treasures for a little perishable earthly enjoyment, the lovers of pleasure may despise God and heaven, the ungodly may revel in the gay scenes of dissipation and crime-but when Death looks man in the face, when eternity bursts upon their sight with all its tremendous realities, how will the scene change! The subject of this memorial spent five weeks with us in Galway, last summer, for the resuscitation of her health; but Death seemed to have fixed his envenomed dart in her vitals. All medical aid seemed ineffectual; the atmosphere of Galway, being proximate to the great Atlantic, seemed too penetrating for her feeble, emaciated frame, After her return to Dublin, she wrote to her mother the following letter, an extract of which I now transcribe, which developes the state of her mind : "MY DEAR MOTHER,-I wish to inform you that every medical prescription I take does me no good. I have tried everything; but all is useless. The doctor says my vitals are affected, and that is the reason why no medicine is effectual; but the will of the Lord be done! I know this world is not my place, neither do I care the least for it. I see there is little but trouble and trial here below. You need not be afraid that I shall fret; I have no cause to fret; I do not regret leaving this world, sure we are only parting for a while; and at the longest period it is only a little while. My dear husband is very kind. Many are dropping down dead every day without a moment's warning. How thankful am I who have time to trim my lamp and prepare for eternity! I am not at all sick, but feel acute pain in my right side. Mr. McIntyre comes often to see me, and some of the other pious friends. I think often of James; I hope he is still a good boy. I hope my sisters, Jane and Eliza, are well; but what about our poor bodies? our precious souls are our great concern! I hope the little Church in Galway prospers. I often think of you all. No more at present. S. L." During her last illness she took the greatest delight in reading and hearing the Psalms read, especially those which speak of the sufferings of the people of God. Being asked by her mother if she wished to live or die, she replied, "If I could do any good in the Church, or in the world, I would wish to live; but if not, I would rather die and go home to glory." Being asked if she were sure of heaven if she were to die, she replied, "Oh, yes! I am perfectly satisfied with God's will, whether in life or in death." Being left alone, she commenced singing the praises of the Lord, though with a faltering tongue. She had frequent paroxysms of something resembling asthma. In the intervals of relief, she was ardently engaged in prayer; and when anyone would speak to her about temporalities, she replied, "I will not allow my mind to be annoyed by these things." Being asked by a pious friend, "Are you happy?" she replied, "Oh, yes!" "You are suffering much." Oh, what are all my sufferings to my Redeemer's ?" When friends assembled to take the last mournful adieu, and she was speechless, she was engaged in prayer, and manifested an unusual majesty in death, and fell asleep in Jesus, without a groan or a struggle, on Friday evening, February 27th, 1852, in the nineteenth year of her age. May my last end be like hers. On the following Sabbath she was interred in the cemetery called Mount Jerrim, to repose in the icy arms of death till the Judge shall come. J. S. JANE KAY, ASHTON CIRCUIT. JANE KAY, whose maiden name was Stanly, was born November the 21st, 1823, at Woodhouses, near Ashtonunder-Lyne, Lancashire, from which place she was subsequently removed to Smallshaw; and when very young, she began to attend our Sabbath-school at Waterloo, and continued as a scholar and teacher for about twenty years. From her childhood she evinced an amiable and teachable disposition, and the instruction she received in the Sabbath-school was as good seed sown in good ground, which sprang up and bore fruit to the glory of God. Her attachment to the school was very strong, and was expressed in her last words, a few minutes before she died. When asked if there was any one she wished to see or speak to, she replied, "No; only the teachers." She loved the school, and would rejoice in its prosperity; nor would trifles prevent her from attending as long as her health permitted. In the year 1849, she was united in marriage to her now bereaved husband, Mr. James Kay, of Waterloo, with whom she lived in the enjoyment of unbroken peace and happiness, faithfully discharging the duties devolving upon her. For several years previous to her death she resided at Hurst, where, by attending the public services of the chapel, a deep conviction of her state as a sinner, and the Spirit of God working powerfully upon her mind, she became acquainted with the saving power of the religion of Jesus Christ; and, having found the pearl of great price, she sought the means whereby she retained it. She began to meet in brother Peter Roebuck's class," and," says her leader, as far as I am aware, walked worthy of her high calling. Her experience generally was of a satisfactory character, often affirming her confidence in the efficacy of the blood of Christ, and her confidence in the promises of God." In the month of August, 1849, she took a severe cold, which ultimately brought on consumption. For more than twelve months her health gradually and visibly declined. Medical aid was sought, and other remedial means were resorted to; but all proved ineffectual. The seeds of mortality were sown too deeply, and it was beyond the power of man to eradicate them from her delicate frame. It would appear that she had contemplated her approaching dissolution, and therefore resolved to labour as long as she could. She continued to follow her employment at the mill until compelled by extreme weakness to leave it; although she was frequently remonstrated with and requested not to do so, she invariably replied, "I'll go as long as I can-I shall soon have done in this world; but I am going home. There is a rest that remaineth for me, and I am hasting to it." On the 1st of April, 1851, her medical attendant called to see her; and, after he had silently observed her for some time, she asked him his opinion of her. He replied that she was very ill. "Yes," she said, "I am very ill; but I want no medicine, only, if possible, I want my cough relieved." The doctor gave no hopes of her recovery; and when she was informed of his conclusion, she heard it unmoved, and said that she had given herself up a great while ago. "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." One day, when a friend was speaking to her of her weakness, she spoke at some length of the frailties of the body, and the perfection of the immortal state, and the glory and happiness of that heaven for which she was fully prepared, and should shortly enter, repeating the following verse: Though painful at present, The conqueror's song! Her conversation was of such a heavenly character that it was delightful to be in her company. It was no small source of comfort to her husband and family to see her so happy. A day or two before she died, she said, "Do not mourn for me, sister, it will only make me worse, and to all appearances I must not be here long. I feel quite resigned, and I shall soon be better off." She often spoke of the happiness she enjoyed in not having peace to seek with God now that her end was approaching. Her sufferings were those well known in the last stages of consumption; but she never murmured, she endured very patiently the will of the Lord. But when her husband was speaking to her on the subject, she said, "I have had to pray for it, I have had to pray for it." On the Sunday before her death (which was Easter Sunday), she sat in the open air while her husband read portions of Scripture to her, chiefly from the Psalms, to which she listened with attention and delight. Early on the morning of the day of her death, her husband was speaking to her concerning spiritual things, when she remarked that latterly she had often been awake in the night, sometimes praying, and at other times with a strong desire to sing; but she was unable. On this day (Tuesday) she appeared rather better; but she said she felt some curious sensations all over her body. After dinner, she thought she could sit up a little, and she did so for about half an hour, and from that time until about four o'clock many of her friends came to see her. When her leader came, and when he had spoken to her for a short time and prayed with her, he took his leave. She began to be much worse, until six o'clock, when those of her friends and relatives present thought she was about to take her departure; for her struggles ceased, and for some time she lay apparently unconscious. But such was not the case, for, about seven o'clock, she again opened her eyes, and began to converse with us a little. Her sister asked her if she could do anything for her, and she answered, "No;" and, clasping her hands on her breast in holy resignation, said, "Let me die! Let me die!" She had no fear of Death; his sting was withdrawn, and she could talk about dying with as little emotion as of going to sleep. Her mind continued calm and serene, and was able, in faint whispers, to answer any questions that might be put to her, until her happy spirit took its flight to realms of bliss Far from a world of grief and sin, With God eternally shut in. She died on Tuesday, April the 22nd, 1851, in the twenty-eighth year of her age. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. JAMES KAY. MRS. COLLINS, BROOMHEDGE, IRELAND. On Wednesday morning, Jan. 14th, our dear sister Collins departed this life, in a sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection to everlasting life. She had the unspeakable privilege of being trained up by godly parents. Mr. Wm. Green (her father) received our ministers into his house about twenty years ago. Mrs. Green was a helper to her husband in the way to heaven, and willingly sustained the cause of God by her influence, prayers and contributions. She finished her earthly career about four years ago, and fell asleep in Jesus. Mrs. C., her daughter, was blest with the privilege of being united to a godly partner. About the year 1836 she was born of the Spirit, at a revival prayer-meeting, when the writer was engaged in prayer. God, in the wisdom of his inscrutable Providence, soon separated these happy companions; and Death, with an iron grasp, tore them asunder. He died suddenly, but died in the Lord. Mrs. C. now remained in her father's house. She there had the kindest attention from her father and sisters. Here, also, she had the pri vilege of class and the preaching of the word. Often she was the subject of affliction; but as the outward man perished, her soul was more and more renewed in the image of God. Her leader, Mr. Dickey, admired her growing piety and devotion to God. In last November her health entirely sank, and all medicine failed to restore her broken-down constitution. Mrs. C. had little temptation from the enemy. Her mind was graciously supported by the word and Spirit of the Lord; and the comforts of true religion seemed to abound more in the day of pain and weakness than in time of ease and health. The beautiful language of the poet seems applicable to her case: When my sufferings most increase, Then the strongest joy is given ; All doubts and fears were removed with regard to her acceptance with God; a clear sense of the divine favour was enjoyed; and the Spirit in a most satisfactory manner bore witness with her spirit that she was a child of God. The writer visited her several times before her departure to the heavenly state. He found her the subject of much suffering, but always happy in Jesus. The night before she died, she gathered her sisters and friends around her, and in the most fervent and feeling manner exhorted each and all to dedicate themselves fully and unreservedly to God, to leave off all sin, and to love Christ with all the heart. They were all melted upon this occasion, and wept together. A friend was apprehensive that she was dying, and requested that several absent relatives might be sent for. "Oh!" said she, " I have the best friend with me-that is Jesus. He has kept and blessed me, and he will do all for me." At this moment she seemed entirely weaned from earth, and to have received dying grace. Her soul was on wing for glory. Again she said, "There is Jesus! do you not see him? He is come for me. God is love, I know, I feel, Jesus weeps and loves me still.". Mrs. Collins was now suffering greatly, but seemed to enjoy the perfect use of her understanding, and spoke now and again nearly to the last moment of her stay on earth. Just before she expired, she said, "I bless the Lord! I praise the Lord! Victory!" On this morning the weary wheels of life stood still, and her redeemed spirit quitted the tabernacle of clay for an abode in the regions of immortality. We have lost a devoted member, but our loss is her infinite gain. "Let me die the death of the righteous," and may my last end be like unto hers. The writer improved this solemn occurrence in our chapel, in a sermon founded on 1 Corinthians xv. 26. She has left one child to mourn her loss. May the Father of the fatherless be its guide. Amen. SAMUEL NICHOLSON, Broomhedge, March 4, 1852. JOHN WHITELEY. THE subject of this memoir was born at Blackshaw Clough, in the township of Soyland, in the parish of Halifax, on the 25th of December, 1783. His parents were steady, moral people. They professed no religion except attending the church; but they brought up their children to industry and honesty. Brother Whiteley was married when upwards of twenty years of age; and sometime after this he was convinced that he was a sinner in a remarkable manner. He was at his work, at the loom, when suddenly the Spirit of God brought the commandment home to his heart, and he saw clearly that he was in the wrong way. He then began sincerely to repent of his sins, and did not delay to another time, but left his work to seek for information respecting the salvation of his soul. He found it very difficult to get any instruction. He went to one man of the name of William Wilson, and began to speak about the New Testament, but got no instruction. He soon joined the Wesleyan Society, as there was no New Connexion at that time in this part of the country. The first and second sermons that he heard he ever afterwards remembered. One was on repentanee, the other on the valley of dry bones. He continued a member of the Wesleyan Society about twelve years, during which time he had affliction in his family, and had to suffer the loss of his wife and some of his children, which he bore with Christian resignation, and was enabled to say, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." He afterwards made choice of a woman of the name of Sarah Carter, a member of the Wesleyan Society, to be the sharer of his joys and sorrows. In the year 1815 the Wesleyans established a Sunday-school at Lighthazles, and brother Whiteley began to be a teacher at its commencement, and continued to be a teacher or superintendent up to the time of his last affliction. In 1816 or 1817 there was some little difference between the teachers and the Wesleyan Society, and brother Whiteley, along with other teachers, called in the New Connexion, and he has been a member of this Society about thirty-four years. As a class-leader he was constant and faithful. The first class that he was appointed to lead was held at Ripponden Bank Hall. He then lived at the Water Green, Soyland, a distance of about three miles. So determined was he to attend his class that both little things and great things had to give way to his sense of duty. He often had to begin his work after he returned home. Other classes since then he has had under his care and management. As a member he supported the cause according to his ability. He promoted the peace and happiness of the Society to the utmost of his power. If anything had been spoken at any time likely to hurt the feelings of a brother, he would urge again and again that brotherly love should continue, and he would sometimes say that "religion is love, see that ye love one another." As a Sunday-school teacher, we give the following testimony of the Light hazles teachers: "We who have been co-workers and fellow-teachers with brother Whiteley in the Lighthazles Sunday. school, can testify, so far as we have had acquaintance with him for the last thirty-six years, that as a teacher and superintendent he has been faithful in discharging the duties incumbent upon him. As a Christian, he has often exhorted and entreated the children to make their peace with God. He manifested great patience, and took great pains with the children, and was always delighted and well pleased when they behaved well. As long as health permitted he continued to come to the school. The Monday before his death a few of us visited him. We found him very ill, but he was pleased to see us; and while in conversation with him he said he was deeply interested in the welfare of the school. He said, also, that his attachment to the teachers and scholars was as great as ever. He then said, "Tell them all from me that I should like to meet them all in heaven." Being asked again if he had anything particular to send to any of the scholars, he said that he purposed to write a few lines to them; but soon after was taken very ill, and having to contend with the pains of death, had not the opportunity of writing to them. We, as teachers, deeply feel our loss, and are very sorry; yet we feel thankful that he has gained the blissful share of immortal happiness." There are other accounts from the Lighthazles Sunday-school teachers equally worthy. About a fortnight before his death a friend asked him if he realized any comfort in the possession of true religion. He replied, That his hope was in Christ alone; that Christ was precious. He then said, "It is well that I have not religion to seek on a sick bed." He felt sorry that he could not attend to family prayer and other duties that devolved upon him, to which his friend replied, that the desire for prayer is acceptable to God, who knows all our infirmities; for Jesus is a faithful high-priest in things pertaining to God, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and knows how to deliver them that are tempted. To another friend he said the night following, that the earthly house of his tabernacle was near its dissolution, but he had a good hope that he had a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. At another time he said that he was quite resigned to the will of his heavenly Father, whether it was for life or death. A few days after he said to one of his friends that he did not depend upon anything that he had said or done; but Christ was all and in all to him. He also said several times during his affliction that he would not change his blessed estate for all the world calls rich or great. He always exhorted the followers of Christ to the duty of Christian watchfulness and persevering prayer, to be prepared for the coming of their Lord by death. To his dear wife he said the night before his death that he was sure that his God would not forsake him when passing through the valley of the shadow of death. He earnestly requested her and all his family to cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart, and to meet him at the right hand of Christ in heaven. To his daughter Ellen, at breakfast-time Wednesday, the day of his death, when she asked him how he felt, he said that he was praying for himself, and that a blessing might rest on all his family. He then exclaimed Yonder is my house and portion fair. on He sweetly fell asleep in Jesus on Wednesday the 30th of April, 1851, in the 68th year of his age. I have been acquainted with brother Whiteley for at least twenty years. When about sixteen or seventeen years of age came to preach in Soyland Chapel, and was taken by brother Whiteley to dinner; and from all that I have seen and known of him I believe the accounts I have just read are true. In his last illness he was very desirous that I should visit him. I did so as often as I could. At one of these interviews I said to him, "You have seen this Church in prosperity and in adversity." He replied, "I have." I then said, "You have lived to see a remarkable revival of religion, and to take part in the same." At the mention of this he seemed quite overjoyed. He then said that he hoped that he should meet us all in heaven, adding, with energy, that he hoped the revival would go on gloriously. And while we were rejoicing on earth, he believed (as there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth) that he should know and rejoice with us in heaven. At another time, when we were speaking to him respecting the time he had been in the Society, he said he thought he was the oldest member; but at the same time mentioned two others that would have been as old if they had remained in the Society; and then hoped they would join again. He hoped to see them in heaven. W. H. FREDERICK BRADFORD. FREDERICK BRADFORD was born in Leeds, May 27th, 1799. It did not fall to the lot of our brother, in the day of his youth, to be trained either in the principles of morality or religion; "no one cared for his soul." Whilst many can rejoice in having had the prayers and advice of pious parents, no one taught him the infant's prayer, or how to lisp in hymns a Saviour's name. He was thrown on the world with a parochial indenture, and served part of his time with an innkeeper, and the other part with the same master as a stuff manufacturer. After his apprenticeship he was employed by the late Mr. Eli Whitley, in whose service he continued twenty-two years; and what may be deemed a singular coincidence, master and man died in the same week, both leaving the same testimony that religion is the "one thing needful." Many were the trials our brother had to pass through during his earthly pilgrimage. His confidence in the promises of God never failed him, and to the last he could truly say, God is good and wise in all his providential dispensations. His first divine impressions were received in Ebenezer Chapel. After he had long been a rebel against God, dwelling in the abodes of wickedness, and drinking in iniquity, he was by some circumstances led to this chapel, during the first year of the ministry of the Rev. T. Batty; the word came home to his conscience, producing deep convictions of sin, a painful sense of his sinful condition, and a determination to flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold on Christ Jesus, the Hope set before him. For a considerable time he continued to live under these feelings of condemnation, seeking peace for his soul, but finding none. entered as a teacher in Bethel Sundayschool, of which he was the first superintendent; the school still continues in the Hands of the Independents. Shortly afterwards, our Zion Chapel was erected at the Bank, and brother Bradford joined the Society, and found a settled rest and peace to his soul. He first met in class with brother Steel, and, from that time to his death, he retained a clear sense of divine favour and acceptance with God. His manifest zeal for the Lord of Hosts, his uniform conduct and pious demeanour, induced the Church to constitute him a class-leader, which office he faithfully and efficiently T He |