Abey, Jane (1847-1884)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by C Ross

JANE ABEY was born at Barnetby Wold, July, 1847, and died at Waddingham, in the Brigg Circuit, July 31, 1884. Her youthful days were spent at Barnetby, in the Brigg Circuit, where she attended the Wesleyan Sabbath-school and was led by a loving father to the house of God when but a child. At the age of fifteen she went to business in the city of Lincoln. Here, under the ministry of the Rev. J. Thomson, she was led to see herself a sinner before God and give her heart to Christ. She at once united in church fellowship with our people, and continued a member during the whole of her earthly pilgrimage.

She soon began to manifest an intense interest in the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom. She was an earnest worker in the Sabbath-school, and frequently has she been known to go to school when, in consequence of ill-health, her friends have thought she would have been as well in bed resting her delicate frame. The public means of grace found in her an ardent adherent, especially the class meeting and prayer meeting. These were very precious to her, and here she gathered strength to do battle with sin, the world, and Satan. Her Bible was not a neglected book; regularly and systematically did she pore over its sacred pages. About three years ago she obtained the blessing of entire sanctification, which filled her soul with peace and unshaken confidence in Christ her Saviour.

The Rev. G.F. Wallis writes: ‘For three years while in the Brigg Circuit I had frequent opportunities of forming an opinion of Miss Abey’s Christian character, and can truthfully say that on no occasion did I see anything that was inconsistent with the profession she assumed. She was quiet and unobtrusive, but nevertheless deeply interested in all that pertained to the prosperity of Zion, and desirous to the utmost of her ability to forward the interests of Primitive Methodism in the neighbourhood where she resided. Though no bigot, her own church had the warmest place in her affections. The tidings of her decease came upon me with surprise, but can have no doubt whatever that she is now
“Where the wicked cease from troubling,
And the weary are for ever at rest.”’

The Rev. W. Hayton writes: ‘I believe Miss Abey was a truly pious, God-fearing woman, a Christian in every sense of the word. She had a deep sympathy with the suffering, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. Like the rest of her mother’s household, she was a true friend to the ministers and a hearty supporter of God’s cause. She has finished her course, reached the end of her suffering, and is now enjoying the rest of heaven.’

Of her last sufferings Mrs. Abey, her sister-in-law, with whom she resided, thus writes: ‘‘About a fortnight before Christmas, 1883, she felt something coming in her breast. After an interval of some weeks she went to a physician in the town of Hull. He pronounced it to be a cancer of a serious kind, and held out not the slightest hope of recovery. She wept a little, then said, ‘I can do nothing – I have put myself in the hands of a loving Father, and He will do all things right.’ During her illness her religious experience was very sweet, and her evidence bright and clear. Her sufferings were great and of a very painful character, but she was patient, cheerful, always saying, ‘It is all right, it is for some wise purpose;’ always thankful to anyone who ministered to her comfort in any way whatever. She was very hopeful about getting better, and not until about three weeks or a month before she died did she think she was going to leave us. When her friends came to see her she urged them all to meet her in heaven. I said to her once, ‘My father will be waiting to welcome you on the other side.’ ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘and many more.’ She then said, ‘Don’t wish me to stay any longer. If my Jesus wants me I must go. It will be grand when I see my precious Jesus,’ On her brother going to class one night he asked her what he was to tell them (the members of his class). She said, ‘Tell them I am all right; I am safe.’ Seven weeks before she died she turned very dull of hearing. Consequently but few could converse with her, but always wanted the Bible reading to her as long as it was possible to make her hear at all.

“On the Sunday morning previous to her death, being the day appointed for the Annual Camp Meeting, the members and friends came and sang in front of the house. I asked if she could hear the singing. She said, ‘No,’ She was in an agony of pain. She said, ‘ What shall I do?’ I pointed to a motto in the room, ‘My grace shall be sufficient for thee.’ She said, ‘It is, it is.’ She continued until the following Thursday morning. The last few hours of her life here she murmured, ‘Precious Jesus, I am coming. I have fought the fight.’ At length her happy spirit took its flight, and went
‘Sweeping through the gates of the New Jerusalem,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb,’”—

whither all the faithful have gone, leaving many sorrowful relatives and friends behind to mourn her absence. May the writer and reader meet her in the skies. Amen.

Among the many testimonies to the excellence of Miss Abey’s character, the Rev. J. Wallis  writes: ‘During my stay in the Brigg Circuit I had formed a very favourable estimate of Miss Abey’s religious character. She was naturally of a retiring disposition, but thoughtful and devout. She pre-eminently possessed the ‘‘ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” Her religious principles were deeply rooted, and her spiritual life strong and matured. Her conversation and conduct alike evidenced that her life was ‘‘hid with Christ in God.” She was strongly attached to the people of God, and regular in her attendance at the means of grace – public and social. During her affliction I had several interviews with her, and though, on account of extreme weakness, her words were few, they were expressive of unshaken trust in Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour. She testified that Jesus was ‘very precious” to her. Her patience and joyous resignation were exemplary. No murmur escaped her lips, neither did it appear that any doubt disturbed the ‘‘holy quiet” which reigned in her soul. I have no doubt but her spirit has passed through the gates of immortality and entered that world where ‘‘there is no more” pain.’

Family

Jane was born to parents Richard Abey, a house proprietor (1851), and Elizabeth Coad.

Jane worked as a dress and mask maker whilst she was in Lincoln.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1886/51

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers