him the way of the Lord more perfectly than any of his former teachers. He then exercised faith in Christ, and obtained testimony of the divine approbation. His connexion with a people then so much despised, so offended his father, that he had the alternative, either to leave the Methodists, or be expelled from the parental roof: the latter he unhesitatingly chose. He was then promoted to the office of Leader, in which he was made useful in his day; and though in humble circumstances, and often in deep poverty, he retained his office for more than sixty years, having been seventy years a member of the Wesleyan society. He was divinely supported on the bed of death. His end was peace.

R. B.

Feb. 17th.-At Prospect-Terrace, in the Leeds Third Circuit, Mr. George Plummer, aged sixtyfour. He had been for many years a consistent member of the Wesleyan society. In the transactions of business, his adherence to integrity and uprightness was remarkable. He retired a few months since, to spend his latter days in repose, and preparation for his "change." On Wednesday evening, the 16th, he went to bed in his usual health, and was shortly after seized with apoplexy. Though unable to give a dying testimony as to his state and prospects, yet his previous experience and life have left no doubt on the minds of his surviving friends respecting the condition of the spirit. In all his arrangements, he kept his latter end in view. Could he have foreseen the suddenness of his departure, he could not have had his temporal affairs in better order.

S. W.

Feb. 17th.-At Lincoln, aged seventy-one, Mr. Henry Wakelin. He was a stranger to the power of religion the first thirty years of his life. About the close of this period, he strolled one Sabbath morning, for a walk, in Gainsborough, when his attention was attracted by the sight of a small chapel. From curiosity he entered it, and heard the late Mr. Henry Longden, of Sheffield, preach. The word took effect; he went home, resolving to pray till he found the forgiveness of sins. In this he happily succeeded. Being himself made a partaker of the Gospel salvation, he longed that others should enjoy the same inestimable blessing. He therefore began to exhort sinners to flee from the wrath to come. His labours in the pulpit were well received, and owned of God in the fruit that followed. In his case, life continued on the wheels of activity, till wearied out. On the Sabbath before his death, and on the evening of his departure, he prayed with his family, then retired to bed, and in about one hour "tired nature" found repose by sleep in Jesus. G. T.

Feb. 17th.-At Kidderminster, in the Stourport Circuit, Mrs. Mary Parker, widow, aged sixty-six. Her parents were pious Dissenters, and trained her up in the way she should go. When about seventeen, she joined the people called Methodists; and the union then formed was never broken until her death, she being at that time the oldest member of the Kidderminster society. Shortly after her union with the society, while praying in her closet, she obtained a de

lightful sense of her acceptance in the Beloved; which, it is believed, she never afterwards lost. In 1823, she was appointed to the office of ClassLeader, the duties of which she discharged with great fidelity. She was distinguished for her deep piety, sound judgment, energy of character, and great usefulness; and she was universally respected for her good sense and blameless life. She was always delicate; and her last affliction was very short. She was, however, graciously prepared. A short time before she died, she said to her eldest daughter, "Christ is my Saviour; but my correspondence with heaven is now a silent one;" alluding to her inability to speak more than a word or two at a time. At length the Master came and called for her, and she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. J. S.

Feb. 19th.-At Collingtree, in the Northampton Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Ratcliffe, aged sixty-nine. Some twenty-nine years ago, she was brought to God at Wootton, and joined the Wesleyan society. For some years she was unable to enjoy the fellowship of saints in church communion, in consequence of circumstances she was unable to control; but for the last eight years she regularly enjoyed this privilege. She was indisposed several months. Her sufferings were sometimes very great; but she was graciously sustained through all, and enabled to rejoice in Christ. In the last week of her life she was strengthened to address nearly twenty young converts, lately brought to God, and she solemnly urged them to be "faithful unto death." She departed this life in the full triumph of faith.

J. G. W.

Feb. 23d.-At Warrington, Mr. James Carter, aged sixty-seven. He had been a consistent member of the Wesleyan church about forty-four years, and for most of that time sustained the important offices of Local Preacher and ClassLeader, with credit and usefulness. Being firmly attached to the doctrines and discipline of Methodism, he had no sympathy with those who were given to change, or with their unprincipled efforts to cause divisions in the church which he had, from conviction, chosen as his spiritual home. He bore his last illness with great resignation, and died in the possession of a cheering hope of a glorious resurrection to eternal life.

J. B.

Feb. 25th.-At Whitchurch, Salop, Mrs. Savage, aged fifty-five. She entered the Methodist society about forty years ago, at Darlaston, in Staffordshire, and met in the class of a Leader who had been appointed by Mr. Wesley. She brought up a large family, and had the happiness of seeing most of them give their hearts to God. For some time before her death she passed through great suffering. Her last illness, which was somewhat severe, was sanctified to her spiritual good: renouncing self and trusting solely in Christ, she was enabled to rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Nearly her last words were, "To-day I shall be with thee in paradise."

S. T.

Feb. 28th.-At Richmond, in Yorkshire, aged

seventy-five, Mr. William Croft, in the possession of that blessed hope and peace arising from an interest in Christ, and a consistent profession of attachment to his cause for fifty-three years as a member of the Wesleyan society; during which period he was for many years an acceptable Local Preacher. G. D.

Feb. 29th.-At Tiverton, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson, aged seventy-seven. She formerly resided at Loughborough, Leicestershire; and for the space of sixty years was a consistent member of the Methodist society. Her end was peace. G. H.

March 1st.-At Otley, Eleanor, the beloved wife of John Craven, Esq., aged seventy-five. She had been for fifty-five years a steady member of the Wesleyan society, and for thirty years the Leader of a large class. During her last protracted affliction, her state of mind was tranquil and joyful. Her last expressions were anticipatory of that heavenly rest to which she was hastening. W. A.

March 1st.-At Iden, in the Rye Circuit, Mr. Thomas Pelham, aged seventy-one. He was converted to God about forty-two years ago, when he became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist society, and thenceforward pursued a consistently Christian course to the close of his life. About three years ago, he retired from business, and from that time his one desire seemed to be to save his soul, and promote the spiritual welfare of his neighbours. He settled in his native village, where he introduced Methodist preaching. After a long illness, his departure was sudden : sitting in his chair, in company with his now bereaved widow, with scarcely a struggle, the spirit fled. The last words he was heard to utter were, "Blessed Lord! Blessed Jesus!" "Many fall as sudden, not as safe."

R. K.

March 3d.-At Hartlepool, in the Stockton Circuit, aged twenty-four, Clementina, the beloved wife of Mr. George Blumer, ship-builder. For several years she lived in the possession of 66 peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Her religious profession was steadily sustained by an exemplification of the active and passive excellencies of Christianity. In no ordinary degree she possessed the "ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." She lived to the Lord, and was always delighted to assist in the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. During her illness, which she bore without murmuring, her mind was not entirely unbeclouded, the result, probably, of extreme bodily weakness. The day before her departure, in answer to prayer, the cloud was dispelled, and she was filled with peace. With great feeling she repeated,

"How happy every child of grace,

Who knows his sins forgiven! 'This earth,' he cries, is not my place: I seek my place in heaven.""

Her last words, distinctly uttered, were, "I believe in Jesus.' Her death was peaceful and triumphant. J. C.

March 4th.-In Pontefract-Lane, Leeds Third Circuit, Mr. Samuel Stansfield, aged sixty-six. For more than thirty years he was a member of the Wesleyan society, during which he manifested his love for the ordinances of religion, by his uniform and punctual attendance. He bore a long affliction with Christian patience, and died in peace. S. W.

March 5th.-At Cheltenham, aged twenty-two, Mr. James B. Walker. At an early period he was under religious impressions; and at the renewal of the covenant in January, 1847, he found peace with God, the experience of which he never lost, but grew in grace and in the knowledge of the Saviour. For several months he was severely afflicted; but he was perfectly resigned to the will of God. His reliance on Christ was unshaken; and he died in great peace. W. B.

March 6th.-At Fortland, in the Ballina Circuit, of a disease induced by the want of proper food, and exposure on the public works during the winter of 1846, George Criffe, who was for several years an active and pious Class-Leader and Prayer-Leader in the Wesleyan society. He died in the full assurance of faith.

J. M.

March 9th.-At Brightwaltham, in the Newbury Circuit, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. William Painter, aged sixty-six. Being favoured with a religious education, she was brought in early life to know the God of her fathers. Having united herself to the Wesleyan-Methodist society, she continued a faithful member to the close of life. She loved the people of God, with a pure heart, fervently. The ordinances of religion she highly valued. The Ministers of Christ she esteemed greatly in love for their work's sake. Her duties as a wife and a mother she discharged with diligence and fidelity. Her last affliction was painful and protracted; but she bore it with Christian fortitude. During the last four months she manifested unshaken confidence in God, and great submission to his will. As the hour of dissolution approached, her soul was frequently filled with transports of heavenly love; and when much exhausted, her hand would often be uplifted in token of victory. She died in the full assurance of faith. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." J. E.

March 9th.-At Nafferton, Phillis, wife of Mr. Aaron Mason, one of the Stewards of the Driffield Circuit, aged forty-three. When very young, she was brought to experience the saving power of divine grace, and united herself to the Methodist society. Her walk and conversation were uniform with her religious profession. She passed through very painful suffering for three weeks previous to her dissolution, which she bore with exemplary resignation, and then "fell asleep in Jesus." A. F.

(Speech of the Hon, and Rev. BAPTIST

W. NOEL, continued.)

BEFORE I ask your sympathy in the trials of our brethren in the Canton de Vaud, it may be well for me to bring, very shortly, under your notice the facts upon which I ground my appeal. That canton was in a most flourishing and prosperous condition up to the year 1845; its constitution was one of the most liberal in the world; universal suffrage existed among the people, and the Government were elected by all the men of the canton, excepting paupers, criminals, and minors, if they are to be called men. Under this state of things, opportunity was afforded for correcting every abuse, and for trying any experiment to promote the highest degree of civilization, as the highest degree of liberty had been already attained. But, at the time I have mentioned, a revolution, directed more against men than against institutions, and which has effected no great changes in the institutions of the canton, took place; and this revolution giving loose to many passions, the meetings of various Christian bodies began to be interrupted by the lowest portion of the populace. It was evidently the duty of the Government to repress the lawless, and to support the orderly; but they took another course, and they began everywhere to sanction the efforts of the lawless against the Ministers of Christ, and against Christian worshippers, among whom were your congregations, and the Missionaries whom you support. Various acts of violence took place; and at length, in November, 1847, an ordinance passed the Council of State, in which these terms are found: "All religious meetings not within the National Church, and not authorized by law, are from this time, until further orders, prohibited in the canton. In case of disobedience, or of resistance to this prohibition, such meetings shall be dissolved; and those persons who shall have resisted the authorities, shall be brought before the tribunals, and punished according to the Penal Code." If there is anything to be called a right in this world, it is that which is unques

VOL. IV.-FOURTH SERIES.

tionably a duty. We may surrender any other rights, and be patient; but a duty can never be relinquished; and our Christian brethren felt that they must worship God; and that, if they could not worship him openly before their fellow-citizens, to whom they did good and not evil, then they must seek the opportunity of worshipping by stealth. They continued to worship, and to meet for brotherly exhortation. The common sense, the general humanity, of the canton naturally sustained them in the exercise of this right; and though the ordinance of the Council of State was against them, public feeling began to grow in their favour, and their meetings were resumed with more or less of publicity, and with little interruption. But the Council of State, ere its powers expired, wishing to strengthen the efforts they had made against the Christians, who are there termed Methodists, or Momiers, proposed a project for a decree to the Great Council, which answers to our Parliament, and is the sole legislative body in the canton. The Great Council rejected the proposed decree, and this was in itself a symptom of reaction; but, at the same time, they granted to the Council of State-which answers to our executive Government-full powers to prohibit all such meetings as were referred to in the ordinance, and to stop them when they deemed it right to do so. Acting under this full power, the Council of State issued a still more severe decree than that from which I have read an extract, and inflicted severe penalties on those in the canton who were not members of the established Church, and who at this time still met for worship. Under these circumstances it was that the interesting meeting for worship took place, of which an account has been read by your Secretary to-day, when those who could not meet either in their chapel or in their houses to worship God, made the blue sky the dome of their temple, and made the forest resound with hymns of praise to their Creator and their Redeemer. If their enemies cursed them, at least they could gather comfort and courage from hearing

3 I

the very warble of the birds in the boughs around them; nature seemed to bless its Maker; and, from the sight of their mother earth, they gained fresh courage and constancy in worshipping Him who liveth for ever and ever, and whose dominion is over all. It is under these circumstances that I am requested to ask your sympathy with our persecuted brethren. The first feeling to which these facts give rise, is naturally one of warm indignation against their persecutors. Many things may tempt us to feel that indignation. Such persecution is peculiarly vexatious in a country like the Canton de Vaud, because there liberty is on every one's lips; because there each man is jealous of every social and political right he exercises; but the very men who were so jealously maintaining and guarding every right, even the smallest, which they possessed, manifested this blind disregard to the most precious of all liberties claimed by their fellow-men. It is peculiarly vexatious to see such a course taken by a country which governs itself, because it is a libel on the self-government of a nation, and it seems to indicate to the world that it is not safe that a people should govern themselves, lest a majority should inflict grievous and intolerable wrongs on a minority whom they condemn. It is peculiarly vexatious to think that such wrongs were inflicted in the Canton de Vaud, because there are on either side of that canton two other cantons which have manifested an opposite degree of rectitude and intelligence. The Canton of Geneva has proclaimed the universal right of all its inhabitants to worship God according to their own consciences; and the Canton of Neufchatel has followed the same good example. But the conduct of the Canton de Vaud is still more vexatious, because, of all people in the world, the inhabitants of this canton have manifested most readily, perhaps, I may say, most precipitately, their warm, their boisterous, their enthusiastic congratulations towards the French people at the recent events which have taken place in France. But while that nation, which they were almost worshipping in the idolatry of their political congratulations, was relaxing and tearing off the chains which were imposed on Christian men in its community, and proclaiming to the world that every French citizen should have a right to maintain whatever religious opinions he pleased, and to promulgate them peacefully to his fellow-men, the people of the Canton de Vaud were acting in direct

opposition to the course pursued by those in France, whom they professed so much to admire. It is still more intolerable in them thus to act, because the French nation is, in all probability, at this moment, about entirely to separate the Church from the state; to withhold altogether any public provision from the Ministers of the different Christian bodies in that country; and to proclaim legislatively an entire equality among all the different bodies bearing the Christian name; while the Canton de Vaud is pursuing the course I have described, ostensibly and avowedly only to support their own established form of worship. Under these circumstances, then, it is natural for us to feel indignation. Indignation may be virtuous in its origin, but it is extremely dangerous for any man to indulge it. Indignation is connected with the pride of superiority, indignation prompts us to repel force by force, indignation makes us wish to show that we have greater power than those towards whom we feel that indignation. It is far better to look above it. It is far better to see the hand of One who is mightier and wiser than men, and to ask ourselves most seriously what designs he may be supposed to have, what designs we may gather, from the course of events, he has, in allowing that course of events to take place: for, let men rough-hew their own schemes as they may, let us remember that He who does not allow a bird to fall to the ground without His permission, overrules every one of those schemes for purposes which are alike benevolent and wise. Can we see no wise and benevolent purposes which are indicated by these dispensations of his providence? I think we can. Let us recollect, my friends,-and it is well for you, and me, and all churches to recollect too, that the tendency of every individual Christian, and the tendency of every Christian church, is to declension and sloth and coldness; and the churches of Vaud had not escaped that tendency, and they were living in ease and comfort; evangelical, in truth,—it may be, sometimes manifesting an easy zeal,but they had grown careless and lethargic. Suffering has taught them a severe, but a salutary, lesson; a lesson which we may pray God not to be obliged so to learn, and the necessity of which we should try to avert by using our privileges truly and well. They were, in the state of their comfort and prosperity, disposed to manifest jealousy towards one another; and that part of the Report which has been put into my