her meek and quiet spirit, of her simple habits and of her instinctive shrinking from everything that might have the appearance of display, renders it somewhat difficult to record her name on the pages of a public paper. "Educated by her parents as one of the Society of Friends, she ultimately adopted their peculiarities from conviction as well as from habit. They were associated, however, with a cordial and practical belief of all the great truths of Christianity; so that she was, all through life, much more distinguished by the graces which the Gospel inspires, than by the costume and language which, as a Friend, she adopted. Possessed of a clear and sound understanding, of a quick and susceptible but carefully controlled temper, and of undoubted conscientiousness, she became a most efficient member of many of our benevolent and religious institutions. The Ladies' Bible Association, the Sick Poor Society, the Magdalen, the British Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Jews, the Orphans' Home, the Ladies' Branch of the City Mission, and the committees of schools and of other institutions, occupied her attention, and received her services. She gave to them not only her name and her liberal contributions, but her punctual and regular attendance. Having a remarkable tact in business, 'the sisters of charity' with whom she was associated in these societies always found that when she presided or assisted in the committee-room, the business of the hour was conducted with great judgment, order, and expedition. "For many years she was a Minister in the Christian Society to which she belonged, and latterly the service was often conducted chiefly by herself. . . . Her public adresses were decidedly evangelical in their doctrine, and were enforced with appropriate appeals to the heart and conscience. There was an eloquence, too, in the 3. 'awful goodness' of her character, as well as in her soft and silvery tones, which gave demonstration and power to her discourses, and which strongly excited the sympathy of every Christian mind. These various occupations were conducted, however, with a due regard to the claims of her own house. These claims, in her case, were not indeed very numerous, but they were faithfully discharged; and by her orderly, courteous, and religious habits, she diffused a holy and a happy influence which won the affectionate esteem of those around her. Her end was peace. After a short illness, which was alleviated and sanctified by Christian consolation and hope, she died as gently as she had lived. She died at the house of her brother-in-law, John Brightwen, at Thorpe, near Norwich, on the 23rd of 1st month, 1853, in the sixtyfourth year of her age, a Minister about thirty years. Her remains were interred in Friends' burial ground at Norwich." JOHN ALLEN. BORN 1790-DIED 1859-AGED SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS. JOIN ALLEN was born at Liskeard, on the 26th of 9th He received his school education at Milverton, and also at Josiah Forster's establishment, Southgate, near London. The intercourse with valued friends which the neighbourhood of London afforded was acknowledged as having been a blessing, and the friendships formed with intelligent and serious young friends compensated for the limited association of home, and strengthened his attachment to his own religious Society. Soon after leaving school he applied himself assiduously to business as a wool-stapler. There was now little leisure for intellectual pursuits, but that little was diligently occupied. In 1810 he was deprived by death of his affectionate mother; through her long illness she had been the object of his devoted attention, and though he felt much stripped, yet the comforting assurance was not wanting, that, as he endeavoured to serve the Lord, He would be with him for good through the future paths of life. In 1812 he was united in marriage to Frances, daughter of George Fox, of Perran, but this happy union was only of short duration. They were soon called to part with an infant son, and in 1816 his beloved wife, over whose declining health he had watched with anxious care, was suddenly taken away, leaving him with the sole charge of an infant daughter, but in the depth of his affliction he felt that underneath are the Everlasting Arms of Israel's Shepherd. In the year 1820 he married Elizabeth Wright, of Bristol, with whom a close bond of union was permitted him during the remainder of his life. About this time his friends had appointed him to the station of an Elder. In the fulfilment of this, as well as of other important services in the Church, his conduct was marked by the meekness of wisdom, and whilst steadfast in upholding and defending that which he believed to be truth, he was a bright example of patience and condescension, and of submission to the judgment of his friends. John Allen was one who sought to honour the Lord by "life and conversation" rather than by "mere words or fervid emotions," and largely realised his desire of manifesting a "practical, moral, self-renouncing, beneficent, unpretending religion." May we never" (he once wrote to a friend) "be attempting to set ourselves in our imaginations on a hill above others. . . nor dwell too much in the foggy valley of depression . . . but strive that every valley be exalted, and every mountain and hill be brought low." In 1830 he relinquished business, partly with a view to devote himself to the education of his children; he was also deeply interested in the cause of general education, and the British Schools in his own town were from their commencement the objects of his devoted attention, and various other philanthropic objects of general or local interest received his warm support. For twenty years he filled the office of poor-law guardian, and was a useful member of the Bible, Anti-Slavery, and Peace Societies, in all his intercourse with others maintaining, with integrity and meekness, the character of a consistent Friend. He was for many years a diligent attender of the Yearly Meeting, and was several times appointed on committees for visiting the Quarterly Meetings, and in the year 1845, on a deputation to the Yearly Meeting of Indiana, where a separation had taken place in connection with the question of slavery. Referring to this latter service, which brought him many and valued friendships with brethren in America, he wrote:— "This intercourse between members of the London Yearly Meeting, and those of many of the meetings on the American continent, was, I trust, productive of good; we were brought near to cach other, and closely united in spiritual fellowship, and amid diversities of circum stances and practice, had often to feel that the faithful living members compose one spiritual body, of which Christ alone is the true and ever-living Head." For many years John Allen had spoken occasionally in Meetings for Worship, which offerings became more frequent in the latter years of his life, and were characterised— especially in prayer-by deep feeling and humility. Various literary subjects at times engaged his attention, resulting in publications, of which the most important was a work on "State Churches and the Kingdom of Christ," that has had an extensive circulation. His pen was also often employed in endeavouring to promote the dissemination of the views of his own Society. This active and useful course of life was terminated by rather a brief illness, on the 15th of 2nd month, 1859, at the age of 68 years. Adapted from the Annual Monitor. Beloved, revered! thy course I knew, Taught of thy Lord, it seem'd no thrall Truth, in its fresh unfolding seen, "When coming glory gathered fast Round thy meek brow, I could discern, "The Church, thy service to resign, Must grieve, and riven hearts must sigh; Remain on high ! " WILLIAM BALL. |
