cuted, and strong was the opposition which the heralds of the cross received there. It was about 1834, or 1835, that our sister Weeks gave them a calm and patient hearing, which hearing produced faith; and though it was certain that many of her chief friends would turn their backs upon her if she embraced salvation, yet she willingly bore what opposition they were disposed to offer. And now, her heart being touched, Lydia like, she said, "If ye have counted me worthy, come into my house and abide." Her association with these servants of Jesus speedily resulted in her conversion; and having tasted of the good word of eternal life, her attachment to God's people and cause abundantly increased ; and when there was scarcely any one else in the neighbourhood that would stand by the cause, or support the preachers; some from fear, others from shame, but still more from hate and rage; the servants of Jesus always found a friend in Sister Weeks, and a home in her house, for she was determined to stand by the cause in its infantile state. In the year 1837, our sister with her dear husband removed to Hatherleigh, where she continued until death. Here she soon identified herself with us as a people, and from that time up to the time of her demise, she has been the principal supporter of the cause in this place. My first acquaintance with our beloved sister was when I came to this circuit about fifteen months since; at which time she was very weak and delicate. During last Autumn her health was in such a precarious state that it was generally expected her end was near. I visited her several times in her affliction, and though the nature of her complaint was such as to cause great depression of spirits, yet as to her future prospects, she was calm, confident, and even cheerful. She spent much of her time during her sickness in reading Ryle's Tracts, in which she took delight, and from which she gathered much spiritual profit. Towards the Spring her health was a little better, and a change of air was deemed advisable, hence she spent a few weeks in Bristol. This proved very conducive to her restoration, and she returned considerably improved. We all rejoiced to see the change, but had no idea that it was like the last bright glare of the wasted lamp. She loved her class-meetings, and her leader and class-mates speak of the delightful influence enjoyed at their last meeting, when she freely spoke of her blooming prospects of future blessedness. The last time I saw her, was the second day before her death. She spoke of the heavenly feelings she was the subject of while the children were singing at their anniversary, "Mothers of Salem &c." She was as well as I had seen her for a long time; and I little thought that these were the last words we should exchange in time, or the last ter restrial interview we should have together; but so it proved. Her death took place under peculiar circumstances. The 33rd an niversary of their marriage having arrived, July 31st, it was concluded that it should be observed, not by feasting, jollity, or mirth; but with a horse and trap they started on a visit to an aged sister of Mr. Weeks and returned again the same evening. She complained of being a little wearied with the journey, but no one thought it se rious. On Friday morning, August 1st, she rose at her usual time, be tween 6 and 7 o'clock, and assisted in giving out milk to the neighbours, remarking if any one asked how she did, that she was as well as she had been for a long time. About 8 o'clock she was sitting at breakfast in company with her husband and niece. She had not commenced her breakfast, when her niece heard her say, "I am faint.' She fell instantly from her chair, and died without a struggle or a groan. How alarmed and panick-struck we all appeared, when the report rang upon our ears! We were at breakfast when the news reached us; my dear wife started at once without taking more; half bewildered we moved toward the spot, hopingas we went that the report might not be true, and if it was we seemed sensible of our loss; for a mother was fallen in Israel. As we entered the house, O! what a scene presented itself to view! We were too soon convinced that it was true. The shrieks! the tearful eyes, the heavy sobs and sighs that came from every quarter, all demonstrated that she was gone. Such a house of mourning I never before beheld; for it was not only the family, but neighbours as well; all looked amazed, but scarce a word was spoken. For a long time I thought poor Mr. Weeks would have died in our arms. I strove hard to speak a word of comfort, but my heart was too big. At length silence was broken, for my dear wife said, "Doubtless Sister Weeks was best fit to be torn thus suddenly away from earth.” But why all this grief? Sudden death to her is sudden glory. "She's gone, she's gone, from earth removed, To Heaven's eternal rest; And reigns with Christ whom here she loved, Freed from a world of anxious care, From sorrow, sin, and pain; A bright immortal crown she wears, Her mortal remains were interred in Meeth Church-yard on the following Wednesday; and an address was delivered by the writer, on the improvement of her death, to a full congregation, on Sunday, August 19th. A good influence was realized. As a wife, she was very kind and affectionate, using all possible means for the comfort and happiness of her husband. As a Christian, she was very devoted and sincere; regular in her attendance at the means of grace, and deeply interested in her heavenly Master's cause, which ever lay near her heart. As a neighbour, she was generrally respected, and beloved by all; and hence her death was much lamented. Her visits to the sick were frequent, and while she ministered to their spiritual necessities, she did not forget to relieve the temporal wants of such as needed it. O my readers, may we all meet her at last in heaven, for Christ's sake. 426 MISCELLANEOUS. LONDON, V.INCIDENTS AND REFLECTIONS. 10. City Road, Wesleyan Chapel. Many readers of the Bible Christian Magazine, we believe, feel considerable interest in all that pertains to Methodism. The doctrines propounded by the Wesleys form the basis on which our Denomination is established; and many of our most useful practices undoubtedly had their origin with the old Wesleyan church. For example, class meetings, the employment of local preachers, and the holding of an annual Conference. Who among us has not read the biography and the sermons of John Wesley? With the life of Wesley and the rise of Methodism the above-named chapel is inseparably connected. Hence at the last Annual Missionary Meeting held therein, a speaker observed that whenever he entered that chapel he felt impressed with the thought that it was "John Wesley's chapel." Numbers of persons on coming to London make it a point not to forget to see City Road Chapel. The exterior of this edifice is not so imposing as that of many other chapels, but the inte rior is exquisitely elegant and chaste. It contains numerous objects of interest in the form of tablets, etc., set up in memory of the most distinguished departed Methodists. In front, and at the back of the chapel are little grounds occupied as burying-places. Here are the remains of Wesley, Benson, Clarke, and other worthies deposited, and monuments erected over their graves. But O! how insignificant are those memorials in comparison with the fruits of their labours! Losing sight of all their other works, the sermons of Wesley, and the commentaries of Benson and Clarke, are surely better mementoes of their greatness than all the architecture that could possibly be constructed. Adjoining the chapel is the house in which Mr. Wesley lived and died, and which has been since occupied by the Superintendent of the First London Circuit. Its present occupant is Mr. Young, the President of the Conference. In the City Road Wesleyan Chapel, the gospel, according to our view of the matter, is proclaimed with a plainness, power, and simplicity which the whole world of preachers would do well to imitate; though with respect to forms of worship and the amount of vital godliness, even there, we believe, improvement quite possible and necessary. That spot being identified as it is with so many sacred associations, we trust that it will ever remain a temple of truth and right eousness. 11. Surrey Chapel. This chapel is also one of considerable note in London. It stands in Blackfriar's Road, a short distance from Blackfriar's Bridge. It was built by the late Rowland Hill, M.A., in the year 1782, and became the principal sphere of his labours from that time to the close of his life in 1833. It is still known by the name of "Rowland Hill's Cha pel." This structure is octagonal in form, and its style is now somewhat antiquated. We have heard that Mr. Hill was once asked why he built it in that form, and that he replied, "I would not build it square, lest the devil should hide himself in one of the corners:" but we cannot vouch for the truth of the story. This chapel is said to be capable of containing 3,000 persons. From the time of its erection it has been the scene of varied and zealous exertions for the general benefit of the locality, and has ever been largely attended. The church established in connection with it, seems to have held a midway position between the Independents and the Church of England, and the character of the worship performed by them still indicates that state of things. On entering the chapel one of the first objects which strike the attention of the visitor, is a large portrait of Rowland Hill suspended in front of the gallery behind the pulpit, and as we have just finished reading his life, the remainder of this paper shall be occupied by a few allusions to him. 66 We must first observe that in our judgment the writer of the book, Edwin Sidney, M.A., chaplain to the Viscount Hill," was the wrong person for such a task. He was a thorough "Churchman," and seems to us, to have written as if constantly influenced by a desire to please the Bishops, which gives it a relish very unpalatable to the taste of Dissenters. Though it is evident that Mr. Hill himself ever remained attached to the constitution and liturgy of the church, yet he was very impatient of the deadness, formality, and exclusiveness of that system. His attachments to that quarter clearly arose from his early education, but of which, his biographer, in our view, makes an unfair use, while his strong predilections in an opposite direction meet with but little favour. It is well, also, for the reputation of Wesley, Whitfield, Fletcher, and others, that this writer is not the only one wh› has chronicled their deeds. From early life we have been accustomed to think of Rowland Hill as mainly distinguished by his wit; but a careful perusal of his life has given us a different idea of him. He was a great man. He possessed a powerful intellect, was an impressive speaker, a lover of souls, and a laborious servant of God. While yet a juvenile he began to pray and to preach, and amidst great opposition he worked his way up to manhood, onward to the meridian of his days, and down to the age of 89, increasing in usefulness and popularity. Mrs. Hill, his wife, appears to have been a most suitable help meet. They lived together in great harmony to extreme old age, and when at last she was taken away, a short time previous to his own departure, the loss occasioned him the most poignant grief. Who has not heard of Rowland Hill's public allusions to his wife? These, his biographer states, are without foundation. When told it had been reported that he had made some remarks in public on Mrs. Hill's dress, he denied it,and said, "They would make me out a bear." 6 His readiness as a wit, was, probably, never more developed than in the following circumstance. "Once an impudent fellow placed a piece of paper on the reading desk just before he was going to read prayers. He took it, and beganThe prayers of this congregation are desired-umph-for-umphwell, I suppose I must finish what I have begun for the Rev. Rowland Hill, that he will not go riding about in his carriage on a Sunday!' This would have disconcerted almost any other man: but he looked up as coolly as possible, and said If the writer of this piece of folly and impertinence is in the congregation, and will go into the vestry after service, and let me put a saddle on his back, I will ride him home instead of going in my carriage.' He then went on with the service as if nothing had happened." When the hand of death was upon him, "looking upwards to eternal glory, he cast himself into the dust, and only said, 'I shall creep into heaven through some crevice in the door."" His biographer states that "the dying lamp flared not forth the glittering flame of presumptuous assurance.' Perhaps you, Mr. Editor, will explain to us what that signifies. 12. Ebenezer Chapel. This place of worship has pretensions of a widely different character from the foregoing. Being comparatively small, and but little judgment and skill evinced in its construction. To us, nevertheless, The last two days, Sunday and Monday, Oct. 26th and 27th, 1856, have been spent by us in holding the anniversary of this chapel. On Sunday, Br. Horwill preached in the morning, and the writer in the evening. On Monday, tea was provided as usual, and a public meeting held in the evening. All the services were well attended and greatly enjoyed. The collections amounted to £5 16s., and the profits of the tea considerable, but we do not yet know the exact sum. One consideration, however, marred the comfort of this anniversary, namely, the fact that in all probability, it was the last that would be held there; the lease of the chapel being nearly expired. It is very doubtful whether a renewal of the lease may be obtained or not, and if it be attainable, it is generally considered that the condition of the building, and the expense it would occasion, render it altogether impracticable. Repeated attempts have been made to procure a spot of freehold whereon to build a chapel, but without success; the principal impediment being the want of sufficient funds. To witness the present position of our society at Ebenezer is enough to make the most indifferent to feel. One of the most active and liberal societies in the connexion on the point of being deprived of a place wherein to worship. A society second to none in the faith of our doctrines, and the observance of our discipline, thus circumstanced solely on account of their being in London, where the price of land is so exorbitant. And et the friends of our missions re member that while many hundreds of pounds of their contributions have been devoted to chapels in other lands, appeals in behalf of London have been made to them in vain !* W. LUKE. INSTITUTION AND MANAGEMENT OF BANDS OF HOPE. To the Editor. Sir. I think the close connection of the Bible Christian Denomination with the cause of Teetotalism one of its chief honours, as a separate body, the more So as I believe this connexion is perfectly unique among Religious Bodies; no other, that I am aware, having such an overwhelming majority of Total Abstainers among its Ministers. The Bible Christian Denomination is undoubtedly very practical, and all its operations are carried on with little expense, from preaching the Gospel to publishing denominational literature and the education of its youth. There has been a movement going forward in Great Britain for some years past in connection with Teetotalism, which is at once practical and inexpensive, and ought We * We are not aware that the Committee have ever refused to assist; but we believe the fitting opportunity has not yet arrived. We hope, however, that the Missionary Committee, the friends in London, and all who are interested in the welfare of the Bible Christian Denomination, will remember that now is the time for a vigorous, well-sustained effort for London. know a person who would feel it was a high honour to be able to lay down a sum to discharge the cost of two good chapels for the denomination in London; but why may we not all help, and so share the honour? Some donations have already been promised, and we shall feel great pleasure in receiving others.--ED. |