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he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto ? And this was yet a small thing in Thy sight, O Lord God; but Thou hast spoken also of Thy servant's house for a great while to come."

We are instructed to pray "for all that are in authority." Let us continually do so: "That it may please Thee to bless and keep the magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth. beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord."

Amen.

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MEMORIAL SKETCH OF MR. WILLIAM HARRISON ROBERTS, OF STANNINGLEY, NEAR LEEDS.

BY THE REV. JOSEPH RHODES (A).

THE Christian homes of our country furnish many illustrations of the good that may be accomplished in one short life: but it would be difficult to find a brighter example than the subject of this Sketch.

WILLIAM HARRISON ROBERTS was born at Stanningley, in the Bramley Circuit, February 16th, 1852, and by the grace of God, for twenty years set forth, with extraordinary clearness, the blessed advantages of a religious training. His bodily constitution was remarkably strong, so as to foster the reasonable hope that he would be blessed with long life in this world-a hope which has been mysteriously cut off.

His earliest ideas were mixed with thoughts of "Jesus and His love." The days of infancy were prayerfully watched by one who thought it wise to sow the "good seed" before the tares of a corrupt nature had time to spring. The result signally proved that the promptings of that mother's heart were right. Well would it be for the Christian Church if all the mothers of England would do "likewise." She prayed that before and above everything her boy might be good. And because of the prayers and tears of that early seed-time, he brought forth in the Spring of life, not leaves or blossoms merely, but "fruits of righteousness" such as the cultivated soil of a genuine Christian heart can alone produce. While very young, Gospel truth took a strong hold upon him, and the first impulses of his soul after God were carefully encouraged. The great Master Builder laid the foundations of his beautiful and noble character in the quiet chamber, at the family altar, in the Sabbath-school and the sanctuary.

At the age of ten he left home for school. Though always of a playful and joyous disposition, yet his amiable and consistent conduct attracted much attention. During a revival of religion in the school and neighbourhood he received deeper impressions, and began to meet in Class. There can be no doubt, from his frequent declarations in after years, that he was then truly converted. Through a short period of carelessness, however, he lost the blessing; but at fourteen years of age he became once more deeply convinced of sin. It was no effervescence of superficial emotion,

but an intelligent and spiritual perception of the truth, followed by "works meet for repentance." While in this state, under a sermon preached in the Wesleyan chapel, Stanningley, by Mr. Bretherick, he was made happy in the assurance that his sins were forgiven. From that hour to his death, he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things.

Some people act as though the service of God had nothing to do with the market, the office or the workshop. Not so William Roberts. His religion was a living reality; he was in the habit of doing the least thing. as in the sight of God. He was hourly under the influence of the mightiest moral power that can form the character of man.

To our young brother, the Class-meeting was a privilege most highly prized. His experience was given in clear, original and forceful language, such as ever filled his Leader and his Class-mates with admiration for him, and tearful gratitude to God. His utterances are still frequently referred to as the means of blessing to many.

With grateful satisfaction his parents watched the workings of the Holy Spirit as manifested in his daily life. They were seen in his choice of amusements, the constant sunshine of his countenance, and the punctuality and faithfulness with which he attended to every duty. They were ascertained too by means of a practice which had a large share in the development of his character with unreserved and loving confidence he frequently poured into his mother's ear a full expression of the innermost feelings of his heart. Those were blissful moments when mother and son privately talked of Jesus and knelt together at His feet. Here in times of temptation William received counsel and strength that led to more than conquest.

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Why should we not have more of this in Christian homes? Why should religion be carefully kept out from private and social conversation? It is the fashion in some Christian families never to speak of Jesus in the home circle. There are mothers who know no more of their children's hearts than the remotest stranger. But this is a great loss both to parent and child. If parents would take their children more frequently to the throne of grace, and by private, judicious and tender inquiry, inspire a loving confidence, how much less of sorrow and ruin there would be in the world! In this respect the subject of our Sketch was highly privileged, and by God's grace he was enabled to take full advantage of it.

At sixteen years of age he left school for business. In every department of work, in the world and the Church, his strong faith was shown by his works. Without the least ostentation, it was wonderful how brightly Christian principle shone through all his business transactions. Never in haste, his work was always done, well done, and at the right time. He was a pattern of diligence, and a model in the spirit as well as the method of his work. Affable and kind to all, his hold on superiors and subordinates was alike irresistible. In all his father's business circles, both in Leeds

and London, he was loved and honoured for his straightforwardness and unwavering integrity.

He quickly sprang into the healthy activity of Christian manhood. The reason of such early maturity is easily explained. From the time of his conversion he loved his Bible, and never neglected closet prayer. The writer well remembers his punctual attendance at a Bible-class, in which he showed the liveliest interest. He took great care in the preparation of answers to Bible questions and joined in special prayer for the conversion of every one in the class. He was thus furnished with qualifications for Sabbath-school work, upon which he entered with the utmost energy and zeal. Every book likely to help in winning the children for Jesus he carefully sought and studied. No one can look over his private library without being deeply impressed with the conviction that this young servant of God did not seek for himself amusement, so much as profit and power to do good. He became secretary of the Sunday-school, manager of the Juvenile Missionary Society, secretary for the Stanningley "British Workman," and president of the Mechanics' Institute. His efforts never flagged; and in the management of everything he undertook, he has left the mark of his peculiar tact and thoroughness.

In self-denial and prayer he followed the example of Daniel. Every approach to youthful extravagance and self-indulgence was carefully guarded against. In consequence of this his life was all the more filled with cheerful enjoyment. It was his habit to retire after each meal for prayer. This was especially noticeable after a meeting held to welcome the Rev. John Rossell to the Bramley Circuit. Mr. Rossell urged all the members of the Society to meet each other at the Throne of Grace every day at noon to pray for a blessing on the Circuit. William Roberts, with others, entered into an engagement to comply with this request, and most faithfully did he remember it. What the results may be eternity alone will disclose, yet it is instructive and encouraging to learn that in eighteen months from that time the number of members in the Circuit went up from four hundred and ninety-seven to six hundred and nineteen, with more than one hundred on trial.

April 5th, 1873, will long be remembered in Stanningley as a day of wonder and excitement. Almost miraculously William and his brother were saved from sudden death. The former was fond of saddle exercise and had for a long time been proficient in the management of his horse. But on this day his brother was placed upon the old and favourite pony, while William rode one which had been recently bought. His brother lost command of his horse, fell, and with his foot in the bridle was dragged at great speed along the road for a considerable distance, with his head on the ground. Anxious only to save the life of his brother, William dashed on. His horse ran with full force against the shaft of a wagon which stood in the way, and was almost instantly killed. William was thrown several

yards, yet fell on his hands and feet without injury. He had no thought for himself, but rose immediately, and by God's mercy saved his brother from death. With full hearts their family and friends gave glory to God.

It was scarcely a year after this remarkable deliverance that a severe cold brought on the disease which terminated in his death. In six months his manly, stalwart form was wasted to a shadow. During his illness he manifested the most perfect resignation to the Divine will. On one occasion he said to the writer, " Business was getting a very strong hold of me, and I feared lest it should in the least weaken my hold on Christ. So I asked the Lord to take me fully into His hands, to deal with me as He saw fit: provided only, that I should not depart from the living God. I cannot murmur. He knows what is best, both for myself and those I love. He knows too what is most for His glory. I should like to live and work for Him, but He gives me the power to say, 'Not my will, but Thine, be done.""

Two days before he died he balanced his accounts. Examining his private cash-book, he told his parents what he desired to be done, with as much calm precision as though he were preparing for an ordinary journey. The practical sympathies of his life were strong in death. He had worked and prayed for the conversion of the world, and now that he was about to leave it, he wished to add to those many prayers a last Amen! in the form of a suitable donation to the Wesleyan Missionary Society. He had ever shown the utmost tenderness for the widow and the orphan, and now with unaffected love and genuine simplicity of purpose, he requested that a £5 note should be given to each widow connected with the Church in Stanningley he loved so well.

A short time before his death he asked his father if there would be room for him in the family vault. But almost immediately added, "Well, never mind the body, there is plenty of room where the soul is going!" He enjoyed a settled peace, a strong confidence in Jesus that never faltered. His last words were in answer to his father's inquiry if his prospects were bright. With an emphasis that spoke of perfect victory he replied, "O yes!" And when he had said this he fell asleep, August 24th, 1874. He died, as he lived, in the clear light of God's favour, reminding those who knew him best of our Saviour's words, " Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

On the day of the funeral the mills of the village were stopped and hundreds thronged the road watching with tearful eyes the mournful procession. The chapel was crowded in every part, while the solemn service was conducted by the Rev. John Rossell. A gracious influence attended his words as he spoke of the departed, in language never to be forgotten. The whole district had sustained a loss which was everywhere felt.

It is not often that the death of one so young-but twenty-two years of age-moves a multitude to tears, and leaves them with a sense of personal loss. But of young or old it is equally true, "The memory of the just is blessed."

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AUTHORS OF THE NEW HYMNS IN THE WESLEYAN

HYMN-BOOK.

I.-MICHAEL BRUCE, AUTHOR OF HYMNS 740, 924.

BY THE REV. JABEZ MARRAT.

MICHAEL BRUCE, though one of the lesser stars of literature, shines with a pure and beautiful light. His genius, his piety, his struggles with poverty, and his early death, give a pathetic interest to his history. He was born in the year 1746, at Kinnesswood, a village on a declivity of the Lomond Hills. His father, Alexander Bruce, was a weaver, and his labours at the loom afforded him but a scanty livelihood. The words inscribed on many old grave-stones in Scotland, "Ane honest man," might be appropriately applied to him, for he was never known to be guilty of any act that contravened the laws of Christian morality. Notwithstanding his humble circumstances he was highly esteemed by his neighbours, was elected to eldership in the church of which he was a member, and was able to impart such instruction to the sick and dying that his visits were eagerly welcomed by them. His mind was stored with useful information, and in the evening his house was resorted to by the youths of the parish who wished for a higher kind of entertainment than could be found in the street or the tavern. Many years after his death, aged men acknowledged their indebtedness to him for modes of thought and expression which distinguished them from others of their own rank in life. The poet's mother had a mind of homelier cast, but was not wanting in the graces of a godly womanhood. She looked "well to the ways of her household," and as far as she had the means was a cheerful giver to those poorer than herself. When

in extreme age, having received a few pounds from admirers of her deceased son, she was seen going through the village with a basket on her arm filled with small loaves. When asked by an acquaintance what she was about, she replied: "When heaven is raining so plentifully upon me, I may ay let twa or three draps fa' on my puir neighbours."

Michael received his first instruction from his father, and was able to read the easier chapters of the Bible when only four years old. When he went to the parish school the master was surprised to find him so far advanced, and was soon proud of him as one of his best scholars. But the boy's attendance at school was interrupted by the poverty of his parents, who in the summer months hired him to the farmers to herd cattle on the Lomond Hills. To most lads this would have been a wearisome occupation; they would have been impatient for the hour to come when they could rejoin their companions in the village. But Michael, with a book from his father's little library, listening to the cuckoo in the thicket and the lark in the blue sky, or gazing on the wide sweep of land and water, was happy in the solitude. The beautiful poem in which he pictured Lochleven and the surrounding scenery is a record of the impressions he received when employed as a herd-boy. Poetry, though at that time inarticulate, kindled in his heart as he stood on a slope of the Lomonds and looked on the lake variegated with pleasant

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