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the French division. Can it, then, be a matter of wonder that many of them availed themselves of the chance afforded them of obtaining Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity?" Undoubtedly not. But why the whole black population did not emigrate, is really a matter of astonishment; and we shall endeavour to account for it by remarking, that not one slave in connexion with the Methodist society went over to Marigot. We must, therefore, naturally infer, that to the religious and moral improvement of our slaves we owe the present tranquillity of the colony."

Under all these circumstances, we have added to the church twenty-three new members; and might have added more, but we have repeatedly refused applications for membership from persons of whose concern for salvation we could not be satisfied; and some of whom, under existing circumstances, would probably implicate the character of the church by their public conduct. We have lost by death more than the number admitted, so that our total number is not increased, irrespective of exclusions. However, if thirteen years of ministerial experience may be considered as any warrant for my opinion, I would unhesitatingly say, to the praise of divine grace, that during the last two years the religious experience and the character of our church have blessedly improved. During the visitation of the classes in the present quarter, I have had repeated occasions to rejoice before God in the prosperity of that kingdom which, emphatically, "cometh not with observa

tion."

I am happy to say that our congrega. tions have so considerably increased, as to have become the subject of public remark. One evidence of this was supplied last year by the fact, that the amount for pew-rent in Philipsburg considerably exceeded the amount of any former year since Methodism was introduced. This, however, although holding good for that year, cannot be relied on as an infallible criterion; but you will be gratified to know that in the current year there has been no falling off in that respect. On the contrary, I have had to effect rather extensive alterations in the arrangement of the pews, whereby I have gained additional room for at least one hundred and fifty persons; the principal part of which I have devoted to freesittings. The late Governor took a lively interest in these alterations, and frequently came and sat with me, in all the din and dust of the work.

Another pleasing evidence of the interest taken in our Mission, was supplied by the increased amount of contributions to the funds of the Missionary Society, as accounted for at the late DistrictMeeting; and especially by the unprecedented fact, that the annual subscribers handed me their subscriptions without solicitations. For the current year, as regards the result of the Collectors'Books, (always our principal source of income,) such is the prevailing poverty of the people, and such the commercial depression, that it would be folly to calculate on a comparison with last year. However, we are doing, and will do, our best under the circumstances.

DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES.

ON Monday, July 23d, Mr. and Mrs. Mortier embarked at London, in the "Benjamin Green," Captain Laws, for St. Christopher's, West Indies.

On Thursday, August 2d, Mr. and Mrs. George Chapman, with two children, embarked at Gravesend, in the "Wigram," Captain Thurtell, for Algoa-Bay, Cape of Good Hope.

DEATH.

THE afflictive intelligence has been received of the death of Mrs. Sanderson, the excellent and devoted wife of the Rev. Daniel Sanderson, of Mysore, in the month of May last.

LONDON PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE.

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THE

WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1849.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THOMAS BUSH, ESQ.,

OF LAMBOURN, BERKS.:

BY THE REV. PAUL ORCHARD, SEN.

MR. BUSH was born in the parish of Letcomb-Regis, about six miles from Lambourn. His father occupied a farm, and the family attended the services of the Established Church. Thomas had an elder brother who died young, and Mr. Bush, sen., did not long survive him. Thomas was thus left, an only child, to the care of his widowed mother, who regarded him with most affectionate solicitude. He likewise rendered to her as long as she lived a devoted filial affection and respect. He received his education at Wantage, (a few miles from his mother's residence,) partly as a day-scholar, and afterwards as a boarder. At the expiration of the term for which the farm at Letcomb was held, Mr. Bush and his mother removed to Lambourn, and for many years farmed there an estate of their own. His first companions at Lambourn were gay and volatile like himself. He attended the parish-church, and thought meanly of all who dissented from it. A circumstance apparently very trivial first awakened serious thought in him. Passing through the town one evening, he heard the voice of prayer, and as he knew (from the voice) who the person praying was, he stopped outside and listened. He thought he could do as well himself, and, on returning home, made the attempt, and failed. He felt not only ashamed, but condemned. Soon afterwards he had a severe affliction; death was apprehended; he was alarmed and humbled before God, and welcomed the visits of some pious friends. On his recovery, he began to attend at the Wesleyan chapel at Lambourn; and soon afterwards, about the year 1807, he became a member of the Wesleyan society. Under the ministry of the word he was brought to understand the way of salvation by grace through faith; and that not merely in theory, but in happy experience. It is to be regretted that he has left no account of this important part of his Christian course. That he was, in the usual sense of the term, truly converted to God, the subsequent state of his mind, together with his whole character and conduct, amply testified.

VOL. V.-FOURTH SERIES.

3 T

His situation in life, his active and benevolent disposition, and his strong desire to see some tokens of spiritual improvement in the dark neighbourhood in which he dwelt, soon engaged him in various plans of usefulness. For some years he was a very acceptable Local Preacher. He had a warm heart, and excellent gifts and attainments, and many were induced to hear him, who, perhaps, would have heard no other person; while all who loved sound doctrine, preached earnestly, and for the attainment of its designed end, flocked to hear him. He therefore always attracted large congregations, and was made an instrument of effecting much good.

The first dated record left by him is a document in which he solemnly devotes himself to the service of God. His name and seal are both affixed to it. In the same year he wrote what he termed "his special covenant:" it contains the following language :—“O Lord, I bless Thy holy Name, that Thou hast inclined my heart to enter into this most solemn covenant with Thee. Thou hast sorely afflicted my body, but not more than I have justly deserved. Righteous art Thou, O Lord, yet let me plead with Thee. If Thou wilt be pleased to remove this affliction, and give me a comfortable degree of health, so that I may be permitted again to serve Thee publicly, I most solemnly resolve, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and through Thy grace enabling me, in a very special manner, to give myself up to Thee. I take Thy interests as my interest, Thy cause as my cause, Thy people as my people, and Thy glory as my end. I most solemnly engage, through Thy divine assistance, to labour for Thee in endeavouring to promote Thy spiritual kingdom on earth, as others, who have families, labour for them, and strive to settle their children in the world. O give me grace to live to Thy glory, and to pursue Thine interest in the world as I should do for my children hadst Thou given me children. To this, in Thy strength, and in Thy presence, I solemnly subscribe my name.” Soon after he wrote, "I bind myself, by solemn covenant, to give all I am, have, and ever shall be, and shall have, unto Thee. I give my body, soul, spirit, substance, my time, influence, and any other talent Thou hast intrusted to me, to be sanctified to Thee, and used for Thy glory." In 1822, he wrote: "My afflictions have been great, and of long continuance; yet why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? I pray that they may be fully sanctified unto me. I am led to consider myself henceforth as having nothing to do in this world but to be holy, and to lay myself out for God in every possible way. I consecrate my property unto Thee. It was Thine before. I was never more than a steward. Was I not given unto Thee in my infancy, as Samuel was, by my dear mother? I solemnly confirm it by self-dedication, and, if Thou canst so greatly bow,' prevent, restrain, accompany, and bless me in all my ways; and spare me, raise me up, and use me more fully as an instrument for good. Amen and Amen."

It was not only to public labour that Mr. Bush diligently attended. He was careful to watch over his own soul, and secure growth in

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