The Raines of Toft Hill
Transcription of article published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Rev. Ralph Laidler in a series “Our Homes and Families”
THE St. Helen’s Auckland Circuit has a notable record of magnificent service rendered to our Church by families of remarkable and varied gifts—families whose religious roots go back to the earliest days of local Primitive Methodism, and whose alliance with our Church has never wavered. There are many unbroken histories from grandfather and grandmother to grandson and grand-daughter filling up the years with persistent and substantial service for our beloved Church. We know why our Churches, both in colliery and agricultural districts throughout this neighbourhood occupy a commanding position. It is due to the unfaltering loyalty and undivided devotion of such families as the Raines, Atkinsons, and Hodgsons, of Toft Hill; the Meins and Coatsworths of Hamsterley; the Yoles, of South Side; the Storeys of Staindrop; and many others whose names cannot be given through lack of space.
Among this host, the “Raines,” of Toft Hill, fill an honoured place. Their family history is linked indissolubly with the robust and energetic society associated with their name. For seventy years they have played their part in its activities, influencing its personnel, shaping its policy, and promoting its interests. Their gifts have been exercised in the distinctively spiritual service of the Church, as well as in its social, musical and business functions. As a village society, Toft Hill has ranked for many years as one of the best in the Connexion. The Rev. J. Odell, whose knowledge of our denomination is well known, told the present writer that our cause at Toft Hill was one of the best village Churches he had visited. It is a commonplace to affirm that no little of its strength and influence is accounted for by the long and solid attachment of the “Raine” family. Mr. W.M. Patterson, in his excellent “History of Northern Primitive Methodism,” remarks that “Toft Hill is wealthy in men.” That comment would be no exaggeration if applied to its whole history. As one generation has succeeded another, there has risen up a community of men, reared in the Church, with the same outstanding gifts of religious leadership as enabled their fathers to lay the foundations of the Church—sure and deep. Into this “spiritual’ succession, the “Raine” family is woven like the colours of some rich piece of tapestry.
The “Raine” family migrated from Holwick in Teasdale, about eighty years ago, and came to a farm at Wolsingham, and ultimately settled down at Lane House, near Toft Hill. There were two of the sons—at this time in their young manhood—who were destined to fill a significant place in Primitive Methodism. Joseph, who joined our society, at Wind Mill, where for some time he served as choirmaster; and John, a younger brother, about whom we shall have something to say later on. Joseph married Miss Hodgson, a member of the Baptist community, and afterwards the young couple moved to White House Farm, and joined our cause at Toft Hill. From then, till their decease—Mr. Raine in 1889, at the age of sixty-eight; and Mrs. Raine in 1911, at the age of eighty-six—their keen interest in its fortunes never abated. They were both Great-hearts, animated by a vivid sense of God’s presence, and an unquenchable love for the house of God. They had the joy of seeing the whole of their family—four sons and seven daughters—united in active fellowship with the Church. While the father for over forty years gave-the Church the full weight of his gifts and influence as class-leader, school superintendent and in other ways, he left nothing to chance in the religious training of his family. With the sweet and kindly disposition of Mrs. Raine, combined with his own, intense earnestness, the home became a Church, with its regular seasons of prayer, praise and worship.
Here is a glimpse into the home that needs no explanation. It is Sunday morning. The family is early astir, and by half-past eight the numberless duties of farm life have all been discharged. It is now time for family devotions. Father and mother, sons and daughters are seated—one of the family at the harmonium. Hymns, Bible-reading and prayers follow each other. When the home service ends, the father and young people pass out to begin their next service in the Sunday school. What a privilege it must have been to those young people, now with families of their own, to share such a spiritual festival! There is no wonder at the veneration with which they cherish the memory of their parents, for those home services did more than any other means to win them for Christ and the Church.
Mrs. John Atkinson, the eldest of the family, was one of three daughters who married three brothers of the Atkinson family—a family whose service to Primitive Methodism is beyond praise. Robert, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Atkinson, with his wife are loyal members of the Church, and they in turn have given one daughter and two sons to the Church. One of the latter—Fred—is a school worker and. local preacher.
Mrs. Joseph Atkinson is a woman of strong and forceful personality, and universally esteemed. Her connection with our Toft Hill Church is life-long, and during her married life, her generosity, shrewdness and active interest in Primitive Methodism has been of incalculable assistance to her husband, whose long and faithful service as treasurer of the trust fund, class-leader and school worker, places him to-day as one of our most honoured and trustworthy officials. They celebrated their golden wedding in June of this year. Their one son—Walter—an old “Elmfieldian,” with his wife are loyal supporters of our Church.
William Raine has a remarkably fine record of service to his credit. He has been a local preacher over fifty years. His association with Toft Hill covers the first forty years of his life. He then moved to Stockton, and ultimately settled down at Walkerville, Newcastle. Though over seventy years of age, he is still in constant demand as a preacher. Winsome, evangelical, familiar with his Bible, rich in soul qualities, his messages are a clarion call to the best in his hearers. The recent death of Mrs. Raine deprived him of a companionship refined and cultured; and the loss of his son—Lieut. Raine, in France—-brought the shadow of war into his home.
Mrs. James Atkinson with her husband, are members at Ferryhill, where, with their family, they have for many years rendered splendid service to our Church. Mrs. Fairs is a fine type of womanhood. She married an Anglican, and with her husband attends the Anglican Church. Mr. Fairs is a colliery manager near Barnsley.
Joseph Raine grew up to be a worthy son of his father. He became a local preacher and class-leader. The Rev. J.P. Read, writing of him after his decease in 1909, says he was “earnest and vivacious, ready in conversation, vigorous in debate, fearless and outspoken, but withal kindly, generous and magnanimous.” His son, Sydney, and his wife are members of our Church.
Bryan Raine put over forty years’ service into Toft Hill Church. As class-leader, choirmaster, and school superintendent, he left, on recently moving to Ferryhill, a fragrant memory of one who shirked no duty, and who gave himself without stint to the cause of Christ. Mrs. Raine, whose hospitality to preachers is proverbial has nobly supported her husband, and son and daughters are active Church workers.
Mrs. Hart, whose death occurred, and likewise that of her husband, many years ago, left a young family, who have grown up and are attached to our cause at Toft Hill. Mrs. J.R. Carrick was another daughter whose death was a great loss to her husband, who exercised up to the time of his death a wide influence as local preacher and Liberal agent for the Bishop Auckland constituency. Mrs. J.T. Blythman, now of South Shields, with her husband and family are strenuous workers at the Glebe Church.
John George Raine is one of our energetic band of officials at Toft Hill, where for many years he has served as secretary to the trustees, and school superintendent. Alert and vigorous, pulsating with interest in religious work—always ready to serve the Church, and always in his place in Sunday and week-day services, he faithfully maintains the family traditions. Mrs. Raine, cheerful, sympathetic, and the soul of beneficence, captures the hearts of all who know her.
After Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Raine, sen., settled at Toft Hill, his younger brother John, came to live with them. It was during this time that John was converted at Toft Hill. He used to tell of how he and his chums went to a Sunday evening service, and how he remained for the prayer-meeting, and kept his chums from leaving the chapel by blocking their way out of the pew. That night John Raine and his chums were converted. Little did he know that night what would be the effect of his influence upon his “mates,” for they included Bryan Hodgson, John Henderson and W. Wetherell—men who afterwards became religious leaders of the highest order. John Raine found a partner in Miss Arabella Hedley, of Hunwick, whose family were devoted Wesleyans. After their marriage John and his wife went to Witton Park, and a year later removed to Quarry Burn, near Hunwick, where they pioneered our cause by opening their home for religious services. In time a chapel was built—then another as the cause prospered; and at present we have a vigorous society at Hunwick. Mrs. Raine passed away forty-two years ago, at the age of fifty-five. She was a generous, loyal and saintly soul. Mr. Raine’s decease came twenty years after, at the age of eighty-one. In character, he belonged to those who have deep convictions and who fearlessly express them.
Their family consisted of two sons and one daughter. Mrs. T. Etherington, whose death twelve years ago was deeply regretted, was for many years an active worker in our Church at Howden-le-Wear. She combined with a passionate love for the House of God a readiness to serve its interests that made her a priceless asset to our Church. Her husband—gentlemanly, unpretentious, and highly respected—is identified with our Church. Thomas Raine, the eldest son, died at Darlington seventeen years ago. William Raine is a member and trustee at Hunwick. Blithe, open-hearted and energetic, his sixty-eight years sit lightly on him. The increasing years find him with an ever-growing interest in the Church—the foundations of which were laid by his revered parents.
The space at our disposal is now exhausted. Our story of the service rendered to our Church by the brothers Joseph and John Raine and their families is only an outline. The full story would require a book. For such family records we thank God, and register our cordial appreciation or their service to Primitive Methodism. A Church with such families may well rejoice.
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917/612
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