The Annual Monitor for 1851 Part 8

HANNAH WALKER, _Dirtcar_, _Wakefield_. Wife of Robert Walker. 68 4mo. 3 1850

BARBARA WALLER, _York_. 70 11mo. 13 1849

The quiet acquiescence of this dear friend, in the divine will, under changes of circ.u.mstances involving, to her energetic and lively mind, much suffering, appeared to many of her immediate friends, deeply instructive. In early life, she was, for several years, resident in the family of her brother Stephen Waller, at Clapton; and during the long continued illness of his wife, took charge of the family, including an interesting group of young children, between whom and herself the tenderest affection subsisted. On the restoration of her sister's health, she came to reside with her brother Robert Waller, of York.

In the First month, 1829, at the solicitation of the committee, she consented to undertake, for a time, the domestic care of the Boys'

School, then first established by York Quarterly Meeting, in that city.

Though in delicate health, and with a voice which she could rarely raise above a whisper, she soon became so warmly interested in the inst.i.tution, as to prevent the necessity for further inquiry for a female head. Her active and executive mind, found here a large field of usefulness, which she well occupied. Her kind interest in the inst.i.tution, the scholars and the officers, increased from year to year. Her ability in providing for and securing the comfort of all around her, always conspicuous, was eminently so in times of sickness, whether of more or less severity. On these occasions, besides her power of skilfully ministering to physical comforts, her quiet spirit, knowing where she herself had sought and found consolation, could direct others to the same unfailing Source.

At the close of the year 1836, in consequence of the decease of her sister Hannah, the wife of Robert Waller, she was called from the scene of her arduous, yet to her, pleasant labours; the beneficial results of which were, the establishment of orderly arrangement, and plans of domestic comfort, essential to the well-being of a school. She remained with her brother at Holdgate, till the time of his second marriage, when change was again her allotment. After a short absence from York she finally settled there. Her declining health rendered repose needful, although the liveliness of her spirits enabled her greatly to enjoy frequent intercourse with her friends;--and the school, the scene of her former labours, was an object of continued affectionate interest.

In recording these few incidents, which we well know, of themselves, are of little importance, perhaps entirely insignificant to the general reader, we believe, nevertheless, that a useful lesson may be conveyed.

The path of our dear friend was, remarkably, not one of her own choosing; most of the changes of place and circ.u.mstance which she experienced, involved much that was painful; yet under all, the quiet, peaceful, thankful resignation which she was enabled to attain, shewed where her hopes were anch.o.r.ed, and proved the power of divine grace to make hard things easy. For many months previous to her decease, she was confined to her couch, and latterly to her bed. During this period, she bore with unrepining patience, much bodily suffering; but her cheerful and energetic mind still retained its characteristic vigour. In this, her last illness, the kind attentions, and tender cares, which she had so often ministered to others, were abundantly repaid to herself. In addition to the a.s.siduous and faithful services of the family with whom she had taken up her abode, and who became warmly attached to her, she had for many weeks previous to her decease, the tenderest attention of one of her affectionate nieces, of whose infant years she had been the watchful guardian.

A friend who frequently visited her on her bed of suffering, says, "In some of my last visits to her, her expression of firm and loving reliance upon the Lord, whose support she had been wont to seek in the time of health, as well as in that of suffering, was a sweet testimony to the blessedness of having made him her portion. She told me how comforted she had been under great bodily weakness, when she felt unable definitely to put up her pet.i.tions, in the lively remembrance that she had a never- failing Advocate with the Father, touched with a feeling of her infirmities, ever living to make intercession for her. 'Oh!' she remarked, 'the sense of it has been precious to me.'" Thus peace and thankfulness were the frequent clothing of her spirit, till her earthly house of this tabernacle was quietly dissolved, and exchanged, we reverently believe, for 'a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.'

ALICE WALLER, _The Howe_, _Halsted_. Widow of Robert Waller, of York. 76 6mo. 25 1850

Of the childhood of our friend we know but little. Her parents were members of our religious Society, and brought up their children in conformity with its practices. She was, at rather an early age, placed at the school for girls at York, which had, at that time, some peculiar advantages in regard to the religious and moral care of the pupils. But from this enclosure she was soon recalled, to be the companion of her invalid mother; and at the early age of sixteen, when her beloved parent was removed by death, she took the charge of her father's domestic concerns, and resided with him till her marriage with Benjamin Horner of York.

Although the shortness of the period she remained at school, might be disadvantageous to her in several respects, yet it is highly probable that, in her mother's sick chamber, some impressions were made, and lessons learned, which were as seeds sown to bring forth fruit in a future day.

Her husband's circle of acquaintance was an extensive, and, in its character, a much varied one; and, for some years, Alice Horner mingled much in gay society, occasionally frequenting with her husband places of amus.e.m.e.nt, especially those in which music formed the chief attraction.

But during this period, in which she may be said to have lived to herself, she was not without compunctuous visitations; and as the responsibilities of a mother came upon her, she increasingly felt the seriousness of life, and the duty, as well as the privilege, of living to G.o.d, and being enabled to look unto Him as a Father and a Friend.

These feelings appear to have gradually gained ascendancy in her mind, and her prevalent desire became, to be a Christian upon Christ's own terms. She felt herself as one who had been forgiven much, and therefore loved much,--striving to be no more conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of her mind. Her conscience became not only enlightened, but tender; and yielding to what she believed to be her duty to G.o.d, she not only refrained from all the public amus.e.m.e.nts in which she had formerly taken pleasure, but acted in her a.s.sociations with others, consistently with her views as a Friend. If in this strait path; walking much alone and inexperienced in the way: she sometimes erred, we believe it was rather on the side of decision, than on that of undue yielding. She seemed to live under a sense of that saying of the apostle, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." And whilst the course which she pursued could not fail to restrict, in some degree, her intercourse with the world, those with whom she still a.s.sociated, (and her circle continued to be a wide one,) appeared in general to estimate her motives; and many of them entertained an increased love and respect for her character; and He who, above all things, she desired to serve, was pleased abundantly to comfort and strengthen her in all her trials.

The death of her only daughter, at the age of nineteen, as well as that of her husband after a short illness, a few years subsequently, were close trials to her; but she bowed in humble submission to these dispensations, and, under the chastening hand of the Lord, it became increasingly evident, that the "one thing needful" was steadily kept in her view. She was diligent in her attendance of our religious meetings, and often remarked, that she had been permitted to find in them "a resting place to her soul."

After her second marriage, with Robert Waller of Holdgate near York, her health, which for a long time had not been strong, began more rapidly to decline, and at the death of her husband, after a long and protracted illness, she was so complete an invalid, as to be chiefly confined to her bed for many months together. This was a great trial upon her faith and patience; but her hope and trust in her Saviour's love never forsook her, and often through her long illness, she was enabled to look forward with hope and joy to that time, when "absent from the body," she should be "present with the Lord."

Six months after her husband's death, she was removed, in an invalid carriage, to the residence of her eldest son in Ess.e.x, whose house continued to be her home the remainder of her days. In writing to a much beloved friend, from this quiet retreat soon after her arrival, she remarks,--"Every comfort and every indulgence is allotted to me by my attentive children. Oh what boundless demands upon my grat.i.tude are thus poured forth. I would gladly hope not without a heartfelt acknowledgment to that Almighty Giver, who is the author of all our manifold mercies.

For all things I reverently thank my G.o.d and Saviour, remembering you my dear friends, whom I have left, with the truest affection." To the same friend, who herself was suffering from illness, she again writes, "Oh, dearest ---, how many of His dear children does the Lord keep long in the furnace, yet if he do but grant his presence there, and watch over the refining process he designs to be accomplished, there ought to be no complaining either of the length of time, or the severity of the operation, but through all, the full fruits of resignation should be brought forth in perfection, to his praise, and his glory. That so it may be, my dear friend, forms a wish on my own account as well as on thine, day by day. The time has appeared long to me, that I have been required to lay under the rod, but when we measure time as did the Apostle of old, and think of it as a vapour that quickly pa.s.seth away, or as a shadow that abideth not, we see that it is but for a little moment that our chastening can endure. I cannot forbear beholding my day as far spent; but I do rejoice to see heaven as a place of rest for me,--yes, even for me! through the blood shed for my sins on Calvary's Mount. This mercy in Christ Jesus, how precious it is to dwell upon."

Alice Waller loved the company of all those that loved the Lord Jesus, and especially the messengers of the gospel were acceptable to her. On one occasion when receiving a visit from a friend, whilst laid upon her bed of suffering, she, in great contrition, expressed her sense of her heavenly Father's love and mercy to _her_, a poor creature, adding, "I feel bound to tell of His marvellous goodness to me, even to me, by night and by day upon my bed, in seasons of trial I have been comforted by my Saviour's presence."

In the beginning of the Sixth Month, 1850, she became more poorly, and both herself and her children were impressed with the belief that her end was drawing near; on the 15th she pa.s.sed a very trying day, but in the evening revived a little and spoke most sweetly of the fulness and clearness of her hope, and her perfect confidence in the love and mercy of her G.o.d, extended to her for the sake of her beloved Saviour; she was full of sweetness and affection to all around her, her heart overflowing with grat.i.tude to G.o.d and man. "Dear Hannah C. Backhouse," she remarked, "visited me a short time before I came here, and she said, 'I believe Jesus has thrown his arm of everlasting love around thee, and is drawing thee nearer and nearer to himself, and he will draw thee nearer and nearer, till at last He will press thee into his bosom.' It was a sweet message; I have often thought upon it since, and I now feel such close union of spirit with G.o.d, that I cannot doubt it is even so." On the pa.s.sage of Scripture being repeated, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him," she added, "yes, and preserveth them.--'This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and delivered him from all his troubles.' The fear of the Lord has been my support for many years past." And on being reminded of that verse of Scripture, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me," she said, "He has been my staff and my rod in the dark valley of death, keeping my head above the waters, and he has given me hope full of immortality,--full of immortality! and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever; I humbly trust that such will be my portion." She then remarked "It is just a week to-day since I began to be so very ill;--strange conflict of the body, with the mind so perfectly tranquil, in strong confirmation of the blessed promise, 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.'--I have often thought I heard the song of Moses and of the Lamb, as I lay here in deep exhaustion." At another time she remarked, "I have often sinned, and erred much, but I have One in heaven that pleadeth for me."

She hailed with much joy the arrival of a beloved friend, and spoke of the event as filling up the only remaining desire she had on earth; their meeting was a season of mutual love and thanksgiving to the Lord. On Second day, the 24th, she said, "I am so loosed from every thing below, as I could not have believed;" and in the evening expressed that she was so filled with thankfulness her heart was overflowing! She intimated her belief, when her room was made ready for the night, that it would be the last she should have to pa.s.s, and the next morning it became evident that she was rapidly sinking. It was said to her that it was a long and trying travel, but she was near to a better land! when she quickly responded, "Yes, Emanuel's land:" and on its being remarked, "The crown is nearly won;" she emphatically replied, "Oh, I wish it were on!" A short time after this, her redeemed spirit was gently liberated from the shackles of mortality, to be, we humbly believe, "for ever with the Lord."

f.a.n.n.y MARTIN WALLER, _Guildford_. Daughter of the late Thomas Waller. 30 12mo. 14 1849

EDWARD WALLIS, _Melksham_. Son of Abraham Wallis, of London. 26 3mo. 6 1850

JOHN WALTON, _Southport_. 61 1mo. 7 1850

ALFRED WATKINS, _Eydon_, _Northamptonshire_. Son of John and Susanna Watkins. 16 4mo. 22 1850

JANE WATSON, _Allonby_, _c.u.mberland_. 85 10mo. 20 1849

FERGUS WATSON, _Allonby_. 90 1mo. 21 1850

ANN WATSON, _Heworth_, _Newcastle-on-Tyne_. Wife of John Watson. 72 12mo. 6 1849

MARY WATSON, _c.o.c.kermouth_. 64 10mo 18 1849

LUCY BELL WESTWOOD, _Brampton_, _Hunts_. Daughter of John and Elizabeth Westwood. 17 3mo. 19 1850

JOSEPH WHEELER, _Birmingham_. 81 11mo. 21 1849

THOMAS WHITE, _Ratcliff_, _London_. 80 3mo. 7 1850

JANE WHITE, _Chesham_, _Bucks_. 41 1mo. 2 1850

MARIA BELLA WHITE, _Henley-on-Thames_. Widow of Gabriel G. White. 84 8mo. 17 1850

ANNE WHITFIELD, _near Coothill_, _Ireland_. 85 3mo. 12 1850

RICHARD WHITING, _Tottenham_. 84 7mo. 3 1850

ANNE WHITTEN, _Roscrea_, _Ireland_. Widow. 72 3mo. 24 1850

MAUDLIN WICKETT, _Darlington_. Widow of Benjamin Wickett. 94 11mo. 15 1849

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, _Denbigh_, _Cheshire_. 70 11mo. 2 1849

WILLIAM WILSON, _Bradford_. 82 11mo. 23 1849

The following account has much of it been taken from a brief memoir of William Wilson, which appeared in the "Bradford Observer," and which has since been published as a tract.

William Wilson might truly be said to be "an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile." He had his _peculiarities_ of character, but with all, was _singularly good_, and we cannot doubt that his prayers and his alms, had come up for a memorial before Him, who seeth in secret.

At the age of fifty, with an ample fortune, he relinquished a business, in which he had most diligently laboured, when the full tide of prosperity was flowing in upon him, in order that he might devote his time, and the means placed by Providence at his disposal, to the cause of neglected and suffering humanity.

For more than thirty years it became the essential and exclusive employment of his life, to explore and to relieve cases of poverty and distress, and in the accomplishment of this undertaking, he employed the same a.s.siduity and care, which he had been wont to exercise in the management of his secular calling, distributing many times at the rate of a thousand pounds a year.

As a steward of the gifts of G.o.d, he carefully invested his money so as to secure a fair rate of interest, and on no occasion did he relax from the utmost exactness in his monetary dealings; and yet it is believed that his personal and domestic expenditure never reached 150 pounds per annum.

His house, like his person, was a pattern of plainness and simplicity.

His furniture consisted of nothing fashionable or superfluous; and his table was equally marked by comfort and frugality.

He was a warm advocate in the cause of Temperance, and was deeply interested in the subject of "the prevention of Cruelty to Animals."

Of Tracts, he must have paid for, and circulated gratuitously, some millions! His whole time and energies were fully employed, and often heavily taxed, in devising and carrying out schemes of mercy and benevolence, and his life presented one uniform tenor of consistent piety. To strangers he might appear reserved, but his apparent reserve only resulted from his const.i.tutional modesty, and retiring habits, whilst to those who enjoyed his friendship, he was frank, open, and intelligent in no ordinary degree.

William Wilson was never robust, but toward the close of his life, his feebleness became more apparent; for more than a week he was confined to his bed, but without any urgent symptom of disease. His mind was calm and peaceful,--he knew and loved his Saviour, and through His mediation, we cannot doubt he has inherited the blessing to the pure in heart, leaving behind him, in many respects, an example worthy to be followed, practically bearing a n.o.ble testimony to "christian moderation and temperance in all things," and against that covetousness which is idolatry. The memory of such a man is blessed.

ELIZABETH WILSON, _Rawden_. 69 4mo. 12 1850