'My acquaintance with Mrs. Hammond did not commence until she had passed her seventieth year. At that time age had not impaired the activity of her slight, erect figure, and only enhanced the venerable grace and charming neatness of her aspect. Her countenance always beamed with the light of truth and charity, although it wore the expression which spiritual conflict, safely and victoriously past, always leaves. Her conversation, full of sprightliness and versatility, indicated broad, mental sympathies, with the readiest inclination to pleasantry and cheerfulness, yet charged with solemnity on sacred themes. Her watchful care over her own spirit, which had been a life-long work, and more than half a century of blessed experience in seeking and helping the salvation of others, had made her a very oracle on all matters of the inner life, to which a multitude of friends gladly repaired when some crisis of the soul made such counsel as she could give especially valuable. The unflinching fidelity, the Scriptural wisdom, the gracious ten

derness with which she dealt with souls were great gifts of God which she used without regard to any results to herself, and far beyond the ordinary limits of Christian usefulness. Nearly to the end of her days she delighted in the fellowship of good books. Her attachment to Methodism was loyal and permanent. Its spiritual principles were the topics of her chosen meditation and favourite converse, and her acquaintance with its history and best examples was very extensive. Her last affliction was painful and mysterious, but faith survived the failure of strength, and 'great joy' shone through the cloud of anxieties which overshadowed her

approach to the grave. Her delight in prayer, and her habitual concern for the bodies and souls of her fellow-creatures, did not disappear until the troubled and swollen waters of death had quenched the last spark of this mortal life in her. The Church of God will long cherish the memory of her fully consecrated talents, and her fruitful services to the cause they love.'

WILLIAM RIGGALL, of Tetford, near Horncastle, entered into rest December 14th, 1875, aged seventy-one years. He was for many years a devoted and consistent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church, a liberal supporter of its various interests, and filled most acceptably several offices in connection with the Society, besides leading the singing in Tetford Chapel for upwards of fifty years. His parents were Wesleyan-Methodists. His mother died when he was eight years old, and at the age of seventeen he lost his father also. In the morning of life he was the subject of religious impressions, but did not continue in the grace of God, though amiable in disposition, correct in outward life and of untarnished reputation from his youth. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

His conversion took place in 1842. Being left in charge of the school one Sabbath, without any teachers who were members of Society, and not being able himself to open the school with prayer, he sent for a neighbour to open it. The necessity for this so wrought upon him as to lead him to seek for the requisite qualification for his office; and soon afterwards he obtained a knowledge of salvation by the remission

of sins.

Possessing good abilities and being held in high esteem, he was almost immediately

appointed a Leader, which office he continued to fill with credit to himself and profit to others to the end of life. With godly fidelity and loving care he watched over and ministered to the members of his Classes. His piety was genuine and progressive. He was not given to change. He held fast the profession of his faith without wavering. His religion was a principle and a power-a thing not only of knowledge, but also of experience. He exercised himself unto godliness. The obedience of faith followed the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. His grasp of great Christian verities was intelligent and clear; his demeanour grave and serious; his temperament bright and cheerful. Beneath a quiet exterior ran an undercurrent of earnestness. His poverty of spirit was deep. His habits were retiring; his goodness unobtrusive. He was eminently 'of a meek and quiet spirit.' He was never heard to speak well of himself, or ill of his neighbour. His character was gradually moulded to completeness. He was warmly attached to the Preachers.' He was given to hospitality. His attendance on the ordinances of the sanctuary, both on the Sabbath and week-day, was most exemplary. His greatest joy was to witness the prosperity of the Church. He commanded his household after him, and had

the satisfaction of seeing his children walk in the truth.

By holy living he was prepared for peaceful dying. There was no violent change to be wrought at the last: his death was in harmony with his life. His last illness was marked by perfect resignation to the Divine will, and although circumstances connected with the selling of his farm and the old home by his landlord were calculated to cast a gloom over his immediate future, yet he calmly accepted this event, as being overruled by an allwise Providence. To one of his daughtersin-law he remarked a few days before his death: 'I don't know what the Lord is going to do with me; they are turning me out of my old home, but there is a mansion ready for me. Í have been looking round and think my work is done.' His illness was attended with extreme weakness. On the evening of his decease he expressed himself to his friends in terms of perfect confidence and resignation, saying: It's all right; I am in the Lord's hands.' He rose from his chair and walked towards the stairs, which with assistance he ascended and retired to rest. His son, who was in the room at the time, hearing him breathe hardly, went to him, raised him and held him in his arms, and at once, without a struggle, he entered into life.

His remains were followed by the members of his Classes, the Sabbath scholars and by friends from all the neighbouring places; the shops in the village were closed, and the inhabitants mourned the loss of one who for many years had been the friend of all. We still see our signs': spiritual awakenings, Scriptural conversions, moral transformations, holy lives and peaceful deaths. THOMAS BRIGHOUSE.

JAMES TYLER WINTER died, November 11th, 1876, at Lowestoft, in the thirtyfourth year of his age. He was the subject of Divine influence from his youth; but it was not until about two years before his death that, through the influence and importunity of some Christian friends, he sought earnestly the salvation of his soul, and joined our Church. From his conversion he was, in his sphere, ' a burning and a shining light,' endeavouring to glorify Christ his Lord and Master in every possible way. He was always ready to speak a word for Him at every suitable opportunity, and even in the transaction of worldly business would try to turn it to some spiritual account. Sunday-school teacher he was prompt, cheerful and faithful; and having, when a sailor, kept a log-book, in which he recorded anything worthy of notice, he

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greatly interested the scholars both in his class and his addresses. He was especially earnest in impressing upon them the importance of taking the Cross as their starting-point in steering over the ocean of life.' His cheerfulness and affection made him a great favourite with the young, many of whom wept when they heard of his death. In all the relations of life he was faithful and exemplary, whether as a son, a husband, a parent or a friend. He had recently commenced business for himself with the most promising prospects, when he was suddenly stricken down with inflammation; and after giving to his friends the highest satisfaction as to the safety of his soul and the brightness of his prospects, his triumphant spirit passed away to the mansions of glory.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, ESQ., of Keal, in the Spilsby Circuit, departed this life, May 8th, 1877, aged seventy-five. Nearly half a century ago he passed from death unto life,' and was ever after a blameless and spiritually-minded member of the Wesleyan. Methodist section of Christ's Church. For many years his hospitable abode has been the home of all who have occupied the pulpit in our chapel at Keal; and each September the members of the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit found a hearty welcome there. His was indeed the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.' Grace made him gentle, unassuming, guileless, prudent, upright, a lover of peace. He was most exemplary, until his strength failed, in his attendance upon all the means of grace, especially the Classmeeting and week-evening service. His undying love to the cause of God appears in his bequests of two hundred pounds each to several of our Connexional Funds. Under the extreme physical debility which he experienced during the last few months of his life, his mind was calm and unclouded. Disclaiming any merit of his own, humbly yet confidently relying upon the precious Atonement for acceptance and eternal life, he was manifestly made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light.'

THOMAS LAKE, Esq., died at Little Steeping, in the Spilsby Circuit, June 21st, 1877, aged seventy-four. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Society, and for some years a Circuit-steward. His mansion has long been a Minister's home. Often detained from the house of God by infirmity and pain, his humble trust was in his Saviour. He was very suddenly summoned away to be 'for ever with the Lord.' T. HARDY.