BRITISH MUSEUM.-The Trustees of the British Museum have recently opened one of the large rooms in the new wing erected at the west end of this magnificent building. The great Chinese bell is placed in the centre of the apartment, with the following inscription:-"Chinese bell from a Buddhist temple, near Ningpo. Presented by Her Majesty, 1844.” There are several spacious glass cases, in which there is a collection of various articles from China, Otaheite, the Friendly Islands, the Archipelago of the Great Pacific Ocean, Peru, Terra del Fuego, &c.; consisting of several of their heathen deities, the war-implements and dresses of the natives of these different countries, musical instruments, &c. There are a silver and two richly gilt idols from China, and several other smaller idols from the same empire. This is the only room which is yet ready for the reception of the great quantity of antiquities, &c., for which there was no convenience in the old building. Arrangements are being made to provide a room for the Xanthian marbles.-Gentleman's Magazine.

THE ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERIES AT LEWES.—Since our last publication, in which we gave some details relative to the interesting discoveries of the remains of William de Warren, and of Gundred his wife, daughter of William the Conqueror, in the excavations which the railway contractor is now making through the ruins of the ancient priory of St. Pancras, at Lewes, the interest which the novelty of the discovery was then exciting has greatly increased; and the progress of the excavations, which will run for a considerable distance through the priory and the grounds anciently attached to it, is daily watched by numerous spectators. A number of artists are also on the spot, making sketches, probably for publication in the illustrated papers. The Railway Company and the contractor, we are happy to add, have lent their aid to the preservation of any other relics which the shovel and the pick-axe of the "navy" may turn up, by directing that, in every case where the nature of the soil indicates a probability of other relics being found, the greatest care shall be used in removing the earth. Further discoveries are thus described by the pen of W. H. Blaauw, Esq., one of the Magistrates of

The

the Lewes Bench, whose antiquarian researches, given to the world a short time since in his "Barons' War," have thrown a light over what was a comparatively obscure, but highly important, portion of English history, the battle of the Barons, under Simon de Montford, in the reign of Henry III. :-" Several more skeletons have been found lying parallel to each other, and all with their feet to the east. The bones of a child have also been discovered among them; and probably this was one of the founder's kin, on that account admitted in the sanctuary of the grateful Monks. On the 30th there was added the discovery of another body at the eastern end of the excavation, which was distinguished from the rest by having a very remarkable leaden chest at its feet. form is that of a drum, eleven and a half inches high, and the same in diameter, slightly ornamented by straight lines down the sides, at intervals of three inches, with a leaden top, now loose, but which has been soldered on the lower part. No inscription can be detected. The interior is nearly filled up by an urn of coarse earthenware, fixed into its position by a quantity of red clay occupying all the space between it and the outer case the urn contains a quantity of saline liquid, in which are the human entrails of the adjoining body; but without the heart, according to medical testimony. About two inches from the bottom of the leaden case there is a small projecting tube, now closed at the orifice, which appeared to have been designed as a drain to the vessel. The person thus carefully buried was probably a dignified one; but whether layman or Prior, nothing now remains to denote. The traces of walls near these numerous skeletons are yet too incomplete to justify any opinion as to the form of any building which may formerly have covered them; but it seems probable that the chapterhouse was here situated." These new discoveries have been placed within the cists containing the remains of William de Warren and Gundred, in Southover church, near the black marble tomb which formerly covered the remains of those distinguished personages. They are under the care of Mr. Goldsmith, Parish-Clerk of Southover, who gives an explanation of the interesting relics to those visiters who require it. A sub

scription is opened for contributions, which are to be applied to the provision of a proper receptacle of these highlyinteresting historical remains.-Brighton Gazette.

HOLY SALT, HOLY WATER, AND POTATOES. Some of the provincial journals have recently published letters from correspondents, setting forth the disgusting practices of Priests who sold holy salt and holy water to the peasantry, to be sprinkled on their potatoes, as certain specifics against the progress of the potato-disease. As contradictions in more than one or two cases were given, a doubt existed as to the truth of all the statements. People could hardly bring themselves to believe that at such a time as the present, with positive loss in the staple article of the food of the people having occurred, and with a famine apprehended, to believe that at such a time the Priests would invent further means for extorting money from their flocks, appeared incredible. But there is a curious letter in the "Limerick Chronicle," signed by the Roman Catholic Curate of Scariff, in which he admits and defends having taken the money of the poor people under his spiritual control. His Reverence says, "I did nothing for which I could not cite both precedent and example" of course he had a library of precedents; but he knew he was doing wrong. He could not, however, resist the temptation; because, saith he, "the people threatened to overwhelm me with their liberality."-Record. Such is the heartlessness of the Popish hierarchy, to drain the pockets of the poverty-stricken on the eve of a severe winter, and the appearance of famine. No penny, no paternoster!

PERVERTS TO POPERY.-We gave in our last (says the "Church-and-State Gazette") a list of twenty-four Fellows and other members of Colleges in the University of Oxford, who had seceded from the Establishment. To these must now be added, to complete the list,

25. Rev. W. F. Wingfield, M.A., Student, Christ-Church.

26. Rev. Frederick R. Neve, M.A., Oriel.

27. Thomas Meyrick, M.A., Scholar, Corpus-Christi.

28. Rev. Charles H. Collyns, M.A., Student, Christ-Church; and licensed Curate of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford.

29. Rev. Frederick Oakeley, M.A., Chaplain-Fellow of Balliol College, and late of Margaret- street chapel.

Mr. Collyns resigned his studentship at Christ-Church on Friday last, and

proceeded to Prior-park, Bath, to join the Romish communion, on Monday last. Mr. Collyns is the third Student, and the sixth member, of Christ-Church, who has thus been conducted by the Regius Professor of Hebrew into the arms of Rome. Alas! how many more are there who are in a position in which they may not remain with honour, advance without sacrifice, or retreat without shame!

Mr. Collyns has acted under the licence of the recently-removed Bishop of the diocess all but up to the period of secession; and it is credibly asserted, that a majority at least of the parochial Clergy of the University-metropolis entertain similar sentiments. Truly Bishop Wilberforce will have an Augean stable to cleanse. We hear from Oxford that another secession, and another among the same class, may be looked for. On the authority of the Romish "Tablet," we add the name of J. Leigh, Esq., Commoner of Brazennose. This name raises the list to thirty.

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ALARMING INCREASE OF MANISM. "But be those influences what they might, they were trifling as compared with the danger they had to provide against in the Romanist doctrines which had, in some instances, crept into the Church. They should look at the increase of those doctrines; for it was their duty to vindicate their Church from them. The Roman Catholic Church was in its desired position : it was the very complexion of her creed to be engaged in the work of making proselytes. In referring to Roman Catholic authorities, he found that in 1792 there were not 30 Roman Catholic chapels, and not a single Roman Catholic College, in England. In the commencement of the present year, there were no less than 582 chapels, 757 Missionary Priests, 11 Colleges, 31 convents, and 3 monasteries in Great Britain, exclusive of Ireland! The number of Roman Catholics frequenting Moorfields chapel had increased from 10,000 to 50,000; in Bermondsey, where the present chapel had been but a few years established, there were 9,000. The Roman Catholics, in fact, in the metropolis alone, had increased from 80,000 to 100,000: there were no less than 32 Roman Catholic Bishops in the British colonies, being double the number of ours. It appeared from the books he had referred to, that they had 139 Missionary Bishops, and 4,750 Missionary Priests. Eight years ago the income of the Roman Catholic Church in England was less than

£39,000, last year it was £142,0000. The Society of Jesuits in England in 1838 possessed 173 establishments, and were 3,067 in number; on the 1st of January, 1844, they had 233 establishments, and were increased to 5,133 in number. And then they knew what makes the Jesuits, and what the Jesuit makes, and therefore he had submitted these remarkable facts to them. But these were not all; for these books did not tell them of the number of minor orders among them, nor the conversions they made; they only reached the public ear from time to time, and none could trace their secret working. Part of the evil was to be accounted for from the general association with the Continent; the connexion with Roman Catholics

had universally broken down the barriers that used to stand between them and the Protestant. Foreign travel had made them cease to wonder at Romanist observances, and begin to admire them. In social life the symbols and character of Romanism were everywhere to be seen and picture-dealers, decorators, and sellers of books, found it necessary to study the public taste. Thus was the shadow shown before the coming of the event they were not unimportant signs. The current phraseology of the day was changed in favour of the Romanists; and the words used by our Reformers were turned into gentle and pleasing expressions, and the language of our Homilies cannot be uttered without apology."-Bishop of Winchester.

1. DIED, May 11th, 1841, at St. Agnes, Cornwall, Mr. Henry Tonkin, aged twenty-six. In early life he had experienced serious religious impressions; but, by mixing with careless companions, he became careless himself, and lived in forgetfulness of the great end of his being throughout his youthful days. Happily, when he had completed his twentieth year, he was awakened to a deep sense of his condition and duty. Accustomed to attend the Wesleyan ministry, yet now earnestly desiring to flee from the wrath to come, he joined the society also; and while he manifested the sincerity of his profession by conformity to its well-known rules, he sought for peace of conscience, and full power over sin, by earnest prayer to God, through the merit and intercession of Christ. What he thus sought, he was not long before he found. Retiring one day to his closet, and there pouring out his heart before God, he received power to rest his soul on the great Atonement, and was immediately filled "with all joy and peace in believing." He now went on his way rejoicing. Soon after, his faith was tried by a severe affliction, which for a time threatened his life; but he endured patiently, resigning himself to the divine will, and calmly awaiting the issue. It pleased God to remove the visitation; and being restored to health, he engaged, as he had opportunity, in various plans of usefulness. He connected himself with the VOL. I.-FOURTH SERIES.

Prayer-Leaders of the society to which he belonged, and regularly attended all his appointments. Believing that the village in which he lived needed, likewise, a house for prayer and the general services of religion, he proposed the erection of one to his friends; and, being assisted by them and his neighbours, the work was soon completed. Prayer seemed to be the great element of his life. By a praying spirit, his secular employments were sanctified; and when not engaged in these, he attended the various means of grace, private as well as public; visited the sick; and not unfrequently, when walking in some retired place, whether alone, or in company with a pious friend, he would kneel down, that meditation or conversation might be closed by prayer. He thus continued walking humbly with God for several years, when he was again visited by affliction, which ultimately removed him to his heavenly rest. He was not found unprepared. On one occasion, seeing his mother shedding tears on his account, he at once said to her, "Mother, do not weep for me: I am going to heaven be careful to meet me there." He frequently expressed himself in a similar manner; always ascribing his peace at the present time, and his good hope for the future, to the grace of God through Christ Jesus. His illness continued about four months, during the whole of which he rejoiced in God through our Lord Jesus, having received 4 P

by him the atonement. He had often such bright views of the mercy of God, in the wonderful plan of redemption, that his soul was filled with exultation and love; and language, he said, was too feeble for the praise he desired to offer. Sometimes the pressure of affliction was great; but he looked to the Strong, and received strength to endure with unfailing patience. "I am in the furnace," he would sometimes say; "but the Son of God is with me." He died rather suddenly. About four in the afternoon, a friend called to see him; when he requested that the well-known doxology might be sung. He joined, with evident feeling, in what proved to be his final earthly ascription of praise to the adorable Trinity. Almost immediately after, a violent seizure of pain took away his speech, and he began to sink rapidly; but, when no one expected to hear his voice again, he feebly, but distinctly, said, "Glory, glory! Praise God!" and sweetly fell asleep.

M. TONKIN.

2. Died, May 25th, in the Fourth London Circuit, aged thirty-six, Mrs. Charlotte Hammer. She was born at Truro, in Cornwall. Her father came subsequently to reside in London: he was connected there with the churchmeeting in Leather-lane, under the care of the Rev. S. E. Pierce, and was himself occasionally a Preacher. Her mother's father was the Rev. S. Furly, Rector of Roche, Cornwall; who, during his life, maintained a friendly intercourse with Mr. Wesley. It was in 1828 that Mrs. Hammer, under the ministry of the word, was led to resolve to devote herself to the service of God. She likewise saw and felt herself to be a sinner, and earnestly desired pardon and peace. She does not appear, however, to have been at this time immediately directed to the Lamb of God for a present pardon; and was, therefore, for a considerable period, like Noah's dove, seeking rest, but finding none. She saw there was a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, but she feared it was not open for her. The prayers of a contrite heart are never offered in vain. Circumstances which need not be described led her to instructions which she felt to be exactly suited to her case. She saw the freeness of the divine invitations, and came to the throne of grace through the great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God; and thus coming, she received the promised and desired bless

ing; she obtained mercy, and found grace to help her in her time of need. It was about this time (1832) that she became a member of the WesleyanMethodist society; and twelve months subsequently, she was appointed to the care of a class; the duties of which office she discharged, with great fidelity and usefulness, almost to the very last day of her life. In her religious experience, her desire was to obtain all that the exceeding great and precious promises held out to her faith and acceptance. What God had promised, she knew he could perform; and, therefore, that it was her duty, as well as privilege, to plead the promises in prayer, till it should be done for her according to his word. In the practice of self-denial she was diligent. She recollected that, in former days, a fondness for outward adorning had been one of her besetments; and that, by indulging it, her natural vanity had been increased. All this she now laid aside, especially as she perceived that she might thus save from superfluities what would enable her more liberally to relieve the poor, and support the cause of religion in the world. Her piety also shone in domestic life. Her husband found her to be indeed a help meet for him. Both for and with her beloved children she prayed much and fervently; teaching them, both by precept and example, how Christians should live. In the church, in the world, and in the family, her conduct was exenplary. But the closing scene was much nearer than any of her friends expected. On Friday, May 21st, she took tea with the writer of this brief notice, apparently in good health. Her conversation was spiritual, as usual. The ensuing Sabbath she was twice at Southwark chapel; and on the Monday evening, having conducted her usual class-meeting, from six o'clock till seven, she went into the chapel, and attended the regular week-night service till eight. Soon after breakfast on the following morning, she was seized with violent spasms, which continued through the day, with few intervals, allowing her little opportunity, or even power, for speaking. She could only testify that she rested in the Lord, and resigned herself to his will. The means employed for her relief proved ineffectual; and, about nine o'clock in the evening, nature was overcome, and her redeemed and sanctified spirit was set free from suffering, and entered the rest which remaineth for the people of God. WILLIAM CLEGG.

MARCH 6th, 1845.-In the Newcastle-on-Tyne Circuit, aged seventy-six, Mrs. Margaret Scott. Her mother was a much-esteemed member of the Methodist Connexion, and at the age of eighteen Mrs. Scott also joined the society. Shortly afterwards, she obtained a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, the Spirit witnessing with her spirit that she was a child of God. Her piety through life was sincere. She was strict in the observance of the Sabbath, and careful to have her household duties completed at an early hour on the previous evening. For the house of God, she manifested great reverence; and her demeanour there was characterized by serious attention. She seldom suffered sin to pass unreproved; frequently rebuking persons whom she met in the street. During the last few weeks, she visited most of her friends, and earnestly exhorted them to persevere in the path of piety. On her death-bed, she felt unshaken confidence in the merits of Christ. A short time previous to her decease, she sang twice, in a plaintive manner,

"He comes, he comes to call," &c.

She commenced it a third time; but her voice failed. Presently she exclaimed, with emotion, "What a strange thing that I should gain a full reward, a full reward!" A few days before her dissolution, she was deprived of the power of speech; and though her bodily pain was extreme, she expressed, by signs to those who stood around, her hope of glory. Ere long consciousness became indistinct, and shortly, without a struggle, her happy spirit took its flight to those regions of joy prepared for the true believer. M. J. S.

June 21st.-At Snitlerfield, in the Leamington Circuit, Mr. Richard Ivens, aged thirty-seven. In 1839, he was awakened to a sense of his danger as a sinner, and experienced great distress. One evening, after having heard a sermon at Warwick, he was led more earnestly to seek salvation; and on his return home, he was enabled to believe on the Lord with his heart unto righteousness.' He continued to walk in the light of God's countenance, and to grow in grace, until the period of his death. He was a man of sterling piety and of sound judgment, and a blessing to the village where he resided, being an active Class-Leader. In his last hours, he breathed the spirit of ardent praise, repeating the verse,

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath." He shortly after entered into rest.

W. H. C.

state, she ceased not to wrestle in prayer, till the Lord sealed the pardon on her soul. This sense of the divine favour she retained to the day of her death. She was constantly employed, till within a few months of her decease, as a Teacher in the Sunday-school, distributing tracts, and collecting for the Missions. She was diligent in business, a constant attendant on the means of grace; and as long as she had ability, she was a devout worshipper. Shortly before her departure, she observed, "I am on the Rock; I am safe. Precious Jesus! Glory, glory, glory!" as though heaven opened on her eyes." These were her last words; and, in a few moments, she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.

W. D.

July 6th.-At Aberdeen, at the advanced age of ninety-five, Jane Ricketts. Threescore years and ten of her long life had passed away before she was brought to seek for saving religion; but happily, though at the eleventh hour, she sought and obtained peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ. She joined the Wesleyan church, and, to the end of her days, walked humbly with God, and worthy of her high vocation. Worn out by extreme age, she at length calmly fell asleep in Jesus.

W. L.

July 6th.-At Cheetham-Hill, in the Manchester First Circuit, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. A. H. Cutts, aged thirty-one. She sought and found peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in 1836, when she joined the Wesleyan society, of which she continued a useful member to the time of her death. In 1840 she suffered a long and painful affliction; but she received a richer baptism of the Holy Ghost on the bed of sickness; and from this time her growth in grace was manifest, and her whole conduct evinced the maturity of her piety. Though her faith was tried by frequent debility and suffering, it never failed; and of her afflictions she would observe, "If I can say anything with confidence and gratitude, I can say that it has been good for me that I have been afflicted." During her last illness, her mind was kept in perfect peace; and she frequently expressed her unshaken confidence in the cross of Christ. Some of her last words were,

"And soon my spirit in his hands

Shall stand where my Forerunner stands."

J. C.

July 8th.-At Wibsey, in the Great-Horton Circuit, Martha Waddington, aged forty-two. By the blessing of God on the instructions of her pious parents, in early life her mind was seriously impressed; and when twelve years old, she earnestly sought the salvation she felt she needed; and while engaged in secret prayer, in which she had continued for three hours, she found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. From that time to the end of her life, she was a con

July 1st.-Near Hanham, in the Kingswood Circuit, aged thirty-one, Mrs. M. F. Britton, the wife of Mr. S. Britton, and sister-in-law of the Rev. M. Britton. Having been brought up by pious parents, she was trained in the fear of the Lord. When deeply convinced of her sinful