church of God. Desirous of learning to read, he entered the Sunday-school in connexion with Chapel-street Chapel, in his native town. To the training he received in that excellent institution, which for a series of years has been blessed with a succession of pious and devoted teachers, he was indebted for the elements of his learning, and the commencement of his religious

course.

What an encouragement is here presented to teachers in general to labour and not to faint! Who can tell what characters may issue from the classes which surround them on the Sabbath, to bless the world and the church? Little might it enter the mind of his instructor, at the time, that his work of faith and labour of love would be crowned with such eminent success ; and that the seed he was then sowing would yield so rich and plenteous a harvest. It is a truly animating consideration, that the numerous and flourishing Sabbath-schools in the manufacturing districts of our country have already sent forth many pastors into our churches, and many missionaries to the heathen world. From the school our departed friend was regularly conducted to the house of God; and was thus providentially brought under the enlightened and efficient ministry of the Rev. Dr. Fletcher, now of Stepney, which proved a blessing to his soul. There it was that the word came with power to his heart, and produced those impressions, which issued in saving conversion, and led to the entire consecration of himself to God. There he

received" the truth as it is in Jesus," and was filled with joy and peace in believing. He enjoyed the inestimable privilege of attending the preaching of the gospel in that place for several years, and his profiting appeared unto all. Often, at subsequent periods, when speaking of his honoured pastor, and the advantages he had derived from his ministry, has he been known to burst into a flood of tears, and pour forth the warmest expressions of gratitude and praise to the God of all

grace for his distinguishing goodness and mercy to himself. "Had I not been thus brought under the sound of the gospel, I should still have been, like many of the companions of my early days, living in ignorance and sin, a stranger to myself, and to the way of salvation by Christ,—

"Oh! to grace how great a debtor,

Daily I'm constrain'd to be."

The following narrative of his early history and his religious experience, we give from his own pen :

"Every one who knows the grace of God in truth, will have peculiar pleasure in reviewing the way in which he has been brought to an acquaintance with divine things. It is well known that the purposes of infinite wisdom and mercy are accomplished in various ways, and I have to state that the operation of divine grace on my mind, if I ever experienced it, was not marvellous or sudden. It was not my happiness to be favoured with a pious education. Many years ago, through the influence of a youthful companion, I began to attend the Sabbath-school, in connexion with Chapel-street Chapel, Blackburn. I enjoyed the complacent smile, and the kind advice of a devout and affectionate superintendent, who has long since departed to his rest and reward, in the skies. At the period to which I have just referred, I was providentially brought under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Fletcher. Sabbath after Sabbath I listened to the preaching of the everlasting gospel, which, for a considerable time, produced no saving effect on my mind. And though I was sometimes so deeply impressed with the majesty of truth, that whilst I heard I trembled, still when I again retired from the scenes and services of the sanctuary, these impressions were soon effaced, and the voice of the preacher was lost in the clamours and bustle of the world. Nevertheless I continued regular in my attendance on the public ordinances of religion, till it pleased God, who caused the 'light to shine out of darkness, to shine into my heart, and give me to see the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' He called me by his grace to the possession and enjoyment of the spiritual and substantial blessings of the new and well-ordered covenant. By the grace of God I am what I am.' I soon found increasing pleasure in hearing the glad tidings of salvation. Some of the texts from which I heard discourses are still distinctly in my recollection. There was one on the subject of the new birth,' which led me to much selfinspection; and another from 2 Cor. viii. 5,

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord,' &c. This latter passage was the means, under God, of leading me to feel the force of the dying injunc tion of the Saviour; and, from a concern to

show forth his death, I was proposed as a caudidate for church fellowship.

"Before I was brought to an enjoyment of that peace and confidence which spring from believing views of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, I was the subject of many distressing fears in reference to my acceptance with God. With trembling hope at the throne of the heavenly grace I often adopted, in prayerful entreaty, the words of Cowper :

'O make this heart rejoice, or ache,
Decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break,

And heal it if it be.'

In his own good time the Lord heard and answered this request, and gave me a participation in that blessedness which is peculiar to his people. Encouraged by the rich provisions of infinite mercy, cheered by the animating glories of the great Redeemer, and inspired with confidence by the wonders of his dying love, my guilty, anxious soul repaired for shelter and defence to the shadow of the cross. This is a short account of the dealings of the Almighty, in bringing me to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Still I sometimes doubt whether I ever felt aright the commanding power of the religion of the Bible; but it is my ardent desire constantly to seek, and humbly to trust that glorious and triumphant grace by which the saints are ripened and matured for the splendours and bliss of immortality."

The

No sooner had he become a Christian indeed, than he looked around him on his ignorant neighbours, and deeply mourned over their guilty and lost condition. And he not only pitied, but asked himself, What can I do? and was roused to make every effort in his power for their salvation. grace of God, when it once enters the heart, calls forth all its tenderness and compassion for the ignorant and them that are out of the way. It makes the partaker conscious of his own happiness, and superiority as a child of God, and inspires his bosom with the most lively and benevolent concern for the salvation of those around him. M., speaking of his call to the ministry, and of the motives by which he was influenced, says,

Mr.

"When I was myself awakened from the slumbers of nature, and enabled to comprehend something of the magnitude and importance of thegreat salvation; when I felt the commanding power of the claims of eternity, and began to look upon my fellow-sinners in the light in which divine truth represents their present state, and their future destiny, I was anxious beyond expression, to proclaim to those who

were perishing for lack of knowledge' that glorious gospel, which alone can avert their doom, and make them wise unto salvation. Having spent some time in seeking direction from above, and in the investigation of the principles by which I was actuated, I made known my desire of entering the ministry to a few pious friends, who sometimes heard me speak in the school and in the villages, and often encouraged me to persevere in the work. A long time had not elapsed before the prevailing desire of my heart was known to my revered pastor, who kindly aided me with his counsel and advice. He most willingly directed me to those books and studies, that were best adapted to promote the object I had in view; and, in process of time, I was called to deliver an address to the church, which being approved, I was recommended to the academy, to enter upon a course of study, preparatory to the work of the ministry. I trust, my motives are sincere, and that I shall ever feel the constraining power of the Saviour's love. I resolve, in dependence on his grace, to consecrate every faculty of my mind, and every energy of my being to the glory of God, and the noblest interests of men."

After the approbation of the church at Blackburn had been secured, Dr. Fletcher deemed it most expedient, that his preparatory studies for the Christian ministry should not be carried on in the Blackburn Academy; and he was cordially recommended to the Academy at Idle, now Airedale College. He was admitted in the year 1822, where he prosecuted with vigour his various studies, under the judicious and efficient tuition of the Rev. W. Vint. His prayers were now answered, and he had attained the situation which had long been the object of his ardent desire, and he availed himself of all the advantages which it afforded. His improvement in the various departments of knowledge was considerable, and his occasional services were acceptable to the churches where he preached. His affability and general demeanour were such as gained him the esteem of his tutor and his fellowstudents.

Having honourably completed his academical course, he accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Hyde, Cheshire, to become their pastor, and commenced his labours there in July, 1826. After having preached with great acceptance and usefulness

to the people, he was ordained on the 22nd of March 1827, on which occasion Dr. Payne, of Exeter, Dr. Fletcher, of London, and Mr. Sutcliffe, of Ashton, conducted the leading parts of the service. At Hyde, a wide and barren field presented itself before him; he entered upon the cultivation of it with diligence and zeal, and was privileged to witness the fruit of his labours. Many sinners were awakened and converted under his ministry; and considerable accessions were made to the church and congregation. The debt upon the chapel was entirely liquidated; and a large and commodious school-room, the erection of which was rendered necessary by the increasing number of Sunday-scholars, was also left unincumbered. He likewise established a Bible and a Tract Society, and promoted other objects of usefulness.

Mr. M. was married November 30, 1826, to Miss Haughton, of Newton Heath, near Manchester, who, together with two interesting children, survives the beloved partner of her days.

Whilst our lamented brother was greatly beloved by his own flock, his sincere piety, uniform consistency of character, and unceasing efforts to do good, secured him the cordial and affectionate esteem of the neighbourhood at large; and far distant is the day when his name and his worth will be forgotten at Hyde. But uninterrupted enjoyment is not the portion of man in the present state. The sky

may, for a season, be clear and placid, but it will, sooner or later, be overspread with darkness; and though the sun of prosperity may, at one time, shine upon us, with serene and unclouded lustre, we know not how soon the gloomy storm may approach, and lay waste our comforts. Accordingly this faithful minister of Christ, during a pastorate of nearly ten years at this place, was not without painful trials. His sensitive mind rendered him liable to be wounded whenever he was called to encounter harsh and unfeeling treatment, and even, on some оссаsions perhaps, to be hurt by symptoms

of unkindness, where no offence or disrespect was intended. He resigned his charge at Hyde, amidst the tears and regrets of many, and removed to Booth, in the parish of Halifax, where he commenced his labours on the 1st of May, 1836. Here his course was short, but successful. He was instrumental in reviving the cause, and uniting the people, who honoured him with their confidence and esteem, to the close of his days.

Mr. M. was not without a share of those failings and imperfections which attach to the characters of the best of men; but few, we believe, ever acted with more uniform consistency, integrity, and affection. The genuine piety which lay at the foundation of his entire character, shone forth conspicuously in every circle in which he moved; and he has been enabled to pass through an ensnaring and tempting world without a spot or blemish. He was greatly beloved by his brethren in the ministry; and much might be said, if our limits permitted, on his affectionate disposition, his fidelity in friendship, his neglect of self-interest, and his ardent attachment to the cause of truth. As a preacher, he "shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God." His aim was to win souls to Christ, and to establish those who had believed through grace. A worthy and venerable deacon of the church at Booth testifies :

"He was a good preacher, sound, experimental and practical. In the pulpit, he always seemed intent on usefulness; his sermons were rich, and full of gospel truth, and I have often thought they must have cost him great labour. I may also add, that his cottage preaching excelled any I ever heard his discourses being so well adapted to the capacities of his hearers - plain, and yet full of important matter. He always manifested an ardent desire for the instruction of the rising generation in the Sunday-school. He met the Bible class once a week, and commented briefly on the chapters they read; and I have reason to be

lieve, that through his instrumentality, and the blessing of God, impressions have been made on the minds of many in the congregation and the school, which matured by divine grace, will be to the glory of God."

That a minister of Christ, who was thus "instant in season and out of season" should have been cut off in the midst of life, in a manner so sudden and distressing is, indeed, an inscrutable mystery of Divine Providence. The last service in which he was engaged at Booth, was on a week evening. On returning to the house, he said to his beloved partner, "I never felt a greater concern for the salvation of souls than 1 do at present; after addressing them this evening, I felt as if I could have gone down from the pulpit, and have fallen upon my bended knees before them, beseeching them with tears to give their hearts to Christ."

His illness commenced the latter end of last November, and was not, in the first instance, considered serious, being only a slight oozing of blood from the gums; this, however, continuing, he called in his medical attendant on the 2nd of December, who, on an examination of the mouth, found the gums much wasted, relaxed, and spongy, and the teeth enveloped in a very thick deposit of tartar. There

being no general or particular disease of the system, the condition of the gums was considered as the cause of the hemorrhage. This was, in some degree, controlled by the constant application of the most powerful astringents, but could not be suppressed. Medical skill, and the most prompt and unceasing attentions, proved ineffectual. The hemorrhage continued, and terminated in death on Tuesday evening, the 8th of December, 1840.

From the nature of the disease under which our departed brother laboured, and the sudden manner of his departure, little can be expected respecting his dying testimony. During his affliction, and in the immediate prospect of death, he was patient and

serene; there was no particular elevation of spirit, but a calm and steady waiting for his Lord. He was greatly

refreshed by having the Scriptures read to him, and requested particular portions to be selected, as expressive of his own feelings and prospects. He departed in the forty-third year of his

age.

How greatly he was beloved in his life, and how deeply lamented in death, was evident from the weeping crowds who followed his remains to the grave. He was interred on the Monday following his decease, in the burial-ground adjoining the chapel. Many ministers and friends were present on the mournful occasion. The Rev. Dr. Pridie, of Halifax, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. J. Sutcliffe, of Ashton-under-Line, delivered the funeral address in the chapel; and the Rev. Mr. Ewing, of Halifax, spoke at the grave. The sudden and unexpected bereavement was improved, on a succeeding Lord's-day, to a crowded congregation by the Rev. A. Blackburn, of Eastwood, with an extract from whose sermon we shall close the present article :

"For a period of nearly four years, he has laboured among you in the ministry of the gospel. I might dwell on the varied excellencies of his character, his powers of mind, his impressive public services, his lucid statements of gospel truth, his powerful enforcements of Christian duties, his close and searching appeals to the conscience-but you know with what fidelity, earnestness, and affection, he has preached the word among you. You know with what solicitude he has watched over your interests; what a lively concern he felt in your welfare. You have witnessed and felt the kindness of his heart, the integrity of his principles, the holiness of his life, his zeal for the Lord, and his travail for the birth of souls. I can testify, from confidential intercourse with him, how deeply he was concerned for your spiritual good; how he agonized in spirit to make full proof of his minisity among you; and especially how, on several