Mrs. Booth, who was once a noted actress of great comic powers and popularity. The following is an abstract of it :

"After she had returned home from the theatre on a certain evening, the house in which she lodged was so suddenly consumed by fire, that it was with much difficulty she made her escape from the flames. Her exertions on the occasion, together with her mental agitation, brought on a fever, during the continuance of which she was convinced that her mode of life was opposed to the spirit and practice of religion. She left the stage, and sought for rest and peace; but in vain at first. She felt an aching void; and nothing she could do or enjoy afforded her the least degree of happiness.

"She retired to reside in a village in which a Sunday school was established, and occasionally heard an exhortation from some of the teachers employed in it. By means of these pious men she soon learned that what she needed in order to her happiness, was a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, together with its concomitants, pardon, peace, and joy. She became a teacher at the school just noticed, and was grateful to God for so far subduing her proud heart, as to make her willing in a sphere so humble, to make some good use of the talents which she had so much abused.

"After changing her residence to Lambeth, she frequently heard preaching at the Method

ist chapel. She was soon enabled to exercise faith in Christ as her Redeemer, and was filled with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. She joined the Methodist society, of which she continued a worthy and exemplary member until her decease. For some days before her death it was evident to herself that her race was nearly run. She spoke frequently and with great animation of heaven and its glories. Her death, although sudden, was not so much unexpected as to induce alari. Though she was rather unwell, she attended preaching as usual on Thursday evening. On the night of the following Sabbath she entered the eternal world. Was not this a brand plucked from the fire?"

In the midst of his various and extensive labours as a minister of the Gospel, and as the editor of the Magazine, and various other publications, Mr. Benson still maintained an habitual regard to his own spiritual interests. He did not allow his duties to others to encroach upon the paramount duty which he owed to his own soul. He observes, on the 2d of January, 1806, "Reflecting of late on the many mercies of the past year, particularly on the restoration of my son John to health, who in the beginning of the year was much afflicted, and in the preservation and partial restoration of my wife, I see that I have infinite reason to thank God for these and all his other mercies. I have endeavoured to give myself up anew to his service. I bless

his holy name, I find it in some degree my meat and drink to do his holy will; and I trust I shall be enabled more than ever to live to his glory."

His language is very similar at the commencement of the next year: "Blessed be the Lord, who hath brought me and my wife and children to the beginning of this year in health and safety. The Lord has greatly, and far beyond my expectation, restored to my wife a considerable degree of health and strength, and that I believe in answer to prayer. During this year it has also pleased him to give to our two eldest daughters a knowledge of their acceptance with God through the Son of his love. My second son has dedicated himself to the sacred office of preaching the Gospel in the Church of England. Surely for all these mercies I am in duty bound to praise the Lord! I hope I am thankful for his mercies, and I now devote myself afresh to his service."

The conference of 1808 requested Mr. Benson to write a Commentary on the Bible. In compliance with their request, he commenced it in the beginning of October, 1809. But as the committee for the publication of books had it in contemplation to publish Dr. Clarke's Commentary, Mr. Benson observes, "If they do, I shall not proceed with mine, and shall be eased of a task too great for me to undertake at my time of life.”

1

On the 30th of November he received intel

ligence of the death of his sister. He says of her, "My sister sincerely turned to God when she was about twenty years of age, at the same time I did, which is forty-three years ago. She then found redemption in the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins, and joined the Methodist society. From that time till the end of her life she continued a member, and I trust in general walked worthy of her Christian profession. Her faith and patience were greatly tried by both personal and domestic afflictions; but she was enabled to put her trust in the Lord, and resign herself up to his disposal, meeting death at the last with perfect peace and resignation."

The time now arrived in which Mr. Benson suffered the greatest affliction to which he was ever called. His worthy and affectionate companion died in a blessed expectation of heavenly felicity, and entered into rest on the 3d of January, 1810. She was in the fiftysecond year of her age.

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"We lived together," says Mr. Benson, thirty years wanting one month; but we are now parted till the resurrection of the just. All my children have been much affected with the death of their mother; but I best know the loss we have suffered. And this evening such a load of sorrow came upon my mind, as I know not how to shake off or to support. However, after a little time I obtained some relief. May the Lord sanctify this dispensation to me and to us all."

CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Benson is the second time elected president of the conference-Alarming illness-Extraordinary benevolence-Account of William Beacock, the plasterer--Mr. Benson completes his valuable CommentaryProtracted sickness-Preaches his last sermon-Last sickness-Death-Funeral solemnities-Sketch of his character from Mr. Bunting's funeral sermon.

IN 1810 Mr. Benson was a second time elected to the office of president of the conference. He made the following observations in reference to his election: "This to me was unexpected till last Friday or Saturday; and it will greatly hinder me in my work of editing the Magazine, and other works, and going on with my Commentary on the Bible. However, I hope the Lord will assist me, and help me through the difficulties, especially as the burden was laid upon me by my brethren in the course of Providence, and entirely without my seeking."

Mr. Benson had been on a short visit to a neighbouring town for the purpose of dedicating a new chapel, and returned home on the evening of the 3d of January. After supper, when he kneeled to offer family prayers, he fell upon his face as if dead. "Of this," he says, "my daughters informed me. They lifted me up, and in about ten minutes I came to myself, and found that I was seated in a chair. Blessed be the Lord for his mercies, who did not so suddenly give me over to