The Annual Monitor for 1851 Part 10

"The constant and deep consideration for others in the most minute actions of life, how I love it, and feel myself 'as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke.'"

5th Month, 6th, 1822. "Days and nights of much spiritual conflict, or rather perhaps the sight that there was much to conflict with; weak in body and weak in mind! In my ministry more patient and deep deliberation wanting. Last night, believed I had not kept close enough to my Guide in prayer, with which I felt some distress,--perhaps not altogether wrong,--but had not stopped when I ought, nor waited at every moment for clearness and strength in the exercise; I hope I shall not hurt others."

6th Month, 1822. "A month is now pa.s.sed in which I have been sweetly enabled to enjoy the love of G.o.d in my heart. I trust we shall experience preservation, though we may well fear for ourselves, and be the subject of fear for others. Oh! that, without affectation, we may live deeply in the root of life!"

4th Month, 1823. "I have much to bind me to this earth, but perhaps more power of gratefully enjoying its blessings is wanted, and may be in store for me before I leave it; some minds seem deeply anch.o.r.ed in the truth, meekly and patiently bearing the trials of the day, with firmer faith and greater purity, but each heart alone knows its own bitterness, and I believe there is never much attainment without much suffering;--a chastened habit of thought, how desirable to be the habit of early life!

riches and indulgences how inimical to it!"

4th Month, 1825. "My mind enjoyed a liberty, and something of the light of the glorious gospel, a state which I often pant after, and am so generally a stranger to; in each day a religious engagement seemed peculiarly blessed to myself. A sense of being liked and loved, is gratifying; at the same time I acknowledge, it has its dangers; it is, however, a stimulus to do good and to communicate."

4th Month, 25th. "A poor body, and a weak restless mind! How the sword does wear the scabbard! but this world is not to be our paradise; perhaps I lose some little strength in striving to make it so. Oh! my G.o.d, have pity upon me; thou alone canst know how much I suffer;--if my children ail anything, what it costs me."

In 1826, she visited the families of Friends in Darlington Monthly Meeting, in company with Isaac Stephenson; and in allusion to this engagement, she writes: "Entered last week on a visit, with I.

Stephenson, to the families of this Monthly Meeting. Ministry is surely a gift! may the vessel be purified by using it in faith."

3rd Month, 1826. "After many cogitations and some provings of faith, I went with Isaac Stephenson to Manchester, Lancaster, and Leeds: I felt it like leaving all to follow what I believed to be my divine Guide; it cost me some heart-sinkings and tears, but my mind was sweetly preserved in peace and confidence; and, though I had times of depression and fear to pa.s.s through, I have been thankful that I made the sacrifice. It has endeared me to many individuals; and at times, in the undoubted belief that it was a divine requiring, it has strengthened my faith, and excited some degree of thankfulness for being so employed."

4th Month, 16th. "A sweet day of rest and peace, such as I do not remember to have known for years."

4th Month, 18th. "Monthly Meeting one of perplexity and fear, Oh! for dwelling deep and lying low! and waiting in quietness for the 'little cloud!' but it seems as if my faith were to be tried by things coming unexpectedly upon me, and to be humbled by feeling ill prepared."

From this time she went on advancing rapidly in the work of the ministry: her truly catholic spirit expanded in love to her fellow-creatures; the inmates of the palace as well as those of the prison, shared alike her Christian zeal and interest. Her naturally powerful and refined mind, deeply instructed in the things of G.o.d, rendered her peculiarly fitted to labour amongst those, who being invested with wealth and influence, she regarded as stewards, deeply responsible for the right occupation of their various gifts: with many of these, in the upper cla.s.ses of society, she sought and obtained opportunities for conveying religious counsel; and in not a few instances there was a deep response in the hearts of her hearers, to the truths which she had to proclaim.

The public meetings which she held were very numerous,--many of them very remarkable. Her fervour in seeking to arouse to a sense of their condition, those who were "dead in trespa.s.ses and sins,"--her sound and convincing arguments, in controverting the views of the infidel,--her zeal against the lukewarm professor, and her earnest affectionate invitations to the humble believer in Jesus, to "lay aside every weight,"

and partake, in all their fulness, of the blessings purchased for them by the dear Son of G.o.d; will long be remembered by those who felt the truth and unction of her appeals. She dwelt upon the glorious scheme of redemption, through the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ Jesus upon the cross, for the sins of the whole world; and of the absolute necessity of sanctification of spirit, through the effectual operation of divine grace on the heart, as one, who had herself largely partic.i.p.ated, in the blessings and mercies of her G.o.d. She was, however, no stranger to deep mental conflicts, both in the prosecution of her religious labours, and in the more retired sphere of domestic life, as some of her memoranda show.

In 1827, after visiting with her husband, the counties of Devon and Cornwall, an engagement which occupied them nearly two months, and included a visit to the Scilly Isles, she writes:--

7th Month, 1827. "I felt it a day of favour when we gave in our account at the Monthly Meeting, the third day after our arrival at home, but in returning from this journey, I have been made remarkably sensible, that the business of religion is the business of the day, and that the exercises and strength of any past day, are but as nothing for the day that is pa.s.sing over us; and many of these days have been pa.s.sed in much mental conflict, and much bodily weakness and languor."

1828. "Many, and many have been my fears, lest the good things that others may see us surrounded with, should be as a stumbling block leading to covetousness; how hardly shall they that have riches lead the life of a humble follower of the dear Redeemer! These thoughts often beset me, and sometimes make me fear, if ever I have a right to open my mouth to advocate His cause."

"I could wish I had a heart, a head, and a mind fit for all I could embrace, but that may never be: however, altogether my mind has been of late, less covered with clouds than it used to be, and my health revives with it. 'What shall I render for all thy benefits?' may well be the language of my soul."

In 1829 she was again joined by her dear husband in a visit to Ireland; after which she writes:--

10th Month, 1829. "We pa.s.sed through many deep baptisms, many sinks both of body and mind, and in the course of three or four months, attended all the particular meetings; I think we did too much in the time to do it as well as we might; there was much exercise of faith, but patience had not its perfect work:--may my daily prayer be for patience, and the daily close exercise of my spirit to obtain it; for want of it, I get into many perplexities, that might be avoided; yet with all the omissions and commissions that I can look back upon with shame, I can number this journey among the many mercies of my life, being at times in it, introduced into a more soul-satisfying state than I had perhaps ever known before, and I was never more fully persuaded that we were commissioned to preach the gospel. The company of my dear husband was truly a comfort and support, as well as very endearing, and this journey has enlarged my heart in love to hundreds, and has written many epistles there, which I trust may never be blotted out."

In 1830, she laid before her Monthly Meeting, a prospect of going to America. This concern was cordially united with, and she and her husband were liberated for the service in that land. In reference to this very weighty engagement, she thus writes to her dear cousin, Elizabeth Fry:--

Darlington, 2nd Month, 4th, 1830.

"My dearest Betsy,

I believe some of thy tenderest sympathies will be aroused, on hearing of the momentous prospect now before us of visiting North America. I dare say many, many years ago, thy imagination sent me there,--call it by that name, or the more orthodox one of faith,--so has mine, but I saw it without baptism; now, I pa.s.s into it under baptism, which in depth far exceeds any thing I have known before; the severing work it is to the ties of nature, to my dear Father, Mother, and Children, breaks me all to pieces, but I have much, if not entirely, been spared from doubts; all I seem to have had to do was to submit; this is a great comfort, for which I desire to be thankful, and for that peace which in the midst of deep suffering has so far rested upon it.

Thy very affectionate H. C. BACKHOUSE."

Her labours in America were very abundant, and there is reason to believe, blessed to very many. During the five years she spent on that Continent, she visited the greater part of the meetings of Friends, and in doing so, shrank from no hardship or privation consequent upon travelling in districts recently settled.

In 1833, Jonathan Backhouse thus writes of her labours--

"I do think my wife's labours in these parts, have been of essential service;--helped some sunken ones out of a pit, strengthened some weak hands, and confirmed some wavering ones, as well as comforted the mourners. She has no cause to be discouraged about her labours, they have been blessed."

Her husband thinking it desirable to return for a while to England, Hannah C. Backhouse was provided with a most faithful valuable companion in Eliza P. Kirkbride, and for her as well as for many other beloved friends to whom she had become closely united in America, she retained a warm interest and affection to the close of her life.

In 1835, they returned to England, and in the bosom of her beloved family and friends, great was, for a time, her domestic happiness. But home endearments were not permitted to interfere with her devotion to Him, to do whose will, was not only her highest aim, but her chief delight: and whenever the Lord's call was heard, she was ready to obey. Many parts of England, and Scotland were visited between this time and 1845. During this interval some of her nearest domestic ties were broken; her eldest surviving son, an engaging youth of seventeen, her beloved husband, and a precious daughter, the wife of John Hodgkin, of Tottenham, were all summoned to their eternal home: whilst under the pressure of sorrow occasioned by the removal of Ann Hodgkin, the following letter was penned:--

Tottenham, 12th Month, 9th, 1845.

"My losses have been many and great, but the greatness of this, I am increasingly coming into the apprehension of. She was lovely in her life, and in death may we not be divided! or _by_ death, but may her sweet spirit be very near in my remembrance, to the end of my days, and then may I join Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Husband and Children,--how many of the nearest ties now, we trust, in heaven, and how few on earth comparatively. On this subject I cannot now dwell,--when I can view her free from all weakness, corruption, and suffering, in the enjoyment of _that_ rest, she knew so well how to appreciate, I could smile with a joyful sorrow; but few of such moments have been given; in general a patient bearing of the present moment, is the most we have arrived at, under the blessed unmoved confidence that all is well.

Your very affectionate sister, H. C. BACKHOUSE."

From this time a cessation from labour was granted, and after having thus devoted the meridian of her life to the service of her Lord, she was permitted for some years previous to her decease, to enjoy a season of almost uninterrupted repose. Love, meekness, gentleness, and peace were eminently the clothing of her spirit; and like Moses viewing from the Mount the Promised Land, she seemed almost to live above the trials and temptations of time; nothing appeared materially to disturb or ruffle the repose of her soul, deeply centred in G.o.d. Her ministry was often strikingly beautiful and impressive, especially exhorting to unreserved dedication, and dwelling on the glories of the heavenly kingdom.

During the latter part of 1849, her health, which had long been delicate, began increasingly to give way; at the end of the 3rd Month of 1850, she was seized with alarming illness, from which little hope was entertained of her recovery; from this she so far rallied as to leave her bed-room, and go into an adjoining sitting-room, but never was able to go down stairs. It was evident her strength was very small, but no immediate danger was at this time apprehended. She was at times, cheerful, always tranquil and full of repose, and able to enjoy the company of those immediately around her; at other times illness oppressed her, and prevented the power for much exertion of mind or communication of thought. But words were not needed to declare her faith or her love, when through having faithfully occupied with the grace that had been given to her, her whole life might almost be said to have been one act of dedication to G.o.d.

On the night of the 5th of Fifth Month, increased illness came on, she continued conscious almost to the last, and alluded with perfect calmness to the fresh symptoms of danger. On her sister remarking to her, that "though it was a dark valley, it would soon be all joy to her," she responded by a beautiful smile, but power of articulation soon failed, and on the morning of the 6th of Fifth Month, 1850, she most gently expired.

We cannot close this account more appropriately than in the language of a dear friend who had long known and loved her.

"A character of such rare excellence, such singleness of purpose, such true devotedness, in which the intellectual and the spiritual were so well balanced, and well developed together:--a character in which, with all the occasional undulations and agitations of the surface, there was such a deep, such a clear, such a calm and steady under-current of sterling piety, of unwavering attachment to the cause of our G.o.d and of his Christ, of close adherence to the leadings of his Spirit, and strong desire to do his will;--a character in which the woman, the Christian, and the Quaker were so fused into one, did truly adorn the doctrine of G.o.d her Saviour. It was conspicuous that by the grace of G.o.d she was what she was; though nature had done much, grace had done much more, and it was evident that she humbly felt that she was not her own, that she was bought with a price; that amidst all that surrounded her of the perishing things of time, she did not live unto herself, but unto Him who died for her and rose again, who was her Alpha and Omega, her all in all.

In our little and afflicted church, the loss is great: she was one of our stakes, and one of our cords! The stake is removed, the cord is broken, but our G.o.d abideth for ever."

A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF PATRICK, The Apostle of the Irish.

We think it will be agreeable to our readers, that we should occupy a few vacant pages, by the following lively particulars respecting "Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish." They are extracted from a work lately published, under the t.i.tle of, "Light in Dark Places; or Memorials of Christian Life in the Middle Ages," which is stated, in the preface, to be translated from a German work by the late Augustus Neander. Patrick flourished in the early part of the fifth century, before the Romish yoke was imposed upon the British churches, but not before much superst.i.tion had become mixed with the purity of the Christian faith.

His early circ.u.mstances seem, however, to have entirely detached him from dependence upon man, and to have driven him to the One great Source of light and strength. Romanists have a story of his having gone to Rome, and having received there his authority as the first bishop of Ireland; but it is evident that his _call_ to preach the gospel to the Irish, was not of man, or from man, but immediately from G.o.d, who inspired him with holy faith and courage, and in a most remarkable manner prospered his labours.

This remarkable man was prepared, by very peculiar circ.u.mstances, for his important work; and in his instance, also, it may be seen, how that infinite wisdom which guides the development of the kingdom of G.o.d amongst men, is able to bring great things out of what seems insignificant to the eyes of men.

Patrick, called in his native tongue Succath, was born A.D. 372, between the Scottish towns of Dumbarton and Glasgow, (then appended to England,) in the village of Bonaven, since named in honour of him, Kilpatrick. He was the son of a poor unlettered deacon of the village church. No particular care was bestowed on his education, and he lived on light-heartedly, from day to day, without making the religious truths taught him by his parents matters of personal interest, until his seventeenth year.

Then, it happened that he was awakened by a severe chastis.e.m.e.nt from his Heavenly Father from this sleep of death to a higher life. Some pirates of the wild tribe of the Scots, who then inhabited Ireland, landed at the dwelling-place of Patrick, and carried him off with other captives. He was sold into slavery to a Scottish prince, who committed to him the care of his flocks and herds. Necessity directed his heart to that G.o.d of whom, in his days of rest in his father's house, he had not thought.

Abandoned of men, he found consolation and blessedness in Him, and now first learned to perceive and enjoy the treasures which the Christian has in heaven. Whilst he roamed about with his flocks, through ice and snow, communion with his G.o.d in prayer, and quiet contemplation, were his portion. Let us hear how he himself, in a confession which he subsequently wrote, describes this change which took place in him.

"I was about sixteen years old, and knew nothing of the true G.o.d, when I was led into captivity with many thousands of my countrymen, as we deserved, in that we had departed from G.o.d, and had not kept his commandments. There G.o.d opened my unbelieving heart, so that I, although late, remembered my sins, and turned with my whole heart to the Lord my G.o.d, to Him who had regarded my loneliness, had had compa.s.sion on my youth and my ignorance, and had watched over me before I knew him; who, ere I knew how to choose between good and evil, had guarded and cherished me, as a father doth his son. This I know a.s.suredly, that before G.o.d humbled me, I was like a stone lying sunk in deep mire; but He who is able came, He raised me in his mercy, and set me on a very high place.

Therefore must I loudly bear witness to this, in order, in some measure, to repay the Lord for such great blessings in time and eternity, great beyond the apprehension of human reason. "When I came to Ireland," he says, "and used daily to keep the cattle, and often every day to pray, the fear and the love of G.o.d were ever more and more enkindled in me, and my faith increased, so that, in one day, I spoke a hundred times in prayer, and in the night almost as often; and even when I pa.s.sed the night on the mountains, or in the forest, amid snow and ice and rain, I would awake before daybreak to pray. And I felt no discomfort, there was then no sloth in me, such as I find in my heart now, for then the Spirit glowed within me."

After he had pa.s.sed six years in the service of this prince, he thought he heard a voice in his sleep which promised him a speedy return to his native land, and soon afterwards announced to him that a ship was already prepared to take him. In reliance on this call, he set out, and after a journey of many days, he found a ship about to set sail. But the captain would not, at first, receive the poor unknown youth. Patrick fell on his knees and prayed. He had not finished his prayer before one of the ship's company called him back, and offered him a pa.s.sage. After a wearisome voyage, in which he experienced, from the grace which guided him, many a deliverance from great peril, and many a memorable answer to prayer, he arrived once more amongst his people.