Derbyshire, 1789, and rought up their children r attendance on divine They held a small farm; o go out into the world ho kept a public-house in he was about sixteen years many friends, by the kindinterest in him, and urged al improvement.

and otherwise endeavoured to ae reputation of being rather a other about two years, and then Another of his brothers having and not having had so good an come to assist him. He accordingly about twenty-one years of age. Here ty of Mr. Mayo, of Eccles, near Manchesher their daughter. He then took a shop pered in his business. Being in haste to public-house, but his hopes were frustraand misfortunes in business came fast upon property he had, together with his wife's. ter, and came to reside in the neighbourhood easing family to provide for. He now went bread. He had been well trained to farming, loss for employment. In the year 1820, he farm belonging to the Print Works at Furness; he sustained this office until death removed him

the mysterious dealings of a good and all-wise Which Mr. Thorp was brought to a knowledge of five years since the Primitive Methodists came of Life in the farm yard at Joe-hole, Furness.

"But, sir, intemperance is on the increase among us," said his friend, "Is it? I'm sorry: but I'm too busy at present to do anything."

"When shall I call again, sir ?"

"I cannot tell. I'm very busy. I'm busy every day. Excuse me, sir; I wish you a good morning?" Then bowing the intruder out of the office, he resumed the study of his papers.

The merchant had frequently repulsed the friends of humanity in this manner. No matter what was the object, he was always too busy to listen to their claims. He had even told his minister that he was too busy for any thing, but to make money.

But one morning a disagreeable stranger stepped very softly to his side, laying a cold moist hand upon his brow, and saying, "Go home with me!" The merchant laid down his pen; his head grew dizzy; his stomach felt faint and sick; he left the counting-room, went home, and retired to his bed-chamber.

His unwelcome visitor had followed him, and now took his place by the bed-side, whispering, ever and anon, "You must go with me."

A cold chill settled on the merchant's heart, dim spectres of ships, notes, houses, and lands, flitted before his excited mind; still his pulse beat slower, his heart heaved heavily, thick films gathered over his eyes, his tongue refused to speak. Then the merchant knew that the name of his visitor was Death!

All other claimants on his attention, except the fiend of Mammon, had always found a quick dismissal in the magic phrase, "I'm too busy." Humanity, mercy, religion, had alike begged his influence, means, and attention in vain; but when death came the excuse was powerless: he was compelled to have leisure to die. Let us beware how we make ourselves too busy to secure life's great end. When the excuse rises to our lips, and we are about to say, we are too busy to do good, let us remember we cannot be too busy to die.

IS IT RIGHT?

THIS is a question which it seems to me, is not asked with sufficient frequency or seriousness, even by those who profess to be Christians. By this question should every course of conduct and every case of conscience be tested.

Is it right? "Well, I do not think any special harm can result from it." That is more than you can decide. None but God can foresee consequences. Though it may seem to be but a slight deviation from the rigid law of rectitude, it must do harm to yourself, and may result in injury to others. A little wrong is an "offending in one point." "Little foxes destroy the vines."

Is it right? "It is popular. I shall be commended and praised for it." But human praise cannot change the inherent character of the action. There is no alchymy in words and smiles to transmute the dross of wrong into the gold of right. Better have the approval of thine own heart, than the empty praise of crowds.

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Is it right? It seems expedient." Well, the right will always be found the expedient in the end. But some persons think that strict right may, in some cases, be sacrificed to a present expediency. Expediency in such a case is but a euphonism for wrong. It means, let us do a little evil that good may come. But evil never yet begat good. Good is never the progeny of such adultery. It is a universal law, that every seed produces fruit of its own kind, and though God may sometimes, in his wise providence, crush the evil sced that human expediency has planted, and deposit.

invisibly to us, good seed in its place, yet the damnation is no less just of those who say, "let us do evil that good may come."

Is it right? "It is human nature." But human nature is all wrong, and grace is given us for its subduing and sanctification. He, who follows the impulses of his carnal nature, is supplying aliment to strengthen the "old man with his deeds." It is a sad proof of our degeneracy, that the right almost always implies self-denial, self-crucifixion.

Is it right? "It is pleasant." Sin makes itself palatable to our depraved nature. But when right and enjoyment present themselves as claimants for our choice, and we must give up the one to gain the other, which shall be sacrificed? Woe to us if we trample upon right in our scramble after pleasure.

Is it right?" If it is not, I cannot help it." Well, nothing is wrong that is forced. If you are literally compelled to do wrong; if it is against the consent of your will; utterly repugnant to your choice, it is no wrong to you. But this you know to be untrue, If you do wrong, it is because you choose to do it-all things considered,-you prefer it.-Watchman and Reflector.

BIOGRAPHY.

MR. CHARLES THORP, OF FURNESS.

MR. CHARLES THORP, was born at Derwent, in Derbyshire, 1789, and was the youngest of nine children. His parents brought up their children in the principles of Protestantism, and in a regular attendance on divine scrvice; and set their children a good example. They held a small farm; and as the children grew up, they were obliged to go out into the world to obtain a livelihood. Charles left home when he was about sixteen years of age, and went to reside with a brother who kept a public-house in Manchester. Here Charles secured to himself many friends, by the kindness of his disposition. His brother felt great interest in him, and urged upon him the necessity of education, and mental improvement.

Charles begun to attend a night school, and otherwise endeavoured to improve himself; and very soon he had the reputation of being rather a clever scholar. He remained with this brother about two years, and then returned to his parents in Derbyshire. Another of his brothers having taken a provision shop in Manchester, and not having had so good an education as Charles, sent for him to come to assist him. He accordingly again went to Manchester, being now about twenty-one years of age. Here he became acquainted with the family of Mr. Mayo, of Eccles, near Manchester, and in a short time married Esther their daughter. He then took a shop for himself in Salford, and prospered in his business. Being in haste to get rich he was induced to take a public-house, but his hopes were frustrated. The times became bad, and misfortunes in business came fast upon him, and he lost what little property he had, together with his wife's. He then again left Manchester, and came to reside in the neighbourhood of New Mills, with an increasing family to provide for. He now went forth to labour for their daily bread. He had been well trained to farming, so that he was never at a loss for employment. In the year 1820, he engaged to superintend the farm belonging to the Print Works at Furness; and, with credit to himself, he sustained this office until death removed him to a better world.

We come now to notice the mysterious dealings of a good and all-wise God, in the manner in which Mr. Thorp was brought to a knowledge of the truth. It is twenty-five years since the Primitive Methodists came to minister the Word of Life in the farm yard at Joe-hole, Furness.

Charles had always manifested a strong regard for religion. He now listened while the preacher expounded the thirty-second verse of the eleventh chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. "The men of Nineveh shall rise up in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonas, and behold a greater than Jonas is here." The word reached his heart. He saw his guilt and danger, and stood condemned before God. In this state he continued some time, when an incident occurred in his family which made him resolve, at once, to give his heart to God. One of his little boys was playing behind an empty cart that stood in the yard, when it upset, and one of the screws coming in contact with his little head terminated his life in a few days. He was very fond of the lad; and the sad occurrence made a deep impression on him. After this some of his friends invited him to go to class with them. He eagerly embraced the opportunity, and soon became a most useful and consistent member with the Wesleyan Methodists. Upon the death of the leader, he was prevailed on to take charge of the class. The deceased leader— who in 1835 had identified himself with the Wesleyan Methodist Association, but who subsequently went back-had prevailed on Charles to promise that he would never leave the class so long as his widow might live. This promise he faithfully kept, though all his sympathies were with the Association, and for a considerable time he was connected with both bodies. The family was united with the Association. Of the exact time when he found peace with God we are not acquainted, but he was a truly converted man. This was evident from the whole tenor of his life.

His conscientious regard to the Sabbath was deep and habitual. Of this, one or two instances may be given. He would not do any ordinary work thereon. On one occasion, his master sent to him requiring him to load some hay on the Sabbath, but he said, "he could not do it on the Lord's-day." Another of his employers, on a certain occasion, ordered him to get some potatoes on the Lord's-day for dinner. He replied, "if Mr. had sent to me any time before twelve o'clock last night, I would gladly have done it, but I cannot get potatoes on the Sabbath." The Monday following his master came down, and in Charles's presence, called out to another servant-" You must get our potatoes on the Saturday for the future, for I had to get them myself yesterday." By another of the masters he was ordered to clean the gig on the Sabbath. Charles respectfully refused. His master called out to another servant, and said, "Here G- come clean the gig, and you and I will go to hell together."

Mr. Thorp received his first Society ticket in the year 1825. For a few years previous to the revival which took place at Furness about three years ago-when most of his family were converted-he had been growing rather cool. He then received the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, and if ever a Christian enjoyed religion, he did at that time; as many can bear witness. He was unanimously called upon to take charge of a class of new converts; to this he consented, although, as stated above, he stood connected with the Conference body at the same time. He was ever thankful for the revival of religion which had taken place, for he often stated that but for it he verily believed he might have lost his religious impressions altogether. For several Sabbaths previous to his death, on meeting with his class, he told them that he felt himself going the of all the earth, but that he hoped to make a good finish. On the 13th of August, 1850, he was visited with a severe attack of cholera, which terminated in death on the 18th. When visited on the 17th, he was very ill, but his soul was happy in God. He made some observations on the goodness of God, especially in reference to himself and his family. He expressed great thankfulness, and observed, "If I must go, my family are all capable

way

Thanks be to

of doing for themselves. The Lord knows what is best. his name! I feel I am his. I feel I am upon the rock." Referring to his past life, he said, "The Lord might have taken me in a more unprepared state." He probably referred to a time when in the intercourse with men in business, he, on one occasion, indulged too freely in drink. But he truly repented of his sin, and gave himself afresh to God. On the 18th, he was much worse. He, however, had a most glorious night, being almost in ecstacies. The fifth chapter of the 2nd of Corinthians was read to him, during which he frequently exclaimed, " Glory to God!" Prayer was offered, and much of the presence of God was felt, realizing the truth of the expression

"The chamber where the good man meets his fate,

Is privileged beyond the common walks

Of virtuous life."

His remarks were very pleasing; he said, "I have had many a glorious Sabbath upon earth, but this will be the most glorious of all." Coming near to the close of life, he exclaimed-while tears of joy streamed from his eyes-" "Jacob is there, Mary is there, Thomas, Martha, (his son's wife,) is there and I shall soon be there too." He shortly afterwards closed his eyes in peace, aged sixty-one years. Thus died Charles Thorp, an affectionate husband, a kind and tender father, greatly beloved of his children; a faithful servant, a useful leader, and a true Christian. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." His death was improved in the chapel at Furness, by his son-in-law, Mr. John Smith, to a large and deeply affected audience, from Rev. xvi. 15, "Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." B. GLAZEBROOK.

MISS GRACE ACKROYD, OF MANKINHOLES.

IN following the Christian in his progress through the world, we are not presented with, what are termed, deeds of heroic valour and martial daring, in the carrying out of which cities are overthrown, dynasties uprooted, or countries desolated; and from which may be heard or seen, the widow's groan, the orphan's wail, and the bereaved parents' tears: yet we do see conflicts as determined, victories as decisive, and triumphs far more glorious than any that appear on the records of martial deeds, which are so dazzling in the eyes of men in general.

In tracing the "short and simple annals of the poor," we meet with but few incidents sufficiently attractive to fix the attention, or deeply to interest the masses of mankind. Many Christians who are in lowly circum-` stances move on "the smooth and even tenor of their way" unobserved, and comparatively unknown in the world; still, to a serious and attentive observer, there is much in the history of such individuals which is of an instructive and interesting nature.

Grace Ackroyd, the subject of this brief notice, was born at Mankinholes, in the Todmorden Circuit, in the year 1823. Both her parents were pious, and endeavoured to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Her father was an intelligent and useful local preacher, in connection with the Conference Methodists for fifteen or sixteen years: but when the disturbances broke out in the Societies in 1835, he deemed it to be his duty to join the reform party, and took an active part in forming the Wesleyan Methodist Association in the Todmorden Circuit.

At the age of ten years our sister was deprived, by death, of her pious mother, and thus sustained a loss which could never be repaired.

Grace was of delicate health from her infancy, but she was not subject to any severe sufferings and protracted afflictions until about the fourteenth