often afforded him in answer to prayer; and, with deep emotion, he expressed his gratitude to God for having made him a partaker of the grace of Christ, exclaiming,

'I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.""

As the end drew nigh he became more dead to the world, and did not desire to have anything read to him, except the Word of God and Wesley's Hymns; regretting that he would not be able himself to read another line in

the Precious Book, since his sight was all but gone. The last time he came down stairs was on Friday, December 23rd, 1870, when he appeared unusually happy, and wished to have several favourite hymns read to him. Mrs. Brewer heard him during the day praying in his room with unusual earnestness; and when he came out there was a brightness on his countenance while he said to her, “I have been praying for you, and thinking what my last words shall be. They shall be, Mercies abound!'" When ascending the stairs on retiring to rest, he exclaimed, "A day's march nearer home!"

On the Sunday before his death, being Christmas-day, his son and several of his grandchildren came to see him, who asked him if he could sing them a Christmas carol, as he had been accustomed to do. He commenced singing,

"Hark! hark! What news

The herald angels bring,” etc.

On the following Wednesday morning, after his wife and daughter had recited several hymns, he began to repeat the verse,

"How do Thy mercies close me

round!" etc.

His voice soon afterwards became very feeble, and he was not able to connect his sentences, though it was evident to those near him that he was engaged in prayer. On December 29th, 1870, he passed away peacefully, as

though he was asleep, and without a sigh, to join the innumerable company who "have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

JOSEPH BINNS.

DIED May 7th, 1873, in the Retford Circuit, MR. JOSEPH COLLINGHAM. He was born on March 23rd, 1799, in Labrador, with which country his father was engaged in mercantile enterprise. By one of the mysterious providences of an all-wise God, the infant was by the immediate death of his mother thrown thizing friends, might easily have upon a world which, but for sympaproved more inhospitable than the clime in which he first drew breath. At a very tender age he was brought to this country, and confided in part to the care of his uncle and aunt Calvert, of Darlton, near Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, and was brought up by them as one of their own family, and with careful religious training. This part of his life was ever vividly before his memory, and for his aunt Calvert he entertained feelings of deep affection and veneration. His school-days were passed at Tuxford, and were characterized by strict integrity and uprightness of conduct. Thence he was sent to Lincoln, where he was apprenticed to the late Mr. William Mawer, who was then (1816) a successful trader in the city, and whose memory is still cherished amongst the many honoured names of Lincolnshire Methodists. Here he soon became influenced by the happy Christian atmosphere of a large and godly household, and was early led to join his hand and heart to the Church of the living God. From that period to the day of his death he never ceased to manifest to all observers the reality of his religion.

To untiring energy and industry in his business life Mr. Collingham united an earnest and self-denying Christian conduct, exercising over all about him, almost without exception, the power which a godly example must

possess. In a remarkable degree he illustrated the Apostolic injunction, "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." It was his habit to remain up an hour after the rest of his household had retired to rest, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures and prayerfully communing with God.

Mr. Collingham married Elizabeth, one of the daughters of Mr. Mawer, and became a partner in his business, and the chief referee in all family matters. In after years he had no greater pleasure than to talk of the happy Sunday evening family services of praise and prayer of those days, and to recall the memory of those who had passed away. He had a strong sympathy with the early Methodists; many of whom he could remember as old people, some of them poor, but "rich in faith," and remarkable for their gift in prayer.

Thus, for some forty-five years, Mr. Collingham was closely identified with all that concerned Methodism in Lincoln, and was a helper of every good work. Free from bigotry, he won the esteem of all good men. Successful in his business, and respected by his fellow-citizens, he was nevertheless of most humble and retiring habits, and could never be prevailed upon to take such a part in religious or civil affairs as would tend to bring him into prominence. His vigour of mind was combined with a singular reverence for all that pertained to spiritual things: he was never known to treat sacred subjects but with the deepest seriousness, amounting almost to awe. This characteristic was perhaps more developed by the many painful dispensations of Providence, as the loss of his wife and some of his dear children, by which it pleased God to bear testimony to his sonship, making him a subject of the "chastisement" of which all God's children are partakers.

In 1849 Mr. Collingham married Sarah, the only surviving daughter of

the late Mr. Robert Moss, a name well known and endeared to Methodist circles in Sheffield and the neighbouring parts of Retford; who proved to him a true help-mate, and who now survives him, "a widow indeed."

In the year 1860, he retired partially from his Lincoln business,—not however to gain the rest he so much required. With increased activity, if possible, he began to work in the Society at Retford, and in the vicinity. No labour was deemed by him too great, no interest too small, in which by any personal effort and self-denial he thought he could benefit either the Church at large or a single individual. As to his largeness of soul and loving unostentatious aid, the whole Society at Retford, and many a grateful heart and lip, bore willing and unlooked-for testimony to the family in the time of their bereavement. While he exercised liberality with discrimination, no deserving case was ever passed by him unnoticed or unrelieved. Very much that was thus done was known only to himself and his nearest relatives.

His last illness was short. A severe attack of bronchitis, which it was fondly hoped his naturally strong constitution would overcome, gradually brought on the final scene. His mind was kept in peace, being stayed upon his Lord; and whilst disclaiming all reliance on the fact that he had sought to live humbly with his God, he spoke of being permitted to enjoy a firm hope and trust in Christ. Vigorous in mind to the last, and having been patient in extreme exhaustion, he passed tranquilly away, to the inexpressible grief of his sorrowing wife and family. He was interred at Darlton, the scene of his happy and guileless boyhood. The neighbouring town of Retford, through which the funeral procession passed, wore the aspect of general mourning, all ranks being apparently desirous of paying a last sad tribute of respect to his memory. J. M. C.