Drummond, Dorothy (nee Reed) (1828-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine by James Taylor

“The memory of the just is blessed,” and, therefore, a few words concerning the life and experiences of Mrs. Dorothy Drummond, beloved and affectionate wife of the Rev. M. A. Drummond, cannot fail to be gratifying and profitable to all lovers of Jesus Christ

She quietly, peacefully, and triumphantly passed to the higher life and service on the morning of Thursday, March 16, 1899. Her birth, which inspired wisdom has pronounced of secondary value, compared with the day of death, took place near Lanchester, on February 11, 1829. She was the youngest daughter of the late John and Mary Reed. She came of a very old stock. Her ancestors had very much to do with the life and activities of North-West Durham in olden times.

The formative influences and chief sources of inspiration in her early life were: the devoted life of her mother, who was a thoughtful, intelligent, godly woman, a great Bible reader, and an unfailing attendant of the means of grace. Her good Christian example produced a marked impression upon the early and after life of her daughter, who ever spoke of her and her noble qualities with a child-like, but pardonable pride. Her early life was greatly advantaged by associations with her aunts, from whom she acquired much valuable knowledge, especially from the Byerleys, of Newbiggin, and the Reeds, of Lanchester.

Mrs. Drummond united herself in youthhood with the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Lanchester, there being no other Methodist Church in the village until after her removal therefrom. From her first connection with the Church she took a lively interest in its on-goings, and an active part in its work; the Sunday School and collecting for Missions forming spheres of labour to which she gave untiring, ungrudging, whole-hearted service.

She was a woman, of strong will, sound judgment, a voracious reader, and keenly interested in the social and political life around her. Her mind was enriched with valuable, useful information, which with a retentive memory, served her to good purpose in her more advanced public life.

Miss Reed (Mrs. Drummond), was united in marriage to the Rev. M. A. Drummond on July 9, 1861, in the Nelson Street Primitive Methodist Chapel, Newcastle-on-Tyne, by the late Rev. Thomas Greenfield. On entering the marriage state she set herself with all her powers to act as became the wife of a minister of the Cross – humble and sincere, neat in person, frugal in habit; and, until rendered incapable by severe and prolonged affliction, ever ready for every good word and work.

Her presence was soon felt and her name revered in the stations where they laboured; her voice was heard in the class meeting, lovefeast, and prayer meeting. Her interest in Connexional matters was close, and she: constantly kept herself posted up in Church movements by the regular perusal of Connexional literature. She had a great regard for the minister‘s of religion, and took much delight in their conversation and prayers; they were always welcomed and honoured by her, and she esteemed it a privilege to receive their visits and enjoy their fellowship. While anxious to promote the comfort of others, and esteeming highly in love the servants and messengers of Christ, she was characterised by deep humility of mind. Hers was not that “voluntary humility” which exhibits and exhausts itself in words, but the true lowliness of heart, which finds its utterance in the daily transactions of life, and shows itself by leading its possessor to prefer others rather than themselves.

Her whole life and conduct evinced that she laboured to promote the happiness of others more than her own. She was blessed by the Holy Spirit with much of that sweetest of Christian graces, which, by emptying the soul of self, prepares it to receive more of God.

She had long taken the first step in that beautiful gradation described by Fletcher, in writing to a lady friend: “May you sink into the nothingness of humility, and through that nothingness into the immensity of God.”

In her domestic life the Christian virtues shone with brightest radiancy – a spiritual charm which lured her children into the good way. As a wife and mother she was most exemplary, careful and diligent, “looking well to the ways of her household.” Her disposition was affectionate, her husband was the subject of her warmest regard, her children were watched over with the tenderest solicitude; none of those little kindnesses which tend to make home happy were wanting. Truly she possessed a heart full of love – a love which issued forth in all her daily intercourse, sought out opportunities for manifestation. “She was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”

Not only did she promote by every means in her power the temporal comfort of her family, but she loved the souls of her children. With a careful anxiety, the principles of true religion were brought before and duly impressed upon the minds of her children.

The efforts of her husband seconded her motherly influence, and who can sufficiently estimate how great that influence was? Her affection has been repaid with ardent love by her children, who have “risen up to call her blessed.” For nearly thirty years Mrs. Drummond was the subject of a distressing affliction (bronchitis), and of late years almost entirely confined to the house; only at rare intervals was she able to attend the preaching services, but when she had opportunity she availed herself of it, she bought it up – made it her own.

At home her delight was in the “law of the Lord.” The Bible was the most frequent book of her Sabbath choice. Often was she to be seen reading its sacred and life-giving pages – so effective to sustain under all circumstances, and her resignation to the Divine will shows how deeply its truth had entered into her heart.

At times her sufferings were most painful and distressing to witness; still she had learnt the lesson of “patient endurance,” no murmuring, no complaint. The same hand that afflicted, displayed its power by ministering support under affliction. Her sufferings drew her nearer to Christ. Often did ejaculatory prayer to Him escape her lips. In all her prayer for relief, it was unmurmuring and perfectly submissive to His will. Surely, this is no mean test of Christian character. The power of religion is magnified by the support it gives amidst the infirmities of the character. The power of religion is magnified by the support it gives amidst the infirmities of the body. If there are any who hold a more difficult, and in a sense, a more honourable place than Christ’s workers, they are those who suffer for His sake. Her last affliction only lasted some eight days. At first no change beyond the usual was observed. No anticipation of the approaching end was noticed until the last two days of her earthly life. An exhaustive weakness set in which laid her prostrate, and pointed conclusively to the nearness of the other world. During these two anxious days she lay unusually quiet and peaceful. There was no indication of pain. The last day and night of her earthly life was spent in sleep; occasionally opening her eyes and dropping words of comfort and hope to her husband and children who stood in ministry to, and in sympathy with, her last earthly needs. As the morning light dawned on Thursday, March 16, she securely fell “asleep in Jesus,” to awake to the glories of a blessed, blissful immortality.

No signs of suffering, conflict, death were on that countenance. “0 death, where is thy sting?” Not here. Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh, the blessedness and power of Christ’s Gospel, the blessed influence of the sanctifying grace of God. Hers is the blessedness of those who die in the Lord. She rests from her labours, and her works do follow her. The bereaved and sorrowing husband and children, “sorrow not as those who have no hope,” they believe, believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. Devout men carried the remains of Mrs. Drummond to their final resting-place, on Sunday afternoon, March 19; there followed the husband, two daughters, and son-in-law and a large concourse of friends in the village, members of the Lanchester Society, and from neighbouring Circuits where they had laboured.

A short service was held at the door of the residence, conducted by Mr. George Buckham. The beautiful and suitable hymn of Dr. Watts was sung—
“O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our Eternal home.”

After an appropriate prayer the procession formed and moved quietly and reverently to the ancient churchyard. The burial service in the church was impressively read by the vicar (Rev. Geo. Jepson). At the graveside, in addition to the usual service by the vicar, the Rev. J.S. Nightingale  gave out Wesley’s appropriate hymn, commencing —
“O happy soul departed
In God’s most holy fear,
We praise Him joyful-hearted,
Thy strength and solace here.”

Mr. Nightingale offered a touching and deeply sympathetic prayer, and the benediction by the vicar brought the solemn and impressive ceremony to a close.

May the God of all consolation and grace vouchsafe to the bereaved husband and children all needful peace, light, and comfort through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Family

Dorothy was baptised on 9 March 1828 at Lanchester, Co. Durham. She was therefore born on 11 February 1828, not 1829 as stated in the text.

Dorothy married Maurice Andrew Drummond (1832-1915), a PM Minister, in 1861. Census returns identify two children.

  • Mary Jane (1862-1939) – married John George Brydson, a grocer and provision dealer
  • Anne (1864-1931)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/306

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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