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pressed his sympathy, whilst tears stood in his eyes. He also blamed Lieutenant Dunn for the false accusations he had been making; yet he was afraid to release the prisoners, for he knew that many suspicious eyes were fixed on him because of his consideration for the English.

After committing them to custody he sent them some beef, bread, drink and money; but they had nothing to lie on except the floor. William Edmundson was greatly exhausted, and was so much distressed at the language of some of his fellow-prisoners that he asked the governor to remove him to the dungeon, for he thought he would rather die there than be amidst such depraved companions. The governor said he had not the heart to grant such a request, but gave him leave to go to the house of a Friend, who lived six miles from Athlone, and who had promised to "engage his body and all that he had" for William Edmundson's "true imprisonment." The latter was now able to send a few lines to relieve the suspense of his poor wife. The governor soon liberated the young Edmundsons, and with the aid of an Irish colonel released their father a few days later.

During his absence William Edmundson's wife had one day gone with some of her English neighbours to the farmyard of one of her sons, in order to fetch his stock of hides and leather. Whilst they were loading the cars they were attacked by another basely ungrateful son of old Captain Dunn, with a party of Rapparees. Notwithstanding the cold winter weather they stripped William Edmundson's wife of all her clothing, which exposure brought on an illness that caused her death seven months later.

The most conspicuous events of William Edmundson's life have now been recorded, and the patient diligent labours of his latter years, the result of which it is impossible to estimate, must be hastily passed

over. They were often performed under much bodily infirmity, but-to quote his own words-" The Lord who had carried him through many exercises and perils was his strength and song"; and again and again we meet with such acknowledgments as the following, "The Lord's power healed me and carried me over." Once, when ill at Leominster, a physician, who had been at the meeting which he had held in that town, offered to attend him by day and night, and with skilful kindness ministered to his need.

In 1697 he attended a meeting for eight counties at Bristol, which lasted for four days. He writes: "The Lord's eminent power went over all, whereby many hearts were made glad and thankful to the Lord for that visit and service." In the summer of 1700, whilst visiting Connaught, we find that he was placed in the stocks at Ayrescourt, to the grief of the people of that place, some of whom, he says, wept "to see an ancient man set in the stocks for worshiping God, having never seen the like before." They might have spared their tears had they known what consolation was granted to him and his companions, one of whom was George Rooke. After they were liberated "a brave, heavenly meeting was held."

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In 1704 his strength was so much reduced that he thought his end was near. "I was not afraid,” he writes, "of death or the grave, but could say, through the tender mercy of God, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Through steadfast faith and hope in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who suffered for me, and whom death or the grave could not hold, but rose again and appears before the Father for me as advocate, Mediator and Interceder.' Three months before his death, and when in his eighty-fifth year, William Edmundson attended the half-year's meeting at Dublin, and took leave of his friends. A few hours before the attack which termi

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nated his life came on, he finished arranging his journal and other writings. He told his friends that it gave him pleasure to consider how he had spent his time since the Lord called him to the ministry, and said to George Rooke, "We have had many good meetings together, I believe we shall meet in heaven." To Thomas Wilson he remarked that "The Lord had a great work to do in the earth, though many did not see it, and that His glorious day which had broken forth would rise higher and higher upon His people."

William Edmundson died in the summer of 1712. Very varied are the ways in which the Lord's children are called to serve Him, perhaps as varied as are their characters and mental and physical capabilities. For each one, who is willing to be shown it, is there not a path, often lying parallel with the daily ordinary routine of life, in which he can glorify God better than in any other? For some it may be a rather similar one to that of the old cripple who could not even turn in bed, but was wont as he lay there, in his poverty and pain, to pray "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me and every one; not upon one only, but upon EVERY ONE, Lord Jesus Christ. May each keep that which is committed to his trust, whatever it be! and as we take leave of William Edmundson, can we not unite in these words of one of his friends, "May it please the Lord of the Harvest to raise up other labourers therein; for the harvest is great and such labourers but a few ?"

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FRANCES ANNE BUDGE,

CHARLES GOUGH.

"How long dids't thou think that his silence was slumber?
When the wind waved his garment, how oft did'st thou start?
How many long days and long weeks did'st thou number?
Ere he faded before thee-the friend of thy heart?"

SIR WALTER SCOTT.

DURING a recent visit to the son of the Friend to whom they were addressed, I perused with much interest two letters, written by Thomas Clarkson (the Abolitionist), relating the circumstances connected with the discovery of the remains of Charles Gough, in Helvellyn. By his permission I send a few extracts from the letters, presuming they will have a deep interest for all who, like myself, have known and admired from childhood Sir W. Scott's wellknown lines on this tragical occurrence. Thomas Clarkson happened to be staying in the neighbourhood at the time, and he gave Sir W. Scott the history of Charles Gough and his faithful dog.

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The letters are dated July 23rd and 26th, 1805:"A shepherd going upon the mountains a few mornings ago, found, under the great rock of Helvellyn, 3,000 feet high, a little dog, which barked, and, going further, a coat, stockings, and human bones! ran to the valley below and gave information. Many persons went up to the place, and discovered the same-but there was no flesh, and only a few bones! At a little distance was found some fishing tacklethen a pocket-book-then a watch-then a little lock of hair (No head was found on that day!) Then a hat, cut in two by the sharp stones directly above the right temple. This led to the supposition that

the deceased had fallen from the top of the rock which was hanging over the bones, about 100 feet high. The searchers with great difficulty and some danger went to the top, where they perceived a stick and great coat."

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"I examined his pocket-book, and found, among other papers, a copy of disownment of Hardshaw Monthly Meeting, for joining the militia; by this I knew that the deceased person was Charles Gough."

"On speaking to John Harrison, who is guide to the mountains, I found he had met with him so long ago as April 17th, in Gowbarrow Park. J. H. said to him, I am glad to see you, Mr. Gough-but how came you to be here so early? The snow is not yet gone from the mountains.' Charles Gough replied:--

I believe I am a little too soon, but I will take my chance.' This might be about twelve at noon. He went to Patterdale, and took refreshment at the inn, and then went upon Helvellyn to fish-from whence he never returned.". . . . "I may remark that the deceased was considered a very venturesome person. The shepherds were often alarmed about him." "Close

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by the side of the bones was found a little puppy! which had been long dead, and the colour of the faithful dog was considerably changed by living three months in such a cold atmosphere." "I sent orders to Patterdale for a coffin to be made, and the few bones that were found, to be placed in it: also, that two men should go upon Helvellyn, and find the skull, if possible; this they did, and succeeded; it was deposited in the coffin, and carried to Tyrrel Meetinghouse-yard, to be interred before the meeting for worship on Thursday." "William Braithwaite

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took with him in his carriage the poor dog who had been so long near the bones and clothes."

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lay it upon you as a matter of obligation to take the disagreeable task of informing a parent of the death of

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