and improved mind, and is preparing for usefulness in the church and in the world. My heart is filled with gratitude to my gracious and merciful God for these favours, which afford great relief to my mind this morning.

"My present circumstances excite in my mind peculiar feelings and deep solemnity. The departure of my dear John Joseph; the probable separation from my dear daughter-in-law, at least for a few months; the bustle of packing; the approaching Conference; the removal from my present situation and office; my retirement from the itinerancy; my residence if God will, for a season, at Tadcaster; and the alarming state of my dear Joseph's health;-all combine to induce in my mind inexpressible feelings. I feel that I must,-I can,—and I will, make my God my all. In him I find all I need to make me happy, even in the absence of all creature comforts.”

The precarious state of his only surviving son's health rested with a constant weight on his spirits. He was considered to be in great danger, and Mr. E. was of opinion, with the physician, that nothing but perfect rest could save him. Mr. E. remarks, "I can trust in the Lord, and commit to him my all. Still I feel deeply. He hopes soon to enter upon his work, at least partially. I have more fear than hope. O for resignation. Lord, prepare him and me for the event. Thou doest all things well."

He wrote to him in the most affectionate and consolatory manner, and urged him to rest a year. "My dear Joseph, this is a time of trial," he says, "to you, to your dear partner, and to me. Clouds and darkness surround us. Now is the time to exercise faith—to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and not lean to our own understanding. WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS. I hold by that saying of our Lord, 'The very hairs of your head are numbered.' IT IS TRUE. Be not discouraged: All things work together for good to them that love God.' Fear not; only believe. My judgment, after deep consideration and prayer, is, that you should make up your mind to sit down' for one year. During that period, you will have a fair trial; and if we are spared till this time next year, we shall see our way plain. Fifty years ago, riding through an extensive forest, in Oxfordshire, in a thick fog, I rode in a circle for about half an hour,

and came again to the same tree. Just then, the sun dispelled the mist, and I saw my way. This has been realized in my providential path frequently. Let us 'trust in the Lord, and do good,' and all shall be well.”

On the 4th of July, Mr. Entwisle met all the students, and gave them a parting address. His mind was so much affected that he was led out to an unusual extent; and spoke for an hour and twenty-five minutes. The students, who all loved him as a father, and venerated him as an apostle, were much affected. The following week, he took leave of them, and visited his afflicted son at Exeter; with whom he spent ten days of painful excitement. The precarious state of his son's health deeply depressed his naturally cheerful mind.

On the 23rd, he mournfully took leave of the afflicted family, and arrived at Bristol in the evening. The Conference commenced on the 25th, the Rev. Thos. Jackson, being elected President, and the Rev. Robert Newton, Secretary. The Rev. R. Treffry, was appointed his successor at the Theological Institution. The expressions of respect and of regret which were called forth both in the Committee and Conference, by Mr. Entwisle's retirement from the Institution, almost overpowered him. He characteristically remarks:-"I retire with the esteem of my brethren; but my great concern is to enjoy the approbation of God. Thy loving-kindness, O Lord, is better than life. O for a closer walk with God. * * * * Blessed be God, I have an interest in the prayers of my brethren. They prayed that my days may be prolonged for many years, and that my last days may be my best. With regard to the first, I am unanxious. The will of the Lord be done. My times are in thy hands.' But I am deeply concerned that my last days may be most comfortable to myself, most useful to man, and, above all, most to the glory of God."

The following Resolution was passed on the occasion, and published in the Minutes of Conference for this year.

"The thanks of the Conference are presented to the REV. JOSEPH ENTWISLE, SEN. the House Governor, for his valuable services. The Conference, likewise, receives with sincere regret Mr. Entwisle's announcement of his intention to retire, on account of his increasing infirmities,

not only from the House-Governorship, but also from those active duties connected with the Itinerancy, which he has now discharged so usefully and honourably for fifty-one years. The Conference expresses its hope that by the blessing of God on this relief from the onerous and exciting duties to the performance of which his office in the Institution has called him, his days may be lengthened; and that he may be long permitted to render important service both to the Institution, and the Connexion at large."

At the close of the Conference, Mr. E. remarks:"Never did I attend a Conference more characterized by Christian temper. Several regulations were agreed upon, which, if carried out into practice, will be highly beneficial to the societies and to the world.

"N.B.—My dear Joseph and I appear on the list of Supernumeraries. This affects my mind at times. 'It is the Lord.' I trust that after a year's rest, he will be able to resume his labours. However, I am persuaded that the very hairs of my head are numbered. I leave him and all in the hands of the Lord."

CHAPTER XXI.

FROM HIS APPOINTMENT TO TADCASTER AS SUPERNUME

RARY, IN 1838, TO THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, IN 1841.

We now come to the last stage of my dear father's earthly pilgrimage,-the last instructive scene of a long, consistent, and exemplary life. We have seen the deep solemnity of spirit and the cheerful submission to the will of God with which he contemplated, while yet in prospect, retirement from the work in which he had so long been engaged: the sequel will shew that when actually placed in these new circumstances, he found the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ sufficient for him; and that he had in an eminent degree learned that difficult but important lesson upon which he had often expatiated with great delight and effect in his public ministrations;

"I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," &c. He was still the same spirituallyminded, serious, contented, cheerful, happy man as ever, and still the same active, diligent, self-denying minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace which had enabled him efficiently to fill up the honourable stations assigned to him in public life, now sustained him in comparative retirement; and the same "calmly-fervent zeal" which had led him steadily onward in an undeviating course of holy activity during the fifty-one years in which he had moved in a more extensive sphere of usefulness, still constrained him to employ all his remaining energies in the service of God and man in the more limited sphere of action to which his growing infirmities now restricted him; while the retirement and leisure for which he had often sighed, and which he now enjoyed, were diligently improved in the pursuit of a growing meetness for that heavenly inheritance, the prospect of which became daily brighter and more joyous.

His journal, from this period until within a few days

of his death, being more copious than for many previous years, supplies, with but few interruptions, an autobiographical sketch of the history of his remaining days, and will enable his numerous friends to receive as from his own lips the edifying recital how God continued to "guide him with his counsel," until he "received him to glory." The extracts must necessarily be brief, and many particulars deeply interesting to his family, and perhaps not less so to an extensive circle of friends, who regarded his visits almost as those of an inhabitant of the celestial world, must be passed over, or the limits within which this Memoir must be included, would be greatly exceeded.

"Sun. Sept. 2, 1838.-My last Sunday at Hoxton. Ah! how rapid the motion of time. It is four years since I undertook the government of the Institution family. I have endeavoured conscientiously to discharge the duties of my office; my eye has been single; but I have failed very much in doing it in the degree which I desired. I retire, however, with 'a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man;' in peace with every member of the family; and with the esteem of my brethren in the ministry. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.' To him be glory. Amen. I look forward to a plan of usefulness in my retirement, on a small scale, with pleasure. My general health is good. may live a few years. If so, I trust it may be to good purpose. And if it should please God to call me soon and suddenly to appear before him, O may I be found quite ready for my final change. 'Jesus, in death remember me.'

I

'In death as life, be thou my guide,
And save me, who for me hast died.""

"Wed. 5.-Took leave of Mr. Moore. Perhaps we shall not meet again in this world. May we meet in glory. Much excited in my feelings on this last day at Hoxton."

The following day, Sept. 6, Mr. E. took leave of the Institution and its inmates, and having spent a few days at Birmingham and Manchester on his way, arrived at Tadcaster, on Tuesday, Sept. 18. A few days after, he writes:-"Now I am settled. O how I enjoy this re

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