in class at Pickering, and was soon enabled to rejoice in God as her
reconciled Father. She continued a consistent member of the Wes-
leyan society to the close of life, a period of sixteen years. She
delighted much in the public means of grace, and highly valued the
meetings of her class, which she punctually attended when she was
able. Nor did she forget private devotional duties, but had stated
times daily, when she conscientiously and profitably observed them.
She endeavoured, also, to make herself useful by visiting the sick,
distributing tracts, collecting for the Missions, teaching in the Sunday-
school, and often, in her leisure hours, working diligently for the
poor. In one Circuit she was, through much persuasion, prevailed
upon to become the Leader of a large class, and faithfully and affec-
tionately strove to fulfil the responsible duties that devolved upon her,
for about three years, much to the advantage and satisfaction of those
who were thus committed to her care; but her health declining more
and more, she was not able again to sustain such an onerous charge.
She was much afflicted for many years, but was enabled by the grace
of God to bear her very peculiarly trying affliction, generally, with
patience, resignation, and cheerfulness. Her death was sudden.
Immediate danger was not apprehended, until about a day before her
departure. In her last words she expressed the inward happiness
which she experienced, and the removal of all fear of death. Soon
afterwards, she became insensible, and continued so for about fifteen
hours, when she peacefully expired.
JANE ANN FRANK.

3. Died, October 3d, at South-Leverton, in the Retford Circuit, Mr. Thomas Bacon, aged fifty-six. It was at South-Leverton that he was born. His parents were both of them pious, and opened their house for the first Wesleyan Ministers who visited the place. In his younger days, he often yielded to the solicitations of his companions, and was guilty of follies which in after-life he deplored; but he was greatly checked in them, both by parental instruction and admonition, and by the ministry of the word and public worship, which he was required regularly to attend. Nor were the means of grace without grace to him. He often experienced the striving of the Holy Spirit, a desire after good, and condemnation for evil, though too long and successfully all these were resisted.

In 1809, he went to reside in London; and having hitherto been accustomed to attend the Wesleyan ministry, he still continued to do so, though the master with whom he resided was not accustomed to worship with the Methodists. In subsequent years, he would often speak with thankful delight of the powerful ministry of Mr. Benson, Dr. Clarke, and other venerable and eminent servants of God. By the ministry of Dr. Coke he was often deeply impressed. At length, he resolved at all events to connect himself with the visible church, and became a member of the Wesleyan society in the autumn of 1810. Still, though professing the form of godliness, and maintaining a strictly moral deportment, he remained for some time comparatively a stranger to inward religion. He was married not long afterwards, and

went to reside on a small farm at Stokeham. The Methodists had then no regular services in that village, and Mr. and Mrs. Bacon joined the class which met at Rampton; the Preacher appointed for that place making Mr. Bacon's house his home. Although as yet he was not truly converted himself, he was anxious for the spiritual welfare of his neighbours, and unwearied in his efforts to induce them to attend the public means of grace; he was desirous, also, to have preaching at Stokeham, and occasionally, as opportunity served, the Ministers preached in his house. The writer cannot remember, without deep humiliation, the many kind invitations, which too long were unsuccessful ones, addressed to him by Mr. Bacon, to bring him to hear the Methodist Preachers. His more yielding brother, the late Mr. George Otter, was prevailed upon to go with Mr. Bacon on one occasion to hear the Rev. Thomas Savage preach in the neighbourhood, at Darlton, and was truly awakened to a sense of his state as a sinner, and from that time sought, till he found, redemption in the blood of Christ. Shortly after, there was a remarkable revival of religion in several of the villages near Stokeham. Many persons were brought to a deep concern for their eternal well-being; preaching was regularly established at Stokeham, and a class of Wesleyans was formed. In the course of this revival, Mr. Bacon was greatly blessed. He had long and consistently kept up the form of godliness; but he now yielded to those truths and convictions which brought home to his conscience a sense of the necessity of its power. He felt that it was his duty, as well as his privilege, to enjoy a clear sense of the divine favour; and this he sought with all his heart. It was in the course of 1818, while attending his class, that he was enabled to come to God though our Lord Jesus, and believe on Him that justifieth the ungodly; and the love of a sin-pardoning God was shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him: thenceforward he went on his way rejoicing.

It may be observed here, that small as is the village of Stokeham, an important Missionary Meeting has long been annually held there. At different times the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, assembled in the barn, (always well filled with deeply-interested and rejoicing auditors,) have been favoured with the assistance of some of the most distinguished and useful Ministers in the Wesleyan Connexion. the writer feels that it is not for him to dwell upon the blessed results which have been produced by the introduction of Wesleyanism into Stokeham; and he only adverts to it, even thus in passing, to ascribe glory and praise to God. It is due, however, to the memory of Mr. Bacon, to acknowledge him to have been the first instrument of this important work.

In 1821, he took charge of the classes at Rampton and Treswell; and though he afterwards removed to South-Leverton, his connexion with these continued till his death. As a Class-Leader, he was diligent and faithful, and lived in the affections of those over whom he watched, in one of the most important offices connected with that branch of the church of Christ to which he belonged. To the reli

gious duties of his household, he was now led to pay greater attention than ever. No urgency of business, nor unexpected visiter, was allowed to interfere with these. The writer is acquainted with an important fact, which he thinks deserves to be recorded. A young man had called to purchase some calves. Having arrived at rather an early hour, he was invited to partake of the morning meal. Before proceeding to business, his host laid the Bible on the table, and proceeded to read the Scriptures, and pray with his family. This was a novel scene to the young tradesman; but the effects were deep and lasting. Serious thought was awakened in his mind, and ultimately he became a member of the Wesleyan society. He always acknowledged that the first of a series of impressions which issued in his conversion to God, was produced by the domestic worship in which he was, seemingly in this accidental manner, called to join during this visit. Mr. Bacon strongly felt the importance of the attendance of as many as possible of his children and servants on the public worship of God, not only on the Sabbath, but on the week-day; and perhaps to his faithful perseverance in this duty may be attributed, under God, the early conversion of the whole of his family. Three of his children died while yet young; but, painful as these bereavements were, he rejoiced in the well-grounded persuasion, that his offspring were only removed to the better, that is, the heavenly, country. His youngest son, who died when only seven years old, left a delightful testimony to the blessedness of early piety. He was likewise employed in calling sinners to repentance as a Local Preacher; and, though not possessing any talents of a high order, he was diligent and faithful. His sermons were plain and pointed, delivered with much zeal; and his labours were rendered useful. He was distinguished for his unshrinking perseverance in the path of duty. No difficulties arising from the distance, the weather, or the roads, prevented his attendance at his appointments. Others might be more admired, perhaps; but none could be more esteemed. From his long standing, and his cordial and unwavering attachment to the whole economy of Wesleyan Methodism, he was called to fill all the offices in it usually held by laymen. He was a Trustee for most of the chapels in the Circuit, to the building of many of which, indeed, he had greatly contributed. At the time of his death he was the Steward of the Circuit, having been a second time appointed to the office. The Wesleyan Ministers were welcomed to his house in a manner the most cordial and unreserved, and readily did he enter into any plans of usefulness that might be proposed. To his kindness and generosity as a friend and neighbour, the writer bears explicit testimony. He would take the utmost pains to serve the needy, and knew well how to speak a word in season, whether of encouragement or admonition. It is not meant to say that he had no human failings; but his principles were sound, and his character was excellent.

His death furnished an example of the necessity of habitual and constant preparation for the solemn summons of the Great Master. In the midst of active business, he was suddenly seized by an illness

which baffled all medical skill, and, in about eight days, terminated his life. For the first three or four days, his mind was severely exercised; but he then obtained a gracious and full deliverance. Every cloud was removed. Christ was his refuge and salvation. On the day on which he died, he requested his sons to sing a hymn descriptive of his own experience. A few hours afterwards, he most peacefully entered into rest. JOHN OTTER.

4. Died, April 23d, 1844, at Wrexham, aged forty-nine, Mr. William Carman. He was born at Chester, and, some little time after he had been bound as an apprentice, when he was about sixteen years old, he was induced, by a somewhat singular occurrence, to renounce the thoughtlessness of youth, and embrace with all his heart the service of God. Himself and one of his companions had agreed to spend one Sunday evening in walking about; but, happening to pass by the Octagon chapel, (then occupied by the Wesleyans,) they thought they would just go in, and hear the text, that if any questions were asked on their return home, they might give this proof of their attendance at a place of worship. On entering the chapel, they were conducted to a pew, and the person to whom it belonged allowed them to pass to the further end, while he retained his own place by the door. The pew was soon filled, so that the young men could not escape, and they found themselves, though much against their inclination, obliged to remain. The Rev. Isaac Muff was that evening the officiating Minister. His text was, "Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting." The bow was drawn at a venture; but the arrow was directed by an unerring hand. Mr. Carman's mind was so deeply impressed, that from that time he became a regular attendant at the house of prayer, and earnestly sought the salvation of his soul. He likewise joined the Wesleyan society, and, under the ministry of the Rev. John Braithwaite, found peace and rest through faith in Christ. So decided was the change wrought in him, that his employer's wife said, that "since William had been accustomed to go to the Methodist chapel, he was the best apprentice they ever had in the house." His master died during his apprenticeship, and some of the workmen told him he was now free, and advised him to leave his situation; but he replied, that, whatever might be the legal rights of the case, he felt that he was bound in conscience to remain. On one occasion, he earned eighteen-pence by some work which he did early in the morning, before his usual hour of service. In a few days the class in which he was a member was "met by the Preacher" for the renewal of the quarterly tickets. It was the time, too, for the usual " Yearly Collection." When his name had been mentioned, one of the members, thinking that he would not be able to subscribe, kindly answered for him, observing, "He is only an apprentice, and has no money to spare." He himself, however, said otherwise. He had eighteenpence, and of this the shilling was to be put down for his ticket, and the sixpence for the Yearly Collection. From the beginning, he felt that it was a sacred duty to contribute to the support of the ministry

which God had made instrumental in his salvation; and as his means increased, so did his liberality, to the end of his life. From the beginning, his course was steady and consistent. His great object in life appeared to be to get and do good. In 1817, he went to reside at Wrexham, continuing his connexion with the church to which he belonged as heretofore. In process of time, he became a Local Preacher, Class-Leader, Trustee, and Circuit Steward, and discharged. the duties of these several offices with fidelity and acceptance. Constitutionally nervous, there were times when he appeared to be somewhat irritable; but the uprightness of his character was unimpeachable, and he was always most esteemed by those who best knew him. His attachment to the Christian body with which he was connected, was founded on principle, and therefore strong and abiding. During the agitation of 1834 and 1835, no man stood more firmly than did Mr. Carman. At length, repeated attacks of indisposition broke down his once vigorous constitution. On the 20th of January, 1844, he was in his accustomed place in the chapel for the last time. On his way home, he complained of indisposition. This continued to increase, till, on the 1st of March, he was confined to what proved eventually to be the bed of death. Whenever he could sustain the fatigue of an interview, (which his extreme weakness often prevented,) he was found with his mind stayed on God, and preserved in perfect peace. As far as he was able, he gladly testified concerning the goodness of God, and the blessed hope of the future, by which he was comforted. In his solitary hours, he derived much encouragement from the perusal of the biographical pages of the Wesleyan Magazine. He rejoiced in the prospect of the final victory, and of being removed to the society of the multitude before the throne, who had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. His sufferings were sometimes severe; but they were borne with patience, and even cheerfulness. During the last week of his life, he became much worse; but though his friends apprehended the most serious results, to himself this was no subject of alarm, but rather of increasing joy. The writer visited him several times during this week, and always found him peacefully awaiting the end. He rested on the right foundation. During life he had always been fond of singing, and several times, even when articulation had become difficult, endeavoured to renew what had always been to him such a delightful exercise. The day before that on the morning of which he died, he endeavoured to say, "Crown him." When the whole verse was repeated to him, his countenance expressed assent, and, collecting all his remaining strength, he exclaimed, "Hallelujah, hallelujah! Bless the Lord!" After this, he remained perfectly composed till about half-past five the next morning, when, with the utmost composure, he closed his eyes and mouth, as if going to sleep, and, heaving one sigh, finished his earthly course. FRANCIS BARKER.