The above extracts from her Journal, will shew the quiet working of the Spirit of God in her heart, chiefly by means of the word of God. Other means are not so commonly and particularly alluded to by her, but she always in life expressed her profit in all; in the Lord’s Supper, in the social prayer meetings on Monday Evening, and Sunday Morning, and the bible class, all of which she continued constantly to attend. I add two testimonials concerning her. One of them was communicated to a friend at a distance, who had been staying some time in Lowestoft, and who had been made acquainted with Elizabeth. It is written by a person who was in the constant habit of seeing her, and who knew her well. The other is written by a very intimate friend.
Lowestoft, July 6. 1840.
My dear Friend,
‘I must indulge myself by writing a few lines to you, for my heart is full to-night. We have lost our sweet young friend Elizabeth Cullingham, in whom you were so much interested. Do not you remember her spiritual and interesting prayer, the first morning I went with you to the Sunday prayer meeting? I recollect introducing her to you. She was indeed a true christian. I never recollect to have heard any one find the slightest fault with her, nor had I myself ever occasion to do so in all the intercourse I have had with her, during the last nine years. Her’s was indeed a chaste conversation, coupled with fear. It was not the outward adorning of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel, but the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which shone most conspicuously in her. Chastity, meekness, and modesty were her striking characteristics. I am glad I introduced you so particularly to her, and I think you will not forget the sweet impression of those visits. Her lovely subdued countenance, her neat appearance, the perfect consistency of her dress, for she was always beautifully neat. I think—I may say I never knew her expend money on ribbon or other unnecessary article in dress. I mention this as it is a rare quality, even amongst the sober and serious young people. The love of dressing beyond their means and situation in life is so common a habit, and so great a temptation to young people in general, that her correct conduct in this respect, was one lovely fruit of having her affections set on things above. O that our dear young people might see and feel the beauty of this line of conduct. By her circumspect and careful conduct, she silenced every tongue that could rise up against her. The wandering and unsettled desire after pleasure, was quite subdued in her. She was content to lead a quiet, sober, religious life. She found it better to avoid the general society of young persons, and was sweetly content in the situation in which God had placed her; setting an example to other young women of the beauty of a retired and modest demeanour, avoiding from taste, as well as principle, all society that was not religious. She felt that light and trifling intercourse with those whose hearts followed after vanity and pleasure, was unprofitable and hurtful. O how blessed it is to see young persons turn away from following vanity! To see as a fruit of religion, a separation from the world, from the manners, the appearance, and the spirit of it. I saw all this in Elizabeth. She had for many years been a member of our women’s meeting, and though one of the youngest, her ardent love of the ministry under which she lived, her Christian experience, and occasionally her prayers, were a help and comfort to our society, and she was most persevering, though often very ill.
‘I must also notice her example in the house of God. There was no lightness, or carelessness in her demeanour, but her mind seemed to be filled with the sense of the divine presence, and to be thirsting after the knowledge of his truth; she gave the deepest attention to the preacher’s word. No religious mind can shew lightness in the house of God. How often have I enjoyed sweet sympathy with her, when sitting near her in her usual seat at St. Peter’s Chapel. Have we not endeavoured to “pray with the Spirit, and to sing with the understanding also?” I could weep from my heart to find her seat empty. She met patiently her many trials, and meekly bowed her head to the will of God. The awful death of her father in the yawl, had deeply afflicted her; indeed she never recovered the shock: but I may say, under every trial and bodily suffering, of which she had much, I never heard her complain, but with calm serenity she yielded herself unto the Lord.
‘I had the privilege of visiting her the day before her death, and found her sweetly serene and happy, full of confidence in her Saviour; delighting in prayer, and evidently finding it “sweet to lie passive in her Saviour’s hands,” and to know no will but his. And the next day, a few hours before her end, can I ever forget the solemn impressive scene of our partaking of the body and blood of Christ together in the Holy Sacrament; her deep attention—her response to the words of the service—her fervent manner in taking the bread, as a sign or seal of her living upon Christ, who was to her soul the bread of life, and her drinking the wine as an emblem of that blood, that she had felt to be so precious?’
‘After this solemn communion together, we united in earnest prayer and thanksgiving on her account, that the works in her might be finished in righteousness, and that she might soon find herself in the glorious mansions prepared for her, by the beloved of her soul. She appeared perfectly sensible, and able to taste this spiritual and interesting communication with us. I then arose and took my leave of her.’
The testimony of her friend is as follows:
‘During the ten years of my intercourse with her, I have found her conversation as becometh the gospel of Christ. She has treated me at all times with a sisterly affection and respect; I have proved her a tried friend, one that would not forsake in time of trouble. Though separated for three years, I always found her the same dear friend as ever. I have often been cheered with her kind exhortation to me, to seek with earnestness the Lord, and attend at all times the means of grace, telling me they were indeed channels, through which the Lord bestowed his blessings to his faithful followers. Though we were separated in body, we were not separated in our union with Christ. When I have needed reproof, she has given it to me, but in the meekest manner possible. She was also very tender over the faults of others. I never heard her speak unkindly of any one—“considering herself, lest she also should be tempted.” She was most earnest for a revival in religion, both in our own Church, and for the spread of the gospel in distant lands. This was evident, both in her prayers and her zeal in subscribing to different societies. How sorry are we to lose her name from the number of those young people who are interested in the Jews, for we always found her most willing to aid in this delightful cause, and what she gave, seemed to be in the spirit of prayer. How often I have heard her pour forth her heart in prayer, that the Jews might be brought into the fold of Christ; and truly we may say, concerning our Bible Association, which was formed amongst a few of us, that indeed our head is gone. She was so deeply interested in it, and did so long for the Anniversary Meeting, that our subscription might be carried in, not to gain the praise of men, but with a desire to do something for the glory of God. But she is gone, and her works do follow her. May I always remember her christian walk and conversation, for in her I saw the fruits of the Spirit shine forth, for she was not desirous of vain glory, but in all points, she esteemed others better than herself. Humbly do I hope, that the grace which made her to differ, may constrain me to walk in her steps.’
The commencement of the year 1840, the last year of Elizabeth’s life, is noticed by her in her Journal, with her usual seriousness.
‘Through the mercy of God, I have been permitted to enter upon another year; and O how much have I to thank him for the mercies of the year that is passed. I have had many little illnesses, but the Lord has in mercy spared me, while many that I know, have been summoned to give up their account. O Lord what am I, that thou hast spared me a worthless worm of the earth? O fill my heart with love and gratitude for all thy mercies to me, and if my life be spared, may it be entirely devoted to thy service. Great God, enable me to live to thee. O let me enjoy all that I have, as coming from thee, and whatever thou art pleased to take from me, take not away thy Holy Spirit. O blessed Spirit, who art One with the Father, and the Son, enter into my poor sinful heart, and root out all my sinful and corrupt affections and reveal Jesus to me as all in all.’
As her time drew to a close, her conflicts do not seem to have been lessened.
On March 24. She says, ‘Being off my guard this morning, the enemy gained an advantage over me in my temper. Immediately I felt my sin, and was led to cry out, “Against thee, thee only have I sinned.” I was almost driven to despair, but these precious promises were applied, “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteousness,” and “the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin.” O my God whom I have offended, let this be a warning to me to watch and pray, that I enter not into temptation.’
On her birth-day she says, ‘I have passed another year of my life; but O my God, how little to thy glory. I have been very much tried in my soul of late. The enemy has been permitted to tempt me very much with unbelief. Sometimes I question whether I am a Christian at all, yet my desire is to love and serve my God. The conflict is sharp, yet do I believe Jesus will deliver me. I do feel willing to part with any thing, if Jesus smile upon me.’
‘On Sunday, heard a sermon from Mr. R. on these words, “There shall not a hair of your head perish.” The sermon was delightfully encouraging. I have felt the comfort of it during the last week, having had some little perplexing things to meet. O how sweet to feel in the time of trial and temptation, that nothing is unnoticed by our Heavenly Father.