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mises as these: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;" and "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God," etc. These and similar passages ministered largely and frequently to her spiritual refreshment and joy.

On the morning of her death, July 5th, 1871, she said to her sorrowing husband, "This is death; but I see eternity, eternity, before me!" It was the writer's privilege, as oneof her ministers, to see her just as she entered the "valley of the shadow of death," and to receive her dying testimony; which, though uttered in broken accents, and amid much suffering and exhaustion, clearly indicated that all was well,-that Jesus was near and precious. She had not the least fear of death; and her happy spirit was filled with the well-grounded hope of a glorious immortality. Her last words were, "I commit-myself-;" she was unable to complete the sentence. Soon after, she passed away so peacefully that those about her could scarcely tell the exact moment of her departure.

THOMAS KENT.

MRS. MARY LOMAS, of Handforth, Cheshire, was the daughter of John and Charlotte Lomas, of Bank Parade, Salford, where she was born, December 14th, 1814. She was a Methodist of the fourth generation. Her greatgrandmother was a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, and often heard John Wesley preach. Her grand-parents were also exemplary Methodists. In her earliest childhood she was taught to pray at the knees of her parents, who earnestly sought that all their children should be among the "saved of the Lord."

When the subject of this sketch was only five years of age, her mother died, leaving precious memories of earnest supplications that her "little Mary" might become a child of God.

Her grandmother, with whom she lived for a time after her mother's death, carefully carried on the religious

training which had been begun. At a prayer-meeting in the Sabbath-school, when very young, she found the "blessedness" of those whose "iniquities are forgiven, and whose sin is covered." She became a teacher in the IrwellStreet Sunday-school, Salford, and at seventeen years of age a member of a Society class. She never lost her consciousness of the favour of God; this rather grew with her growth, making her "path shine more and more." She continued a Sabbath-school teacher to the time of her marriage, and was a member of the Society until the day of her death, a period of nearly forty years. When twenty years of age, she was married to Mr. Thomas Lomas; and she and her husband at once reared a family altar in their house, which was never afterwards forgotten. For above thirty-six years her married life was full of blessing. She was the mother of a numerous family, whom she loved with a tender and strong affection. Many of her children died while young, and as she followed one little one after another to the grave, she felt the chastening very grievous;" but it afterwards yielded peaceable " fruits of righteousness" which greatly adorned her life. Four daughters were spared, who formed a happy circle, having true-hearted and joyous communion together in the faith, the experience, and the work of Christ. The oldest of them, who was never strong, and in consequence was a subject of much anxiety to her parents, died at the age of nineteen, about seven years before her mother's death, departing in the faith of the Gospel. A year and a half before Mrs. Lomas's own removal, her youngest daughter also died happy in Christ, being only fifteen years of age.

From that day she seemed herself to begin to die,-so heavy was the stroke, and so deep the sorrow which she experienced. The happiness of her family circle,-so joyous, so loving, so intimately one in all that concerned their home life, as well as their spirit

ual well-being,-made the inroads of death more than ordinarily painful, and the grief more intense.

Mrs. Lomas was characterized by a nervous temperament, a modest and timid nature, combined with strong and ardent affections. She was gifted with a sound judgment, which made her the valued counsellor of her family and of a large number of friends. The sweetness of her disposition, and her constant care to make others happy, caused her to be greatly beloved. She kept a record, headed, "My book of mercies," in which she wrote down memorials of the blessings which she received, that in times of depression she might derive comfort from reviewing them. She went about doing good: she fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick. Her generosity, moreover, was undeviating, and the poor villagers near her dwelling severely feel her loss. She distributed many religious books, one of which, a copy of the Life of Carvosso, was lent from person to person, causing a revival of religion in which it was

estimated that several hundreds were led to Christ. She was given to hospitality, but especially rejoiced to welcome the ministers of Christ to her house.

Many times during her life, Mrs. Lomas expressed a fear lest in her last hours her faith should fail. But rarely does a Christian quit this life more happily than she quitted it. When one said to her," You are going to Jesus," her smile told of triumphant joy, and her face was radiant with hope and love as she answered, "Yes." When asked, "Are you happy?" with the same smile, she replied, "Yes." To all similar questions she gave the same definite and consolatory answers. On July 15th, 1871, with her hand grasped by one of her daughters, and in the midst of her loving and sorrowing family, she seemed to hear some sister-spirit say to her, "Mary, the Master is come, and calleth for thee." The joy of the summons left its impress lingering on her features after the happy soul was gone to the rest and rapture of immortality.

T. L.

RECENT

JANUARY 28TH, 1872.-John Silvers. He was born at Woodside, near Dudley, in the year 1815. At the age of twelve he was led, with a number of his schoolfellows, to seek the Lord. He began to meet in class at that time, and did so ever afterwards. When in his teens he became superintendent of the Sunday-school, and in his twenty-second year was appointed class-leader by the late Rev. Walter Lawry. In this way, for several years, he continued to serve God, never forgetting Him who was his Lord and Master. At the age of thirty-seven he removed with his family to Pelsall, near Walsall, where he without delay attached himself to the Methodist Society. A considerable portion of the last five years of his life was spent in great bodily suffering; this, how

DEATHS.

ever, only made him cling the more closely to Christ. His painful malady continued to increase until the last day of the year 1871, when he took to his bed, from which he never arose. On that day his wife, sons, and daughters gathered around him, expecting every moment the summons to come which would take the loved one from them. He requested the writer (his youngest son) to reach his Bible, and to read to him the twentythird psalm. We who were near him afterwards sang some hymns found in our Hymn-Book. He then asked us to promise to meet him in heaven, exhorting us to seek help of God in everything we undertook. He lingered in this happy frame of mind for one month. A few minutes before he died, he said, "There is a light all through

the valley;" and then, with a "farewell" to us all, calmly fell asleep in Jesus. A. S.

August 27th.-Jonathan Columbine. He was born at High Oakham, near Mansfield, in 1789. While yet young, he removed with his parents to Hucknall-under-Huthwaite, in the same neighbourhood, where he lived till his death. Having been deeply convinced of sin, he was truly converted to God in 1816; and from that time he joined himself to "the people called Methodists." He was appointed class-leader in the village in 1846, and was enabled to render to the cause of Christ, for many years, a course of earnest, selfdenying, and uninterrupted service, which will be long and gratefully remembered. But though exemplary in his conduct, and "in labours more abundant," he held the lowliest views both of himself and his labours. Resting firmly on the Atonement, and watching for the Master's coming, he came to the grave as a shock of corn fully ripe for the heavenly garner. During the brief illness which terminated his life, he possessed a calm and joyous confidence in Christ. J. B.

October 12th.-Mrs. Beard. She was born in London, November 7th, 1795. In early life she united herself with the Christian Church, and she was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Society for above forty years. As the wife of a missionary in the West Indies for nearly fourteen years, she won to herself a good name, being much respected and beloved. As a class-leader she was faithful and intelligent. Iler piety was rather intellectual than emotional; a woman of few words, and of retiring habits, she shrank from publicity. As she advanced in years, growing infirmities kept her almost always at home; but she read much, and the Bible was her constant companion. Her distance

from the chapel prevented her attendance on the public services, and this she felt as a great privation. Her last illness was very painful; and the agony through which she passed was distressing to witness. To her daughter, who one night inquired about the state of her soul, she replied in her quiet but firm manner, very slowly, "Safe in Jesus." In moments of ease she evidently was praying; but the struggle with the last enemy was both severe and long-continued. At length, worn out with suffering, she passed away from the strife, and entered into peace. Her last words were, 66 Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"

G. B.

In

October 24th.-At Baldwin West, in the Douglas Circuit, Isle of Man, Mrs. Robert Clague, aged fifty years. her youth she was remarkable for her sobriety of mind and her good conduct. When twenty years of age she became deeply convinced of sin, and of the necessity of a change of heart; and, whilst wrestling with God in prayer, she entered into the glorious liberty of the children of God. She immediately joined the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, with which she continued in communion until her death. Mrs. Clague secured, by her fervent and consistent piety and generous spirit, the esteem and affection of all who knew her. Her excellent husband, who was for twenty years a local preacher, and also sustained the offices of leader and Society-steward, died in 1863, leaving her a widow with five children; but she maintained close fellowship with God, and was enabled to fulfil efficiently the duties which devolved on her. In recent years her health declined, and she was still more impressed with the value of true religion. After about an hour's illness she departed this life in great peace, almost literally ceasing at once to work and live.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, HOXTON SQUARE.

H. K.

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