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Feb. 20th, 1847.-At Leigh, near Manchester, aged seventy-four, the Rev. Richard Smetham, who, for upwards of forty years, in which he was a Minister in the Wesleyan Connexion, maintained an unsullied reputation, and laboured with zeal, general acceptance, and success in the work of the Lord, until he was compelled through infirmity to become a Supernumerary. His end was characterized by great peace, ardent love, and firm confidence in God through Christ. He was held, and justly so, in high esteem by all classes in society. J. S.

March 19th.-At Thirsk, of an affection of the heart, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and the thirty-sixth of his ministry, the Rev. Thomas Hall, Wesleyan Minister. His departure was sudden, but eminently peaceful and happy. In the year 1806, under the ministry of the late Rev. John Pipe, he was led to see that an external moral deportment is but a worthless substitute for personal religion. He saw that he "must be born again ;" and rested not until, by the exercise of that faith which is of the operation of the Spirit of God, he was enabled to appropriate unto himself the merits of the Saviour's death. He was soon constrained to preach in the neighbouring villages; and, finally, he was led to devote his life to the service of the Wesleyan ministry. His first appointment was to Diss, in 1811. His pulpit ministrations were never characterized by what is vivid, or imaginative, but rather by sterling worth, evangelical truth, and an uncompromising adherence to the law and the testimony. There were solidity and orthodoxy in his well-arranged and impressive discourses. His last illness was of few days' continuance. On one occasion he said, "Many suffer more than I, and yet have not my consolations." About halfpast eight P.M., on Friday, March 19th, he retired to rest. Sitting up, he took his medicine: he then laid his head on his pillow, began to

gasp for breath, and died in a few seconds. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." R. S.

March 22d.-At Torquay, whither he had gone for the recovery of his health early last autumn, the Rev. Jonathan Turner, aged fiftyeight years. He commenced his ministry in 1811; but on two occasions, from enfeebled health, which he attributed to over-exertion in one of our glorious revivals, he was necessitated to retire as a Supernumerary: but, with returning health, he gladly gave himself again to the work in which his heart delighted. The difficulty and pain with which he sometimes performed the work of the Circuit, was only known to himself and his God. At the last Conference he felt a persuasion that it was his duty again to become a Supernumerary; but the hope of increase of health, together with the kind invitation of the friends in the North Shields Circuit, induced him, though somewhat reluctantly, to accede to a renewed appointment; and, in order to realize his wishes, he removed to Torquay, that, by a short time of rest, he might be able subsequently to effectively discharge his Circuit duties. Providence, however, decreed otherwise he gradually sunk in strength. When he found his end was approaching, he sent for the Rev. J. P. Haswell, to whom he stated, "I feel ashamed, in looking over my life, that my zeal in the cause of God has been so languid. I am, indeed, stripped of every plea; but,

For me the Saviour died.'

Tell my dear brethren, I feel the truth and power of the doctrines which I have held and preached for nearly forty years. God does indeed comfort me. I have much to lament over, many imperfections to bemoan; but I am saved, saved by grace!" J. P. H.

POETRY.

A PASSING THOUGHT ON THE CHANGE OF THE SABBATH-DAY.

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LONDON PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE.

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THE

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1847.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. HENRY ANDERSON:

BY HIS SON, THE REV. JOHN ANDERSON.

CHRISTIAN biography is designed to be a valuable auxiliary in promoting the edification of the church of God. Teaching and admonishing by example, its efficiency is great. Knowledge is acquired of the most secret workings of the human mind, in all the varieties of situation, and upon subjects of transcendent importance. Springs of moral action are unveiled, motives of a hallowed nature described with sufficient minuteness, and the operation of principles of highest scriptural worth satisfactorily traced. Under its auspices, moreover, we are invited to become, during their probationary state, the bosom companions of those whom we now number with the sainted dead, to sympathize with them in their temptations, struggles, griefs, and tribulations; to witness their victorious encounters with the arch-enemy of all good; to participate in their resolves, comforts, hopes, and joys; to note the gushings forth of their pure and fervid affections towards God; to contemplate their entire and unceasing trust upon the great atonement, their devout submission to the divine will, their patience and fortitude in the hour of suffering, and their final triumph in the throes of expiring nature. Thus a savour of life unto life is preserved in the recorded details of their piety; and, although on earth no more, by these they increase the glory of God, and are honoured in advancing his cause.

My father was born at East Sutton, in the East Riding of the county of York, in the year 1766. He was the third son in a large family. The general conduct of his parents was orderly, and secured the esteem of their neighbours; and they were accustomed to attend, with their children, the parish church once on the Lord's day. When the subject of this memoir was about six years old, his father took a farm at Kilham in the same Riding, whither he removed with his family. At that time this part of the country was covered with gross darkness. The Sabbath was held in little esteem. All the male population of bordering townships, who were capable, were accustomed on that day, after service at church, as most convenient, to enter upon and decide games physical strife, foot-ball in particular, without interference from any of the surrounding Clergymen or magistracy. It is even affirmed that the object of contention was not unusually thrown up on consecrated ground, and that some in ecclesiastical offices, forgetting the sacred commands they had only a little before rehearsed in the hearing

VOL. III.-FOURTH SERIES.

20

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of responding worshippers, encouraged the reckless iniquity without disguise. In his youthful days, my father evinced much feeling when remarks of a solemn nature were addressed to him, and was especially affected, when any occurrences of an alarming kind transpired in the neighbourhood. As he advanced towards manhood, although repeatedly rebuked by his conscience, he complied with the jovial pastimes of his thoughtless companions. Soon he delighted in singing songs, playing at cards, hunting, shooting, and particularly in dancing. Being tall and well-proportioned, he was flattered on account of his figure, in the evolutions of that fascinating, but most dangerous, amusement. No doubt, for a time, this gratified vanity and prevented serious reflection.

The

The reign of folly was short. When nearly nineteen, he saw that a mode of spending life in which God was practically unrecognised was marked by extreme rashness, and was awfully criminal in His sight. Accordingly he determined upon reformation; and, in proof of his sincerity, he received, the following Easter, the sacramental elements at church. His praiseworthy resolutions, however, proved weak in the time of temptation: he had yet to learn that strength to fulfil them must be obtained from God alone. About this time, or a little before, the first sermon in the place, by a Methodist Minister, was delivered under circumstances trifling, but providential. The straying of his horse from the field in which it had been placed, in the vicinity of Bridlington Quay, the day before, to the township of Kilham, brought the late Rev. John Leach and his hospitable entertainer, Mr. W. Robinson, in search of it; and Mr. Leach that night published there the glad tidings of salvation. From that time Kilham was visited by him and his fellow-labourers in the Pocklington Circuit. Another incident connected with the introduction of Methodism in that village is worthy recital. An intelligent gentleman of a respectable profession, was expected to preach one Sunday afternoon, in summer, in the open air. From necessity or choice, this was the course commonly pursued in the infancy of the cause. Vicar, hearing of it, informed his congregation at the morning service, and urged their attendance, declaring his intention to meet the Preacher and expose his erroneous views. A multitude assembled at the appointed hour. The high praises of God were singing, as the Vicar, aged and infirm, approached, leaning upon the arm of the Clerk. Almost immediately the threatened exposure began. The Vicar, being fatigued with standing, could not long continue the debate which ensued, but requested the gentleman to retire with him and a few friends into an innkeeper's room. He did so. Another person supplied the place of the absent Preacher, and announced for his text, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." The Vicar found his antagonist a superior man, and was so well pleased with the issue of the circumstances in which their acquaintance commenced, that he politely invited him to call at his house when he journeyed that way. Instead of being confuted, the impression upon his daughter's mind of the correctness of the sentiments advocated by her father's laical disputant is clear; for after the discussion she was overheard expressing her opinion, that he would be eligible to a pulpit in the Establishment, if disposed. It is very probable that my father was a spectator and listener, on this occasion; for he had already attended Methodist preaching. In his twentieth year he joined the society. He soon procured the Rules, and showed, by a scrupulous obedience, how much he valued them.

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