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We beg to call the attention of our friends to an advertisement of the British Banner on the thira page of our wrapper. The talent, the independence, the Liberal principles, the catholicity, and the public spirit of this journal, give it strong claims upon the support of all enlightened and large-hearted Dissenters. While we are thus free to acknowledge the general merits of this paper, we cannot forget the good service which it has generously and repeatedly done for our own community. Its pages are always open either to report our operations or defend our principles, and we hesitate not to affirm, that there is no metropolitan journal which has done towards us equal justice and exhibited the same degree of liberality to us as a religious denomination. We therefore cordially recommend it to our friends.-ED.

MONTHLY RECORD.

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ANOTHER REVOLUTION IN FRANCE.This unhappy country seems destined to a perpetual series of sanguinary revo Intions. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Louis Napoleon accomplished the coup d'état which, it is supposed, he had long been meditating. He dissolved the National Assembly and the Council of State, de clared Paris in a state of siege, and concentrated in himself the whole power of the nation, under pretence of enlarging the franchise of the people and curbing the despotic tendencies of the Representatives. As might be expected, this tyrannical assumption met with resistance, and blood has again flowed in the streets of Paris. Hundreds of the people have been shot by the soldiers. Time alone will reveal what will be the result of the present arbitrary movement. EARTHQUAKE. The Impartial de Smyrne, in its correspondence from Salonica, has melancholy accounts of an earthquake at Berat. We learn that a part of the fortress had been thrown down and 400 soldiers buried in the ruins. Some days after the catastrophe, and after great exertions, their lifeless bodies were withdrawn from the ruins, and their numbers ascertained. About 300 houses, two mosques, and a church suffered considerably, and many are no longer habitable. The Governor of Yanina sent tents and assistance to the remainder of the soldiers in garrison

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there. Among Christians and Mussulmans, 800 persons are missing, but it is as yet unknown how many among those have been lost, or how many have sought safety in flight.

FIVE HUNDRED PERSONS DESTROYED BY A WATER-SPOUT.-On Saturday week intelligence was received, under date Malta, Monday, 8th instant, of a most awful occurrence at the Island of Sicily, which had been swept by two enormous water-spouts, accompanied by a terrific hurricane. Those who witnessed the phenomena describe the water-spouts as two immense spherical bodies of water reaching from the clouds, their cones nearly touching the earth, and, as far as could be judged, at a quarter of a mile apart, travelling with immense velocity. They passed over the island near Marsala. In their progress houses were unroofed, trees uprooted, men and women, horses, cattle and sheep, were raised up, drawn into their vortex, and borne on to destruction. During their passage rain descended in cataracts, accompanied with hailstones of enormous size and masses of ice. Going over Castellamare, near Stabia, it destroyed half the town, and washed 200 of the inhabitants into the sea, who all perished. Upwards of 500 persons have been destroyed by this ter rible visitation, and an immense amount of property, the country being laid waste for miles.

THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1852.

BIOGRAPHY.

A MEMOIR OF MRS. SCHOFIELD, WIFE OF J. SCHOFIELD, ESQ., OF PARKTON GROVE, CORNBROOK, MANCHESTER.

BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON PREACHED IN EBENEZER CHAPEL, PETERSTREET, MANCHESTER, DEC. 7TH, 1851.

BY THE REV. WM. BAGGALY, OF LIVERPOOL.

"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick and died."-Acts ix. 36, 37.

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Ir would be impossible to convey to this audience a proper idea of those feelings which influence my breast on the present occasion. already known to most of you that I had the happiness to be intimately acquainted with the late Mrs. Schofield, of Cornbrook. Our acquaintance commenced on my appointment to this Circuit some years ago. I found her enrolled in the class committed to my care, and universally esteemed as a member of society. Peculiar circumstances might have somewhat prepossessed me in her favour. The friends spoke of her in the highest terms, but it was necessary to know her intimately in order to form anything like a just estimate of her real worth. She improved on acquaintance, and in a very short time I was constrained to hold her in the highest estimation. Nothing interfered with the opinion thus formed of her moral worth; and whilst her valuable life was spared, I always felt it a privilege to be able to class Mrs. Schofield amongst my most valued and intimate friends.

But Death has no respect to the sacred ties of friendship. His ruth less hand has torn the sweetest bonds asunder. He has just hurried our estimable sister away. When the painful intelligence of her death. first reached my ears I was overwhelmed; and even now the very thoughts of it seriously affect my mind. On ascending this pulpit my feelings were unutterable. To have yielded to the natural impulses of my own heart I must have shrunk from this solemn task, and sat in silence whilst some other friend improved the sad event which has this evening brought us together. But it is not always proper to be governed by our feelings. There are times when inclination and duty seriously interfere with each other, and when that is the case the former should always give place to the latter. And it must be so now. Mrs. Schofield's sorrowing family expressed a wish that I should undertake this service; such a request, sustained as it was by the official members of this society, was imperative, and left me no alternative but to obey their call. In doing so I must cast myself on your indulgence, and request

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an interest in your prayers, that we may be favoured with that assistance without which our best directed efforts will be in vain.

In applying myself to the task which thus devolves upon me, I shall offer no apology for a slight departure from the course usually adopted on such an occasion as this. My intention is not to supplement a sermon with a memoir, but to blend a memoir with a sermon, and thus show how the character and conduct of our estimable friend practically illustrated those great principles of Christianity by which she professed to be governed. We have resolved to adopt this plan from a conviction that it is much easier to strike the mind and impress the heart by such incidents and facts as are furnished by the life of a Christian than by any extended or elaborate process of reasoning. A good writer has very justly observed that every day's experience teaches us that the impressions made on the mind, and the effect produced on the character by formal statements and abstract discussions of truth, are feeble and trifling compared with the influence of the same truth when exhibited and illustrated by a series of definite and intelligible conduct." The inspired writers frequently adopted this mode of instruction, and the Holy Scriptures are full of interesting narratives and simple details. of truth. Hence, in unfolding the doctrine of divine Providence, and teaching us to place unlimited confidence in God, they point our attention to Abraham, who, when he was called to leave his own country, and "go unto a place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and went out, not knowing whither he went." Jacob at Peniel furnishes a fine illustration of the simplicity and power of prayer. His family had just passed over the brook Jabbok, and the patriarch was left alone. In a short time the angel of God appeared unto him, and wrestled with him until the break of day. It was a hard and protracted struggle. The angel said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh;" but Jacob was immoveable. "I will not let thee go unless thou bless me." His importunity prevailed, "and he blessed him there." To give us some idea of the importance of divine ordinances, and the high estimation in which they were held by the truly pious in all ages, we are directed to the every-day experience of such a man as David, who exclaimed, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine house, and the place where thy honour dwelleth." And again, "It is good for me to draw near unto God." And when speaking of private devotion they remind us of Ezekiel" in the plain;" Nathaniel "under the fig-tree;" or Peter "upon the house-top."

And it cannot have escaped your observation that in the sacred volume our attention is frequently directed to estimable women, whose faith and practice are worthy of imitation. In Hannah we have a fine example of maternal piety. The Lord gave her a son according to promise. Samuel was a lovely child, but Hannah gave him back to God, having first prepared him to serve the Lord in his sanctuary. For a pattern of meekness and spirituality of mind, we are directed to Mary. She was dead to the world, and had no higher happiness than to sit at the Saviour's feet and catch the gracious words which fell from his lips. In Tabitha we find a very different character. She presented a striking illustration of active piety. To a mind no doubt as thoughtful and devout as Mary's, she united ardent zeal and untiring activity. She was full of good works." Tabitha forcibly reminds me of the late Mrs. Schofield.

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She was indeed "a disciple; and many can testify that "she was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did."

In looking at the most pious and exemplary characters, we are often struck with the contrast which exists in their natural dispositions. And perhaps this is not less apparent than the difference in their gifts and attainments. Hence we may expect great variety in their modes of operation. They all strive to do good. It must be so, for a sense of duty constrains them. But whilst thus employed, their spheres of labour and modes of action are amazingly diversified. If we could select two individuals of equal piety and equal parts, we should, no doubt, observe a considerable difference in their proceedings. Perhaps one of them would not hesitate to ascend an elevated platform and there move and act with the greatest ease and efficiency; whilst the other would shrink from observation and never be exactly at home, except when spending her noble energies in comparative seclusion.

But in the narrative before us there are several things worthy of notice.

In the first place, it furnishes us with a brief and interesting sketch of this estimable woman's life. Her name was Tabitha, or, as she was often called, Dorcas, which means a doe," or a roebuck;" or, as the

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Syrians would render it, "clear-sighted." Tabitha was, no doubt, a woman of great intelligence. She had an expansive and well-informed mind. Her duties and privileges were distinctly perceived and thoroughly understood. This led her to improve them with unwearied zeal and with a single eye to the glory of God. Again, she cultivated the most useful and industrious habits. Dorcas was a practical woman. She was full of good works. Not an idler, but a worker. Many are full of good words, who are awfully destitute of good works." It is much easier to talk than to toil. But Tabitha was a great worker, though not a great talker. With her, it was not words, but deeds. She was full of good works, just as the sun is full of light, or a tree is full of fruit. And, once more, it is quite evident that St. Luke is here speaking of a woman who had distinguished herself by great energy of character. Her mind and heart were under wise and gracious influences, and whatsoever her hand found to do she did it with all her might. It was her happiness, as it was her honour, to be always employed in doing good. And then, again, we find our attention specially directed to the sphere of Tabitha's operations. She was at Joppa; not a small sequestered village in the mountains, but a large and flourishing sea-port town on the western coast of Judea. Divine Providence fixed the bounds of her habitation. At Joppa she found a fine field of usefulHer opportunities for doing good were abundant, and she took care to improve them with the happiest effect. Such a woman would do honour to any station in life, and her example and influence would prove a blessing to all around her.

ness.

But we must now turn attention to our departed friend, and endeavour to furnish you with a brief narrative of her valuable life. Mrs. Schofield was a native of Cross-lane, near Huddersfield, where she was born on the 5th of March, 1803. Her maiden name was Hannah Knowles. It was her privilege to be favoured with pious parents. They were members of the Independent Church at Honley Moor-bottom. Their attention to her moral and spiritual improvement had a salutary effect on her youthful

mind. At an early period of life she joined the Sabbath-school connected with the chapel which her parents attended. There she continued to enjoy and reciprocate its advantages, first as a scholar and then as a teacher, until upwards of twenty years of age. But though favoured with such advantages she gave no evidence of genuine piety. Her conduct was strictly moral, and with this she associated a regular attendance on the public ordinances of religion. At times her mind was impressed whilst under the word; but those impressions were not sufficiently strong to produce decision of character, or to induce an entire surrender of the heart to God. She rested in the outward law, or in the mere external duties of religion, and thus remained a stranger to the hallowed and lifegiving influences of the gospel.

An early acquaintance with our esteemed friend Mr. Schofield led to their marriage, and immediate removal to Manchester in 1823. Here new scenes and new associations in a great measure diverted her attention from religion, and for some time she seldom attended any place of worship. In her reflecting moments she saw the wickedness of neglecting the means of grace, and often resolved to be more attentive for the future. At length she took sittings in Mr. Robey's chapel; but removing to Salford shortly afterwards, she found the distance so great, and the claims of an increasing family so very numerous, that she could not often find her way to the house of prayer. But when the ordinary means of grace are disregarded, and the ear thus closed against the offers of mercy, we sometimes see the Lord taking other means to bring us to himself. It was just so with our dear friend. The word did not reach her heart, but domestic affliction melted her into tenderness, and prepared her to receive the Saviour in all his fulness. One of her children-a dear little boy-was seriously afflicted. This painful dispensation of Providence had a powerful effect on the mother's mind. She watched over him with the deepest solicitude, and adopted all the plans which medical skill or maternal affection could suggest to save him. But the disorder increased, and baffled all their measures. As a last resort, a visit to her native place was suggested. She complied more readily with this proposition as it was deemed essential, not only on the child's account but likewise on her own. Unceasing anxiety and care had materially affected her own health, and awakened painful apprehensions respecting the issue. This led her to visit Yorkshire; and it was during that visit, and whilst thus suffering under the mighty hand of God, that she was brought to a knowledge of the truth. That great change gave a new era to her existence, and opened to her astonished mind innumerable sources of happiness of which she had no previous conception.

But it is impossible for me to approach this part of her history without feeling that I am on delicate ground. It calls to my recollection some touching scenes which transpired about eight years ago. Mrs. Schofield was then seriously ill. She was brought to the gates of death, and her most intimate friends despaired of seeing her restored. I saw her frequently during that affliction; and on one of my visits to her bedside she gave me an account of her conversion. She spoke with difficulty, and in faint and broken accents. The particulars were affecting, and no doubt intended for such a time as this. When somewhat restored, her faithful pen briefly recorded those circumstances; and it

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