Tavistock Circuit; and was a member of the church a little over twenty years, about nine years of that time having been spent in Millom.

Soon after her conversion she commenced visiting the sick, and became a diligent missionary collector. Her father's house was a home for the preachers in their circuit rounds, and the daughter was delighted with the opportunity of entertaining them.

It has been my privilege to be acquainted with our departed sister for the last two years, and I am prepared to bear my testimony to her Christian consistency during that period. The social means of grace especially were to her seasons of refreshing coming from the presence of the Lord. In the class-meetings she would speak with great confidence of her acceptance with God, and her prospects of heaven. Her words when she spoke of her conversion always sounded as if it were a bright reality. The last time she attended class I shall not soon forget. Though very frail in body, by dint of perseverance she came, and the testimony she then bore for the Master was worthy of being treasured. Amongst other things she said, with great emphasis, "Bless the Lord, I know 'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"

To visit our sister during her protracted affliction was a real pleasure. No murmuring because she could not attend to her domestic duties as heretofore, but frequent expressions of gratitude that she was so well cared for. When the reality dawned upon her mind that she was marked for death, she said to me, "I shall soon be at home now; only a few more struggles." The last time I saw her alive she was too weak to talk much, but on asking if it was still bright, "All bright, all clear," she said; and with a holy radiance on her face, she whispered, "I haven't a doubt; I shall soon be at home." And with this assurance our dear sister passed away to her eternal rest.

Every evidence I can get is proof that she was an affectionate wife, solicitous for the spiritual welfare of her children, and one who feared God above many. May our dear brother who has lost the sympathy and counsel of one so dear, and her two children, who have lost the love and tender care of a devoted mother, follow her so far as she followed Christ; and as each in turn may be summoned to cross the river over which she is safely taken, may they meet again in our Father's house above, where parting is C. B.

unknown.

GEORGE BRAGG

DIED at Guernsey, August 3rd, at the age of eighteen, George, the eldest son of Jonathan and Emily Bragg. For about two

years he was in delicate health, but until a short time before his death great hope was entertained of his recovery. At a very early age George was converted, and afterwards became a teacher in the Bible Christian Sunday School, Guernsey. A few days before he died he called his mother to him, and told her that he was going to the many mansions, and he hoped we should all meet him there. He besought her not to mourn for him when he was gone, but to think of his happiness and freedom from sorrow and pain. He also called his pet brother to him, and prayed that the Lord would bless the dear little boy. He seemed very calm, and resigned to God's will. He often wished that he could sing, but his weakness prevented him, until one morning when his father came to him he said, "I can sing now, father," and he sang

"Sure I must fight if I would reign,

Increase my courage, Lord;

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word."

He spoke to all who visited him about giving their hearts to God; one friend in particular he very earnestly entreated to do so, while he was well and strong. He spoke to him of the uncertainty of life, and asked his sister, who was in the room, to pray that the Lord might save this young man's soul and make him a blessing to many. At one time, when he was suffering acute pain, he began to pray, and asked one who was there to pray that the Lord would relieve him, adding, we must believe, and not leave off praying until we have the blessing." Believing prayer was answered, for the pain was taken away, and after that he remained in a comfortable state until the Lord said, "It is enough, come up higher."

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He was buried at the Foulon Vale Cemetery, where the service was conducted by our dear friend, Rev. J. Hinks. It is hard to part with those we love so dearly, but he is not lost-only gone before, for ever safe in the keeping of our Heavenly Father. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." May we all endure to the end, and meet him again in that holy, happy land. Amen. M. A. B.

MRS. ELIZABETH SPRY,

THE beloved wife of William Spry, and the daughter of William and Catherine Burn, was born at Gunnislake, Cornwall, March 21st, 1849. She lived without Christ in the world until the thirtythird year of her age; yet, she highly respected both itinerant and local preachers, listened attentively to the preaching of the Gospel, and often thought seriously about the supreme necessity and impor

tance of being "born again." In 1869, she was married to William Spry. Three years after their marriage they removed to the North of England. After the Durham Mission was opened they regularly attended our ministry, and Mr. Spry, through the instrumentality of our missionaries, soon became a child of God, a member of our church, and a liberal supporter of the Circuit and other funds. Mrs. Spry, too, though as yet a stranger to experimental godliness, was ever ready to entertain the preachers of the Gospel, and to assist in raising the money needed for the support of the ministry. Powerful strivings of the Spirit she often felt, and as often unwisely resisted. But at last the turning point in her life came. One Sunday evening in the year 1883, having listened to a powerful sermon and hearing the call of the Lord to surrender herself to Him then and there, she became a true penitent, made a full confession of all her sins to Christ, gave herself over in trust to the Lord, and became a "new creature" in Christ Jesus. Henceforth she lived a quiet and beautiful Christian life. For years she had suffered, at intervals, much bodily weakness and languor. But in February, 1884, she was seized with a complaint from which she never recovered. For several months her weakness and pain were very intense, and sometimes almost overwhelming; but she endured all her sufferings with much fortitude, and ultimately reached a state of complete submission to God, and into His hands fully resigned herself and her husband and children. During her illness, Thornley and Ludworth Collieries were closed, and the family had to remove to Trimdon Colliery. Here Mr. and Mrs. Spry became members of the Wesleyan Church, we having no cause in the village. I visited her a few times in her affliction, and was delighted to witness her growth in grace, her heavenliness of mind, and her entire consecration to God. The last time I had the privilege of seeing her, her strength was rapidly declining, and the time of her departure was at hand. She, however, informed me that it was all right between her soul and God; that she had been enabled to give up her husband and children, while she herself was waiting for the coming of her Lord. The testimony of some Wesleyan friends who visited her is, that she was very happy in the Lord, and quite ready for His coming. Some of her sayings were beautiful and comforting, indicating also that she herself experienced much of the power and comfort of the Holy Ghost, and of the love, sympathy, and preciousness of Christ. In the afternoon of her last Friday on earth, she called all her children to her bedside, gave them her last advice and blessing, and asked them to meet her in heaven. A few minutes after this affecting scene, her husband asked, "Is it well with your soul?" Her answer was clear and

satisfactory, "All is well! all is well!" Afterwards she said, "All is clear and bright; I have nothing to fear; I have not a cloud nor a doubt." Sometimes when her pain was excruciating, she would beg the Lord to take her home, that she might be free from "the sufferings of this present time," and be admitted to the presence of her Saviour. Then, believing that God could not act unwisely and unkindly towards His children, she would say, "I must wait until His good time comes, 'Not my will, but Thine be done, O Lord.' She had already approached near to her eternal home, and now the light of the heavenly world shone around and within her soul. Some of her last words were, "Jesus is precious to me;" "I shall soon be with my Saviour, glory! glory!" In her last moments, just as she was leaving earth for heaven, praise burst from her lips. A husband and five children have, in her death, sustained a great loss. May God greatly comfort the bereaved husband, and graciously save the motherless children. On the first Sunday in March last, I endeavoured to improve her death by preaching from the words, "Thou wilt show me the path of life." The congregation was large, and the Divine influence rich and abundant; sinners were convinced of their sinfulnesss, and wept, and believers were strengthened and comforted, and resolved to meet our dear departed sister in "the Paradise of God." Beloved friend, thou art gone before, we hope to meet thee again, and to enjoy thy company for evermore.

"O happy, happy household, where all wanderings are o'er,
And the meetings and the greetings shall be once and evermore;
Where one by one the family shall gather round the board,
And be happily united in the presence of the Lord.

"O happy, happy family, where all at last are found,

For evermore the blissful shore where truest joys abound;
Though tempest-tossed and nearly lost they oftentimes have been,
The parents and the children for aye are happy seen.

"From earth the prayers ascended to the throne of grace above,
And oftentimes were blended the trembling and the love;
But now the griefs are ended, 'tis theirs to sing the song
Of victory, that they are safe amid the white-robed throng.
"Where is the mother, but would long her little ones to see
Enwrapped in robes of beauty, where she, too, longs to be?
Where is the father, who ne'er thinks about the time they'll stand
A happy group, and honoured, in the bright and better land?
"Yes, in robes of light, of beauty, they shall take their harps of gold,
Heaven's music representing what on earth can ne'er be told,
Of the story, of the glory, and the joy that reigns within
The jasper gates, that shut out all of sorrow, care, and sin."

R. HAWKEY.

CHINA MISSION.

Ir was arranged that the first contingent for the foreign field of labour should set sail from London on the 23rd September, but for various reasons the China Inland Mission authorities put off the date of sailing to the 4th of November, So we were able to continue holding meetings, bringing the needs and claims of China before our friends, and inviting them to a whole-hearted consecration for such a noble work. We made special request that our friends should pray for us: first, while on the voyage that we may be blest to our shipmates; second, in learning the language that we may be able soon to tell the poor Chinese of Jesus and His love in their own tongue; third, that a medical missionary may be sent out in connection with our mission, as we believe that if we can do good to their bodies, we shall find a way to do good to the souls of the Chinese; fourth, that a way may be opened up for women workers to go out in connection with this mission, and, fifth, that reinforcements of men may speedily follow. Br. T. G. Vanstone is praying that six men and women may be sent out by the next Con ference, "for what are two among so many?" And there is one particular form of prayer which is very appropriate for every one who sympathizes with us, "Lord, what can I do to help the China Mission ? "

Whilst getting our outfit ready, and making the acquaintance of some of the China Inland Missionaries, we spoke at a few meetings in and around London. At Clapham, I was granted the honour of occupying the pulpit of the Editor of this Magazine. We also attended a farewell meeting at Dalston Junction to seven young women about to start for work in China. The day following was a memorable day for Br. T. G. Vanstone, being the day when his old Church bade him farewell, and presented him with a purse of £10 as a God-speed. He reciprocates their kindly feeling. On Sunday, the 13th September, Br. T. G. Vanstone was with his "Father" in the Woolwich Circuit; and I was allowed to preach three times in Waterloo Road Chapel and school-room. There were good congregations, and delightful influences. On Monday, the 14th, at Waterloo Road, was held the first Bible Christian Missionary Meeting in London, which had special reference to the heathen. Mr. Bourne occupied the chair, and Messrs. Judd (of the China Inland Mission), I. B. Vanstone, J. Gammon, W. H. Tickell, T. G. Vanstone, and S. T. Thorne took part in the meeting. It was a service owned of God. On Wednesday we took part in the Anniversary of Garner Chapel, Clapham. Mr. Thomas Oates, of Wimbledon, presided, and the service was greatly enlivened by the presence of Br. Edgcombe, from Swansea. The brethren T. J. Pattenden, J. Gammon, and F. W. Bourne, also took part. It was a spirited meeting. The day after we were at Eltham Harvest Festival. Mr. Claydon, a friend from Lee, presided, and the brethren J. Gammon, I. B. Vanstone, W. B. Lark, also took part in the service. On Saturday, 19th September, we started for the West. Br. Vanstone went to Torrington, and I went to Shebbear. On Monday we were greatly privileged. The Governor of Edgehill College, with the hearty concurrence of the Head Mistress, allowed us and Br. Batt to speak to the young ladies with special reference to women's work in China. After we had spoken, the Governor was good enough to tell us that it was the intention of the young ladies to do their part in the China Mission by supporting a native woman worker, and Miss Bourne was appointed the secretary. Well done, Edgehill! In the evening we attended the Harvest Thanksgiving Service, at Silver Street Chapel. Mr. J. Penhale, an old school-mate of mine, took the chair, and although there was a large array of speakers, we were not set in a corner. The meeting was in full sympathy with us and our mission. The blessed results of the last Conference were alluded to;