of seventy years of age, rose in his usual health on the Lord's-day morning, partook of a hearty breakfast, conversed cheerfully with his friends, and, as he was wont, left home early to attend Divine service. Arriving at the chapel half-an-hour previous to the commencement of the service, he went down to the school-house, and spent about a quarter-of-an-hour with its occupants in lively conversation, subsequent to which he took his seat in the house of God.

During the singing of the first hymn, he received notice to quit the stage of mortality. He rose with the congregation to join in hymning the praises of God. In a few moments his hand and book were observed to fall gently on the book-board. Several efforts were made to raise his hand without success. It was evident to one of his fellow-worshippers that the hand of the Lord had touched him. His head drooped. His whole frame shrank. He gradually bent down, leaning on the book-board, and had he not been assisted by those who had been anxiously watching the whole process, in a few minutes he would have fallen in the pew. He was carried back to the school-house in a state of unconsciousness, where medical skill did its utmost for his recovery without any good effect. His days were numbered. After the morning service he was taken nome, where he expired about three o'clock in the afternoon.

In the same chapel, in the month of December last, on the Sabbath afternoon, sat JAMES PONTEFRACT,

a member of the church, admitted to its pale three and a half years previously. He was a good man, and was evidently ripening for glory. Whilst able to attend his daily avocation, he frequently expressed a conviction that his end was near. The last sermon he heard was from these words, "Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live." The sermon was searching and impressive in its nature. At the close of the service he said to his friends, "That sermon was all for me."

He was a woollen weaver by trade, and on the following Friday morning, more than usually cheerful, he girded his piece on the back of a faithful animal, intending to take it for examination to his em ployer, who resided about two miles distant. His presentiment of a speedy dissolution was that day realized.

Suddenly he

The day above referred to was extremely cold. When within a short distance of his master's premises, his heavenly Master summoned him away. fell prostrate on the ground. The faithful animal, which in Scripture is said, by way of reproof to Israel, to "know its crib," went to the spot where it had previously been relieved of its burden, but it was alone. Its driver had been arrested on his way (not, however, like wicked Balaam, who, while he hated the righteous, wished to die their peaceful and happy death); but as a meek and humble follower of Him who, riding on an ass, entered Jerusalem amid the hosannahs of the multitude The arrested servant being missed, a

messenger was despatched in search of him, who found him a corpse in a neighbouring cottage. After he fell, he was unable to speak, and expired in a few minutes.

In the same chapel, in January last, there sat MARY STREET, a female member of the church, about forty-seven years of age, who had been a consistent follower of Jesus about eighteen years. Heavy and severe were the trials which this good woman had been called to endure. In addition to adversity and bodily suffering, she had frequently to drink deeply from a cup of mental affliction. Life's ocean to her was seldom calm; generally it was rough and stormy. Her shattered bark was often tossed on its waves and billows, and many a time has she anticipated in moments of darkness a total wreck. The hands of domestic sorrow, in a form which we refrain from mentioning, had been long and heavily laid upon her. But in all her afflictions she was calm, patient, resigned, always recognizing the hand of God: "It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good."

During a few weeks previous to her decease she had several times expressed a desire that she might die suddenly. Her desire was granted. On Thursday afternoon, the 24th of January, as she was taking to her employer's warehouse a basket of cotton hanks, the result of her toil, coming opposite the school-house above-mentioned, she was observed to stop and lean her hand and head upon the basket. She was taken into the school-house, and medical aid obtained, but to no purpose. She was evidently a dying woman. She was only able to speak a few words, and at about eight o'clock the same evening her happy and redeemed spirit entered its endless rest above. It is somewhat singular and remarkable that these two members of the same church should have been summoned to their Master's house above as they were carrying in the product of their toil to their earthly masters; and instead of receiving at their hands perishable remuneration, were called to receive at the hand of Jesus a crown that fadeth not away.

At her funeral sermon the following pleasing testimony was borne to her Christian character, which in a great measure also applies to James Pontefract. "A mother in Israel," was the portion of Scripture selected for the improvement of her death.

peace. Peace at home is like the olive-branch, which the dove took to the ark-an emblem that the destructive waters had fulfilled their mission, and receded back to their

accustomed channels. It is the oil which mellows and softens the rugged path of life, which gladdens the heart of a mother, and makes home a sweet foretaste of heaven. Let her have peace there-she will toil and labour on from morning's dawn till the dusk of eve, without a murmur or a sigh. Our deceased sister, Mary Street, was a 'mother in Israel.' One distinguishing feature of her character was a love of peace. Her prayer for Zion is beautifully expressed in the language of the Psalm, 'Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and my companions sakes I will now say, Peace be within thee.' Having obtained peace with God by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, she wished to be at peace with all around her. She endeavoured to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.' During the years she has been connected with this Christian church, she has conducted herself peaceably throughout. She remembered, as a daughter of the Most High, her rank, and kept it. If she had not to a large extent the 'wisdom of the serpent,' she certainly had the 'harmlessness of the dove.' Her name is inseparably associated with the idea of peace. Oh, that the mantle of her loving spirit may fall on every member of this and every other church! then how high would the church be raised above the spirit of the world! What an amount of her Saviour's glory would she reflect on the world, and what an example of piety would shine in every Christian family! The secret of her love of peace was that she lived near the cross of

Christ, who procured peace for the world. Feeling her own sinfulness and depravity, Jesus and his blood were very precious to her. She felt herself a sinner saved by grace. She loved to contemplate the character of Christ. She delighted to converse about him and the benefits of his death; and in the pulpit, on the Lord's-day, no theme dwelt on there was so acceptable as the love of Christ."

In closing these remarks on the character of the deceased, the minister made a touching appeal to his beloved people. A death-like stillness pervading the place, he said, "I have lost something! I have lost something! Will you repair the loss? You can, if you will. I have lost a praying member of the church, a woman who has long held up the hands of her pastor by her prayers. In her sudden removal, I feel I have sustained a loss, though my loss is her gain. And I ask, Will any dear hearer in this assembly make up the loss by this day beginning to pray for the success of the Gospel here?" A deep sensation was produced. Tears flowed, and the appeal, we hope, through God's blessing, was not in vain.

Two sons and two daughters survive the deceased, to feel and mourn her loss; of whom one son and one daughter are walking in the footsteps of their sainted mother. Springhead.

W. D.

MARIA HOLLAND. Communicated by a village preacher. MARIA was one of a company of five or six old women who constantly and for many years attended the

66

Maria had a godly, praying son, in whose house the preaching services were held for a time, but who, with his family, has left to live in Wales. Two months ago a parting service was held; and after the sermon, James Holland prayed with solemnity and fervour for all present, but, as he expressed himself, 'particularly for one" there: "God Almighty bless my dear mother;" and proceeded to ask such things as should be for her supply, support, and consolation in the decline of life. I believe that prayer was accepted and answered. At the usual greetings after the service on the 23rd ult., it was observed to Maria, there used to be a number of old women attending, but they were all gone excepting herself, she alone was left; with sundry observations and good wishes, suitable for a final leave-taking, and such unwittingly it proved to be.

On the Monday following, she paid a visit to a poor bedridden old woman in the chamber of the preach

engaged to take tea there on the next preaching evening, an engagement she did not fulfil by reason of death. That evening, the 6th inst., as the Gospel labourer approached the village, the solemn sound of the passing bell fell upon his ear, announcing the departure of a soul; and upon entering the room was forthwith informed that Maria Holland was dead. She died about five o'clock, just the time when she had been expected to take tea with her old bed-ridden friend. But how did she die? Had she light and peace in her latter end, after all her doubts and darkness? "Oh, yes! remarkably and extraordinarily so," the information went on to declare. "Don't you fear for me," she said to those around her, " and tell others not to fear for me; I am safe; I am happy; I am going to glory."

Now that village labourer had plodded his weary way, four miles, in the face of driving wind and rain, suffering from toothache and great indisposition in the right temple; but could he grudge the labour or the inconvenience? Verily, nay; but light-hearted, though soaked with rain, he tripped homewards, ruminating that encouraging declaration of the Psalmist, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." J. M. L.