Mrs. Forshaw was a woman of good sense, as well as of genuine piety; hence her freedom from bigotry and sectarian narrowness. Though her natural disposition was, perhaps, rather irritable than otherwise, yet, in this respect, I think it may be said her nature was perfectly subdued by divine grace, which, indeed, seemed constantly to be the ruling principle of her conduct. Her benevolence to the poor was truly admirable, and, considering her station in life, extensive. In this she was careful not to let her left-hand know what her right-hand did; so that her liberality, in this way, will never be fully ascertained. Her benevolence procured the liberty of the meagre prisoner: she fed the hungry and clothed the naked; administered to the comfort of the disconsolate widow, and wiped the tear of the destitute orphan. In forming her friendship, she was peculiarly discriminating; when formed, eminently faithful. In company, she was always cheerful, never volatile. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." She loved to converse on "things divine." She was a steady and determined enemy to calumny and backbiting: these she very properly considered as the offspring of none but irreligious and base minds.

Her peculiar characteristic was calm and even piety, equally remote from ostentation and lukewarmness. Her devotion was constant and fervent; her every action discovered the sincerity of her profession, and the purity of her heart. She was, on all occasions, resigned to the will of Providence, and thought that to suffer the will of the Lord, was the necessary touch-stone of genuine obedience. Never elated by prosperity, nor, on the other hand, ever reduced to extreme dejection by adverse circumstances; a peculiar uniformity of deportment marked her character; and under whatever internal affliction she might at any time labour, it was impossible for any to discover it, excepting those to whom she unbosomed herself; so extraordinary was her patience and resignation.

The whole of her domestic deportment was amiable and exemplary. Still mild and placid under all the little trying circumstances which occur in life, while she secured the affections of those around her, she taught them to acknowledge and admire the efficiency of the religion of JESUS CHRIST.

Thus have I pointed out some of the most prominent fraits in the character of ANN FORSHAW, which will, I am persuaded, be recognized by all who knew her; and by those who knew her best, it will be considered as no hyperbole to say, that in her were united all the virtues that can adorn humanity, and all the graces which constitute the Christian. She was one of the comparatively few who have no enemies; if she had any, their enmity never discovered itself; and Dr. Mavor very justly ob

serves, "That character must be sublime indeed, which envy and malice will not venture to attack."

We, the surviving friends, have sustained an irreparable privation, and we cannot but lament it; nay, it is surely right that we should but we "sorrow not as those without hope:" while the eye indulges in the tear of tenderness, it is restrained by the consolatory reflection

"There entertain her, all the saints above,

In solemn troops and sweet societies,
That sing, and singing in their glory move,
And wipe the tears for ever from her eyes.'
Liverpool, March 30, 1812.

A short Account of the Life and Death of William Hollinshead, of Etruria, near Newcastle, Staffordshire.

WILLIAM HOLLINSHEAD was born in the neighbourhood of Newcastle-under-Line, in the year 1766. In his infancy he was made to experience that, "Man is born to trouble." His father was taken away by death, and he was the youngest of a large family. Shortly after the death of his father, he had a severe affliction, which, for some time, threatened his life; and also deprived him of the use of his limbs. But, at this time, as also in many subsequent parts of his life, he experienced that God could help him when no other help could be obtained. After much suffering, his disorder was rebuked, and he was restored to health and soundness.

When he was about seven years old, religious impressions took hold of his mind, and he began regularly to attend public worship, A sermon preached by Mr. Jer. Brettell was much blessed to him; and because he had wept much, prayed often, and was free from outward sin, he concluded he was converted to God. A little time, however, convinced him, that he had only experienced the drawings of the Father. His religious impressions became weaker, and sin obtained the dominion over him. But the Lord continued to strive very powerfully with him; he often resolved to amend his life, but was again overcome by sin.

About the year 1785, Mr. Thomas Warwick was stationed in Burslem Circuit, (of which, Newcastle was then a part) and many were awakened under his ministry. Curiosity led our brother to hear Mr. W., and, under his preaching, he was more effectually convinced of sin than he ever had been before. He now began to hate sin, and to forsake all his former companions; to be diligent in the public means of grace, and in private prayer. So powerful were his convictions, that, on some occasions, he roared for the disquietude of his soul. He was

stripped of all self-righteousness; had painful discoveries of the depravity of his nature; and very fearful apprehensions on account of the wickedness of his life. Few persons, perhaps, have felt more keenly the anguish of a wounded spirit, or could, from a greater sense of their guilt and danger, pray, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."

The Lord, according to his promise, had respect to him in his disconsolate state. After he had, in some degree, seen the holiness of God's law, and felt its terrors, his mind was enlightened to discover the blessings of the gospel, and his soul felt their healing efficacy. At a moment when he had the most painful discoveries of his vileness and unworthiness, and, as he expresses it," was ready to drop into hell," the Lord pardoned all his transgressions, and spoke peace to his troubled conscience. The witness of his adoption into the favour and family of God, was so clear and strong as to exclude doubt, and banish fear from his mind. As he had tasted very sensibly of the cup of trembling, so the Lord gave him to drink largely of the cup of consolation. His peace flowed as a river, and he walked all the day long in the light of God's countenance. From an account of his experience, which now lies before me, (and from which this memoir is collected,) it appears his conversion to God was both clear and scriptural. He found in himself those marks of religion which are so often, and so beautifully described in various parts of the word of God. He observes, that he not only loved God and his people, but also his enemies; and with wonder and delight, viewed the great mercy which the Lord had manifested to him.

Some time before his conversion to God, he had joined the Methodist Society; but, hitherto, he had been unable to speak of the loving kindness of the Lord. But, on being made a partaker of gospel-salvation, he could not hide the righteousness of the Lord within his heart. He frankly told his Christian brethren what the Lord had done for his soul; and they and he rejoiced together. He felt, he observes, an earnest desire that all men, but especially his neighbours, might experience what he enjoyed. He, therefore, began to visit some of them at their houses, and conversed with them on subjects relative to their spiritual interests. The Lord was pleased to bless his endeaYours. The society to which he belonged, soon increased from seven members to twenty-five; most of whom, there was reason to believe, were converted to God. O, how much more might most Christians do for God, than they do, if they would use the gifts and grace the Lord has given them, however small, and which were never designed by him to be hid in a napkin. What a pity that any should ever lose the desire to do good, which always accompanies conversion.

A short time after our deceased friend had experienced the power of real religion, Satan was permitted to "sift him as wheat." He was tempted to doubt the truth of his experience, the authenticity of the Scriptures, and the being of a God. These suggestions from Satan caused him great trouble of mind. But he endured hardness as a good soldier. He resisted, and prayed; and though the struggle was long and painful, yet, through the strength of the Lord, he obtained a complete victory. This assault from the powers of darkness, in its effects, appears to have confirmed him in religion, and it tended to establish his faith in the power and faithfulness of God. In the narrative which he left of his experience, I find frequent mention made of most pleasing manifestations of God to his soul. Indeed, his peace seems to have flowed as a river, and he greatly rejoiced in God his Saviour.

Believing it to be expedient for him to change his state, he acted with discretion in that important affair. He consulted the word of God on the subject, and often prayed for divine direction. At length he was married to a woman "who feared the Lord." His wife and he, immediately began to take sweet counsel together. They encouraged and helped each other by their advice and mutual prayers, and were made to know that "two are better than one.' He relates in his Diary, that the work of God was deepened in their souls; their prospects of heaven became more bright; their joys more stable; and their faith more strong.

Soon after his conversion to God, thoughts of preaching the Gospel, occasionally rested on his mind. He appears to have yielded to these impressions with great reluctance; and, for several years, did not make an attempt to preach. At length, he was unable to satisfy his conscience any longer, and, yielding to the entreaty of his friends, ventured to take a text. In the discharge of this office, he had many severe exercises within, and many trials from without. But he believed it to be his duty, and the Lord was pleased to give him some seals to his ministry. These considerations supported his mind; and he held on his way, in the strength of grace. Soon after he began to preach, he was admitted into the local preachers' plan; and he regularly filled that office till his death. He was also the Leader of a large class, a great part of which he was the happy instrument of bringing into the way of righteousness. In both these offices he was much esteemed, and very useful.

From the time of Brother Hollinshead's conversion until hist death, as far as I have been able to learn, his outward conduct was unblamable: but in his Diary he records that he suffered loss in his soul. He met with many trials in the world, which, joined to the fiery darts of the wicked one, shook his faith in

some degree. This loss he laments very pathetically. But a considerable time before he was called hence, God was pleased again to bless him with a restoration to all he had lost.

His death was rather sudden. On the Monday evening he preached, for the last time, in the chapel at Etruria, which he had been the chief means of erecting. He complained to his wife the next day, of being unwell. Medical assistance was procured, but in vain. His disorder gained ground, and on Saturday morning, Aug. 17, 1811, he was called to his reward. To all who visited him in his affliction, he testified of the goodness of God to his soul, and died in the triumph of faith. THOMAS PRESTON.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Is fulfilment of our promise, we now present our readers with a complete copy of the late Act of Parliament in favour of the free exercise of Religious Worship, to which we shall subjoin some observations thereupon.

An Act to repeal certain Acts, and amend other Acts, relating to Religious Worship and Assemblies, and Persons teaching or preaching therein. [29th July, 1812.]

52 GEO. III. c. 155.

WHEREAS it is expedient that certain Acts of Parliament made in the reign of his late Majesty King Charles the Second, relating to Non-conformists and Conventicles, and refusing to take Oaths, should be repealed; and that the laws relating to certain Congregations and Assemblies for Religious Worship, and persons teaching, preaching, or officiating therein, and resorting thereto, should be amended; Be it therefore enacted, by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this Act, an Act of Parliament made in the Session of Parliament held in the thirteenth and fourteenth years of his late Majesty King Charles the Second, intituled, "An Act for preventing the mischiefs "and dangers, that may arise by certain persons called Quakers, "and others, refusing to take lawful Oath," and another Act of Parliament made in the seventeenth year of the reign of his late Majesty King Charles the Second, intituled, "An Act for re"straining Non-conformists from inhabiting in Corporations ;' and another Act of Parliament made in the twenty-second year of the reign of the late King Charles the Second, intituled, "An "Act to prevent and suppress seditious Conventicles," shall be and the same are hereby repealed.