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friends to seek religion, without which they could neither be happy here nor safe hereafter. The sick he visited and comforted, and the poor he sought out and relieved.

In the order of Providence, thirteen years ago, Mr. Lawton with his family removed from the place of his nativity to Lees, and soon I obtained a partial knowledge of him, being at that time stationed in the Ashton Circuit, of which Lees formed a promising and not unimportant part. Here his religious career of useful labour was very conspicuous, and his zeal and activity were followed by visible success. Indeed, before longbefore he settled at the above place-he was actively employed at Micklehurst, where, in connection with Mr. Peter Shaw and several others, a Sunday-school was begun and preaching commenced, and there and at Mossley, both himself and family alternately worshipped, and Ministers, for many years, from Stockport and other places, preached in the school-room.

He

When Mr. Lawton came to Lees, he identified himself with our body, and joined brother Hannam's class. In giving his name he gave himself, and all his piety and influence were consecrated to God and his church, He was active in prayer-meetings, and a punctual and constant attender at the house of God. exulted, like David, as the Sabbath drew near, and on the morning of that day he would exclaim, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go up to the house of the Lord; and my feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." He was appointed a Leader, and he fulfilled the duties of his office most efficiently. None exceeded him in watching over his members; he sought them out and went before them, and by his counsels and his prayers, his precepts and example, guided them in the good and the right way.

For many years brother Lawton was happy in his domestic circle and in the possession of a partner like-minded with himself, and it pleased God in his providence to give them a numerous offspring. It was a happy union; they were a happy family. It pleased the Almighty, however, to separate them by death; but Mrs. Lawton lived long enough to impress her children with the necessity and importance of personal religion, and she had the happiness of seeing that her labour had not been in vain. This very trying event took place April 3rd, 1842. Her loss the family still continue to feel, for she was a most tender and judicious mother; but none felt so much the loss as our bereaved brother. He had not been without his trials, but this was his most painful one, for he much needed her sympathy

He was several months before his spirits revived, and before his mind obtained its wonted vigour, or his countenance its wonted expression. At the period of her demise he was passing through deep

waters.

When he removed from Carr to Lees he had property to an amount that would have freed him from any motive to accumulate it; but for the benefit of his rising family he engaged in business, which in the end terminated ill, and his all was lost. Religion, however, was his solace, and God was his friend. He called upon him in the day of trouble, and confided in him when his property was gone, and he could say, "The Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted." He speedily after saw the goodness of God in the land of the living, so that his bread was given and his water sure; and, to speak emphatically, his latter end did greatly in

crease.

When I came into the Circuit in 1843, its wilderness state greatly affected me. I believe it is not generally known to what extent the fiend of discord had sown his tares. The Mossley Society had not more than one in five remaining with the Connexion; nor at the present have many returned, but the majority of them are blown about by the winds of doctrine promulgated by the adversary, who sends them from his pen and his press. Some little was attempted at Lees, but the Society generally were firm, and our dear brother and his son-in-law, with several persons of discernment, so not much injury was done; only it was a trial that was heavy. None felt its weight more than our excellent and sensitive brother, who sorrowed most lest the sheep should be scattered. I soon perceived Mr. Lawton to be a man of an excellent spirit, and we became intimate friends, and obtained the confidence of each other. We met in class together; visited the members in company; sought up the absent members and the sick, whether in or out of the church. But I soon learned this was his daily work. He literally went about doing good. If his members, one or more, had neglected the class, or the means of grace, he could explain the reason; if any were sick, he had visited them; and if strangers had been seen in the Chapel a few times, his watchful eye had seen them, and was looking after them. In these and some other respects I have not met with many likeminded. The whole Society sorrows, but especially his youthful charge, whom he cared for and counselled with the tenderness of a parent; nay, the residents of this populous village, are unanimous in giving their high opinion of Mr. Lawton.

Some

It may not be deemed out of place to insert a characteristic anecdote related by his medical adviser as we were following his remains to their final resting-place. He observed, "Mr. L. was an excellent man, and of unquestionable piety. years ago," he said, "I was dangerously ill, and my affliction detained me for a considerable time from my professional duties. Through that long period Mr. L. visited me, conversed and prayed with me, and manifested such anxiety for my soul's welfare, that I delighted to have him with me, and rejoiced to hear the sound of his footsteps." This anecdote is in perfect uniformity with his whole Christian life. From first to last he was a burning and a shining light, yet so humble that the good qualities which others witnessed in him he seemed not to be conscious of. His attainments were very low in his own estimation. He expressed what he desired to be, and not what he then was. He was always athirst for more grace : "Quicken thou me, O Lord! according to thy word;" and with the poet,

"A drop will not suffice,

My soul for all thy fulness cries.”

Had I been at all aware of his speedy death (but this I could not be from any outward appearance; we were near in age; he was in general good health, and exhibited no signs but those which indicated his reaching a good old age) I would have noted down his sayings, some of which were exceedingly valuable, both in his class, and likewise in our social intercourse. These, however, are lost in detail, but the substance and impression still remain.

About six months ago our excellent brother had an affection of the knee. At first it excited no particular alarm either to himself or friends, but by its continuance it was thought advisable to consult the faculty, and it was found to be water in the joint. Means were employed to remove it, but they were all unavailing. The two medical gentlemen in the place were agreed in their opinions, and it was determined, for the satisfaction of all parties, that an eminent surgeon from Manchester should be called in; but he gave little encouragement, and recommended a regimen and diet far too rich for his constitution. It was tried, but his system was too much reduced to persevere; but all that professional skill, affectionate attention, and nutritive food could effect were employed, but he gradually declined, until the earthly house was dissolved.

Throughout his affliction he was patient and resigned, though his spirits, at times,

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and others of a similar sentiment; then he would ejaculate short sentences in prayer: "Lord, help me!" 'Lord, give me patience to suffer all thy will!" "Lord, make me thankful!"

Towards the close of his affliction he became animated, and sometimes ecstatic. A very little time before death he requested his eldest daughter to sing him a favourite verse, but she was too much affected to do so, and replied, "Father, I cannot sing, but if you please I will read it." "Read it then." Seeing his affectionate daughters in the room with eyes overflowing with tears, he chided them with, "Weep not! Do you wish to keep me back? Your loss will be my gain." His son Edward saw him looking fixedly on an elevated object; he asked, "Father, do you see anything which causes you to continue your gaze?" "Yes," he replied, "by an eye of faith." Nearly the last circumstance connected with his experience was a pathetic and touching one. His son John, who is a pious man, and an acceptable Local Preacher, was with his father, and expected it would be his last sight of him in life, and being much affected, to his surprise, he said calmly, "John, pray with me." This, though in sobs and tears, he was enabled to do, and the father responded to his every petition. From one o'clock he appeared to be in Jordan, and at six in the morning he got safe over. was the Sabbath on earth, a day in which he delighted, when he was removed to the rest and service of the church in heaven.

It

The high estimation in which he was held appeared in the general lamentation expressed on his death being known: and especially from the overflowing congrega tion when his death was improved on the

23rd of May, in the Chapel which had so long been a Bethel to his soul.

Brother Lawton was not a bigot though a denominationalist. He loved all who loved our Lord in sincerity. Ministers of various names were welcomed at his house, and preached in it, and were hospitably entertained at his table. He was no trifler, but felt a solemn awe of God, and was habitually serious and devout. He might be said to pray always, for he lived in its regular practice, and he studied to speak, and think, and act, as a Christian is required to do. Nor was he a formalist. The means of grace were wells of salvation to him, of which he frequently drank, and they were the channels through which the Holy Spirit conveyed life and love to his soul. Nor was he lukewarm or half-hearted in religion. It was never a light thing with him whether the ark of the church moved, or went on tardily, or remained stationary. His daily prayer was for increase. Oh! how earnestly he prayed, both in and out of the church, that God would arise and plead his own cause, and get himself the victory-that he would open the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing as there should not be room to contain. Often have I heard him plead, as did the prophet, "O Lord, revive thy work! O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity!"

He was a dear lover of experience meetings, both before and after he was chosen a Leader; he was conscientious in attending them; it was a marvellous thing if he were absent; but it often pained his mind when some whom he thought would be present were absent. His youthful charge lay near his heart, and he watched and tended them as a father his children; and it is just to say they loved and revered him in return, and grieve at every remembrance of his removal. In the public means, and at the Lord's Supper, his place was never unoccupied, unless something unavoidably detained him, and he used his influence to bring others to the house of God; and so great was his zeal in this respect that we fear it may be some time before another is raised up in all respects like-minded with himself. He was the same in his own house that he showed himself to be amongst his brethren and in the house of God. There the family altar has stood for many years, and needed no repair. All the members of the family bowed with willing knee while he offered up the morning and evening sacrifice, and paid grateful acknowledgments for daily and special mercies, and he had the happiness to witness that, generally speaking, his house was so with God as he had desired and prayed that it might be.

He was the friend of all, and enemy to none. The ministers with whom he was personally acquainted, and by whose ministrations his soul was watered and blessed, were held by him in high estimation. It is not necessary to mention names, but there was no Leader or member in the Circuit with whom I was so familiar, or held in higher estination. Little did I think before my short sojourn should terminate, that he would be removed; but the Saviour's submission, as expressed in those words, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight," I can appropriate. May we all be followers of him who through faith and patience now inherits the promises, and may the trying dispensation be sanctified both to his family and the Society and congregation of which he was a member, and may they walk as he also walked! C. ATKINSON.

RECENT DEATHS.

DIED at the Tabernacle House, Dublin, GRACE, the beloved wife of the Rev. WM. GATER, and daughter of the late Isaac Lawton, who was for many years a devoted and much respected Leader in the Hanley Circuit.

On coming to Ireland as the wife of a Missionary, she evidently felt the responsibility of her situation, and gave herself up to the work with that degree of piety and zeal which the GREAT HEAD of the church delights to honour. At the various stations to which they were appointed her holy deportment and pious conversation secured the warmest affections of many endeared friends, by whom she will long be held in grateful remembrance. Her last affliction was peculiarly painful and distressing. A few months ago two interesting children were taken away, and the silent tomb had scarcely closed over them, when it became evident to all, that the anxious mother was rapidly following them to the house appointed for all living. Her delicate constitution soon gave way, and her happy spirit entered into rest on Lord's day, July 5th, leaving her afflicted partner to mourn over his irreparable loss. Belfast. WM. BAGGALY.

DIED at Stockport, July 10th, 1845, aged 78 years, our venerable and much beloved friend and brother in Christ, Mr. JOHN BARRINGTON. He was the oldest member of Mount Tabor Society, having united with the Connexion at the division in 1797. He was an upright, conscien

tious, and deeply pious man, but quite unassuming. His views of his own attainments were low. He was of an humble and contrite spirit. He held offices in the church at various periods-viz., Chapel, Society, and Circuit Steward, and was a Leader more than forty years. For

the last eighteen months he was encom-
passed with infirmities, but he was patient
and resigned to the will of his heavenly
Father. When utterance failed, he pointed
towards heaven, indicating that he was in
sight of the promised rest.
C. ATKINSON.

CONNEXIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SERVICES.

GUERNSEY CIRCUIT.-The anniversary services in aid of our Missions were held as follows-viz. on Sabbath, April 13th, 1845, the Rev. J. Merchant, of Truro, preached in the morning and evening, and the Rev. T. Ridge in the afternoon. On the following evening the Missionary meeting was held; the Rev. Mr. Warren (Wesleyan) in the chair. After the Report had been read by Mr. James Barbet, resolutions were moved and seconded by the Revs. W. Laxon, J. S. Hine, W. Wild, (Independent), Harris, (Bible Christian), S. Spurgeon, (Baptist), J. Merchant, and T. Ridge; also, by Messrs. W. Ozanne, H. R. Angel, and Dr. Collenette. The addresses delivered were of an interesting character, and displayed considerable ability. A deep interest was felt in the prosperity of the Mission, and it is fervently hoped that still more vigorous efforts will be made to accomplish such an object. The attendance on the Sabbath would have been much better had not the weather been so very unfavourable-a circumstance which also prevented the collections from being so good as they otherwise would have been. The public meeting was very numerously attended, and the collection exceeded that of last year.

On the following Wednesday a Missionary tea party was held in the School-room, at which nearly one hundred and fifty sat down to tea. The tables were gratuitously furnished-by which arrangement more than five pounds were raised in aid of the Mission. The Rev. Messrs. Laxon, Harris, Spurgeon, Merchant, and Ridge, delivered addresses on the occasion. The meeting commenced and concluded with singing and prayer, and the friends separated profited, it is hoped, by what they had heard. The amount raised for the Mission this year, apart from the grant from the proceeds of the ladies' bazaar, is greater than that of last year, and far exceeded our expectations. May the Great Head of the church grant that the cause of Missions may be crowned with more abundant prosperity, and hasten the arrival of that glorious period when all shall know him from the least to the greatest. Amen. T. R.

RE-OPENING OF OLDHAM CHAPEL.

OUR Chapel in Oldham, Mossley Circuit, having been painted, repaired, and had some valuable improvements made in it, was re-opened on Lord's-day, June 15th, when sermons were preached, in the afternoon by the Rev. T. Allin, and in the morning and evening by the Rev. T. Mills. The collections amounted to £20 9s. 04d., and with the subscriptions which have been and will be raised, the expenses incurred, which amount to more than £50, will be paid.

The church which suffered much a few years since from the Barkerite influence, is very united, and is gradually and constantly improving. May the presence and power of the Holy Ghost be experienced by the members both of the church and congregation! Amen.

STATE OF THE CONNEXION,

AT THE CONFERENCE, HELD AT NOTTINGHAM, IN MAY, 1845.

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