would almost invariably, with great tact and tenderness, remind the poor of that other life in which all the privations of this may be escaped for ever, or ply them with some other kind and seasonable counsel.* On the removal of the late Rev. W. B. Thorneloe from the Chester Circuit in 1853, Mrs. Nixon was appointed to the ebarge of the class which had been under the care of that minister's much-loved and excellent wife. The new demand thus made upon her few spare hours was considerable. Yet having undertaken the office, she gave herself with care and pains to the whole work involved in it; bringing to its discharge a deep sense of its sacredness and responsibility. Her love of Methodism was deep, pure, and intelligent. Its peculiar arrangements for Christian fellowship, especially, had her hearty approval and sympathy, as greatly tending to incite and encourage to holiness of life. The Chester Domestic City Mission was a favourite institution, in which she took a deep interest, serving as an active member of its committee. Thus she "lived not unto herself: " healthy, bracing breeze of incessant employment and activity, blew away from her life all mist, and cloud, and stagnation. Her habits left no room for ennui. The suggestive words of Charles Wesley were thoroughly exemplified in her :- "With us no melancholy void, the Oar weariness of life is gone, Who live to serve our God alone, And only Thee to know." A career so consistent and exemplary, so pure and useful, seemed too valuable to be cut short. Yet if it be true that they live long who live well," her friends will believe that the mystery of her sudden and too early removal is in part explained. In the "midst " of her days the summons unexpectedly came. On her last earthly Sabbath-with no surmise that it was her last-she attended Divine service as usual morning and evening, and expressed the great profit and delight she had found in the ministry of the word. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper brought the day to a meet close; and her husband, being on that evening without an appointment on the local-preachers' plan, joined with her in the holy “feast.” On the following Tuesday, while attending to household arrangements, she was seized with paralysis of the brain, and almost immediately became unconscious. She lingered in that state until the Saturday morning, when she peacefully passed away, November 18th, 1885, aged fortynine years. A dying testimony for Christ she was not permitted to give; not a word, nor sign, nor even a look, to indicate her triumph over death. Happily it was not needed. Her sudden removal gave no one who knew her a moment's anxiety concerning her. All the testimony they could need had been borne in a life of blamelessness and self I am aware that, in general, the custom here referred to does not meet with the approval of some even amongst religious people. In a volume lately published, the author speaks of the practice in anything but favourable terms: "There are persons who can never help a man, especially a poor man, without giving him some advice about his soul. Some, indeed, venture on this only with the poor. .....They are afraid to say to their equals or superiors in rank what they say to a sick labourer.......They give a ticket and a teact to the pauper at a venture, not knowing whether he is good or bad," ete. Fully to discuss this question in a foot-note is impracticable; it may suffice to remark, first, that our departed friend was not afraid nor ashamed to say to "equals or superiors in rank" what she said "to the poor;" and, secondly, that while this usage may be of more than doubtful seemliness or expediency in some hands, in others it certainly may be comely and useful in the highest degree. The writer can testify from personal observation that Mrs. Nixon's mode of availing herself of these cpenings for usefulness was marked by the utmost good taste and discretion. sacrifice, a life adorned with “the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." By these indubitable signs she had been " manifestly declared" to be of the flock and fold of Christ, unto whom He gives "eternal life." In the beautiful cemetery of the ancient city in which so large a portion of her life was spent, all of Mrs. Nixon that was mortal awaits the glad morning of the resurrection; the " coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." W, HENRY THOMPSON. RECENT JANUARY 13th, 1870.-At Deptford, Ann Tilby, in the ninety-third year of her age. She was converted in early life, and for a long period walked so as to please God. After it seemed good to God to take her husband to Himself, she sought to bring up her children in the nurture of the Lord, though she was burdened with business responsibilities. But amidst much to try her piety, she could still say from her heart, "Careful without care I am, Nor feel my happy toil." For several years before her death she was kept from the sanctuary. But she failed not still to serve God. As her end drew near, she often referred to those who had gone before her to the skies. Among some of her last words were, "I know Jesus loves me in my old age." "He will not cast me off now my strength faileth, but will take me to Himself." She gently passed away while asleep. J. P. October 6th.-At Alford, Lincolnshire, in the eightieth year of his age, and the fiftysecond of his ministry, the Rev. Thomas Cocking. Mr. Cocking was one of eleven children, and was born at Thooney, Notts. Having few religious advantages, he grew up to manhood ignorant of the nature and destitute of the blessings of true religion. When twenty years of age he was induced to attend the old Methodist chapel, Lincoln, and was then so deeply convinced of sin, that for three months he had little rest or sleep. It then pleased the Lord to "show him His salvation." He at once became a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, and was associated in Sundayschool labour with the late Dr. Hannah. Mr. Cocking was appointed to the Ely Circuit in the year 1819, and became a godly, conscientious, painstaking, and successful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. In DEATHS. Alford, where the last fourteen years of his useful life were spent as a Supernumerary, he was highly respected, and his visits to the sick and poor will long be remembered. Notwithstanding failing health, he was found almost to the last attending the usual means of grace, and would pray in public with remarkable energy and unction. The final call was sudden, but he was found watching; and peacefully entered into "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." T. W. rest. November 1st.-At Donington-onBain, in the Louth Circuit, William Harvey, in his eightieth year. He joined the Wesleyan-Methodist Society in 1818, and continued a member of it throughout his long pilgrimage. He was a man of laborious habits, faithful to his earthly employers, and one who "feared the Lord above many." His piety was of a high order, being characterized by great simplicity and fervour. He was mighty in faith, having great power with God in prayer: he may be said to have prayed" without ceasing." It was his uniform practice, on entering his cottage after the toil of the day, to repair to his closet, and there seek communion with God, before partaking of his homely meal. For years he lived in the conscious enjoyment of the blessing of entire sanctification. As life advanced, his growth in grace was strongly marked; and as the "outward man continued to decay, the inward man was "renewed day by day," until he was adorned for the Bridegroom. His last affliction was long and severe. During the early part of it his resignation and holy joy were delightful to witness. As his sufferings increased, his intellect became beclouded; but at the last reason returned, and uttering the words "Precious Jesus," he sweetly_fell asleep. W. L. LONDON: FRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, 46, HOXTON SQUARE. WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1871. MEMOIR OF MRS. COATES, OF LACEBY MANOR-HOUSE, NEAR GREAT GRIMSBY: BY THE REV. JOHN E. COULSON. LYDIA ESTRIDGE COATES was an "elect lady" indeed. She "walked with God:" few have exhibited so beautiful an example of Christian purity, devotedness, and consistency. Unhappily, about a week before her death, she destroyed a diary extending over many years, together with a large correspondence, in order to prevent posthumous notice. But for this loss, another biography of unusual interest might have been given to the Church. A few scanty materials however remain, from which a sketch of her admirable character may be produced, which it would be wrong to withhold from the world. Mrs. Coates was born at Colchester, November 26th, 1816. Her parents, John and Jane Henderson Catchpool, were members of the Baptist communion, and both of them were eminently pious and devoted to God. For many years her father was one of the deacons of the Church connected with Stanwell-Street chapel, of which he was one of the chief promoters at the time of its erection. He died a triumphant death in the year 1831. In an interesting memoir of him, published the same year; he is called "a prevailing prince," because of his great power in prayer. A little before he breathed his last he said, "The doctor thinks twenty-four hours will terminate this life of mine; but, blessed Jesus! I am ready to meet Thee. For thirty-five years God has been exceedingly abundant to me in His love; and a sense of it brings me now to His feet. I am still favoured with His presence. The Lord God has given me Himself. I am rich, for God is mine." Her father's sister was Mrs. Phoebe Pearson, a holy and very useful woman, a memoir of whom also was published: she is described as a "mother in Israel," and as resembling those honourable women of whom St. Paul speaks, who "laboured with him in the Gospel.' Lydia was only fourteen years of age when her father died. But she had been brought up in the fear and "admonition of the Lord," VOL. XVII.-FIFTH SERIES. U |