as you gaze upon the Son of God, hanging on the cross, while the blood is flowing from his wounds, and he is exclaiming as from the lowest depth of his agony, "My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" I ask you what is the true meaning and design of that wondrous scene? It is Jesus Christ paying, in groans, and tears, and blood, the price of your redemption. It is Jesus Christ thus and for ever establishing his right to your whole self, your whole life, and your whole possession. It is Jesus Christ setting down the sum of your deliverances, and ratifying his claim to your entire temporal and eternal existence. What a robbery of God, what a felony upon heaven, is it to attempt, or even to wish to live for ourselves! which of us can make the daring attempt, or cherish the unjust, ungrateful wish? And yet how prone are we to this! How much of this wicked sacrilege is going on! How many professors, in opposition to claims so sacred, so tender, and so strong, are living for their own ease, enjoyment, and aggrandisement! How few do we see who seem to be sensible of the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ! How few, who enter as they should do into that admonition, "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God!" How few, who connect the glory of God with the whole course of their conduct, as the end of every action, the ultimate object of all they do! How few, to whom it is matter of plan, forethought, purpose, and calculation, to lay out themselves to be holy, useful, and successful in leading others to think upon God, and inquire after him! What laborious exertion, and constant scheming, and ingenious contrivances after wealth do we behold! What aspirations after that which is elegant, fashionable, and genteel! What consultations and calculations about ease, comfort and enjoyment! How intent are parents to amass wealth for their children, to form advantageous connexions for them, often without due regard for their spiritual and eternal welfare! And when, through the good providence of God, tradesmen have been successful in business, and are about to retire upon their means, how solicitous are they to select a pleasant locality, a respectable community, a popular minister, instead of a situation where they might do good, and strengthen the hands of some faithful preacher of the word labouring amidst great discouragement! Alas, how applicable are the words of the apostle to the present generation, "All seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's!" Con My dear friends, study afresh your obligations. Rise each morning, designing to glorify God by all the varying circumstances of the day; and each night, as you lay your head upon your pillow, ask the question, "Have I glorified God to-day?" Enter every new situation-meet every new trialengage in every new effort saying, "Father, help me to glorify thee." sider every place a scene for this duty-the shop, the house, the market; as well as the house of God. When sinking down from this high purpose, and you are in danger of becoming self-indulgent, worldly-minded, and intent upon ease and gratification, cast a look at the cross, and listen to the reproving words, which come from it: "Ye are not your own.' Act so as to give sincerity, meaning, and emphasis to an expression, the truth and reality of which have been questioned by the ignorant and profane, and the whole resolved into cant and hypocrisy; I mean, the phrase, "glorifying God." How has this sublime expression been abused; to what low and selfish, secular and sectarian ends has it been prostituted; how has it been employed to sanction deeds, and to cover motives, which the Scripture condemns, and the mind of God abhors. Rescue it from degradation; roll away from it reproach; and convince those who never utter it but with a sneer and a taunt, that amidst many to whom it is mere religious verbiage, there are some who feel the claims of redeeming mercy, and who, by a life of obedience to the Word of God, and conformity to his image, are seeking to glorify their Father who is in heaven; and who, sensible of their utter insufficiency of themselves for a work so difficult and so high, are engaged in fervent, constant, and believing prayer for the necessary aid of the Holy Spirit. 39 BIOGRAPHY. MR. WILLIAM COOPER, OF LEICESTER. THE subject of this memoir was born at Rearsby, in Leicestershire, in the year 1779. At the age of six years he was removed to Syston. He grew up to manhood ignorant of himself and of divine things. When he was twentytwo years of age, he went to reside at Earl-Shilton, where he became thoughtful and comparatively steady. It soon became apparent, that the Holy Ghost was operating on his heart, enlightening his mind, and showing him his wretchedness and misery as a sinner. At length, the sight was more than he could bear, his heart was softened, the penitential tear flowed freely, and he ardently cried, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." He continued reiterating his cry, and groaning for deliverance, until God graciously gave him to know that his sins were forgiven. What a change was this!-his conscience was lightened of its load-his name was written in the Lamb's book of life-his heart rejoiced in the God of his salvation-his tongue exclaimed "My God, I am thine, what a comfort divine, What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine." He now united himself, in Church fellowship, with the Wesleyan Methodists; and, for many years, he walked in the light of God's countenance; this was evidenced by an unblemished deportment. Soon after his conversion the love of Christ constrained him to try to promote the spiritual good of others. Cheerfully he gave himself to God and to the Church by the will of God. After suitable trial he was admitted on the plan as a local preacher. In this office he was zealous, and God, in many instances, owned his labours. In the year 1807, the providence of God led him to reside in Leicester, where he established a rope manufactory. It was his custom, for many years, to get up in the night to read and study the Word of God; if the night were cold he used to wrap up his legs in a large sack. His preaching was characterized with great warmth and eccentricity. He often said, that his work was "to take the axe on his shoulder, and with all his might to strike at the root of the trees, and as they fell to move on, and leave the work of polishing them to others." Thus happily and usefully, for many years, he went on his way towards "the City of habitations." But, alas, this zealous " wood-man," after twenty years connection with the church, fell into a snare of the devil, and was led captive into sins of the basest kind! Alas, the mighty man became fallen! and the glory was departed! Ten long years he continued in this wretched condition; he was "joined to his idols," and beguiled by them. It was well for him, that God did not say to his ministers, and to his Spirit, "Let him alone." At length, he heard the distant thunder threaten; that the nearer lightnings might not harm. He trembled and began to moan on account of his sins and iniquities; and God said, "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim ? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not man. For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still; therefore my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord." About this time, he found his way to a class-meeting. After the leader had spoken to the members of his class--he turned to the subject of this memoir, and asked him, why he came there. He said, he had for some years thought that his eternal destiny was fixed, that lately he had been searching the Bible to find those passages which might confirm him in the opinion, but that when pondering them over he was led to read a little further, and, as he read, hope had sprang up in his soul, and as his hope increased, he had began to pray; and God had restored him to his favour; and now, he added, "I have obtained mercy, God has healed my backslidings, and he loves me freely. Alleluia! Bless the Lord!" All present united heartily in praising God,— "But O how soon thy wrath is o'er, And pardoning love takes place? Immediately after this, he united himself to the Hill-street Society, in Leicester, then belonging to the Arminian Methodists but, for several years past connected with the Wesleyan Methodist Association. Now his love to God, and his attachment to the cause was great; and in liberality he abounded. He resumed his former method of rising in the night for meditation and prayer. Sometimes in his midnight exercises, he broke out aloud in fervent prayer to God for his blessing on the church and the world. After having given full proof of his sincerity, he was again restored to the office of local preacher, and he laboured assiduously as long as his physical energies permitted. His originality of expression, and his peculiar manner of address, attracted large congregations. In all he said, there was great simplicity and sincerity. There were no appearances of plaits or folds, or subtle subterfuges; no one could misunderstand him or doubt his meaning. The few months that I had the honour of his acquaintance, I was delighted with his readiness in assisting to help forward the cause of our Zion. At all the special meetings held for the purpose of promoting the work of God amongst us, while health permitted, he was present, giving his counsel and offering his prayers. For some time, it had been evident, that the physical man was sinking, and on the 23rd day of December, 1845, he was laid aside from business. His sufferings were sometimes very severe, and more than once he said, perhaps rashly, "I wish God would strike the blow." When reminded, that God was too wise to err, and that he must learn submission, he readily assented. One day, when I was alone with him, I put some pointed questions to him relative to the state of his soul. His answers were, "I have no doubt of my acceptance-Christ is my rock, he is broad enough for me, He often said,- 'On this my stedfast soul relies, "Other refuge have I none, &c." "I, the chief of sinners, am, "I have no other peg to rest on." The last time that I saw him alive was on the 4th day of February, 1846, a few hours before he died. He expressed himself pleased to see me, and thanked me for my attention during his affliction. He then added, "I am going to the celestial hills-I should like to have Vital spark' sung." The last words he was heard to articulate were, "How long-open the gates-" "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." His death was improved from Revelation xiv. 13, in Hill-street Chapel, to the largest congregation ever seen within its walls; and vast numbers who came to hear could not possibly gain admission. He was well known and greatly beloved. THOMAS ELLERY. 41 MRS. OPPENHAGAN, OF WINCHESTER. THE late MRS. OPPENHAGAN was born at a village called Croley, in Warwickshire, in the year 1778. Her father was a pious member of the Church of England, and attended to the religious training of his children. At a very early age, she was impressed with the reality and importance of spiritual and eternal things. In consequence of the faithful ministration of the Word of life, by a clergyman of the Church of England, she became much attached to him, and if he had taken her by the hand, she believed she should then have been brought into the enjoyment of salvation. When about eighteen years of age, she went to reside with a pious uncle, and remained with him until her marriage. Her uncle endeavoured to promote her present and eternal welfare; but it does not appear that she made a decided choice of religion until several years after her marriage. She attended the ministry of the Church, and was often alarmed respecting her state as a sinner, but for want of suitable instruction she continued in a state of spiritual bondage. She often said, that if she had had any one to instruct her in the Gospel plan of salvation by faith in Christ, it was probable that she should have found the Lord many years earlier. The Lord, however, in the course of his Providence, opened her way. About the year 1833, she went to reside at Liphook, in Hampshire. Here she heard the Gospel preached, in the open air, by the Bible Christians, and soon united with them in church fellowship, and ever after retained a strong attachment to them; and was grateful for the religious instruction and comfort she received through their instrumentality. She opened her house for the accommodation of the ministers; and to the utmost of her ability supported the interests of the society, of which she had become a member. Near three years ago, having, with her family, removed to Winchester, she visited the various places of worship in the city, and finding the congregation and services in the Wesleyan Association Chapel most agreeable to her, she determined to unite with the society. She often blessed God for leading her to the "Little Chapel." It was while listening, one Sunday morning, to a sermon in that chapel from 1 Peter i. 9, that she was enabled to realize a sense of her interest in the atoning blood of Jesus; and ever after she rejoiced in the assurance of her adoption into the family of God. For many years, Mrs. Oppenhagan was the subject of severe affliction, but towards the end of the year 1846, she became decidedly worse, and afterwards was never able to get to the house of God. This was a great trial to her. She was afraid lest she should give way to the flesh, and not make sufficient effort to get to the means of grace. Often has she attended her class when she had the greatest difficulty in walking the distance. She never murmured, but committed her soul to the Lord, and, on many occasions, she was visited with refreshings from the presence of the Lord. She took a deep interest in the cause of God; longed and prayed for its prosperity, and according to her ability she liberally contributed towards its support. A pleasing proof of this occurred at our last Missionary Anniversary. She longed to attend the Sunday service to hear, as she thought for the last time, the Rev. R. Eckett, who was announced to preach; and whose labours had formerly been blessed to her. She, however, was from excessive weakness, unable to carry out her intentions. On the following morning, I received a note, expressing her sorrow at not being able to get to the services, and enclosing three shillings which she wished to be given to the cause. Considering her scanty means, this was very liberal, and no doubt was pleasing to Him who commended the bestowment of the widow's mite. On many other occasions, she manifested a similarly honourable and Christian feeling in reference to supporting the cause of God. Towards the close of life her sufferings were very severe. Day after day she lay expecting every hour almost to be her last. To add to her trials, her husband, upon whom the family depended for support, a fine healthy robust old man, was taken suddenly ill, and his life was despaired of. In a few days he was numbered with the dead. She was unable to see him, and it was some time after his death before she knew what had taken place. At length, observing an unusual stillness in the house, she inquired about her husband. Her daughter, the only child with them, scarcely durst inform her mother of the event, fearing the information might so shock her as to produce her immediate death; but when she heard what had taken place, with her accustomed spirit of resignation to the will of God, she replied, "The Lord's will be done;" and commended her almost broken-hearted daughter to the care of her heavenly Father. Instead of being overwhelmed with grief, as was expected, she, as well as her weak state would admit of, attempted to pour into the grief-stricken spirit of her child, the balm of consolation; assuring her, that the Lord would take care of her, and be a father unto her. Never was seen a finer exhibition of the power of Christian principle to impart comfort in the hour of adversity. In this happy state of mind she lingered for a few days, when she was delivered from her afflictions, and elevated to the joy of her Lord. The following notice of her last moments was written by her daughter, and may be regarded as illustrating the habitual state of Mrs. Oppenhagan's mind. My dear mother much delighted to dwell on the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ; she would often say, 'Oh, that wonderful love wherewith he hath loved us, and made us meet to be partakers of his heavenly joy!' When suffering great pain of body, she feared lest she should give way to impatience. During the short time of my father's illness, and after his decease, she had many sweet foretastes of her future happiness; and the day previous to her departure, she said, 'Pray to the Lord to release me, I am anxiously waiting, but still I must wait his time.' I often asked her, 'Do you still feel Jesus precious?' Her answer was, 'Oh yes!' A few hours before she died, I said to her, Mother, you will soon be sleeping in Jesus !' She replied, 'Yes, he is round about my bed.' Her confidence was unshaken to the last, and she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus." Thus lived and died, Mrs. Oppenhagan. Her life and death illustrated the power of the Gospel to support and comfort under the most trying circumstances, and the advantages of living by faith in a crucified Redeemer. She died in March, 1847. Her death was improved in a funeral sermon preached in the chapel, Upper Brook-street, Winchester, to an attentive and deeply affected congregation. C. E. MR. THOMAS MARSHALL, OF OLDHAM. THOMAS MARSHALL, was born at Oldham, in the year 1783. He was a child of pious parents, by whom he was led, when very young, to the house of God. But, alas! as he grew up, he was carried away by many of the follies of his youthful associates. In 1800, the masters to whom he was apprenticed sent him to Birmingham. In after life, he was frequently heard to express his gratitude to God, that, while in that large manufacturing town, he was preserved from most of the vices to which youth is addicted. In little more than a year, he returned to Oldham, where he remained until he had completed his apprenticeship. In 1805, he left his father's house with the intention of going to London, but meeting with some of his associates, they persuaded him to stay at a village called Denton. At this place, he met with her who is now left to mourn his loss, to whom he became united in marriage in 1806. In 1807, while sitting under the ministry of the |