Hunter, Elizabeth (1772-1835)

MEMOIR OF ELIZABETH HUNTER.

(Hull Circuit.)

Elizabeth Hunter was born at Keyningham, Holderness, Yorkshire, March 6, 1772, of poor but honest parents; and was inured to prayer.  In her diary she writes, “I often used to think I must be something more than what I was, or I never could enter heaven.  And I frequently prayed for my parents, and brothers and sisters, before I (fully) knew what praying was.”

At the age of eighteen she married Thomas Parrott; but in four years she became a widow with three children.  For these she had to labour, and this, driving her again to prayer, she attempted to cast her care upon God.

After being a widow four years, she married Christopher Hunter, her now bereaved partner.

In 1820, the P. Methodists visited Keyningham.  Under their ministry she was convinced of sin, and wept aloud.  She laboured for some time under deep conviction; and meeting with a misfortune she was confined to her house about seven months.  In April 1821, she again attended the means.  And in September, a preacher singing, “We’ve found the Rock” &c., she was suddenly filled with light and love.  This she lost again.  But she joined the society; and in January 1822, at a prayer meeting, the Lord spoke peace to her soul.  In 1824, while praying for the blessing of sanctification for her partner, (lately brought in,) the Lord (wholly) sanctified her own soul; and to the day of her death she did not lose it.  About three years after this a revival broke out in Keyningham.  Many were brought to God, among whom was her daughter Hannah.

In 1828, and the two following years, she was at times heavily afflicted, but was resigned to the will of God.  In April 1832, she received the joyful news of the conversion of her son Christopher and his wife, which encouraged her to pray for the salvation of the rest of the family.

In 1834, much affliction, but designed to the will of God.  And this year she witnessed the happy departure of her daughter Mary, and said, “I can give up all my children, if they are but converted to God.”

In the conclusion of her diary, which closes at the end of the year 1835, she wrote, “I still remain very unwell in body, but exceedingly happy in soul.  O may the Lord ever keep me humble, and grant that I may he found watching when he shall he pleased to call me.”

I visited her several times, on my coming into the branch, and experienced blessed seasons. I thought if ever there was a mother in Israel surely she was one.  The weak she received with tender affection, and encouraged them to trust in God. The careless she faithfully warned; and encouraged believers to grow in grace, and in the knowledge and love of the Lord.  Her zeal for the house of the Lord was highly commendable.  Her husband says, she frequently set out for the chapel, when so ill in body, it was with difficulty she could accomplish her design.  Her character as a sincere Christian spread far and wide.

The day before her departure, having been visited by one of her pious friends, she expressed a desire to depart and be with Christ.  And in the morning of September 20th, 1837, her happy spirit took its flight, aged sixty-five years.  I preached her funeral sermon to a weeping and crowded congregation at Keyningham, as well as in most chapels in the branch; and trust lasting good was effected.

H. Alderslade

 

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 264-265.

 

 

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