Edward Philip Nash, Holt, Norfolk. Son of Thomas W. and Sarah Nash. 2 4mo. 1 1850
Hannah Neale, Mountmelick. Daughter of William Neale. 33 3mo. 29 1850
Hannah Neale had an extensive circle of acquaintance, by whom she was much beloved and esteemed, as being one of a very innocent and blameless life. Some of the circumstances relating to her, are of a very affecting and interesting character, and speak loudly the uncertainty of all earthly prospects. In the summer of last year, she entered
into an engagement of marriage with a friend residing in England. Having considered the subject with earnest and sincere desires to act in accordance with best wisdom, she looked forward to the completion of the prospect with a pleasing and hopeful confidence, yet even at an early period of the engagement, there was something that seemed to whisper to her, the uncertainty of its completion.
At this time she appeared in her usual health and full of spirits; but whilst on a visit to her aunt, at Kingstown, her health became affected, and from this time, symptoms exhibited themselves, which baffled all medical skill. She was still, however, hopeful respecting her own recovery, and very often expressed in her correspondence, how much she was pained by the thought of being the cause of so much anxiety to others,—that her own sufferings were trifling, and the comforts surrounding her so numerous, she felt that she had every thing to be thankful for. It was, however, evident to those around her, that there was little ground for hope, and a dear friend intimated to her, that her medical advisers considered her end might possibly be very near. This intelligence
greatly startled her, but she afterward expressed, how thankful she felt that she had been honestly apprized of her danger.
The solemn impression then made on her mind, never left her, and her constant desire was, that she might, through divine mercy, be made meet for the kingdom of heaven, repeating emphatically, “I have much to do.”
She often expressed her great sorrow, that she had not yielded to the serious impressions with which she had been favoured, saving, “They were soon scattered;” and regretted much that she had not lived a more devoted life. She felt herself to be a great sinner, needing a Saviour’s gracious pardon; and for a long time feared she never should obtain that forgiveness, she so earnestly longed for. But though her faith was feeble, she endeavoured to lay hold of encouragement from the mercy extended to the Prodigal Son, and to the Thief upon the cross, hoping that the same mercy might be extended to herself; but for a long time, her poor tossed and tried mind “could find nothing to lean upon.” She remarked, she could not feel that she had sinned against her fellow-creatures, but that she could
adopt the words of the Psalmist: “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned,” saying, “I feel that I have nothing to build upon, and that I want every thing; I am not prepared to die, I want all my sins to be forgiven; I hope I shall not be taken till the work be fully accomplished.” The whole of the 51st Psalm, she said, seemed to suit her case, and with solemnity repeated, “‘Create in me a clean heart, oh God! and renew a right spirit within me.’ If I am saved, it will indeed be at the eleventh hour, I have been such a sinner.”
Thus did the Spirit of Truth search all things, and bring this beloved friend sensibly to feel, as she weightily expressed, “that at such a solemn hour, it will not do to build upon having led a spotless and innocent life, something more is then wanted to lean upon.” She often observed, how well it was for those who had given up their hearts to serve their Saviour in the time of health,—that had she done so, she should not now, in the hour of trial, have had to feel such deep sorrow of heart,—that she could only hope for mercy and forgiveness, adding, “If I perish, let it be at Thy footstool.”