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from divers sources, ancient and modern.

We have no ambition to say with Watton, "I am but a gatherer and a disposer of other men's stuff;" but we cordially agree with Junius when he says, "I hold myself indebted to any one from whose enlightened understanding another ray of knowledge communicates to mine; for really to inform the mind is to correct and to enlarge the heart." Fuller says, "Even the shavings of gold are carefully to be kept." So they are, for they lose neither their original properties nor their value, and may be wrought afresh into ornament or sterling coin. "Quotation," says Dr. Johnson, "is a good thing: there is a community of mind in it. Classical quotation is the parole of literary men all over the world." We have, therefore, gathered, as well as we could, a posy of observations as they grew in our path; and if some rue and wormwood be found among the sweeter herbs, perhaps their wholesomeness will make amends for their bitterness.

Our thanks are cordially tendered to those esteemed ministers and friends who have favoured us by promoting an increased circulation, and who have contributed to our pages. We invite others to render the same service in both these departments of usefulness. One thing, however, we would respectfully suggest to those who afford literary aid—that is, condensation. Our space is limited, and where many have a right to be heard, each should economize space and time, out of respect to the claims of his neighbour. "Brevity," said Shakespeare, "is the soul of wit; and tediousness, the limbs and outward flourishes." A more ancient, if not a more weighty authority in

rhetoric, said,

If

"Est brevitate opus, ut currat, neu se

Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures."

"Concise your diction, let your sense be clear,

Nor with the weight of words fatigue the ear."

you would be pungent, be brief; for it is with words as with sunbeams—the more they are condensed, the brighter they shine and the deeper they burn.

And now, dear reader, we bid thee adieu. The volume is in thy hands; we commend it to thy kind and candid perusal, and solicit thy earnest prayers. "I send thee like a bee to gather honey out of flowers and weeds; every garden is furnished with both, so is ours. Read and meditate." If thy heart be kind, and thou hast profited by the past, give thy cheerful help in the future. I am thy friend and servant in the Lord, WILLIAM COOKE.

4, Crescent, Albany Road, London,

November 24, 1860.

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THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1860.

Biography.

MEMOIR OF ANDREW THOMPSON, ESQ.

ANDREW THOMPSON was born at Belfast, May 29th, 1783. His father, George Thompson, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for some time sat under the ministry of the late Dr. Hanna. At the age of four years he was called to mourn a loss he could then but faintly estimate-his pious mother. Scarce had he seen fifteen years when he left home, entered the service of a merchant-vessel bound for the West Indies, and soon gained, by exemplary conduct, the office of captain's steward. His father died shortly after he went to sea. After three years spent on the mighty deep, he landed in Liverpool. All hands being discharged, he purposed returning home; but before he had left the docks he was pressed into the service of a man-of-war, embarked on board the Dreadnought, enjoyed the favour of the captain, and secured his own promotion. After several years' service he was transferred to another vessel named the Barfleur, assisted in the relief of Sir John Moore at Corunna, and beheld the crowned heads assembled on board after the proclamation of peace. On his final return to his native country, he resided first in Bolton, and then removed to Ashton, where he obtained a situation at Mr. Hegginbottom's, of Hurst Brook. About the same time he entered marriage with Mary Hurst, of Ashton, a member of our community, and enrolled himself among the same Christian Church. He was blessed with a helpmate for both worlds; but was not long thus favoured, being bereaved of his partner after a brief union of only twelve months. In the year 1824 he married the widow of Mr. Etchells, draper, Ashton, and after a happy union of sixteen years, he again was left a widower. In the year 1840, immediately on the decease of his last wife, he retired from business, and for some time resided with his niece at the west end of the town. In 1843 he left Ashton, entered business in Manchester, joined our friends at Peter-street, and in the year 1845 married the widow of Mr. Samuel Johnson, Higher Broughton. From thence he went to reside in Stockport, where, in 1855, he was deprived by death of his wife. Previous to her death he had a severe illness, which enfeebled him in body, and baffled every attempt to fully regain his strength. He left Stockport in March, 1857, and returned to Ashton, residing with Mr. Tyas until the time of his death, which occurred at Oak View House, Audenshaw, October 13th, 1858.

Numerous testimonials, both vocal and written, have reached us from those who have long known him, and are therefore best qualified to attest his Christian character. James Dean, Esq., J. P., speaks of him as a true, tried, and faithful member of the Church. Mr. John Sandiford, one of the oldest members, and a local preacher of long standing in the Ashton circuit, also bears a similar testimony. Thomas Tyas, Esq., with whom, as already noticed, he resided for some time previous to his decease, gives the following account of his last moments: "As my uncle approached his end, his confidence in the Atonement was unshaken. On the Thursday before his death, he remarked to those present I am going to leave you, but I am going to heaven;' and shortly after he was heard to repeat that beautiful stanza :

Hide me, oh, my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Oh, receive my soul at last.'

On the Saturday morning following, when he was unable to articulate, his niece repeated that verse

'When my sorrows most increase,

Let thy strongest joys be given;
Jesus, come with my distress,
And agony is heaven,'

he clasped his hands, and his face became radiant with joy. In the afternoon of the same day he gently fell asleep in Jesus." In evidence of the high estimate formed of his Christian life, a large body of ministers and gentlemen, beside his own family, accompanied his remains to Stockport cemetery, where the Rev. C. J. Donald and the Rev. William Baggaly addressed the mourners and officiated at the interment. While, on that day, every countenance bore an expression of sadness, sentiments of affection and respect were accorded by both old and young. The grand secret of all the confidence and esteem to which he was entitled, and which he never failed to receive, is to be found in his heart, enlarged and filled with hallowed and joyous feeling. Every one, with any sentiment of charity, could not fail to love him, for it was his study to be happy himself and to make all happy around him. He could adapt himself to the instruction and amusement of a child without offending the becoming gravity of old age.

The study of sacred Scripture was with him a delightful and constant practice. His Bible, which is treasured as an heirloom in his family, gives evidence of having been carefully and frequently read; a large number of passages are marked either as texts expounded from the pulpit, or subjects of personal meditation. When conversing on spiritual things, it was both edifying and surprising to hear his apt and accurate quotations from the Word of God, which made him known as a skilful scribe instructed unto the kingdom, and thus, like a man that is a householder, bringing forth out of his treasury things new and old. He was faithful in the enforcement of all its claims, rigid in the observance of its numerous duties, prudent in the arrangements of its various parts, and courageous in showing no quarter to error and vice. He had no sympathy with the practice of abusing the language of Scripture for the miserable purpose of pointing a criticism or playing a

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