"Are you happy?" He replied, He replied, "Yes." He then inquired, "Have you any fear?" He answered, "No." This was the last time he spoke. He then sunk quietly into the arms of his Redeemer as if falling asleep, and departed without either sigh or groan, in the 82d year of his age.

Thus our worthy friend lived and died. May we follow him as he followed Christ; and when we have finished our course, may we enter into the joy of our Lord! The first race of Methodists are nearly gone. When I look back and consider their deep seriousness, their deadness to the world, and their devotedness to God, I feel a fear that we, who are filling up their ranks, fall far short of their piety, spirituality, and heavenly mindedness. Our numbers rapidly increase. O may our love to God and man abound yet more and more!

Mr. Hall was not fond of writing. The only scrap of his that I have seen is the following, which, as a short specimen of his frequent addresses to the people, I beg leave to insert: "No whited wall, no painted sepulchre, can enter the kingdom of heaven, No tittle-tattler, no tale-bearer, no evil surmiser, no lover of the world, nor the fashions of the world, can enter the kingdom of glory, unchanged and unrenewed in mind and soul, by the Spirit of God. Reader, art thou one of the above-mentioned characters? May the Lord Almighty, for Christ's sake, change thee from nature to grace."

Mr. William Shelmerdine preached an excellent sermon on the occasion of Mr. Hall's death, from the following passage, which the latter had selected for that solemn occasion: "Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart." Psalm exix. 3. Vast numbers attended, and it was a truly solemn and precious opportunity.

To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR SIR,

Should the following brief memoir, of a very excellent man, meet your approbation, its insertion in your valuable Magazine will, I trust, gratify the friends of the deceased, many of whom are your constant readers.-I am, dear Sir, your's affectionately, Melbourne, July 29, 1817. H. J. Fox.

Mr. AMBROSE BEAUMONT was born in the parish of Kirkheaton, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in the year 1754. His parents were members of the Church of England, and brought up their children in the same principles, to which the subject of this memoir professed a strong attachment, and he was ever regular in his attendance on the ordinances of the church. Having received a classical education, Mr. Beaumont was put apprentice at a proper VOL. XLI. JANUARY, 1818.

* H

period to a surgeon, at Barnsley, in the county of York, where his conduct was fully approved, and he was much esteemed by hi master. After the expiration of his apprenticeship and attending medical lectures in London, in order to qualify himself for his profession, he came to reside at Melbourne, in Derbyshire, where he practised with considerable reputation for thirty-seven years. He appears to have been always strictly moral, not having yielded to those vices into which so many are unhappily betrayed whilst treading the slippery paths of youth. Mr. Beaumont had early impressions of the necessity and importance of religion. These he imputed, in some measure, to the kind admonitions and affectionate advice he had received in his youth from a pious stepmother, which he observed were frequently brought to his recollection; and which is an additional proof, with many others, of the great advantage of endeavouring to instil religious principles into the minds of young persons, before they are deeply engaged in the concerns of life. Mr. Beaumont was ever truly conscientious and upright. It is to be feared, however, that he indulged a pharisaical spirit, trusting in his own righteousness, and had not clear and scriptural views of the gospel plan of salvation, until about the 34th year of his age, when he was providentially led to attend the ministry of the Methodist preachers, when the Lord, by his Divine Spirit, convinced him of his need of a better righteousness than his own, and led him to confide in Jesus Christ as his only and all-sufficient Saviour, from the guilt and power of sin. The change that he experienced, however, did not produce that striking alteration of outward character which is visible in many persons, who, previous to their conversion, have been less regular and uniform in their conduct than Mr. Beaumont had been. After attending the ministry of the Methodist preachers some time, he became a member of the society; and on the occasion of the death of a pious and useful class-leader, he was appointed to succeed to that office, which he filled till his decease, with great fidelity and advantage to those committed to his charge. He also, at the same period, received the preachers into his house, and continued to entertain them with kindness and hospitality during his life. Mr. Beaumont was remarkably regular in the discharge of his religious duties, as well as scrupulously exact in the performance of his temporal engagements. His Sabbaths were wholly employed in public and private acts of piety and devotion, and in instructing the rising generation. An air of cheerfulness and serenity was always visible in his countenance, which had a tendency to recommend that religion to others, which evidently diffused so much satisfaction and happiness through his own mind. He appeared, through Divine grace, to have gained a complete conquest over the tormenting passions of anger and resentment. Angry expressions, or vindictive acts,

were never observed by his most intimate friends, to proceed from him. In short, such gentleness of manners, and so much firmness and decision, where his duty to God and his fellow-creatures, or the interests of religion were concerned, seldom meet in the same character. He had the prosperity of Zion much at heart. As one proof of this, he was the principal instrument, under God, of erecting and supporting a chapel in Melbourne, for the worship of God amongst the Methodists, to whose doctrines and discipline he was much attached. He also bequeathed, by his will, fifty pounds to the fund for superanuated Methodist Preachers, and the interest of the like sum of fifty pounds for the support of the Methodist cause at Melbourne. His private charities also were great and unostentatious. As he advanced in life, there is good reason to believe that Mr. Beaumont made considerable progress in the Divine life, and although the bumble views which he ever entertained of himself and his attainments, prevented his saying much on this subject, yet his consistent and exemplary life, his holy walk and conversation proved, to the entire satisfaction of all, that his heart and affections were entirely devoted to God, and his service. The latter years of his life were marked by an increased spirituality and deadness to the world. The two or three last times he met his class, he expressed himself to be unusually happy, and evidently enjoyed much of that kingdom of God, which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. As his last illness was occasioned by apoplexy, which nearly deprived him of the use of his speech, he could say but little respecting that religion which had been his happiness in life, and was now his support and consolation in the immediate approach of death. What he was enabled to utter, however, during his short illness, fully evinced his entire resignation to the will of God, and his full and unreserved dependance on the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ for life and salvation. He was removed from this vale of tears, on the 27th of September, 1816, to the heavenly world. Mr. Joseph Taylor improved the occasion of his death to a numerous and very attentive congregation.

Few religious characters that had so little conformity to the world, were so much respected whilst living, or so much regretted after death, as he was by a numerous circle of friends and acquaintance.

Additional remarks, by J. Edmondson.

I was intimately acquainted with Mr. Beaumont about fourteen years, and have spent many happy hours in his company and conversation. He was a man of considerable property, of some learning, and highly respected in his medical profession; but such was his piety and humility, that he cheerfully associated with the meanest followers of his Divine Master.

He was naturally modest, reserved, and unassuming; but

among his select friends was always open, cheerful, and communicative: and he had a large fund of innocent useful, and agreeable anecdotes, with which he used to entertain his friends in their social interviews. I shall not soon forget the happy days which I spent under his hospitable roof, in company with himself, Mr. Fox, Mr. Joseph Sadler, and other choice religious friends.

His love of books and reading was very considerable. He had a large and valuable library, to which I always had access, while I travelled in those parts; and, by his request, I collected for him many rare and valuable works, on important and interesting subjects, not only while I was stationed there, but many years afterwards. But these, falling into the hands of persons who did not know their real worth, were almost thrown away after his death.

Mr. Beaumont was never married, of course he knew neither the joys nor griefs of matrimony. But his servants and domestics were treated with the utmost kindness and tenderness; and were well instructed in the truths of religion, and in the duties of the Christian life. Those of them whom I knew, looked up to him, and loved him, as a father and a friend.

Mr. Beaumont was a man of artless simplicity, and, as far as I could ever learn, was without guile. His dress, the furniture of his house, his conversation, and his conduct, were worthy of imitation, and every thing he said or did, seemed to arise from an admirable system of Christian simplicity, neatness, and order.

As a Methodist, he was steadily attached to our excellent doctrines and discipline; and he was a great admirer of the preachers, especially of those, whose manners were plain, simple, and unaffected; and whose preaching was instructive and edifying. He was highly esteemed by other sects, and conducted himself towards them with great propriety, but never wandered from his own people, and never was ashamed, in any company, to acknowledge them as his brethren.

I was much affected with the account of his death, which was sudden and unexpected. I had paid him a visit a few months before, and found him lively and cheerful, and his face Zion-ward. He accompanied me to Derby on my return; and there we parted to meet no more in this lower world. I loved him sincerely; I now honour his memory; and I hope to meet him again in a better world. In the mean time, I am of opinion, that, all things considered, it will be long "ere we see his like again." J. EDMONDSON.

MISCELLANEOUS.

PASTORS AND TEACHERS.

In a publication intitled, "Sketches of Human Nature," or Hints, relating to the duties of Christians, by the Rev. William Innes, we

2

find many excellent observations, arising from an extensive knowledge of Dissenting Churches, and much liberality of sentiment with regard to the propagation of the Gospel by Christians of all denominations. This publication is intended, as the pious author informs us, to sait those who may glance at it in a desultory way, and any article which it contains may be read separately without any disadvantage. We therefore take the liberty to make some extracts from section 3, respecting Pastors and Teachers.

"It is well known to be the practice of some churches, to send out such of their brethren to preach the word, as they consider suit. ably qualified for the employment, particularly where an opening is found, in which there is a prospect of usefulness. No one, who is not blinded by prejudice, can, I think, with any propriety, object to this. But if a brother possessing gifts, may be sent to preach occasionally in a place; may not a church, with equal propriety, call on such a one statedly, to labour in a field, where there is a probability that his labours may be accompanied with success?

"Manifold are the happy effects that might result from calling into exercise the various talents for usefulness, that may be enjoyed by the individuals connected with Christian churches. I know a member of a church, who set apart an hour or two, one evening every week, for meeting with ten or a dozen of his poor and ignorant neighbours, with whom he read a portion of scripture, and endeavoured to lead their attention, in a familiar way, to the plain doctrines of the word of God. Now, let us for a moment suppose, every intelligent Christian following such an example, (I speak of those who are well qualified for such a task, and of these there are not a few, in the churches of Christ,) and what an amazing increase would there be, to the means of instruction? In a large town, or a populous neighbourhood, how widely might the knowledge of Divine truth be thus diffused!*

"Others are found in churches, who have a particular talent for addressing those in affliction. They have themselves, perhaps, been the children of adversity, the subjects of many family bereavements, or of severe bodily distress. In this way, they can enter into the situations of their afflicted brethren, and can lead them, with a feeling to which others are strangers, to those sources of consolation, which their peculiar circumstances require.+ Ought not such to be

I last year had an opportunity of attending a meeting in London, the object of which was to endeavour to diffuse some portion of Christian knowledge through the dark places of the metropolis. It was manifest that there was no possibility of getting the extensive blank supplied by the labours of regular pastors or preachers. Was there not here a call for intelligent Christians to step forward, and to the best of their ability occupy a portion of this very extensive field of usefulness? I may add, would not that limited exercise formerly mentioned, of mutual exhortation in churches, have the happy effect of preparing many for engaging in this important service, who have time at their command, and are capable of stating, with propriety, the leading principles of Divine truth?

Taught by the love that pitied me,
I've learnt to pity them.

The beneficial lesson, which the experience of any particular source of distress ought to teach us, is also finely alluded to, Exod. xxii. 9, “ Thou shalt not oppress a stranger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."