heart-felt conviction of the truth of the sacred volume, that she never again doubted.

She became deeply convinced of sin, and applied with scrrow of heart to the Clergyman of Weston, informing him of her distress, and soliciting the religious instruction suited to her state. Such an application was altogether new to that Minister. He inquired by what means she had been brought into such a state; when she informed him that she had become acquainted with some Methodists residing at Lympsham and the adjacent places; that she had watched their exemplary lives, and was anxious to imitate them; and that by their faithful preaching and holy living, the Wesleyans had been made very useful. The Clergyman replied, "If you can bring any people into this place who can be useful to souls, I shall be very thankful; for I have preached here during the last twenty years, and never known that a soul has been converted." Mrs. Hancock replied

that there was a cottage near to her own residence which she should like the Methodists to occupy. The Clergyman's reply was," That house belongs to my brother; and he would sooner that it should be burnt to the ground, than that the Methodists should worship in it. But I will tell you what I will do: I will take the house of my brother, and you shall have possession of it immediately." The place was taken, and at the request of Mrs. Hancock the Wesleyans preached in it on one Sabbath-day in the fortnight. It was a small beginning; but the smile of God rested on it, and great results have followed. How many souls have been saved from death, as the result of the humble effort which was commenced under the patronage of the Clergyman of Weston, eternity will declare. A wise man scorneth nothing, be it ever so small or homely. For he knoweth not the s:cret laws that may bind it to great effects."

The most important event of Mrs. Hancock's life was now approaching. She retired to her own room for prayer, and, while pleading for mercy with all the fervour of a contrite spirit, obtained peace with God. Thus, by the possession of true religion, she received the chief qualification for doing good to others.

Several persons under the preaching of the word became concerned for salvation, and Mrs. Hancock was appointed to meet them in class. Very soon individuals might be seen wending their way to the cottage-sanctuary from Worle, Milton,

Kewstoke, and Uphill. But a short time had elapsed before the Society numbered eight members, all of whom were living in the enjoyment of religion. Their number increasing to thirty, they were formed into two classes; and Mrs. Pancock was appointed still to take charge of them. Fond of reading, possessing superior natural abilities, and having received what was in her day considered a gool education, she was eminently fitted for the sphere she was called to occup But the Bible was her chief book; and our unrivalled Hymns were next in her estimation to the sacred volume.

Some one, hoping to damage the rising cause, complained to the Clergyman that the Wesleyans were preaching against the Church. The reply of the worthy Rector was, "I do not believe it; but I will go down and hear them for myself." Accordingly he availed himself of the first opportunity of hearing a sermon in the cottage; and, at the close of the worship, he shook hands heartily with the Preacher, expressed his entire approval of what he had heard, and added, "G3 on, and let nothing hinder you." His servants were allowed to attend, and the Preachers were occasionally entertained at his house.

A diligent observance of the means of grace is among the fruits of real piety; and the subject of this memoir gave that evidence, when no small sacrifice was involved. For some years after the introduction of Methodism into Weston, there was no preaching on week-nights neares than Locking, a village more than three miles distant. But, undaunted by the loneliness of the way or inclemency of the weather, she was hardly ever absent. "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence."

While the claims of religion consumed a large portion of her time, home-duties were not forgotten. Having a dairyfarm, considerable labour necessarily devolved on her; but, by forecast and contrivance, there was no clashing between domestic and religious duties. That she might have her time at command in the evening for religious purposes, she rose at four in the morning, and, after reading cne of Mr. Wesley's Sermons, entered on the business of the day. At the time of her conversion she erected a family-altar, and she regularly offered the morning and evening sacrifice. Time was set apart for the religious instruction of her servants, and several of them attributed their conversion, under God, to her pains-taking in their behalf.

Her career of pious labour commenced

A

with the dawn of her religious life. Sabbath-school and Tract Society were organized by her effort; and for many years these were the only institutions of the kind in the place. She commenced a prayer-meeting at Ashecmbe, a hamlet near the town; and, the population of Weston rapidly increasing, she rented a room at a distance from the preachinghouse, and conducted service on one afternoon of each week, at which she was accustomed to read a short sermon. A chapel was at length built by Mr. Hancock; and, eventually, this was superseded by a more commodious place of worship, the ground being given by the same individual.

Mrs. Hancock was eminently the friend of the poor, caring both for their bodies and souls; labouring, like Dorcas, that they might be comfortably clothed; attending them in their afflictions, and guiding them to the true source of consolation. It was at great personal risk and sacrifice that these works of faith and benevolence were performed. By night and by day, she was found in the sick chamber, grappling with the most malignant and infectious forms of disease. Great confidence was placed in her judgment; and, as no medical man resided in the place, resort was had to her almost universally. That her treatment of various cases was remarkably successful, she ascribed to prayer, and the blessing of God. If such examples were more common, how greatly might the physical and mental sufferings of the masses be diminished!

As she toiled in faith and hope, so was she cheered by success. Her judicious advice and self-denying exertion were instrumental in the moral recovery of many. Persons are now living whom she visited in deep affliction, and who can testify with grateful joy that she would give them no rest till she had led them to the sinner's Friend. Her last interview with the Clergyman who had so generously patronized her in her first efforts to do good is worthy of record. He had long retired from the scene of his early labours, and Mrs. Hancock visited him at his urgent request. The scene was peculiarly touching. The Minister was nearing the end of his course; and now, on the confines of eternity, he expressed his deep-felt obligations to her who had sought his advice when under conviction of sin; thanked her for the great service she had rendered him; and assured her that, with death in view, he trusted all was right between him and God. She spent the night at his resi

dence; and on the following day, after conversation and prayer, they parted, hoping that their next meeting would be in the better land.

Her religion, so active and practical, was not the less evangelical. Christ was her constant theme, and it was her love to Him which gave intensity and constancy to her zeal.

One stage of her declining years was marked by eccentricity and mental weakness; and it was feared that her path, which had shone with increasing brightness, would darkly close. But this appears to have been the effect of several attacks of fever. Her mind recovered its wonted vigour, her piety its tone; and at evening-time it was light. Amid so much that was excellent, she had her failings and faults; but those who would dilate upon them will do well to remember their own.

A few days before her death she said, "I am quite willing to go: death has lost his sting: he is no longer an enemy, but a friend.' A few hours before her release, she repeated the following lines :

"And when I'm to die, 'Receive me,' I cry; For Jesus hath loved me, I cannot tell why; But this I can find,

That we two are so join'd, He'll not be in glory, and leave me behind.'"'

Shortly afterward she remarked, "The Lord giveth suffering grace for suffering times. appeared, her head quietly reclined upon No symptom of dissolution

""

her pillow; but she looked upward to the spirit-land, and peacefully departed. She died in the eighty-third year of her age, having been a member of the Methodist Society upwards of sixty years.

It is due to our friends to add, that by their liberality a beautiful Gothic chapel has been built in this picturesque town. The accommodation which it affords is appreciated both by residents and visiters. The chapel is now free from debt, £300 having been liquidated during the last two years. When Methodism was introduced here, Weston-super-Mare was an insignificant fishing-hamlet; but, owing chiefly to the salubrity of its air, it has become one of the most popular wateringplaces in the west of England. Its celebrity is greatly increasing; and there is every reason to hope that Methodism will advance with the improvement of the SAMUEL WESLEY.

town.

MARCH 15th, 1859.-At Sowerby-Bridge, Thomas Fox, aged seventy-four. For nearly half a century he was a most consistent member of the

church, and for thirty-two years a Class-Leader. He was eminently of a meek and quiet spirit; a lover of the Scriptures, and an attentive hearer of the word preached. His remarks on what he had heard were peculiarly instructive; and his prayers appropriate, concise, and earnest. No one had a word against him; but many were ready to speak for him. The affliction that terminated his valuable life was short; but he was found ready at the coming of his Lord.

J. F.

March 25th.-At Preston, aged sixty-eight, Mrs. Jane Breakell. She was a devoted member of the Wesleyan-Methodist church thirty years, and an humble, earnest Christian. The public means of grace she much valued, attending them as long as she could, and deriving much benefit. Her experience was marked by great clearness and richness. She walked with God. She bore

a protracted affliction with sweet resignation. Her last seizure was sudden; but her confidence in Christ was unshaken, and her peace unbroken. R. M.

April 4th.-At Stourbridge, Mr. John Hill, in his seventy-fourth year. In early life he sought happiness in worldly pleasure, but in vain. When about thirty years of age he was convinced of sin, and especially the sin of Sabbath-breaking. He began to attend the house of God; and soon, under a faithful ministry, the Spirit's convictions were deepened. He was distressed on account of sin, and sought and found the pardoning mercy of God. He joined the Methodists, began to walk with God, and for forty years maintained his integrity. He brought up his family in the fear of the Lord. He was a man of a meek and quiet spirit, cherishing always very humbling views of himself, but exalted views of his Saviour. His last affliction was long and painful; but his feet were firmly fixed on the Rock of Ages. A day or two before his death, when speech had nearly failed him, one of his sons whispered, "Father, do you know me?" The answer was, Ay." "Do you know Jesus, and is He very precious?" With all his energy he replied, "Ay." After this he gradually sank, and at last peacefully fell asleep.

T. H. II.

April 9th.-At Carnarvon, aged sixty, Miss Elizabeth Jones. She was converted to God when about sixteen years of age. Convinced that it was her duty to meet with those who "spake often one to another," she went to class without waiting for any invitation. At the commencement of her Christian course she met with much opposition; but, by the grace of God, she retained her integrity. One of the earliest fruits displayed in her regenerate nature was love for the cause of God. The first £5 she could call her own, she gave to the Meifod chapel. Her desire for the salvation of the Heathen was intense. But her sympathy was not confined to the souls of men. She delighted to help the poor and needy. Her friendship, although she did not make great professions of it, was sincere and firm. Her character might

April 22d.-John Broadley, Grimoldby, in the Louth Circuit, aged sixty-nine years. For twenty years he maintained a consistent Christian profession, and brought up a large family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. During a painful affliction of eighteen months he rejoiced in God, and often said that, in consequence of his firm faith on the Rock Christ Jesus, he found his affliction the happiest part of his life. And, when nearly speechless, he was heard to say, "Rock-Rock-Rock."

W. H. S.

April 26th.—Mrs. Grace Rosewall, at St. Ives, Cornwall, in her eighty-sixth year. From her earliest childhood she was the subject of religious impressions; which in her thirteenth year took a decided form, and induced her to join the Methodist Society at St. Ives. At that period such a step required much resolution. It is believed that she fairly acted up to her conscientious convictions in regard to matters of dress, amusements, &c.: which could not fail of having a salutary effect upon her spirit and conduct. She does not appear to have received the witness of adoption till a year or two after joining the Society. But, from that time till her recent decease, a period of nearly seventy-three years, -she held on the even tenor of her way; feeling that, amidst all trials and perplexities, the religion she had so early sought was her stay and solace, giving her a hope blooming with immortality. The principal value of this notice-if value it has-lies in showing that Divine grace is sufficient to preserve a young girl, from the giddy age of thirteen, all through a long life,-not only from apostasy, but from every other form of serious error; and to enable her, in age and feebleness extreme," to bear a clear, unfaltering witness, not only to the reality of the Christian faith, but to its power to smooth the passage to the grave. J. R.

April 29th.-At Barnstaple, Mr. John Wil Hams, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, departed this life declaring his unshaken confidence in the Great Atonement made for him. He was one of the earlier Methodists in this town, having joined the Society at the age of eighteen; and from that time he was actively engaged in different depart ments of the Saviour's service till within a few months of his decease. He continued meeting his class till the last week of his life, and was at the Leaders' Meeting on the Monday preceding his death. He continued at his post of business till the Thursday morning, when, on rising from his bed, he fell, and remained unconscious several hours. The next morning he was thought better, but about an hour before the final moment be came alarmingly worse. At one o'clock he passed away to the realms of light and glory. T. L.