upon them by the promoter, and a responsive plea on behalf of the defendant had been argued and admitted, the case was heard and determined in the course of the Hilary and Easter Terms of the present year. The question at issue was a new one in point of form, the case of a child baptized by a Wesleyan Minister never having been raised before; but the principle involved in it had been (as stated above) brought under the consideration of the Court thirty years before, when the Rev. Mr. Wickes, Vicar of Wardly, in Rutlandshire, was proceeded against for refusing burial to the child of one of his parishioners, who had been baptized by an Independent Minister. That principle was, that in the judgment of the Church of England no baptism celebrated with water, and in the name of the Trinity, is to be regarded as null and invalid: that let the administrator be who it may, Clerk or laic, male or female, the party receiving such baptism cannot be said to be unbaptized. The arguments on both sides were conducted with great learning and ingenuity; and few sources of information were left unexplored. For the promoter it was contended, that such being the sense of the Church, it was absurd and cruel to refuse burial to this infant: while the defendant's Counsel urged that the judgment of the Church had varied in the course of time; that it had been erroneously declared in the former case, and was quite at variance with the judgment then given; and that even if it were not so, the rule then laid down would not apply in the present case, inasmuch as the parties in this suit were Methodists, and, as such, schismatics, and excommunicate. It was also attempted to be shown that Methodist Ministers were forbidden by Mr. Wesley to administer sacraments; and that the officiating Minister in this instance was transgressing the rules of his own community, as well as those of the Establishment. The discussion of these matters occupied several days; and the arguments being ended, the Court took time to consider them, and to examinine the authorities adduced. On Saturday, the 8th instant, the learned Dean of Arches (Sir Herbert Jenner) delivered his judgment; overruling all the objections taken on behalf of the defendant, and corroborating in the most decisive manner the view taken by his distinguished predecessor of the law and doctrine of the established Church. He declared that the promoter had fully proved his case; and that the child not being unbaptized in the sense

of the Church of England, the defence set up for Mr. Escott had failed altoge ther. The promoter had, however, from the beginning, he said, disclaimed all vindictive feelings; and giving him credit for that disclaimer, he would have been glad to have mitigated the penalty incurred by the defendant; but he thought that the Canon under which proceedings had been instituted, allowed him no discretion, and he therefore condemned Mr. Escott to three months' suspension from his ministry and payment of costs. Notice of an appeal to the Court of last resort having been immediately given in behalf of Mr. Escott, the execution of the sentence of the Court of Arches is necessarily suspended; but, if the appeal is not prosecuted within a given time, measures may be taken to secure its enforcement; and it may be confidently hoped that the higher Court, if appealed to, will decide the question in accordance with the views which have now, on two several occasions, been so plainly expressed, and so ably supported, by the Court below.

Apprehensions have been entertained by some persons lest the ministry of the Wesleyan body should have been to some extent degraded in the eye of the public by these arguments. But it should be remembered, first, that the Court was not called upon to pronounce, and did not pronounce, any opinion on the question of the standing and authority of that ministry. It was admitted by the promoter that the person who performed this baptism was not Episcopally ordained; and decided by the Court, that such ordination was not essential to the validity of baptism in the sense and meaning of the established Church. A valuable testimony is thus furnished against those who would represent that Church as adopting and embodying all their own exclusive notions; and the attempt to fix the charge of schism on the Methodists by a judicial declaration has failed altogether. Let us hope that they will live henceforth in the peaceful enjoyment of their well-ascertained legal rights; and that, so far from despising the sacrament of baptism because it has been ruled that it may be validly administered by a person not Episcopally ordained, they will show their gratitude to God for this decision by a more reverent estimation and a more diligent improvement of that holy and blessed ordinance.

GEORGE OSBORN. Stoke-Newington, May 22d, 1841.

P. S. Permit me to take this opportunity of stating, that there is in preparation a full and accurate Report of the case of MASTIN v. ESCOTT, under the superintendence of DR. CURTEIS, the gentleman by whom the Reports of the Ecclesiastical Courts are at present

edited. No pains have been spared to render this publication alike worthy of the confidence of the profession, and interesting to general readers; and I hope its circulation will bear some proportion to its merits. It is now at press, and will be published in a few days.

1. MAKE your vote a subject of prayer. If we had more praying electors, we should have more pious representatives. It would be a blessed result of the Reform Bill, if, instead of a few, as heretofore, there should be a large number of Christian men returned to Parliament.

2. Whenever a candidate comes forward whom you have reason to believe to be a man under the influence of religion, be not diverted from giving him your vote, although he should differ from you in some particulars of secondary importance.

3. Extend no countenance or support to any candidate, whatever his political professions may be, whose opinions appear to have an infidel bias, or whose morals are impure, or whose name is familiar to you as a political disturber; or as a gambler, duellist, or patron of prize-fighters; who regards not the Sab

bath-day, who takes God's name in vain, or whose canvass is promoted by intemperance and riot.

4. Remember, if you desire the continuance of peace, foreign and domestic, the reformation of abuses, the redress of grievances, the prosperity of your native land, and, above all, the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world, that it is the Christian Member of Parliament who will seek the wisdom which cometh from above, to guide him; who will render to all their due, whether rich or poor, and be just, legislating in the fear of the Lord; who will endeavour that the land shall enjoy her Sabbaths, and that the righteousness which exalteth a nation shall prevail.

5. Place no confidence in the man whose professions are larger than consists with a proper respect to his own independence; who aims at the accomplishment of his personal objects by flatteries, appealing to the passions and prejudices of the least-informed class of society, rather than to the calm judgment of those whose opinion is of value; or who holds out the idea that society is to be regene rated by other means than those which God has appointed, namely, the promulgation of the Gospel.

DEC. 18th, 1840.-At Lowestoff, Charles Grice, who had been a steady and consistent member of the Methodist society during thirty years. His integrity and honesty were proverbial; his piety was uniform and scriptural; and his religious experience was an unfailing current of even joy.

While on earth, he was respected by all. He was very attentive to the affairs of the society with which he was connected. To the Sabbathschool, and the Mission cause, he rendered his active support as far as he was able. During his last illness he spoke much of his future home,

and frequently repeated the lines, slightly altering them to suit the actual state of his mind,

"Now I can read my title clear,
To mansions in the skies," &c.

In death he was peaceful and happy.

J. C.

Dec. 19th.-At Chippenham, in the Melksham Circuit, Elijah Bellamore, of a consumption, after an illness of eighteen weeks, in the nineteenth year of his age. He had been a member of the Wesleyan Connexion about four years, and an Exhorter above two years, He bore his fatal affliction with the patience of hope, and died in the peace of a Gospel faith.

H. V. O.

His

Feb. 20th, 1841.-At Great-Bentley, in the Colchester Circuit, in his forty-fifth year, Mr. John Strutt. His connexion with the Wesleyan body commenced in the year 1820, when he was powerfully awakened to a sense of his sin and danger in a revival of religion at Elmstead, a village in that Circuit. He soon obtained the enjoyment of pardoning mercy, and for twenty-one years of unbroken communion with that religious society, "adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour," by maintaining an unblemished Christian reputation. very excellencies render it difficult to do justice to his religious character. The evenness of his temper, and the uniform consistency of his deportment, while they told of his "close walk with God," gave no scope for the manifestation of bolder traits of Christian excellence. His afflictions were long and severe. For twentynine weeks he was strengthened to support the united sufferings of consumption, and a disease of the heart. The latter, when the palpitation was most violent, induced a state of extreme nervous depression. But it was under the discipline of grace that his tribulation was made to" work richer "experience." He "fled for refuge to the hope set before him;" and he was favoured with a "strong consolation." His sleepless hours were often made vocal, notwithstanding his illness, by his triumphant "songs in the night;" and in assuring his affectionate wife, "I do not wish to sleep. This is better." Still, he greatly enjoyed the "fellowship of saints;" more than once saying to religious friends visiting him, "I should now like to fly away to heaven!" His last prayer was for his sorrowing wife: his last assurance to his friends was, "All is well." He died saying, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" J. F. E.

Feb. 26th.-At Kilbeggan, in the Athlone Circuit, Ireland, Mr. Jeremiah Booth, aged eighty-six years. His parents were pious and respectable members of a Baptist church. He feared God from his youth, and was fifty-five years a member of the Methodist society. The Methodist Ministers for upwards of half a century partook of his hospitality; and in the midst of trying circumstances, he was their constant and steady friend. In his last illness he had no painful apprehensions with regard to the future. His last words were, "I am happy." It might be said of him, "The weary wheels of life stood

still." He descended to the grave with an unblemished character, never having brought any reproach on his religious profession.

N. H.

March 234.-At Banham, in the NewBuckenham Circuit, Mr. Thomas Wells, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He had been a member of the Methodist society more than forty years; during which he gave evident proof of the divine change which the Holy Spirit had effected in his heart, by a holy life and conversation. He filled the office of Class-Leader for many years, was a subscriber to most of our Funds, his house was open for the entertainment of God's Ministers, and nothing afforded him greater pleasure than the prosperity of the cause of Christ. During his affliction he enjoyed solid peace, having no doubt of his acceptance with God through faith in the blood of Christ. His prospects of another life were bright; and as he drew near the confines of the grave, he longed to depart and be with Christ.

J. B.

March 31st.-At Clifford, in the Tadcaster Circuit, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. Peter Harland, in the forty-sixth year of her age. She was converted to God in early life, and for about thirty-two years was an exemplary member of the Methodist society. During the greater part of this time, her health was in a delicate state, and she was frequently called to drink of the cup of severe affliction; but she was enabled to suffer with patience, and her afflictions were sanctified. Her removal was rather sudden and unexpected. Her mind, however, was kept in "perfect peace;" and although she had often entertained fears with respect to what she might feel in the final conflict, she was enabled to testify, with unutterable joy,

"Not a cloud doth arise,

To darken the skies,

Or hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes."

To her weeping sister, who remarked that she had been called to suffer much, she replied, "Not a pain too many; not a pain too many." With great calmness, she called her two children to her bedside, and most affectionately took leave of them, and commended them to God. Then, looking upward with a smile of ineffable delight, as if heaven were open to her view, she said,

"There is my house and portion fair;
My treasure and my heart are there,
And my abiding home;

For me my elder brethren stay,
And angels beckon me away,

And Jesus bids me come."

Soon after, without a struggle or sigh, she fell asleep in Jesus. J. E.

April 11th.-At Mount-Pleasant, in the borough of Kidwelly, Elizabeth, the faithful wife of the Rev. William Davies, 1st, (sometime Missionary at Sierra-Leone,) and daughter of the late John Owen, Esq., of Crafnant, Merionethshire a woman in all the relations of life a

pattern of deep seriousness, and of true piety. To the poor her hand was open; and her heart was warmly attached to the Sunday-school, in which she was blessed as a "mother in Israel," in training many a plant for heaven. When she arrived at Kidwelly, the Welsh cause was very low; only eighteen persons being in the society. She prayed, mourned, and visited from house to house; and before her departure for glory the number had increased to fifty-two; and others are coming in weekly. She was highly respected by all ranks; and her removal is painfully felt, especially by her bereaved husband, who is left alone to mourn for a little while. W. D.

April 12th.-At Wighill in the Tadcaster Circuit, aged fifty-six, Mrs. Stephenson, wife of Mr. Jacob Stephenson. She was brought to God in the thirty-second year of her age; and for a period of twenty-four years she was an upright member of the Methodist society, adorning the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. She suffered much opposition in her Christian course for the first seven years; but when God had tried her, he brought her forth as gold. She was steadily attached to the cause of Christ, and watchful and diligent in training up her children for eternity. She lived to see her hushand and most of her children joined to the people of God. Her last illness was long, and sometimes exceedingly painful; but she possessed her soul in patience. She said, All is well. My prospects grow brighter and brighter. I shall soon gain the rest I have toiled for." On the morning of the day of her death, she said, "This will be a glorious day to me." So her happy spirit passed from the body, to be present with the Lord!

S. C.

April 17th.-At Bradford, Wilts., Mrs. Mary Bowyer, aged seventy-nine years. Being awakened to a sense of her danger by means of reading a religious tract, she joined the Methodist society upwards of forty years ago; and having sought the Lord with all her heart, he spoke peace to her soul, and she was filled with peace and joy in believing. She was an ornament to the society by her uniform attendance on the means of grace, her amiable spirit, and exemplary deportment. The affliction which ended her life was painful, and of long continuance. She spent much of her time in reading the holy Scriptures, and pious biography. Often did she express to the friends who visited her, the abundant consolation which she derived from this practice; and spoke to them of her approaching dissolution, not only with cheerful resignation, but holy triumph; frequently exclaiming, "Precious Saviour, thou art my all in all! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" Thus did she fall asleep in Jesus, surrounded by her sorrowing children and affectionate friends. J. B.

April 25th.-At Wortley, in the Bramley Circuit, in the seventeenth year of his age, William Beverley Pratt, only son of Mr. David Pratt. He was naturally reserved and retired in his temper and habits, given to reading and serious thought. He feared the Lord greatly from a child, was early in life converted to God, and was deeply pious to the end of his days. He

was remarkable for obedience to his parents, and was amiable in his disposition, and diligent in his attendance on all the means of grace. He filled a situation as clerk in one of the bankinghouses in Leeds, with the entire confidence and approbation of his employers. He was a Teacher in the Sabbath-school, and an active and successful Missionary Collector. His illness was short. A fever hurried him away in the bloom and promise of life. When sensible, he was composed and peaceful. A friend said to him, a little before he died, "Is Jesus precious?" He answered, "He is precious, he is precious! To a young friend he said,—

"No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus and all in him is mine;
Alive in him my living head,

"

And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the' eternal throne, And claim the crown through Christ my W. L.

Own!"

April 25th.-At Spitalfields, London, Ann, wife of Mr. J. R. Brown, Local Preacher. Her end was truly peaceful and happy. By her death the poor have lost a real friend, and the infant-school a useful mistress.

J. R. B.

April 27th.-At Bolton, Lancashire, aged twenty-nine years, Elizabeth, the affectionate and beloved wife of Mr. Richard Stockdale, and eldest daughter of Mr. William Cannon. From a child she was trained up in the way she should go; yet it was not until six months before her death that she deeply felt her need of a Saviour. At this time she began to meet in class; and by her deportment manifested the sincerity and earnestness with which she sought reconciliation with God. Her mind was more disposed

to reading religious books, particularly the experience of deceased Christians; yet she never appears to have received the assurance of her acceptance, until a short time before her death. Her husband and she were alone, and he was reading and speaking of the beauties of the hymn beginning,

"Thou great mysterious God unknown,"

when she was much affected; asked to have the book, that she might find her favourite hymn. She did so, and with much feeling read,

"O God, my God, my all thou art!
Ere shines the dawn of rising day,
Thy sovereign light within my heart
Thy all-enlivening power, display!"
With additional emphasis, she read,—

"Abundant sweetness, while I sing

Thy love, my ravish'd heart o'erflows;
Secure in thee, my God and King,
Of glory, that no period knows!"