along. I felt the privation of friendly intercourse. May God enable me to give up all into his hands!"

The next appointment of Mr. Barker was to Glasgow (1820). Here he remained two years. During the first year he occupied himself much in the same way as he had done in previous years. To reading, composition, preaching, and pastoral duties he devoted himself with unremitting attention. The cause was feeble and infantine, and he felt that its claims upon his best efforts were paramount and imperative, though he paid special attention, as a private exercise, to revision, with a view of the improvement of many of his pulpit outlines, that he might render them, with his enlarged experience, more acceptable and useful to the people of his charge, more telling on the heart and conscience, and more likely to bring souls to Christ.

According to an arrangement of the preceding Conference, Mr. B. had to visit Ireland this year, in order to investigate its stations, and report to the Missionary Committee on the subject. In due time thither he went, and remained in that country nearly three weeks, meeting and conferring with the friends there in their several localities, and occupying their pulpits as circumstances allowed, much to their edification and encouragement. He hoped to be present at the ensuing Conference, to aid in the discussions connected with his report, but was prevented. Feeling, as he did, a lively interest in the welfare of missions in Ireland, and wishing to secure the adoption of certain regulations tending, as he thought, to the improvement of some of its departments, and especially in reference to the personal comforts of our agents there, he, in addition to his ample report furnished to the committee, forwarded to divers of the English brethren, whom he expected to be at the Conference, a full statement of his views, in order to inform their minds and enlist their sympathies on behalf of the missionaries. I was honoured with a copy of this document, and from a postscript, I believe, attached to it, found that he was so impressed with a conviction of the necessity and righteousness of bettering the temporal condition of the Irish brethren-at that time their country being in a peculiarly depressed condition-that he proposed, if it was found that Conference could not render increased assistance, the English preachers should, for a time, and during the emergency, forego from their comparatively limited allowance a certain per-centage for the purpose. This was like Mr. Barker, and though not acted upon, other regulations being adopted, yet was creditable to his generosity, and a noble proof of his willingness to share with his brethren when overtaken with deprivation and want.

At the close of his first year in Glasgow (1821), his probation terminated, and he was by Conference received into full connexion. He now began to think seriously of entering the marriage state, and, indeed, had, in all probability, already taken some steps in that direction. However, he remained single till the commencement of another year, influenced, among other considerations, by the hope of witnessing the strengthened state of our cause in Glasgow, where the friends constituting the society and congregation, cherishing similar hopes, greatly desired his continued services, and were not prepared to meet the pecuniary claims of a married preacher,

His second year proved to be one of considerably increased mental effort and anxiety. To promote his personal improvement, and the better to qualify himself for the ministry, he connected himself partially with Glasgow College, and attended a course of lectures on the "Evidences of Christianity," delivered there, at half-past eight o'clock in the mornings, by Professor D. S. Magill, with whom he had formed an acquaintance, and from whose writings, and especially from his "Letters to Young Clergymen," he had derived great pleasure and profit. He also commenced and prosecuted the study of the Hebrew language; and, in order to excite public attention, and to promote the welfare of his little church, prepared and delivered, during the winter season, in the forenoons, a series of discourses on 1 Cor. xiii., and in the evenings a course of fourteen or fifteen lectures on the "Evidences of Divine Revelation." Nor does it seem that he much, if at all, narrowed his sphere of reading, or pastoral visitation, or any of his ministerial duties. He also formed a weekly juvenile class for the more mature female children of parents connected with his congregation, his aim being to promote their mental and religious improvement, and thus supplement the efforts of their parents in bringing them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. The writer rejoices to know that some precious fruit resulted from these pious labours, that remains to this day, and that heaven itself has already received some blessed accessions to its adoring throng from this prayerfully-cultivated field. This servant of God did not spend his strength for nought; and

"'Tis something in a world of woe,

'Tis something in a life of pain, When all at length is past, to know We have not lived in vain."

During both of the years his health, as heretofore, continued delicate, and at times he was very languid indeed, and much depressed in spirit. On one occasion, for "a little moment," he almost determined to relinquish the stated ministry, and retire home into more private life. The impression or temptation, however, soon passed away, and he girded himself afresh to his work; and, though faint and feeble, was enabled to meet all his pulpit engagements, and a few other of the lighter requirements of his office, with tolerable comfort. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. The fact is, he was over-wrought his active, anxious spirit impelled him to undertake more than his enfeebled frame could sustain. The summer of the latter year was much more than usually hot; and excessive continued heat always proved to him physically oppressive and exhausting. On this occasion its debilitating influence was felt to a serious degree; and though he sought relief by regular short morning walks, and occasional excursions down the Clyde and elsewhere, yet he sought in vain. He drooped and mourned; but his grief arose not so much from his inability, as a rule, to read, write, converse, compose, and meet the claims preferred by the pulpit-which were three times on the Lord's-day and once during the week-day evenings; but his bodily strength was so prostrated that he could not do more-he could not go beyond these exercises-he could not, as he greatly

desired, tender needful services to the entire departments of his office. His flock was scattered throughout a large, populous city. The sick, he thought, needed him in their chambers, to pour into their bitter cups healing and comfort; the bereaved and sorrowing needed leading to the throne of grace for promised succour and support; the young and dissipated to be warned of their dangers, and kindly taken by the hand, and brought out of the road that leads to destruction; the lukewarm and careless, whose souls were declining in sacred pursuits, needed gentle admonitions, to beware lest the little piety that remained and was ready to die should become extinguished -the family plunged into distress by temporal losses to be sympathized and prayed with, and tenderly reminded of the precariousness of all earthly possessions, and directed to seek, as their best portion, the hidden treasures of Divine grace, and thus lay up for themselves, in the world to come, those enduring treasures which neither moth nor rust can corrupt, and which thieves can neither steal nor touch; the backslider to be followed, and, if possible, reclaimed and again brought home to peace and to God; the "anxious inquirer," smitten with a deep conviction of his sinfulness and danger, and who inquired "How shall I escape the wrath to come ?"-" What shall I do to be saved?"-to be encouraged and taught, and brought into connection with the people and the Church of God, and affectionately directed to the "Friend of sinners." These or such like considerations rested on his tender spirit with a pressure truly afflictive.

It must be remembered, too, that in Glasgow he was alone-had no colleague, and was far away from any brother in the ministry with whom he could confer on any trying occasion, and from whom he could receive sympathy and aid in his peculiar circumstances-a position he often deplored. Besides, he had become so attached to many of his people, and especially to the young persons of his class -some of whom were very hopeful and promising-that the very thoughts of severance from them, which he could not but anticipate, as the year passed away, seemed to prey upon his susceptible mind and affect him deeply.

However, there were seasons not a few, and not always far between, when he was enabled to act on the principle laid down by Paul, and from it to derive no little consolation-" For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not" (2 Cor. viii. 12), and even cheerfully to commit himself in body, soul, and spirit, with all pertaining to the present and the future, into the hands of his heavenly Father, as unto a faithful God. Yes, he had his seasons, and not a few, of joyfulness and praise. Hear him speak from his journal : "Found myself in the morning, when I arose, in a state of great weakness and pain but I endeavoured cheerfully to submit to my heavenly Father's holy will." "I bless God for my privileges, and pray for grace to improve them." "Felt disposed to imitate the apostle, in giving thanks to God, in that he hath counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. I feel a pleasure in acquiring knowledge, and in endeavouring to impart it. It is a source of joy to contemplate such high and Divine subjects, and to labour to advance the interests of truth and holiness. Had I greater

success in the work, I might be among the happiest of mankind." "Rose a little before day, and felt my mind in peace." "Took my accustomed walk. Pleased and enlivened to see the earth adorned with all the beauties of spring. Thou renewest the face of the earth.""

His next appointment was to the Hanley circuit, though both he and the Glasgow friends had some expectations that he would be returned for a third year. Here he laboured till November with his accustomed devotion and acceptance, when he proceeded to Glasgow, and there became united in marriage to her who, to adopt his own language, was the object "of his tenderest care," and still survives as his estimable widow. His colleagues were Messrs. W. Haslam and C. Atkinson, both of whom were ever ready to bear honourable testimony to the sterling worth and high ministerial qualities of Mr. Barker. Here he remained two years, respected and beloved. At times he found his labours very oppressive, and much too heavy and numerous for his feeble frame, and experienced, in consequence, extreme exhaustion. Some of the chapels, and especially the one at Hanley, were large and well attended, and required efforts in speaking, which, added to exercise of walking to reach them, taxed his physical powers to the utmost. Yet he often preached three times, walked six miles, and met classes, though sometimes so fatigued as to feel inclined to lie down on the road. Yet he prays, "Father of mercies, and God of all grace, make these humbling exercises useful to my soul." "I am often unhappy in reflecting that, though weak and feeble, I do not do all I might do; sometimes, indeed, pained that I cannot do more." "My conscience would not be at peace if I were to abandon the ministry."

At the close of his first year in this circuit, Conference assembled at Hanley, on which occasion he, with two others, were publicly received into full connexion, this being the first Conference after the termination of his probation at which he could conveniently attend. The occasion was imposing and memorable; the large chapel crowded to excess. I was present, and shall never forget the scene, and the service connected with the recognition of the three youthful brethren, as they stood in the front of the gallery, opposite the pulpit, amidst 3,000 spectators. The answers given by Mr. Barker to the usual questions proposed were explicit, full, and highly satisfactory-indeed, for conception, clearness, and style of composition, may be considered as models for such an occasion. The pathos connected with their utterance, united with the consideration that he was now in the place of his birth-in the circuit where, and among the people to whom, he was ministering the word of life-rendered the service impressive and effective out of the ordinary way.

In this circuit he became a father. And mark the spirit in which he entered upon this new and important relation. "This morning," says he, in his diary, "my dearest Jane was safely delivered of a fine boy. O God, we humbly and solemnly dedicate him to thee, from whom we have received him. Sanctify him from the womb, make him thy son, and receive him into thy family, through Jesus Christ our Lord." To myself he writes, "When I look at the weak and helpless babe, I am deeply impressed by the thought of its immor

tality. Its existence seems to be so feeble-like the weak light of a taper just beginning to burn-that it might be extinguished in a moment; yet it is never to cease-it is born for eternity! Heaven or hell must be the place of its final, unchangeable abode! This certain, solemn truth should quicken us in the discharge of parental duties."

In this circuit, besides, as usual, ardently attending to the cultivation of his own mind, and to the discharge of ministerial duties, having a well-stored mind and an able, ready pen, he allowed himself to undertake duties connected with the management of the Magazine, then published at Hanley, and, in this department, rendered cheerful and valuable service, not only in deliberations connected with its general arrangements, but by writing for its pages numerous instructive articles. I may safely say his services were highly appreciated, and that his spirit and demeanour were such as won for him the affectionate regard of all with whom he officially acted.

DEATH OF JAMES DEAN,

ESQ., J.P.

It is with sincere regret that we announce the death of the above-named gentleman, which occurred about noon on the 12th of May, at his residence, Prospect Place, Mossley Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, after an illness of little more than four days. The deceased gentleman was in his seventyeighth year, having been born on the 2nd of August, 1789.

The funeral of the deceased took place on Thursday, May 17, preceded by a service in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Stamford Street. After an hymn had been sung, the Rev. C. J. Donald read appropriate selections from the Scriptures, and the Rev. Law Stoney offered up prayer. The Rev. J. Medicraft then gave the following funeral address:

"We are in the solemn presence of the dead. All that is left on earth of one who for more than two generations had gone in and out of this house of prayer, has been carried by friends and fellowtownsmen into our midst. We would be reverent, surrounding, as we do, the earthly house which was so long the home of a now glorified spirit; and, immeasurably more so, surrounded as we are by Him who hath in his hand the issues of life and death. We affect no flattering funeral oration this day. Not that our highest praise would be out of place with the character of him whose departure we mourn, but that it would be out of keeping with his

wishes could he now open his sealed lips and speak to us. Still we cannot forbear the tribute which truth and love alike demand for honest worthworth which shone with quiet undemonstrative loveliness in all the relationships of life. As a man, he, through a longer career than is afforded to many, illustrated those virtues which are such a blessing to their possessors, as well as to all with whom they are brought in contact, and which specially fitted him for the honourable positions in society, which, in the order of Providence, he was called to occupy. In his business relations he was a man of honour and integrity, who 'studied to be quiet, and to do his own business, and to work with his own hands,' providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men,'' rendering to all their due,'' not building his house by unrighteousness, nor using his neighbour's service without wages,' but always endeavouring 'to do justly,' and thus to be a follower and friend of the righteous Lord who loveth righteousness. As a townsman he threw the weight of his influence into every movement which, in his judgment, would be conducive to the town's good; and although, from his constitutional cautiousness, he might perhaps move too slowly in the line of progress for some, he, nevertheless, walked surely, and seldom, if ever, had reason, even for a short distance, to retrace his steps. Thus he was a reliable man, whose judgment pronounced wise precepts, and whose con