Feb. 14th.-At Farndon, in the Newark Cireuit, in the eighty-fifth year of his age, Mr. Isaac Hayes; having been for upwards of half a century a member of the Wesleyan section of Christ's church. Forty years he was a laborious and useful Local Preacher; greatly honoured of God in being made the means (amidst opposition and persecution) of introducing Methodism into several of the dark places of our own country. A short time before his departure he said, "I am on the Rock. Christ is precious." J. R. Feb. 15th.-At King's Lynn, aged sixty, Mi Faux, who for many years had been a consistent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. In her usual good health she attended a meeting of the Benevolent Society on the previous Thursday evening, and, while there, was seized by the affliction which so speedily resulted in her death. Completely unconscious during her few remaining days, she uttered no words of belief and assured hope, for the comfort of her husband and daughter; but her faith in the Saviour, her diligence in all the ordinances of religion, and a life filled with deeds of kindness, and active exertions in the cause of Christ, are amply sufficient to assure them that, while "absent from the body," she is "present with the Lord." A. F. March 19th.-At Gateshead, aged sixty-three, Mr. Thomas Morland. He was converted to God in youth, and imbued with an ardent desire for the sal tion of souls. His mind was vigorous and active; and his early efforts resulted in good to many. Diligence in business was crowned with prosperity; and out of the abundance with which he was favoured he gave liberally to the cause of Christ, while the widow and the fatherless had cause to bless his name. In the course of his life he well sustained several offices in connexion with the church. He was particularly interested in the welfare of young men, whom he grouped around him in the Sabbath-school, and in the religious class; and the amount of his moral influence cannot be fully estimated. He was revered as a father, and his death produced a sensation "as when a standard-bearer fainteth." Amid considerable suffering he preserved an unshaken confidence, expressing in his last illness a firm reliance on Christ, and a blessed realization of His grace. In his family he was the object of reverence and love; warm in his friendships, social in his demeanour, and hospitable to all. G. T. March 26th.-At Mansfield, Margaret Adamson, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. She had been a consistent member of the church fortyfour years, and died in great peace. G. H. April 13th.-At Sale, near Manchester, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, the Rev. William M'Kitrick. He was a native of Belfast, Ireland. At the age of nineteen he joined the Methodists. Soon after, he settled in Liverpool. He was called into the ministry in 1803. In 1839, in con sequence of a severe attack of typhus fever, he became a Supernumerary; but still he freely gave his services as his strength permitted, and especially in visiting the sick. He was a man of fervid piety and cheerful disposition; while the uniform excellence of his life adorned and commended the Gospel he preached to others. A few months before his decease his strength rapidly failed; but God was the strength of his heart. With calniness and confidence he awaited the summons of his Lord. A short time before his death he conversed with several friends with his usual cheerfulness, bearing emphatic testimony to the preciousness of Christ, and the sufficiency of Divine grace to sustain in the final hour. J. W. April 24th.-At Macclesfield, in her eightyeighth year, Ann Swindell, relict of the late Thomas Allen, Esq. By the uniform kindness and Christian consistency of her character, during a very lengthened period, she had acquired the affectionate esteem and regard of all who knew her; and by the sympathy and attention she ever manifested to the poor and needy, had secured a place in their grateful recollections. Naturally timid and diffident, she was prone to indulge in very lowly views of herself, and to cherish a deep sense of her unworthiness and unfaithfulness; but, as the end of her long pilgrimage drew near, her doubts and fears gave place to a calm reliance on the merits of her Saviour, and a blissful hope of heaven. Peacefully triumphing over her last enemy, she has left behind her the full assurance that she sleeps in Jesus. W. B. May 12th. At Sale, near Manchester, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, the Rev. Charles Cheetham. At the early age of twelve he became the subject of saving grace. In 1823 he was called to the work of the ministry, in which he laboured through a series of years with assiduity and success. The closing years of his life were beclouded by a painful affliction, which compelled him to retire from the toil and heat of the day. A short time before his decease he expressed himself as having a sweet hope of glory," and feeling that Christ was increasingly precious. For some time previous to his decease he was unconscious, and in this state his soul passed to "the rest which remaineth for the people of God." He died in the thirty-fifth year of his ministry. J. W. Sunday evening, May 16th.-At Hadfield, near Glossop, in his eighty-sixth year, greatly esteemed and venerated, the Rev. George Marsden. One fortnight before, though extremely feeble, he had occupied the pulpit at Howard-Town; and on the 11th of May he was found leading his class.--It is matter of regret that no notice of his decease has been forwarded to us; but we are unwilling to close this Number without recording Mr. Marsden's honoured name. -EDITORS. LONDON PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. JULY, 1858. MEMOIR OF MRS. PARNELL, OF CANTERBURY: BY THE REV. JOHN BROWN, 1ST. CANTERBURY, the capital of Kent, is still more celebrated as the see of the Primate of all England. The styles of architecture found in its beautiful cathedral indicate the eras at which various portions were added to the structure. A few ruins of two monasteries remind the observer that Popery once flourished dominant. But Christianity was planted here, probably by Roman soldiers, long before Austin undertook the conversion of our ancestors. A church, said to have been built by Romans, (St. Martin's,) existed till recently. Its humble appearance formed a striking contrast to that of its younger and truly magnificent neighbour. Wesleyan Methodism has seldom found a congenial soil under the shade of a cathedral. High and exclusive claims have withstood the teaching of Ministers who are called "irregular ;" and their simpleminded followers have been the objects of many a persecution. The system, nevertheless, early took root in Canterbury; where, having continued and increased through the lapse of at least three generations, it still continues and increases, promising to bless generations yet unborn. The Founder paid several visits to this ecclesiastical city. The venerable Vincent Perronet, and his sons, extended their labours thither, to aid the infant Society. One of them, Mr. Charles Perronet, was for years an inmate under the roof of Mrs. Bissaker, mother of Mrs. Parnell. He appears to have taken a deep interest in the latter, while she was but a child. In the Arminian Magazine for 1785, (pages 48, 111, 163,) is the copy of a remarkable paper or "Memorial" addressed by him to "Miss Nancy Bissaker in her seventh year," intended to serve her as a Guide and Directory in after-life. She did not, however, long enjoy the counsel and care of her early friend, being only twelve when he died. The venerable men who broke up the soil, and sowed the precious seed, have long since gone to their reward. Many a happy spirit has been gathered into the garner of heaven, as the fruit of their ministry. Others have entered into their labours. The field continues to be cultivated; and the time is approaching when they that sow and they that reap shall rejoice together. 2 P VOL. IV.-FIFTH SERIES. Mrs. Ann Parnell, second daughter of John and Ann Bissaker, was born at Canterbury, February 21st, 1764. Her father, though maintaining through life a blameless character, was not converted to God, till he had passed the allotted period of threescore years and ten. In answer to the fervent and persevering prayers of his pious wife, he was then brought to true repentance. He found the forgiveness of sins through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and left this world in peace. Mrs. Bissaker was brought to the knowledge of the truth, under the Methodist ministry, not long after her marriage. She joined the Society in 1750, and lived, after this, fifty-four years, an exemplary Christian. Mr. Wesley's first visit to Canterbury, as recorded in his Journal, was paid in January, 1750. "The congregation in the evening," he says, under date of Monday, the 29th, "was deeply serious, and most of them present again at five in the morning. I hope God will again have much people in this place, who will worship Him with more knowledge, and as much earnestness, as their forefathers did the Virgin Mary, or even St. Thomas à Becket." appears to have been among the earliest of the "much people" that Mr. Wesley hoped God would "have in this place." Forty years she was a successful Class-Leader. Her last words were, "All is well! all is well!"-and, without a sigh or a groan, she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, September 25th, 1804. 66 Mrs. Bissaker Being the child of such a mother," Mrs. Parnell observes, "I was the subject of many prayers, even before I appeared in this world of sin and sorrow." Of Mr. Charles Perronet she records the following testimony:-"As I grew, that dear man of God took great delight to instil into my mind good foundation-principles; the fear of God, an abhorrence of lying, a love for the poor, a contempt of finery, a strong attachment to the Bible, and a high veneration for my mother, whom he held up as a pattern for my imitation. These instructions, given as my understanding opened, have never been forgotten by me." When dying, Mr. Perronet most affectionately fixed his eyes on this interesting child, and then, looking toward heaven, said, "Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit!" His remains were deposited in the cloister-yard of the cathedral; and the tombstone bears an inscription written by his father : CHARLES PERRONET DIED AUGUST 12TH, 1776, AGED FIFTY-THREE. HE WAS AN AFFLICTED MAN; PREACHED TO A GAINSAYING PEOPLE; WAS HATED BY THE WICKED; AND, PRAYING FOR HIS PERSECUTORS, COMMITTED HIMSELF TO HIM THAT JUDGETH RIGHTEOUSLY. We often repeat, in the services of the sanctuary, that article of the Creed, "I believe in the communion of saints." As this communion is spiritual, as well as visible, is any reason assignable why it may |