seventy-five years old. His departure from this world of sorrow and trial was very calm. We may truly say, that his end was peace.

"To those who had the opportunity of observing his serene, thankful, and heavenly frame of mind, it was evident that he had for some time been ripening for the glory to which he had so nearly approached. He was not, as you well know, a man of many words, especially in reference to himself; and during the illness which has terminated in his death, he did not say much; but what he did say was of a very satisfactory character. On one occasion he was asked, if Christ were precious to him: he replied, 'O, he is precious! He is precious! 0, how much I love him!'

"To the Superintendent Minister of the Tenterden Circuit, the Rev. Thomas Hill, who had called to see him, he said, 'I am happy. I love the Lord. He is precious.' He requested Mr. Hill to pray for him, and told him that, as to himself, all was well. Mr. Hill called again to see him the night before he died, and found him still happy, and longing to depart, and be with Christ.

"His patience and resignation throughout were exemplary; and not less so his gratitude to God, and to those who attended upon him. Not a word of complaint, not a peevish or fretful expression, was ever heard from him. During the last twenty-four hours, he appeared to be always happy and thankful. If he were asked, whether he was in pain, he would reply, in a kind and cheerful tone, Only a little,' or words to that effect.

"On one occasion, his daughter-in-law (who had attended him with affectionate assiduity) asked him, Is your prospect now bright for eternity, father?' He answered, 'Yes. I have no doubts.' He afterwards said, 'I long to depart, and be with Christ. Praise the Lord! Praise him!' Then, after receiving a little nourishment, he said, 'Thank the Lord for all his mercies.' He continued in this state for a few hours longer, and then departed in peace, to be for ever with the Lord."

MEMOIR OF MRS. ELIZABETH GEAKE,

OF FROGWELL, IN THE SALTASH CIRCUIT:

BY THE REV. O. HENWOOD.

MRS. GEAKE was born in the parish of Lansallas, Cornwall, in 1762. Her father, Mr. Henry Langmaid, was a respectable farmer, and one of the first race of Methodists in his neighbourhood. In an original letter, now before me, containing a list of places visited by the Wesleyan Ministers in the Cornwall East Circuit, I find, "Trenewen, Henry Langmaid." The letter is worthy to be preserved, as throwing some light on the state of Methodism in that day. It was addressed to Mr. Thomas Vasey :

"MY DEAR BROTHER,

"Launceston, October 16th, 1775.

"THIS day I received a letter from Mr. Wesley, in which he supposes you to be in this round. As I have some thoughts that you will come to this society first, I take the occasion of dropping this line, that

you may know better how to proceed. The vacant places which you are desired to fill up are as follows." (Here a list of places is given, to occupy a month; several of which are now heads of Circuits, as St. Austle, Bodmin, Camelford, Launceston, Tavistock, Dock, now Devonport, and Plymouth.) The writer thus concludes: "I wish you good luck in the name of the Lord. Keep close to him and the word of his grace; then will you be a happy instrument in saving your own soul and them that hear you. O that all who labour in this part of God's vineyard may be enabled to say, 'The Lord hath done great things for us.' "I am

"Yours affectionately in Jesus,
"RICHARD RODDA."

Miss Langmaid was highly favoured with the means of religious instruction, and gave pleasing evidences of early piety. The powerful sermons and edifying conversation of the late Dr. Adam Clarke were more especially beneficial to her, if not the direct means of her conversion to God. She received a note of admittance into the society, of which the following is a copy :-"December 16th, 1784. Admit Elizabeth Langmaid. F. Wrigley." She, being a good singer, and zealous for the salvation of others, frequently accompanied the Preachers to new places of ministerial enterprise; and was, at that time, the only respectable young female in the parish who gloried in the cross of Christ. Her usual place of worship was at Polperro, about three miles from her father's house; but having a pony at command, and delighting in religious ordinances, she was seldom absent from it.

Her first husband, Mr. William Sargent, was Captain, and in part owner, of a merchant vessel, and also a Methodist. But their conjugal happiness was of short continuance; for in a storm at sea, off the "Land's End," he was lost, with the vessel, cargo, and crew, leaving her a widow with an infant daughter. This bereavement, though sudden and distressing, she bore with Christian resignation; sorrowing not as one without hope, being fully assured, by her knowledge of his deep and uniform piety, that death to him was gain.

Connected with her future history is the following seeming digression. In 1785, Mr. Adam Clarke was stationed in the Plymouth Circuit, which included Trecarrel, in Lezant, the residence of Mr. Thomas Sargent, who had preaching in his house. Here his nephew, Thomas Geake, was awakened under the energetic ministry of Mr. Clarke, and soon became a new creature in Christ Jesus. Thomas had been regarded as a champion in the rough sports of the day; consequently his conversion produced a strong sensation in the neighbourhood. Instead of being the leader of a party of gay young men, he became their jest, and a distinguished member of a band of worthies brought to God under the same ministry. Having tasted that the Lord is gracious, he felt a deep concern for his friends and neighbours: hence he warned them to flee from the wrath to come, and testified what God had done for his soul. This was something new and strange to the people; who, in doubt and consternation, said to each other, "What has happened to Thomas Geake? He says, he knows that God hath forgiven his sins!' This declaration was regarded by some as little less than blasphemy. Various were the thoughts and remarks on the occasion; but his brother Richard pondered on what

he heard, searched the Scriptures with prayer for direction, and became convinced that he needed the same grace. He, too, obtained "redemption in the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins." The brothers were soon numbered among the most respectable and efficient Local Preachers in the east of Cornwall; and in that vicinity, including some parts of Devon, they for many years proclaimed the glad tidings of the Gospel amid much opposition from rude mobs, and even from persons of higher rank.

Thus, at the distance of twenty miles, God, who setteth the solitary in families, was raising up partners for each other of one heart and way. Thus he opened new doors for his word, and prepared new labourers in his vineyard, and new homes for his Ministers. Mr. Richard Geake met widow Sargent unexpectedly at Milbrook, and recognised her as a distant relative. Her agreeable person, neat dress, and unaffected piety, won his affection, and a union followed, which was productive of mutual happiness for more than half a century. Mrs. Geake's sisters, Peggy and Catharine, were Methodists; and, through this new relationship, entered into the matrimonial state, the former becoming the wife of Mr. Thomas Geake; the latter, of Mr. Edmund Webb, a respectable farmer and Local Preacher. These auspicious unions were regarded as special answers to prayer: certainly they have produced much domestic comfort, and been the channel for conveying religious advantages to many in their respective localities.

Mr. Richard Geake and his excellent wife opened their house to the Wesleyan Ministers and other friends, first at Polperro, and subsequently, for many years, at St. Germain's. At the latter place, as a tanner and farmer, Mr. Geake had much business, with a large family; but for fifteen years the Gospel was preached, and religious meetings were held, in his house. At times the kitchen, parlour, and office, were thronged; but though it must have been very inconvenient to prepare the family meals, and attend to other domestic affairs, in the brief intervals between morning, afternoon, and evening meetings, Mrs. Geake never complained; but, on the contrary, rejoiced in opportunities thus afforded for getting and doing good. That kitchen has been the spiritual birth-place of many, some of whom have risen to honourable stations in the church, and cherished feelings of reverence for the sacred room, as having been to them "the house of God, and the gate of heaven." The writer well remembers the powerful impression he received in that kitchen under the first sermon preached there by the late Rev. William Martin, in September, 1805. The text was taken from Acts xvii. 30; intense was the general feeling of the congregation, and numerous were the tears of many on that memorable occasion.

At this period of Methodism, Local Preachers in the neighbourhood were but few. Mr. Geake was almost every Sunday engaged to preach, and frequently at a considerable distance from his home. Being of a cheerful, lively disposition, and warmly devoted to religion, he was often selected to hold lovefeasts after evening preaching. Hence, his return to his family was unavoidably late; for, however fatigued, he made it a point to return home the same night, that he might be ready for business in the morning. Mrs. Geake, far from wishing to hinder him, was ever desirous that he should fulfil his appointments, remarking, "The people will expect you." But she would not retire to rest until his return, nor blame him for being late. Having in early life

acquired a taste for useful reading, her waiting hours glided on pleasantly; and her husband, on his return, found her wakeful, with cheerful looks ready to give him a cordial welcome. She took no prominent part in the church, and said but little respecting herself; yet, as a private Christian she excelled, and by her example and counsels she edified many. Delighting in the company of the Wesleyan Ministers, she profited by their instructions, and was ever ready to entertain them with Christian hospitality. By her family and the poor she was greatly beloved; some of whom, through her influence, became disciples of Christ. She was eminently "a keeper at home," ever anticipating the wants, and promoting the happiness, of the domestic circle. Her affection for her husband and children was very strong; and being both firm and kind as a mistress, her servants feared and loved her. Several of her domestics, though ungodly when they came to the house, were so benefited by what they saw and heard there, as to "become new creatures in Christ ;" and some of them have since died in the Lord. As the house of Obed-edom was blessed on account of the ark of God, so has this family been enriched with treasures far more valuable than silver or gold. The daughters became the subjects of early piety, and have continued faithful; while, it is hoped, the entire family have received the seed of divine truth, which under due culture may yield the fruits of righteousness.

Mrs. Geake at different periods of life was visited with severe affliction, but felt resigned and happy under the chastening rod. She was bereaved of four children when they were very young. One daughter made a happy end, after having been for some years a consistent member of the Methodist society. By severe attacks of typhus fever, her husband, Mr. Thomas Geake, Mr. Webb, and several members of their families, were brought very low; but she was mercifully spared, and enabled to minister to their necessities. On that painfully memorable occasion the fathers were restored to health, whilst some child or children in each family fell victims to the disease. After losing two sons through the fever, Mrs. Geake was called to give up Mr. Comer, an intended son-in-law. He had served an apprenticeship in the house as a tanner, and begun business for himself at Milbrook. But his prospects in life were blighted by a rapid pulmonary consumption. Being disabled for business, he turned towards his former happy residence at St. Germain's, observing, "I am going home to die." After lingering a short time, with a blooming hope of immortality, he died amidst his esteemed and beloved friends, rejoicing in God his Saviour.

Guided by Providence, Mr. and Mrs. Geake, in the decline of life, removed from St. Germain's to Frogwell, a hamlet in the parish of Callington. Here they found a suitable retreat from the cares of business in a small tenement, consisting of houses, garden, orchard, and five small fields. This property was left in trust by the late Mr. Denner, chiefly for the support of the Methodist ministry in Frogwell. A brief memoir of Mr. Denner is given in the Wesleyan Magazine for February, 1806. For sixty years he had lived without God in the world, when he heard a Methodist Preacher in the corn-market at Callington, and was awakened to an earnest concern for salvation. This circumstance led to the introduction of Methodism into Frogwell and other places. Mr. Denner fitted up an upper room" on his own premises, where the writer, in early youth, has heard Messrs. Geake,

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Webb, the venerable James Truscott, of Tavistock, Local Preachers from Dock, (now Devonport,) and elsewhere. Dear to him and to many others is the "upper room" in the hamlet, where he received his natural and spiritual birth, where his honoured mother had been brought to the knowledge of the truth, and where other relatives and friends, including the Rev. James Messenger, a Clergyman, have received considerable religious benefit. From this mother-church Methodism has spread and prospered, especially at Callington, where, a first and second chapel having become too small, a third, of larger dimensions, has lately been erected.

Mr. Denner died in 1802; and the tenement he bequeathed to Methodism has ever since been occupied by persons either Local Preachers, or individuals able to conduct the prayer and class meetings. It forms a desirable retreat for a Supernumerary labourer, who may be so far efficient as occasionally to conduct the religious services, receive "the brethren" at the expense of the trust, and extend his ministrations as strength may permit. Here Mr. Geake, now a widower, and one of the original Trustees, has resided for the last few years, continuing strong, and ever ready to labour for God and souls, extending his ministry throughout the Circuit, and occasionally beyond it; and here in imagination the writer delights to linger. The hamlet (consisting of this tenement and two farm-houses) reposes on the sunniest side of a gently-reclining vale. The " upper room" is in the outer cottage, bequeathed by Mr. Denner: passing by a garden-hedge of well trimmed box, we reach the humble dwelling, embosomed in fruitful orchards. By a path, overshadowed with apple-trees, we ascend to the upland fields, from whence the eye surveys a pleasing variety of hill and dale, wood and water. Rich meadows slope down to the river Lyner; whilst, in the distance, cultivated lands, with Cornish moors and tors, stretch away in the direction of Camelford.

Here Mrs. Geake spent her latter days, attending to domestic duties, and enjoying the means of grace, admired and beloved by all who knew her. For many years she had found much satisfaction in reading the Methodist Magazine, especially the biographical portions. Having read the memoir of the devoted David Stoner, she remarked, with tears and deep feeling, "O, what this dear young man did in his short day! I am fourscore, and have done nothing for God in all my life!" Her husband replied, "My dear, you have done something. If not a Preacher, you have readily waited on Preachers for many years, and would have washed their feet had it been necessary." "Yes," she replied, "but that is nothing: see what souls this blessed young man has been the means of converting!" Thus humble was her mind, at all times free from an inclination to find fault or criticise, and ever ready to glorify God in the gifts and graces of his Ministers. She kept no diary, and rarely wrote a letter; but in domestic life she ranked among virtuous women, whose price is above rubies. The heart of her husband did safely trust in her; for she did him good and not evil all the days of her life. A lady, in a letter of condolence to the bereaved husband, remarked, "I do not think I can forget the morning when I saw Mrs. Geake at Frogwell. When she understood who I was, she warmly welcomed me, and instantly began to mention the loving-kindness of the Lord. 'I wish,' said she, 'my every breath were praise. From the rising to the setting sun I would praise the