Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

to him, he said, "I do not know you: I do not know any one: I have no memory. But I know Jesus. I know that he loves me, and that I love him ;" and a few months before his death, meeting a person who had been a member of the class which he had led, he manifested the same loss of memory; but he repeated, "I know Jesus: I love Jesus. O my precious Saviour!" He then added, with tears, "Make all ready while the sun shines. Be ready for death: O, be ready!" He was confined to his bed a short time before his death; but such was the complete prostration of his little remaining strength, that he was almost like an infant, unable to articulate. He thus left no dying testimony; and though his friends would have been thankful had God been pleased to permit it to be otherwise, yet they needed it not. From the time of his conversion to his death, a period of sixty years, the fruits of righteousness had borne testimony, both to his own sincerity, and to the truth and excellence of the religion of Jesus, who had loved him, and whom he had loved.

BENJAMIN GARTSIDE.

22. Died, May 5th, Mrs. Harper, late of Buckland, in the Frome Circuit, in her seventy-fifth year. Her maiden name was Weaver, a name intimately connected with the history of Wesleyan Methodism in Buckland, from its origin in that place, to the present time. John Weaver, her uncle, was the Leader of a class there in 1762; and her father and mother, George and Rachel Weaver, were for many years ornaments to the Wesleyan society in the village. Blessed with the prayers, counsel, and example of pious relations, she became, in early life, sensible of the value of piety; and at the age of fourteen joined that branch of Christ's church with which her parents were connected, and to her dying day continued a strongly attached and steadily consistent member of it. A friend who was well acquainted with her for thirty years, has observed concerning her, that, from his own observation and judgment, her religious character was unblemished, and that the high opinion of her piety which he formed from the first, was confirmed by long and intimate acquaintance. The most striking feature of her Christian character, was its evident spirituality. It was difficult to be in her company, even for a short period, without perceiving that her affections were placed on things above. For several years, the delicate state of her health prevented her regular attendance at the public and social ordinances of religion; but her communion with God was so close and hallowing, that, according to the testimony of her Class-Leader, when she could attend the meetings of her class, her presence seemed to infuse a holier and loftier spirit into the service. Her last days were such as were to be anticipated from one who from childhood to hoary hairs bad lived a life of faith in the Son of God. They were emphatically days of peace, peace passing all understanding, and hope full of glory and immortality. Her composure and serenity when passing through the valley and shadow of death were indescribable, and perhaps scarcely ever exceeded. Her dying chamber was felt by all who entered it to be "quite on the verge of heaven." Very gracious were the words that fell from the lips of this exemplary Christian during her last illness. She would often exclaim, from the fulness of her heart, "Blessed Saviour! Praise him, O praise him! Praise him for ever! I'll praise him while he lends me breath." After a

severe paroxysm of pain, she said, “My sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall follow." Looking around on her family, she exclaimed, "The world, and everything in it, death and sin, are all under my feet. Christ is all in all to me." Some water having been given to her, she said, "I shall soon drink of the pure river of life." At another time, she thus expressed her hope and resignation. "Why do thy chariot-wheels so long delay? Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, and take me to thyself! But thy will be done, not mine!" It was said to her, "You will soon be with Jesus, your Saviour." She rejoined, "He is with me now. His presence is with me, and gives me rest. His rod and staff they comfort me.' A friend observed to her, that she had but one more enemy to conquer. "He

is conquered already," she replied: "I am not afraid to die. Jesus is all the world to me, and all my heart is love. O, help me not to forget my Saviour! Hold on, patience! God is love. God bless you, my children. I am going to him. O, it is better to depart, it is better far to die!" Her last words, so faintly uttered as scarcely to be audible, expressed the abiding tranquillity of her spirit, and the full assurance of her hope: "Going home!" Soon after, she fell asleep. WILLIAM GRIFFITH, JUN.

23. Died, May 5th, at Newhall, in the Burton and Lichfield Circuit, aged eighty-seven, Martha, the wife of Mr. Stephen Savill. She was convinced of sin, when sixteen years old, under a sermon by the Rev. Samuel Bardsley, and after a few months obtained joy and peace through believing. In the course of her first marriage she was accustomed to walk three miles to her class-meeting. During her widowhood she occupied her own house and garden, beyond which she had no means of support for herself and two children, except what she obtained by spinning; yet at that time she commenced receiving the Ministers of Christ, and even enlarged her house by building a room for the public worship of God. Some time after her second marriage, suffering under a very painful disease, she submitted to an operation, which she endured with such fortitude, that the Surgeon, who entertained atheistical opinions, could account for it only by admitting that there must be some invisible agent to support her; and from that time the holy Scriptures were read in his family regularly. Although Mrs. Savill, at the time of this trying event, had reached the age of sixty-two, yet she survived it twenty-four years; and, as long as she was able, repaired to the house of God. What may be termed her last affliction was but of short duration. Throughout the whole she manifested the same patient spirit which she had displayed through the trials of life. She said, "I have not served God seventy years for nought." Her last words were, "I am very comfortable." After serving God, and her generation by the will of God, for many years, she thus died in great peace, falling asleep in Jesus.

JOHN M. JOLL.

24. Died, May 15th, at Sutton-Bonnington, Nottinghamshire, aged seventy-two, Mr. William Sarson. He was trained up from infancy by his pious grandfather and grandmother, who directed his earliest thoughts to the great and saving truths of the Gospel. In his twelfth year, a dangerous illness led him to earnest prayer that he might be

prepared to die; and he so sought, as to find, the mercy which he felt that, as a sinner, he needed. On his recovery he joined the society of which his venerable relations had long been members, and, for a considerable time, "walked in the light of the Lord." Unhappily, he was ensnared by a temptation which has injured many. He was fond of music, and not only devoted to it too much of his time, but was led by it into company which, though not immoral, yet tended to weaken his more serious impressions; and, ultimately, he gave up his religious profession. Still, his mind was not at rest. He felt that he had done wrong; and when about twenty years of age, his convictions of the evil and danger of backsliding made him quite miserable. While thus labouring under the reproaches of his conscience, he determined to renounce the very occasion of his fall, and even went so far as to burn his music-books. The Rev. Mr. Dodwell visiting a neighbouring village, (where he preached in the school-room, the use of the church being denied him, because of his Methodism, as it was called,) Mr. Sarson went to hear him. The subject of this excellent Clergyman's discourse was the "Barren Fig-tree,” and Mr. Sarson applied the whole to himself. He began to fear that he was doomed to be cut down; and so did "his heart meditate terror," that he thought he had sinned against the Holy Ghost, and was even tempted to destroy himself. He had entered the meadow leading to the river which was to be the scene of this awful crime, when he suddenly resolved to pray. He fell prostrate before God, and most earnestly implored forgiveness. His mind was so far relieved, that the temptation lost its power, and he returned home, determined to seek the Lord with his whole heart. A few days subsequently, having gone into one of the outbuildings of the farm on which he laboured, he was enabled to continue in prayer till he obtained peace and liberty, and the joy of God's salvation was mercifully restored to him. He rejoined the Methodist society; and from that time held fast without wavering his profession, and continued steadfast and unmoveable to the end. He witnessed several divisions in the neighbourhood before he was removed to the church above; but no seductions could ever weaken his attachment to Methodism. He was soon after appointed to be a Class-Leader. Of that class, in 1800, the writer became a member; and never can he forget the many happy and profitable seasons which he enjoyed in its regular meetings. Having himself found mercy, he was anxious to persuade others to seek the same mercy for themselves; and believing that it was his duty to call sinners to repentance as a Local Preacher, after due trial he received his appointment from the Superintendent of the Circuit. He laboured zealously and usefully for many years. At first, he had few fellow-helpers in his own neighbourhood; but he did not shrink from toil. All that his circumstances allowed him to do, he did with all his heart.

His last affliction was short, but extremely painful. His medical attendant enjoined the strictest quietness, so that only few persons were allowed to see him. He was quite aware of his own danger, and said to a friend who had been admitted to his room, "You are come to see a dying man;" and, not long after, "Though tempted, I keep fast hold by faith." On another occasion he said, "All is well, all is well. It will soon be over." Twenty-four hours before he died, the sentence was repeated in his hearing, "Christ in you, the hope of

glory." "That is mine," he said, "and a load of promises besides." He added,

""Tis Jesus, the First and the Last,

Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home:
We'll praise him for all that is past,

And trust him for all that's to come."

On the morning of his death, a few friends visited him. He was sensible, but speechless. It was said to him, "God is love. Glory is very near." He attempted to reply, but was unable. His countenance indicated, however, not only that he understood what was said, but that his heart responded to it. He then gently raised his eyes upward, as if inwardly praying; and while so doing, he drew his last breath, and fell asleep.

The writer cannot refrain from adding, that, of his own conversion, Mr. Sarson was, under God, the chief instrument. He was one of the early guides of his youth. Often did we take sweet counsel together; and often, too, have we walked many miles to the house of the Lord in company. On his way to the Annual District-Meeting, the writer called to see his old friend once more; but on that very day he had died. WILLIAM DALBY.

At the

25. Died, May 30th, at South-Hill, near Collington, in the Saltash Circuit, aged forty-four, Mr. James Lobb. He had been a consistent member of the Methodist society more than twenty years. commencement of that period, having been convinced of sin by the word and Spirit of God, he had sought the Lord with his whole heart, and experienced a sound scriptural conversion. He was devotedly attached to the service of God, and particularly so to the house of prayer. As long as his physical strength would allow, this attachment to the "gates of Zion" was shown to be unabated, by his punctual attendance at the public means of grace. By his example, at least, at the appointed hour of divine worship, he always said, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." As in health the sincerity and power of his faith were seen in active obedience, so, in affliction they were manifested by his patience and submission. He was a follower of those who had themselves thus inherited the promises. He had to pass "through much tribulation;" but he had an undoubting assurance that

66

"To patient faith the prize is sure;

And all that to the end endure
The cross, shall wear the crown."

When his sufferings were protracted as well as severe, it was his language, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change come." He appeared to have a deep conviction on his mind that the Judge of all the earth will do right;" and in his sovereign wisdom and goodness he calmly rested. He was willing to do or to suffer the will of God; to live or to die. He had laid hold on Christ as the only hope set before him, and rejoiced in the Spirit's testimony that he was accepted in the Beloved. Not long before he died, he said to a friend, "It is now more than twenty-five years since I was such a stranger in the chapel as I have been latterly. I should like to enjoy

the means of grace as I formerly did. But I thank God that I am kept from repining. My confinement is a long one, and without religion I should have a dreary lot. The bodily system is all out of tune; but my mind is kept in that peace which the world does not give, and which it cannot take away." On one occasion, looking earnestly at his nearest and dearest earthly friend, he said to her, "You must be prepared to meet the trial. I shall not be restored this time; for I feel weaker every day. Do not grieve: I am only going a little before you." One of his friends spoke of the fear of death; and he replied, "That is taken away." He earnestly exhorted his sister to "live to God: 66 you will then," he added, "meet me in heaven." "I have had a hard struggle to give up my family," he said at another time; "but God has given me the victory, and now I can give them all up. I rest on the divine promise. He who calls me hence will be a Father to the fatherless, and a Husband to the widow." During the last few days of his life his sufferings were so great, that he could speak very little. Referring to them, he said, "Pray for me, all of you pray, that I may have a safe and easy passage. It is hard work for the body; but all is quiet within." Shortly before he died, he was asked, "How do you feel now?" He at once replied, “I have no dread, 'Not a cloud doth arise, to darken the skies.' He trusted in God, and to the last, God was his light and his salvation.

PAUL CLARK.

26. Died, June 17th, at Sandiacre, in the Ilkestone Circuit, aged seventy, Mrs. Mary Dawson. Her maiden name was Mary Gill. She was born at Oxton, Nottinghamshire, and when about twenty-four years of age, came to reside at Sandiacre, where she was united to John Dawson. A few years after their marriage, they were both thoroughly awakened to a sense of their guilt and danger as sin-. ners, and began to seek the Lord in earnest: both of them, before long, experienced the divine faithfulness and mercy, and, believing on Christ, she received the witness of forgiving love. She (as well as her husband) at once joined the Wesleyan society. It was then small, consisting only of one class, which met at the house of the Leader, that truly good and respectable man, Mr. Henry Taft, whose memory is still dear to those that knew him. He was the father of the Revs. H. and Z. Taft, and first introduced the Methodists into Sandiacre, and several neighbouring villages. Towards the close of his life, when unable any longer to attend to the more active duties of the class, Mr. Henshaw (then stationed in the Nottingham Circuit) appointed John Dawson to succeed him; and in her husband's class Mary continued to meet for more than thirty years, only leaving it when the debility occasioned by increasing years, and a serious attack of illness, made it necessary for her to have a nearer place of meeting. Few persons ever gave more evident proofs of genuine attachment to the people of God, and the ordinances of his house, than herself. Her attendance at the means of grace was often at the cost of much bodily suffering; but she always said that it was more than made up to her by the renewal of her spiritual strength and joy. She was confined to her bed during the last six weeks of her life; but her Saviour was present with her, and precious to her. Sometimes she experienced the assaults of her ghostly enemy, who sought to make not only the

« VorigeDoorgaan »