is gone to the enjoyment of his eternal reward. It is reported, that his last breath was spent in warning and exhorting his murderers, and in commiting his soul into the hands of his Redeemer. 3. THOMAS JACKSON WILLIAMSON; a young man of strong understanding, great application, and promising talents. His zeal for the conversion of the Heathen, induced him to offer himself as a candidate for Missionary labour; and his ministry in Madras was highly acceptable. But while his friends were rejoicing in the prospect of his extensive usefulness, he became the subject of a dangerous disease. After submitting to a painful operation, he was advised to try the effects of a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope; and died during his passage, a week before the vessel reached that colony. He departed this life in the twenty-seventh year of his age, and in the fourth year of his ministry. RECENT DEATHS. March 31st, 1827.-At East-Stockwith, in the Gainsborough Circuit, Mary Dalton. She was brought to a knowledge of the truth, and admitted into the Methodist Society, more than sixty years ago. She retained a sense of her acceptance with God, and continued a steady and uniform Member, to her death. Her end was peace. J. H. June 8th-At Childrey, in the Wantage Circuit, William Fuller, in the fifty-second year of his age. He had been a Member of the Methodist Society about thirteen years. His affiction was long and painful; and the consolations of religion, during a considerable part of it, comparatively small; but he resolved to hold fast his confidence in the Saviour, believing that God would fill his soul with holy joy, and take him to himself. Some time before his death be cheerfully resigned to the care of the Almighty, his wife and six children. As death approached he triomphed gloriously; and expired shouting, "Victory through the blood of the Lamb." R. T. June 9th.-At Penzance, in the seventy-third year of her age, Elizabeth Oats, wife of Mr. Richard Oats, late of Drury-Lane, London. She had been a steady member of the Methodist Society for more than forty years. of twelve months before she died, she laboured For upwards under great bodily pain, almost without intermission; yet such was her patience and sense of the divine goodness, that not a murmuring word escaped her lips. Her life of mercy closed with a peaceful hope of endles rest. G.T. June 21st.-At Waddesdon, in the Ayles. bary Circuit, William Howe, in the seventyfourth year of his age. For more than half a century he had been a Member of the Methodist Society; and for forty-one years he faithfully laboured as a Local Preacher. The chief traits in his religious character were, spirituality of mind, and fervency in prayer. Throughout his affliction of ten weeks, while suffering extreme pain of body, he was graciously supported by a She June 234.-At Chatteris, in the Ely Circuit, Alice Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. Henry Tuck, in the thirty-seventh year of her age. was of a meek and quiet spirit; unassuming in her manners, and distinguished by compassion towards the poor and d. stitute. In her last light and power, so as to be enabled to give up days she was graciously visited with divine all for Christ, and to rejoice in God her Saviour; assured that death would be her eternal gain. T. C. June 24th.-At Brinkhill, in the Alford Circuit, Mr. John Maidens, aged fifty-nine; having been a Member of the Methodist Society for about forty years. His last afiliction, which continued for about seven weeks, was borne by him with great resignation to the will of God. His mind was free from worldly anxiety; and he waited in a state of blessed preparation_for his great change. T. P. July 15th,-At Rawcliffe, in the Snaith Circuit, in the eighteenth year of his age, George Sharpe. About two years and a half ago he was converted to God. Since that period his advancement in knowledge and piety led his Christian friends to believe that the Lord was preparing him for the Christian ministry: whereas he was preparing him for a place in the church triumphant. J. L. July 21st.-At Wolsingham, deeply la. mented, Elizabeth Pallister, aged forty-seven years; having been a steady, consistent Member of the Methodist Society upwards of fifteen years. In her last affliction she was resigned to the will of God, and her end was peace. T. H. July 25th.-At Barnwell, near Cambridge, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Mr. W. Pepper, in her twenty-sixth year. She had been a member of the Methodist Society about four years. The affliction which terminated her earthly career, was very painful and protracted; but she bore it with exemplary patience and fortitude. For seventeen weeks she was c.nfined to her bed; during which time not a murmuring nor impatient expression dropped from her lips. To her father, who was almost constantly with her, and by whose conversation and prayers she was much consoled, she expressed her entire acquiescence in the divine will, and her desire to depart and be with Christ. Death had lost his sting; and she anticipated the approach of dissolution without fear or dread; confidently relying on the mercy of God through the atonement of Christ. T. C. July 27th-At Beeston, in the Biggleswade Circuit, Mr. Richard Bird. He openly avowed his attachment to the discipline and doctrines of Methodism, by uniting himself to the Society, in the year 1796: since which period he has, through divine grace, adorned the Gospel by & holy life. The affliction which terminated his mortal existence, was short and very severe; but he evidently found, in his last moments, the mercy and faithfulness of that Saviour, whose servants he had so cheerfully entertained, and in whose service he had so long delighted. W. B. August 24th.-At City-Road, London, Mary Griffith, widow of the late Rev. Walter Griffith. Her health has appeared to decline ever since the death of her venerable and excellent husband, and especially within the last three months. She died in great peace, and in the cheering hope of a blessed immortality. J.T. SONNET: TO MY MOTHER'S PORTRAIT. I HAVE Survey'd thee, Mother, till the smile E'en when thy bier has pass'd the sacred aisle, The world resigning for a holier sphere! Oh! when those lips shall bid farewell," may pain HUMPHRY SANDWITH. P. S. Since the above Sonnet was written, the excellent subject of it has "died in the Lord," delightfully fulfilling the wish respecting her painless and peace ful exit. HYMN: For Sunday-School Anniversaries. SPIRIT divine, our hearts command; And warm the cold with holy fire: Born to survive the world's decay, When earth's last flame shall burn the poles, And nature roll in smoke away : O help, these deathless souls to save From dreadful Tophet's fiery wave! Help these immortals to withdraw From Satan's snares, from sin's control: Search, pierce their conscience with thy Law, And let thy Gospel make them whole: Prepare them for thy kingdom, Lord! Whatever good we have perform'd To thee, O God! be all the praise, For Thou the glorious work hast wrought: Power to do good thy grace conveys; Thy grace inspires the liberal thought; With light from Thee our virtues shine; All good in heaven and earth is Thine. ISAAC KERLING. TO A BEREAVED PARENT. CEASE, fond Parent, cease thy wailing! As the wish for lapsed years. Thee oppressed by thy woes. All his ways are just and right; And at the adapted season, Till he met an awful doom: By a thousand woes opprest. G. B. Printed by Mills, Jowett, and Mills, Bolt Court, Fleet Street, Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, FOR OCTOBER, 1827. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM OKE, Missionary in the West Indies; BY THE REV. FRANCIS TRUSCOTT. THE late Mr. Oke was born at St. Tudy, in Cornwall, December 13th, 1796. As his mind expanded, he manifested a good capacity. for the acquisition of learning; and at about the age of ten years, he was taken to Exeter, by an uncle who resided there, and placed at different schools in that city, and its vicinity. Having continued in Devonshire about seven years, and received an excellent commercial education, he returned to his father; and in the year 1817, he established a respectable day-school in his native parish. During his years of childhood and youth, William was so graciously preserved, that no scandalous vice stained his reputation. But though he conducted himself as a dutiful child, an affectionate brother, a diligent student, and a courteous neighbour; though gentleness, affability, and modesty, were the predominant features of his character; yet till he reached his eighteenth year, it could only be said of him, that he was a lovely youth falling short of heaven. By what particular means those impressions were made on his mind, which terminated in his conversion to God, perhaps cannot now be ascertained. He had some respectable relatives who were members of the Methodist Society, by whose influence and example he was led to attend the ordinances of God, as established among that people; and while thus attending where prayer was wont to be made, the Lord opened his heart, and allured him, and spake comfortably to him. The calls of heaven were addressed to him, not in the strong wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire; but in the small still voice. He witnessed fair examples, and wished to imitate them; he saw a beauty in holiness, and desired to enjoy it; he was convinced by the light of truth that he himself was guilty, perishing, and helpless; and he became seriously concerned to obtain salvation. Thus, standing in the posture of humble attention, looking into the oracles of God, and soliciting information from the children of wisdom, he discovered the good old way of repentance towards God, and faith in Christ, and walked therein; and he found rest for his soul. The transition from guilty fear, to the consoling witness of his adoption into God's VOL. VI. Third Series. OCTOBER, 1827. 3 A |