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they inquire at God why he did it? Ah! you despise the chastening of the Lord. Brethren, it is a fearful thing not to ask God's meaning in affliction. It is his loudest knock, and often his last. The same thing happens with God's children. You have been loving some idol-some secret sin-some secret lust, and God afflicts you. Do you ask an explanation? The same thing takes place in a church. The members are unholy, &c. Then perhaps he afflicts it as he did Laodicea. Do we seek an explanation? Ah no! This is what this town should do in its poverty.

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3. There is a third improvement of affliction, that is, the forsaking of sin: "I will not offend any more.' "If I have done iniquity, I will do no more." God's great design in affliction is to make you forsake your sin: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy," Prov. xxviii. 13. This was God's way with Manasseh: so it should be in all affliction. God afflicts you, that you may cast away your sin; you will not hear his voice of mercy; you will not hear his voice of love; but he brings you under the rod, in order to bring you into the covenant. How often does it do the contrary? I have seen a drunkard afflicted, and he went deeper into sin-farther away from God. "Ephraim is a cake unturned." There are some among you, that remind me of an aged tree that has been struck with lightning, and now stands stript of its leaves, a monument in the earth. So are many of your families. I tell you, brethren, if mercies, and if judgments do not convert you, God has no other arrows in his quiver.

II. The meetness of inquiring into God's reasons of affliction.

1. It is meet, because it is God that is dealing with you. This affliction in your family, this affliction with yourself, is from God. "Who hardeneth his heart against God and prospereth ?"

2. It is meet, because this is God's meaning in your affliction. God's meaning is, to save the unconverted, and to sanctify his own. I believe, that every time the sun shines into your dwelling, it is meant to make you turn unto God; and it is the same with affliction; it is meant to make you turn to him ; or if you be a child of God, every affliction is meant to make you cast your idols to the moles and to the bats, and to turn to God. 3. It is meet, because God can destroy. You know brethren, that the same hand which afflicts you can destroy. The same hand that kindled the burning fever in your breast, can kindle up the flames of hell for you. Amen.-Mc. Cheyne.

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BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF DELIAS WOODCOCK.

The subject of the following Memoir was the Daughter of JOHN and DELIAS GIBSON, of St. Martins, Scilly Islands, born January 17th, 1813.

She was naturally of a quiet and reserved turn of mind, but like too many others spent the days of her childhood and youth in vanity and forgetfulness of God, until she was about 16 years of age.

The greater part of the inhabitants of this Island, at that time, were living without God and without hope in the world, which is no marvel as they were not favoured with the regular ministry of God's most holy word. They were only visited occasionally by a clergyman from St. Marys, until the Bible Christian Missionaries were sent here. Happy day for the inhabitants of this Island when the Missionary first planted the standard of the cross among them 1; from that day to the present they have never quitted their stand, and I hope they never will; for they have been the happy instruments in the hands of God of bringing many souls out of darkness into His marvellous light, and of turning them from Satan unto God. DELIAS was one of the happy number. Her conversion was brought about in the following manner. It was at Whitsuntide, in the year 1829, when Sister MARY BIDDICK, now MRS. WOODCOCK, travelled here, and as she and several more were coming out of the class-meeting they observed DELIAS run off from the door. She had left all her gay and giddy companions, and found her way to the chapel door; no doubt led there by the Spirit of God. Sister Biddick called to her as she ran off, and she came back, when it was found that she was labouring under deep conviction for sin; and from that time she gave herself entirely to God and to his church, and continued a consistent member until she changed time for eternity,-mortality for eternal life.

It is written, "A man's foes shall be they of his own household;" and so Delias found it. Her mother objected to her becoming a member of the church, and forbad her going to the Class meeting; but she continued to go, though one night her mother flogged her severely. She told me that she felt so happy while her mother was flogging her, that she could have willingly died and gone straight home to heaven; but that she had the happiness of seeing that dear mother, some years after, converted to God, and die happy in a Saviour's love, leaving a bright testimony behind that she was gone to be with Christ;

"Far from a world of grief and sin,
With God eternally shut in."

O! that all mothers who may read this, instead of forbidding their children from uniting with the people of God, and striving to prepare for heaven, would become helpers of their faith, and by their example, precepts, and prayers, be the guide of their youth.

May the young learn from this the importance of "early piety," and the necessity of being decided for God to live and die. I believe

there are a great many young people who see a beauty in religion, and often feel a desire to enjoy it, but timidity and shame keep them back. Oh may you that see this beauty, and feel this desire, follow the example of our departed sister, and heartily join with the people of God. It will be your wisdom and safety so to do.

This incident teaches another class an important lesson: those whom the Lord has set to be watchmen over the flock. O! may all such look out for those who may be desiring to live a life of faith on the Son of God; who hath loved them and given himself for them :" and like the great Shepherd, carry the lambs in their bosom, and make them to lie down beside the still waters.

The spirit of Christianity is a spirit of benevolence; the heart is enlarged and the soul is big with the desire that others should enjoy the like precious blessings with ourselves. "The love of Christ constraineth us :" and when our dear sister became converted, she could not eat her morsel alone; but began to seek the conversion of her former companions.

A friend says; "Our dear sister was an intimate friend of mine for many years, both before and since our conversion. She was converted first. I then endeavoured to shun her in every possible way; but she would not give me up. At last she prevailed on me to accompany her to the class-meeting, and many delightful seasons we have had together. There was no one to whom she could open her mind so freely as she could to me. I knew in a great measure what she suffered for Christ's sake. I remember that one night she stole away to the meeting. We wept and prayed together on the road, and such a season we had, as I trust will be remembered by us when we

meet in our Father's house above.

"When we returned, her father's door was locked against her. I often think of her distressed look when she came to me and said, 'I am turned out of doors!' She slept with me that night, and was enabled to rejoice that she was counted worthy to suffer in her master's cause. We made it a matter of prayer; the Lord undertook her cause, and her mother was reconciled to her again. A short time before she died, I was sitting by her bed-side listening to her heavenly conversation, when she referred to the above circumstance, and said, 'If I had given up then, what should I have done now? The Lord is rewarding me for all I have suffered for him. Yes I will bless the Lord at all times,' whether in the chapel or in my sick room; 'His praise shall continually be in my mouth.' At another time when I visited her, I referred to her not being able to attend the chapel, when she said, 'I trust I feel quite resigned to the will of God on that point. I have been thinking on those beautiful words of the apostle,-Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? She dwelt more especially on 'who shall separate us from the love of Christ ?' Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers."

Our dear sister was united in the holy bands of matrimony, to JAMES WOODCOCK, of St. Martins, July 16th, 1834, by whom she had four daughters. Her husband being a sailor, the care of the family principally devolved on her. She manifested a deep concern for the salvation of her children, and had the happiness to see her

dear husband, and her two eldest daughters, walking in the ways of God; and I am happy to be enabled to add, that since her death, her two youngest daughters have given themselves to God and to his people. It is a pleasing sight to see the father and his four daughters, all travelling on their way to heaven. May they all as a family meet in the kingdom above.

Sister Woodcock was a lover of her Bible; it was her daily companion, and she treasured up its rich contents in her head and heart; and from thence she drew much strength and consolation, and could say with the Psalmist, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." She was truly a Bible Christian. Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile.

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Prayer was another branch of christian duty in which she much delighted. She was often found in secret, pouring out her soul before God in simplicity and sincerity, and with much confidence, (for she was strong in faith giving glory to God) in behalf of her husband, her children, and her neighbours; and she often realized the import of these words, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Another trait in her character was, she loved the habitation of the Lord's house, and the place where his honour dwelleth, and was always punctual at the means of grace, especially at her class-meeting. She often felt that the communion of saints was sweet, and was seldom absent, except through affliction. When her children were small, and could not be left at home by themselves, she took them with her to the house of God; thus training them in childhood to respect religion, and love the services of the house of the Lord; an example worthy of being copied by every mother.

As a friend she was sincere and faithful, never betraying the confidence reposed in her. As a neighbour she was quiet; following the advice of the Apostle, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." She was an affectionate wife, always studying the comfort of her husband. Her person and house were always clean and tidy; and as a natural consequence her husband and children were always neat and clean.

She was a tender mother; whose eye was ever watching over the children whom God had given her, as one that must give account. I believe she felt her position, and discharged her duties, as a Christian mother. I do not know that I have met with a person who has more fully exemplified the christian character, than sister Woodcock.

I do not mean to say that she had no imperfections, or failings; but as far as I know, they were few. It was the grace of God that made her to differ; and unto him be all the glory. I feel that I can scarcely do justice to her character; for she seemed to outrun most of her companions in the heavenly race. Oh! yes, praise God, she has attained the goal and received the crown of life "that fadeth not away."

She was always pleased to see the servants of God, and welcomed them to her table. I have spent many happy hours in her company, and have often been refreshed with her conversation, which was always such as becometh the gospel of Christ. Her mind seemed

altogether spiritual; and truly her conversation was in heaven, from whence she looked for the Saviour.

Our dear sister was a great sufferer for about four years; first brought on by a fright, (I think on seeing her husband and several others in great danger from a vessel that had sprung a leak and was sinking fast) from which she never fully recovered, but gradually sunk away until death terminated all her sufferings.

I had frequent opportunities of visiting her during her affliction ; and I always found her resting all on the atonement. Her confidence in God was strong, and her peace flowed as a river. I never heard a murmur escape her lips. She was generally in a happy frame of mind, praising God for his great love manifested in the gift of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ: and with one of old she could say, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Thus our dear sister fell asleep in the arms of her Saviour, and her happy spirit took its flight and winged its way to the everlasting hills of glory, July 4th, 1855, in the 43rd year of her age. She was taken off in the prime of life; leaving her husband and children to mourn their loss; but their loss is her eternal gain.

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The substance of the following has been furnished by her eldest daughter. 'My dear mother about three weeks before she died seemed to be drawn from every thing earthly, and to have her heart and mind fixed on things heavenly and divine. Her greatest delight was in prayer, and having the Bible read, and hymns sung or read, that were suitable to her state of mind. The last week of Mr. Pool's stay on the Island, she was very happy. When she saw him enter the room, she said, 'Oh! Mr. Pool I want you to help me to praise the Lord. I cannot praise him enough for his goodness towards me, in filling my soul so full of his love. And when prayer was offered on her behalf it never ended without a shout of praise. Her language generally was, "Praise the Lord, O my soul! and let all that is within me bless and praise his holy name." She often said, 'Why don't you praise the Lord with me, the unworthiest of all his creatures; and would get into such an ecstacy of joy that she could be heard through all that part of the village, shouting, Glory! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!' until her voice failed, and she sunk down quite exhausted. In the midst of all her suffering, I never heard a murmur escape her lips. She would say, 'The more I suffer, the sooner I shall be with Jesus in glory. She longed to be gone to be with Christ, which is far better, and seemed pleased when any friend would express an opinion of her speedy departure. During the last fortnight of her life, she frequently awoke as out of a trance, and burst forth into singing,

'Jesus will lead His ransomed forth,
To living streams of richer worth,

That never will run dry,'

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and a number of other appropriate hymns, too numerous to be specifically mentioned. She frequently said, O the precious love of Jesus! It is very great. O precious Jesus! how can I can sufficiently praise him. O for a thousand tongues to praise the Lord!' "She took no food for a week before she died; nothing but a little

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