than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Without farther hesitation, he made up his mind not to confirm the engagement, but to decline it altogether. He did so, and immediately returned to Huddersfield. That same evening, at eight o'clock, he was at the weekly meeting of his class, from which he was never parted until called to join "the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven." When "the love of God was" first "shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost," he felt a new and deep concern for the salvation of all around him, and longed for opportunities of spreading the blessings of which he himself was now a happy partaker. He was more particularly solicitous for his aged father, and the numerous members of his house. As a preparatory step to increased usefulness, he resolved on seeking to obtain permission to introduce family prayer. One evening, after reading a chapter of holy writ in his closet, and pouring out fervent petitions for divine help, he repaired to the assembled family, with his Bible in his hand; and signified to his father that, with his leave, he would read a portion of the Scriptures. He read two chapters, and then proposed prayer. His parent did not object; though it was more than a week before he could prevail upon himself to bow the knee, and join in these devotions. The son thus became as a Priest in his father's house; and, until the time of his marriage, continued to offer up the morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and praise. Though to himself this was no small cross, yetas he told one of his Christian friends at the time-his own soul was so abundantly blessed while engaged in this duty, that he was encouraged to persevere. Nor were these labours fruitless. It pleased God to prosper his servant in them. While he was thus employed, one of his sisters, now safely lodged in heaven, experienced her first religious awakenings. The parent was likewise brought, chiefly through his instrumentality, to seek the Lord; and, at length, died in peace. The Rev. Joseph Collier was succeeded in the Huddersfield Circuit by the Rev. Richard Elliott; who, as a Minister, Leader, and friend, was made a great blessing to Mr. Shaw. Among other things, Mr. Elliott encouraged him to attempt some service in his Master's vineyard; and, in pursuance of this object, engaged him occasionally to meet the class. When Mr. Elliott retired, Mr. Shaw was appointed Leader of the class; the duties of which office he continued to perform, with exemplary affection and fidelity, for the space of thirtyseven years, until he was called to exchange mortality for life. About three years after he had become a member of the Methodist society, (that is, on the 29th day of September, 1805,) he began to preach. Of this he made a note in a family-Bible; but of that note he had latterly erased a part; and over the words, "I began to preach," which he had crossed out, he wrote, "I attempted to preach." Of his own performances and services in the church of Christ, he habitually entertained the most humbling views. But he was frequently cheered and comforted on meeting with persons who had been awakened from the sleep of sin, and brought to God, through his instrumentality. Some of these have died in the faith, and are doubtless now his "glory and joy" before the throne of God. During the whole course of his Christian life he derived peculiar solace and delight from the contemplation of the doctrine which teaches the supreme and constant providence of God over the affairs of men. By prayer and thanksgiving, he daily committed his ways unto the Lord, with the full assurance that all his paths were under the guidance of his all-wise and almighty Friend. Like God's ancient people, he knew that "the Lord went before him by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead him the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give him light; to go by day and night:" that " he took not away pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night." Often, in the relation of his religious experience, he has gratefully acknowledged the superintending and directing hand of God, which opened his way, and made it plain before him; sometimes adding, "They who mark the providence of God, will never want a providence to mark.” the As a Class-Leader, he was rendered eminently useful. Sufficient and satisfactory proof of this appeared in the numerous classes which were formed, time after time, out of the one confided to his care; in its continued prosperity, amidst many changes, for so lengthened a period of years; and in the unabated attachment of the members to their Leader and to each other. He failed not to address the most pointed, and yet kindly, admonitions to all, whether rich or poor, who were "dealing with a slack hand." By his own experience, and acquaintance with the truths of God's holy word, he was admirably prepared to administer comfort to the sorrowful, to raise such as were cast down, to "strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees." To the call of them that were in need he was at all times promptly attentive. When any of his neighbours were seized with sickness he was almost invariably sent for, to offer Christian consolation to the troubled spirit, and engage in prayer to God. His labours, in this important province of charitable service, were sometimes attended with signal good. Many whom, while they were even in dying circumstances, he pointed to the Lamb of God, as willing and able to deliver them in the latest hour of life, were enabled to "believe to the saving of the soul." To the last, he was particularly attached to young people. His counsels to them were always affectionate and encouraging, and by not a few of them will be long remembered. As a maker," too, he was unwearied in his efforts; and, on many occasions, remarkably successful. peace In imitation of the earlier Methodists, he regarded it as his duty to observe such persons as were devoutly attentive to the ministrations of the Gospel; and, when he found that they were really under the influence of the Holy Spirit's grace, to invite them to the privilege of a closer communion with the church of God. And in this department of Christian service, also, he was very successful. Many, who have now quitted the church militant for the church triumphant, had just reason to present their thanksgivings to God, that ever his servant took them by the hand, and said, "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." Many, likewise, who yet survive him, and some of whom are in the decline of life, find themselves forcibly reminded, by his death, that it was through his friendly admonitions and encouragements they were first induced to join the society, and give their hearts to God. From the time when he became united to the Wesleyan body, and formed a more intimate acquaintance with its doctrines and discipline, he felt a sincere and growing attachment to them. He was never known to waver, not even in times of the most disturbing agitations, whether more local or more general. Whatever kind or degree of opposition assailed the Connexion, he remained its steady and unflinching friend. Many times did he give thanks to God that he ever became a Wesleyan Methodist; saying, in allusion to the language of Ruth to Naomi, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God." He fervently acknowledged that, under God, he owed all his comforts in this life, and his prospect of happiness in the life to come, to his union with the Wesleyan community; nor did he hesitate to declare, that nothing would afford him more real gratification, than to see all the members of his family partakers of the privileges which he enjoyed in communion with that branch of Christ's universal church. He revered and loved the Ministers of the body, and always seemed more than usually happy in their society. It also yielded him peculiar pleasure when he could in any way contribute to their personal and domestic comfort, or to the usefulness of their labours. Yet his love for one section of the church did not preclude his fraternal charity towards others. He could, from the heart, say, "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." For a long series of years he often filled the office of CircuitSteward; and his repeated appointment to that post abundantly proves the confidence which was reposed in him. In the discharge of its duties he appeared to great advantage,—calm, judicious, considerate, and firm. The prosperity of the Circuit, especially in its spiritual concerns, engaged his liveliest interest. Of late years, his thoughts, his talents, and his time were yet more largely devoted to it; and he was seldom so much at home as when occupied in devising some scheme of usefulness, or in performing some labour of love. Nor did he confine himself to the localities of his own more immediate vicinity. He entered, with praiseworthy zeal, into all the plans and efforts which related to the Connexion at large, whether at home or abroad. It was his constant aim to take God with him into all the affairs of this life; and his ruling desire was, that in every thing he might do the will of God. Hence sprang the strict integrity of his character, and the exemplary diligence of his habits. He sought the blessing of God on his "handiwork," expecting no success but as it should please God to prosper him. The oracles of inspired wisdom, as he well knew, taught him such lessons as these: "Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth." Again : "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathereth by labour shall increase." Farther: "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed." Yet once more: A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." "I will walk within my house," said the Psalmist, "with a perfect heart." This, also, was Mr. Shaw's purpose and endeavour, as the head of a family. He attended, with great regularity and seriousness, to the duties of domestic worship, at which he was accustomed to pour out his heart, with simple and unaffected fervency, before God, for the bestowment of blessings, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, on his family, his friends, the church, the world, and himself. How often did they who joined with him in these devotional exercises feel that he had power with God, and that they were blessed in answer to his prayers! As a husband, he was carefully observant of the obligations which Scripture and true conjugal affection teach as pertaining to that close relation. As a father, he firmly, but mildly, maintained his authority; and never, by foolish indulgence or fondness, betrayed unseemly partiality. And as a master, he invariably treated his servants with equity and gentleness, like one who had deeply entered into the sentiments of the Patriarch Job, when he said, “ If I did despise the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me; what then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not He that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb ?" For the last three or four years of his life, his family and friends could not but remark his progress in spirituality of mind, in deadness to the world, and in devotedness to God and his cause. Until about eighteen months before his death, his health was generally good; but about that time it began to fail. On several occasions he spoke as if he expected to be suddenly called to his eternal home; and he evidently waited for his summons in obedience to his great Master's injunction: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord." He was very sensibly affected by the sudden removal of several of his personal friends, who, with himself, had watched over the earlier course of the Wesleyan-Methodist society in Huddersfield, and had sedulously cared for the house of the Lord their God. The death of the late excellent and greatly esteemed Mr. George Sargent-"sudden in itself, nevertheless, in respect of his prepared mind, not sudden"-made a strong impression on his heart. He regarded events like these as monitory of his own approaching end. In some of the last sermons which he preached, he dwelt, with pointed emphasis, on the importance of a right preparation for eternity; and, like a dying man, besought his hearers to meet him in heaven. The sickness with which he was at length seized would, he felt persuaded, be "unto death;" but he had "set his house in order," and was not afraid. Contrary to some of his anticipations, his illness was long and severe; but it served, in no ordinary manner, to display the lustre of his Christian piety. All around him saw that the religion which he had recommended to others was now his own unfailing support. The hope of that "rest" which "remaineth to the people of God," and to which he had been accustomed, for so many years, to look forward as his final heritage, sustained his heart with comfort; for it was a "good hope through grace." Days of restless disease, and "wearisome nights," were indeed appointed to him; but he was enabled to endure them all in quiet patience, and without a murmur. If his heavenly Father thought good, he was willing to continue a while longer in the church below, though in languor and pain. But he often expressed himself as "having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." Through the whole of his affliction he could say, "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." During the former part of the last year of his life, he appeared to be considerably better. At one time, the members of his class met at his own house. Shortly afterwards, he requested that arrangements might be made for them all to take tea with him; but his medical attendants were of opinion that this would subject him to more excitement than he could safely bear. The scheme was therefore overruled. Nor did the subsequent state of his health allow him to gratify this favourite desire. Meditations on the atonement made for sinful man by our Lord Jesus Christ, afforded him peculiar consolation. He repeatedly signified that, as he drew near to the gates of death, he had clearer and more encouraging views than ever of the wonderful plan of salvation "by grace, through faith." Particular texts of holy Scripture, also, yielded him great solace; such as, "The time of my departure is at hand:" "There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness:" "My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." He was not a little refreshed and strengthened by reading that truly evangelical hymn, "Jesus, thy blood and righteousness |