Lightbown, Ann

Ann Lightbown, of Low Skell Gate, (Alston Circuit,) lived long a stranger to the ways of holiness, but the Lord converted her husband, and the change was so striking it led her to serious thought; conviction ensued; she, with much self-denial, went to the class with her husband; and one Sunday, while engaged with her class-mates in singing,

“Soon as my all I ventured,
On the atoning blood,
His Holy Spirit entered,
And I was born of God.”

She entered, by faith into justifying grace, and felt a change she had never felt before.  She felt a love to the people of God — a satisfaction in class meetings — esteemed highly every means of grace, and partook of the river, the streams of which, make glad the city of God.  In the darkest hours she retained her confidence, and stood firm under the cross.

About a twelvemonth before her dissolution she said to her husband, “I think I shall not live long; but the Lord knoweth all things; I am growing weaker every day.”

On one occasion, having attended a Lovefeast, she said, “I think I shall never attend a Lovefeast again—thanks be to God, this has been a good one to me.”

When she had been a short time confined by illness, I visited her.  Gloom and unbelief preyed upon her soul.  The nervous system was much disordered, and it was with difficulty she could muster confidence sufficient to keep her head above water.  But the clouds dispersed, and she acquired her confidence in God.

About a month before her decease she fainted, and it was thought the spirit had fled: but she recovered, and said, “Praise God, if I had died I know I should have gone to heaven.”  And from this time she enjoyed a good state of mind.

One Sabbath there being a violent storm, she said, “I have seen the time when a storm like this, would have made me tremble.  But, glory to God, the fear of death is taken away; should the house fall, I should ascend to heaven.”

When the time drew nigh she said, “The fear of death is taken away.  O how good the Lord is!  I want for no good thing.  Praise him, praise him.

At the close she said, “I am so weak I cannot say much; but I am resting in Jesus.”  Her husband asking if she were afraid to die, she, with holy fervor, answered, “No.”  And shortly fled to the paradise of God.

She was a member of the P. M. Society upwards of ten years.  Her deportment ornamented her profession.  Her attachment to the society, and especially to the ministers was great, and her hands were open at all times to minister to their necessities.  We pray that all who take upon them the badge of the cross, may be as deeply pious — scrupulously upright — perseveringly faithful — regular in their attendance on the means of grace, and triumphantly victorious as she was.  Amen.

J. W.

 

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Page 276.

 

 

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