JOHN BULL EMERY, ESQ.

The subject of this short memoir is John Bull Emery, Esq., late of Glastonbury, a deacon of the congregational church in that town, who, on the 7th day of September, 1831, was called from a sphere of great activity and usefulness to his reward, in the 50th year of his age.

As a Christian, the graces of humility, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, shone in him with more than common lustre. He was eminently "the peacemaker." He was careful, not only of his own reputation, as a professed disciple of Christ, but he was at all times the faithful guardian of his brother's too. His benevolence was without ostentation; it seemed to arise from the silent overflowings of a heart well tempered with religion; and many in this town mourn in secret, that this heart no longer responds to their woe.

There was in him combined a lofty independence of mind, an acuteness of intellect, a correctness of taste, a maturity of judgment, and a fine sensibility, which endeared him to a very large circle of ministers and friends, and enabled him to draw largely, though undesignedly, on the admiration and respect of the Christian world.

He was not fond of polemical discussion; yet, when called into the field, the truths of the gospel met with an inflexible, yet goodtempered, defender: nor were they ever hazarded in his hands.

In his friendships, when once formed, he was sincere and faithful; and was always as ready to receive counsel and advice as he was to impart it. His minister, the Rev. W. H. Lewis, has lost a valued friend, the church a judicious officer, and the world an acknowledged ornament.

It is to be regretted that the nature of his disease (the typhus fever) prevented him from giving a parting testimony to the faithfulness of his covenant God, and setting his dying seal to the efficacy of real religion. This regret, however, refers only to survivors; for there can be no doubt the apostle's language could well be adopted by him: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." While his

faculties were continued, he was much and earnest in prayer; but for many days before his departure, delirium threw a cloud over his mind, and sealed up farther communication on earth.

He has left behind him a widow, two daughters, and a son, who are still gazing on the mysterious dispensation with wonder, yet with humility and submission, persuaded that "what they know not now they shall know hereafter."

May the dear children rise up to supply the vacancy which death has made in the church, by the removal of their honoured parent; and may the inroads which "the common foe" is continually making on our friendships below lead us to look for that world where there shall be "no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither any more pain!" R. J.

Glastonbury, January 17th, 1832.

MRS. SARAH SMITH.

On Thursday, October 4th, 1832, Mrs. Sarah Smith died at Hastings. She was the relict of the late Rev. Thos. Smith, of Trinity Chapel, Leather-lane, Holborn, London. By her decease four children are left without parental care, and in such circumstances of destitution, that their friends have deemed it very desirable that some effort should be made on behalf of the eldest son, on whom the care of his brother and sisters must necessarily devolve.

He has a small shop at Hastings. His property in it is, however, held on very disadvantageous terms; and, for want of a small capital, very little profit can be derived from it. About £110 or £120 would enable him to secure the whole for himself, and afford him a prospect of some adequate remuneration for his time and labour. The youngest daughter, now fourteen years of age, might, if apprenticed, be securely settled; but this cannot be accomplished without pecuniary

aid.

Any friends desirous of contributing to this benevolent object are requested to pay their donations either to T. T. Taylor, Esq., 13, President-street, Goswell-street-road; Messrs. Holdsworth and Ball, 18, St. Paul's Churchyard; or the Rev. W. Davis, Hastings.

MRS. ELIZABETH HOOPER, OF EDMONTON.

This eminently pious woman died at Edmonton, on Feb. 9th, 1832, in the sixtysecond year of her age. She was born at Gravesend in the year 1770; her father, Mr. John Greir, was one of the deacons of the Independent church at that place. Though brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and frequently the subject of many deep convictions of sin in very early life, it does not appear that divine grace took full possession of her mind until she had attained maturity. For a considerable period she laboured under great depression of spirit, arising from a deep sense of guilt, when the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Cratcherode, and particularly a sermon from Heb. vii. 25, "He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him," &c., were the means of delivering her mind from the most distressing thraldom, and inducing "joy and peace in believing." From this period she was not only a consistent, but exemplary, follower of him whose name she assumed, adorning the doctrine of God her Saviour. Her love to divine realities, as well as to the cause and people of God, was ardent; and the prevalent spirituality of her mind can be best testified by those who enjoyed the privilege of her society and friendship.

When in the morning of life, she united herself with the church of Christ at Gravesend, in communion with which she remained until after her marriage with Mr. William Hooper and removal to the metropolis, when she joined the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. C. Buck, whose ministry and friendship she highly prized, as well as those of his successor, the Rev. T. James, now of Woolwich.

It was during this period of her life that she was called to drink deeply of the cup of affliction. Her beloved partner was, in the very prime of life, cut off by the unrelenting hand of death, and four of her offspring either preceded or quickly followed him to "the house appointed for all living." Her susceptibility of feeling was exceedingly strong, and she felt acutely under these truly painful bereavements, but was kept from utterly sinking by Him who is the strength of Israel and the confidence of his people.

In the year 1819 she removed to Hackney, and united in fellowship with the church under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Dr. Burder, to whose ministerial labours she ever expressed herself greatly indebted. Although

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several years afterwards she was again called, by divine providence, to strike her tent, and remove a few miles further from London, she never relinquished her connexion with a society which she held in the highest estimation, until called to join the church of God above. While resident at Hackney, she was called to endure a trial which may be considered as in many respects the most severe that had ever been laid upon her. An only son, distinguished by every mental and spiritual endowment which could render him dear to a widowed mother's heart, had very nearly attained the age of manhood, when he was attacked by pulmonary consumption, which, after many alternations of hope and fear, terminated in death. Under this truly painful dispensation of providence she felt most keenly, but was not overwhelmed ; never was she heard to repine, or charge God foolishly; she felt the full conviction that "He had done it," and she meekly bowed to his will. Her constitution, however, received a shock from this event which she never recovered.

From this period it may truly be said her conversation was in heaven. A blissful immortality was the object of her most ardent anticipation and delightful converse.

After many serious attacks of indisposition, from which she partially recovered, she was, in December 1831, taken with the disease which, in about two months, terminated in her dissolution. Seldom has the blessed tendency of Christian principles been more strikingly displayed than in the deportment of Mrs. H. during her last illness. Though called frequently to endure agonizing sufferings and extreme exhaustion, she never in the slightest degree "fretted against the Lord," or reflected upon his wisdom and goodness; on the contrary, every interval of partial ease was readily embraced by her to converse on themes dear to her heart, and to celebrate the faithfulness of him who was "all her salvation and all her desire." Like many of the saints of God, she, while in health, had occasionally felt fearful apprehensions respecting the act of dying; but, during the whole of her last illness, this fear was completely removed; she conversed on death and the eternal world very frequently, and with the utmost composure, sometimes saying, "I trust God will not forsake me in the trying hour." "I know,' yes, I know, in whom I have believed, and am persuaded he will keep that which I have committed to him until that day.' "I have no

desire for recovery; I would rather depart and be with Christ, but I hope I shall not be impatient to be gone."

Mrs. H. had been distinguished by a habit of diligent self-scrutiny, and this was frequently evinced during her last illness. When reduced to the lowest state of bodily exhaustion, so as to be unable to articulate

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a word without extreme difficulty, she said to her son-in-law, "I have been examining myself during the night to discover, if possible, whether my desire of heaven arises merely from the suffering I am called to endure, and the natural wish for deliverance from them; I hope it does not." On his endeavouring to show her that there was reason to believe that it arose from a nobler principle, inasmuch as she had been the subject of it, to a considerable extent, even before she was brought into circumstances of deep affliction, she acquiesced, and appeared satisfied.

For many years she had been characterised by much secret communion with God; and, during her last affliction, this appears to have been peculiarly intimate, and almost uninterrupted. She evidently breathed the atmosphere of heaven before she reached that blissful region. She had also been a firm believer in the overruling gracious providence of God as extending even to our mean affairs. She had experienced deliverances so striking and extraordinary, that, did delicacy allow of their recital, every one giving full credence to revelation would readily admit that nothing short of divine interposition could effect them. On these she reflected much when drawing near to the close of her earthly pilgrimage; and, from musing upon them, she derived no small encouragement and consolation. But a few hours before her departure, when the image of death was upon her, and the utmost that could be expected from her was a few broken sentences, divine grace wonderfully triumphed over the agonies of expiring nature; her mind was evidently in its full vigour, and for a time she appeared to rise completely above her weakness and suffering. Feeling that her end was rapidly approaching, she appeared determined to give her last testimony to the faithfulness of God, and for this purpose summoned all her last remaining energies. To the astonishment of a near relative who was standing by her, she took a general view of her religious experience, from her first acquaintance with divine things to the period then present, expatiating with a pathos and fervour never to be forgotten by him, and with many tears of joy, on the wonderful goodness of the Most High. "Oh!" exclaimed she, with peculiar emphasis, "that I could speak of his faithfulness!-encourage every widow to trust in him!

666 'Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near, &c.!'" She then adverted to some beloved relatives that she was about to leave behind. On being reminded, that though there were some still in the wilderness peculiarly dear to her, there were also many in heaven to meet with who would doubtless afford her a high degree of enjoyment, she remarked, "There are, and I may be permitted to recognize them; but there is one who outshines them all-it

is the Saviour; I shall most assuredly recognize Him ;-He, He is the grand attraction." These words were uttered with a soul-thrilling energy; the effort appeared more than her emaciated frame could bear; and a few hours afterwards, with placid, undisturbed composure, she breathed her spirit into the hands of her Redeemer. Her mortal remains were interred in Bunhill Fields. Her pastor, the Rev. Dr. Burder, gave the address at the grave.

MRS. PEGGY HIRST.

Mrs. Peggy Hirst was the youngest child of a family named Craw; she had two brothers and a sister, all hearers of the excellent Venn, vicar of Huddersfield, and whose powerful ministry was blessed to their conversion. One of the brothers became a mi. nister, and settled and laboured in the gospel at Northwalsom, Norfolk, and died much regretted, September 2nd, 1784. The oldest, George, on the removal of Mr. Venn, became one of the first members of the Congregational church then formed at Highfield, of which the late Rev. W. Moorhouse became pastor, and he continued in fellowship with the same church during the long period of sixty years; and it may be said, to the praise of divine grace, that though his trials and afflictions were heavy and numerous, yet his path was as the shining light, shining more and more unto the perfect day. His oldest sister was united with the same church, but was soon called to the heavenly rest. The youngest, Peggy, accompanied her brothers and sister in their attendance on the ministry; and, though not decidedly pious, was restrained from the vices and follies too common to youth. After having married, and become the mother of two children, she was for some time the subject of severe affliction. It pleased God to sanctify this visitation, so that she gave up herself to the Lord, and then united with his people. From this period, the Bible became her delight; and, being possessed of a vigorous mind and retentive memory, her knowledge of it was accurate and extensive. It may be truly said, that "the word of Christ dwelt in her richly in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." In a few years she was bereaved of her husband, and left with a son and daughter, the care of whom devolved on her, and to whom she discharged the duty of an affectionate and pious mother. She subsequently married Mr. J. Hirst, who now survives to lament his loss. After this event, she was again visited with the most painful affliction, which continued for many years. During this affliction, she seriously and solemnly wrote down her vows and desires, and renewed her covenant with God. She first refers to the promise, Ezek. iii. 25—28; and then adds, This thou hast promised, and I take thee at thy word; and in thy

strength I bind myself to thee, to be thine in life and death, and to walk in thy commands. I take thy co-equal Son, to be my prophet, priest, and king-my righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and thy Spirit to be my instructor and comforter. I do not ask of thee temporal favours, or health, or friends; these I leave to thy wise disposal. But if sickness and adversity be my lot, only grant me patience and resignation to thy will; and may I find thee my support in life and death!" In the school of suffering and adversity God purified her, and strengthened her faith, patience, and hope. From the severity and protracted nature of her own sufferings, she learned to sympathize with sufferers of every class; and, according to her ability, and sometimes even beyond what charity would demand, she was ready to minister to their relief. Her religious experience, knowledge, a natural intrepidity of mind, and a readiness in expressing her own sentiments, rendered her conversation peculiarly instructive and edifying. She could put to silence gainsayers; and few could resist her serious remonstrances, and appropriate application of Scripture truth. Having found support and comfort, in all her afflictions and trials, in the word of God, in prayer, and the means of grace, these became habitual to her; and, as long as health permitted, she constantly embraced all opportunities of attending to them. Indeed, it may be said, her chief pleasure, next to communion with God, was in fellowship with the saints. In her last illness, she had no raptures, but a steady confidence and hope. When serious friends visited her, though enduring great pain, she conversed on the truths and promises of the gospel with such evident interest and pleasure as to excite their surprise. Her last thoughts on earth were exercised on redeeming love; and, when the spirit returned to God that gave it, the same subject will be continued, but in a different manner, and with more elevated views and feelings, in the heavenly world, among the spirits of the just made perfect, the joyful assembly of the first-born. B. BOOTHROYD.

have now joined them in the church above. Selina, the last survivor, of whom we give this short memorial, was a subject of very early conviction. When she wrote to her minister, the late Rev. T. Grove, seeking communion with the church, she gave a statement of very matured Christian experience, considering her age; and, from that period to the end of her days, she was a decided, consistent, and zealous disciple of Jesus Christ. Her chief employment was the education of youth, and in this she was truly anxious to train her pupils for God and glory.

and

In conjunction with two other pious females, she resided for a time in the city of Lichfield, to give countenance and help to the cause of Christ there, when the cause of Christ endured much rude opposition; her pious demeanour will long be remembered there. At a subsequent period, she was willing to have devoted her days to the service of the heathen, but God determined otherwise for her. Subject to much bodily affliction, and at times to the buffetings of Satan, she was truly a tried character; but, in these seasons, the promises were her source of support, and she could sing, "Behold, God is my salvation," &c.

Her last affliction was of short continuance. On the morning of the day she departed, when a relative, who perceived she was near her end, spoke to her of the faithfulness of her God and his unchanging love, she was quite enraptured, and said, "Yes, that is my mercy!" He reminded her of the faith of Stephen, when he was dying; she added, "That is the blessed view I wantto see Jesus." To another friend she soon after testified, "All is well!-all is well!" and dwelt with great delight on the 153rd hymn in Burder's Supplement, as expressive of her sentiments and joys; and, though she had often dreaded the thought of dying, in this happy manner she was indulged peacefully to breathe out her soul into the hands of her gracious Redeemer. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord!"

MISS SELINA FOXALL.

On the 1st of August, 1831, died Selina Foxall, daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Foxall, of Walsall, in the county of Stafford, who for many years was an esteemed deacon of the Independent church in that town, and of whom an obituary may be read in the Evangelical Magazine for 1802, page 406. Himself and his wife were called to their rest in the vigour of their days, leaving three orphans, in whose tender minds they had been careful to sow the seeds of divine truth; and the blessing of God rendered their efforts successful. These children were successively united to the church of Christ of which their parents had been members on earth; and

MRS. SARAH ANN HICK.

Died on Sunday, the 9th of September last, at Ilkley, aged 26, of inflammation of the internal membrane of the brain, Sarah Ann, the beloved wife of Mr. Samuel Hick, of Leeds, in the county of York, solicitor. Her loss will be severely felt by her afflicted husband, and in the circle of her friends, to all of whom she had endeared herself by the extreme gentleness and kindness of her disposition. Gratitude and Christian submission, even amidst deep suffering, were among the pleasing traits which she has left behind, and which her friends will long and faithfully treasure up in their remembrance.

N. B.-In our next, some beautiful ines on the death of this lady.