Linfield, Sarah (1838-1901)

Transcription of Obituary in the Christian Messenger

Sarah Linfield was born at Toddington, May 11, 1838, and died at Toddington, August 9th, 1901, in the 63rd year of her age.

At an early age she was sent to the Sabbath School, and without any interruption remained connected with it till called to her reward in heaven. As a child, though very lively in temperament, she was very thoughtful, and in God’s house reverential. Tears frequently fell as she heard the story of Jesus’ love in the Sunday School class; but it was not until she was sixteen years of age that she consecrated herself fully to Christ. Soon after this change of heart she was appointed as teacher in the Sabbath School, and also a singer in the choir, and in these departments of Christian service, as also at home, she found opportunities to work for “the Master.”

The seed she sowed was watered with tears, but she won many of her scholars for Jesus, some of whom preceded her to glory, and some are on the way thitherward. In her home she was a bright and shining light, and through her holy example her daughter was brought to God very early in life, and is in connection with the church of which her mother was so closely identified. At her class meeting she was a constant attender whenever the way was open for her to attend. Her seat in the choir by the side of the harmonist was never vacant when health and circumstances would permit; indeed, she was scarce ever absent from the public means of grace in connection with the sanctuary. In the late years of her life she was the subject of great suffering, which was borne with marvellous patience and resignation. Everything which could be done was done with the hope of checking the disease of cancer, but her constant sufferings left her weaker. On the day of her death she was seen to be sinking very rapidly, and just before she passed from earth to heaven she was heard to say, “All is well; all is well; all is well ”; and in a few minutes passed over to the river beyond where all will be well. Her funeral was attended by the teachers of the Sunday School, by the members of the choir and of the Society, and by large numbers of others, both old and young, who knew her worth and appreciated her untarnished life. May her son and daughter and all of us meet her in the many mansions in our Father’s House.
“Who would not wish to die
Like those whom God delights to bless,
Sink into a night’s repose,
Then wake to perfect happiness.”

CHARLES LEAFE