meet in glory. Seeing it to be the Lord's purpose, she was made willing to quit her hold of all that is earthly; uttering frequently, and with peculiar emphasis, the Psalmist's words, "Be still, and know that I am God:" urging strong arguments with her near relations why they also should be resigned to her departure.

Though in the exercise of prevailing faith and hope, she was subject to repeated attacks of painful fear; hence many times in a day would she address the Saviour in the Apostle's words, "Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief." April 15th she said, "This is the last Sabbath I shall spend on earth. In a short time I shall see Jesus as he is." When she thought herself alone, with uplifted hands she prayed much and fervently; indeed she spent a great part of several days in ejaculating Scripture expressions, and repeating verses of Dr. Watts's Hymns, which sometimes raised her joy to ecstasy. Before she fell into the arms of Death, she exclaimed with exultation, "I have found redemption! I have found redemption !" T. L.

MRS. ANN WILMSHURST WAS the daughter of the Rev. George Gilbert, pastor of the church at Heathfield, in Sussex. She was the eldest of ten children; who, with her venerable father and mother, and a considerable number of grandchildren, were all living until about three years since, when their youngest son died at the age of thirty, leaving a widow and three children; the widow and one of the children died shortly after him. Since which the Lord has removed two daughters and six grandchildren, making, in the whole, eleven within the last three years from a family in which death was not permitted to enter (except in the removal of some grandchildren) for the long period of fiftyeight years.

Ann, the subject of the present Memoir, lived with her parents until she was 18 years old, at which time they obtained for her a respectable situation in a pious family in London, with whom she attended at Orange-street chapel, While in this situation, she was visited with a painful affliction,

during which she heard a sermon preached by Dr. Gifford, that was peculiarly blessed to her. The air of the metropolis not agreeing with her, she returned to her father's house, and at the age of 21, was admitted a member of the church under her father's påstoral care; and for nearly 33 years manifested a conduct and conversation becoming the Gospel. At the age of 28 she was married to Mr. William Wilmshurst, a respectable farmer at Warbleton, with whom she lived hap pily for almost 26 years. She never had any children of her own, but she brought up two belonging to one of her brothers; and, at the time of her decease, she had an orphan daughter of her youngest brother under her care,

During the last 30 years she was subjected to painful bodily afflictions, and at times brought very low; but about three years since, the disorder that terminated in her dissolution, made its appearance (an inward complaint, that baffled medical skill;) and though at times she suffered the most excruciating pain, and was naturally of an irritable temper, she was enabled in patience to possess her soul: I fre quently visited her, and I often found her mourning, but never found her murmuring.

One evening, about three weeks before her death, while her husband was reading a portion of Scripture, she was favoured with such a delightful view of the heavenly inheritance, that she began to sing the hymn, "All ye that pass by;" which she sung through with that energy that both surprised and delighted him. Shortly after one of her sisters calling to see her, found her engaged in ardent prayer, to this effect: "O thou precious, precious Jesus, what hast thou done for me, a poor sinful, polluted, hell-deserving creature! I have had such a taste of the streams, that I long to be at the fountain head. Yes, thou precious Jesus, I long to see thee as thou art. Lord, give me patience that I may wait thine appointed time," &c.

At another time she said, "I do not feel raptures, but I feel a solid peace I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he is mine, and I am his. He will not forsake me: he is the same

yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and I believe he will give me strength to bear up under all my afflictions. I shall come off more than a conquerer, and shall join those who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

The last time I visited her, which was on the evening before she died, I was informed that she had spoken yery little during the day. I stood by her bed side for some time, and she did not appear to take the least notice, and I thought her departure was at hand; but at length she lifted her feeble arm, and putting her hand into mine, said, sufficiently loud for me to hear, "Pray." We kneeled round the bed, and offered up prayer on her behalf. After which, I asked her how she felt her mind. She replied, "Perfect peace!" and added, (affectionately squeezing our hands,) "Farewell, till we meet in Heaven." In this state she continued, until God was pleased to put a period to her sufferings and sorrows, on the morning of April 7, 1821, in the 54th year of her age.

She was interred in the ground belonging to Heathfield-chapel, April 11, 1821, when a Sermon was preached on the occasion, from Ps. cxviii. 18-20. which she had selected, by the Rev. J. Press, the officiating minister; and which has been published at the request of the family.

J. P.

ter, but then of Doncaster, preach. His text was Rom. xiii. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." This to her was the day of God's power. Her heart was opened, the word entered, and, by the Spirit's influence, became light and life to her soul. She immediately became a steady attendant at the house of God, and soon found his word sweeter to her taste than honey or the honeycomb. In her 19th year she was received into the churchfellowship at Doncaster, which union was never formally broken until it was dissolved by the great dissolver of all earthly unions-death. In the year 1808, she entered into the marriage union with her now bereaved and mourning husband, and she proved indeed a wife in whom the heart of her husband could fully confide. Her constitution was always particularly delicate, but her natural spirits were good, so that her bodily weakness was frequently concealed, and her domestic duties were discharged with great cheerfulness and regularity. Her views of the plan of redemption were so clear, and her faith in Christ so scriptural and firm from the first of her embracing him as her only Saviour, that she scarcely ever doubted her interest in him, though she often mourned her want of conformity to his image. She was a great admirer of what are generally termed the doctrines of grace, and possessed an extensive knowledge of their respective ramifications and practical tendencies. But few persons have held in higher estimation than Mrs. G. did, the characters and unparalleled exertions of those holy men, whose record is on high, the Puritans and Nonconformists, whose Memoirs she was accustomed to read with deep interest; but her favourite author was Matthew Henry. She was a sincere lover of all who visibly bore the image of Christ, but always displayed a strong aversion to the conduct of those who appeared mere pretenders to religion: herself possessing the strictest integrity, hypocrisy - in every form her soul abhorred. Though peculiarly interested in the welfare of the congregation over which Mr. G. presided, her soul was cast in too generous a mould to confine its interests within any limits less contracted than

the boundaries of the world. Her heart greatly rejoiced in the growing prosperity of Sunday Schools, Missionary and Bible Societies, and every liberal institution; and, according to her ability, both by personal attendance and pecuniary contributions, she was always ready to every good work. Her persevering activity in principally managing the affairs and promoting the interests of the Dorcas Society, formed in the congregation to which she be longed, has already embalmed her memory in the grateful recollections of many, and will undoubtedly operate as a powerful stimulant to the truly active and benevolent females, members of that Society, who, by the goodness of God, are permitted to survive her. Her attachment to the house of God was strong, which arose perhaps not more from a sense of duty than from the high enjoyment with which she was frequently indulged whilst there. In the days of her health, often did she wish to steal away from these exquisite foretastes of heaven, to the full and more refined enjoyments of God. On this truly valuable woman, it pleased the Almighty to lay his parenial rod in the month of May 1820, and never more completely to remove it until the 4th of June 1821, when this severe chastisement terminated in glory.

During the greater part of this long affliction, her sufferings were indescrib)able, occasioned by a dreadful spasmodic affection of the bowels. Notwithstanding the most unremitting medical attendance, though at times apparently checked in its destructive career, disease continued progressive, until the vital powers, unable to make longer resistance, yielded to the remorseless attacks of the King of Terrors; and literally, without a struggle or a groan, her redeemed spirit quitted its clay tenement, and sped its way to the Paradise of God; to rest from all its toils, and to drink new wine with the Saviour in his heavenly kingdom. Strengthened by the power of religious principle, her soul bore up under this most heavy pressure of bodily pain with a resignation and fortitude that did high honour to her religious profession; and filled with admiration

those who witnessed it. That God may prepare the readers of this Obituary for a like holy and peaceful death, is the most fervent prayer of the writer.

The mortal remains of Mrs. G. were interred in the burying-ground attached to the Meeting House, by the Rev. W. Scott of Rothwell, and the Rev. W. Notcutt of Wilbarston; and on the following Sabbath, her death was improved to a very numerous and attentive audience by Mr. Scott. J. G.

MRS. RICHARDS.

ON Monday, July 16th, 1821, died Mrs. Richards, wife of the Rev. J. E. Richards, of Mevagissey, Cornwall. The early part of her life was marked by a peculiar attachment to those pleasures which are termed innocent by the world, but which she was enabled subsequently to regard as injurious in their influence on the mind, and marked by the divine displeasure. This important change in her views was greatly promoted by her compliance with the solicitation of a near and beloved relative, to engage in the important character of a teacher in the Sabbath School connected with Orange-street Chapel, London; and whilst there engaged in teaching others, she was taught of God. The pious conversation of the teachers, associated with a more regular attendance on the divine worship, were the means which Jehovah was pleased to employ and bless; and which resulted in her being enabled to adopt the choice of Moses as her own; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season." With the christian friends connected with the above mentioned place of worship, she associated in fellowship and in breaking of bread until the year 1817, when with her friends she removed into Herefordshire; and in 1819, on entering on a new connexion of life, she again removed to this place, her last earthly residence. Little more than two years have elapsed since that period; eighteen successive months were marked by the painful stages of consumption, teaching, as they revolved, the frailty of creatures and the transi

public worship. She was much attached to the members of the church to which she belonged. Though a gracious Providence had raised her above many as to temporal things, the poorest member of the church, who could talk with her on experimental religion, was to her a most agreeable companion. She felt the highest gratification in doing good to all, but especially to the household of faith. Her Soul felt a luxury of enjoyment in assisting them by the industry of her hands, and with her property too, to the utmost extent of her means. Nothing seemed to delight her more than to carry something to relieve the wants and cheer the dreary abodes of poverty and sickness.

Her last sickness was very tedious and painful. It was indeed matter of surprise to her medical attendant, that her feeble frame could so long sustain such a pressure of disease. The pains she sometimes felt were excruciating, and yet not a murmuring word escaped her lips. One day, some weeks before her death, she desired to see her much esteemed pastor, who was in the habit of constantly visiting her, that she might talk with him of her departure, which she apprehended to be very near. He came and sat a great part of the evening with her. She told him every thing like the fear of death was taken from her mind, and her soul was filled with animating expectations. She then talked about dying, with all that composure which nothing but a high degree of Christian influence can inspire, and yet with that mournful feeling, which is occasioned by the final separation of dearest friends.

She manifested a pious and ardent concern for the best interests of her relatives and friends during the whole of her illness; and O, how fervent her prayers! One afternoon, 2 of her young friends came in, and sat a little with her. She then breathed with great difficulty, and pain, and her afflicted family wished her to be as still as possible; but she could not refrain from giving them her last affectionate advice. Her concern for the salvation of her brothers and sisters was very great. With what affectionate tenderness and solemnity she entreated and charged them to prepare to meet her at the dread tribunal of God the Judge of all,

it is hoped they never can forget. Her pain and restlessness became excessive for some days before her departure, and she found it necessary to pray for patience, and the Lord answered her request; for through the whole scene she "possessed her soul in patience." While her friends could not suppress the emotions of sorrow they felt, on seeing her suffer so much, she would say to them, "Don't weep." One present observed to her, "Your sufferings are very great." She replied with great earnestness, I deserve it all; I deserve it all;" and added, "What an honour would be conferred on me, if my sufferings may be the means of bringing any of my family to serious reflection!"

During some parts of her last sickness the enemy was permitted to harass her exceedingly; and at those seasons she enquired of her pious friends with the greatest anxiety, "Do you think I am right? Am I not deceived? Will the Lord receive me?" But a short time before she died she was dreadfully agitated, and called upon all pre sent, saying, "Pray, pray," but the enemy was soon restrained, and she became composed, and said "The devil has been making his last attempt." One who stood by, said "Yes; but the Almighty can repel him with a look." She answered with great energy," He has done it, he has done it;" and continued to repeat it till her strength was exhausted. She afterwards said to her sister, "Tell my dear mother I know I am going, but I am not afraid, I am very comfortable." Soon after this she remarked, that “our blessed Redeemer, when upon the cross, said It is finished;' and, in submission to his divine will, I would say so too." After this she said little, but held up her feeble hands, in the attitude of prayer, until she breathed her happy soul into the affectionate embrace of her adorable Saviour. J. S.

RECENT DEATH.

DIED on Monday Dec. 3, at the advanced age of 72, Mr. E. Taylor, of Staines, Middlesex, a deacon of the Independent Church in that town. The cause of God lay nearest his heart while living; and his decease was a striking practical illustration of Psa. xxxvii. 37. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright," &c.