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and care. He thus continued to labour, as a class-leader and local preacher, till he was called to a more extensive field of usefulness as a travelling preacher.

In the year 1799, Mr. N. entered on his itinerant labours. He was stationed in the Leeds circuit with Mr. Miles Martindale, of whom he spake with much affection and gratitude, for the encouragement he received from him to persevere in his work. The next year he was appointed to Easingwold, where he laboured diligently. The following year he was in the Scarborough circuit, where God owned his labours, and crowned them with his blessing. From thence he removed to Macclesfield, and from thence to Halifax, where he laboured two years with acceptance and success. His next station was in Hull, two years; then two in Bingley, where he was very useful. His next remove was to Malton, for two years, where the Lord's work prospered, and where his memory is very dear to many precious souls. His next station was Burnley, where he met with great kindness from an affectionate people, who profited much under his faithful ministry.

The author of this Memoir has been favoured with a few extracts from Mr. Needham's letters, part of which will be inserted in this narrative.

"Burnley, Feb. 8, 1813. This is my birth-day. I have attained the 40th year of my age. But O how little a portion of this time has been spent as it ought to have been !

Asham'd I sigh, and inly mourn,

That I so late to thee did turn;'

yet I thank God I am what I am. May my spared life be devoted to him who hath a just right to all I have and am !"

While in the Burnley circuit it pleased God to afflict his servant, in the spring of 1814, with a complaint which probably laid the foundation of his last illness For some time his recovery appeared doubtful, but it pleased God to bless the medicines prescribed by the late Dr. Thompson, and his health was graciously restored. When he had recovered a little strength he wrote to one of his friends as follows:

"How great a blessing is health! and how little valued whilst we possess it; yet how difficult to regain it. However, there is great comfort in thinking that the Lord knoweth all we feel, and that there is a precious Saviour who is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and who has promised help according to our day. To this Saviour I am directing my thoughts and desires; and this Saviour is exceedingly precious. I believe he will do all things well."

As soon as Mr. Needham's strength was sufficiently restored to undertake a short journey, he, with Mrs. Needham, left Burnley to visit some friends at Halifax. Of this journey and

visit he has left some account in writing, from which I here give 7 some extracts. He says,

"April 15. My wife and I left Burnley for Halifax, in hope of deriving some advantage from Dr. Thompson, whom we had called in, and from a change of air. We got to Halifax about five o'clock, having borne the fatigue of the journey much better than I expected. We took up our abode with our kind and affectionate friend, Mr. Priestley. I felt my mind much affected with a consideration of the goodness of God in protecting us in our way, and bringing us safe to this place. I retired and poured oat my soul in thankfulness to God, with many tears, and felt great nearness to him, with an ardent desire to be more devoted to him than ever.

"Sunday 17. I have had a distressing night from my bowel complaint; but in the midst of all I do not think I felt a murmuring or impatient thought; such is the goodness of God. It is my desire and prayer that I may suffer as well as do the will of God acceptably, and in his own spirit.

"20. I have been very poorly this day, and felt my spirits rather low. In the afternoon I attended a meeting of the friends and supporters of a charity-school, conducted on the Lancasterian plan, and was pleased with the report which was read; and, without any previous design, expressed my approbation of the institution. How high does England stand on account of her religious and benevolent institutions! May this her glory never depart from her!

“25. I am a little better in body, and have felt my mind bending towards God, and the things of God. I generally feel a praying spirit both in publick and private; but I want more steady constant faith. I see a state of liberty and holy confidence which I do not constantly enjoy, but which I desire and pray for, and which by the help of God, I intend not to rest short of. Lord, help my unbelief! I can do nothing without thee.

"26. I am considerably better, and have eat my dinner with a better relish than I had done for two months before, for which I feel thankful to God. I drank tea with a few friends at and endeavoured to improve the time to my own comfort and the advantage of others. O that with returning health I may feel increasing gratitude, and never offend or dishonour my Benefactor more!

"28. We set off for home, had a pleasant journey, and arrived safe about seven o'clock. I retired to give God grateful thanks for bringing me home, upon the whole, better than when I left t this day fortnight. In addition to my personal mercies I have to praise God that my little family were all safe and well. No accident had happened to any of them.

Better than my boding fears
To me thou oft hast prov'd.""

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Mr. Needham kept a diary for some months after this period, some parts of which will be transcribed in this Memoir. The whole bears the most genuine marks of gospel simplicity and godly sincerity, of Christian humility and lively gratitude.

"May 1. I had an opportunity of hearing preaching three times; under the noon sermon, especially, I found it good to be there. But oh how difficult to keep up the spirit of devotion. Imperfections mark all I do, say, and think.

3. Have been rather better in body to-day, and preached at M-, from Heb. xiii. 5, with considerable feeling, and I hope to the comfort of some whose hearts are right. As I returned, in meditation and prayer, I was greatly humbled, and wept, and praised the Lord with joyful lips.

"8. I have preached three times in Burnley, with considerable freedom and enlargement. I hope, by the grace of God, I entered upon my duty with purity of motive, and a sincere desire to do good, but have need to be on my guard against self. O that pride were for ever banished from We had a heart! my prayer-meeting after the evening preaching, in which five persons professed to have found peace with God. May it be true and lasting!

"11. Rather better in body, and my mind generally cleaving to God. I was profited while visiting a poor backslider, who has been brought to the gates of death, but seems determined, if spared, to set out again in the service of God.

"13. Through the last month I have much to be thankful for. My wife has been brought to the gates of death, but the Lord has had mercy on her, and not on her only, but on me also, 'lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.' I have been better in body for some time back, but fear I am not likely to be permanently so; however, I would not fear nor distrust; the Lord has been better to me than I have either desired or deserved. I wish that my whole life may be devoted to him. Lately I have had some good seasons, and have felt him very near, and in general my spirit bows before him in humility and gratitude. O that I may never forget his goodness!

"Aug. 30. My wife and I set out for the north of Yorkshire, to see her friends. The third day we reached the abode of my much-esteemed friends, Mr. and Mrs. Barker. Here I have spent many happy days and nights, and I again felt something of what I used to feel under the shadow of this roof.

"Sept. 2. We set out for Stonegrave, where we spent a week, and then went on to Malton, where all my old friends seemed overjoyed to see me in the land of the living. At times, whilst here, I thought I should hardly be able to preach, my feelings seemed as though they would unman me; but the Lord was with me, and enabled me to preach twice to the people on the Lord's

day, with considerable liberty, especially in the evening. O may the Lord preserve and revive his work here.

15. We arrived safe at Burnley, and to our great joy found our little family well. I retired to my room to thank God for having preserved us on a journey of 170 miles, and bringing us and the beast safe home. I feel better in health than I have been for some time, and, by the help and blessing of God, mean to devote my lengthened days to him. Lord, help me, for thy

name's sake.

"Dec. 11. I was ready to fear the labour of the day. I had to preach twice at Burnley, and once at the works of my valuable friend, Mr. Kaye, where I had a large congregation, who paid great attention whilst I explained and enforced the apostle's exhortation, 2 Cor. vi. 1. Just as I got back to Burnley the people were coming to the chapel, so that I had scarcely time to recollect the general division of my subject. But if ever I preached under the influence of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, it was at this time. I felt my mind at perfect liberty, and was greatly comforted and humbled, by the power of that precious Christ which I had been preaching to the people; and, upon the whole, was better in body than in the morning. O how good is the Lord, and how often does he give me cause to say, When I am weak then am I strong.' I do sincerely wish, that the whole of my life may be truly devoted to him. O Lord, not only make me right, but keep me right for ever!

(To be concluded in the next.)

DIVINITY.

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The gracious Undertakings of our Lord Jesus Christ, to save a lost and ruined world from sin and suffering: being the substance of a Sermon preached at King-Street Chapel, Bristol, July 25, 1819, and published at the request of the Methodist Conference. By J. EDMONDSON.

John xvi. 28. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

Every thing relating to Christ is highly interesting to a Christian. Guided by Divine revelation, he beholds his adorable Saviour with wonder and delight, in his primitive dignity and glory with the Father; in his humble birth and holy life; in his meritorious death and blessed resurrection; and in his triumphant ascension and powerful intercession at the right hand of God. These topics, considered separately, would furnish copious matter for several sermons; but, on an occasion like this, we may be VOL. XLIII. JANUARY, 1820.

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allowed, perhaps, to take a general view of the character and conduct of our Emmanuel.

While reading the Holy Scriptures in my closet this morning, our text arrested my attention, and I resolved, without hesitation, to make it the subject of my present discourse; because I thought it would afford me an opportunity of stating my own views, and those of my honoured fathers and brethren, of the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ. May God, in tender mercy, make me an instrument of good to this large and respectable congregation; and, while we remain together, may the word of the Lord have free course and be glorified!

There are four things in our text, which we shall consider, one by one, in the order they stand: first, our Lord came forth from the Father, with whom he had glory before the world began; secondly, he came into our world, on a special errand of mercy and love; thirdly, he left the world, by a painful death on the cross, where he made atonement for the sins of all mankind; and, fourthly, when he had finished his work on earth, he returned to the Father.

I. OUR LORD CAME FORTH FROM THE FATHER, WITH WHOM

HE HAD GLORY BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.

It is allowed, both by Jews and Christians, that the Father is omnipresent. He fills heaven and earth; and, we read, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him. In every place throughout the vast and unbounded universe it may be said, "Lo! God is here!" All creatures, from the highest angels in heaven, to the lowest reptiles on earth, live and move, and have their being in him. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Jer. xxiii. 24. This is a truly awful subject! Let us seriously improve it by recollecting, from one day to another, that he is a constant witness of all our thoughts, words, and actions; and, that in the end of the world, he will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil, Eccles. xii. 14.

This great and glorious Being, though essentially present every where, may be said to dwell in those places, where there is a special manifestation of his presence. According to the phraseology of the Sacred Writings, he dwelt in the tabernacle which was set up in the wilderness, and in the temple which was built by Solomon. There are frequent allusions to this in the Old Testament. Thus, king David prayed to him as the Shepherd of Israel, who dwelt in the tabernacle, saying, Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth, Ps. lxxx. 1. And king Hezekiah, afterwards, on addressing him in the temple, made use of these words: O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubim, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all

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