The testimony of this letter to the character of Elizabeth, as a servant, is remarkable. ‘Not one ruffle or ripple in the even stream of her temper,’ of this naturally anxious, and even fretful, girl. ‘Never upset or put out by any hasty order or word:’ ‘consistent obedience:’ ‘humility and quiet contentment in her situation in life,’ marking all her course. How truly may we feel with her master that all this was a strong testimony to the grace of that blessed Saviour, who had “wrought all her works in her.” Yet what encouragement does this case afford to many others who are engaged in domestic service. She fulfilled her duty as unto the Lord, and of her Master in heaven she will doubtless receive her reward.

Elizabeth now having returned home, took her place in the parish. She sought to be serviceable to others as well as to gain her livelihood: she was a constant helper to the ministry, and a great comfort to her parents, with whom she dwelt. Her religious mind appeared to be continually progressing. At the close of the year 1836, she began a private journal, which has been lent to me. It contains chiefly notes of sermons which she heard, and of the impression which they produced on her mind. How happy it is when the soul is brought so to hunger and thirst after righteousness, that it feeds upon all the food which is presented to it; when the means of grace are used not without profit, when sermons are listened to, and applied to the heart, when the word of God is read, and marked, and inwardly digested, so that the hope of everlasting life is embraced, and held fast. It was so with Elizabeth C.

No word seemed to be received without attention and application. I wish that her example may be followed in this matter, and with the same blessing. I will now make some extracts from her journal; they will serve to shew the very inside of her mind. It begins Dec. 18, 1836. ‘Mr. C. preached from Isaiah xl. 3, 5. I felt my mind much impressed with the sermon. O that the Lord may remove every mountain that impedes my way to Him.’ Saturday being the last day of the year she writes—‘When I look back on the past year, how many short comings and backslidings, how much coldness and lukewarmness have I to mourn over: O blessed Lord, enable me to dedicate myself afresh to thy service, in entering upon another year, and do thou pardon all that is passed.’ January 1. ‘The first text which caught my eye this morning was Isaiah i. 25. “O blessed Lord, purge away all my sins, and make me to walk humbly before thee.” Mr. C. preached from Rom. xii. 1, 2. How was my mind impressed when he pointed out the necessity of giving the whole heart to God. I was led to pray earnestly that the Lord would enable me to do so for Jesus sake. January 2. Attended a Prayer Meeting at the Vicarage, to implore the outpouring of the Spirit. O Lord, hear the prayers which have this day been offered up. January 15. Mr. C. preached from 1 Cor. ii. 9. The sermon was truly interesting and affecting, as he spoke to us of the death of two individuals, Mrs. R., and Mrs. C., well known to us, who died under very affecting circumstances. Mr. C. pointed out what it was to love the Lord, and what was prepared for them that love him. We have no doubt but our dear friends are now enjoying those things which are prepared for the righteous. O blessed Lord, prepare me for every change and condition of life; but above all prepare me for death, that I may be ready to meet thee with joy.’

I may be permitted to digress from my subject for a few moments, to relate the history of the two individuals alluded to. The elder of the two died full of years, many of which had been spent in the Service of God. She was 91 years of age, and the Parent, in the fourth generation, of a large number of our Congregation. Although surrounded by many witnesses at her death, she departed so quietly, that none could know when she took her flight. Of her it might be truly said, she had “fallen asleep in Christ.” The other individual was Mary Rackham. She was the Mother of a large family; she acted a prominent part in her husband’s much frequented Butcher’s shop, and this brought her into the observation of the whole Parish. She was well known by her constant attention to business, being inferior to none in the active pursuit of her daily duties. She was confessedly the woman in the parish, who appeared to me to have the largest share of varied occupation. She was however in the midst of all her duties, distinguished for her obliging manners to all about her. In her family, the utmost good order and consistency were observed.

She had lost one child, whom she trusted she had trained for God, and now her longing anxiety was, that all the rest of her family should follow in the same course. How entirely her heart was set upon this I could well judge, who was often led into conversation with her on that subject. But her labours and conflicts, and her victory in her own soul were still more conspicuous. She was naturally of an eager and sanguine temperament, but that this had an entirely new and spiritual direction was manifest to all. Her disposition was not to entertain high notions of herself; yet was she confident in her Saviour, and she never testified any doubt as to her portion in Him. Her zeal for the Service of God was very great, and her attendance at his house, considering her circumstances, was remarkable. On Thursday Evening, as on Sunday, she was always to be found in her place. She was an attendant at the latest Sacrament, and twice at the services on the last Sunday of her life. But her seasons of private devotion were as regularly maintained. She was watchful to secure her morning and evening retirement;—and in order to keep up the Spirit of devotion, which she feared might flag through the hurry of business; she constantly retired in the middle of the day, when her business had a pause, for the purposes of reading and devotional exercises. She was a member, and a constant attendant, when she was able, on the Society for Social prayer. She died after her confinement; and we had the opportunity of witnessing only an awful, but a calm and cheerful delirium which filled up her latest hours. But a more beautiful and instructive example of holy devotedness to every duty, performed in the faith of Christ, we could scarcely have had the opportunity of witnessing, than that which she exhibited in her daily walk and conversation. She died at the age of 35 years, leaving five children behind her.

The Journal of E. C. goes on. ‘Thursday Evening, March 5. Mr. Hogarth preached from 2 Cor. v. He described the body as a tent, which must soon be dissolved, and the miseries of the wicked, who have no hope beyond this life. None said Mr. H., but the followers of Christ can take up the language of the text. Enable me, O Lord, thine unworthy servant, experimentally to feel that I, even I, have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. March 8. Mr. C. spoke of a dear Christian friend, S. J. who was called to put off her earthly tabernacle last Sabbath. We feel assured she had a building of God, an house prepared for her disembodied Spirit—to her, said Mr. C. may the text be applied. “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord.” Give me grace, O Lord, to improve the talent committed to me, that when thou callest me to give up my account, I may be ready as thy servant was.’ Susan Jones, the person here alluded to, was an individual of great interest. She illustrated a valuable little tract, entitled the “Single talent well employed.” She was one of three sisters, who lived together in Lowestoft. She had resided with a family in Scotland, whose testimony to her worth, as well as that of the heads of the family in which she died, I shall venture to insert. She was one of the brightest ornaments of our little Christian Society, and much beloved by all who knew her. I will copy the account of her inscribed in the memoranda of a friend.

‘This morning’s post brought me the tidings of dear Susan Jones’ death, or rather of her being on the point of death, and a request that I would inform her sisters of it. Another valued member of our Society, a true sister in the Lord—one much beloved by us and by many here is now departed! The letter was from Mr. S. a Clergyman, with whom she had been staying at Woodbridge about three months, in order to nurse Mrs. S. in her confinement.’

The following is an extract of his letter.

‘Poor dear Susan was apparently well this morning, and engaged as usual, till about 11 o’clock; when upon her stooping down, she felt an acute pain; but as she was subject to this, we were not alarmed.—Finding, however, that the pain continued, we sent for our medical attendant. The suffering for a short time became acute, and the symptoms so alarming, that it was soon evident there was no hope of her life. It is considered that a vessel near the heart had given way, and that she is sinking from internal bleeding. She is indeed as one fallen asleep. Her mind is calm, and her heart is fixed;—her gratitude to God, her patience, love, humility, combined with simple trust, are all so conspicuous, that I cannot perceive which is the greatest. She appears not to have a thought in the world, and has not said one word regarding it. Her thoughts are all towards God, and the voice of praise and prayer to him, for spiritual blessings are her only theme. “Thy will be done,” seems the first and uppermost feeling of her heart. You may feel assured when you receive this, that her Spirit is in Heaven, with her beloved Saviour. All her words are now either to, or of her God and Saviour, and she appears to have closed her senses to this trying scene. Her bodily sufferings now are small. I feel as though in parting from her, I was losing one of my best friends, and I only pray that the Almighty, in his mercy, may so help me, that I may see dear Susan in another and better world. With every good wish and prayer,’

Believe me,
Yours faithfully,
J. P. S.’

February 27th. ‘Received this morning the account of dear Susan Jones’s death. The following is an extract from Mr. S’s. second letter.’