and feeling was directed to heavenly things. Some beloved ones were addressed tenderly and encouragingly, and every reference to herself was indicative of peace and joy. "Old things,'

she said, ""

939

are passed away, behold all things Praise, praise! Joy, not

are become new.' sorrow! I shall

soon sing the new song." The word "mercy" was frequently repeated, and a few hours before the close, she remarked, in reference to bodily conflict, "It is hard to flesh and blood, but easy to the flesh [aided by the] Spirit," alluding to the Spirit who helpeth our infirmities. Soon after, 66 death was swallowed up in victory."

THOMAS BAYES, Kettering. 63 4mo. 17 1852 GEORGE BEALE, Cork. 78 5mo. 8 1852 ANNA MARIA BELL, Moy- 42 11mo. 18 1851 allen. Wife of James Greer Bell.

JOHN BELL, Beckfoot.

81 7mo. 1 1852

RICHARD BELL, Belfast. 78 2mo. 18 1852 SARAH BEVINGTON, Eating- 86 11mo. 25 1851 ton. Widow of Timothy Bevington.

WARING BIDDLE, Poole. 71 4mo. 12 1852 MARY BIGLANDS, Maryport. 63 2mo. 1 1852 JANE BLAIN, Liverpool. 77 10mo. 9 1851 Widow of Samuel Blain.

MARY BOWDEN, Liskeard. 86 4mo. 30 1852

SIMON MAW BowEN, Gains- 80 7mo. 9 1852 borough. An Elder.

This Friend had not a birthright in our religious society, and as he seldom conversed about himself, little is known of his early history, but his aged sister speaks of him, as being religiously thoughtful when a child. While very young his father placed him with a Friend, near his own residence; and in this situation, when attending a funeral, the ministry of a woman-friend made a deep and lasting impression on his mind. After this he was apprenticed to an uncle at Woodbridge, who was a Friend, but with the stipulation, on the part of his father, that he should attend the Episcopal Church. This uncle dying before his apprenticeship expired, he was turned over to another Friend of the same place, and he then commenced attending the meetings of Friends, but he has been heard to say, that it was the reading of the life of John Richardson, which convinced him of the soundness of our principles.

After leaving Woodbridge, he settled at Gainsborough, in the business of a grocer. Conducting his trade in strict accordance with Christian principle, and being diligent and courteous, he realized experimentally the truth of the declara"Godliness is profitable unto all things,

tion,

having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." It was his practice to close his shop during the time of the week-day meetings, and thus to liberate himself and his assistants for the purpose of joining on these occasions in the public worship of the Most High, whom he truly recognized as his God, preferring his service before every other object. And notwithstanding this sacrifice of time, in what are generally considered business hours, he obtained a comfortable maintenance for himself and his family, as well as a sufficient provision for old age.

About the year 1793, he was received into membership with Friends, and he afterwards married Ann Hopkins, whom he survived sixteen years. They had four children whom they trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord'; three of whom died when about of an age to be the comfort and stay of their parents. Keen as was this trial, it was greatly mitigated by the evidence which each of these young people afforded, that they had chosen the Lord for their portion, and by the humble but confiding trust, that through a crucified and glorified Redeemer, they were removed from the temptations and trials of time to the joys of a happy eternity; and under

No. 11.

D

these alleviations, the parents were enabled to bear these trials with composure and resignation, and with thankfulness to God for his mercies.

While in the vigour of life Simon Maw Bowen took an active part in the anti-slavery cause, and in many other objects for promoting the welfare of the human family. Partaking largely of the love of Christ, he was earnest in endeavouring to attract others to the same Lord and Saviour; and with this object in view, he became an active distributer of religious tracts, before this mode of diffusing Christian instruction was so general as it now is. He was also diligent in maintaining the Christian discipline of our own Society, and watched over the flock with fatherly care, as an Elder. His house and his heart were warmly open to those who laboured in the Gospel, and he willingly accompanied such, and assisted them in the appointment of meetings for persons not professing with Friends. Whilst from home in a service of this kind, when the Asiatic Cholera first visited this island, he was attacked with that malignant disease, and brought as to the brink of the grave. From this time his bodily strength was exceedingly reduced; but notwithstanding his great feebleness he continued to attend meetings for worship diligently, often making extraordinary

:

efforts to unite with his friends on these solemn occasions. His treasure being in Heaven, it was evident that his heart was there also; and after he became confined to the house, he sometimes expressed a fear that he was too anxious to be gone, and said that he had no pain of body or mind. His cheerfulness and resignation during the long period of his great weakness, were striking his voice had become so feeble as to be scarcely audible, but his happy countenance was an index of the peaceful serenity of his mind. A few days before the final close he expressed a hope that he might not be detained here much longer; soon after he fell into a lethargic state, which continued till "the silver cord was loosed," and he fell asleep in Jesus. CHRISTOPHER Bowly, Cirencester.

78 10mo. 14 1851

The Friend whose death is here recorded, was extensively known as a willing and generous contributor towards the support of various institu. tions which have been established for the physical and moral improvement of the human family. Indeed the liberality with which he disposed of his property for the benefit of his fellow-creatures, was a trait in his character which well deserves to be noticed as a stimulus to others, with the hope