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he left the chapel, he wrapped up his face, and, in a state of exhaustion, leaned tremblingly on the arm of a junior minister. He reclined in the easy chair during the afternoon; but would go to the evening service as a hearer. On the Monday he did not leave the house until the time for the public meeting. The ministers of the circuit and a few friends met him at dinner, and, in the afternoon, these were joined by the three Dissenting ministers of the town, who treated him with marked respect. They expressed, in the most friendly manner, their deep regard for his person and character and labors, and a hope that he might be spared for yet many years. His benevolent disposition was seen in a long conversation respecting his past history. He seemed to forget the obloquy and persecution he had endured, and dwelt largely upon the warm and unabated affection of his friends. 'I have reason to be thankful,' he said, 'for the respect and kindness that have been shown to me during a long public life by other Christian communities, as well as my own; but then it is all of the grace of God; and to Him be the glory. It is true, I have loved my Master, and sought to serve Him; but what am I?'

"He was advertised to take the chair at the missionary meeting. A large congregation again hailed his presence, and never was the chair occupied with greater dignity. On May 24th, 1819,-the birth-day of Queen Victoria,-he, with the late Revs. Dr. Adam Clarke and Philip Garrett was present at the formation of the Wigan branch of the Wesleyan Missionary Society; and, having attended many of its anniversary meetings, was well able to speak of its progress and efficiency. He did not, on the present occasion, speak more than ten or fifteen minutes; but most heartily did he express his attachment to Methodism and its great missionary institute, and also to all evangelical societies. He declared his unaltered conviction that the gospel is the appointed means for the con

version of the world, and his belief that God would raise up men to preach it in its purity and power. At the conclusion of the meeting, which was one of great interest, an enthusiastic vote of thanks was presented to him for his services; and with this a request that, if spared to the next anniversary, he would again preside. After acknowledging the vote, he said: With regard to the future, we must say nothing. We know not what a day may bring forth. I am getting to be an old man. You see I am not what I once was; for some of you have known me in my better days; but my heart and soul were never more fully in the work.' He then referred to the approaching meeting in Exeter Hall, and playfully remarked: 'My good friends in London say I am booked for life for their missionary anniversary; but, then, that is their doing, not mine.' How little did he, or any of us, anticipate that the occupancy of the chair that evening was to be his last public service on earth; and that at that very meeting in Exeter Hall it would be first publicly announced that he was no more!

"During his stay in Wigan, he was exceedingly grateful for the attention which was paid to his personal comfort. Mrs. Meek regarded him with the affection due to a father. Every want was anticipated, and all the resources of a happy home were made tributary to his happiness. About noon on the Tuesday he gave to all the family, and especially to the children, his parting blessing, and returned to Southport.”

The only official duty in which he appears to have afterwards engaged was the baptism of a child. Other ministers assisted in the service; but he administered the sacred ordinance, and commended the infant heir of immortality to the eternal mercy of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in devout and earnest prayer.

CHAPTER XVII.

IT was the intention of Dr. Newton to remove with his family, early in the spring of 1854, from Southport to Easingwold, where he had engaged a house, and purposed to spend the residue of his days. On the 29th of March, he left Southport for his new residence, spending a few days at Rotherham on his way, with the family of his late brother Jacob.

He arrived at Easingwold on Tuesday, April 11th; and soon afterwards the Rev. John Rossell, the superintendent Wesleyan Minister in the place, called upon him to inquire after his welfare, to present his congratulations, and to bespeak his aid and counsel in respect of the circuit: at the same time expressing a hope that the venerable man would be spared for a considerable time to serve the cause of Christ. He answered, with impressive solemnity, "I thank you, sir; but my work is done."

It was still hoped that he might be able to attend the missionary anniversary in London: his name was therefore included in the arrangements, and information was sent to him to that effect. His daughter replied: "At the request of my father, I write to express his regret, that he cannot indulge the hope of being with you at Exeter Hall, on the 30th instant, or of taking any part in the services connected with our anniversary this year. His health, I am sorry to say, is in a very feeble state; and he is quite unfit to take so long a journey."

Mr. Tetley, a student from the Didsbury branch of the Wesleyan Theological Institution, was then in Easingwold, supplying the place of a minister whose health had failed. He also called to see the venerable man who had just come as a resident in the town, and has supplied the following particulars respecting their interview, and Dr. Newton's appearance: "I was astonished and affected to find him so prostrated in strength, having been accustomed to see him in the pulpit and on the platform in all his vigor. He was in an easy-chair, and it seemed as if an invisible pressure were upon his shoulders, which he resisted by occasional efforts to throw himself back, and by placing his hands upon his knees. A letter was beside him; and pointing to it he said: 'Ah! that letter is for the mission house. My name is associated in some way with the coming anniversary; and I suppose it appears about the streets of London to that effect. It is placarded for the last time;' adding, with a deep tone, and shaking his head, 'Yes, for the last time.' Then mentioning the number of years that he had been 'privileged to be present' at the annual meeting in Exeter Hall, he said: 'I did hope to add this year to the number; but now there is no probability of it whatever. Not willing to embarrass the committee at the last moment, by seeking a supply from me, my daughter has just written to say that I cannot go. I have clung to it as long as I could; but now I feel that I must give it up. It is a trial; but the will of the Lord be done.' Then, assuming a more cheerful tone, he said: 'My heart will be there. O yes! my thoughts will be amongst them; but my work is done.'

"I ventured to suggest, as delicately as I could, the satisfaction which he must feel in looking back upon a protracted life spent in proclaiming 'the glorious gospel of the blessed God,' making allusion to his travels and labors. He replied, with some degree of vivacity: 'Yes: my life, and a pretty

long one too, has been a life of preaching, and of cheerful toil for Christ; but it has been a life of mercy, crowned with loving-kindness. I have travelled much, thousands of miles, in all sorts of weather; and yet God has given me remarkable strength to stand the wear and tear, and all the other vicissitudes of travelling here and there, down to old age. Very few have had such uninterruptedly good health as I have had. Let me be thankful. O how much have I to be thankful for! But still, what have I done? After all my labors, after all my preaching, it is but poor work at the best, that I have done for such a Master: poor work in such a cause. I am an unprofitable servant. I have done that which it was my duty

to do'

of

"To-morrow,' said he, 'is Easter Sunday. I shall be one your hearers.' Feeling a little nervous at the thought, but not wishing to say so, I suggested whether the quiet of his fire-side would not be more suitable for him in his present state of weakness. 'No, no, young man,' said he: 'that will not do. You have nothing to fear from me; and depend upon it, as long as I have strength to carry me to a Methodist chapel, there will I go.' And there on the following morning was the Doctor, engaging with deep reverence and holy fervor in the worship of God. He rose from his seat at the time of singing, but soon sat down again; and after the service he retired slowly to his home, supported by the arm of Mrs. Newton. These indications of feebleness affected the congregation: all of whom seemed to be impressed with the feeling, that he would not long be a resident in this world. This was the last public religious service that he was able to attend. A fortnight after this he had finished his course."

Nine days after his arrival in Easingwold he wrote his last letter, which shows that he was still intent upon the

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