Park, Dinah (1812-1837)

Dinah Park was born Aug. 28, 1812; was brought up to the established church, and attended a church Sunday school: distinguished herself by her attention and exemplary conduct, and she received books from the bishop and other dignitaries.

June 1, 1834, she was married to George Park, a glass bottle maker.  They settled at Bill Quay, where she attended the ministry of the P. M. preachers.  And under the preaching of Bro. Towler her mind was religiously impressed, and she joined the society.

In November, 1835, she and her hus band removed to Ballast Hills, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne circuit, where she joined Bro. R. Cook’s class; and in her attendance was instant in season and out of season.  She was diligent in self, examination; and such was her sense of unworthiness that her thoughts at times bordered upon despondency; but at other times her experience was lucid and clear.

She had a presentiment of her dissolution, and would say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” &c.  And she wrote the following lines:

“Man, thoughtless man, whose moments quickly fly;
Wishes but to sleep again, and lives to die.
And when this present sleeping life is o’er,
Man dies to live, and lives to die no more.”

Being delivered of a still born child, she was expected to die, but recovered.  But August 10,1837, she was delivered of a male child that was likely to live, but which died soon after the mother.

Being depressed in her mind, she requested the friends who visited her, to pray that her faith might be strengthened.  Her confidence increased, and when the enemy came in as a flood, the Spirit lifted up a standard against him.  August 18, visited by the leader and assistant leader.  She was weak in body but said, “I have been very low, but the Lord has raised me, and now I am considerably better in my soul.”  And again, “I am just on the borders of eternity.  I am just going home.”

Sunday, August 20, visited by Sister Cook, she said, “I have been very low today, partly owing to the extreme weakness of my body;” but, lifting her hands and eyes to heaven, she exclaimed, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”  Her last main struggle with the enemy of souls was on the 21st, during the whole of the day.  Brother Biddel visited her, and began praying and about eight o’clock, she had a glorious triumph.  She burst out in rapture, and shouted, “O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?  And she broke out into singing,

“All glory to Jesus, who died on the tree,
And purchased salvation for you and for me.”

After singing she repeated that verse, “I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath, &c.”  About nine o’clock she said, “I am sanctified throughout, body, soul, and spirit.”  She expressed a concern for the spiritual welfare of her husband; and during the night she was continually shouting, “Glory, glory, glory to God.”

Wednesday, August 30, 1837, she quietly fell asleep in Jesus, aged twenty-five years.

Ralph Cook

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Page 236.