to serve the office until its dissolution (37 years), the funds then
being distributed among the members in sums ranging from £2 12s. 8d., to
£20 13s. 8d., about 155 members partaking of this final benefit, although
I am not sure they were all satisfied, yet the various awards were
carried out very fair and impartially. As to myself I received a present
from the directors, through Mr. Seppings, the secretary and that
Gentleman also made me a money present. I resolved therewith to buy some
books in remembrance of the above Society, that I might read them in days
to come, among others I purchased “Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield,” and
on reading it came across some of the chapters which I remembered to have
read nearly sixty years before, and do not recollect meeting with the
book in all that long interval, although I had seen it advertised. I
thought I would one day catch hold of it. The above work is said to be
“a domestic epic.” Its hero is a country parson, simple and pious in his
way, a little vain of his learning, and a little proud of his fine
family. Domestic joys and cares surround the parsonage, then in turn
comes sorrow and suffering, storms from the outer world invade its
holiness and trouble its peace. Then comes sorrow and suffering, and we
behold the hero, like the patriarchal prince of the land of Uz, when the
Lord “put forth is hand and touched all that he had,” meeting each new
affliction with meekness patience and resignation; rising from each trial
with renewed reliance upon God, until the lowest depth of his earthly
suffering becomes the highest elevation of his moral strength,
preminently conspicious by the indwelling and powerful influence of God’s
Holy Spirit,
“This is the grace that lives and sings,
When other comforts cease.”
I remember in early life in the year 1816, at the time I attended school,
a great festival was held in commemoration of the triumph of Waterloo. I
carried home from school an invitation card to my parents, which ran thus
(after naming) “you are invited to appear at the table at one o’clock on
— day next, perfectly neat, with your family, and bring your half-pint
mug, plate, knife and fork.”
The invitations were well received, the festival was truly appreciated,
the plum puddings and other good things were greatly enjoyed, a long
length of painted calico extended from one large tree to another, with
these mottoes in large letters, “Peace to Europe,” “Glory to God,”
“Deliverance to Mankind.” I remember also to have had a printed paper
exhibited in front of my cap with the ominous words “Peace and Plenty.”
But perhaps the crowning scene of that day’s festivities was the effigy
of the fallen Emperor of France, seated on a chair, secured prominently
upon the roof of Ben Thompson’s cottage, in an attitude of sorrow, with
his Hessian boots to the knee, his cocked hat on his head, the uniform of
a superior commanding officer, with white handkerchief to his eyes, and
looking the picture of fallen greatness, no longer to dictate laws to an
infatuated and misguided people, whose time of reckoning had come.
The spring of 1854 was remarkably dry, no rain came during the months of
March and April, many farmers could not get their corn in, and those who
did so it could not germinate, by reason of the long continued drought.
It was a serious onlook when the grass by the roadside was covered with
dust and withering; the wind fresh and sharp from the northeast, week
after week, sometimes a little moisture came resembling mildew, and
altogether we seemed to be in a serious plight; in this emergency on one
calm evening in the early part of May, I went into the field just across
from my dwelling, turned to the fence where the railroad has since been
made, and there knelt down and besought the Lord that he would be
merciful to our transgressions, be favourable to our land, forgive our
iniquities, though we had sinned against Him, yet spare us good Lord, O
send us the so much-needed rain, and be not angry with us for ever.
The wind began to freshen and blow from another quarter, the vanes of the
windmill began to creak and turn round, the sails thereof quickly went
about from the north east to the south, and in the short space of twenty
four hours, which was on the 9th of May, the earth was abundantly
watered. Here then was manifested the bestowment of a great blessing in
answer to prayer.
I had noted it down as a _glorious rain_, and I will also add the
position of the mill was changing before I rose from off my knees. But I
have always considered there were many others who were so engaged, whose
petitions moved the hand that moves the world.
I am also reminded being now upon the subject of prayer, that during the
year 1849, that fearful epidemic called the cholera, had again visited
our country; it was computed that more than fourteen thousand were
carried off by its virulence in London, and coming nearer home great
alarm prevailed in Lowestoft and other places at the approach of such a
visitation, many were cut off in this latter place, among whom were Mrs.
John Capps, and also one of her married daughters, Mrs. Cooper, both of
whom it is believed were prepared for the solemn change. I had on one
occasion feared that it had visited my cottage; my poor wife was attacked
in bed with fearful pain, she complained of its violence and concluded it
was an attack of cholera. I arose and brought to hand what we had in
order to alleviate the pain, and then exhorted her to pray to God that he
would be merciful unto us for Jesus Christ’s sake, I also knelt down by
the bedside and prayed for mercy on behalf of the sufferer. The good
Lord heard our joint petitions and after a not very long time, relief
came, the pain abated, and our thankful hearts were attuned to praise the
Lord, and the life of the sufferer was not merely lengthened out fifteen
years as was good Hezekiah’s after his afflictions, but exactly that
number twice told. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, abounding in
compassion unto such as fear and adore and reverence his great and holy
name.” This morning, Sunday, May the 8th, one of the first thoughts that
entered my mind was a sentence referring to rest, and for a time seemed
to wonder if it was a quotation contained in God’s Holy Word, when while
I was dressing it came into my mind that it is the language of St. Paul
to the church at Thessalonica, and so it proved, 2 _Thess._ i. 6, 7.
“Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to
them that trouble you, and to you who are troubled, rest with us.” This
is then a joyful communication imparted to every one who can appreciate
the comfort of it, and it is an uncontroverted fact that all God’s
children here in this time-state, shall have persecution of various
kinds: of vituperations, of false accusation, and almost every other kind
of unrest, but the apostle’s motto is “rest with us.”
In conclusion I desire to feel thankful to my Heavenly Father, by whose
favour health has been continued, and although my eyesight is becoming
very much impaired, and my hand almost inflexible, yet I have endeavoured
to state a plain narrative of facts, not entirely as mere passing events,
at which one might cast a casual glance and then continue to journey on
the other side, affording no sympathy to our afflicted fellow-creatures
in seasons of grief and distress. I am here reminded that I lost a
sister-in-law by death: Maria, the wife of John Garner, of Lowestoft, on
the nineteenth of July, 1858, aged 40 years. Also more recent by death,
one of my own sisters, Charlotte, the wife of James Lines, of Hoxne, born
December 1st, 1810, died December 21st, 1880. May the Spirit of God stir
up the heart of the writer of these lines, as well as the readers
thereof, to a fuller sense of the love of Him, “who though he was rich,
yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be
rich.” Henceforth let us not be weary in well doing, but be “followers
of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise.” “Now our
Lord Jesus Christ himself and God, even our Father, who hast loved us and
hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope, through grace,
comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work,” so
will _I_ sing praise unto thy name for ever and ever, Amen.
* * * * *
* * * * *
George S. Cook, Nelson Printing Works, Lowestoft.