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On his removal to the Peterborough Circuit, he continued faithfully to serve Methodism, and, by his intelligent attachment to its constitution and discipline, contributed greatly to promote peace in times of agitation and discord. He was possessed of keen insight and sound judgment, and was a man of considerable reading and of independent thought. As he combined with these characteristics an accurate knowledge of Wesleyan theology, deep experimental acquaintance with the truth, and aptness to teach, he never failed to instruct and edify his congregations; and, though he lived to celebrate his jubilee as a local preacher, his preaching retained its freshness and power to the last. He was not laid aside from active service more than a few weeks; and in his last illness the ripeness of his Christian character was very pleasingly manifest. He was not able to converse much, but his statements were most expressive of trust in God, and repose on the Atonement. “My times are in His hand," he remarked: "I am looking to the Cross." He was followed to the grave by a number of Circuit officers and local preachers, who thus testified their deep respect for him.

A. H. M.

He

March 1st.-At Blacon Hall Farm, Manchester, Thomas L. Cooke, aged thirty-one years. He was naturally of a serious turn of mind, and was early imbued with the fear of God. became a member of the WesleyanMethodist Society when about seventeen years of age. In the classmeeting he was instructed in "the way of God more perfectly," and eventually realized a direct and joyous sense of his adoption into the family of God. It was his custom, after attaining his majority, to review his religious experience and general Chris. tian conduct every birth-day: and it

is obvious from his diary that on these solemn occasions, he truly and sincerely sat in judgment upon himself; bringing the entire inward and outward life to that Divine light which makes all spiritual things manifest. It might be thought by some that, for a young man, his standard of piety was somewhat severe and exacting. Religion with him was not simply a source of agreeable impulses, but a sacred principle from which his character derived its peculiar energy,—a Divine power by which he was directed and governed day by day. He was "not conformed to this world; but transformed by the renewing of his mind;" and his devout, conscientious, earnest, and thoroughly practical spirit was evidence to all that he had "been with Jesus." For seven years he was the leader of a class at Milton Green, where also he acted as chapel and Society-steward; and in all these offices he rendered valuable and efficient service to the cause of God.

In the spring of last year, he left his native village, and came to a farm near Chester. There was everything, humanly speaking, to make life desirable; but just as his prospects, as it regards temporal things, were opening out before him, the Master came and called for him. Five weeks before his own death he attended the funeral of his eldest sister; when, owing to previous indisposition, he took a severe cold, from the effects of which he never recovered. His last illness was short, and in some aspects very painful; and no wonder that under such circumstances there should be for a time a clinging to life. He was not, however, put to confusion by the cutting short of his days; but was, by the grace of God, found ready for the great and glorious future. Some of his last words were, "I am trying to trust in Jesus." T. K.

LONDON PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, HOXTON SQUARE.

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WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZÍNÉ.

JULY, 1873.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM PENINGTON
BURGESS, M.A.:

BY MR. T. M. TRUSCOTT.

(Concluded from page 492.)

In the early part of the year 1814, a blessed revival of religion began in the neighbourhood of Redruth, which gradually extended almost all through the west of Cornwall, and which to the present day is referred to as "the great revival." Much diversity of opinion arose as to the true character of this work; many persons contending that the noise and apparent disorder attending it sufficiently proved that it could not be the work of God. As many of the objections then raised have since been applied to religious awakenings in general, it may not be uninstructive to record Mr. Burgess's views on this subject, which were the result of personal observation, investigation, and reflection. It appears that in the month of February he paid a visit to Redruth, about a fortnight after the commencement of the revival, for the express purpose of judging for himself. "Arriving there," he writes, "on the Saturday evening, I went to the chapel, which had not been shut, either day or night, for several days, and found a number of people there assembled. I stayed not many minutes, and, from what I witnessed that evening, was inclined to form no very favourable opinion of the work that was going on. The whole appeared to me disorder and confusion. I went home, however, to the friend's house where I lodged, resolving not to decide in too hasty or peremptory a manner. On the Sunday morning I returned and spent two or three hours in the chapel, which had been occupied all night, and was at that time nearly full. On a cursory and general survey, I should have been led to the same conclusion as on the preceding night, but I began to examine matters more minutely and leisurely. In one corner I found a person in deep distress of mind; on my inquiring, he gave a distinct and rational account of what he had felt, and what he was seeking. Around him was a little group, who were alternately engaged in directing, stimulating, and comforting him, and in fervent prayer for him. At a short distance was another group, comprehending one who had just been set at

VOL. XIX.-FIFTH SERIES.

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liberty, and was rejoicing in his Saviour: him they were endea vouring to establish and settle. In another part they were sing. ing a hymn of praise for some captive soul just liberated; and in another exhorting and entreating some poor backslider to return to the fold of Christ. Here might be seen an old professor, who had never enjoyed a sense of pardon, but was now determined not to rest without the blessing: in another part one who was earnestly seeking the destruction of indwelling sin.

"Thus I went from group to group, examining as accurately as I could into the particular state of each; and on thus dividing the whole company into so many distinct parcels, I found each party knew their own business perfectly well; and every individual who was seeking for any special blessing, was engaged in pursuit of it as eagerly as possible. These little parties were wholly independent of the people in the other parts of the chapel; and they were, to all practical purposes, as much private and sequestered as though they had been the only persons there. It appeared to me somewhat like a market or a fair, where, on a general and indiscriminate survey, one might be inclined to pronounce the whole a scene of confusion and disorder, yet after properly investigating matters, we should find every person aware of his own errands, and transacting his own business in a regu. lar and an efficient way. I do not mean to be an advocate for noise and confusion, but only to state that when such things arise without improper influence from men, and where we have reason to suppose there is something more than mere human passion and sympathy, we should not be so prejudiced thereby, as to discredit the work of the Spirit on these extraordinary occasions.

"That the Spirit of God was at that time poured out in a very extraordinary manner, no reasonable doubt can be entertained. In proof of this assertion, no other argument is necessary than an appeal to matter of fact. That there was what some call 'wild-fire' I would not deny; it is probable that some were wrought on by sympathy and natural feelings; but this proves nothing either for or against the genuineness of the work. Leaving all these cases out of the question, great numbers were powerfully convinced by the Spirit of Truth, and a genuine operation of grace commenced in their souls. Many, it is true, after some time fell away; but their apostasy does not, I apprehend, prove that there was no real work of God in them. It may be considered as decisive evidence of two points. First, that what was wrought was not deep; for a work of grace may be genuine, though not deep and, second, that they neglected to watch and pray, and therefore fell into temptation and sin. This is all, I think, that

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