of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

Chapels having been erected at Allerton, and Biddisham, the preaching was discontinued at their house, and our sister with her family removed into the parish of Worle, where she was among strangers, and had to form new connexions; but she soon felt at home with the people of God.

She united with the society at Worle, and continued a consistent member, till death removed her from the Church Militant, to the Church Triumphant.

The affliction that brought her down to the grave, was a slow, and lingering consumption; but during the whole period of her illness, she maintained unshaken confidence in God.

She was visited frequently by her pious neighbours, her Leader, and the preachers as they came around. They always found her on the Rock of Ages, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the gracious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Though she designated herself "Little Faith," and complained at times that she was not so happy as she wished, yet she could at other times rejoice abundantly in God her Saviour.

She

knew in whom she had believed, and was most firmly persuaded that he would "keep that which she had committed unto him against that day."

She bore her afflictions with much patience and resignation to the will of God. Never was she known to murmur or complain. God's great goodness towards her was her theme, and when visited of a morning by her neighbour, she praised God for his great goodness towards her during the night, remarking, "What a blessed night I have had! Bless the Lord, O my soul." And in the evening when her husband returned, she would again praise God with him for the mercies of the day, and most refreshing seasons would they have together. She was highly respected by her neighbours, who speak of her in the highest terms, and must readily acknowledge her deep humility, and christian sincerity and consistency, as well as her patient resig nation, love of prayer, and delight in the company of God's people.

Sister Lynham was saved from the love of life, and the fear of death, and could say most truthfully,-"O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? Thanks be to God,

who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

On the Wednesday before her death, she said, "O what a joyful day I have had!" And a short time before her death she said, "I shall soon be in the valley, and shout salvation through the blood of the Lamb. I am going home! Yes I am going home!" her strength failed her, and she sank into the arms of Christ; happily proving that, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

"She frequently long'd to be gone, To join the blest spirits above; To sit on Immanuel's throne,

But

And feel all the transports of love."

Her death was improved in the preaching room at Worle, from 1 Cor. vii. 29,-31. "But this I say brethren, the time is short" &c. May the writer and reader meet her in heaven.

J. BARNDEN.

2. DIED, at New Mills, in the parish of St. Thomas by Launceston, Cornwall; SAMPSON PROUT, on the 5th day of November, 1853, aged 63 years.

He was one of the first fruits of the Bible Christian Ministers in that neighbourhood. The first twenty-eight years of his life were spent in the pursuit of vanity and wordly pleasure, although he possessed a more excellent and generous spirit than many do in their carnal state, yet as one of the fallen race, he was addicted to many follies. About thirty-five or thirty-six years ago, under the ministry of the Bible Christians, the Lord by his Spirit effected a radical change in his mind, which was very apparent to all around him, and as a consistent follower of Jesus, he persevered in the way of righteousness. After a while his name appeared on the Preachers' Plan; he also took the charge of a society, in which capacity he gained the confidence and esteem of his class-mates. The good degree of life and spirit which he possessed was accompanied with well-tempered zeal, united with child-like simplicity. In his demeanour, he was courteous and kind, and conducted himself with watchfulness, blended with much fervour of spirit, altogether constituting him the amiable christian. For several years of his christian career, he abstained from all intoxicating drinks, in which he continued to the end.

As a preacher of the gospel, his talents were slender, but his christian conduct recommended him to his hearers, and through his invariably ornamenting a good profession, what he had

to say from the pulpit (which was accompanied with spirit and energy) was generally well received by his hearers.

He was conscientious in all his en gagements, whether in the world or for Christ. For many years he went weekly to lead a class near four miles from his dwelling, and notwithstanding the distance, the society were very rarely disappointed of their leader. He had some very severe family trials, which he bore with all the fortitude of the well established christian.

About a year and a half before his death, he was taken with a disease in one hand, accompanied with swelling, weakness, and pain, which shortly forbad his following his labour, and for some weeks previous to his death, he had not strength to walk to the chapel, about half a mile. All the time of his affliction he possessed an unshaken confidence in the Redeemer's merits. Night and day, he suffered indescribably, the flesh and bone of his hand and arm decayed, consequently, running wounds and excruciating pains he had to endure; but in all this he did not murmur nor complain. His means were small, but he would not acknowledge that he wanted anything, and displayed perfect resignation to his lot. His medical attendant ardently desired that he would have his hand amputated, telling him that it would prolong his life, but having a desire to be with Christ, of which portion he had the assurance, he concluded on taking the diseased member to the grave with the rest of the members of his body, consequently he could not be prevailed on to have it separated.

In all my visits, I found him firmly grounded on the rock Christ: he was generally cheerful, with his mind composed, enjoying the prelude of that fulness which he had in bright prospect. Just before his death, he laboured to comfort his weeping wife, by pointing her to the glory into which he was shortly about to enter.

Before his death he requested, that I would make some remarks from the Pulpit concerning him, as I was acquainted with him in his first outset for heaven, he thought it might prove beneficial to those who were left behind. I took the first opportunity after his death to comply with his request. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." W. M.

3. DIED, at Tregajorran, near Brea, in the Gwennap circuit, January the 18th, 1854, JOHN POLKINHORN. The complaint which brought him to the grave was that which is sometimes called in these parts the miner's complaint, a sort of consumption developing itself in various outward forms, and which sweeps off vast numbers of this numerous class of Cornwall's population.

He was a member of the Bible Christian Society for 26 years, seven of which he was a leader of a class, in which capacity he was much beloved for his punctuality, steadfastness, devotedness to God, and upright Christian character. He also superintended the Sunday School, in the chapel to which he belonged, for many years. In this department of Christian effort also, his punctuality and unswerving stedfastness, more than the possession of any remarkable talents, won for him the general esteem and affection of the School.

When a young man he was fond of sport, and with others of a similar temperament pursued a wayward course of life, until one of his companions, by the name of Nancarrow, who has long since gone to his rest, became a member of the Bible Christian Society at Brea. The new convert sought often his old companion, who responded to the invitation to attend the class meeting; and from that time to the close of life it is believed our departed friend never stayed away carelessly from that important means of grace. For many years the road was a very indifferent one over which he had to travel; but distance, a troublesome path, or rough weather, were alike encountered when the time of worship drew near; and when reminded of this, on his death bed, he expressed himself as never having regretted the course which he had pursued.

About three weeks before his death, he dreamed that he was about to die and had but little hope of heaven, his mind being gloomy and dark in reference to spiritual things, which filled him with alarm at the idea of dying in such a state, after professing religion so many years. On coming to his recollection his frame of mind led him to approach the throne of grace with great earnestness, which brought down such an amount of divine and sanctifying influence as made him abundantly happy, and inspired the strongest confidence in reference to his future safety. In this happy, triumphant state of mind, I found him on visiting the

house a short time afterwards, when with cheerfulness and willingness he gave a reason of the hope that was in him, with meekness and Godly fear; in which happy state of mind he continued, with but little variation, to the close of life. It seemed indeed, after the occurrence just described, as though the adversary had given up the contest, and would have nothing more to do with him! On the sentiments of the 76th hymn the dying christian delighted to dwell, applying them to himself thus,

On

"What could my Redeemer do More than he hath done for me? To procure my peace with God, Could he more than shed his blood?' And here he found repose and consolation. About eleven o'clock the night preceding his death, Br. Polkinghorn thought his end was near. that occasion he called for his wife, saying that "he wanted her to pray him right into heaven." On conversing with him as death appeared to be appro ching, she said, "My dear John you are near the river." "Yes mother," he said "and I have a sure foundation."-The closing scene drew near, and the spirit took its flight to heaven, leaving dull mortality to return to the dust from which it was taken, and a widow and seven children to mourn the loss they have sustained.

On one occasion our departed brother called his family, (nearly all of whom are grown up to years of maturity,) around him; and after expressing his great regard and love for them all, placing the emphasis on the words, all his children; he exhorted them whatever they did, or however they might be circumstanced, to "make sure of getting to heaven!"

May their father's dying advice ever be remembered by them;-remembered so as to find its developement in conversion to Christ, in a holy life, prepa ratory to a peaceful death and a glori ous immortality. R. KINSMAN.

4. DIED, January 27th, 1854, at Yaxley, in the forty seventh year of her age, ELIZABETH ROYCE. For the period of forty four years she was a stranger to the things of God. She was a sinner above many. During the last three years she attended the Bible Christian chapel, got under deep convictions, joined the society, and at length obtained redemption through the blood of Christ. She wished us to hold the class-meeting in her parlour during the winter. We complied, and

the last time I met the class in that room was three weeks previous to her death. she spoke with such confidence that night as I never heard her speak before. She said, "I shall ever bless God that ever I saw and heard a Bible Christian Minister."

On the date above mentioned, at half past nine o'clock at night, the last moment hid behind impenetrable clouds for nearly forty seven years, burst upon her, and in a moment she opened ber eyes on the realities of Eternity.

The writer preached a funeral sermon to a crowded and weeping auditory, and I trust good was done.

T. ANDREWS.

5. DIED, at Plymouth, February 23rd, MARY MORRIS, who was converted to God more than thirty years ago, in the Michaelstow Circuit. She laboured for many years usefully and acceptably as a Local Preacher. Her attachment to the house, and her love for the people of God was great, her character was uniformly consistent, her liberality praiseworthy, and her piety undoubted. She died rather suddenly, and quite unexpected by her friends, and, it is thought, by herself. She said a few hours before her death, not thinking that it was so near, that "she should be so thankful if her Saviour would take her right home to heaven." Her work was done, and this almost last wish was soon gratified. We have no doubt but that her departure was "to be with Christ which is far better." She was buried the following Sabbath morning after her decease, and her death was improved the next Sunday to a large and attentive congregation.

F. W. BOURNE.

6. DIED, happy in the Lord, after a protracted and very painful affliction, at Ash, in the Chagford Circuit, March the 6th, 1854, aged 64 years, our be loved and much esteemed father in the Gospel, MR. JAMES BROOKS.

Brother Brooks was brought to God under the ministry of Mr. James Thorne, and has been in the ministry upwards of 28 years. The affliction which terminated his mortal career, was one that produced most excruciating pain. His groans were such that I could not stay with him long at a time.

Notwithstanding his constant, indescribable sufferings, his confidence was strong in the Lord. He often remarked to me, that he felt the religion he had been recommending in life, a blessed reality. J. PERKINS.