Colinson, Ralph (1769-1837)

MEMOIR OF RALPH COLINSON,

(Driffield circuit)

Ralph Colinson, bom at Skipsea in Holderness, ad 1769, was of an upright character, and as a servant was much respected.  He continued in service till he was forty-five, when he went to reside with his brother at Atwick, and continued to the close of his life.

About the year 1822, his brother and sister, by means of the Wesleyan preachers, were brought to the Lord.  This tried his mind; he thought there needed not to be so much to do about religion, and said he could be religious without any one knowing it; and thought to leave his brother’s house.  But they prayed earnestly for him; and when the P. Methodists visited Atwick, it pleased the Lord to fully convince him of sin.  He was in great distress; and, for six weeks drunk deep of the wormwood and the gall.  But under the labours of that holy man, John Oxtoby, it pleased the Lord to set his soul at perfect liberty; and, for a season, he rejoiced in God; but reasoning with the enemy of souls brought him into heaviness.  But the Lord again lifted upon him the light of his countenance; and to the day of his death he was a persevering and steady member, careful to maintain good works.  His confidence was strong in the Lord, and he was very attentive to the means of grace.  In his class he would say, “Glory be to God for what he hath done for me.  I feel he hath made me happy in his dying love.  He is making me dead to the things of the world; and if he were to call me away, I have no earthly tie.  I feel no fear of death.  I believe the Lord would take me to himself to join those that are gone before, and that will be joyful.  Glory be to God.”

His last illness was severe.  But he would frequently sing,

“I his soldier sure shall be,” &c.  And “We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground.”

He could bear a testimony of the truth of religion to all who visited him.  About a week before his death, his memory failed much.  One morning he called for one of our members to pray; and expressed the joy of his soul.  These were his last words.  And on Thursday night, May 25, 1837, about ten o’clock he fell asleep in Jesus, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.

I preached his funeral sermon at Atwick, Oct 13,1837.

Yours in Christ,

William Cooper

(Approved by the Circuit Committee.)

 

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 187-188.

 

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