OBITUARY. DIED on the 14th of November last, at Dalston, in the Carlisle circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Porter. She was about twelve years a consistent member of the Methodist Society, and eight years of the Wesleyan Methodist Association. When about forty years of age she began to attend the preaching of the Gospel, but she was at that time ignorant of herself and the plan of salvation. Soon after this, she saw the necessity of giving her heart to God, and one Sabbath after her return home from the chapel, while engaged with a few friends in prayer, the Lord graciously spoke peace to her soul, and she was enabled to rejoice in the God of her salvation. From this time there was a manifest change in her deportment, "old things had passed away, and all things had become new." Having become united to Christ, she delayed not to join the people of God, in Dalston; and she ever after manifested great solicitude for the prosperity of His work. She was much distressed if ever the cause of religion seemed on the decline. On one occasion she was called to pass through a sore trial-but the Lord delivered her. She frequently referred to this deliverance when relating her experience. Soon after this she received the blessing of entire sanctification. Our late sister was very much attached to the means of grace, and in them has many times been heard to exclaim, "Glory to God in the highest! Praise the Lord, O my soul!" At the commencement of her last illness many of her friends thought that she would soon recover; she, however, considered it improbable, but she seemed to be quite ready, "( as a sheaf of corn ready for the granary of heaven;" and during her affiiction she maintained the same happy frame of mind. When visited by the friends she would request to be raised up in bed, that she might speak of the goodness of God, and while engaged in this way, her countenance frequently brightened; she indeed appeared to forget her weak ness, while she would observe, "Thank God, I have not religion to seek now." As she grew weaker she was less inclined to talk, but always appeared engaged in converse with heaven. On the Sabbath before her death, she was visited by two or three friends, at which time she seemed insensible to every thing below, until a brother engaged in prayer, and when she heard the sound of his voice, she joined in the petitions in a manner astonishing to all. In this blessed state she continued until about ten o'clock on the morning of Tuesday the 14th of November, 1843, when she entered upon her eternal rest. On the evening of the 17th of December, a funeral sermon was preached from "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," which was heard with great attention by a densely crowded congregation. J. S. N. DIED, March 6th, 1844, Mr. J. Blake, local preacher, of Wickham, in the Gosport circuit. His last illness, which was induced by a severe cold which he took while he was engaged in his daily employment, continued for about a month, during which period he manifested entire submission to God. Although he was exercised with much pain, his confidence in the Divine mercy was always strong and vigorous. As his residence was nearly nine miles distant from Gosport, I was not favored with frequent opportunities of conversing with him, but whenever I saw him, the statement of his Christian experience was perfectly satisfactory; he had no fear of death, and submitted to this penalty of God's violated law in sure and perfect hope of a resurrection to eternal life. He was a sincere, and humble Christian, a kind and affectionate husband and father, and greatly respected and esteemed in the neighbourhood in which he resided for the urbanity of his manners, and the benevolence of his disposition. POETRY. DAY OF WONDERS. Lo! it comes, that day of wonders; G. CHESSON. Thought! repress thy weak endeavour; Oh the ineffable FOR EVER! T. C. JOHNS, PRINTER Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. THE WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE. JUNE, 1844. MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. THOMAS FERGIE, The memory of the just is blessed.” THOMAS, the son of Charles and Margaret Fergie, was born in Belfast, Ireland, on March 19, 1776. His father, to whom he was apprenticed, was a joiner. When he had completed his apprenticeship, in the year 1794, he came to Liverpool, where he speedily acquired considerable improvement in the knowledge of the various branches of his trade, and became an excellent workman. In the year 1796 his father died, this caused him to proceed to Belfast; he then removed his mother and the other members of the family to Liverpool, and provided for them until they were able to provide for themselves. During this time, finding his means inadequate to support the family, he, to avoid being plunged into debt, resolved to go a voyage to the coast of Africa; by which means his resources were increased. Upon being remonstrated with respecting the danger attending such a voyage, he replied; that as it was for the purpose of enabling him, the better, to support his mother and family, his object was good, and he had confidence in the Almighty that he would preserve him." Accordingly he sailed in the capacity of carpenter's mate, and experienced many dangers. On his homeward voyage, he was pressed into his majesty's service at Port Royal, Jamaica; from which he escaped during the night, by getting over the bow of the vessel to which he had been taken, and swimming to his own ship, which lay about three miles distant. When within sight of home, he was shipwrecked, but fortunately the crew were enabled to secure from the wreck as much as entitled them to their wages, and he returned safe home to the great joy of his family. The following are the particulars of his conversion to God. Having made an appointment to meet a young man on a Christmas-day morning, to go and spend the day at Hale, he called upon him sooner than he expected, and while waiting for him in the street, he was attracted by the singing in Pitt Street chapel; he went in, heard Dr. Adam Clarke preach, and was so convinced of sin that he forgot S his engagement, and allowed the young man to proceed alone. After the service he returned home and informed his family of what he felt, and immediately afterwards, through the invitation of an unknown friend, he, in the year 1802, joined the Methodist Society. Shortly after, while wrestling with God in private, it pleased the Almighty to set his soul at liberty. He was then enabled to rejoice in a sinpardoning God, which he did aloud; and was ever afterwards so attached to the house in which this event took place, that he repeatedly informed Mrs. Mc Cann, that if he had the money he would purchase the house, from her, in remembrance of it. Having tasted the sweets of redeeming love, he became anxious that others should also partake of them, and was therefore led to embrace various opportunities of pointing sinners to the Lamb of God, and inviting them to attend the means of grace. His humility was remarkable, the following circumstances will serve as an example. Having observed a poor man, a complete cripple, hobbling along the streets upon a chair to the house of God, whose singular appearance exposed him to the gaze of passers by, and the ridicule of thoughtless children, he felt sorry for him, and offered to carry him; this offer was gladly accepted; and for a length of time, on the Sabbath day, he was regularly to be seen carrying the poor man on his back from Cropper Street to Mount Pleasant chapel, to hear the Word of life, and after service returning home with him in the same manner. On the 31st of January, 1804, he entered into the marriage state, with Jane, daughter of Henry and Mary Penkith, an amiable and pious young woman, and a member of the society; with whom he lived on the most happy terms for the space of more than twelve years; and by whom he had eight children. The following extracts from his Journal, which he kept at the time, will exhibit his state of mind and progress in the Divine life. "Jan. 4th, 1805. This morning I felt that I could entirely give myself up to God, and cast my whole care upon him. At work I found all the patience that I was possessed of tried, yet the Lord did not leave me. I often think that I have, no religion, but I know that I love God, seeing that he gave his Son to die for me: Yes! for vile me! Why do I not get more of his mind? May God quicken me, and stir me up for Christ's sake." "Jan. 11th. I find God to be very present with me; I see more of the emptiness of all created good, and feel a willingness to be entirely given up to God, and am resolved to be more faithful than ever. I thought that I did not feel the same power in prayer as I had formerly felt. May the Almighty cut short his work, and take me to himself, rather than I should draw back, or love any thing that would steal my heart from Him. I want all under my care to be real servants of the Most High; may God keep me from erring, Amen." Jan. 12th. This day I was taken ill with a pain in my side, and in the evening with a pain in my head, which threw me into a fever, yet thanks be to God I had no terrifying thoughts of death, nor any. wish for my pain to be less. Oh! 1 see myself weak, and, I think, viler than ever. Lord keep me humble." Jan. 13th. This morning my pain was a little abated, but I thought that I was not sufficiently thankful; yet I felt more humble, and truly thankful that God ever brought me out of darkness into his most marvellous light. My cry is, Lord, quicken my soul, and may I be faithful unto death, that I may receive a crown of life." "Jan. 14th. I feel that my desires are heavenward, and thankful that I am not forsaken by my God-thanks be to his name. I have more settled peace, and prize what God has done for me more than life. I feel more of my own weakness than ever, yet God is precious. I am hungering after righteousness; may God fill me for Christ's sake. I find that some persons have been causing mischief in my little family, by speaking evil of some whom I love, may God forgive them. I hope that I and my house will serve the Lord. May I be firm and steadfast for Christ's sake." "Jan. 16th. This has been a good day to my soul. I found it a profitable season at my private band; felt great openness and much of God. Oh! may these means never rise in judgment against me, but may they be times of refreshing to my soul." "Jan. 6th, 1806. Through illness in the family I was detained from attending preaching and the band meeting. This is only the second time that I missed seven o'clock preaching since I joined the society; but I believe that I was in the path of duty. I felt a keen appetite, and although not present in body, yet I was in spirit. I heard Mr. Barber preach in the afternoon from Matt. v. 8. "Blessed are the pure in heart, &c." Under the sermon I was both brought low, and raised up; thanks be to God, he did visit me! My soul is in a thriving state, and I feel determined to put every thing to the sword that is not for my good or God's glory. After preaching I renewed my covenant with God-it was a solemn time-I found the Lord very near indeed-thanks be to God for such ordinances, and such preachers as we have. In the evening I heard a young man belonging to another denomination preach from the 25th Psalm, part of the 7th verse, • Remember not the sins of my youth.' I expected him to have been more plain and close than he was. I felt thankful to God that my lot had been cast amongst the Methodists-may I be one indeed." From this time he gradually progressed in the Divine life, and became an active member in the Society. He was a prayer leader for a number of years, and continued so until loss of health compelled him to resign. He was appointed to the office of leader, about thirtyfive years since, and continued in that office, in the Conference Connexion, up to the time of the division of the circuit into the North and South circuits, which took place in the year 1826. He then had a class composed of about thirty-six members, many of whom had met with him a number of years. He was required to give up his class and to take another, because his residence was not in the circuit in which his class met, although distant only about 200 yards. This was a severe trial both to him and to his members, and the source of deep regret; for many of them on that account entirely left the Society. He was waited upon by several of the preachers, who endeavoured to prevail upon him to take another class, but they found that they could not transfer his affections as easily as they had imagined. His feelings being so much hurt by this occurrence, he could never afterwards be prevailed upon to take a class, until the time when he joined the Association, which was at its first commencement; he then took charge of a class and continued its Leader until the latter part of the year 1839, when through sickness he was obliged to resign the office to Mr. W. Heap, with whom he continued to meet until his death. As a leader he discharged his duties faithfully and affectionately, never allowing a week to elapse, when in health, without visiting his absent members. His class was several times divided in consequence of its increase. He diligently visited the sick, not confining himself to members of his own class, but cheerfully visiting all that were desirous of his attendance. Many instances could be given of his usefulness in this department of labour; but one must suffice. A giantess was brought in a caravan into the neighbourhood of London Road for exhibition. One evening after exhibiting, she was taken suddenly and dangerously ill, and on being informed that she could not survive beyond a few hours, she became alarmed for her eternal safety, and enquired of the person that attended her, "whether she knew of any minister who would come and pray with her?" she replied, "that she was not acquainted with any minister, but knew of a good man who would attend if requested." The husband of the giantess accordingly sent for Mr. Fergie. He was in bed at the time, but arose and went with the messenger, and found the sick person in great distress of mind. He talked to her, and pleaded with God on her behalf. The Lord was graciously pleased to answer the prayers of his servant, by imparting to her that peace which the world can neither give nor take away. He stayed with her until she breathed her last; when her redeemed spirit took its flight to the regions of eternal bliss. While thus employed, he never neglected the spiritual welfare of his family. Holding a responsible situation, he had to be very punctual as to time, and although only half an hour was allowed for breakfast, which he could not possibly exceed, yet he never omitted family prayer. After dinner he always retired to his room for private devotion, and there on his knees, with the Bible open before him, he poured out his soul in prayer and supplication. In the evening he again assembled his family around him to offer up thanks for the mercies of the day, and to implore the protection of the Almighty; he then retired to rest, but previous to lying down he once more prostrated himself in the presence of his heavenly Father. He was indeed a man of prayer in the full sense of the word. He took great delight in reading the Scriptures both to his family and in private, seizing every spare moment that presented itself for the purpose. Even on his desk, in the workshop, there lay a New Testament which he designated his shop Testament; and although his time was well occupied with the duties of his situation, yet he contrived occasionally to give a hasty glance at the precious treasure, and to feed on its heavenly food. From a very tender age he took his children with him to the house of God; thus, "training them up in the way they should go;" trust |