DEAR EDITOR,-It is now about nine months ago since your valuable periodical gave publicity to the sudden departure of John Pells, late pastor of Soho Chapel, Oxford street, to the Father's house above. It was also stated that he had, besides his dear companion and children, left an only sister and aged mother to mourn his loss. I have now to communicate the sad tidings that this only sister, Mrs. Cullingford, my beloved wife, has been called to join her dear brother in that glorious world which mortals cannot conceive, but which is described as a place perfectly free from all the sins, sorrows, and pains of this sin-polluted world, and the soul filled with joy unspeakable for evermore. But how shall I write the name which has been bound up in the tenderest fibres of my heart, while the dear beloved object that bore it is no more on earth! Yet I feel, on account of her many friends, I should be glad through this medium to give some account of the closing part of her short pilgrimage, entreating for myself and her bereaved and now childless mother their prayers and sympathy; while for her they may rejoice to hear of her safe arrival on that blissful shore where the parting sound and tear are known no more; but where all the favoured inhabitants are cemented in the most endearing and everlasting bands, in the presence of that Jesus who is all and in all. I feel it a difficult task, both on account of the wound this stroke has made upon my feelings, and also for fear my communication might appear like praise to the creature instead of the grace of God, which alone made her what she was.

The dear departed was born at Beccles, December 9th, 1828, her parents being both members of the Baptist church. She was brought up from infancy to attend the house of God, and as soon as age admitted became a devoted scholar in the Sabbath school. But although thus instructed in the principles of truth she seemed to have passed several years without any real concern about the all-important matter of salvation, but was nevertheless a constant hearer of the esteemed and now aged pastor of the Baptist church, Mr. George Wright. But though thus wandering, seeking to find happiness in the pleasures of this world, glory to God, she could not rove beyond the limits of His love; for the appointed time rolled on apace not to elect but call by grace. It pleased the Lord by His Spirit, while listening to a sermon by the abovementioned servant of the Lord from the words, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c., to send the arrow of conviction to her heart, and to effect a wound which nothing but the balm of pardoning mercy and forgiving love, through the Saviour's blood,

could heal. But He works sovereignly and variously. For two years she was permitted to wrestle with many fears for a clear manifestation of pardon.

But the time of love must come,

When she should clearly see,
Not only that he shed his blood,
But she could say, for me.

Although during this period the change had been most evident to Christian observers, her becoming a devoted teacher in the Sabbath school, her manifest attachment to Christian society and love to the prayer meeting, and public ordinance of the Lord's house, were satisfactory evidences to others; but He who had made the wound must Himself speak the healing word. This He did by the same instrumentality; for while Mr. Wright was preaching a sermon adap

ted to the awakened but not liberated child of God, the fetters were loosened and the captive set free. This was indeed a time of rich enjoyment of the blessed realities of true religion. Soon after this she was enabled to give herself up to the Lord in His own appointed way. In November, 1854, she, with several others, were baptised, and became members of the church at Beccles, where she found sweet fellowship with the saints, and carrying with her wherever she went that cheerful Christian kindness so desirable, she had drawn forth the special attachment of many of her fellow-travellers to Zion, and which have been largely manifested by the many letters I have received bearing this testimony, since her decease, "she being now numbered with the saints in the Church of Christ." She with several other young Christians became truly devoted to his cause by visiting the sick, distributing tracts, &c. Many dear old saints, unable to attend the house of God, hailed those visits with delight. In this way she spent about five years in happy communion with the saints at Beccles, during which time she had indeed to find that the Christian's is a tribulated path. Painful family affliction of long continuance, losing by death an only and beloved sister (who also departed in the faith); her aged mother becoming afflicted in her mind; her father failing in business, were trials which she bore like one supported and upheid by the power of God. But although her sorrows were deep her joys were often high. Many times has she referred to those times, especially to the happy seasons she enjoyed while sitting under the preached word by her never-forgotten spiritual father, Mr. Wright. But she was not to end her short pilgrimage at Beccles, in the midst of confusion in her father's affairs. She came, in the order of providence, on a visit to a relation at Saxmundham, and in a most remarkable way it was brought about that in six months from that

time her beloved brother came down and made her the beloved wife of the unworthy writer, who had been a widower about three years and a-half since the loss of my first beloved companion, who also departed triumphant in the faith. I felt truly thankful to the all-wise Disposer of all events that He had provided for me such a suitable companion, for both in spiritual and domestic matters she was all I could desire. But all earthly comforts are short-lived; God's ways are not our ways; He gives us life and health and friends, and takes them all away at His own appointed time, and gives to mortals none account of His matters; for it was only about fifteen months and the one so valued was prostrated on a bed of affliction, and almost all hope of recovery was gone; but the Lord deferred the stroke again and again, for on three occasions, previous to the closing scene, was she brought to the borders of the grave after becoming mother of children, which lived at most a few days. At such times her mind was generally stayed and fixed on the Rock of Ages; but the Lord graciously raised her up again, and we thought her health was being better established, and for some time she was able to resume her much loved place in taking the leading part of the singing in our little sanctuary. During her union with the church at Saxmundham she earnestly sought its prosperity, and was highly esteemed by its different pastors and members. Many of its female members sought her advice and sympathy in times of trouble, and now greatly lament their loss. Such was the overwhelming joy she felt in the ingathering of souls that she was scarcely able to bear witness to the ordinance of baptism. Yet the ordinances of the sanctuary were most dear to her, and nothing of a trivial nature would ever prevent her attending the prayer meeting or preaching service. She was favoured to feed richly on the pure word, and to retain the savour of what she heard; and in her last affliction referred to many sermons she had still in memory, both by Mr. Wright and by our present pastor, Mr. Baldwin.

It is now still in the memory of very many, that about nine months previous to her death, her beloved brother was suddenly called to his eternal home: this was indeed a heavy stroke; but in the midst of her sorrow she would say, "I know it's all right, although we cannot comprehend it." Little did we then think that she was so soon to follow after. Only about three months passed, when she began to feel painful and mysterious symptoms: these increased as time rolled on. At times she suffered much, but her patience and cheerfulness often deceived us as to the real state of her health; but for the last three months she became much worse, and she would sometimes say, "I don't know what the Lord is about to do with me, but it's all right, I know, and I wish to leave myself in his hands;" but about a month previous to her death a great change took place for

the worse, and her medical attendant gave but little hopes of her recovery: this was the first time I felt any real fears of her being again restored, as I had seen the kind interposition of Him who is able to raise from the deepest affliction. I prayed and hoped that he would again appear; but now I became most anxious, feeling as I did that she was my dearest earthly friend. A day or two after she became so much worse I spoke to her of the dangerous state the doctor considered her in; but I found she had already become familiar with death, and said, "All will be well, I know, let the end be what it may." I said, "You have strong faith." She said, "Yes, my mind is sweetly stayed on Jesus." On the Sunday evening I stayed from chapel to spend the time with her. She requested me to read to her a piece on the Christian's Rest and Home, adding, "Since I have been thus confined to my bed I have had such blessed thoughts about heaven." We spent a very profitable evening, although it was sometimes to me almost overwhelming; for I saw the Lord was fitting her for the heavenly world. The kind Christian friend who waited upon her held much spiritual converse with her, and found her generally in this happy frame of mind, resting entirely on the finished work of Christ, and the faithfulness of a covenantkeeping God. When I returned from my daily avocation she had frequently some fresh promise or portion she said the Lord had given her for that day. She having had another return of the dangerous symptoms, and feeling extremely weak, she said, "O what a mercy that I have such a good hope through grace. Surely the Lord is very kind; my mind is not at all troubled about my safety." A few days after she said, "It was a great mystery to me how my dear brother could give us all up without the least concern whatever, as I knew he loved us so much, but I know now. Oh," she added, "the blessed liberty I have enjoyed since I have been laid by; never did I enjoy such before." On another occasion, feeling great weakness and pain, the words came to her so sweetly, "It is good to wait patiently for the salvation of the Lord;" but the enemy seemed determined to make one more attempt to disturb her peace, and he appeared to come with all his force, and for nearly one day her mind seemed troubled about many things till the prayer of Hezekiah was given her: "O Lord, undertake for me; I am opprest:" and with that he left, and her mind was peaceful to the end. The night before she died she felt very restless and worn out, and after expressing gratitude to the kind friends who had given her their best attention, she said, "I am quite satisfied that all has been done that could be done, and I feel that this week will decide the case with me," meaning, no doubt, that she felt her end was approaching. On my inquiring the state of her mind she replied, "Very comfortable, sweetly stayed." Early the next

morning, she being taken much worse, the doctor being sent for, and it being found that the hour of nature's sorrows was come, she said, "Now all be quiet," and she closed her eyes, and it was thought her spirit had fled; but some stimulants being administered to her, she again revived and smiling, said, "I thought I had been going;" but she only revived to pass through the trials of nature's sorrows for about half an hour after giving birth to a son (which died about the same time as its mother). She breathed her spirit into the hands of the Redeemer with a sweet smile on her countenance on Wednesday, March 22nd, 1865. About an hour before she died she sent this message to me: "Tell my dear husband not to weep; all is well. I feel I have not believed in vain;" and when I was called to witness the closing scene, being unable to speak, she held out her hand to say farewell. Our union had been most happy, and the stroke of separation was the most painful to me of anything I ever felt before; but consolation from on high has been imparted. My Father has drawn me by the heavy stroke of his hand near to himself, and manifested such sweet tokens of his love as have greatly cheered my wounded spirit. While feeling the stroke in all its weight, the following note from her former pastor, Mr. Wright, was greatly blessed in leading me to look at things in the light of truth:

"MY DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD,I have heard of your sad bereavement, and have commended you to the Lord that he may support and comfort you under your loss, and sanctify the dispensation to your spiritual profit, and to your more earnest waiting for the Lord's coming. The hand. of the Lord hath done it. May this satisfy you and give you quiet submission to His will. His wisdom directed the stroke that has brought the desire of your eyes to the grave. For her you cannot mourn. The number of her days was completed, and she must not stay a day longer amidst the sins and sorrows of this world. The owner of his church came into his garden and gathered the lily he loved. It was his own; he planted it; it grew up under his care; and having fitted it for himself, he has taken it to be near him in the heavenly Canaan, where he is seen in all the beauty and enjoyed in all the sweetness of the Rose of Sharon. She was one whom I loved as one of my spiritual children who while she was with us loved the ways of the Lord, and walked in them looking unto Jesus. Her fellowship with us was pleasant, both to her and her fellow travellers to Zion. I should like to know something about the close of her pilgrimage when you can write me a few lines. Excuse the shortness of this note. The infirmities of age and manifold temptations oppress me and unfit me for letter writing, but I was not willing to let the mournful occcasion pass without assuring you of my sympathy with you and my affectionate regard for the beloved one who is removed to her mansion in her Father's

house. I am, my dear brother, yours sincerely in Jesus, GEO. WRIGHT." "Beccles, March 28th, 1865."

This, with many other sympathizing letters from friends at Beccles and elsewhere have proved words in season, and as I have been unable to answer them all, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for their kindness. Our pastor officiated at the funeral the following week, and preached a sermon in the afternoon of the next Sabbath from the words, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." He also gave many interesting statements of the kind and affable reception she had always given him from the first visit to Saxmundham to preach to us, and how interested he had been in his visits to her in her various afflictions, and how he had been encouraged by her referring to many sermons that had been especially blessed to her, but space will not allow me to say more upon this solemn service. Her aged spiritual father gave notice that he should refer to her death on Sunday, April 9th, but was prevented by severe indisposition. Mr. Bland, the co-pastor, took his place, and I have been informed, spoke very impressively on the solemn subject of death; also gave statements which had been sent respecting her happy end. Thus, dear Editor, in this imperfect way I have given some account of how mighty grace brought this beloved one into the way, kept her in it, and after a short pilgrimage of about twelve years landed her safe in the mansion prepared above. Thus in nine months brother and sister strongly attached in their lives have been taken to be reunited in that world where affliction and death can never enter.

P.S. I have given the above outline at the special request of friends of her deceased brother. Hoping you may be able to give them a place in your periodical for May, I am, dear Editor, yours in sorrow's vale, JEHU CULLINGFORD. 8, Chantry-place, Saxmundham.

NO CONTINUING CITY.
PILGRIMS on the road to glory!

Onward! onward! day by day;
Jesus waits for young and hoary:
Blessed Truth, and Life, and Way.
Why look back? The past has pleasures.
Yes; but with them mingles sighs.
What's become of all its treasures?
Where are now its many ties ?
Roses once so fresh and blooming,
Faded, dead, neglected, lie:
Things that charm us whilst they're loom-
Cease to captivate when nigh.

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