MRS. SARAH MARSDEN ASHTON, OF MANCHESTER. DIED on the 23rd April, 1852, Mrs. Sarah Marsden Ashton, of Templestreet, Manchester. She was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Jeremiah and Mrs. Ann Hanmer. It was her happy lot to be blest with pious parents, who felt it to be one of their first duties to instil into the minds of their children, correct views of religious truth. Mrs. Hanmer (whose memoir will be found in the 321st page of the "Wesleyan Methodist Association Magazine" for the year 1845) was a most exemplary woman, possessed of a meek and quiet spirit, and adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour, in all things. Mr. Hanmer was a man of great energy of character, combined with a sound judgment; and his opinions on both civil and religious matters were well matured and decided; and, whenever occasion required, they were unhesitatingly expressed. He was a member and office-bearer in the Church of Jesus Christ for many years, and took a most lively interest in its welfare. He possessed a great fund of Scriptural knowledge, and his perceptions of religious truth were exceedingly clear and comprehensive. He took enlarged views of Scriptural privileges, and ably defended them against all opposers; but especially against those who would "lord it over God's heritage And when the Wesleyan Association was formed he became a member thereof, in the Lever Street Circuit, and cheerfully and heartily joined in bearing the burdens, sharing the responsibilities, and in carrying out the great principles of the body. He was a strict disciplinarian, and exceedingly scrupulous on all points, on which Scriptural precept or precedent could be brought to bear. He was a leader and Local preacher, up to the period of his death; and many there are who can bear testimony to his devotedness and zeal for the spread of the truth as it is in Jesus. Mr. Hanmer was a man of order at home, as well as abroad, and could never suffer the slightest omission of duty to pass unnoticed. He died, in the full assurance of faith, on the 17th February, 1846, exclaiming, only a very short time before his death, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but of his mercy hath he saved us.' Mrs. Ashton, the more immediate subject of this brief sketch, was converted to God at the very early age of eight years; and she has often been heard to say, that through no subsequent period of her life did she ever feel happier than at that time. She became a member of the Association at the time of its formation, and ever remained firmly attached to its principles, believing them to be based upon the New Testament. When domestic arrangements permitted, she made herself useful, not only in the Sabbath-school, but also in a variety of other ways, for she had an enlarged and liberal heart. As an affectionate daughter she was most praiseworthy; her unremitting attention to her beloved and almost helpless mother, for several years, can never be forgotten by those who were acquainted with it. Often might she be seen trying to alleviate the sufferings, raise the hope, animate the faith, and cheer the heart of her revered parent. She possessed a warm heart, an amiable disposition, a richly cultivated and well-informed mind, great vivacity of spirits, and considerable conversational powers, which made her company always acceptable, and caused her to be esteemed and loved by all who understood her. Perhaps the best index of the state of her mind, especially of late, will be found in a few brief extracts from letters written at Leeds, to an intimate friend in Manchester, on September 5th, 1850. She wrote as follows:-"I hope we are ripening for heaven; so that when the harvest is fully come, we may be gathered into the garner of God, transplanted to a more genial soil than this bleak and waste-howling wilderness. O that we may prove faithful to the grace given to us, and Remembering that "Look beyond this vale of tears, To that celestial hill." "To patient faith the prize is sure, November 29, 1850.-After referring to the peace and love of Jesus, she added-" May we be happy partakers of that inestimable blessing, by continually exercising faith in the great atonement, that at last we may meet with those loved ones who have gone before, who have passed through great tribulation, but who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." May 29, 1851.-She wrote, in reference to the death of one, of whose salvation she had serious doubts, and remarked, "Ah! what a serious and awful responsibility we incur when we live without God in the world! How thankful you and I should be, my dear friend, that the eyes of our understandings have been opened, and that we have been led to flee for refuge to the hope set before us in the Gospel. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward us. Well may we sing "Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Demands my soul, my life, my all.' Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." September 19, 1851.-A short time before leaving Leeds, she expressed herself as follows-" I do indeed feel that we are but strangers and sojourners here. How happy it will be to reach a city which hath foundations, whose build r and maker is God. You see, and no doubt feel, my dear friend, that there is always a but to all our earthly enjoyments, yet, we must not expect unalloyed happiness in this vale of tears, but feel thankful for the portion of good that is mixed up with our cup of bitters; yet what a pleasurable thought, that we have an High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmity.' That we are exhorted to cast our burdens upon him and he will sustain us. O may we ever live in constant communion with the Triune God, by the aid of the Holy Spirit. What an inestimable privilege is this, more to be valued than gold-yea, than much fine gold-sweeter than honey, or the honey-comb. May this happiness be always ours." A subsequent letter, she concluded with the words, "No cross, no crown!" Business not answering very well at Leeds, Mrs. Ashton and her husband, last Christmas, removed to Manchester, since which time she did not enjoy very good health. On the 10th of April, she became the mother of a living child; but was subsequently taken so dangerously ill that her medical adviser forbade her being seen by any one, except her immediate attendants. From this period she was scarcely able to speak at all; but she frequently named portions of Scripture which she wished to be read, and often expressed her sense of the goodness and mercy of God; and on one occasion, she said, "I have not my Saviour to seek now-I know where my rest is my mind is calm and peaceful." Every effort that medical skill could devise was employed, but all proved unavailing; and after a fortnight of severe suffering she was removed to her eternal rest. 578 MRS. ELIZABETH HICKS, OF WARBSTOW. MRS. HICKS was born in the parish of Warbstow, Cornwall, 1782. She was educated to observe the rites and ceremonies of the Established Church; and, from a child, was remarkable for her kind disposition and excellent deportment. In her twentieth year, she was married to Mr. Hicks who survives to feel the pang of bereavement. They had four children, all of whom have been spared to mourn the loss of one of the most sincere of women, and one of the best of mothers. From an early period, she lived in the fear of God, and endeavoured to implant this fear in the minds of others, especially in her children; although she was a stranger to the experimental enjoyment of the love of God, shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost. About the year 1812, Methodism was introduced into the parish, and she became an attendant upon its ministry. A younger brother, and also a sister, were members of the society, both of whom having endured hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, finished their course with joy, and entered into the realms of the blessed. From the ministry of the Methodists, and the religious conversation of her brother and sister, Mrs. Hicks derived considerable benefit. Light was shining increasingly clear on her mind, and her desire to please God was gathering strength; but still she had not fully decided to give her heart to God, and become a professed disciple of Jesus Christ. However, she for many years, previous to her making an open profession of religion, lived in the observance of closet devotion; and this duty she pressed upon the attention of her children when they were very young. About fourteen years ago, it pleased God remarkably to pour out his Holy Spirit in the neighbourhood of Warbstow, and a glorious revival of religion was the result. Among those brought to God were her two sons, both of whom are Local preachers, and class-leaders in the Wesleyan Methodist Association. As these children were naturally twin-brothers, so it pleased God they should be spiritually twin-brothers. This manifestation of the Divine goodness to her children was a powerful stimulus to her mind; and from that hour she began to seek the Lord more fervently, and resolved to take up her cross and follow Jesus in the way. Accordingly, in June, 1838, she received her first society ticket as a member of the Wesleyan Association. The precise time of receiving the evidence of her acceptance with God is not known; but for several years she testified to the power of God on earth to forgive sins. Although constitutionally of a doubtful turn of mind, she continued to rely on Christ for salvation. She perseveringly grasped the shield of faith, and turned aside all “the fiery darts of the wicked one." About four years prior to her decease, it pleased God, in answer to prayer, to give her the desire of her heart, the conversion of her husband, who henceforth became her companion "in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ." She thanked God and tock courage. The tabernacle of the Lord was her delight, and within its courts, while health permitted, she regularly attended. Her cup of pleasure was full, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour. But she found that her happiness was mingled with much of trial and suffering. That the beauty, the fragrance, and the thorn of the rose grow together, and that pleasure and pain succeed each other. A night of affliction, of four years' duration, cast its shadow across her path. She was, for a long time the prisoner of the Lord, unable to attend the means of grace. But God's presence was with her, and he gave her rest. The loss of the public means of grace was felt to be a great privation; but, on many occasions, her own habitation was none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven." She passed "The through much severe affliction, but she was perfectly resigned. Lord's will be done" was the expression of her lip, and the feeling of her heart. About ten days before her death, she was much depressed in spirit, and severely tempted. She requested her son, who was then going to the prayer-meeting, to pray with her. This was done, but she was still beneath the cloud, wrestling with the powers of darkness. She then desired him to request an interest in the prayers of the congregation. The whole assembly united in prayer to God on her behalf. Their powerful pleading was heard in heaven, and answered on earth. The snare of the enemy was broken. Satan was bruised under her feet; and she, on the return of her son, was rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory. A few days before her departure, it was thought the weary wheels of life were just about to stand still. Being exceedingly weak, she was requested, if she felt a good hope of being with Jesus, to raise her hand as a sign, that she felt that thrice blessed bliss inspiring hope. She raised her hand; and, at the same time, softly said, "Heaven! heaven!" She again rallied for a time, but was anxious "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." If not at all times filled with ecstacy of joy, she experienced, uninterruptedly, a blooming hope of heaven. Repeatedly she exclaimed, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” "Praise the Lord!" 66 Hallelujah!" "Glory be to God!" Until the close of life, she continued to give unmistakeable proofs, that she possessed that hope, which "both pain and death defies, and is most vigorous when the body dies." Having completed life's pilgrimage of threescore years and ten, she, on Thursday, 12th February, 1852, guarded by cherubic legions, passed through death triumphant to the skies, there to experience 66 "A day without night, we feast in His sight, By the neighbours in the locality where she resided, by the servants residing with, and the labourers employed by the family, together with the preachers who frequently domiciled in her habitation, she was highly esteemed, and much beloved for her unfeigned sincerity, and great kindness. As the writer had the mournful pleasure of improving her death to a deeply affected and overflowing congregation, so he has now an opportunity of paying a debt of gratitude to her family, for their long-continued and unchanging kindness to himself and the preachers, who, from year to year, have partaken of their hospitality, by recording the biography of one whom they so ardently loved, and he so highly esteemed. He cannot close this imperfect tribute of respect to her memory without saying, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers." J. WRIGHT. 1 MR. WILLIAM BURGOINE, OF BURY, LANCASHIRE. MR. WILLIAM BURGOINE, the son of Joseph and Mary Burgoine, in the twenty-fifth year of his age, was accidently killed while engaged at his usual employment on the 26th of April, 1852. He was by trade a millwright, and was employed by Messrs. R. Walker and Brothers, Bury, in whose establishment he had also served his apprenticeship. Ón Monday morning, April 26th, he left his home more cheerful than usual, partly on account of the very interesting Sunday School Anniversary services, which had taken place the preceding day. His place of employment for the day, was at Radcliffe, three miles distant from Bury, where for about a fortnight he had been engaged in repairing a water-wheel, and which job he expected to finish that day. Shortly after commencing his work, he had occasion to go on the top of the wheel: it appears that during the Sunday, part of the buckets had got filled with water from the leaking of the cistern; and with his additional weight on the wheel, the prop broke, and the wheel turned partly round, and he was crushed betwixt the wheel and the edge of the cistern, before he could throw himself off. He was heard to cry out for help (being alone); but before assistance could be rendered he expired. In the death of this young man, the church in Bury has lost a pious and promising member. His parents being pious, William had a religious education, and was early sent to the Sunday School, and regularly taken to the house of God. About five years before his death he was awakened to a sense of his guilty and ruined state as a sinner, and through the grace of God, he was enabled to flee for refuge to the hope set before him in the Gospel. He at once laid firm hold on Christ, and with unswerving integrity, continued faithful unto death. One of his class-mates says "I remember when he first evinced a desire for salvation; and I invited him to class. After having invited him a few times, he went with me; and ever since he has continued to attend regularly and punctually; not absenting himself, except through something special, which to the best of my knowledge has only been about twice or thrice. In surveying the past, I consider, that his experience was very satisfactory, and truly edifying; he always seemed to be impressed with a sense of his obligations to God, for religious training and gracious drawing in his youth; he would compare his situation with that of some others of his fellow creatures; and very frequently expressed the deep thankfulness which he felt to God for his preserving care from accident, sudden death, and sin. For some weeks past he seemed to be in a more humble and fervent state of mind; leaving the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, and going on to perfection. The last time he attended his class meeting, while relating how greatly he felt the difficulties and trials with which he had to contend, he could say, with the Psalmist, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?' As a prayer leader he was orderly and acceptable, his prayers were short, fervent, and mixed with faith. As a Sunday school teacher he was always at his post, and in time, and his class prospered considerably." His class-leader says, that he "had the fullest confidence in the soundness of his conversion to God, which was evidenced by his regularity in attending the means of grace, and the deep interest he manifested for the prosperity of the several departments of the Church. One thing is worthy of special notice, that he was absent from his class-meeting but four or five times since he became a member. Having made the Lord his portion, by the grace of God he was decided, and strove to walk worthy of the profession he made. He enjoyed the confidence of his brethren; and when appointed to any office or duty, he was of those who promptly respond to calls, and he yielded service with a modest cheerfulness and perseverance that was gratifying. In addition to filling several other offices in connection with our Church and School, he recently became a trustee of Brunswick Chapel ; indeed, he was always willing to learn, and striving to attain unto things that are excellent and of good report. One trait of character was rather remarkably manifested in him, viz., in being particularly cautious as to what he said of absent persons, and occasionally he has called others to order on this point, and made the inquiry, "Are you sure that what you say is quite correct?" O that his temper and practice in this were more generally observed by the members of our Churches! William appears to have been impressed with a sense of the dangers of his calling, and the possibility that he might suddenly be called to appear |