for solid argument. Subsequently he saw many of these imperfections, and wisely resolved to withold the work from publication until it had been thoroughly revised. He had now less leisure, being engaged as a daily preacher in our Mission Chapels. But with characteristic ardour he devoted whole nights to correcting and remoulding his work. He was now in no haste to publish. With growing spirituality of mind, and increased knowledge of Christian and scientific truth, he saw many valuable improvements, which he continued to make, either in the text or in appended notes, even down to the last week of his life. He has left the work still unfinished, and in manuscript, but it is a worthy monument of the Christian intelligence, invincible diligence and fervent zeal of the author. We have the testimony of some of our most able Chinese Missionaries to the excellence of many portions of the work, and of its adaptation for usefulness among the leading men of this great empire.

The Rev. Dr. Martin, President of the Government College in Peking, in a letter written to me after Wang's death, says: Though his powerful voice is hushed, it is still possible that he may continue to speak through his writings. His MSS. appeared to me to contain much that might be of permanent value, and I have no doubt that you will take pains to sift out the gold from the sand in which it lies imbedded." If the means were furnished to us for defraying the cost of publication, we should be glad to arrange for the work being put into a form for usefulness. It would be a fitting tribute to the memory and worth of the departed author.

The spiritual life of Wang was of a very simple but decided character. His Christian career was not free from failings and defects, but the conciousness of these stimulated him to higher aims; and there was a marked progress observable in his piety. His path was as the shining light. His hours of devotion were seasons of supreme delight. His soul seemed, in his latter years, to feed on the word of God, while in prayer he found his sweetest solace. Jesus, his Saviour, was precious to him every day. I remember when the heavy rains prevailed in 1871, Wang's room had fallen down, and he took shelter in the little domestic Chapel, which leaked in every part, except one corner. In this dry spot, about two feet square, Wang fixed himself, and with his knees bent up for a desk, on which he fixed his bible, he sat and read and prayed day after day for hours together. He was making the best of circumstances, and when any one went in to look upon him, he would smile and cheerfully remark that he was very comfortable. It was common for the servants about the premises to tell visitors during the forenoon that Wang was praying and could not see any body. His morning devotions usually occupied about two hours. A Christian friend, Mr. Wheatly, called to see him on special business, and going to his room found him at prayer. He waited, awhile, but still the old man did not rise from his knees, so that he had to leave. He had a special faith in the efficacy of prayer, and often gave comfort to those in sickness and sorrow, by assuring them that he had prayed for them, and he was sure that they would be restored to health, or delivered from their sorrow. Sometimes he forced his way into the sick room of Mr. Hall and myself, and with a radiant face, as though he had a message from heaven, he would say, "You will be better by and by, I have been praying for you, and feel sure you will soon be better."

He had a peculiar way of replying to a question common among the

Chinese, "How old are you?" In certain companies, or to persons to whom he wished to give religious instruction, whether strangers or not, he would say, "I am seven or ten years old," according to the period after his conversion. This of course led him to speak of his conversion to God in 1862, and his opinion that it was only then he began truly to live. He had a great affection for my daughter Annie, and often remarked to those who stood by when he spoke to her, "she and I are about the same age," meaning that she was born about the time of his entering the Church.

He was conscientiously faithful in the discharge of his duties. When appointed to the office of leader in the native church, he diligently attended to the work, and his influence on the members was most beneficial. If he erred it was in the strong admonitions and rebukes he administered to the inconsistent. While he could sympathize with the peculiar temptations and weaknesses of some, he was unsparing in dealing with the lukewarm and careless. To every good work and every high aim he stimulated them both by exhortation and example. The weaker brethren, however, had a fear of him, while they held him in the highest esteem. He never neglected a duty when by any possibility he could attend to it. To work for Christ was his highest honour and joy. He was always ready to occupy the pulpit, or to supplement the discourse of another by further enlargement or enforcement of any point he felt to be of special importance. During the last three years his health was feeble, and he was several times prostrated with sickness. But as soon as he could leave his room he went to the chapel; and often when he ought to have rested, and when urged by us to remain at home, he would take his staff and walk to the city to hold forth the word of life. He was "instant in season and out of season."

He had a strong and brilliant intellect, a lively imagination, and a retentive memory. In temper he was somewhat quick and excitable, but he was kind and charitable. His superior intelligence, sound judgment, Christian knowledge, sterling principle, and frank and kindly disposition, led all classes to resort to him for counsel and advice. To the young he was a cheerful and ready instructor; to the seekers after truth a sympathizing and able guide; to the intelligent a cordial and edifying companion. Missionaries of all Societies who knew him loved him, and sought opportunities of intercourse with him. By education, force of character, and refined manners, he was fitted for, and occupied a prominent position; while Divine grace so ennobled and sanctified the entire man that he was an ornament as well as a pillar in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although in the decline of life when he joined the Christian church, few men have made such progress in the Divine life as he, in the same number of years.

We must now conclude this rough sketch by recording a few incidents connected with his last sickness and happy death. Wang had occasional attacks of sickness during the last three years, which greatly prostrated his strength, each attack leaving him in greater feebleness. He had a strong aversion to any medical practitioner being called in, even though he were a foreigner. He always said that he knew better than any native doctor how to treat himself, and therefore acted as his own physician. About the 22nd of August, 1873, he was taken ill and was confined to his room. He said it was one of his old attacks, and he would treat himself as before. We noticed with serious concern that the attack did not yield to the remedies used. had great pain and complete prostration. We took it upon us to invite one

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of the most skilful native physicians to see him, who prescribed for him and promised speedy restoration. On the 29th, however, his symptoms became more alarming, and then we called in our foreign medical adviser. He held out very little hope of his recovery, but nevertheless prescribed for him and attended him with great kindness for two days, when Wang positively refused to take any more medicine. He had the conviction that he should not get better, and we found that a strange affection in the throat prevented him from swallowing. It was with the greatest difficulty and pain that even the smallest portion of the lightest nourishment could be taken. And so he literally died of starvation.

It was most affecting to see and hear him when he first announced his impression that he was about to die. He was perfectly calm and collected. He said, "I shall not get better, so don't use any further means, all has been done that can be done, it is God's will that I should die, and I am willing that it should be so. I have perfect peace. I am not at all afraid.” He spoke of the deep gratitude he felt for the friendship of Mr. Hall and myself, and for the many kindnesses which we had shown him. He desired that this assurance should be conveyed to Mr. Hall. Keeping my hand in both his, he said, with beaming face and tearful eyes, "You are my dear pastor, and this hand it was that gave me the water of baptism. It has been

like the oil of consecration, and was the beginning of my new life. How I thank God for his great grace to me and for your kindness. May God keep you and prosper your work, and when we meet before Him we will rejoice together."

At another time he said, "O, what a sinner I have been, you cannot know the greatness of my sins; but the Lord has washed them all away!"

When his son came to see him he told him that he was dying, but had great peace and a good hope of heaven through Jesus. Then he strongly urged his son to put his trust in the Saviour of sinners, saying, that his chief concern now was that he too might be led to know the Lord. To other members of his family and friends who saw him, he commended the Lord Jesus as the only Saviour. It was strange to see these stoical men come.

from his toom with tearful faces.

To Mr. Wheatley he said, "I want to go home, it is the Lord's will! As long as I am in the flesh I suffer; but soon the soul will be free, then I -hall be free from pain."

On Sunday morning, August 31st, I asked him how he felt? "Peace! Peace! he said. What can we do for you? 64 Pray," said he, "that the Lord may come quickly and take me from this body of sin and death." Again in the forenoon I saw him, his breathing had become hard and difficult. On seeing me he said, "I do not think I shall survive this day, but my soul will be with the Lord." I said, “ Do you fear to die?" He said, "No!" Do you now trust in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ? He replied, In nothing else, in nothing else!" Do you feel the Lord to be with you now? "Yes, He never leaves me !" On Monday he was very low, and unable to talk, but still conscious, and recognized his friends. I asked him if all was well, and he lifted his hand in the affirmative. On Tuesday, about half-past one in the afternoon, after a very restless night, he ceased to suffer, and gently breathed his soul away-peacefully as a child falls asleep on his mother's breast. So ended the struggles and trials of his earthly life, and we believe he is now "for ever with the Lord."

At the funeral, a large number of native Christians, some personal friends of the deceased, and all the missionaries, were present. We had in Tientsin, as visitors at the time, the Revds. Dr. Nevins, of Chefoo; C. Holcombe, of Peking; and Mr. McIlvaine, of Chi-nan-foo. All these brethren spoke in affectionate and laudatory terms of the dear friend who had just gone from us. Dr. Nevins said that " Wang was known in every place in China where Christ was known, and that one great desire he had in coming to Tientsin was that he might see and converse with this remarkable man." Mr. Holcombe said That he knew him as one of the best type of Chinese Christians that he had met with."

A funeral service was conducted in the English church; the Scriptures being read by Mr. Chang, theological tutor, and prayer offered by the Rev. Mr. Chang, of the London Mission. Short addresses were delivered by the Revds. Dr. Nevins and J. Innocent. At the grave, about which was gathered a large concourse of spectators, the burial service was read, a hymn sung, and prayer was offered by the Rev. E. Bryant, of the London Mission. The service was solemn and impressive, and unusual seriousness and attention were evinced by all the natives present. The whole scene was one long to be remembered, and will, we trust, be made a blessing to many.

Our prayer is that the mantle of this venerable prophet in our Israel may fall on some young man who shall rise up to take the place he has left vacant. The name of Wang fragrant with manifold excellencies will be affectionately cherished by the members of our native Church, and when the myriads of this vast empire, now immersed in heathenism, shall be gathered into the Church of Christ, Wang will be remembered and revered as one of the most distinguished of those who were the first fruits unto God and the Lamb" in "the land of Sinim." J. INNOCENT.

The conversion of Wang is a great fact in the history of our Chinese Mission. He lived a noble life for Christ, and died on a lowly couch in the sure and certain hope of a glorious immortality. A proud and sordid disciple of Confucius till in the "sear and yellow leaf" of age, he became a spiritual, holy, and loving disciple of Jesus Christ. From the first moment Divine truth broke upon the dense darkness of his mind until he rejoiced in the full light of Gospel truth and grace, his sincerity was above suspicion. He followed the Lord fully. His fidelity in duty, his self-denial for Christ's sake, his uncompromising adherence to principle, his fearless steadfastness in the face of persecution, and his habitual communion with God, are worthy the imitation of professors at home. The blessings we sent to him in the persons of our missionaries, supported by our liberality and prayers, thus come back to us with manifold enrichments from God. Wang's superior intellect and education, the refinement and dignity of his manners, gave him preeminence amongst the members of our native church, yet there are many others, though not so distinguished, whose sincere profession and holy lives are the seals of the apostleship of our missionaries, and will be their joy and crown of rejoicing at the coming of the Lord. While reading the pages of this memoir, who does not see the hand of God which led us to China as a field of missionary labour? Who does not joyfully praise God who has heard our prayers, accepted our offerings, and glorified the Gospel of His Son ? If the facts now brought before us demand a grateful recognition, they are also incentives to yet greater earnestness in the work to which God has called us.

N.B.-The Rev. W. N. HALL has promised to favour us with recollections of Wang which will appear in the April Chronicle.

THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1875.

LIGHT FROM DARK PLACES.
BY WILLIAM COOKE, D.D.

THERE is a marvellous power of reviviscence in truth. Though buried deep in the earth, and forgotten for ages, it reappears and lives again. The antiquarian finds an ample sphere for his researches not only in the archives of nations, the musty records of convents and the labelled treasures of museums, but even beneath the surface of the earth-in damp vaults, in gloomy sepulchres, among the ruins. of ancient towns, and in the subterraneous catacombs-those extensive and intricate labyrinths which honeycomb the foundations of cities once crowded with a busy population. Hence the researches of the antiquarian enrich our literature and confirm the facts of history; sometimes, indeed, they anticipate, and often they supplement, the earliest records of a nation, and give freshness and life to events just ready to fade from the memorials of time. This age is distinguished for its researches into the past, and the mattock and the spade have become important auxiliaries to the pen. At Hallstadt, in Austria, 1000 tombs have been found containing swords with blades of iron, having bronze handles richly ornamented, and among them helmets, ivory hair-pins, fibula (clasps) tastefully and elegantly worked, bracelets by the hundred, and trinkets of gold. In the tumuli (or tombs) of Denmark more than 600 swords have been recovered, and a multitude of spear-heads, arrow-heads, daggers, and other weapons very elaborately formed and highly finished. In the tombs of La Somma, in Lombardy, and of St. Jean de Belleville, and Savoy, ornaments of iron and bronze, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and various other trinkets have been found. And a few years ago the world was surprised to learn that numerous dwellings, indicating various settlements for human beings, had been discovered beneath the mud of the Lakes of Switzerland, which on being examined yielded weapons of stone and iron, swords actually Damascened and elaborately ornamented,

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