend, 21.; Mr. Lomas, 21. 2s.; Mr. Ambler, 21. 10s.; Mr. Lenny, 17. 1s.; Mr. Haines, 1. 1s.; Mr. W. Haines, 17. 1s.; Mr. J. Jenkinson, 1. 1s.; Mr. Hope, ll. ls.; Mr. J. Burnley, 17. 1s.; Mr. E. Wood, 1. 1s.; Mr. R. Whittaker, 1. 1s.; Mr. T. Derbyshire, 1. 1s.; Mr. A. Derbyshire, 1. 1s.; An Old Connexionist, 17. 18.; Mrs. Talent, 17. 1s.; Mr. T. E. Whittaker, 17. 1s.; Mr. J. Johnson, 17. 1s.; A Member of Church of England, 17. 1s.; A few Friends from Bury, 11. 1s.; Mr. Woodhouse, 1. 1s.; Mrs. Cheatle, 17.; Mr. Lawton (Lees), 17.; Mr. A. Andrew, 17.; A Backslider, 17.; A Friend (Culcheth), 17.; Four Juniors of W. D., il.; Mrs. Henry Stanley, 10s.; Mrs. Harwood, 10s.; Mrs. Metcalfe, 10s.; Mr. Rathbone, 10s.; Mr. Moss, 10s.; Mr. Callwood, 10s.; Mr. G. H. Whittaker, 10s.; Mrs. Rawson, 10s.; Miss Lenny, 10s.; Miss E. Lenny, 10s.; A Friend (Oldham), 10s.; Mr. Hopkinson, 10s.; Mrs. Barlow, 5s.; A Friend (Peter-street), 5s. ; Mr. T. Burnley, 5s.; Mr. Dennis, 5s.; Mr. Manthorpe, 5s.; Miss Boyes, 5s.; A. E. and H. Hope, 5s.; A Wellwisher, 5s.; One in a lot, 5s.; A. R., 5s.; A Friend (Bury New Road), 5s.; A Female Teacher, 5s.; Tyro, 5s.; A Second Class Scholar, 5s.; A Friend to Salem, 5s.; Excelsior, 5s.; J. Singleton, 5s.; A Lady, 5s.; Another Lady, 5s.; Mr. Kenyon, 5s.; Mr. Jones, 2s. 6d.; Mr. Taylor, 2s. 6d.; Mr. Tottie, 2s. 6d.; X. Y. Z., 2s. 6d.; Best Wishes, s. 6d.; A Salopian, 2s. 6d.; S. Simpson, 2s. 6d. Every Little Helps, 2s. 6d.; Mr. Tottie (2nd donation), 2s. 6d.; A Friend (Shrewsbury), 2s. 6d.; Ditto,

ditto, 2s. 6d.; Ditto (Chapman-street), 2s. 6d.; A Friend, 2s. 6d.; Ditto (Failsworth), 2s. 6d. ; A. B. C., Lime-place, 2s. 6d.; A Churchwoman, 2s. 6d.; A Friend, M., 2s. 6d.; Ditto, A., 2s. 6d. ; Returned Convict, 3s. ; A Sunday Scholar, 3s.; Mrs. Taylor, 3s.; A Church Parson's Son, 3s.; A Friend, 2s.; Tom Tucker, 2s.; A Friend, 1s.; A Salem Scholar, 18.; A Volunteer, 1s.; A Friend, 6d.; Members of Salem Choir:Mr. Hyde, 10s.; Mr. A. M. Coulthurst, 10s.; Mr. L. Coulthurst, 10s.; Mr. A. Johnson, 5s.; Mr. E. Fildes, 5s. ; Mr. J. Harper, 5s.; Mr. J. Higginson, 58.; Mr. W. Bowers, 5s.; Miss Glover, 5s.; Mr. Burrows, 2s. 6d.; Mr. Taylor, 3s. 6d.; Be Quick, 2s. 6d.; A Treble, 2s. 6d.; A Lover of Music, 2s. 6d.; A Late Member of Choir, 1s. 6d.; A Friend, 1s. 6d.; A Salemite, 1s.; A Treble, 1s.; A Member of Choir, 1s.

OPENING OF OUR MISSION

SCHOOL AND CHAPEL

IN LADYWOOD, BIRMINGHAM. ON the 28th October our Mission in this town entered on a new era. Our first attempt to form a church in the Ladywood suburb was in a small room, in the second storey, at the rear of a third-class street, access to which could only be had by ascending open, wooden steps outside. From thence our friends migrated to the spacious room, part of a manufactory, in Ichnield Port Road, the responsibilities of which were undertaken with much fear. There our feeble little church, fostered by aid from our Mission funds, grew a little stronger. The Conference of 1858 resolved that a chapel should be built "forthwith," and forthwith, accordingly, we committed ourselves to the work. A small plot of land, in the best possible locality, had previously been bought, and reserved for our use, mainly by our friend, Mr. Councillor Lees; but it was too small, and wholly unsuitable in form. Part of this we sold, and, at the same time, we purchased a considerable quantity more, and thus obtained an admirable site for a chapel and a school, the net cost of the feesimple of which was about £460. It had been deemed prudent, in the first instance, to erect a building which might serve the purposes at once of school and chapel, and this had been done. Owing to unfavourable weather, and other adverse circumstances, the building had been long in process of erection; and, in the meantime, we