This section is for any news or stories I find or am given -- for people who were born in Week St Mary and are listed alphabetically.
Showing posts with label People from WSM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label People from WSM. Show all posts
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Josiah AYRES
Josiah AYRES [EYRES and sometimes AYERS] was baptised in Week St Mary on Ar 17 1796, the youngest son of Josiah AYRES & Ann VINSON who had married in the parish of Kilkhampton on Jan 5 1788.
His father must have died when he was very young because he was apprenticed at age 7 to Abraham ORCHARD in Husbandry.
At age 34, Josiah married Mary RUNDLE in the parish of Poundstock on Mar 7th, 1830. Shortly thereafter, they emigrated to Prince Edward Island in far off Canada.
He and his wife Mary eventually had 7 children, the youngest being a daughter, Caroline, born about 1853.
When Josiah died he had been a preacher for the Bible Christians in Prince Edward Island for many years and the Observer ( Bible Christian Paper) printed a 4 page obituary which gives fascinating details of his early life in Week St Mary.
* * *
OBITUARY -- Our Late Bro. AYERS
The subject of this brief memoir, like many others who have fallen asleep in Jesus during the past few years, was one whose early history was intimately connected with that of our beloved denomination.
The sickle of the great reaper, death, is fast doing its work among our fathers and shortly no one will be left who can remember when, in 1815 a few men and women whose hearts were rich in faith and hope, launched our denominational barque upon the stormy waters .......... .
Bro. Josiah AYERS was born in Week St Mary, Cornwall England. His parents Josiah and Ann AYERS were members of the Methodist Church. His father was a deeply pious man, and no doubt many of his prayers have been answered in the useful and consistent course just finished by his son, and though removed during Josiah's childhood, he left him to that God who has promised to be a "father to the fatherless"
This early loss caused Josiah at a very tender age to be bound apprentice to a farmer, who though not openly immoral, knew nothing of the grace of God, and therefore neglected both the moral and religious training of the fatherless child committed to his care.
Some of our older friends from that part of the country will be able to form a very adequate idea of the position of a poor orphan boy, bound apprentice in such a family, in the year 1807.
Here the neglected child fell into many evil ways such as profanity and Sabbath breaking; but a father's prayers were being answered in the almost constant striving of the Holy Spirit and a remarkably tender conscience.
Frequent and fearful were the thoughts that would occupy his mind, and disquiet his soul, after his most careless seasons about death, the judgment and hell . . . And when a fever visited the family, the poor boy was neglected until brought to the gates of the grave; and not until a son was taken down was medical advice called in, and none too soon for Josiah's case seemed hopeless; and though his life was spared, yet he never attained the physical strength of which his early childhood gave promise, while the effects of the disease were felt in all his years.
And here we may notice the Providence of God in using the affliction of the eldest son to procure for the poor orphan that medical aid which a sense of duty and humanity could not induce the unfeelingly master to provide. But this sickness had another effect. His nearness to eternity made a deep impression on his mind, and deepened the serious thoughts of which he had long been the subject.
In the year 1818 when he was in his 21st year the faithful agents of our then infant Missionary Society found their way to that part of the country and preached Christ to the people.
Bro Ayers attended the meeting and to use his own words -- "It was not in vain for the word of God came with power to my soul and his arrow stuck fast in me."
For many weeks he groped his way in the darkness but could not sink down restfully into the arms of his Saviour. But he had given himself to his God for life and with a perseverance and a decision of character of which we have too little in this our day he entered upon his religious duties. He began to lead in prayer at at the social prayer meeting , calling upon God for himself and others.
But he was not set at liberty till one day while working in the field and praying as he worked, the spirit of the Lord came upon him and "I felt myself in a new world. The powers of heaven surrounded me and all was calm and joy and Peace" He now connected himself with the brethren in the church fellowship and for 61 years he continued with the exception of two short intervals a consistent and eminently useful member.
In the following spring he went to live in a Methodist family and being strongly pressed to do so, he joined that Society. But his master became a backslider and his fellow servants his persecutors, while his own spiritual strength greatly declined. He soon changed his place of service and fell in with a very pious family and he rejoined his old friends in church fellowship. Of this period he says himself "My hair began to grow again and Sampson like I became renewed in the strength of my God."
He now began to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come. The Lord greatly blessing his efforts and for some time he continued to labour in this capacity.
About the year 1827 his mind became impressed with a sense of a call to the ministry and so far did this impression lead him that he accepted employment as a hired local preacher for a few months. But after many earnest deliberations and the careful consideration of many important questions he decided to seek for no higher a sphere of usefulness than that of a local preacher, a position which he creditably filled till enfeebled by age.
By many this decision was regarded as the mistake of his life and one which made the path of his worldly avocation one of up hill and difficulty. Be this as it may, we feel thankful that in this case it was overruled for good by One who can make not only the wrath of foes but even the mistakes of his servants to praise him.
In the year 1830 he married Mary RUNDLE, in whom he found a faithful partner and who for 47 years stood by his side encouraging and strengthening his hand in God during the many difficulties through which he was called to pass and who now is left in loneliness for a little space till the master calls her to stand by his side in glory.
In the same year they emigrated to this country, then a mere wilderness . Here our missionaries not having arrived, he cast in his lot again with the Methodist church. Many parts of the island were then destitute of the gospel and here a large field of usefulness opened before him.
In holding up the banner of the cross the Lord was with him; many of his services were seasons of very great power and it was no unusual thing for sinners to be smitten and the cry to be heard "What must I do to be saved?" In conducting special services he was made very useful and became the blessed instrument of leading many to the Friend of sinners.
After remaining in Charlottetown for a few months he removed to York Road and finally settled on the now old homestead on the Union Road now occupied by his son John. Here in clearing up his new farm he toiled very hard, often beyond his strength, undergoing the many difficulties peculiar to a life in the wilderness and often after a hard days work he would walk many miles to conduct a service while nearly every sabbath was spent in declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ. About this time he conducted a series of special services at York Rd, in which a large number were brought to the Lord, some of whom remain to this day while many have departed giving evidence of a bright hope of the better land.
In the year 1833 as he was one day busily working by the side of the blazed track which constituted their only road, he saw a stranger approaching him and said within himself that looks like one of our preachers and in a few minutes his hand grasped that of our late brother METHERALL. They had known and loved each other and had laboured together in the old country and now they rejoiced together in the wilds of Prince Edward Island.
(ref. -The Observer (Bible Christian Paper- Oct. 2, 1878, p. 3
Josiah Eyres (Ayers) March 1796
Richard METHERALL on May 26, 1832 held 1st service and founded Bible Christian Church of Prince Edward Island at Union Road.
Here Josiah Ayers cast in his lot, nobly toiled and preached and led the young church till this day, till in blessed old age he has handed the leadership to his youngest son, man of qualities, earnest piety, generous benevolence and firm denominational attachment, worthy son of a worthy father. ( ref. - United Church Archives Toronto, The Observer, Bowmanville Wed. April 9, 1873 - by G. Webber)
His father must have died when he was very young because he was apprenticed at age 7 to Abraham ORCHARD in Husbandry.
At age 34, Josiah married Mary RUNDLE in the parish of Poundstock on Mar 7th, 1830. Shortly thereafter, they emigrated to Prince Edward Island in far off Canada.
He and his wife Mary eventually had 7 children, the youngest being a daughter, Caroline, born about 1853.
When Josiah died he had been a preacher for the Bible Christians in Prince Edward Island for many years and the Observer ( Bible Christian Paper) printed a 4 page obituary which gives fascinating details of his early life in Week St Mary.
* * *
OBITUARY -- Our Late Bro. AYERS
The subject of this brief memoir, like many others who have fallen asleep in Jesus during the past few years, was one whose early history was intimately connected with that of our beloved denomination.
The sickle of the great reaper, death, is fast doing its work among our fathers and shortly no one will be left who can remember when, in 1815 a few men and women whose hearts were rich in faith and hope, launched our denominational barque upon the stormy waters .......... .
Bro. Josiah AYERS was born in Week St Mary, Cornwall England. His parents Josiah and Ann AYERS were members of the Methodist Church. His father was a deeply pious man, and no doubt many of his prayers have been answered in the useful and consistent course just finished by his son, and though removed during Josiah's childhood, he left him to that God who has promised to be a "father to the fatherless"
This early loss caused Josiah at a very tender age to be bound apprentice to a farmer, who though not openly immoral, knew nothing of the grace of God, and therefore neglected both the moral and religious training of the fatherless child committed to his care.
Some of our older friends from that part of the country will be able to form a very adequate idea of the position of a poor orphan boy, bound apprentice in such a family, in the year 1807.
Here the neglected child fell into many evil ways such as profanity and Sabbath breaking; but a father's prayers were being answered in the almost constant striving of the Holy Spirit and a remarkably tender conscience.
Frequent and fearful were the thoughts that would occupy his mind, and disquiet his soul, after his most careless seasons about death, the judgment and hell . . . And when a fever visited the family, the poor boy was neglected until brought to the gates of the grave; and not until a son was taken down was medical advice called in, and none too soon for Josiah's case seemed hopeless; and though his life was spared, yet he never attained the physical strength of which his early childhood gave promise, while the effects of the disease were felt in all his years.
And here we may notice the Providence of God in using the affliction of the eldest son to procure for the poor orphan that medical aid which a sense of duty and humanity could not induce the unfeelingly master to provide. But this sickness had another effect. His nearness to eternity made a deep impression on his mind, and deepened the serious thoughts of which he had long been the subject.
In the year 1818 when he was in his 21st year the faithful agents of our then infant Missionary Society found their way to that part of the country and preached Christ to the people.
Bro Ayers attended the meeting and to use his own words -- "It was not in vain for the word of God came with power to my soul and his arrow stuck fast in me."
For many weeks he groped his way in the darkness but could not sink down restfully into the arms of his Saviour. But he had given himself to his God for life and with a perseverance and a decision of character of which we have too little in this our day he entered upon his religious duties. He began to lead in prayer at at the social prayer meeting , calling upon God for himself and others.
But he was not set at liberty till one day while working in the field and praying as he worked, the spirit of the Lord came upon him and "I felt myself in a new world. The powers of heaven surrounded me and all was calm and joy and Peace" He now connected himself with the brethren in the church fellowship and for 61 years he continued with the exception of two short intervals a consistent and eminently useful member.
In the following spring he went to live in a Methodist family and being strongly pressed to do so, he joined that Society. But his master became a backslider and his fellow servants his persecutors, while his own spiritual strength greatly declined. He soon changed his place of service and fell in with a very pious family and he rejoined his old friends in church fellowship. Of this period he says himself "My hair began to grow again and Sampson like I became renewed in the strength of my God."
He now began to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come. The Lord greatly blessing his efforts and for some time he continued to labour in this capacity.
About the year 1827 his mind became impressed with a sense of a call to the ministry and so far did this impression lead him that he accepted employment as a hired local preacher for a few months. But after many earnest deliberations and the careful consideration of many important questions he decided to seek for no higher a sphere of usefulness than that of a local preacher, a position which he creditably filled till enfeebled by age.
By many this decision was regarded as the mistake of his life and one which made the path of his worldly avocation one of up hill and difficulty. Be this as it may, we feel thankful that in this case it was overruled for good by One who can make not only the wrath of foes but even the mistakes of his servants to praise him.
In the year 1830 he married Mary RUNDLE, in whom he found a faithful partner and who for 47 years stood by his side encouraging and strengthening his hand in God during the many difficulties through which he was called to pass and who now is left in loneliness for a little space till the master calls her to stand by his side in glory.
In the same year they emigrated to this country, then a mere wilderness . Here our missionaries not having arrived, he cast in his lot again with the Methodist church. Many parts of the island were then destitute of the gospel and here a large field of usefulness opened before him.
In holding up the banner of the cross the Lord was with him; many of his services were seasons of very great power and it was no unusual thing for sinners to be smitten and the cry to be heard "What must I do to be saved?" In conducting special services he was made very useful and became the blessed instrument of leading many to the Friend of sinners.
After remaining in Charlottetown for a few months he removed to York Road and finally settled on the now old homestead on the Union Road now occupied by his son John. Here in clearing up his new farm he toiled very hard, often beyond his strength, undergoing the many difficulties peculiar to a life in the wilderness and often after a hard days work he would walk many miles to conduct a service while nearly every sabbath was spent in declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ. About this time he conducted a series of special services at York Rd, in which a large number were brought to the Lord, some of whom remain to this day while many have departed giving evidence of a bright hope of the better land.
In the year 1833 as he was one day busily working by the side of the blazed track which constituted their only road, he saw a stranger approaching him and said within himself that looks like one of our preachers and in a few minutes his hand grasped that of our late brother METHERALL. They had known and loved each other and had laboured together in the old country and now they rejoiced together in the wilds of Prince Edward Island.
(ref. -The Observer (Bible Christian Paper- Oct. 2, 1878, p. 3
Josiah Eyres (Ayers) March 1796
Richard METHERALL on May 26, 1832 held 1st service and founded Bible Christian Church of Prince Edward Island at Union Road.
Here Josiah Ayers cast in his lot, nobly toiled and preached and led the young church till this day, till in blessed old age he has handed the leadership to his youngest son, man of qualities, earnest piety, generous benevolence and firm denominational attachment, worthy son of a worthy father. ( ref. - United Church Archives Toronto, The Observer, Bowmanville Wed. April 9, 1873 - by G. Webber)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Caroline AYERS / AYRES
BIBLE CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE, Connexional Department, 1875, pp 510-511
CAROLINE AYERS
Caroline AYERS, the daughter of Josiah and Mary AYERS, was born at Union Road, Prince Edward Island. Her parents came from the parish of Bude, Cornwall, England, and settled where they still reside. From first to last they have been staunch supporters of our cause, and of them it may be truly said, considering the difficulties which formerly existed, they have borne the burden and heat of the day. For the ministers of the Gospel there was scarcely a home more pleasurable and never one more hospitable than theirs.
The father has been an acceptable local preacher for a great number of years, and the mother proved herself a worthy helpmate. They were, undoubtedly, very careful of their children's spiritual interests in their growing up ; and the result is the 3 sons minister in Holy things, and most of the daughters are pressing after the Christian's prize.
Caroline was the youngest of the family, and it seemed desirable that she should be spared to console her parents in life's last hours. But God had willed it otherwise. The father, bending with the weight of about fourscore years, and the mother, weakened by infirmities, have had to part with their pet flower of 21 summers. Caroline, whose early life was closely watched for her spiritual good, was modest and retiring; and it was not known until a few weeks ago that she kept a diary during her affliction as long as she was able, extending from May 24th to July 31st; after which date she was too much prostrated to write. She begins by saying—
"It is with a feeling of much fear I take my pen in hand to speak of Christ's dealings with my soul. In attempting to speak of Christ's love to me, may I be saved from all selfish motive. May my every effort be with a single eye to the honour and glory of God."
Her conversion took place in the Old Church, at Union Road, in the winter of 1871. During services, which were conducted by Brother G. Webber, many were saved, and Caroline was one. Of her acceptance with God she says—"It is something over two years since I embraced Christ as my Saviour. I praise God that ever He gave me a sense of sins forgiven. Oh, what a blessing to feel assured of our name being written in the Lamb's book of life."
In her experience the light gradually dawned, and in regard to it she says, "In the outset I did not feel so happy as some do, but I had a tranquil peace, a settled calm I had never known before, and by clinging to Jesus I became happier every day." She took special delight in the class-meeting, led by her brother John. She says, "Of all places on earth I love most the place where God's people meet together to tell of Christ's love.
He was with us this morning in a glorious degree. All praise be unto our God." She was not always a stranger to lethargy or besetments. Of the former she says, "Oh, how apt we are to get satisfied; to stand still, and not press, nor even desire to grow in grace. I must confess that my heart is too much divided by pride and high temper. Oh, may the Lord help me to overcome it all!"
Her short diary indicates sweet fellowship with God. It often runs thus : "To-day I have sweet fellowship with God in secret. My body is deeply pressed with pain, but ' Labour is rest, and pain is sweet, if Thou, my God, art here.' Oh, what love was manifested in Redemption, and my personal salvation. His presence shall make my pillow soft, and His arm shall support my feeble clay in life's last moments."
She suffered from a spinal affection, occasioned by a fall, which deepened a conviction that her days would be few. She says—"I am suffering from severe pain, how severe God only knows, but it is the Lord's will. It is for my good. He knows that I love Him, and I am quite satisfied to leave myself in His hands. Whether I live or die, through Christ, I am the Lord's."
At times her great suffering gave pain to the bystander; but often when I stood beside her I admired her patience. At one time she was subjected to a fierce assault from the tempter. The temptation seemed to assume this shape: "Yours is a hard lot; others can enjoy themselves. This is hard treatment from a God who professes to love you; such treatment proves He does not care for you."
She seemed driven almost to the last extremity with bodily pain and spiritual gloom. But while the tempter was seeking to obtain the mastery, she clung to the promises, remembering that "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth; and that if we be without chastisement then are we bastards and not sons." " Yea, though I walk through the valley and the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." The cloud broke, and with exultation she cried, "Through Jesus I can overcome the devil!"
During my many visits to her I was always struck with her calm submission. This grace appears evident to the reader from her own quotation—
"Should pining sickness waste away
My life in premature decay,
My Father, still I'll strive to say,
Thy will be done.
" If but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to Thee I leave the rest,
Thy will be done."
Though she always had the victory over the tempter, his main point of attack was— Do not such circumstances prove the nature of the devil to be the essence of cruelty? To tempt "Can God love where and when He so afflicts?" a drunkard to commit suicide — or a thief to commit murder to carry out his desperate purpose, does not seem half so cowardly and cruel as to taunt a poor suffering girl racked with pain, and tempt her to give up her confidence in God.
If the Devil be so determined in such cases it is impossible to imagine the havoc he makes among the nations. "Verily, he goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." If such heartless cruelty be manifested to such a helpless sufferer, what can those hope for who shall become a prey to Satan at last.
Let the unconverted reader be admonished. Escape for thy life. Go at once to Jesus. Go as you are, confess your sins, and you shall be healed, and sanctified, and saved.
Our sister loved the Bible, and often in her diary referred to her deep regard for Holy Scriptures. She derived much comfort in reading the lives of Dr. Payson, Mrs. Fletcher, and Mrs. Graham; and yet, comparing their devotedness with her own, she felt keenly. Thus she writes:
"If I have to be as devoted and pious as they evidently were, I fear I shall never enter heaven; but it may be they had more talents than I, and were differently circumstanced, and if I improve the one talent I have in the best way I can, that is all that will be required of me."
Was not this sound reasoning? God expects nothing unreasonable. Of the man who has five talents He expects the improvement of five; but only the improvement of one, where one only is given. Persons entrusted with wealth may not have to blow the gospel trumpet, nor bear the pitcher with the water of life ; but it may be their duty to buy the trumpet and to support the trumpeter, for if the trumpet be not blown how are the people to be warned ? If the water be not distributed, the people will die.
But to return, through weary months of extreme suffering, Caroline worshipped and waited with calm submission.
The 31st of July was the last time she attempted to make a record of Christ's love in her heart, and from that time until October she was most painfully prostrated. During those months of severe affliction the writer visited her as often as practicable. Her constant answer was, "The will of the Lord be done." Her medical adviser, who is much valued for his skill and piety, said to me, "In all my experience I never saw such calm submission in such extreme suffering."
A short time before her death I asked her if there was any request that I might carry out after her decease. She intimated that if anything could be said which would extol Christ's name in saving and sustaining them that put their trust in Him, I might say it. This was done in an address to a large congregation the Sabbath after, in a short obituary by Brother Webber at the time of her death, and now in preparing this longer notice.
The family greatly missed her, for she was its only earthly joy. The preachers have missed her smiling face and kindly hand, and the Sabbath school and class-meeting have missed one of their warmest members.
The Church will miss her helping hand and benevolent heart. Her last earthly toil was devoted to our effort last summer to pay for the preacher's new residence. But our loss is her gain. Thus died in the full triumph of faith, Miss Caroline AYERS, October 6th, 1874, aged 21 years.
Our earnest prayer is, that the bereaved parents may be sustained by the presence of God, and that the family who are settled far and near, will never forget in their prayers, in their sympathy, in their companionship, the lonely homestead, and that all the family, as, one by one, they cross the river, may from the pearly gate hear the song of welcome.
R. B. Rowe.
CAROLINE AYERS
Caroline AYERS, the daughter of Josiah and Mary AYERS, was born at Union Road, Prince Edward Island. Her parents came from the parish of Bude, Cornwall, England, and settled where they still reside. From first to last they have been staunch supporters of our cause, and of them it may be truly said, considering the difficulties which formerly existed, they have borne the burden and heat of the day. For the ministers of the Gospel there was scarcely a home more pleasurable and never one more hospitable than theirs.
The father has been an acceptable local preacher for a great number of years, and the mother proved herself a worthy helpmate. They were, undoubtedly, very careful of their children's spiritual interests in their growing up ; and the result is the 3 sons minister in Holy things, and most of the daughters are pressing after the Christian's prize.
Caroline was the youngest of the family, and it seemed desirable that she should be spared to console her parents in life's last hours. But God had willed it otherwise. The father, bending with the weight of about fourscore years, and the mother, weakened by infirmities, have had to part with their pet flower of 21 summers. Caroline, whose early life was closely watched for her spiritual good, was modest and retiring; and it was not known until a few weeks ago that she kept a diary during her affliction as long as she was able, extending from May 24th to July 31st; after which date she was too much prostrated to write. She begins by saying—
"It is with a feeling of much fear I take my pen in hand to speak of Christ's dealings with my soul. In attempting to speak of Christ's love to me, may I be saved from all selfish motive. May my every effort be with a single eye to the honour and glory of God."
Her conversion took place in the Old Church, at Union Road, in the winter of 1871. During services, which were conducted by Brother G. Webber, many were saved, and Caroline was one. Of her acceptance with God she says—"It is something over two years since I embraced Christ as my Saviour. I praise God that ever He gave me a sense of sins forgiven. Oh, what a blessing to feel assured of our name being written in the Lamb's book of life."
In her experience the light gradually dawned, and in regard to it she says, "In the outset I did not feel so happy as some do, but I had a tranquil peace, a settled calm I had never known before, and by clinging to Jesus I became happier every day." She took special delight in the class-meeting, led by her brother John. She says, "Of all places on earth I love most the place where God's people meet together to tell of Christ's love.
He was with us this morning in a glorious degree. All praise be unto our God." She was not always a stranger to lethargy or besetments. Of the former she says, "Oh, how apt we are to get satisfied; to stand still, and not press, nor even desire to grow in grace. I must confess that my heart is too much divided by pride and high temper. Oh, may the Lord help me to overcome it all!"
Her short diary indicates sweet fellowship with God. It often runs thus : "To-day I have sweet fellowship with God in secret. My body is deeply pressed with pain, but ' Labour is rest, and pain is sweet, if Thou, my God, art here.' Oh, what love was manifested in Redemption, and my personal salvation. His presence shall make my pillow soft, and His arm shall support my feeble clay in life's last moments."
She suffered from a spinal affection, occasioned by a fall, which deepened a conviction that her days would be few. She says—"I am suffering from severe pain, how severe God only knows, but it is the Lord's will. It is for my good. He knows that I love Him, and I am quite satisfied to leave myself in His hands. Whether I live or die, through Christ, I am the Lord's."
At times her great suffering gave pain to the bystander; but often when I stood beside her I admired her patience. At one time she was subjected to a fierce assault from the tempter. The temptation seemed to assume this shape: "Yours is a hard lot; others can enjoy themselves. This is hard treatment from a God who professes to love you; such treatment proves He does not care for you."
She seemed driven almost to the last extremity with bodily pain and spiritual gloom. But while the tempter was seeking to obtain the mastery, she clung to the promises, remembering that "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth; and that if we be without chastisement then are we bastards and not sons." " Yea, though I walk through the valley and the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." The cloud broke, and with exultation she cried, "Through Jesus I can overcome the devil!"
During my many visits to her I was always struck with her calm submission. This grace appears evident to the reader from her own quotation—
"Should pining sickness waste away
My life in premature decay,
My Father, still I'll strive to say,
Thy will be done.
" If but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to Thee I leave the rest,
Thy will be done."
Though she always had the victory over the tempter, his main point of attack was— Do not such circumstances prove the nature of the devil to be the essence of cruelty? To tempt "Can God love where and when He so afflicts?" a drunkard to commit suicide — or a thief to commit murder to carry out his desperate purpose, does not seem half so cowardly and cruel as to taunt a poor suffering girl racked with pain, and tempt her to give up her confidence in God.
If the Devil be so determined in such cases it is impossible to imagine the havoc he makes among the nations. "Verily, he goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." If such heartless cruelty be manifested to such a helpless sufferer, what can those hope for who shall become a prey to Satan at last.
Let the unconverted reader be admonished. Escape for thy life. Go at once to Jesus. Go as you are, confess your sins, and you shall be healed, and sanctified, and saved.
Our sister loved the Bible, and often in her diary referred to her deep regard for Holy Scriptures. She derived much comfort in reading the lives of Dr. Payson, Mrs. Fletcher, and Mrs. Graham; and yet, comparing their devotedness with her own, she felt keenly. Thus she writes:
"If I have to be as devoted and pious as they evidently were, I fear I shall never enter heaven; but it may be they had more talents than I, and were differently circumstanced, and if I improve the one talent I have in the best way I can, that is all that will be required of me."
Was not this sound reasoning? God expects nothing unreasonable. Of the man who has five talents He expects the improvement of five; but only the improvement of one, where one only is given. Persons entrusted with wealth may not have to blow the gospel trumpet, nor bear the pitcher with the water of life ; but it may be their duty to buy the trumpet and to support the trumpeter, for if the trumpet be not blown how are the people to be warned ? If the water be not distributed, the people will die.
But to return, through weary months of extreme suffering, Caroline worshipped and waited with calm submission.
The 31st of July was the last time she attempted to make a record of Christ's love in her heart, and from that time until October she was most painfully prostrated. During those months of severe affliction the writer visited her as often as practicable. Her constant answer was, "The will of the Lord be done." Her medical adviser, who is much valued for his skill and piety, said to me, "In all my experience I never saw such calm submission in such extreme suffering."
A short time before her death I asked her if there was any request that I might carry out after her decease. She intimated that if anything could be said which would extol Christ's name in saving and sustaining them that put their trust in Him, I might say it. This was done in an address to a large congregation the Sabbath after, in a short obituary by Brother Webber at the time of her death, and now in preparing this longer notice.
The family greatly missed her, for she was its only earthly joy. The preachers have missed her smiling face and kindly hand, and the Sabbath school and class-meeting have missed one of their warmest members.
The Church will miss her helping hand and benevolent heart. Her last earthly toil was devoted to our effort last summer to pay for the preacher's new residence. But our loss is her gain. Thus died in the full triumph of faith, Miss Caroline AYERS, October 6th, 1874, aged 21 years.
Our earnest prayer is, that the bereaved parents may be sustained by the presence of God, and that the family who are settled far and near, will never forget in their prayers, in their sympathy, in their companionship, the lonely homestead, and that all the family, as, one by one, they cross the river, may from the pearly gate hear the song of welcome.
R. B. Rowe.
