CHAP. VII

Gentle and true of heart! I see thee still;
Thine eye upraised at friendship's sacred smile,
Pouring the heart's warm treasures freely forth,
In guileless confidence.
Thy life was laid A gift on virtue's altar, and thy mind,
Commingling wisdom with humility,
Passed on its sheltered pilgrimage in peace.”

Mrs. Fishwick was now in the maturity of Christian graces and beneficent influence. The savour of religion pervaded her whole deportment. In her countenance there was a sweet combination of firmness, gentleness, and intelligence. Her conversation evinced the growing spirituality of her mind. While enjoying every pleasant thing which crossed her path, and taking a lively interest in the gratification of her friends, she maintained for herself great simplicity of taste and habitude. She was conscientiously economical in her own personal expenses, that she might distribute the more largely to the necessities of the poor and afflicted. She was never satisfied in making purchases for herself, without at the same time providing something good and suitable for the needy. Often, when urged by her friends to select a more expensive article for her own use, she would say in a firm yet playful tone, “No, no; a less costly one will suit me better, and you know a poor woman can have a gown for the difference.” Frequently on reckoning up the amount expended after a day's shopping, she would be greatly dissatisfied with herself, if a considerable proportion had not been laid out for the poor. Thus faithfully in small things as well as in great, did she occupy the talents entrusted to her care. Her daily actions spoke more loudly than words,

Let all I have, mid all I am,
Ceaseless to an thy glory show.

Her character exhibited a full cluster of Christian and feminine excellencies. Her mind was vigorous and highly cultivated, and the crowning grace of humility was added to a sound judgment. She constantly discouraged all forms of evil speaking. “She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness.” Integrity and unselfishness were her leading characteristics, and the fruits of the spirit were manifested in her daily walk and conversation. Like Enoch, she “walked with God,” and became, through the rich influences of His spirit, , “a living epistle,” an embodiment of “whatsoever things are pure, lovely, and of good report.” The following graphic sketch from the pen of a respected minister, when writing to a friend, some time after the death of Mrs. F., is confirmatory of the preceding remarks:—

“Six years will soon have passed away since I looked on your favoured spot. I dare say you will name many changes which have transpired since then: not the least important is the removal of that excellent lady, Mrs. Fishwick. Renowned by birth, as the daughter of an early Methodist; remarkable in life for her attachment to primitive principles; triumphant in death, by the power of sovereign grace: quick in perception, prompt in decision, clear in penetration, powerful in appeal, keen in rebuke, but deeply sincere, and full of kindness withal: some of her lessons to me will be useful through life.”

In the spring of 1817, Mrs. F. writes as follows respecting the missionary services at Garstang.

TO MISS F.

 April. 13, 1847.

My very dear friend, I think all were greatly pleased with the missionary meeting. I durst not yenture to stay the meeting, but I heard the Rev. R. Inglis in the afternoon, from “Forget not all his benefits.” Though I often feel a painful sense of the failure of my memory, yet I never felt so thankful for the portion of it I do possess, as under that sermon: its value and benefit were so beautifully portrayed. We were all pleased with Mr. I. as our guest; and you will be sure my interest was increased, when he told us that Mrs. I. was a schoolfellow of Mary's, at Overton, and that while in the West Indies, his wife used often to speak of her; especially referring to her. benevolent endeavours to benefit some poor persons — potters or gipsies in the neighbourhood of Overton. He says he believes, from what Mrs. I. has told him, Mary was ever one of the foremost in all their little works of mercy. There was a very hallowed feeling at the meeting. I feel this cold weather very sensibly, but am thankful I keep as tolerable as I am. C. has just come in from Preston, where he went at three o'clock this afternoon. I often think how it would have suited my father to “pop over,” as he used to say; but now he needs not such means of transit. He has a body “Swifter than the lightning's ray, And brighter than the sun.” Well, if we are faithful, we soon shall share their glory. 1 have read “The Boatman's Daughter,” by the Rev. A. Barret, with much interest. The remarks on the present times are very apposite. I hope it may be made a blessing in those circles where the present dreadful leaven is in danger of spreading.

Towards the close. of the year, she writes to her niece, Miss A. Fishwick.

November 12, 1817.

My beloved Anne,

Your elegant note, containing so many expressions of kind affection, is indeed most gratifying to my feelings, both as a token of your love, and as evincing such a marked improvement in yourself, This ever gives me the most sincere pleasure; so that your kind communication afforded me a double gratification, and along with the hand screens, sister and you have so kindly presented to me, helped. To ornament one of the most beautiful birth-day tables you ever saw; and which I much regretted that you and some others of the dear friends who furnished it, could not have a peep at. Had you been able to see it with a telescope, you would have thought it was May-day eve, rather than the vigil of St. Martin; for in such a view you could not have seen the bare trees and the barren fields that lie between here and Southport, but only the bright spot towards which the telescope would have been directed. Thus it is often in reality, in looking upon distant objects, we see only some bright speck, whilst all the dark and gloomy part of the picture is shut out front view. On this account there is a danger of our looking forward. too much to future enjoyments, instead of cheerfully improving the sources of pleasure we have within our reach. But I am beginning to moralize, instead of telling you what beautiful flowers shed their perfume, over the still more fragrant epistles of congratulation and affection from my beloved friends. These I shall be glad to shew you shortly, when we hope to have the pleasure of seeing you; but the lovely flowers will all. have faded. The summit of the cake was surmounted by a beautiful crimson rose, some heartsease, and sprigs of fuchsia; and every note and gift had a pretty flower and evergreen laid upon it. When you remember that it was a time of the year when flowers have generally been destroyed, you may think how remarkable it looked; especially as the table had a large bouquet at both ends. Well, my dear Anne, these are pleasant hours to look back upon, when rightly improved; but what are they worth without a brighter prospect forward, to that land “Where everlasting spring abides, And never withering flowers." May you and I, and all we love, enjoy a glorious meeting there with those who have gone before, “The loved but not the lost.” Believe me, as ever, your faithfully attached aunt.

TO MISS F.

November 12, 1847.

Oh, how rapidly these years pass away! When I consider the blessings bestowed upon me during the year by "Him who merits all my love," I am deeply ashamed of my ingratitude. What need of the atoning sacrifice! Oh, how I am surrounded with blessings; and yet, alas, how little are they improved to the glory of the giver. What a mercy that

“For me the blood of sprinkling pleads,”

And in this I rest.

The extract above is strikingly characteristic of the prevailing habit of Mrs. F.'s mind. There was ever a deep heartfelt humbling view of self, a close impartial anxious examination of daily conduct, yet a clear appreciation and apprehension of the fulness of the atoning sacrifice. The result was a holy conversation, and lowly dignity of manner and deportment. The 86th Psalm was one which she frequently read when called to lead the devotions of the family, and she delighted to expatiate in prayer, on the fulness of the mercy and compassion so richly delineated in the 5th and 15th verses of that Psalm. The grand manifestation of this mercy in the life and death of her adorable Redeemer, was the theme she loved to dwell upon, and in its glorious effects, she now contemplates it for ever.

She sees the Lamb in his own light,
Whom angels dimly see.

Her talent for reading has been alluded to before. It was a treat to hear her; and when she became increasingly unfit for more active exertion, she devoted more time to the gratification of her friends in this way. Not unjustly has it been remarked, “Good reading is often the best commentary. What so striking and so impressive as the words of the spirit, when rightly enunciated, and clothed with devout feeling

TO MISS P.

February 1, 1848.

My dearest Jane,

I feel thankful that I am again permitted to hail the returning anniversary of a day so fraught with blessings the one upon which you entered on the journey of life. Thankfully would I acknowledge the mercy which gave so many gifts in giving you; and devoutly do I pray that your life may long be spared to enjoy that peace and comfort, which you constantly endeavour to scatter around the pathway of your friends. May the blessings bestowed on you be likewise shared by your beloved relatives, and finally may we all meet in our Father's house above to be parted in body no more. Our little tokens of fond remembrance will await your return home, where you will ever receive a most cordial, heartfelt welcome from your faithfully attached friend,

ANNE ELIZA

TO MR. F.

May 18th, 1818.

My dearest George, At the joyous season when all nature is vocal with our Creator's praise, I would fain swell the general anthem, and acknowledge as one of my greatest causes of thanksgiving, our being permitted in an unbroken band to offer our congratulations to you on this joyful anniversary. You well know that the deepest, warmest feelings are often those that struggle in vain for utterance, and will therefore readily believe that whilst my fond heart breathes fervent aspirations to Heaven on your behalf, my feelings are far too deep and tender to find expression in words, and I am thankful that I can refer to your own warm affection, to remind you of what I feel on a day so deeply interesting as this. The past year has indeed been marked in a peculiar manner by the mercy of our God, who has graciously, sustained and strengthened you to support its varied trials. Oh, shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? When I look back upon the blessings and deliverances of our married life, I am lost in astonishment at the Lord's goodness. I cannot repeat a thousandth part of his loving kindness, but his greatest temporal mercy to me has been the preservation of your valued life. Long may this be spared to be a blessing to all around you, and to shed the hallowing power of a holy example upon all within the circle of your influence. As the shades of a long day of usefulness gather around you, may you in increasing peace and happiness prove the truth of the promise, that "at eventime there shall be light." Will you accept the enclosed trifles, with my best wishes for May 18th, 1848, from your own affectionate

ANNE ELIZA.

As physical strength declined with Mrs F., there was the sweet placidity of a well regulated mind, relying on the promises, and the cheering prospects of immortality. There was no fretful impatience on becoming more dependent, upon others. No murmuring escaped her lips, when the enfeebled frame refused to fulfil the behests of the still active mind. She rested on her God; contented to employ others in acts of kindness which she used to delight in performing herself, and grateful to them for their assistance. She had long been a “succourer of many,” and her kindly sympathies lessened not with advancing years. In 1848, these were called forth by the sickness and death of an aged friend with whom she had been acquainted from childhood; and to whom, as also to her sorrowing family, Mrs. F.'s kind messages were often springs of consolation,

In nature's darkness, sorrow's night.

The following extracts confirm this statement.

May 13, 1848.

My beloved friend,

I write a line to assure you of the concern we feel on hearing so unfavourable an account of dear Mrs. F's health. In the midst of all, it is most consolatory to think that her bodily infirmities are your only ground of uneasiness, and that she evidences such an increasing meetness for that “better land,” where pain and sorrow never come. My husband mentioned on his return from S., what a sweet frame of mind she seemed to be in: but you know the corn stands to ripen after it is full grown. I well remember being greatly distressed when a girl, for I thought my father seemed getting such a meetness for heaven, that I feared he would very soon be taken from me; yet he was long spared, and when the blow came, grace was given according to the day. Oh, may we all live more dead to the world, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. May sickness and infirmity lead us to hold more communion with the unseen land, to which we are hastening. Oh, that each of us who are advancing to the end of our journey, may feel that as our outward man decays, the inward man is renewed day by day.

May 31, 1848.

It is just striking 10, and I am quite alone in the house, as they are all gone to a prayer meeting. The vestry has been crowded every night this week, and several have found peace. Very many are under a most gracious influence. Oh, what a mercy! It seems as if the seed, which has long been so patiently sown, is bringing forth fruit. May it remain to the day of eternity. Crane and my nieces are truly zealous, and seem to have their heart and soul in the work. May they be willing to

Labour on at His command,
And offer all their works to him.

I dare not venture to the meeting, as the room is so crowded I could not bear the heat and excitement.

You and dear Mrs. F. are often in my thoughts, and happy should I be if it were in my power to lessen her weakness and infirmity; but though earthly friendship cannot avail for this, there is a friend who can soothe every sorrow, and soften every pain. To know that you both enjoy His friendship, is indeed a consolatory thought to those, who feel most deeply concerned for your present trials. May he continue to be your support and. stay, and enable you to see clearly the mercy which is mingled with the bitter cup. You and yours are in the hands of a gracious, loving Saviour, who will give all the strength and consolation you both require, and to whom the pain and weakness of the dear invalid are fully known.

June 19.

We are, truly concerned to learn that our dear aged friend is in such a state of suffering and weakness; yet thankful that her mind is kept so peaceful and placid, and that she is enabled both to hope and patiently wait for that salvation which she has long been looking forward to, and which will be the end of every pain and sorrow. Doubtless her great weakness and weariness will tend to soften to you the thought of her “going home” a little before you. May He who alone can comfort the distressed, be your continual consolation.

My father often charged us, you know, when he was gone, not to weep, but to rejoice and praise God; and though poor nature shrinks from the thought, yet in the light of eternity, it is what we all shall do, over those who, having weathered the storm, are safely landed. Oh what mariner does not rejoice, after a long voyage to reach the desired haven!

December 27, 1848.

My very dear friend,

Perhaps you may think, in your present state of pain and weakness, that words of condolence would be more suitable than of congratulation: but if life be a blessing, its continuance must be so ; and to have been sustained in trial and conflict, and to know that these trials can never return; and that all is well, and for ever well, with those we loved, — whose longer stay on earth from advanced age, could only have proved a scene of suffering and. sorrow, — is certainly a subject over which angels might be likely to raise their notes of triumph higher. And surely I may add my mite of praise and thanksgiving to that which. is offered by your other friends, to Him who has been with you during the past year, and pray that the life we so highly value, may long be preserved, and health, and peace., and comfort again shine upon your path. Your unvarying kindness has not only added to the brightness of my sunny hours, but has likewise cheered me in dark and cloudy days, and. proved that you were one of those whose love shines brightest in the storm. This trifling memorial of a day so dear to me, is presented with the cordial and sincere good wishes of

Your firmly attached and affectionate friend,

A. E. Fishwick.

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