Page images
PDF
EPUB

A Teftimony from Reading Monthly-meeting in Berkshire, concerning MICHAEL TURPIN.

UR dear and worthy Friend, Michael Turpin, was born at Hemel-Hempstead, in the County of Hertford, the 3d of the Sixth Month 1678; and after living at Albans in the faid County about Sixteen Years, removed to this Town about the Year 1726, where he refided about Thirty one Years; in which Time he was of good Service to this Meeting, being well qualified for the Work of the Miniftry, to which he was called about the Twenty third Year of his Age: And by ftrictly adhering to the divine Gift beftowed on him, grew in the Life of Religion, and had a lively and powerful Teftimony frequently to bear in old Age, increafing in his Gift as he grew in Years: And though not a Man of much Literature, yet, when under divine Influence, he discovered a good Understanding, being well inftructed in the School of Chrift. He was zealous in Teftimony against Pride, Covetousnefs, all Libertinifm, and whatever is not fubject to Truth; alfo, that our Chriftian Difcipline might be maintained upon its ancient Foundation. He was a true Mourner in Sion, one who fighed for the Abominations of the, Times, and truly fympathized with others in

A a

the

the like Condition, to whom he often had a Word of Encouragement, which he suitably administered greatly to their Comfort: But to the lukewarm, indifferent, formal Profeffors, his Teftimony was clofe and piercing; and by keeping his Place in the Authority of Truth, he was a Check upon fome forward and unqualified Spirits, which fometimes ap peared amongst us.

He was often (especially toward the Conclufion of his Time)' extraordinarily drawn forth, in fervent Supplication to the Almighty, for the young and rifing Generation, and that those who were in undue Liberties might be reclaimed, and thofe who were at Eafe in a Profeffion and outward Conformity, without a real Poffeffion of the bleffed Truth, might be, by a fresh Vifitation, awakened and stirred up to a Sense of their States and Duty.

[ocr errors]

His Life and Converfation was exemplary and edifying; His Deportment and Countenance folid, weighty and awful; he loved and fought Retirement, flept little, was temperate and induftrious, confcientiously concerned that he might not bring any Reproach on his holy Profeffion by Infolvency; and therefore, and for the Benefit of his bodily Health, he occupied a confiderable Part of his Time in fuch Bufinefs as he was capable of, tho' the Profits arifing therefrom were very fmall.

In his laft Inefs, which continued about three Weeks, he was enabled to bear the Extremity

Extremity of his Pain with remarkable Patience and Stilnefs; and, in the Depth of Humility, begged of the Lord, That he would be pleased to release him from his Affliction; who in Mercy granted his Requeft; and he is, we doubt not, fafely arrived through a Sea of Troubles to the Port of endless Joy, and is an Inhabitant of that glorious City (of which he had a Vision a little before his Deceafe) where there is no Need of the Light of the Sun, neither of the Moon, for the Glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof.

He quietly departed this Life, in great Stilnefs, the 11th of the Ninth Month 1757, and was buried the 15th following, in the Burying Ground belonging to Friends at Reading, in a very plain but decent Manner, according to his particular Defire, in the Eightieth Year of his Age: A Minifter about Fifty feven Years.

A Teftimony from Wigton Monthly - meeting in Cumberland, concerning HANNAH WILSON.

ANNAH WILSON was born the 7th

HA

of the Fourth Month 1681. She was Daughter of Jofeph and Mary Steel of Moresgate, who gave her a ftrict and religious Education; for which, fhe often expreffed great Gratitude to Providence and her virtuous Parents, with ftrong Defires that she might tread

[blocks in formation]

in the fame Steps, and follow their godly Example.

In 1715 the married Richard Wilson of Cockermouth, and in 1736 was called to the Work of the Minifty, in which he was faithful according to the Gceived. In he time of Health, frequent in Heavenly Meditation by her Fire-fide, exhorting thofe about her, and in the Family, To remember their Latter-end, and feek a City that hath Foundations; that when the Bridegroom came, their Lamps might be trimmed, and ready to enter with him. And frequently faid, It has been my early Defire from my Infancy, that I may live the Life of the Righteous, that my laft End may be happy with them that die in the Lord; and, Ob may this be all our Portion at last! with much more to the like Effect at different times.

During her laft Ilness, which continued about two Weeks, he was very refigned, whether Life or Death; and said, Thy Will be done, O God! I am ready if thou please now, for I bave no Guilt upon me; I prayed for Patience to bear my prefent Affliction, and thou haft given it me; nay, more than I have afked for: Bleed be thy holy Name. My Cup overflows with thy Goodness, now, in this Time of Need and great bodily Weakness; for which, my Soul, and all that is within me, reverently bows and worships afresh.

At

At another time fhe faid, This Death is an awful Solemnity to all that are capable of thinking; and yet, Thanks be to God, I have not the leaft Fear of it; for the holy Lord that hath been with me at times, all my Life long, will be at my right Hand through the Paffage of Death, and conduct me to the Regions of Light.

At another time, after a folemn Silence, fhe faid, Gracious and holy Lord, remember our Off-Spring, the Youth of this prefent Generation. Oh! vifit them afresh and afresh, till it be effectual; and grant that the Sufferings of many of their worthy Ancestors, in Goals and Dungeons for the Teftimony of thy Name, and which many fealed with their Blood, may fink in their Minds; that it may be a Spur on them to Faithfulness, that they may not trample on their Afbes by a contrary Conduct: Oh! let a double Portion of their Spirit reft on them; that from our Seed, Judges as at the firft, and Counsellors as at the Beginning, may be raifed up among them: And, O boly Lord! blefs the Youth of this Meeting, and all Ages and Degrees in it; Oh! do thou, when ever they meet, be in the Midst of them, and furround them with thy living Prefence: Be with fuch as are not able to attend the Affemblies of thy People; let thy Light Shine round about fuch in their folitary Chambers, for their Comfort and Support; and graciously be near all under Affliction, whether of Body or Mind, and help them that are seeking after thee; be thou Strength in all times of their Weakness, that A a 3

they

« PreviousContinue »