instance of his earnest Christian labour we will give. A debt rested on the old chapel at Hawarden, which acted as a drag on the wheels of the church's progress. He resolved this debt should be extinguished. He set to work, and by his earnest and unaided exertions, in less than a fortnight the whole of it was cleared away. He also took an active part in the erection of the new chapel at Hawarden. Indeed, so earnest and valuable were the services he rendered to the Hawarden church, that on his leaving for Shrewsbury, a large family Bible, beautifully bound, was given to him, with the following inscription: Presented to Mr. George Coggin, by a few friends of the Methodist New Connexion, Hawarden, as an expression of the respect and affection which they cherish for him, and as a small recognition of the long and valuable services he has rendered to the church here, in the capacity of treasurer to the trustees, and at various times as society steward." William Butterworth, Superintendent; Henry Luke Elstob, Secretary Steward. Hawarden, Jan. 8th, 1867:" He was an earnest Christian. He was "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." He "worked while it was day."

Another trait of our departed friend's character was, third, his liberality. While he spared neither time nor strength in his Master's service, neither did he spare his purse.

it, it appears as if the religion of "the ever blessed and happy God" made them anything but happy. And yet Christianity is not only designed to make men happy, but it will make them happy. It is not the possession of it which causes men to wear such gloomy countenances, and such a taciturn, if not austere manner, but frequently, though not always, the felt want of it. Now, our departed friend's religion made him happyhappy not only in the vigour of manhood, but happy amid the infirmities of old age. I never met with a more cheerful old man. He shed a halo of pleasantness around him. One could not realize in his presence that he was old; there was so much of the cheerfulness and vivacity of youth about him. He did indeed present by his Christian cheerfulness, as one has said, "the best hymn to the Divinity. He to whom God is pleasant, is pleasant to God." He was a cheerful Christian.

The last trait of his character we will mention was his consistency. We do not say that our departed friend was without faults; that the disc of his moral character was free from spots. No. He was human, and therefore he had doubtless his imperfections, and had to mourn (as we know he did) over his shortcomings. But this we can say, his imperfections and shortcomings were not so many nor so markeds to arrest attention. We cannot say we have discovered

But from what we have heard, seen, and known of him, we can avow that his Christian life was consistent; that during the long space of more than half a century, he "held on his way." His life was as "becometh the Gospel;" he "adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour;" he shone "as a light in the world, holding forth by his consistent Christian character the word of life." The prayer of the poet he appears to have realized:—

Another trait of his character was, fourth, cheerfulness. Some professors present to the world, by their gloomy countenance and taciturn, if not austere manner, a very unfavourable view of Christianity. Judging of it from the aspect in which they exhibit

"Close by thy side still may I keep,

Howe'er life's various current flow; With steadfast eye mark every step, And follow thee where'er thou go."

Such was the Christian character, as far as we can judge, of our departed friend-humble, earnest, liberal,cheerful, and consistent. And this estimate of his character is confirmed by the testimony of many who knew

him. The Rev. J. Bate writes concerning him, "He has died at a good old age, and unquestionably he sleeps in Jesus. He was a good man; his last days seem to have been very placid-like the gentle waters of a quiet stream life flowed on. Death to him is gain." And the Rev. W. G. White says of him, "He was one of the excellent of the earth. For deep humility, unobtrusive piety, and a burning desire for the prosperity of the Church of Christ, I have met with few that equalled him. Amongst the most pleasant moments I had when in Shrewsbury were moments when we walked and talked together. I trust that I shall get near to him in heaven, for I am sure he is not far from the Saviour." Such being the character and life of our departed friend, need we say that when with him life's voyage was ended he entered the heavenly haven? Death came to him not as the "king of terrors," but as an angel of release.

"There fell upon the house a sudden gloom,

A shadow on those features fair and thin,

And softly from that hush'd and darken'd room,

To angels issued where but one went in."

His death was improved by the writer, in our Shrewsbury Chapel, on Sunday evening, October 1st, 1871, to an attentive congregation, from the words, "So he bringeth them unto their desired haven" (Ps. exvii. 30). May it be our happiness to reach, when life's voyage is ended, the desired haven-the shore "Where tempests never beat, nor billows A. HALLAM. Shrewsbury, Sept. 30th, 1871.

roar.

MRS. PROSSER,

THE wife of our beloved brother Mr. Thomas Prosser, of Manchester South Circuit, was born at Mossley on the 6th of July, 1809. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Halkyard, a good man, whose name was a household word in that neighbourhood, and whose remembrance is still embalmed in the minds of many who are still living. The late Mrs. Prosser was one of a class, not so numerous as we could desire, who

enter "the path of life" at an early age. She was about thirteen years of age when she commenced meeting in class, in 1822. In 1824, when she had been well tried, in consequence of her youth, she was received into full membership with the church at Mossley by the Rev. Joseph Livingstone, with a number more, some of whom are her surviving relatives, who continue faithful unto this day. From that period to the close of life she continued in fellowship with the Methodist New Connexion. Her course was steady, her path was onward and upward. It was indeed "the path of the just," which "is as the shining light, that shineth light more and more unto the perfect day." She remained at Mossley many years, and laboured in connection with our Sabbath-school there, at that time, and for a long period, a large and flourishing institution. She was first a scholar and then a teacher in that school. She would often refer to that period of her Christian life with thankfulness and

joy. She would say, Times are strangely altered. When I was a young woman, nothing was allowed to prevent me on a Sabbath morning being off to the school early. If on any account I had overslept myself, or anything occurred that there was not time to do what must be done, I thought nothing at all of going to school without my breakfast. I would far rather do that than I would be too late for school." For a number of years she was, with another young female, a joint collector for the Bible Society. At the same time she collected for the missions belonging to our own denomination. In short, through the grace of God, she was ever ready for any and every good work wherein she could be useful.

ary.

On the 18th of November, 1839, she was united in marriage to Mr. Thomas Prosser, the town missionHe says, "We have through mercy lived very happily together. She has been no hindrance to me, but in the fullest sense 'a helpmeet,' as every good and faithful wife is, and as every one having a deserving husband ought to be. I attribute all the excellences of her character to the grace of God; and I have no fear of stating those excellences higher than they deserve. Grateful for the goodness of God to herself

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and to me-and to both of us that goodness has been great-I may ɛtate that my late wife was moderate in her expectations, patient in times of trial, calm in temperament, kind in her disposition, courteous in her behaviour, cleanly in her habits and in her house. As a mistress she was considerate and kind; as a mother loving and gentle, but firm and faithful; and as a wife she was all I could reasonably expect or desire. Her watchful eye, wise counsels, and persistent fidelity, in regard to the duties of daily life, were invaluable. No one is better acquainted with these facts than myself. So free from guile, so far removed from any. thing knowingly wrong, strange must be my ideas indeed if I did not concur in what several of my much valued friends have said that, 'Yours is an irreparable loss.'

"The accident which she met with at the Altrincham railway station, November 8th, 1870, by which one of her arms was broken in two places, undoubtedly hastened her end. She was subject to weary months of suffering. She bore her heavy sufferings with exemplary patience and Christian fortitude. By many it was hoped that the return of spring would have a reviving effect; but my own heart could never indulge that hope, as I observed her strength decline, her appetite fail, and medical treatment of the greatest ability unproductive of any permanent good.

"Having a love for reading throughout life, she spent as much of the time as she could bear in her last affliction in pondering some very choice works, which strengthened and comforted her; and when no longer able, I read, at her request, portions of that precious little volume, by the Rev. Thomas Mills, 'Sure of Heaven;' a book she highly prized. The last twelve days of her life she suffered much from diarrhoea, which took her last remaining strength. Reduced to utter weakness and helplessness she still retained her hold of Christ; and when the last terrible conflict came she was comforted by the word of God and by prayer. The visits of Dr. Crofts, and others, were helpful to her in the earlier part of the last fortnight before her death. The close was indeed peaceful, her last utterance

being, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly; and he came; my wife, my loved one, died as peaceful as heart could wish; not a muscle moved; the silver cord so gently broke that she was as one fallen into a sweet sleep. Her countenance was radiant, with a smile resting upon it; and her happy spirit was now with Jesus."

Thus died Mrs. Prosser, on the Sabbath evening, July the 30th, 1871. She was a woman of sterling piety and great worth. This is acknowledged by all who knew her. In a letter to Mr. Prosser, Mr. James Broadbent of Mossley says: "I am not in possession of the exact date when your dear wife became a member of our church; but I have been a member for about forty-two years, and she had been one for some five or six years before I joined the society, so that she must have been a member some forty-seven or fortyeight years. Whatever was the time of her union with the people of God, I am satisfied that her conduct was most exemplary. Her attendance at the Sabbath-school, both as teacher and scholar, was such as not to cause complaint or uneasiness to the superintendent; and at the public and private means of grace she was always to be relied upon. Her leader or minister had no need to be concerned about her, as she was sure to be present, whoever else was; and when her father's house was a considerable distance from the chapel, and the weather was such as prevented many who lived nearer to the house of God from being present, she would plod her way through wind and rain, storm and snow, and be found in her place in the sanctuary. Would to God that her mantle had fallen on many in our day, who allow little and trifling things to keep them from the house of the Lord."

The Rev. Thomas Mills writes: "How glad I am that I had so recently the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Prosser! Yet I did not think that she could be so near her dissolution, until you revealed to me the serious nature of the malady which has eventually liberated her spirit from its house of clay.' We all loved her ever since we knew her. In truth, we never saw one thing, or heard one word from her, during

spirit of greater equanimity I never knew. She was worthy, as a daughter, of that one of the best of men, Thomas Halkyard; worthy to be the wife of one whose true and loving friendship and humble piety I have highly valued for thirty-five years; and worthy to be the mother of a son whom, from his early boyhood, we have held in loving esteem.

Our sublime faith and hope do not alter the facts of earthly deprivation by death; but neither do those facts detract from the infinite preciousness of our faith and hope. Everything of this world fails, but the word of the Lord abideth for ever. She now lives more truly than we. The angel spirit has left the animal form, and proved that mortality is swallowed up of life.'

The Rev. John Taylor says of Mrs. Prosser: "In estimating your loss we naturally take into account the value of what you have lost, and think of those excellent qualities which so richly adorned her character, as a wife, a mother, and a Christian. The remembrance of those qualities she has left you as a legacy; and you can never reflect upon them but with pleasure. Still,

we can readily conceive that your pleasure will be strangely commingled with pain; for the remembrance of those qualities will serve to intensify your loss, and cause you to feel more keenly the pangs of separation.

Mrs. Prosser having been for three years a member of my class, while located in Manchester, I had special opportunities of becoming acquainted, not only with her outward character, but also with her inner life; and both are to me, at this moment, occasions of thankfulness and joy. I will not attempt any eulogium on her character, however much it may be deserved, for I know how distasteful it would have been to her; but simple justice requires me to say, that for sober judgment, power to control her emotions, high Christian principles, and a punctual attendance on the means of grace, she had few equals in our day. It is gratifying to learn that her spirit, which had long been maturing for heaven, was triumph

antly sustained in the closing hours of her existence, and that she was able to meet her last enemy with serenity."

Mrs. Prosser was greatly beloved by our Boston Street Society. She was always ready to assist in every good work in connection with the Church. We have suffered a severe loss in her death, but our loss is her gain. Her death was improved to a good congregation on Sabbath evening, August 20th, from Isaiah xxv. 8, by the Rev. H. O. Crofts, D.D.

Manchester, September 13, 1871.

MR. ABRAHAM BARTLETT,

BIRMINGHAM.

OUR late brother Bartlett was born in the year 1807, in the quiet town of Wells, in the county of Somersetshire. His youth and early manhood passed without any decided indications of a work of grace on the heart; but when he was about thirty years old he was awakened to consciousness of his state of sin. He saw with clearness his folly in pursuing the path of transgression so far and so long as he had done. The more he thought on the subject, the more oppressive became his guilt, and the greater his disquietude and sorrow. He disclosed his state of mind to his estimable wife, who encouraged him to seek earnestly forgiveness at the throne of grace; he had also the sympathy, advice, and prayers of an aged disciple. With the docility of a child he was led to Jesus. He believed the Divine record respecting the character and work of Jesus; this act of faith was followed by peace, and an assurance of his acceptance with God. Oh, how great and blessed was the change he experienced! The storm that had been raging in his breast for some time was immediately succeeded by a calm that was sweet and sacred; he knew, he felt, that though he was once a child of wrath and hell, that now he was a child of God. This was not imaginary, but real. He had been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light and joy. Could a change of this kind be effected and he not know it! And now, he on whose ears the words of mercy had fallen with such a delightful charm; he to whose rescue the Deliverer had

His

come so willingly, acted as all recipients of such gifts should act. name, his support, and his labours were given to the Church of Christ; he did not stand hesitating whether he should enter the sacred enclosure, but was glad to comply with the invitation when both the Spirit and the Bride said "Come." At the time when our brother joined the Christian Church he and his family were residing at Bath; here he united with that section of the Methodist Church then known as the Wesleyan Association, but since forming a part of the Methodist Free Church. Mr. Bartlett was a man of liberal principles, both in matters political and ecclesiastical. Finding, as many industrious and enterprising young tradesmen have done, that by honestly and openly avowing his principles he subjected himself to an injurious influence from a dominant party of opposite views; he chose rather to become the resident of a large commercial town, where he would find a more congenial atmosphere, and have free scope for his energies.

It was with views and under influences of this kind he came to Birmingham. He now looked around him for a spiritual home, a home where he could live in peace, concord, and happiness. He was induced to go to our Moseley Street Chapel. Here he found a home such as he had desired and sought, and there he retained his place to the close of life; there he spent some of the happiest years of his life. He was a thorough Methodist. He believed the doctrines taught, and loved the ordinances as administered by Methodists. To him the preaching of Christ crucified for sinners was most welcome. When that theme in all its bearings and results was expatiated upon with clearness, earnestness, and pathos, he sat as one delighted and entranced, and was not ashamed occasionally to give evidence of his interest in the truth by his appropriate responses. It was manifest that the bread of life was sweet to one hungering and thirsting for righteousness; and in the strength of that food he was enabled to proceed in the path of duty, and make advances in Christian attainments. He to whom the house of God has powerful attractions is most likely to be found there with something

like regularity. Our brother Bartlett loved the house of God, and found great delight in its exercises. He wisely seized the opportunities of attending both the public ordinances and the social means. By adopting this line of conduct he realized the advantages attendant thereon; he saved himself from those bitter regrets that are experienced by those who can absent themselves on the most trivial account. There is sure to be a resurrection of those ne

glected opportunities; and when they present themselves to the aroused conscience, how reproachfully will they look upon the guilty! He who would avoid these things should give diligence and improve each passing opportunity.

Another thing which contributed to the maturing and development of the piety of our brother Bartlett was his love for the Bible. He found great profit in perusing the sacred page for himself. He believed the Bible to be the word of God; it was therefore to him, whatever it may be to others, the word of truth. It was to him the word of authority; as he read its unvarnished statements of facts, he believed them. As he listened to the utterances of the prophets, he believed that those utterances had been or would yet be fulfilled. As he listened to the dis courses of the Apostles, fraught with truths sacred and sublime, he believed those truths, and felt their joy. inspiring influence. As he listened to the teaching of Christ, he was constrained to say, "Never man spoke like this man." This practice, pursued through months and years, could not fail to enrich his mind, and bring to him encouragement and solace amid the trials and temptations, the cares and conflicts, through which he passed. Other good books were read by him with great care and delight; he often spoke in terms of highest praise of books which contained able exposi tions of Divine truth or a defence of our holy religion. He enjoyed the society and intercourse of friends. His conversation was often lively and interesting; as he valued the truth, he spake with great earnestness and power, and would seize the opportunity to scatter a little of the good seed of the kingdom.

As a husband and a father he was