"A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,

On Thy kind arms I fall;

Be Thou my strength and righteousness,
My Jesus and my all."

He exclaimed, "Most beautiful!"

When the text was quoted, "He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him," his emphatic response was, "And what is much more, He is willing."

He scarcely spoke afterwards, except to thank his medical man for his kind and skilful attention, and to acknowledge the little offices of love from time to time rendered by his sorrowing children. He was for some hours nearly unconscious: a distressing restlessness then came on, probably unattended with pain: there was no convulsion or struggle: he gradually sunk into insensibility, and breathed his last at a quarter before twelve o'clock at night.

Having closed his eyes, and taken a farewell kiss of affection, the weeping family knelt to acknowledge the goodness of God to him whom he had taken to his rest, and to themselves who had been so long blessed with his parental love, and to commend their surviving and widowed parent and each other to the providence and grace of their Heavenly Father.

Mr. Baines died at the age of seventyfour years and six months.

NECROLOGICAL FRAGMENT OF THE HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ASSEMBLING IN ST. THOMAS'S GREEN, HAVERFORDWEST.

HAVING given a consecutive history of the above church, from its commencement in 1668, to the resignation of the Rev. Evan Davies in 1743, and the painful consequences of compelling so excellent a man to retire, it seems proper to take a retrospective view of the state of religion among those who were in churchcommunion. This Mr. Davies himself has enabled us to do by describing the character of each deceased member, chiefly of those whose funeral sermons he was called to preach. What he had occasion to say of such he generally inserted in the church-book, from which the following portraits are faithfully copied. Behold, then, what manner of persons those calumniated Nonconformists were; and may every reader have grace to imitate that which is good, so as to live the life and die the death of the righteous!

"June 4, 1721, died MARY, the wife of Mr. BENJAMIN STOKES, who had been admitted to communion in the preceding February. She was the daughter of Mr. Ford, of Stone Hall, and was buried in her own parish church, leaving behind her a worthy character, being particularly valued by her brother-in-law, the Rev. Thomas Davies, (who boarded with her some years,) as well as by others, who were inti

mately acquainted with her. Mr. Davies preached her funeral sermon, at Haverfordwest, on the following Lord's-day.

"July 1, 1721, died THEODOCIA, the wife of Mr. JOHN HORE, of this place, with that comfortable hope in Christ which is often observed to attend those who, like her, manifested great love to the Redeemer, and zeal for his cause, though in obscure stations.

"About the same time died Mrs. BOWLING, of Pembroke, a neighbour to the Rev. Thomas Davies, for whom, in her sickness, he appeared much concerned, as being an upright Christian, and one who was anxious that religion might continue in her family.

"April 1, 1722, was buried in the meetinghouse yard, JANE THOMAS, widow, the sister of the Rev. Peregrine Phillips, formerly the worthy pastor of this congregation. She departed, after a blameless life, in communion with the church, at an advanced age. I preached her funeral sermon from 2 Thess. i. 10: He shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.'

"March 3, 1725, died the aged Mr. HUGH HARRIES, of Trefgarn, an old disciple, of a primitive spirit and stamp. He had, after the restoration of King Charles, suffered imprisonment at the same time with the ejected minister, Mr. Phillips, at Haverfordwest, with great faithfulness adhering to that religious profession of which his conscience most approved. After this he was encouraged to preach publicly, and continued to assist the minister at Haverford, chiefly in the meeting-house at Trefgarn, built upon his own estate; but, through his great modesty, he would never accept of ordination to the ministry, though a man of unexceptionable character, and living at a time when there was a greater scarcity of ministers than since. He was admitted to communion, March 4, 1668, and chosen deacon, March 3, 1672.

"January 29, 1726, died, in a good old age, Mrs. ELIZABETH TOWNSEND. Admitted to communion by Mr. Phillips, Dec. 25, 1673. She was the daughter of a minister, I was informed, who gave her a religious education, which she well improved. She lived a life of serious godliness, in a single state, and was kind to the poor of the congregation, in her lifetime, and at her death. She departed in a devout, comfortable frame, and in cheerful expectation of her Lord's coming. This was at the house of her niece, at Broadway, in the parish of Lawhaden, where she was buried in the parish church. On that occasion, some valuable presents, which she had provided, were given to particular friends, who attended her funeral. I preached a discourse from Prov. xvi. 31: The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteous

ness.'

He brought

"March 25, 1726, died Mr. WILLIAM MEYLETT, attorney-at-law, lately of Studdoch, in the parish of Stainton, but formerly of Hill, near Pembroke, descended of pious ancestors, for several generations in succession. He was a zealous Nonconformist, a sincere friend, and useful in his profession of the law. up one of his sons to the ministry, who settled with a congregation at Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, of a worthy character. The father died at Carmarthen, and was buried in the churchyard there, by the side of the stone laid on Mr. Perrott's children. I preached his fune

May 15, 1727, died Mrs. REBECCA LONGMAN, daughter of that very useful and valuable person, Captain Longman. By the great decay of her hearing, she was rendered, in her advanced years, incapable of receiving any benefit from public worship. She therefore, some years before her death, gave up her attendance on divine service, but continued to order her conversation aright, and was charitable to the poor of the congregation. On the occasion of her death I preached (it being a sacrament day) from John vi. 50: This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die.' She was the last of the family of that excellent old Christian, Captain Longman, that professed religion, in the way of which he educated them, among Protestant Dissenters, of whom he was such a pillar and ornament in his time.

"December 29, 1727, died ELIZABETH, the wife of Mr. RICHARD MEYLOR, senior, who was admitted to communion July 5, 1677. She was a great blessing to her husband and family, when it was young and numerous, and laboured under some difficulties. She took pleasure in doing good to others about her, especially towards the latter part of her life. She was very useful and successful in the practice of midwifery, which occasioned her death to be more lamented, as a public loss, particularly to poor families, which she was instrumental in relieving, more than in the way of her profession alone. I preached her funeral sermon, from 1 Cor. vii. 29: 'But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that they that have wives be as though they had none.'

"January 24, 1729, died Mr. SAMUEL FERRIAR, of Pennar, near Pembroke, the worthy son of a worthy father. He was a person of good knowledge and repute, being much respected for his friendly good temper; for prudence in the management of affairs; and for his upright conduct. I preached his funeral sermon from Matt. vi. 20: Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.' The interest of religion among us has lost, by his death, its chief supporter on that side of the country; and its loss would be still greater, were it not that his son Benjamin, who succeeds in his place, is likely to walk in the steps of his pious ancestors.

"October, 1730, died Mr. SAMUEL SMYTH, of Sympston, in the parish of Roach. He was received into communion, October 4, 1689. He met with some trials, but always maintained the character of an honest, inoffensive, sober person. Sometime before he died, he rented out his freehold in the country, and came to live in the town of Haverford, where he took great pleasure in the company and conversation of some of his old friends, and was a serious, constant attendant on divine worship. I preached his funeral sermon, from Eccl. ix. 5: The living know that they must die.'

"February 3, 1731, died Mr. THOMAS LUNTLEY, junior, who was admitted to communion in the preceding August. He was one of the most promising of the rising generation; and therefore I and others entertained great hopes

of him, as well as his religious parents, whose affliction in parting with him is the greater, as he was their only child. I preached his funeral sermon, from Job ix. 12: Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?'

66

September 27, 1732, happened the lamentable death of Mr. JOHN WILLIAMS, senior, after a life that was ornamental to his profession, and useful to the cause of religion, especially to the dissenting interest in this place, when it was at a low ebb for some time, and the number of those who espoused it but small. From a calm, cheerful temper, which before he seemed always to maintain, he fell into a deep melancholy, some time before he died. Upon the occasion of this sudden stroke and great affliction, I preached, on the following Lord's-day, his funeral sermon, from Prov. xxvii. 1: Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.'

"The next morning was found, dead, Mr. JOHN MASON, being suddenly seized with a fit, which carried him off in his chamber. He was a son of Captain Mason, (one of Cromwell's lifeguards) a pious, inoffensive person of the antipædobaptist persuasion, but constantly attended, while here, at our worship, when able. He was buried in the Quaker's Mount.

"October 2, 1733, died MARY, the wife of Mr. THOMAS LUNTLEY. She was descended from the family of the Poyers and Chapmans of this county, some of whom she used to speak of as religious persons. Her health began to decline, as was supposed, on the occasion of her son's death, who was her only child, and a promising youth. In religious duties, the discovered an affectionate, zealous spirit, and was both friendly and cheerful in her ordinary conversation. Thus she lived and died in the faith. I preached her funeral sermon, from 1 Thess. iv. 14: Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.'

"July 23, 1735, died Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS, mercer, who had long officiated as deacon in this congregation; and in that, as well as every other capacity, behaved with very great prudence, joined with integrity. His death, in the midst of his usefulness, was an almost insupportable loss to this society of Christians, as well as an uncommon one to his surviving family, and his other near relations. My deep sense of the heavy loss, which I and others sustained, I expressed in my discourse, preached on the occasion, from Psalm xii. 1: Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.' May the hopes which he entertained of his surviving family prove to be well grounded, and may his prayers for them be graciously answered! May his counsels and example be followed, so as not to be produced against them hereafter!

"July 27, 1739, died, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, Mr. CONSTANTINE PHILLIPS, of Dredgman Hill, third son of the Rev. Peregrine Phillips, formerly pastor of this church. was admitted to communion by his good father, October 6, 1687.

He

August, 1739, died Mr. BENJAMIN STOKES, an old disciple, in the eighty-first year of his age. He was admitted to communion about the year 1680. He continued in his occupation, as master of a vessel, called the Amity, and also in his usefulness, as a professor of reli

gion, to the very last, and had the character of 'an Israelite indeed' very justly given him. He sickened during public worship, on the last Sabbath he lived; and in three days after, slept in Jesus, leaving behind him an excellent character, for integrity, and every other virtue. Through grace, he had entirely overcome a temptation under which he formerly laboured, from the love of liquor; so that, for several years before he died, he totally abstained from all strong and intoxicating drink, confining himself, with great resolution, to water, tea, &c. He was buried in the middle aisle of St. Martin's church. With him religion seems, at present, to die in his family.

"November 2, 1740, being Lord's day morning, Mr. FRANCIS MEYLER entered into his everlasting rest, after a short sickness. In him I have lost a dear, useful friend, who has long been one of the chief pillars, as well as ornaments, of this congregation, and who has left behind him but few of the same spirit. With him I have buried much of my comfort in this place; and, by his removal, in the midst of his life and usefulness, both his own family, and many others, sustain a great loss indeed. But what is our loss is, I trust, his gain. On the occasion of his death, I preached from Rev. xiv. 13: Write, Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord,-they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.' Among other particulars, I mentioned, in endeavouring to recommend his character and conduct to the imitation of survivors, that he was of a plain, unaffected, humble spirit and behaviour, condescending to men of low degree. He was affable, and easy of access to the poor, as well as others; and this was, by Providence, manifestly recompensed to him in the general esteem of all who knew him, and in the respect paid him by people of all ranks, to an extent which those who exalt themselves generally come short of. He would discover, on proper occasions, a public, generous, and charitable spirit. He took a particular pleasure in employing the poor, and paying them liberally. He was also ready to visit them when sick, as their physician and friend, with great humanity relieving their other wants, as well as giving them medicine. For some time before his death, he officiated as a deacon in this congregation; and, upon all occasions, manifested a resolute and steady adherence to the cause of religion, as maintained by Protestant dissenters, because he judged that we came nearest to the only rule of faith and worship given in the Holy Scriptures. To propose what I have mentioned to the notice and imitation of the living, for their profit, at this time, is, I hope, not only pardonable, but matter of duty, in one who not only wishes them well, but sincerely respected our dear deceased brother while living, and shall always honour his memory now that he is dead, during the short stay I shall make on earth after him. May a good portion of his spirit rest on his children, and those who succeed him in his family, to the latest posterity; and may the entail of religion, and its blessings, never be cut off, where they have already remained so long! He was admitted to communion in August,

1711.

"March 9, 1741, died that most ancient, and also most honourable, member of our communion, Mr. KICHARD MEYLER, senior. He was

admitted, according to his own account, in September, 1677. On the following Lord's-day I preached his funeral sermon, from Isa. xxxviii. 3: Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.' From the discourse which I delivered I transcribe the following passages:It is reasonably expected that I should say something by way of character, respecting one who was of so long standing, and of so unblemished and exemplary a behaviour among us. His known integrity throughout a long life has led you to apply. I doubt not, beforehand, what the text describes, and what I have enlarged upon, to one whose gray hairs were a crown of uncommon glory to himself, to his numerous descendants, his fellow Christians, and his profession of religion. This is a text which, I remember, about twenty years ago he applied to an aged neighbour (Mr. Richard Smith) on his death-bed, as a proper one to examine himself by on a review of life. As this venerable old disciple had feared God from his youth, he, on his first setting out, suffered, among other good men at that time, some severe persecutions for the sake of a good conscience; yet he bore well the heat and burden of the day, and lived to see better times. Although his great modesty and humility made him love retirement, yet he was far from being useless, particularly to this congregation, as appears from the account which he, for many years, kept of its affairs, and for which he was so well qualified by the ready use of his pen. It was his happiness and comfort to live to see his two sons, long before he died, prove persons of great integrity (like himself), and of great usefulness, too, in their respective places; and he had also an uncommon satisfaction and comfort in the rest of his children, considering their number. May they, and theirs after them, go on to imitate his example; and they will, I doubt not, inherit blessings, as the fruits of his many prayers on their behalf. His religious exercises, in his family and the closet, for some years before his death were his chief and almost only employ, as well as delight. Prayer and scriptural language had become so habitual to him, that, when his faculties were impaired, and when his memory in his great age had much failed him, he discovered, to the last, a greater readiness for and consistency in these than in any other matters. I must own that his prayers for me, and for the success of my ministry, in the time of his health, as well as on his dying bed, did not a little endear him to me while he lived, as they must ever endear his memory to me as long as I shall survive him. Now let us all mark a man so perfect, behold one so upright, whose end was peace, so as to live like him. Then shall we die the death of the righteous, and our last end be like his.'

"In the following year died Mrs. JONES, the wife of Mr. George Jones, of Lawrenny. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. William Meylett, of Studdoch. She was admitted to communion, June 23, 1727. I preached her funeral sermon on the Sabbath after her death, from Deut. xxxii. 29: 'O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!' I observed that this afflictive stroke deprived us of a very valuable Christian friend, whose unaffected humility and integrity

procured her the general esteem of different parties; that we had long been witnesses of her constant and serious attendance on Divine worship, both while at the house of her father (to whose numerous young family she had been after his death a great blessing), and since, when removed to a greater distance from this place. Her zeal for God's house and ordinances, as well as that of her surviving husband, was very exemplary; and we have reason to believe that she is gone to join in the nobler worship of the church above. When I last visited and took leave of her, as to this world, she spoke particularly and affectingly of her hopes in God, of his gracious dealings with her through life, and of her resignation to his will in the prospect of death.

"February 17, 1743, died Mr. WILLIAM ALLEIN, of Studdoch, in Stainton parish, a descendant, I have been informed, of the same family as that of Mr. Joseph Allein, in the West of England. He was first brought to a sense of religion by means of a Mr. Baker, who was for some time his tenant, and who was also very useful to some others in that neighbourhood by his edifying conversation. Mr. Allein lived about fifty years in communion here, inoffenBively and commendably, having joined the church when about twenty-five years old. I took my text for his funeral sermon from Phil. i. 21: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain;' and took notice of his exemplary, serious, and devout behaviour in the worship of God; his taking notes of sermons, generally in short hand; his lowly spirit; and his plain, honest, and upright life. I recommended his son and family to tread in his pious steps, and to live as he did, to Christ, that they might be able to say, with him, when dying, that death is gain. I also urged it upon others of the rising generation, that, as the old stock of professors is now dying off, they would not fail worthily to succeed them; and oh! that there were a better prospect of their so doing!

"April 22, 1743, died Widow BOSHER, of Pembroke, and SARAH, the wife of JOHN SPARKES, of Haverfordwest. The former had for many years been in communion with us, and died in a good old age, though by her weakness and years hindered, for some time before she died, from attending at Haverford. She was a native of Welsh Pool, in Montgomeryshire, descended of a religious family there, of the Antipædobaptist persuasion, to whom the famous Mr. Vavasor Powell had been very useful. I preached on the occasion of her and Mrs. Sparks's death a discourse from Rom. vi. 23; The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.' I never was censured in consequence of any funeral sermon until a few days after this last, when Mr. S-- told me that I was blamed for fixing on such a text, although I insisted chiefly on the latter part of it, and endeavoured to prevent any offence being taken. But this, with many more and much greater discouragements, which I did not expect, have I met with, after living nearly twenty-three years in this place. May no worse consequence than my removal happen, either to myself, to those who have quarrelled with me, or to the cause of religion! May another succeed in the ministerial work, who shall do more service to souls than, alas! I have been able to do, especially of late, by my poor labours! Amen."

Sir John Bickerton Williams has justly observed, in his valuable Letters on Puritanism and Nonconformity," that the latter "is the Reformation carried out, into a closer accordance with scripture, than originally was either intended or practicable. By asserting the right of private judgment, its confessors effected, first, a divorce from the hurtful doctrines and some of the superstitions of Popery. Increasing light gave visibility to Puritanism, which aimed at effacing the line which the then ecclesiastical authorities drew around the State Church. And this resulted in efforts to restore Christianity to its primitive simplicity; and in a denial of the right of Protestants to assume that power in things sacred which they upset at the Reformation." Such were the principles on which the ancient congregational church at Haverfordwest was established; and the influence of those principles in the formation of Christian character, and the exhibition of genuine piety, can hardly fail to appear in the preceding memorials of its deceased members. The admiring transcriber cannot but regard them as a witness to the truth of what Sir J. B. Williams has said of our Nonconformist ancestors in those most excellent Letters, which ought to be in the hands of all their descendants, and which cannot be too strongly recommended to the attention of all who respect the rights of conscience, and would be the enlightened friends of religious liberty.

With respect to Mr. Davies himself, by whom those memorials were written from time to time, it is impossible not to perceive what manner of man he was, and by what an amiable and truly Christian spirit he was actuated. Το a candid observer of the Church, and its worthy pastor, about the time that Mr. Francis Meyler was its most active and influential deacon, Mr. Davies might seem to be one of the happiest of men, surrounded by a people who deserved to be ranked among "the excellent of the earth."

Formosi pecoris custos, formosior ipse. Detested, and far from all our churches, be that unhappy, discontented, uncharitable, unsanctified spirit, which invaded the breasts of some, and which eventually separated the faithful pastor from his charge, to its great injury, and to the lamentable consequences which presently followed. O that the words of Clemens Romanus had sounded in the ears of those who were the authors of the mischief, and the corrupters of the fold: "Ye are contentious, brethren, and zealous for things that pertain not unto salvation. Look into the Holy Scriptures, which are the true words of the Holy Ghost. There you shall not find that righteous men were ever cast off by those who were good themselves. They were persecuted, but it was by the wicked and unjust!" Let all professing Christians, therefore," hold fast to those to whom God has given his grace," while they wisely, and in due time, "mark those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which we have learned" from Christ and his Apostles, "and avoid them." JOHN BULMER.

Newbury, Berks, June 12, 1851.

MRS. ALICE EVANS.

DIED, on the 24th of February last, Mrs. Alice Evans, of Burnley, wife of the minister of Bethesda Chapel, in that town.

In early life, she was a member of one of the happiest and loveliest Christian families in the land. Her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ogilvie, of North Shields, were long pious members of the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Archibald Jack; and formerly under that of the Rev. Dr. Stowell; and they were privileged to see their six children all united to that church, three of the family connection being also deacons.

Mrs. Evans, on her marriage in 1840, removed to Heanor, in Derbyshire; and there, as well as elsewhere, she adorned her early profession, endearing herself to all her connections by her exemplary conduct and kindly dispositions: and greatly promoting the comfort and usefulness of her partner among a most interesting flock.

In the year 1844, she, with her husband and three infant children crossed the Atlantic, and became resident in St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland; where she was surrounded by a circle of kind, intelligent Christian people, and occupied a post of great labour and usefulness. But her delicate frame suffered from the severity of a North-American climate; and, after an excursion into the neighbouring provinces in 1846, for the benefit of her health, she was constrained, in the autumn of 1848, to return to her native land-a change that proved very beneficial.

On the 10th of February last, her sixth child was born; she appeared to be recovering nicely for several days, but afterwards became worse, though there was no strong or general apprehension of danger till Saturday, the 22nd. On Monday, the 24th, she departed this life, leaving a husband and six infant children to mourn their heavy and unexpected loss. Her remains were interred in Bethesda Chapel yard on the 28th; the Rev. Edward Jukes, of Blackburn, conducting the religious services with great solemnity and power; and her early death was

appropriately improved on the following Sabbath, by her brother-in-law, the Rev. Samuel Goodall, of Durham, and the Rev. J. G. Miall, of Bradford.

As a mother, Mrs. Evans was affectionate, anxious, laborious, in the highest degree.

As a pastor's wife, she was remarkable for the prudence, the affability and kindness, and the unobtrusiveness of her deportment. She always felt a lively interest in the welfare of the flock, and took her full share in every work of usefulness, as far as health and domestic engagements would allow; so that she never failed to win the affection and confidence of all among whom she lived. And, as an illustration of the power of a wise and holy conduct in a pastor's wife, and an expression of a pastor's gratitude, it may be stated, that the congregation requested to be permitted to bear all expenses connected with the funeral, as the last token of respect that could be paid to their friend.

As a Christian, she was more marked by a steady consistency of character,-a calm, intelligent faith, and a uniform endeavour to be useful, than by any more brilliant or imposing qualities. And, in her last brief illness, it was a matter of melancholy satisfaction and thankfulness to her husband-perhaps the only one that spoke to her on the high concerns of the soul and eternity-to find her faith so firm and childlike; her whole soul so clear, tranquil, loving, confiding towards her God and Saviour. No doubt clouded,-no fear harassed her mind; and nothing needed to be done or sought to prepare her for any possible event. To her, "to die was gain:" and though "sorrow hath filled our hearts," we yet pray, each severally, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers." We 66 sorrow not as those who have no hope."

ONE of the most valuable of the privileges enjoyed by the members of a Congregational church, is that of choosing their minister. Both reason and revelation give them this power of choice.

When

it is exercised in the right way, good may always be anticipated to result from it; but it sometimes happening that the privilege is undervalued, the responsibility of its possession is underrated, and the power it confers is abused.

No act of church government can exceed it in importance, and yet, perhaps, there is no act that finds our members generally less prepared for its wise performance. The reason may in part be found in the fact, that every settled minister knows that his people will never have to perform that duty again with reference to himself. By a very

natural, and, perhaps, pardonable partiality, he thinks his people showed their competency in choosing him; and as he hopes that many years may pass away before they will have occasion to choose again, he neglects to instruct, counsel, and warn them, with respect to that important duty.

When the necessity for exercising the right of choice arises, it generally happens that the church is without a pastor. Hence when it meets, it wants its presiding ruler. When the deacons are wise and prudent; well-instructed in our principles, and warmly attached to them; capable of conducting church meetings. "decently and in order;" knowing how to be firm when requisite, and how to yield when necessary-then, in such cases, the want of a pastor-president is