received from his friend, a last, long, affectionate epistle, which made a very deep impression on his mind. An extract from its concluding portion may be interesting.-"I must beg of you," said he, "to remember me to Dixon and Claye (two of his old friends), tell them, I wish them every happiness this world can afford; but tell them also, that to serve the Lord while in health and vigour will give more true pleasure than all the world can produce Farewell, my dear friend, if we are to part, do not lament, I hope we shall be united in a better world. Until then adieu -may God protect you and bless you-may He endow you with every blessing-may He grant you long to live, and bless you with a family that shall spring up like olive plants around your table; may you live to see them happy in this world, and when old age warns you that you must quit this world, may your decline be easy, may your children smooth your bed of sickness by their kindness; may the partner of your life depart with you at the same time, that you may neither of you have the sorrow of parting from each other, and may you resign your souls into the hands of your Redeemer; this I pray for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. Adieu, and believe me while I continue to breathe, "Yours sincerely, "WM. BELL." This letter is transcribed in full in his diary. Mr. Wilson was at this time attending the ministry of the Independents. It is evident that for some time he had been deeply influenced by religious principles. A copy of a letter dated September 13th, 1810, addressed Rev. Benjamin Rayson, Independent Minister, Wakefield, exhibits the state of his mind at this period. He says, "I trust I see the necessity and importance of living nearer to God, convinced I am that it is the one thing needful, and that only which can give real pleasure." In this letter he requests suggestions as to his government in life, and advise as to joining himself exclusively to the Wesleyans or Independents. He says, Since I first understood anything of religion, I have been attached to the Calvinists. I have in some measure united myself to them here, by frequenting a Calvinist chapel, and attending at times a weekly prayer-meeting. I have also lately formed some connections with the Methodists, and have been twice to a classmeeting, I have considered both, in their religious and domestic capacities, and find so far as my observations go, that the latter people walk closer to God." He received a very kind letter of advice in reply, and after maturely weighing the subject, made his selection. In his diary, October 23rd, 1810, is the entry :-" Entered myself a member of the Methodist Society in James Rigby's class;" and a day or two later, this," Wrote Mr. Taylor a few hasty lines, saying, I had set out for heaven." Few records of his early religious experience remain, but in a letter written at this period urging a dear friend to follow his example, and commence meeting in class, he says,-"In my opinion, this is the most valuable of the means of grace-I have I trust put my hand to the Gospel plough, and I cannot think of turning back. The little I know of religion is, that the pure enjoyment of it is the happiest state I have ever experienced." He had already, though in lodgings and unmarried, established family prayer; but the change in his heart gave to this a new vitality. One of his oldest friends and co-workers in the Sabbath-school, Mr. Abel Wilson of Edgley, thus writes on this subject." He now betook himself to a more vigorous and decided pursuit of religious knowledge. His devotional exercises particularly in due and regular family form became at once fixed, and for life, and in their tone showed most clearly, that the steps he had now taken, and was taking, were not the mere change of religious sentiment, but the production of the grace that had renewed his heart." "His Sabbath-school engagements (where for many years at that of Heaton Mersey, he was superintendent), he became more valuable in every sense; and received an impulse and stamp of quality and usefulness which is reviewed by a few survivors who retain a high Christian regard for his memory and real worth, with the happiest recollections. "Energetic,-possessing much self-control-of unflinching integrity — staunch adherent of rule, with a warm heart and kind and easy manners, he was beloved by all who were associated with him, and for whom he was ever ready to do any act dictated by the principles of Christianity, or gentlemanly kindness. And though during the last forty-six years I have seen and visited a considerable number of Sunday-schools, I am not aware that I have met with any, that have given to me clearer evidences of delightful progress in the best direction, than did the one under his superintendence for many years at Heaton Mersey." Though the Sabbath-school was the principal, it was by no means his only sphere of usefulness. He was Society steward, treasurer to the Tract Society, and secretary and treasurer to the Bible Society. And many an act of kindness, and many a deed of unrecorded generosity, that thenmarked his daily life, will only be known at the Great day. His heart and his hand were alike open, and the helping hand was never wanting to assist his friends, or relieve the unfortunate. His position enabled him to obtain situations for relatives and friends; and not a few he assisted with the means of commencing business. His own opinion at this time was, that "he was one of the happiest of men." For twenty-one years he was in the service of the firm before alluded to, and he then became a partner, but about two years after, some disagreement arose with a new partner, and Mr. Wilson withdrew from the concern in the year 1825. He then came to Manchester and commenced business here as a spinner and manufacturer. He joined the Wesleyan Society in Grosvenor-street Circuit, and was almost immediately appointed a leader. On the erection of Oxford-road Sunday-school about this time, he became a conductor there, which office with that of leader he held till he changed his residence, and distance led him to resign. He now joined the late Mr. John Hull's class in the Oldham-street Circuit, 1830, and commenced a close friendship which afterwards led to his union with the Grosvenor-street Sunday-school. He took no active part in the occurrences of 1835, but shortly after, in 1836, united with Mr. Hull and Mr. Kent in the Grosvenor-street Sundayschool. What has been the character of his labours here, his punctuality, his perseverance, his earnest effort, is known and appreciated by those who were his fellow-labourers. The same principle which was the mainspring of his early action, continued to animate to untiring exertions for the good of those around him. Those with whom he was associated, found in him an able and zealous coadjutor; with no stereotyped views, but ready to co-operate in any improved plans of usefulness which might be submitted to him. "He well knew human nature; and therefore clearly recognised the necessity of teaching young people, the too much overlooked principles of obedience and subordination." And many who heard his addresses, will remember with what force he would urge these principles; how he would descant on the pleasures which religion afforded; with what earnestness he would warn against evil communications and bad companions; and with a grace and a beauty peculiarly his own, how he would dwell on the satisfaction and the blessedness of looking back on a life, spent in the service of God. When Mr. Hull withdrew, he was appointed to the charge of his class, which he met for a number of years, till his own removal to Strangeways led him to resign that duty. But neither distance nor advancing years could weaken his attachment to the Sunday-school, and who else was absent, he was certain to be present. In the Whitsuntide of 1846, he was presented along with his colleague Mr. Ashton, with a very large and beautiful Bible by the scholars, a circumstance peculiarly grateful to his mind, and of which he ever cherished a lively remembrance. After his removal into Strangeways, he continued to attend the Sunday-school with the same regularity and punctuality as heretofore, and for seven years, winter and summer, until his last illness, was in the habit of taking a cold dinner in the vestry of the school, to enable him to attend the whole of the day. He was beloved and esteemed by both teachers and scholars. His gentlemanly and Christian bearing, and his cordial and kindly feeling endeared him to them. He always evidenced a sacred regard for the feelings of others, and would make any sacrifice short of that of principle, in promoting harmony and peace among his fellow-labourers. Even were he unwittingly to cause pain to the mind of another, he would go out of his way to set himself right with that individual, and convince him that he had acted right, and was grieved to have been the cause of pain; and if he found that he had been in the fault, he was not wanting in candour, manliness, and the true spirit of Christianity, to acknowledge that fault. Such a man was sure to be respected and esteemed. During his long illness, he was frequently visited by both teachers and scholars. This illness commenced with a cold taken at the tea-meeting, held near three years ago when the Rev. John Peters bade farewell to the Grosvenor-street Circuit. Gradually, but surely, it took hold of him. For a long time it was not fully understood, but it finally developed itself in a slight curvature of the spine. In the earlier stage of his complaint he suffered most acutely; the slightest motion of the body causing intense pain; but for a considerable period prior to death this had abated, and in his usual recumbent position he was tolerably comfortable. Our own minister the Rev. Wm. Patterson, and others of his old friends formerly in this Circuit, frequently visited him. When his friends called (and he was always glad to see them) they found him uniformly cheerful; not a murmur was ever known even by his family, to escape his lips; but resignation in the highest sense, a cheerful submission to the will of his heavenly Father was always evidenced. Mr. George Taylor who took charge of the class formerly led by Mr. Wilson, was one of his most assiduous visitors. "Never," says he, "in the course of my experience have I visited the sick with so much pleasure and profit as in the case of Mr. Wilson. I never left him without feeling that I had profited by the interview, and the hours that I have spent with him have been some of the happiest of my life." When visited by the Sunday scholars he would give them a short address on the importance of preparing for a future life, while in health and strength, never failing to enforce on their attention in the most impressive manner, that nothing but a life spent in the service of God, could afford satisfaction in a dying hour. That retrospect was eminently his, yet his only hope for salvation was in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Then they would sing several of his favourite hymns, and after prayer as they retired, he would give to those whom he could recollect, an individual word of advice. Some of these interviews would leave impressions never to be forgotten. Eternity will reveal their results, and he worked for eternity. The last of these visits was paid on Sunday, April 27th. The teachers of the two first classes and about forty of the elder scholars were present. They sang at his request that beautiful hymn On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye; To Canaan's fair and happy land, And also several others. His last appeal to them was to do their duty and live to God. He had been getting weaker for several weeks previous, and during that time was carried up and down stairs. On the scholars leaving, feeling much worse, he was immediately carried to bed, and never rose again! He continued to get weaker day after day. The Tuesday following was his birth-day. Receiving the congratulations of his family on attaining his 72nd year,-" Thank you," said he, "but I have no desire to see another." His hold on earth was loosening, that on heaven was strengthening. His fond attachment to his family seemed still to magnetise his heart to earth, while his strong confidence in the good providence of God which for so many years mercifully preserved both him and them, led him to consign them to the care of his heavenly Father. On a member of the family reminding him of that promise, "I will never leave thee, I will never forsake thee," with considerable emphasis, he replied, "That blessed promise! that blessed promise!" On Sunday May 4th, his last Sabbath on earth, he made an effort at the evening devotion to join in singing the words : Fix'd on this ground will I remain, Though my heart fail and flesh deeay: This anchor shall my soul sustain, Though earth's foundations melt away. He failed, his strength was insufficient, he followed only with his heart; the tones of his musical voice were hushed, while the melody of his heart rose as sweet incense. His bodily strength diminished day by day, yet three days only prior to his death he led the family devotions, only resigning his position when it no longer was possible to speak with clearness. But as his outward man decayed, the inner was renewed day by day, and the temptations which had appeared to trouble him in the earlier part of his affliction, especially with regard to the vanities of early life, and the shortcomings of the later, vanished away. He felt his faith and hope fixed on the rock of ages, and looked forward with calmness and joy to the everlasting rest prepared for the people of God. On the Saturday he was thought to be a little easier, and recognised an old scholar who called in from eleven to twelve. She was his last visitor. He was taking a little refreshment about half-past one, when a change was perceived. He was rapidly sinking to rest. As dies the rippling wave upon the shore, or sinks expiring day to rest, so calmly, so peacefully did his spirit fall in sleep. Not a struggle, not a sigh disturbed his last moments. He was spared the pain of dying; the change was to him, "no gloomy pass, but a soft transition;" the spirit obeyed the whispered summons, "Come away;" and his emancipated soul ascended to be for ever with the Lord! Thus died Mr. William Wilson on the 10th of May, 1856, aged 72 years and ten days." He rests from his toils, his trials, his anxieties. His earthly life, chequered by commercial vicissitudes and many trials has ended, and he has entered on that life of bliss, where sorrow and sighing are unknown. His course of duty is run, he has reached the goal and received the prize, and has joined those happy spirits with whom he had held such sweet communion on earth, to unite with them in the raptured song, "To him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." "He rests from his labours, and his works do follow him." His remains were borne to their long home on the following Friday, followed by a large number of friends, and the teachers and elder scholars of the Sunday-schools. The Rev. T. A. Bayley of Burslem, conducted the funeral service, assisted by the Rev. Henry Breeden and the Rev. William Patterson, and many will long remember the impressive and affecting address on that mournful occasion. His death was afterwards improved in the Sunday-school by the Rev. Henry Breeden, and in the chapel on the 20th of July by the Rev. John Peters of Bury, who forcibly pointed out the lesson which a review of the life and character of Mr. Wilson presented, and urged on his large congregation the necessity of living the life of the righteous, that their last end may be like his. Any attempt at a digest of the character of Mr. Wilson would be superfluous. The attentive reader is left to draw his own conclusions; to picture the life from the incidents related, and to make that life his own, as far as it is worthy of imitation. W. N. W. MR. GEORGE RIPPON. THE subject of the following short record, was a member of the Wesleyan Association Society at South Shields, in which town he was born in the year 1796. He served his apprenticeship to the trade of a shipcarpenter, and at an early age connected himself with the choir at the parish church. Soon after he commenced an attendance on public worship he became seriously concerned about the welfare of his soul, but as his spiritual knowledge increased, and his religious feelings became more intense, he grew dissatisfied with the provisions of the parish church; and believing that his religious welfare would be better promoted by an attendance on the Methodist ministry, he united himself with the congregation and society at Chapter-row chapel. Here his spiritual wants were supplied, and his gracious yearnings responded to, and here he continued to meet in class with Mr. John Reay, with regularity and profit for nineteen years-a period of his spiritual history to which he always referred with gratitude and pleasure. After this long and happy union with the church, some unpleasant circumstances connected with a strike among the carpenters led to his separation from the Society, and resulted in his leaving the way of piety and of peace. He believed himself unkindly and unjustly treated, and allowing the irritation of his mind to gain the mastery over his better feelings, he gradually lost his spiritual strength, and became the victim of temptations he ought to have resisted and overcome. Drifting farther an farther from the sure and steadfast anchorage of a firm faith, he at last became associated with unbelieving and scoffing men; and imbibing their sceptical notions he at length denied the very truths that had so long been his safeguard and consolation, and despised those blessed duties which had been so long his chief delight. In this period of his history we find him out of the church, and far from God; and his case may well serve as a solemn warning to all who have to encounter the dangers of a spiritual crisis, arising from wounded or offended feeling. That painful things should occur ought not to cause us any surprise. We may be slandered and injured-we may be deceived and defamed-where we ought to have sympathy, we may be misunderstood and misrepresented, and even a familiar friend may become an unscrupulous enemy;-but all this is no reason why we should abandon our profession or fail in our faith. The evil doing of others may try our tempers, wound our feelings, and almost break our own hearts,—but it ought not to exhaust our patience or even break our peace. In the spring of 1832 circumstances took a happy change. He again obtained a permanent engagement under parties by whom he was re |