stranger to those spiritual delights which the children of God alone enjoy.

In the year 1859, when the Rev. Samuel Jackson was labouring in this circuit, we held special revival services in the George-street School. Our deceased brother attended those services, and was again convinced of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. In the month of August, 1859, when the Rev. J. Harker laboured in this circuit, the deceased was enabled fully to resolve," This people shall be my people, and their God shall be my God." He was then enrolled as a member in the writer's class. His attendance at his class was commendable; he was seldom absent, except in case of sickness. His religious experience was scriptural, and full of gratitude and thankfulness to Almighty God, for his mercy displayed in plucking him as a brand from the fire in the eleventh hour.

On the 18th of November, 1861, he sustained a severe loss in the death of his aged partner, who was a member in the same class. This bereavement was the source of deep sorrow. Yet he did not sorrow like those that have no hope, for he remembered that his loss was her eternal gain.

On

He attended his class for the last time on the 4th of May, 1862. He then appeared in his usual health, and was still earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. the morning of the 7th of May he was taken seriously ill, and it was evident to his family and friends that the period of his sojourn would shortly come to a close. But the religion of Jesus wonderfully sustained him in that trying hour. His heart and mind were kept in perfect peace. We saw him almost every day during the last week of his life, and found him happy in Jesus. On the evening of the 13th of May we visited him, with the Rev. A. C. Bevington and brother James Clayton, and found him resigned to the will of God, and happy in the blissful prospect of a glorious immortality. He continued in that happy frame of mind until about ten o'clock on the morning of the 14th of May, 1862, when he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Hyde. JOSEPH HIBBERT.

ROBERT HAMPSON. THE subject of this brief notice was born at Boothtown, near Manchester,

on the 23rd of January, 1805. Up to the year 1859 he was a stranger to experimental religion. On the 3rd of March, 1859, he met with a serious accident while following his daily occupation in Mr. Howard's mill at Hyde. A bale of cotton falling on him from a considerable height, severely fractured his left leg, in consequence of which he was at once removed to the Manchester Infirmary, and while confined in the infirmary it pleased God to give him power to see himself a sinner, and he was, by faith, enabled to rest his soul on Jesus. After he returned home, as soon as he was able to move about with crutches, he became a regular attendant at George-street Chapel, Hyde, and appeared to be much in earnest for his soul's salvation.

On the 2nd of September, 1859, when the Rev. J. Harker was resident among us, he became a member at the writer's class, and his constant attendance on those delightful means clearly attested his love to God, his love to the Connexion, and an anxious desire to glorify God, and thereby adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. He attended his class for the last time on the 10th of February, 1861. He was happy in Jesus; and while afterwards confined to his home and bed, he was wonderfully supported by Divine grace. He seemed to realize in all its fulness that heart-cheering promise, "My grace shall be sufficient for thee." The thought of separation from his now bereaved partner and children was for a time a severe trial; but, through Divine grace, he was enabled to leave them in the hands of

a covenant-keeping God. He was

confined at home for about seven months, and during that time he was visited by the writer, and the Rev. W. Yeoman, the Rev. A. C. Bevington, and other friends. It was pleasing to witness that, as he drew near to Jordan's cold flood, his confidence in God seemed to grow stronger and his prospect of heaven brighter. The night before he died he was exceedingly happy; he wished to sing, but could not, yet, to the extent of his voice, he exclaimed

"Not fearing nor doubting, with Christ on my side,

I hope to die shouting, 'The Lord will provide.'

In this happy frame of mind he yielded up his precious soul into the

hands of Him who gave it, on the 1st of October, 1861, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. JOSEPH HIBBERT. Hyde.

SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. FORD,

OF HANLEY.

DIED suddenly, at Hanley, on Sunday, July 20th, Mrs. Ford, widow of the late Rev. W. Ford. Our sister's call was most alarmingly sudden. She had risen in her usual state of health, had breakfasted at an early hour, and, in company with her son, Mr. Charles Ford, had gone to Bethesda. During the singing of the hymn before the sermon, she left her pew, complaining of slight sickness. Ere she had reached the end of the aisle, she seemed to be falling, and would have fallen but for the timely assistance of friends. A cab was immediately secured, and, in company with her son and Mrs. Scrivener, she was conveyed home. After her arrival she breathed once or twice, but life was virtually extinct before she was borne into her dwelling.

What a comment upon the words of our Lord, "Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh!" (Matthew xxiv. 44.) On the Saturday following her remains were deposited in the family vault beneath Bethesda Chapel. As might be expected, the shock to the bereaved family has been very great. Let them, however, be comforted by the thought that their mother, having lived a useful life, has passed away, trusting on the merits of Christ as her only atonement-seeking to imitate Him as her perfect pattern, and longing after him as her satisfying portion. J. M.

SARAH SHEWARD WAS born at Upper Gornal, near Dudley, in 1803. Being blessed with a pious mother, she, in early life, became the subject of religious impressions, and a decided follower of the Lord Jesus. The days of her youthful piety were amongst the happiest of her life. They were frequently the subject of conversation with her own children, and were looked back to with unspeakable pleasure. When thus exercised, she would urge upon ber family both the necessity and blessedness of early piety. To see them brought to God

was therefore her constant and earnest prayer. Nor did she labour in vain God regarded her prayers, and permitted her to see some of her children brought into fellowship with his Church, whilst others regularly attend the house. of God.

Her marriage to Mr. Sheward took place in 1831, and for some time they were as happy as could be wished, walking together in the fear and love of God. This, however, was marred by her husband yielding to temptation and falling into sin, which resulted in a life of sin on his part, and grief to the family. As sin brings sorrow, so did it in this case, making the domestic circle the opposite of what it had previously been. But through all Mrs. Sheward retained her confidence in God, and "the trial of her faith worked patience, and patience experience, and experience hope."

About fourteen or fifteen years ago, the family came to reside at Dudley Port, and the children were sent to St. Paul's school; after which Mrs. S. became a member of sister Finch's class. At the death of Mrs. Finch she was appointed to lead the class, the duties of which she faithfully, and to the prosperity of the class, discharged, whilst it was under her care.

About three months ago Mr. Sheward, her husband, was taken ill. Day and night did she wait upon him; the fatigue of which completely prostrated her, so that at his death but little hope was entertained of her recovery. On visiting her whilst her husband lay a corpse in the adjoining room, I found her broken down in body, but resigned in spirit. She felt confident, she said, that God would do all things right, and if it were his will that she should be so soon called to follow her husband, she would willingly resign herself to it. During the few days that she lingered after her husband, her sufferings were acute, but her joy in God was great. He who had sustained her during the trials of life was with her as death drew near, bearing her up, and enabling her to feel what she could not express

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' Fourteen days after the death of her husband, whose backslidings, she said, God had healed, she fell asleep in Jesus, on

J J

the 19th of May, 1862, in the fiftyninth year of her age.

The writer improved her death to a numerous congregation in St. Paul's, on Sunday evening, June 29th.

W. COTTON.

MRS. SARAH RIDGWAY. DIED, July 31, 1862, in the 79th year of her age, Sarah, the beloved wife of Josiah Ridgway, of Hollingworth, in the Staley bridge Circuit.

She was the subject of powerful religious impressions when only seven years of age. For more than half a century she made her house the home for the preachers when visiting that part of the circuit; and, as her dying request, she desired that the pew in the chapel and her contributions to her class should be paid after her death as heretofore. Her end was peace.

OUR readers will feel much satisfaction in reading the report of the foundation - stone laying of two chapels, Liverpool and Pendleton. A new sanctuary at the latter place has long been required, and its completion will gladden many hearts. The ceremony was one of special interest, and the public meeting will long be remembered. E. Whittaker, Esq., by his liberal example, encourages the friends to follow up their generous deeds, until the debt be so reduced as to place the estate in easy circumstances, and cause it to yield a revenue to aid in support of the ministry. Such a state of things is most desirable in reference to all our chapel property, and one that must receive the special attention of the Connexion before long.

Mr. Taylor has entered upon a great work in Manchester. He has accepted, with a cheerful heart and heroic purpose, the onerous responsibilities, anxieties, and labours involved in an effort to raise that circuit to a state of efficiency and prosperity. He is resolved, by God's help, it shall no longer be a question of lingering existence. Resuscitation, vigour, and enlargement, are his mottoes. We hope no cynical tempers or contracted views will chill his efforts. When a man of God willingly adopts a circuit in such a condition as Manchester South, and devotes a portion of the very best part of his life to grapple with its enormous difficulties, and restore it, from a state of utter prostration, to

J. R.

a state of health, vigour, and prosperity, he should be well and universally sustained. Every heart should beat with loyal response, every hand should be uplifted to help, every voice should be raised in prayer, and every purse be unstrung to furnish the needful means. The times are unfavourable, but they are no worse for religion than for other things; and if we wait for good times, we only increase our difficulties. The walls of Jerusalem were built in troublous times, and the history of that effort supplies an example of energy and success that speaks to all ages. Brother Taylor is in the right place, and is doing the right work, just at the right time; and with the energy of an indomitable purpose, grounded in prayer, and sustained by the promises of God, success cannot be viewed as problematical. Let us bespeak for him the zealous co-operation of the whole circuit, and the sympathy and prayers of the whole Connexion. May Jehovah help him, and bless him in his great and God-like undertaking!

Commercial Distress.-The cotton famine continues to work awful results in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire, Cheshire, and some parts of Yorkshire. Many thousands of industrious families are plunged into want and misery; and amongst them are many of our own pious people-people who attend our sanctuaries, love our ministers, pray and labour for our prosperity, and who, in the time of plenty, subscribed, with a liberal hand, to the support of

the cause of God. These dear sufferers must not be forgotten in the hour of their distress. Indeed, we are sure they are not forgotten; many hearts and hands have already been opened to pity and to help. But could we not do something Connexionally for our suffering friends? We are glad to see that the Wesleyan Conference has taken up the matter by the appointment of a special committee, which has recommended that a collection be made in each chapel throughout the Connexion. We like this plan, because of its breadth, and the opportunity which it gives for the poorest to contribute their mite, and for the Connexion to unite in a becoming and a necessary act of sympathy. We respectfully suggest this to our circuits, not, indeed, as a substitute for those larger donations which the wealthy may feel free to give in those metropolitan and provincial contributions which are now being supplied, but as a supplementary contribution, expressive of that Christian fraternity and Connexional sympathy by which we are bound to each other, and as a mode of supplying means to our own ministers when, in their pastoral duties, they have daily to visit scenes of woe, and administer spiritual consolation and support.

FOUNDATION-STONE

OF A

NEW CHAPEL AT PENDLETON, MANCHESTER SOUTH.

SATURDAY, the 12th day of July, was a high day with our friends at Pendleton. For many years the idea of having a new chapel had been alternately entertained and abandoned; but a few weeks ago the old chapel Bethesda-was entirely cleared away, and on Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, the friends assembled to perform, or witness, the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of a new chapel. A large number of people from various parts of the circuit and district assembled in the large room of the Mechanics' Institution, and went, in orderly and imposing procession, to the site, headed by the President of Conference, the superintendent of the circuit, the architect, and the gentleman

who was to lay the stone. On arriving at the ground, the Rev. J. Taylor announced the hymn, the Rev. T. D. Crothers read a portion of Scripture, and the Rev. G. Grundy offered up prayer. After singing a second time, Mr. Harwood, on behalf of the trustees, presented a silver trowel, a mallet, and a spirit-level, to E. Whittaker, Esq., of Hurst, who had been previously engaged to lay the stone. The trowel bore the following inscription:

"Presented by the trustees of the Bethesda Chapel, Pendleton, to Edwin Whittaker, Esq., of Hurst, to commemorate his laying the foundationstone of the new sanctuary, 12th of July, 1862."

In presenting the trowel, &c., Mr. Harwood said that "the old chapel, which recently stood on that site, had long been inadequate to the wants of the neighbourhood; and if the Connexion was to take hold of the public, and occupy, as it ought to do, a respectable position among other denominations, a more commodious and inviting sanctuary was needed.

Such

a sanctuary it was their intention to raise.' Alluding to John Whittaker, Esq., father of the gentleman who was to lay the stone, he deplored his protracted illness, and prayed that he might soon be restored; but said, "If they had not the presence of the father, they had of the son, and he was delighted to find Mr. Edwin Whittaker present to occupy so honourable a position, and to do so important a work, He hoped that he might long be spared to his family and the Connexion."

"The

The stone was then laid, and Mr. E. Whittaker said "he felt deeply the honour conferred upon him that day," and made some affectionate and touching allusions to his father. work," he said, "in which they were then engaged was a pleasing and an important one, and he hoped it would prove a great blessing to the neighbourhood. Their object was to diffuse knowledge and increase happiness amongst all classes of society, and the most effectual way to do this was to erect sanctuaries in which God was to be worshipped, and the Gospel faithfully preached. It was pleasing to see efforts made, by liberal-hearted men of all denominations, to accomplish this end, and he was glad to find that the friends at Pendleton were desirous and determined to meet the requirements

of their position. They were assembled, not as enemies of others, but as friends of all; not as rivals of other denominations, but as helpers; and, although they might differ from others on some points, yet they were all united in one grand object. He hoped that the blessing of God would rest upon the building about to be erected, and the Pendleton cause receive a new impulse from that day forward."

Mr. Whittaker read a list of the contents of the bottle placed under the stone, viz., the Minutes of the last Conference, a document stating particulars of the old chapel, &c., copies of the Manchester Examiner and Times, Manchester Guardian, and Salford Weekly News; also a number of the current coins of the realm.

The Rev. J. Taylor, as superintendent of the circuit, next delivered an address on "Public Worship as a Divine and Beneficial Institution, and on the Distinctive Features of the New Connexion."

The ceremony was brought to a close by singing and prayer, all thankful for such a beautiful afternoon, and pleased with the auspicious proceedings.

The ceremony over, the friends adjourned to the Mechanics' Institution. About four hundred sat down to tea. The public meeting was presided over by A. Pilling, Esq., of Bolton, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. G. Grundy, J. Stokoe, T. D. Crothers, P. J. Wright, J. Taylor, W. J. Townsend, and Messrs. Whittaker, Elkington, Jenkinson, &c. &c. Selections of music were efficiently performed by the choir, and the general opinion was, that it was one of the most interesting and well-sustained meetings they had ever attended.

The chapel will be built of brick, with heavy stone facings of Italian exterior. The dimensions will be 56 feet by 44 feet, and 40 feet high. There is to be accommodation for six hundred persons. There will be two entrance doors, surmounted with a balustrade, supported by Corinthian pillars; above the balustrades there will be two highly ornamental centre windows. A gallery will run round the whole of the interior, and there will be a carved and enriched ceiling. The estimated cost, when complete, is £2,300. R. Scrivener, Esq., F.S.A., of Hanley, is the architect, and Messrs. Metcalf and Waterson, Strangeways, the contrac

tors. The subscription list, at the present time, is about £750. We hope to raise this sum to £1,000, including proceeds of opening services, and to hold a bazaar at as early a period as possible. Mr. E. Whittaker happily, and to the great relief of the trustees, projected this idea-offering on behalf of himself, family, and personal friends, to furnish one stall. This project we intend to take up; and knowing, as the friends in the district and Connexion do, our position as a circuit, we feel that we can calculate on a sufficiency of Connexional loyalty to warrant the hope of our project being supported by friends around and at a distance. Mr. Editor, with this circuit on the verge of extinction, it is Now or NEVER. To beat a retreat after so long a possession, would be a Connexional disgrace that cannot be allowed. It is

EXTENSION OR EXTINCTION." We ask ourselves and the Connexion which shall it be? We feel assured that, with untiring effort, Connexional sympathy, and the Divine blessing, we shall see Manchester South rise to a hopeful and healthy condition.

The friends in the Connexion will be glad to learn that we have resolved to close Peter-street at an early period, transfer the available remnant of the cause and the religious services Chapman-street, in Hulme, buy land for chapel and school contiguous to Chapman-street, and at once put up a good school-room (for which the trustees of Peter-street have promised to advance £500 until Peter-street can be sold), and, as soon as practicable, commence the new chapel. In the meantime we intend to bring all our influence and energies to bear in raising a cause in Chapman-street, to be transferred, in due course, to the new school, and subsequently to the new chapel. The Lord guide and sustain us!

Another part of our project is a new chapel for the friends in Piercy-street. There we have the elements of a good cause. The friends are all belonging to the working-class-both temporally and spiritually; and when we can raise a good, plain, substantial chapel there, we shall soon have a flourishing cause!

God is with us.

At Altrincham, a fortnight ago, we had five brought to God. One young man clung to me like a drowning man, and said, "I want to be saved;" and, oh! when he found the blessing, he re