CONNEXIONAL DEPARTMENT. rially contributed to its beauty and WM. BAGGALY. THE MISSIONARY BEEHIVE.-Dear cess. We have been delighted with the zeal manifested by the dear children, and trust that though we are few in number and feeble in efforts, yet our efforts, united with the efforts of many more, may prove successful in Hull, March 8th. A TEACHER. MISSION ANNIVERSARY.-HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT.-Two sermons were preached in our chapel at Paddock, on Sabbath, March 6th, on behalf of our missions, by the Rev. E. Wright, of Oldham. At Wellhouse, on the same day, by the Revs. J. Wilson and E. Wright; at Outlane by the Rev. J. Wilson; and at Deighton, by the Rev. C. Shaw. On Monday evening we held our annual missionary meeting at Wellhouse, J. Taylor, Esq., in the chair. Speakers: Revs. E. Wright, H. O. Crofts, D.D., J. Wilson, C. Shaw, and W. Chapman. On Tuesday evening we had a good meeting in our beautiful chapel at Paddock, presided over by G. Atkins, Esq., of Lees. The meeting was addressed by the same speakers, with the exception of Mr. Chapman. On Wednesday evening we held a third meeting at Deighton. The missionary spirit is evidently increasing both at Paddock and at Wellhouse, especially among our young people, and we trust that it will increase until it pervades the whole of our churches, congregations, and schools. On Sunday, March 13th, two sermons were preached on behalf of our missions in High-street Chapel, Huddersfield; in the morning by the Rev. D. Round, of Brighouse, and in the evening by the Rev. W. Baggaly, of Manchester. In our chapel at Lindley, on the same day, 282 two sermons were preached; in the On Monday evening, March 14th, we W. Baggaly, D. Round, J. Wilson, C. Shaw, and Messrs. Harrison, Roberts, and Bury. Our meeting was greatly damaged, as to attendance, by the incessant rain we had all the day; but the collections were about the same as last year. On Tuesday we had a very full and enthusiastic meeting at Berry Brow; the same chairman, and the same ministerial speakers. We were favoured with a short, but telling address, by one of our friends from Erin, Canada West. On Wednesday evening we went to Lindley, where we had a noble meeting, presided over by our excellent friend Mr. A. Pilling, of Bolton, and addressed by the deputation and ministers of the circuit. On Thursday evening we held a meeting at Outlane, Mr. F. Ellam in the chair. Speakers, the ministers of the circuit. On Sabbath, April 10th, two sermons were preached in our chapel at Shelley; in the morning by the Rev. C. Shaw, and in the afternoon by Mr. B. Earnshaw. Two sermons were also preached on the same day in our chapel at Shepley, in the afternoon and evening by the Rev. C. Shaw. On Tuesday evening, April 12th, we finished our mission campaign by a public meeting in our large schoolroom at Shelley, Mr. Bedford in the chair. Speakers: Revs. H. O. Crofts, D.D., C. Shaw, and Mr. J. Taylor. Our missionary services have been seasons of high spiritual enjoyment, have quickened the missionary spirit among us, and will bring somewhat more into the treasury than last year's services. Both the deputations-the one to Paddock, the other to Huddersfield-rendered us very essential service, and to them hearty votes of thanks were gratefully accorded. May the day speedily come when the great object of these meetings shall be attained. Huddersfield, April 15th, 1859. YARMOUTH MISSION ANNIVERSARY. -On Sabbath, March 13th, 1859, at Yarmouth, a public missionary prayermeeting was held in the morning at half-past ten; in the afternoon, at halfpast two, the Rev. W. Tritton preached; and the Rev. T. Brackenbury (Wesleyan) preached in the evening at halfpast six. On the following evening we held our missionary meeting; the Rev. W. Pacey occupied the chair. The meeting, which was one of a very stirring and interesting character, was addressed by the Revs. J. Green (Baptist), W. Tritton (Independent), A. J. Shelley (Independent), J. Blackwell (Wesleyan), eleven years missionary in Jamaica, and H. Lee (Baptist). We shall have an advance over last year. MISSIONARY SERVICES AT STALEYBRIDGE.-On Sunday, March 27th, 1859, two excellent sermons were preached by the Rev. N. Bishop, of Bolton (the deputation), and collections made on behalf of the missions. On the Monday evening following a public meeting was held, when the chair was occupied by our esteemed friend E. Hallum, Esq., of Stockport. The report was read by the Rev. J. Addyman, and some thrilling and affecting incidents related in connection with his own missionary life and labours, and powerful and soul-stirring addresses were delivered by the Revs. C. J. Donald, N. Bishop, T. Cartwright, and W. Milburn, Esq. (Wesleyan). The meeting was the best we have had for many years, and the collections considerably in advance of last year. J. R., Secretary. P.S. I furnish this notice at the request of Mr. Addyman. MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY, BOLTON. -My dear Sir,-We have just concluded our missionary services in Bolton, and I am happy to inform you that our collections are in advance of last year about £8. The country places have also nearly doubled the amount raised last year. Our friends are very anxious that we should send a mission to the heathen. Praying that this very desirable object may be soon accomplished, I remain March 22, 1859. ANNUAL TEA MEETING, BAnk, LEEDS. REV. AND DEAR SIR,-The teachers and friends of Zion Sabbath School, Zion-street, Bank, held their annual tea-meeting in the schoolroom on Shrove-Tuesday, March 8th, 1859, when upwards of 200 persons sat down to an excellent tea, gratuitously provided by the ladies in the neighbourhood. Mr. Councillor Lobley was called to the chair, who, after his opening address, called upon the secretary to read the report, from which it appears there are at present in the school twenty-nine teachers, and 168 scholars. After the report was read, the meeting was addressed by the Revs. S. Hulme, and E. J. Baxter; Messrs. Councillor Dixon, E. Morgan, E. Tiffany, G. Walker, J. Parker, S. Slater, J. Butler, J. Walker, J. Peacock, J. Bradford, W. Malthouse, J. Butterfield, and J. Beckwith. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the Rev. Mr. Hulme concluded by prayer. MEMOIRS AND RECENT DEATHS. MRS. PERRY, LEEDS, By her Grandson, Thomas Gardner. JOANNA PERRY, the subject of this memoir, was indeed one of the excellent of the earth-a mother in Israel. The glory of God was the object of her existence; and in her life and character we have a beautiful exhibition of all the virtues of the Christian character. She was born on the 8th of January, 1788, near Hagley, in Shropshire, and was the youngest but two of a family of seven. Her parents were poor, but honest and industrious. Her mother was a woman of excellent character; but the plan of salvation by faith in Christ she did not clearly understand. She thought that the doing of that which was good would lead to heaven; while, on the contrary, moral defection would lead to hell. These principles she endeavoured to impress on the minds of her children, and taught them daily to read the Bible, and to reverence it as God's holy word. But she did not accustom herself to attend a place of public worship; nor did she send her children there. In early life Mrs. Perry was trained to habits of industry and economy. These quali ties were carried with her through life, and with the results of which, besides supplying her own wants, she was ever ready to assist and relieve the necessities of others. When in her fourteenth year, she was called upon to undergo a painful bereavement in the death of her mother, whom she dearly loved. From this time, a great portion of her history was characterized by trials of the severest kind. She seems, however, to have inherited much of her mother's spirit; and in the varied relationships she sustained there shone forth, in an eminent degree, all the domestic and social virtues. She was a good wife, a tender mother, a warm-hearted and generous friend, and was always very careful to avoid wounding the feelings of any. But though she possessed naturally such amiability of character, she was yet in an unsaved state. She lacked the one thing needful. It was not until about six months before the birth of her only surviving daughter (now Mrs. Parker) that she saw herself a sinner. Up to this period she had been upright and moral in her conduct; kept the sabbath so far as she understood its claims; and attended church when she could conveniently: and having done these, like many more, thought she had done all her duty. About this time a circumstance occurred in her experience which convinced her that she was a sinner, and that, without forgiveness, she must be lost; but not understanding the way of salvation, she continued many years without a sense of God's forgiving love. sought to effect her salvation by good works, and to quiet the perturbations of a troubled conscience by the application of those palliatives so much resorted to under similar circumstances -promises of amendment to God. She became more diligent in attending church-more particular in keeping the sabbath-more circumspect in her conduct and was thought by herself and many to be a good churchwoman. Her regard to truth was so strict that it became almost proverbial among her neighbours, who frequently, in cases of doubt, or matters on which they differed in opinion, referred them to She her for her decision, and were fully satisfied with the result. Thus she continued for some years, but could not rest satisfied. She strove to be good, and to think herself good, but the inward monitor whispered that all was not right; and though the members of the church with which she was connected held the highest opinion of her character, and considered her safe for eternity, she could not believe herself safe. At that time she was a firm believer in the doctrine of election and predestination; but though she could believe that others were elected to salvation, she could not believe herself to be one of the elect. Not having drunk by faith at the fountain of living waters, an aching void was felt within, and an ardent longing desire to experience an inward consciousness that all her sins were pardoned. But before this grand object was realized, she had to undergo severe mental conflict: her mind became the subject of deep and sorrowful emotions on account of sin. A change in circumstances, however, brought a change in conduct. By her varied troubles she was induced to give up attending church. But this augmented her troubles both in body and mind; and by this act she imagined that she had committed the unpardonable sin-the sin against the Holy Ghost. The death, also, of an infant son occurring, added to her sorrow; and seeing no way of escape from her troubles, she determined to harden herself in sorrow. Circumstances, however, brought her to Leeds. But her trials were not ended. Death took away another child. Believing this to be a judgment from God, and feeling the weight of guilt pressing heavily on her conscience, she was ready to give up all for lost. Her eldest daughter was then about fifteen years of age, and had been piously inclined from a child. After coming to Leeds, this child attended a Methodist Sunday-school, and derived much benefit from the instructions received there. She loved to read the Scriptures, which much delighted her mother, by frequently reading aloud to her, and selected those portions which speak of a free salvation; but Mrs. Perry could not apply these portions to her own case. She often read the Bible herself, for she loved that blessed book; but the parts she felt most suited to her were the threatenings it On contained, and these she claimed as her portion. Thus did she continue to write bitter things against herself, and, instead of flying at once to Calvary, and there beholding a bleeding Saviour as dying in her stead and for her sins, she lingered at the foot of Sinai's mount, and there, with sorrow-stricken soul, listened to its awful thundertones, and gazed with terror on its fierce corruscations. A few weeks after the death of her child she commenced attending Ebenezer Chapel. Under the ministry of the word in this place of worship she received much good; darkness was dispersed, light dawned on her mind, and the preaching of a full and free salvation soon effected a change in her heart. hearing Mr. Aylmer preach, one Monday evening, from the text, "I am thine, save me," she remarks, in her autobiography, "I shall never forget the change that took place in my mind, nor what I felt; for he said there was not an individual in that chapel whom Christ was not willing to save, nor could any one have a desire to hear the Gospel that was totally lost." The observations made by Mr. Aylmer, in his sermon, were peculiarly adapted to her state of mind, and greatly encouraged her. The friends at Ebenezer, particularly Mr. Topham and the late Mrs. Cout, Mrs. Brewerton, and that woman of blessed memory, Mrs. Holliday, were very kind to her-manifested great concern for her salvation and for that of her family-prayed much for them, and invited them to the fellowship and prayer-meetings. This Christian affection was soon reciprocated, and she soon felt happy and at home amongst her new friends. About this time, or soon after, she commenced going to class, and in the year 1826 received her first ticket. But still she had not fully given God her heart. She declared, "I can truly say it was the fear of man, more than the love of sin, that kept me back." Through the mercy of God, she was enabled to conquer even the love of life itself. Thus she writes: "Before good Abraham Jackson and happy John Poxon left the circuit, God did enable me to give up my life-for there was nothing else I loved so well but what I could give up-and the love of life caused me to omit duties that I loved and delighted in, and to commit sins which I hated." Mrs. Perry had to endure persecution of the direst kind from the man who had solemnly promised before God to love and protect her, and not unfrequently was her life in danger. One Sabbath evening, when the subject of this persecution, she felt certain that she should have to suffer a violent death, unless God undertook her cause, or else abandon religion altogether. But God never leaves those who put their trust in him. That evening, committing her life into the hands of God, and believing that he would save her soul, she went to the sanctuary of the Lord. The text was, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." In reference to this, she writes: "My tears kept dropping from the time the preacher began till he ended. But my faith was greatly strengthened, my evidence was very bright, and I thought God had, on purpose for me, directed him to that text." In this fiery ordeal, God was with her, and saved her. Writing further on this point, she observes: "On that day I did experimentally know that he who loseth his life for Christ's sake shall find it; and I can thankfully say that, from that time to the present, God has not left me without the witness of his spirit, and it has now been more than sixteen years. Though my trials have been very great, and my path very rough and very dark, yet God has enabled me to put my whole trust in him, and he has so shed abroad his love in my heart that it casts out all fear as to my acceptance with him. He said to me then, and he says yet, 'Stand still, and see my salvation; be still, and know that I am God; hold thy peace, and I will fight thy battles, for nothing is too hard for the Lord to do; and what is too hard for thee, bring it hither to me. Acknowledge me in all thy ways, and I will direct thy path.' And ever since I gave up my life into his hands, I have found it easy to give up all other things. You may sayWhat! easy to give up the world, and pleasures, and relatives, husband, children, friends, and acquaintances, the people of God and his messengers, honour, wealth, and gain! Yes, my heart said then, and it saith now, "Lord, thou knowest I love thee more than all these put together. Yes, to know this 'With Christ in my heart, and his word in my hand, I march on rejoicing, through this desert land.' Before God wrought this great change in my heart, I sought for happiness where it never can be found. I sought it anywhere or everywhere but the source whence it springs. I looked anywhere or everywhere but up to the hill from whence help cometh. I traversed any path or every path but the narrow path. I clung to anything or everything but the Cross. I wandered anywhere or everywhere but to Calvary. I turned my eyes anywhere or everywhere but the right way. I fled for shelter anywhere or everywhere but under the wings of Jehovah. I built on anything or everything but the chief Corner-stone. I fixed my feet on anything or everything but the Rock. I begged of anybody or everybody but the Giver of all good. I knocked at any door or every door but that which no man can shut. I tried any scheme or every scheme but the scheme of redemption. I visited any garden or every garden but Gethsemane. I plucked any flower or every flower but the Rose of Sharon. Yes; I toiled and I laboured, and I worked for salvation with fear and with trembling. I worked with hoping, with repenting, with praying, with fasting, with lamentations, and with tears, with resolutions, and with alms-giving, with ceremony after ceremony, and all the while quite destitute of that working faith that works by love and purifies the heart. Then the Holy Ghost told me there was a field in which was hid a great treasure, and I must go to Christ, and him alone, and he would give me the right direction. I went to him by faith and prayer, and he showed me the field, and told me I must sell all and purchase it, for this treasure was not to be found in any other; and there I found it. It was a pearl of the greatest price, and it made my heart sing for joy. The Scriptures are the field which Christ showed me, and said, 'Search them, for in them is eternal life, and they are they which speak of me, and they are able to make thee wise unto salvation.' And they have been made the power of God to my soul's salvation, and all my hope is founded on that word which cannot be overthrown." From the period when her soul first emerged out of nature's darkness into the light of spiritual life, until the termination of her earthly career, her life was one of almost unparalleled devotion to the service and glory of her |