many years that she thus attended the services of the sanctuary she did not experience a change of heart by the renewing influence of the Holy Ghost. But the year 1828 was remarkable, not only as the period of her second birth, but also as the year of her marriage with him who now mourns her removal to the house appointed for all living, though not in sorrow, as those who have no hope. Thirty years of her married life were spent in the land of her birth, where both she and her husband became members of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, and where, for several years, Mr. Wallace was a class-leader. She gave evidence of her growth in grace, and was faithful in her attendance at all the seasons of public worship. Through life she was a lover of the peculiar institutions of Methodism, and always enjoyed the class-meeting with more than ordinary zest. For the last few years, especially, it was evident that she was ripening for heaven. When relating her religious experience, she would often say with deep emotion, "Glory be to Jesus, He will take me home." In her private hours Mrs. Wallace was much given to reading the Holy Scriptures. The writer has often seen her with the Book open before her, and when allusion was made to it she would say, "Precious Book!" She took great pleasure in the social intercourse of her Christian friends, particularly the ministers, all of whom she greatly loved, and by whom she was much esteemed in return. He who subscribes this brief tribute to her memory often had the pleasure of her society, by which he acknowledges himself to have been greatly profited. Her last illness was short, though at times exceedingly painful; but through the whole period she was never heard to complain, or to wish her sufferings less. She calmly waited for her departure. When able to speak, her language was praise, and she testified again and again that Jesus was still her Friend. When her power of speech failed, she was asked to raise her hand, "if she felt the Saviour precious;" which she immediately did, to the pleasure of all present. Shortly before she died, she took an affectionate leave of her family, cnl then calmly passed away to the Church triumphant. Her husband and children, by whom she was revered, have sustained an irreparable loss, while the Church of which she was a member has been deprived of one of its most exemplary and faithful adherents. Her funeral was attended by a large concourse of people. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." E. B. April 24th.-At Peterborough, Mrs. Christian Mann, aged eighty-eight. In early life she sometimes heard Dr. Chalmers, whose powerful preaching produced deep conviction of sin. It was not, however, till she came to England, and was brought under the influence of Methodist teaching, that she found rest to her soul. Henceforward, for about fifty years, the "joy of the Lord" was her 64 strength." Possessed of considerable energy of character, her piety was intelligent, and steadily matured with growing experience and years. In many trials her faith was unwavering. For about twelve months before her decease she was confined to her bed; but though in great feebleness, and of so advanced age, she took much interest in reading the Lives of John Knox, Dr. Clarke, Richard Watson, and others. During the last weeks of her life her sufferings were considerable, and her desire to depart strong; yet she "waited" till her change came. "Still in the crucible," she said; "not refined enough yet." A few minutes before the end, she exclaimed, in an ecstasy of joy, "Safe at last!" "Praise Him!" A. H. M. LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, 4, HOXTON SQUABE. WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. JULY, 1872. MEMOIR OF MRS. ELIZABETH A. P. ROSSER: BY HER HUSBAND, THE LATE REV. JAMES ROSSER. MRS. ELIZABETH ARNOTT PAYNE ROSSER was the third daughter of James Egan, LL.D., late of Greenwich, in Kent, and maternal granddaughter of the venerable John Bakewell, the author of the hymn commencing, "Hail, Thou once despised Jesus! She was born on the 24th of August, 1787. Her father, who was master of the Royal Park Academy, died very suddenly when she was just eight years of age, leaving her mother, with six children, -four daughters and two sons,-to the special providence of Hin who is "a Father of the fatherless, and a Judge of the widows.' Her pious grandfather immediately placed himself at the head of the bereaved family, and continued to watch over them with great affection and Christian fidelity. Chiefly through the instrumentality of Mr. Bakewell, in connection with a few old college-men, Methodism had at this period been recently introduced and established in Greenwich; and his house was cheerfully opened to receive the preachers of the "London Circuit," when visiting Greenwich, Deptford, and Woolwich. Here Alexander Mather, John Pawson, James Wood, Joseph Benson, James Creighton, Adam Clarke, and many other eminent servants of the Lord, were affectionately welcomed and hospitably entertained and here, under this friendly roof, the pious Thomas Rutherford finished his course; having been invited to spend a little time with the household for the benefit of change of air. Dr. Bunting was appointed to the London Circuit in 1803, and in the published volume of his Life, page 218, there is the following entry, "December 11th, 1803. -I accepted a kind invitation from Mr. Bakewell, of Greenwich, whither I walked after service, and spent an agreeable hour with this pleasing and amiable family.” Placed in these favourable circumstances, the subject of this brief account was at an early period brought under a gracious Divine influence, and was led to devote herself to a course of VOL XVIII.-FIFTH SERIES. 2 P useful and pious exertion; such, especially, as assisting to instruct the rising generation, and visiting the sick and poor in Greenwich, Deptford, and the surrounding neighbourhood. In reference to her early years she afterwards wrote:-" From a child I have been sensible that I needed a change of heart. I remember being, when young, in a place of worship, and feeling that I could die rather than deny my God, when that passage came into my mind, Though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.' I knew an assent to the truth was not sufficient. I was conscious I did not experience the power of God to salvation. Many such convictions I had in the days of my youth. Sometimes they led me to prayer, but too often were like the early dew that passeth away." In the year 1802, her eldest sister was united in marriage to the late Rev. William Moulton, and he having been appointed to the Nottingham Circuit in the year 1808, she was led to pay a rather lengthened visit to that place; during which she formed an intimate acquaintance with the eminently pious and useful Miss Singleton, of whom an interesting memoir, from the pen of Dr. Hannah, was published in the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine for 1824. From the intimacy formed with this excellent lady she derived great and permanent spiritual advantage. She became more fully decided, and more earnest in getting and doing good. She was still further stirred up and established in this happy course by a second visit to Mr. and Mrs. Moulton, then stationed at Mansfield, in the winter of 1813-14, and was subsequently greatly encouraged and strengthened by the ministry of the late Rev. Frederick Calder. It is to be regretted that her papers, containing an extended account of her Christian experience, were, together with those of her mother and grandfather, totally consumed some years since, so that little remains from her own pen. In one of her letters, speaking of the goodness of God, she says, "I feel that it is of His grace that I am what I am; and there are seasons when the language of my heart is, Draw me, and I will run after Thee.' How sweet those moments are! One of these heart-reviving, soul-cnnobling seasons I have this evening enjoyed. I am raised above myself, and feel determined to go forward." In the same letter, which was addressed to him who became her husband, referring to their expected union, she adds,-"How kind are all the ordinances of God! How conducive to the happiness of His creatures! I believe we shall yet be more happy in each other: it must be so, if we are more happy in God." Having been trained up in the way she should go," and led in early youth to choose the "better part," it can scarcely occasion a feeling of surprise that in the commencement of her Christian course she was not the 6 66 |