WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

SEPTEMBER, 1868.

MEMOIR OF MRS. SHEPHERD,

OF DERBY:

BY THE REV. SAMUEL TINDALL.

THE memoirs of those who " sleep in Jesus are amongst the most precious treasures of the Church. They exhibit the riches of the grace of God, and thus minister to the comfort and encouragement of His people who are waging war with the adversary, and still struggling on the battle-field of life. The subject of this sketch was worthy of a place amongst the records of the pious dead; and her name and deeds will long be had in remembrance by those who knew her.

The late MARY SHEPHERD was born at Spondon, on April 6th, 1783. Her maiden name was Holbrook. When about nineteen years of age she left her native village, and went to London. Shortly afterwards she entered into the service of Lord Mount Edgcumbe; and, subsequently, into that of Lord Dudley. She had been in the employ of these distinguished families for some years, when the death of her father occurred. He had suffered much for many years; and, at his decease, left a widow with six children, of whom Mary was the eldest. During the time she remained in service, she commanded the respect and esteem of her fellow-servants, and enjoyed the confidence of the families in which she resided; and it was her good fortune to receive many substantial tokens of the approbation of her noble employers.

The year 1812 was an eventful one to Miss Holbrook. In that year she was united in marriage to the late Mr. Shepherd, and came to reside at Derby. This was the turning-point in her course. She entered upon the duties of married life with carefulness and industry; and from that time became a regular attendant upon the WesleyanMethodist ministry. Some time, however, appears to have elapsed before she became a member of the Society; and many struggles ensued ere she fully yielded to the power of saving grace. length, a brighter day dawned upon her, and joys to which she had hitherto been a stranger sprang up in her heart. She found the pearl of great price.

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Mrs. Shepherd was brought to God under the ministry of the late Rev. Joseph Taylor, and received her first ticket of membership from his hands in June, 1816. She recognised Mr. Taylor as her spiritual father, and solicited something written by himself as a memento of the benefit she had received under his ministry. This wish was readily complied with; and Mr. Taylor gave her a few verses of his own composition, in which he expresses his gratitude to God for making him the instrument of her conversion, offers some pious counsels as to her future conduct, and concludes by breathing a prayer for the final happiness and re-union of herself and family in the world beyond the grave. Since that day the faithful minister of the Cross and his spiritual child, together with some members of her family, have met in that state where there is "no more curse," and their voices have swelled the anthems of the redeemed who are "before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple."

Some time after her conversion, Mrs. Shepherd commenced a diary of her Christian experience, which she kept with some regularity for nearly forty years, making the final entry only a few months before her decease. A friend who has read the manuscript observes, "it has proved a refreshing occupation to peruse a record so simple, earnest, and devout, relating to the long and active pilgrimage of one who was so greatly respected."

From the diary referred to, it is plain that she was anxious, first of all, to keep her own heart "with all diligence," remembering that "out of it are the issues of life." Personal piety seems to have been her first and highest object; and for the cultivation of this she was constant in her attendance to closet-devotions, keeping the sacred flame alive by daily "watching unto prayer." She was deeply concerned also for the spiritual welfare of her family. In labouring to bring her children and household to Christ, she was most exemplary; and letters found since her death, addressed to those who should survive her, show her intense anxiety, and evince her maternal yearnings, on this point.

Although Mrs. Shepherd was known to be very benevolent to those who needed temporal aid, her diary seems to have been written on the priuciple enjoined by our Lord: "When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly." There is scarcely an allusion to her acts of charity in her papers, although she was ever ready to listen to the cry of distress, and exemplified "pure religion and undefiled," by "visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction," as well as by "keeping herself unspotted from the world." She loved the cause of God, and delighted to repair to "the habitation of His house, and the place where His honour dwelleth." The ordinary means of grace are often spoken of by her

with gratitude. They were refreshing to her soul, conveying to her that "water" which the Saviour gives, and which "springs up" within us unto "everlasting life:" and the services which are almost peculiar to Methodism were highly valued. The annual watch-night, the covenant-service on the first Sabbath of the year, class-meetings, and love-feasts, were to her always "seasons of grace and great delight." But these precious institutions of our Church were not substituted by her for a close and constant walk with God. Her diary affords ample proof of this; and although very numerous extracts from it would extend this Memoir to too great a length, yet a few quotations may be advantageously given.

January 1st, 1823, she writes, "Another year of my short life is gone. How little have I done for my adorable Redeemer. O my God! stir me up to serve Thee better. May this be the year when the very roots of sin shall be destroyed in my heart!"

On April 7th of the same year she observes: "Yesterday I completed my fortieth year, and a precious Sabbath it was to my soul. O that from this day I may never commit sin!"

These records were made seven years after her conversion to God, and they breathe the same love to the Saviour, and the same earnest longings after entire holiness of heart, that were called into existence on the day of her espousals to Christ. On June 11th, in the same year, she gratefully records the fact that one of her children had received her first ticket as a member of the Methodist Society, and prays that "the Lord may preserve and keep her for Himself." And what can be more gratifying to pious parents than to see their children cordially and intelligently unite themselves to the Church of their fathers, and "subscribe with their hands unto the Lord, and surname themselves by the name of Israel." These are the hope of our churches; and when God's standard-bearers are successively removed by death, how inspiring is it to know that their descendants will grasp the fallen banner, and carry on the conquests of the Cross! This smooths the pillows of departing saints, and makes their slumbers sweet.

In the year 1830 Mrs. Shepherd obtained the blessing of entire sanctification, and was subsequently appointed the leader of a class by the late Rev. William Toase. January 15th she writes: "Great peace have they that love Thy law. I feel it so. I have long been desiring and praying for the sanctifying grace of God; and last night I believe I obtained the blessing under the discourse of Mr. Roper, while he was explaining the blessedness of 'the pure in heart.'" She was thus Divinely prepared, by the richer baptism of the Spirit, for the duties of her office: and her fervent prayers were offered that her new class might be "holy; entirely devoted to God." The year 1832 was one of severe trial to the Methodist Societies in

Derby. "The Derby faith," at that time, obtained great notoriety; and although it is not now intended to revive the discussion concerning that exploded theory, it is instructive to see how this pious woman endured the test to which she was subjected. "My heart," she says, "has ached with the unpleasant things amongst those who belonged to the Church, and were making such high professions. It has ended in a desertion. When I examine myself, I feel more than ever determined to inquire for the old paths, and to walk therein, as far as God gives me grace and strength." This was the wiser and safer course. Mrs. Shepherd was not "a reed shaken with the wind." Hers was a religion of conviction and principle, and she "meddled not with them that are given to change."

Years rolled on, and brought with them many vicissitudes, both in · the Church and in the world; but in the midst of all earthly scenes, Mrs. Shepherd was learning the lessons of grace, and "perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord." In 1838 she says, “The Lord has been showing me the happy art of losing sight of self, and looking to Jesus alone. I trust I shall be kept humble; then I shall be happy. O when shall I learn that wisdom that shall enable me to live a moment at a time!" Not long before this entry was made she had had some severe worldly trials, but she bore them with Christian meekness. They only left on her a deeper impress of her Saviour's image.

The Centenary year, 1839, was one which will ever be memorable in the annals of our Church. Meetings were held throughout the land, to acknowledge the goodness of God, and the whole of our Israel was "jubilant with song." Like a true veteran in her Master's work, Mrs. Shepherd participated in the celebration of those services, and rejoiced with exceeding joy. "Last night," she observes, "we had our Centenary meeting, a time I shall never forget. It may be well said, 'What hath God wrought!' O that the Lord would make us a thousand times so many more as we are, and bless us, as He has promised!" And many such prayers are registered in heaven, which will yet be answered, if the people who bear the name of Wesley are only faithful to the trust they have received.

In 1853, Mrs. Shepherd was called to sustain a severe bereavement. Her husband was suddenly removed from earth to heaven. To her it was a painful and sorrowful event, but Divine grace sustained her. She mourned her loss; but "not as one without hope," assured that her husband "slept in Jesus;" and amidst the sorrows of widowhood, her soul prospered. "When I think," she writes, "that I am now what I have often looked upon in others, a widow, I am surprised how calm the Lord keeps my spirit under my great loss. Earth is getting strange. The company I most desire to join is in heaven. Lord, stand by, and support me a little longer." A few years later

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she writes: "I deeply feel the feebleness of old age. do not regret it. I desire still to 'bring forth fruit.' I often look around, but can find none so highly favoured. I can truly say my last are my best days."

The following sentences are selected from entries made between 1859 and 1863-"I think of all whom the Lord has redeemed and loved, none have so much cause to be thankful as I have. When I look back, and think of the way in which the Lord has led me, I am dumb with shame that I have not brought more glory to Him." "The love of God that I have enjoyed more than forty-five years seems sweeter than ever. I thank my Heavenly Father that I have not now, in age and feebleness, to seek true religion; but that it has long been my support and comfort. I have no doubt all will be well. My blessed Saviour will be with me to the end. I feel Him more and more precious." "What a mercy the Lord has spared me to enter the eightieth year of my life! A long life ;-and I can truly say that I have enjoyed more happiness than many that have lived so long. The Lord has been my portion. He has been my reconciled Father for more than forty-six years." "I feel the weakness of old age; but my prospects as to the future are brighter than ever before."

On her last birthday, April 6th, 1864, Mrs. Shepherd made this brief entry in her diary: "I want to get ready for the change which must soon come." In May: "I never felt so happy in God as at present." And on October 2d, the month in which her last illness commenced, she writes: "Satan tries hard to shake my faith; but I go to my stronghold. I had a blessed season at my bedside this morning: I could say with Peter, 'Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.' I shall soon see Him as He is. I love to think of the many dear friends who are looking out to welcome me. I have no fear but that all will be well." This was the last entry, and it forms a worthy close of so cheering a record. A few weeks after this was written, her happy spirit had winged its flight, and her right hand had forgotten its cunning.

Mrs. Shepherd's illness continued about three months. She met her class for the last time on October 5th. On that occasion she was so enfeebled, and oppressed with shortness of breath, that she had to rest three times between her home and the vestry. Her sinking into the arms of death was gradual and easy. She was not called to suffer much pain; and the spiritual consolations which she had enjoyed through a long and useful life, were abundantly vouchsafed to her in the last days of her earthly career. She frequently expressed herself as being "upon the Rock," and repeated the hymn,