PORTRAIT OF THE LATE MR. JOHN KERSHAW, LATE OF ROCHDALE,* WHO ENTERED HIS EVERLASTING REST, JANUARY 11TH, 1870, IN HIS 78TH YEAR.

HUNDREDS, and perhaps thousands, of our readers will recognize at once that familiar, radiant face they have so many times seen. All affection at his greeting of a friend, or animated with delight as he preached a precious Jesus, and exclaimed, "Honours crown His brow for ever," and triumphed in the "precious blood and righteousness of Christ." Kershaw was indeed a Gospel preacher. His sermons were full of the glorious Gospel of Christ. Well do we remember hearing him describe, in his almost, if not quite, inimitable way, a poor convinced sinner ready to perish, and then exclaiming, in a voice that sent a thrill through the attentive hundreds listening to him, "Poor, law-wrecked sinner, roll yourself upon Jesus."

If ever a man felt that power belonged to God, it was John Kershaw; but he heartily believed that the free invitation of the Gospel to the labouring and heavy-laden sinner to come to Jesus, is God's instrument, by which he empowers the soul, to whom the Spirit of God applies it, to come to the Lord Jesus, and find in Him true rest.

Kershaw's was an honourable and useful life, and his death was what is "precious in the sight of the Lord"-the death of a saint. He came "to the grave in a full age, as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." We feel persuaded that many of our dear young friends will be glad to have bound into their cherished LITTLE GLEANER

وو

* Proofs of this Portrait 4d., or four for ls., post free.

a portrait of such an instance of the fulfilment of the promise of God: "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing, to show that the Lord is upright," as was dear John Kershaw.

Mr. Kershaw paid a visit to this village, and preached the word with much power, at the end of April last. He went from hence to London, but in consequence of ill health was obliged to return before he had fulfilled his month's preaching engagement. He reached his home on the 17th of May, and a writer to the Gospel Standard of an account of his last days says:

66

'Mr. Kershaw returned home from London on the 17th of last May, very poorly in body. From the remarks he made, he evidently thought his work was nearly done; but we hoped with nursing and rest he would soon be restored to his usual health. He appeared much better in a few days, and on the following Sabbath preached in the morning from Deut. viii. 2:‘And thou shalt remember all the way,' &c. In the afternoon he spoke from 1 Sam. xxx. 6: 'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."

This was a last effort for a long time. He seems after this to have become completely exhausted. Medical aid was called in, and his illness was said to be some affection of the liver, with a tendency to jaundice, evidently brought on from over-exertion.

It seems, from the account referred to, he considered that his work was done, and that he was about soon to enter his everlasting rest. And, oh, the wondrous difference between the feelings of a sinner saved by grace and helped to spend and be spent for the glory of God in such circumstances, and that of one who has spent his life in the ser

vice of sin and Satan, and has no ground to look forward to anything but "everlasting burnings." "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness; but the righteous hath hope in his death." Those around him do not appear to have thought his illness likely to prove fatal until the 22nd of May. On the next day the writer of the paper, from which we gather these particulars, says when she entered the room and asked him how he was, he said, "Rather better in body, and very happy in soul. I am with Paul in the first of Philippians." And what frame of soul could be sweeter in the prospect of death than that of "having a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better?" He was confined to his bed until the latter end of July, during which time it appears no hopes of his recovery were entertained either by himself or others. But how exceedingly sweet to read such sentences as the following, and how blessed a confirmation they afford of the sweet fact that that precious Gospel he so richly proclaimed can sustain the soul in solid joy and peace in a dying hour! The writer says, "Oh the joy of his soul during that time! It seemed inexpressible. His cup seemed filled to overflowing.' On one occasion, seeing the tears roll down his face, MrsKershaw said, "My dear, I think these are not tears of sorrow?" With all the energy he possessed he exclaimed, "Sorrow! no; never name sorrow, but joy." We heard from a friend, during these happy though suffering weeks, he said, " He never knew till then there was so much of heaven to be enjoyed on earth." This was speaking great things; for although he well knew what darkness, temptation, and soul- trial was, yet he was one who enjoyed much of the love of Jesus in his life. Many times have we seen his whole face

radiant, and as if beaming and shining with the light of love and the oil of joy; and so have hundreds of our readers.

66

Another of his sayings during these favoured weeks, when he lay, as it were, in the very portal of the temple on high, wanting to enter, was, O the blessed covenant!" and when it was said to him, “You feel the stability of the covenant, and your interest in it ?" he replied, "O yes (with much earnestness), I am in the covenant. I shall obtain the victory. Blessed covenant! It is all my salvation and all my desire; I have had such a sweet view of it." Many of our readers know how he delighted in spiritual hymns; and when that sweet hymn was read to him,

"Come, saints, and sing in sweet accord,"

he wept tears of joy and when the last verse was read,

"In glory, soon, with Christ their King,

His saints shall surely dwell;

And the blest covenant ever sing,

In all things ordered well,"

he waved his hand and said, "I shall soon be there."

It appears, happy as he was, he had on one occasion sore conflict with the foe, for he said, "I have had such a conflict with the enemy; but I am more than ever convinced of the reality of those truths I have so long been enabled to preach. They will do to live and to die with."

To the surprise of all, he rallied again, sufficiently to enter the pulpit again on December the 12th, 1869. A few more times he addressed his loving flock, and for the last time spoke to them on January 2nd, 1870, from this most appropriate text: "By them that have preached the Gospel