CHAP. II.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the
knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Prov. c. 9, v. 10.
When about her twelfth or fourteenth year, Miss Crane was placed at school at Blackburn, with Miss Lang, a pious lady, for whom she ever after cherished a warm regard. She soon acquired among her young companions the title of "Dr. Crane." This was partially owing, perhaps, to her greater stock of general information and usually sedate manner; but more particularly to her tact and readiness in assisting them through any little misfortunes of scratches, bruises, the running in of thorns, &c., &c., such as are incidental to schoolgirl life. Here was the first development of a talent which she afterwards assiduously cultivated for the benefit of others.
Her knowledge, promptness, decision, and firmness in many cases in after life, which required surgical, as well as medical treatment, caused many a sufferer to rejoice that he had come under her care, and bless her with a grateful heart. But this is anticipating our little history.
Long before leaving home Miss C. had felt herself a sinner in the sight of God ; but while at school, her convictions of sin were deepened. Her heart was gently opened, like Lydia's, to receive the truth; and now, through the influence of the Holy Spirit, she was enabled to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, to the saying of her soul. Her faith showed itself to be of the right sort, for it worked by love and purified the heart. Her naturally generous and amiable disposition shone out with increased refinement and beauty. The excellent lessons of humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance which had been taught her in early childhood, were now imprinted on a right foundation. The seed had fallen on good ground, and brought forth an abundant harvest of good fruit. Before this she had formed an intimate acquaintance with a young lady who lived near to Mr. Crane. She was now solicitous that her friend should also “taste and see that the Lord is gracious.” She opened her heart to her; they prayed and searched the scriptures together; and Miss A., the young lady alluded to, became a partaker with herself, of like precious faith.
From this time the friendship between these two lovely girls was cemented by a stronger bond; and until Miss A.'s marriage and removal from Preston, they seldom met together without retiring to pray with each other, and to talk of the things belonging to their peace. Thus they encouraged one another in love and in good works, and became helpers of each other's faith and joy.
Miss Crane's health continuing but very delicate, she did not remain long at
school, but was taken home again to be tenderly nursed and watched over by her
affectionate mother. Often afterwards did she express her great obligations
to the unremitting care of this valued parent, during these years of enfeebled
health. Painful apprehensions were at one time entertained that consumption,
her own mother's fatal malady, had set his seal upon the daughter's brow. Happily
these apprehensions were not realized, but the effect of them was salutary upon
the mind of Miss C. They sobered the bright visions of youth, they led her to
think more of the practical, than the ornamental, in the everyday business
of life; more than this, they caused her to watch narrowly over her own heart,
that she might be ready, if early called, to “go in to the marriage supper of
the Lamb” Through thus suffering, she was likewise fitted to sympathise with
the afflicted, and to become in future years a judicious and patient nurse,
a wise physician and counsellor.
In the summer of 1813, when Miss C. was in her eighteenth year, she paid a visit to her mother's relatives, near Alnwick, and proceeded with them on a tour to Edinburgh. Her health was greatly improved by this change; and her ardent love of natural scenery, as well as of the more complicated productions of art, was highly gratified. Her finely cultivated taste was charmed with the wild and majestic scenery of Scotland, and her strong memory formed and retained vivid images of the many striking places and points of interest in “fair Edina.” Its grand protecting mountains, the Calton Hill and Salisbury Crags, standing like guardian angels overlooking the city;— its ancient Castle and its palaces, its noble hospitals and museums, its new and stately streets and bridges, in contrast with the antiquated wynds and narrow thoroughfares of the olden time ; the resting places of its holy covenanting martyrs, the scenes of their sufferings, the thousand recollections of events in Scottish history, connected with this ancient metropolis, all opened to her observant eye fresh sources of varied interest, and yielded to her sound judgment fresh stores for reflection.
In the midst of these new and stirring sights and sounds, Miss C. forgot not her God nor the people of her choice. While at school at Miss Lang's, she had felt it her duty and her privilege to join the Wesleyan Society, believing that they who fear the Lord should now, as in the days of Malachi, speak “often one to another.” In Edinburgh she sought out the Methodist chapel, and enquired for the more private means of grace. Whenever her judgment was convinced what was the path of duty, she shrank not from it. Great firmness and consistency were strongly marked characteristics both of her youth and her riper years.
She was gratified also to find out in Edinburgh the residence
of the late devoted and excellent Lady Maxwell, who had been accustomed, when
journeying through Preston, to send for Mr. Crane to see her ladyship at the
inn, for the purpose of spiritual conversation and prayer.
Miss C. returned home after an absence of some weeks, not in the spirit of dissipation
or self-indulgence, but with more vigorous health and an increased desire
To glorify her God below,
And find her way to Heaven.
Her friends were delighted with her more robust appearance, as well as by her lively sketches of what she had seen and heard. Thus glided on the fair season of her teens. The foundation of a noble character had long been laid, in a saying acquaintance with Christ; a lowly estimate of herself, in unfeigned humility and great disinterestedness; the superstructure rose in fair and goodly proportions —
Deep founded in the truth of Grace”
She stood like a “city on the hill,” reflecting the beams
of the Sun of righteousness shedding a softened hallowed influence on all around.
She engaged with increased energy in promoting the welfare of her fellow creatures;
by visiting the sick and poor, working with her own hands in various ways for
their comfort and relief, as well as by many other acts of faith and labours
of love, she manifested the possession of “pure religion and undefiled.”
In conjunction with her friend Miss A., she taught a number of adult females to read the word of God. Several of these were aged women, who required great patience from their teachers, but who through persevering efforts, obtained the ability to read a little, and blessed their teachers while they lived. Both these amiable and gifted young ladies were distinguished for their elegant simplicity and plainness of attire. Their influence in this respect was great, and it was salutary.
Miss C. also occupied an extensive district as a collector for the Bible Society, and most scrupulously adhered to the watchwords of that noble institution, as printed in their collectors' books, viz., “system,” “punctuality,” and “perseverance.” About this time she began a sewing school two afternoons in the week, for the purpose of instructing the girls who attended the Methodist Sunday School in the making and mending of their clothes. She prevailed on some other young persons to assist her in this laudable but laborious undertaking; and many of the girls she thus tried to prepare for the household duties of life, rose up and called her blessed. She carefully mingled religious and moral, along with secular instruction. The school was always begun and ended by singing and prayer.
One of Miss C.'s earliest religious associates was Miss Sarah Fishwick, who afterwards became the valued wife of the Rev. Thos. Stead. These ardent and devoted young travellers to Mount Zion were at this time frequently in correspondence, encouraging each other in the Lord.
Under dates February 2l, 1815, and July 25, 1817, Miss C. thus addressed her friend.
My dear friend,
The wish expressed in your last letter (of hearing how the work of the Lord is going on amongst us should certainly have been gratified before now, had not the indisposition both of myself and the rest of the family prevented. With respect to the revival, I am happy to say that it still continues, though not in the remarkable way in which it first began.
Since I last wrote, there has not a week passed without two, three, four, or more obtaining a sense of pardon. I believe all who have professed to find peace since the revival began, continue to adorn their profession by a suitable life and conversation; indeed they mostly appear to be clear and sound in their experience, and many of them have obtained the blessing when they were alone, the rest principally in the class and prayer meetings. I think I told you that within the last half year, five classes had been divided. Thus the Lord is carrying on his good work, and adding to his church such as we trust shall be everlastingly saved With every expression of love and kindness,
Believe me your sincere friend.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I cannot conclude my letter without congratulating my dearest friend on the resolution she has made to devote herself afresh to God, and assuring her that the same hopes and desires which animate and warm her breast, have in some degree thawed my frozen heart. Glory be to God, he delights to water and refresh the weakest of his children, and he continually watches over us to do us good. I was struck with a remark Mr. made in prayer tonight, that “though we were so ready to complain, we often forgot to be thankful; but what cause we had for gratitude, for where we had one judgment we had ten thousand mercies.” Do we not too often forget that “God is love,” and look upon him as a severe Judge, rather than as a merciful and gracious God, who pardoneth iniquity, transgression, and sin.
Both time and paper fail, or I should with pleasure scribble on a little longer.
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At the Wesleyan Conference of 1816, the Revs. Thos. Hill and W. Ainett were appointed to the Preston Circuit. Soon after their arrival, a gracious visitation of the Holy Spirit accompanied their ministrations. Many — especially young people — fell under deep convictions of sin. Prayer meetings were frequent, and sometimes protracted. Often was Miss Crane found in these, kneeling perhaps beside some young Sunday scholar, or child of Methodist parents, who was “pricked to the heart,” and enquiring “What must I do to be saved?” She affectionately pointed them to the atoning Lamb, well knowing how important at such seasons, and “how forcible, are a few right words.”" Several, while she prayed and talked with them, were enabled to lay hold on Christ as their Redeemer, of whom some continue to this day, but many have fallen asleep in Jesus.
She now, though very reluctantly, consented to take charge of a class, mostly composed of these young disciples. She was well fitted for this important office. She watched over those committed to her charge with tender care and faithfulness, as one that must give an account unto God. She seemed ever to come from her closet to her class meeting, and to be able to say with the Apostle “That which we have seen and known, declare we unto you, that ye also might have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
When one that holds communion with the skies
Hath filled his urn where those pure waters rise,
And once more mingles with us meaner things,
“Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings;
Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide,
That tells us whence his treasures are supplied.”
The following extracts from notes written soon after this time to a girl at school, will show how wisely she could adapt herself to the age and circumstances of those she addressed, and how sweetly the law of kindness flowed from her pen as well as from her lips.
Saturday, May 23rd, 1818.
Accept my best thanks, my dear Elizabeth, for your kind note, and allow me to say, it will at all times afford me pleasure to receive a few lines from you, as well as to have opportunities of personal intercourse. I was glad to notice such a sensible improvement in your Writing, and trust you will continue, by your diligence and attention, to evidence the gratitude I am sure you feel to your dear parents, for the opportunities they have afforded you of gaining useful knowledge. Youth is the seed time of human life, and the husbandman who neglects his field in the spring, might as well look for a plentiful crop in harvest, as those persons who omit to cultivate their minds in early years, expect in future life to find them stored with anything but ignorance and folly. But you are already aware of the importance of gaining and retaining all the useful information ill your power, so that it is unnecessary for me to say more on the subject. I must nevertheless acknowledge to you, that I frequently look back on my school days with regret, and am grieved to think that so much of my time was spent in things which were of no real utility; and though you may suppose that at my age 1 might easily repair the loss, yet I assure you I have not now sufficient leisure to devote to such a course of reading as I should have gone through, had my health been good, and I fully sensible of the value of my time. But amidst all our aquirements, it is highly necessary for us to be upon our guard, lest our minds should be so occupied with earthly things as to exclude those which are heavenly and divine. Should this be the case, they would prove a curse rather than a blessing. Let us then, my dear girl, in order that we may be preserved from this dangerous and deceitful snare, constantly pray that we may be kept unspotted from the world, and that in all our actions it may be our ultimate end and aim
To glorify our God below,
And find our way to Heaven.
Your acceptance of the enclosed little seal, as a token of affectionate regard, will much oblige your sincere friend.
On August 15th, of the same year, she says
* * * * * * * * * *
I have been too often in the school of affliction myself, not to sympathise
with you, my dear girl, under yours. Yet while I condole with you under the
temporary loss of one of the greatest earthly blessings, I would not fail to
remind you of what has frequently proved a source of sweet consolation to my
mind when I have been suffering from pain and weakness. Under these circumstances
the recollection that all I passed through was permitted and appointed by my
Heavenly Father, who was afflicting me not for his pleasure but for my profit,
and who was chastening me in mercy rather than in judgment, frequently caused
me to abound with gratitude and thanksgiving to God, and melted my soul into
humility and tenderness at his feet, till I was often led to exclaim
Diseases have their profit too,
The joy o'ercomes the pain.
You, my dear E., have now the same right you ever had to draw near and claim every blessing you stand in need of. Oh, how encouraging to know that our merciful High Priest is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and is both able and willing to succour us in every time of need. May we both cleave closer and closer unto Him, and sweetly prove that every circumstance of our lives (whether painful or pleasing) is made the happy means of bringing us to a more intimate union with the Saviour.
On Thursday evening last, we returned from our excursion to the sea side, at Cleveleys, where we had spent more than a fortnight very agreeably. We enjoyed having rooms to ourselves very much, as we were under no restraint. We walked a good deal, and generally watched the sun go down before we returned to the house for the night. After supper we often sung till ten o'clock, when we usually retired to rest, as Miss E. Fishwick and I rose at six and frequently walked till eight, when we had family prayer, and breakfast. I bathed once, and enjoyed it much. We were several times at Poulton, twice at Blackpool and twice at the Landmark.
On Sunday we attended a love-feast at Thornton Marsh Chapel, and found it a profitable time. There was a good deal of solid, sound experience, and no lightness or anything objectionable.
Accept my best wishes for your speedy recovery, and believe me yours affectionately,
A. E. C.
The “kindly affectioned” spirit of Miss C. was ever ready to “weep with those who weep,” as well as to rejoice with those who rejoiced. The following letter breathes a sweet spirit of sympathy and encouragement.
TO THE SAME.
August 29, 1818.
What a consolation it is in every time of trial and affliction, to have an unchanging friend to go to, to whom we can tell all our sorrows, and make known all our griefs. He is ever attentive to the voice of our supplications, and more ready to give than we are to receive.. 0 then, my dear friend, lot us ask large things at his hands — ask for
Grace to suffer and fulfil
All the Saviour's righteous will.
When our minds are borne above our afflictions, though we cannot cease to feel, or be insensible to pain, yet how does it sweeten every bitter cup, to remember that it is put into our hands by an all-wise physician, who is at the same time a kind and indulgent parent, who afflicts us not willingly. If we look around into the world, we shall see many as heavily afflicted as ourselves, who have no God to fly to in the time of their distress, and perhaps no earthly comforter either. How truly deplorable is their case, and how grateful should we be that we are saved from such heart rending circumstances.
In trouble what a hiding place
Have they who know a throne of grace.
I have often, when 1 have been ill, looked back with gratitude and pleasure at the close of a suffering day or week, to think that it was gone for ever, and that the pain or sorrow I had felt in it would never more return. Those sweet lines have frequently proved a consolation to me:—
The past temptations no more shall vex us;
Every grief we feel, shortens the destined number;
Every pulse beats a sharp moment of the pain away;
And the last stroke will come: by swift degrees
Time sweeps us off, and we shall soon arrive
At life's sweet period, O celestial point,
That ends this mortal story.
Your truly affectionate friend.
In 1817, Miss Crane's long loved friend and companion, Miss A,, became the wife of R. B., Esq. of Liverpool. She lived a short, but honoured and useful life, and died while yet in the bloom of Youth. In September, 1818, Miss Crane paid a visit to Mrs. B. The following letter was written during this visit, and gives, along with much consolatory counsel, a short but interesting sketch of Miss G's tour in Wales with Mrs. B.
Liverpool, Sep. 19, 1818.
Having learned last night by a letter from my father, that you are still uncertain as to the time of your return home, I sit down this morning to assure you how sincerely I sympathize with you. Were it in my power in any way to administer consolation or encouragement under your present circumstances, I should gladly exert my utmost powers; but what can I say, but still encourage you to look to that friend who has both the ability and inclination to support and console your mind, under all you may be called to pass through. Remember, my love, it is a Father's hand which now afflicts you; and it is easy to judge from the kind corrections you have received from your earthly parents, and their unwillingness to cause you unnecessary pain, that your heavenly Father is afflicting you for your profit : and you will (if spared,) no doubt at a future period, look back upon this season of trial, (as you now do upon those times when the hand of your earthly parents administered the chastisement you perhaps then thought severe,) with gratitude and praise. Often, when reflecting on various scenes of life, have I been led to exclaim,
Amid my lot of blessings infinite,
Stands this the foremost, that my heart has bled.
How encouraging it is to know, that He ,who mingles every cup He puts into our hand, is infinite in wisdom, as well is boundless in compassion; and therefore all His dispensations towards us must be right. Were uninterrupted health and prosperity the best for us, doubtless we should enjoy it; but how many lessons, which can only be learned in the school of affliction, should we in that case be ignorant of lessons which, as it may be necessary in future life for us to know, we should then wish we had learned at an earlier period. Let us then, my dear Elizabeth, conscious that we are in the hands of Him who will not lay more upon us than He will enable us to bear, fully resign ourselves to His disposal. He is ever “the same Lord, rich in mercy to all that call upon him.” May you now find him a present help and satisfying portion.
Perhaps one source of anxiety you will most need to guard against, will be the anticipation of future sufferings. Let me entreat you, as little as possible to look forward. How many unnecessary fears and anxieties should we escape, if we were only to live a day at a time; but we are naturally prone to lay schemes and plans for future life, and to distress ourselves with the apprehension of trials and difficulties, which appear like mountains at a distance, but which vanish as we approach. Let you and me, my dear girl, try to learn another lesson, and to believe that He who supports and helps us through present trials, will either remove, or give us grace to overcome, those which we see in the distant prospect.
I was lately much struck, in travelling through a narrow winding valley. Our road generally appeared about half a mile before us, entirely blocked up by some lofty mountain, and we were ready to conclude that there was no possible way of proceeding on our journey but by passing directly over it. But when we came to the point where it seemed necessary to ascend, there was always some narrow opening by which we were conducted round the foot of the mountain to the other side, and thus escaped the threatened danger. Just so in Christian experience: how frequently our way seems hedged up on every side with difficulties and dangers, but by going straight forward, relying on the arm of the Lord, we are safely brought through all; and after our faith has stood the test, we come out of the furnace as gold that has been purified in the fire. May you and 1 ever be enabled to stand in the trying hour, knowing the faithfulness of Him who hath said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
Probably you are already aware of the painful circumstances which brought me to this place. I refer o the illness and death of Mrs. B.'s little daughter It was a great trial to the parents, so soon to lose the little stranger, whose arrival had been anticipated with such fond anxiety, and whose presence afforded so much pleasure. But while they felt as parents, they suffered as Christians; and every action seemed to say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” As Mrs. B. had not fully regained her strength, and as the anxiety she felt during the baby's illness had retarded the progress of her recovery, an excursion into Wales was thought likely to benefit her; and with this view, Mr. T. A. took her and me, last Friday week, and we returned on the Tuesday, after spending four or five days very pleasantly. The places we passed through were Chester, Wrexham, Llangollen, Ruthin, Denbigh, St. Asaph, Holywell, and across the Dee, to Park Gate. If you have a map you will be able to trace our route. The country is very beautiful: in many places, grand and sublime; but it would so far exceed the limits of a letter to describe the scenes we visited, that I must defer it to some future opportunity. It was very entertaining to us to hear the people speak Welsh; but as most of them understood English also, we were at no great loss to converse with them. We heard the church service in Welsh, and saw both a Prayer Book and a Bible in that language, but I c believe it is difficult for ,in English person to speak, there are so many gutturals in it that they cannot learn a correct pronunciation. — Believe me, in the bonds of Christian love and affection,
Your sincere friend.
The following letter was addressed to her friend, Miss Sarah Fishwick
January, 1819.
I have to offer you my best thanks, nay, more than best, if I had words adequate to my wishes, for the truly valuable letter you sent me on Tuesday. 1 assure you the account of the good work amongst you, has not been without some beneficial effect upon my mind also, and has, I trust, been the means of stirring me up to greater earnestness. Alas, that I should so frequently need to be aroused, and require such repeated calls, yet I am thankful that the Lord has not forsaken even unfaithful me; that I can rejoice in his favour, and know he does accept my worthless heart. But, O, my dear Sarah, I want him to have it without reserve. At times I am on full stretch, and the blessing appears near, and almost within my grasp; at others, my unstable heart is carried away by every passing shadow, and I am indifferent and lukewarm. I think instability, thoughtlessness, and unwatchfulness, are things by which I am often overcome : yet, strange to tell, I do not guard as I ought against these things. O, my love, I often wish I could see you for an hour or two, I think You would talk to me and do me good: and yet I know the Lord can do me all the good I stand in need of.
As I cannot see you at present, do write to me, plainly
and faithfully: tell me of my faults, or anything you think calculated to rouse
my inactive powers.
I am sorry to say that my dear father has been much worse again; he was better
on Wednesday than he had been for a week, and he had a very good night; but
at dinner time yesterday, all his unfavourable symptoms returned, and for seven
hours he was as bad as ever; but, through mercy, he is a little relieved today,
though still very poorly. My mother, too, is worse than at the beginning of
the week. She seems to have more apprehensions for my father than she had; and
really, to see my father suffer so much, and my mother looking thin and ill,
with confinement and anxiety, are very trying circumstances; yet He supports
me who has said, “as thy day is so shall thy strength be.” I know not what I
should do, if I had not a refuge in God; but, praised be his name, I often feel
sweetly encouraged, when pouring out my complaint before Him in prayer. Hitherto
He has been with me, and He has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
An interest in your addresses at the throne of grace, I greatly need : I feel assured I shall not be forgotten by you. — Believe me your affectionate
A. E. C.
TO THE SAME, ON HER BIRTHDAY.
March 17th, 1819.
WERE the soft numbers of melodious rhyme,
Or lofty strains of Poetry sublime,
At my command, I'd call their ready aid
To wish thee blest and happy, dearest maid.
But though these gifts are of a brighter kind,
More elegant, ingenious, and refined
Than e'er inspired my wayward roving thought,
Or grac'd the scene my playful fancy wrought
Yet, if my warmest wishes for your peace,
Prosperity, and health, and happiness,
May be accepted, I shall gladly pay
My humble tribute on your natal day.
May that all gracious power whose watchful care
Has say'd your feet from many a lurking snare,
Guided and led you through life's devious way,
In peace and safety, to the present day,
Still be your kind protector, and your tower
Of strong defence, in every trying hour.
May He preserve you from each secret foe,
Whose subtle fraud designs your overthrow,
And prove himself your everlasting friend,
And love, and save, and keep you to the end.
May each revolving year you live below,
Be free from pain, perplexity, and woe;
And may the lov'd return of this glad day
Still mark your progress in the heavenly way.
Then, when the battle's fought, the journey done,
The victory obtained, the guerdon won,
May you receive the glorious free reward
For Jesu's faithful followers prepared;
And through eternity rejoice to prove
The boundless blessings of redeeming love.
I send you these lines just as a memorial of the friendship which exists between us; for to none but an intimate friend. should I ever venture thus to expose myself.
Yours affectionately.