WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1863.

A WIDOW WHO TRUSTED IN GOD.

(1 TIM. v. 5.)

MEMORIAL OF MRS. BETSY MILNER, OF MADELEY-WOOD, SALOP: BY THE REV. EDWARD SHELTON.

THE parish of Madeley is classic ground. It was the chief scene of the labours of John and Mary Fletcher; and in its quiet churchyard their honoured dust reposes until the awaking at the last day. When one treads the paths they once frequented, and surveys the objects long familiar to their eyes, each may serve to recall their work of faith, and labour of love," now receiving its vast reward in heaven. The study in which Mr. Fletcher breathed his powerful prayers, -the desk at which he penned his unanswered and unanswerable 'Checks," the Bible from which he read to the people, out of the law and the prophets, every Sabbath-day,-the pulpit he occupied, while, with tears of compassion, which added effect to strains of true eloquence, he entreated sinners to be reconciled to God,-all may still be seen. And many a pilgrim, while indulging a natural curiosity in looking at these mementos, has felt his heart glow with desire for some portion of that seraphic spirit which animated a man whom all parties now call "saintly." But here, as elsewhere, time has wrought changes. A modern church supplies the place of the one in which the Methodist Vicar preached to listening multitudes. The old barn has disappeared, in which the eminently devout wife seconded, by earnest prayers and exhortations, the efforts of her husband. Nearly all the generation that knew the Fletchers has likewise faded away. One by one, we miss the last survivers from our midst; and very few remain, even now, to tell the stories of the past.

BETSY MILNER was one of the number of whom we write,-herself too remarkable a woman to pass away from earth without some record of her godly life, triumphant death, and solemn burial. She was the daughter of Francis and Mary Pigott, of Astley-Abbots, near Bridgenorth. Her parents were of a respectable class of church-going people, who attended to the outward observances of religion, and showed by their lives the effect of restraining grace.

Betsy's early days were spent in the sweet seclusion of a small Salopian village, where the seductive vanities of larger populations were unknown; and, but for her subsequent union with the Methodist people, she might never have been known beyond the winding

streamlets and overshadowing woods of her rustic birthplace. In the morning of life she experienced deep convictions of her sinful state in the sight of God; but these were not sufficient to lead her to such a closing with Christ as issues in deliverance from guilt and condemnation, and the sunlight of acceptance with God. It may be observed, at this point, that she was trained to a high regard for the fifth commandment; and the promise annexed was remarkably fulfilled in her case. Her "days were "long in the land" where the Lord her God had fixed her habitation. At this period, also, she acquired those habits of industry and self-control which fitted her for the battle of life, and were at last recompensed with the crown of victory.

In the year 1785 Miss Pigott was married to Mr. Thomas Milner, of Madeley-Wood; that is, in the very year in which the revered Fletcher went to God. It may be mentioned, as an evidence of the veneration which the Vicar's character inspired in the neighbourhood, that the young bride had trembled at the thought of coming into his presence on the occasion of her nuptials, lest the drapery she wore should call forth some admonition. But, ere the day arrived, he was removed to his great reward. On her marriage, Mrs. Milner felt a deep consciousness of the responsibility involved in her new relationship; and with earnestness of purpose, which marked her entire character, resolved, according to the light she had, to live for both worlds.

Under date of March 24th, 1790, Mr. Wesley writes in his Journal: "We rode to Madeley through a pleasant rain, which did not hinder the church from being thoroughly filled; and, I believe, all who had spiritual discernment perceived that it was filled with the presence of God." On the following day he adds: "At nine I preached to a select congregation on the deep things of God; and in the evening on He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.'" And again, the following day: "I finished my sermon on the wedding garment; perhaps the last that I shall write. My eyes are now waxed dim, my natural force is abated. However, while I can, I would fain do a little for God, before I drop into the dust." On this occasion our friend heard the apostolic preacher. His word came with power to her heart; and, gradually, the conviction of her sinful state became more deep and pungent. But, without a hand to guide her, she could not yet find the way of peace.

In 1794, under the teaching of Mrs. Fletcher, at Coalbrook-Dale, her religious concern became more intense. She was led to the discovery, that an entire change of heart was indispensable, in order to happiness, and holiness of life. Mrs. Fletcher was to this inquirer what Philip was to the Ethiopian; and the result was, that she found rest for her soul. While pleading with God in private, she experi enced "a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness;" whereby she was made a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven." There was in this conversion a blessed and most distinct reality. She herself never doubted it; and her friends remarked, at the time, that it was made manifest in her very

66

countenance. The work then bore marks of genuineness, which it never lost, but which became more and more decisive unto the perfect day. She at once joined herself to a class, which was met by the above-named eminent lady; and she was, in all probability, one of the "twenty young beginners" to whom Mrs. Fletcher alludes in her journal, on December 21st, 1795. The instruction received at the weekly meeting, from one so eminently qualified for the duties of class-leader, proved of great advantage to Mrs. Milner, not only at that time, in forming her religious character; but also in later years, when the fruit appeared in the facility and effectiveness with which she conducted the classes committed to her own trust. There is a succession of spiritual children in the church; and blessed is he that "hath his quiver full of them." The child was, in this case, not unworthy of the distinguished parent.

For some time Mrs. Milner's union with the Society was unknown to her husband; who, in common with many others, was strongly prejudiced against "the people called Methodists," even when they enjoyed the patronage of the Vicar of the parish. On making the discovery, Mr. Milner exclaimed, with strange and bitter lamentation, "My wife has turned Methodist, and I am ruined for ever!" Great prudence was required, on her part, to adjust conflicting claims and interests. As a Christian, she was anxious to serve God, and "lay hold on eternal life;" as a wife, she was ready to fulfil honourably all the duties implied in her marriage vow. She asked wisdom of Him who "giveth to every man liberally, and upbraideth not." Nor did she ask in vain. Grace was imparted, enabling her

"To steer her dangerous course between

The rocks on either hand."

The husband used various methods in attempting to cool her "extravagant zeal" in religion; and even went so far as to lock up her Bible. This was a strong tax levied upon her faith and patience; but her faith failed not, and "in patience she possessed her soul," till in God's own way deliverance came. It pleased the Almighty to afflict very severely one of their children; and in this furnace the heart of the persecutor was melted. The precious treasure was restored to the hands of the thankful wife, with the promise that she should never again be interrupted in the exercise of her religious duties. That promise was faithfully kept: and so completely did this Christian woman overcome the opposition of ignorant bigotry, by wearing continually "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," that shortly she was enabled to invite the ministers of the Gospel to her house. Her first success of the kind was on this wise :-A minister had been renewing the tickets of her class, and she ventured to invite him to take tea. The invitation was accepted, and she approached her dwelling in hope that her guest would be received with civility, at least. To her great joy, he was welcomed; and his subsequent visits were not less warmly hailed.

In 1819 Mr. Milner died. An inflammatory attack carried him off.