was left to die. Brother Mills went to visit her, exhorted her, and offered prayer on her behalf. Like Jacob, he wrestled with God and prevailed. The woman began to recover from that very hour. He then went to her landlord, and succeeded in obtaining his consent, that she should live rentfree until she was fully recovered. To the believer, in affliction, he was a son of consolation. He sympathised deeply with people of God in their sufferings; weeping with them that wept, and rejoicing with them that rejoiced. He spoke much of the faithfulness of God to the many exceeding great and precious promises, as the stronghold of the believer in the day of affliction. In these holy visits, his own soul was much watered, and he was also made a great blessing to others. Long will he be held in high estimation for these works of faith, and labours of love. As a prayer-leader, he excelled. He was favoured with great variety of expressions, and always came to the throne of grace with filial confidence; feeling ardent love and compassion for the souls of his fellow-men. He knew much of human nature, and in his prayers would enter into the very state and feelings of those for whom he prayed; and often, by these means, the truth was brought home to their hearts. Not a few will bless God eternally that ever Brother Mills opened his mouth at a prayer-meeting. He considered prayer-meetings as being conducive to growth of grace in believers, the conversion of sinners, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom; and it was his earnest prayer that God would raise up a host of prayer-leaders. As a local preacher, he was a burning and a shining light. He acquired considerable knowledge of those Bible doctrines which are taught by the Methodist family. He took the Bible as the rule of his faith and practice; and had a most unshaken confidence in the truthfulness of God's Word. He believed that a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to him; and felt that woe was unto him if he preached not the Gospel. He had ardent love for the souls of men; and to accomplish their salvation, was instant in season, and out of season; and earnestly and affectionately exhorted sinners to "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." It was quite evident that his whole soul was in the work; and greatly did his soul rejoice when he beheld the penitential tear. One particular trait in his character was, he never attempted to imitate others, but preached in his own natural way, the unsearchable riches of Christ; and God was pleased to own his labours in the conviction and conversion of sinners. Some have entered into rest, having died in the faith, and others yet remain, who are seals to his ministry. For many years he was a member of the Temperance Society; he signed the Temperance Pledge, for the sake of setting an example to his family, to the church, and to the world. Whatever his hand found to do, he determined to do it with all his might. He, therefore, exhorted the temperate to sign the Temperance Pledge, as examples to others; and the poor drunkard he urged to sign the pledge, in the hope that he, afterwards, might be brought under the influence of the Gospel. As a conductor of a Sabbath-school, he was indefatigable and persevering, considering the many claims the church had upon his time and services, having the responsibility of two classes, together with his regular appointments as a Local preacher. It was truly astonishing to see with what alacrity and willingness, at his time of life, he undertook the laborious work of establishing a Sabbath-school at Bradford. He was one of the founders of our school there; and in that place he had the happiness to see, that he had not laboured in vain, or spent his strength for nought. He continued his labours at Bradford until 1848, when it pleased God to afflict him with a paralytic stroke. This put an end to his usefulness as a Sabbath-school conductor, and also as a Local preacher. This dispensation of Divine Provi He was dence was received with holy submission to the will of God. enabled to say, "Good is the will of the Lord." After he had recovered a little, from his first attack, he was enabled again to resume his labours as a class-leader. So active was his mind, and so strong was his desire to be useful, that he often engaged in those duties when his bodily strength appeared to be altogether unequal to the work. With truth it may be said, he "did what he could." In June 1850 he had another paralytic stroke; this deprived him of the use of all his limbs, and, what was more painful, nearly of the use of his speech; it was with great difficulty he could articulate words to be understood. This affliction confined him to his bed. During an active life he had been endeavouring to do the will of God, but now he was called to suffer the will of God. His great humility-his submission to the Divine will-his patience in his long and protracted sufferings —and that holy joy that lightened up his countenance, surely indicated that the comforts of God were neither few nor small. When any of the people of God, who called to see him, were engaged in prayer, his whole soul responded to the petitions offered. One day when a friend called to see him, he was asked, whether he felt the power of religion to support him now in affliction? His answer was, "Now I have found the ground wherein, sure my soul's anchor shall remain." He was asked, Do you feel Christ precious now? He replied, with much feeling, as earnestly as his strength would permit, "Yes! Yes!" As his affliction very much affected his speech, he said very little during his long confinement. A little before his death a friend called again, and asked him whether he could say with the Apostle, "I know that if the earthly house of this my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens?" With tears in his eyes, he answered, "Yes, yes, it will be so!" It now appeared that he had lost his own will in the will of God; and that he looked for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It pleased God to end his sufferings on the 25th of March, 1851, by translating his spirit to the Paradise of God. Thus ended the life, labours, and suffering, of this devoted and useful man of God, in the 61st year of his age, and in the 46th year of his Christian warfare. MR. WILLIAM HORATIO HORNER, OF MANCHESTER. WILLIAM HORATIO HORNER, the son of James and Ann Horner, was born in Manchester on the 6th of January, 1817. His parents having removed to Liverpool, he was sent, in 1822, to the school of the Rev. Mr. Elstap, a minister of the Episcopal Church, and a gentleman of very considerable scholastic attainments, who offered to give him a collegiate education; but, for reasons which appeared satisfactory to his parents, the proposal was declined. In 1823 he became a scholar in Dr. Raffles' Sunday-school, which he attended for some time. When In June, 1831, when he was in his fifteenth year, our departed brother first began seriously to think about the salvation of his soul. At the request of a young friend he attended a love-feast; and, about the same time, became a member of the class led by Mr. D. Appleton, a man of deep piety, unwavering devotedness, and superior intelligence. At the September quarterly visitation he received his first ticket from the Rev. Robert Newton. referring to this time he wrote as follows:-"I was not justified by faith in Christ; indeed I had not sought for mercy in God's appointed way; however, one night at a prayer meeting in Pitt Street Chapel, a penitent obtained pardon, and I was impressed with the fact that I was not in possession of that blessing. I thought that it was because I had not truly repented of my sin. I cried bitterly, but did not find forgiveness that night. I prayed earnestly for about three weeks, when, on a Sabbath evening after retiring to rest, was meditating on my sorrowful state, the Lord broke in upon my soul, and there was such a flood of light, and such joy, that I scarce knew what to do with myself; O how happy I was! my chains fell off, my heart was free.' In February, 1832, he removed from Liverpool to Nantwich, and continued with the Wesleyans until 1836, when, as he could not conscientiously countenance and support the polity of the Conference, as enunciated in the Minutes of 1835, he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Association. In 1837 he began as a Local preacher, to "labour in the Word and doctrine.” His first sermon was on prayer, and from the text, "Pray without ceasing." At the same time he was engaged as a Sunday-school teacher, and also filled the office of Circuit secretary. Early in the year 1838, he came to reside in Manchester, and became manager for Messrs. Webster, Hewitt, and Wetton, coach builders, in whose employ he continued seven years. Immediately, on his arrival in Manchester, his name was placed on the Preacher's Plan; and shortly afterwards he was appointed to the office of leader; in reference to which employment, he remarks, in his journal, “I have liberty in speaking to the members, and we have been blessed together." For some months, however, the evidence of his acceptance with God was not so clear and satisfactory as he knew it to be his privilege to enjoy; but at one of the Saturday evening band-meetings he received a fresh baptism of the Spirit, and was enabled to rejoice in the God of his salvation. A few days subsequently he wrote as follows:-"I still retain the evidence of my acceptance with God; I am his, and if I were to die now I should go to glory. Bless the Lord for so bright an evidence." In this happy frame of mind he continued for some time. In June, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Scphia Shatwell, who, with five sons and one daughter, survives him. He entered into business on his own account in 1842. He felt and acknowledged his responsibility; he resolved that the strictest equity should characterise him in his dealings with others, and withal that his chief reference should be to the glory of God. It was at this time that he deliberately made a vow, consecrating a distinct portion of the profits that might arise from his business to religious and benevolent objects. He said, "I intend to devote the tenth part of my gains to the service of God, besides what I give in the shape of class-pence and ticket-money; I shall appropriate one-third to the poor, one-third to Sunday-schools, and the remainder to the cause of God in the usual acceptation of that term." This resolution appears to have been kept to the end of his days. He was now earnestly and sedulously cultivating his spiritual interests, diligently attending the means of grace, and was sincerely desirous of religious advancement. "I have, of late," he remarked, "felt God to be near, and have been much blessed while seeking unto the Lord in prayer, and in reading his Word; I pray that I may grow in grace, and be more conformed to his likeness." At this period his church engagements were numerous, occupying much of his time and attention; to so great an extent was this the case, that he was fearful he should neglect his own salvation. The following, from an entry made in his journal, is to that effect;"I have a great deal of church business on hand; I have been thinking of giving up some of my offices, as I really have so much to do, and so many meetings to attend, in addition to my own business, that I have scarcely any time for either reading or reflection; there is danger in attending so much even to church matters; Al-` mighty power alone can keep me. I am yet willing to work for God; I pray for strength and ability to discharge the duties of the offices to which I am called." Towards the end of 1844 he was laid up by a severe cold, which brought on a dreadful attack of rheumatism, from which his medical adviser had no hopes that he would recover; however, after the lapse of a few weeksduring which he was greatly reduced and suffered exceedingly-it pleased God to restore him to health. Again in the spring of 1815, he was for several weeks, confined to his house by influenza. During these seasons of affliction his heart was kept in peace; his confidence in God was strong and unshaken; Christ was eminently precious. These illnesses incapacitated him for extensive labours in behalf of the Church and for the salvation of souls. For some time he only preached occasionally; and he was obliged also to make alteration in regard to his work in connexion with the Sundayschools. He had laboured seven years at the school in Bradford, near Manchester, but he felt that the distance was too great, and that a change was not only desirable, but necessary; his friend Mr. Fletcher, kindly offered to relieve him by exchanging schools; after much prayer the offer was accepted, and the result was entirely satisfactory. In 1848 he appears again to have been much indisposed; yet he was happy in God, anticipating the bliss and glory of heaven. He then made the following record:-" I am living for heaven, and three weeks ago I did not think myself far from that happy place. I have been very ill, but God has again raised me up; I am not, however, to labour as before. I am on the Lord's side, and through Christ all is well with my soul." 66 After a while he was enabled once more to resume his work, and discharge the duties of the several offices which he sustained in the Church; this he did with unabated zeal, never becoming weary in well-doing." I am," he said, "living for heaven; praying and working, preaching and meeting my class; God is making me useful." Thus he pursued the tenor of his way, seeking to be useful, aiming to do good, and at the same time taking all care of his own soul. Watering others, he was watered himself." In February of the year 1851, he wrote- Through the tender mercy of God I am still in a good way; of myself, indeed, I am perfect weakness. O, for strength to resist and overcome every evil! Lord take full, full possession; seal me for ever thine. I have had very little preaching of late; there are others now who can work, and I have enough to do; besides, my dear family, advancing in years, require more than ever a father's care,-his eye, his ear, his heart, as well as their mother's." 66 Little did our dear brother think, when he penned the above, that he would so soon be removed from his labours on earth, and that his family would, in so short a time, be deprived of his protection and counsel. On the 9th of the following month he went to Droylsden to fill an appointment; he preached in the open air; after the sermon he knelt upwards of half an hour on the bare flags, and soon afterwards felt pains in his limbs. He was able, however, to attend to his business till the following Saturday evening. On the Sunday and Monday he was confined to his room; yet no apprehensions were entertained as to his recovery. Death, as the issue of his illness, was not contemplated either by himself or his friends. But the Great Disposer of events had determined to take him. On the following morning, Tuesday, the 18th of March-a few minutes after his faithful friend Mr. Lowe had left him, and after the doctor in attendance had assured him, that he would soon be well-without a sigh or a struggle he died in Jesus, and in the 34th year of his age ; "His body with his charge laid down, Thus suddenly, and in the prime of life, was our brother called to exchange worlds. The loss is great, and it is felt; "for he was a good man." His character may be summed up in few words. He was truly benevolent, ever ready to contribute, according to his ability, to the support and extension of the cause of God, and to "do good unto all men, especially to them who were of the household of faith." His zeal for God was not capricious, as is the case with too many, but steady and unwavering. As a husband he was most affectionate and attentive; as a parent, kind, considerate, and watchful, manifesting the deepest interest in the welfare of his family. He had cultivated his mind, to some considerable extent, and so qualified himself for the efficient discharge of duty as sustaining office in the Church of Christ. It may be asked, "Had he no faults? Were there no defects in his character ?" It is answered, yes; like most men, he had his weaknesses; but they were not particularly prominent in his general bearing; nor were they such as to call for special notice. He was a child of God; and it was seen in his Christian walk and conversation; "though dead, he yet speaketh." "I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, from henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. YORK. On the 21st of October, the annual tea party, was held in the Lecture Hall; the object being to raise funds for paying off the debt upon the Chapel, Lady Peckitt's Yard. There were from 300 to 400 persons present, representing several of the denominations of the city, who thus practically showed their sympathy with the object of the meeting. The provisions for the tea were gratuitously supplied by a large number of ladies. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Young, of Sunderland. Shortly after the tea requisites had been removed, the Rev. W. Reed gave out a hymn, and engaged in prayer. The Chairman, in his opening address, observed upon the constitution of the Association, which he said embraced apostolicity, catholicity, and self-government. He also spoke at some length on the great work which the churches have to perform in evangelising the world, and in the exemplification of that Divine love which was first manifested in Palestine by Christ himself. At the close of his remarks, he called upon Mr. Pickwell to give the financial statement. Last year the debt on the chapel was 542. 2s. 10d, to which must be added 4s. 10d., the excess of expenditure over income during the year. On the other side, there were collections amounting to 21. 12s. 2 d., and the proceeds of the last year's tea party, 297. 1s. 7d., mak ing altogether 317. 13s. 94d., which left a sum owing upon the chapel of 510/. 13s. 11d. The Rev. W. Reed said the history of the chapel in which they now worshipped was full of interest, and showed what might be done. The members had placed their shoulders to the wheel, and God had blessed their efforts. He was glad to say that their people did not intend always to remain in the Lady Peckitt's Yard chapel. They were anticipating the time when some more favourable spot would be found, and a larger chapel erected thereon. And he would venture to express a hope, that when the building committee should lay the foundation-stone of their new edifice, "he might be there to see." The Rev. C. W. Evan, minister of Lendal chapel, said he was wishful to redeem his pledge, and therefore he presented himself at this meeting, though at great personal inconvenience. Approving as he did of the object of this meeting, he related an incident in the life of John Wesley, illustrative of the great liberality of that distinguished man, and he exhorted his hearers to go and do likewise, as far as in them lay. Mr. John Taylor was very glad to have this opportunity of expressing his sympathy with the members of the Association in this city. He believed the establishment of the Bible Society was the beginning of better days, by breaking down that bad feeling which |