Tollington, John (1825-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Charles H. Boden

JOHN TOLLINGTON, of Hathern, in Loughborough Circuit, obeyed the voice, “Come up Hither,” on the 17th May, 1899, leaving a record worthy of emulation. He was for fifty years a member, and during forty-two years the class-leader and superintendent of the Sabbath School, and as such exemplified many laudable qualities, some of which stood out with well-defined distinctness.

His religion was steadfast. His faith rested on Christ; it was like the lighthouse built on and in the rock, from which he could not be seduced by the music of the syren, nor washed by the waves of persecution.

His religion was unobtrusive. Though never forcing himself or his religion on the attention of others, when occasion required he was unflinching in his avowal of Christian discipleship, and shrunk not from the profession of his union with Primitive Methodism.

His religion was self-sacrificing. Though not literally endorsing, he had the true spirit of the words, “Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold.” Few men had a more self-sacrificing spirit, yet without ostentation. For several years, when the chapel was in adversity, its stove was supplied from his “oil tin,” and many who ministered will have pleasant recollections of their warm welcome at his table. He showed practical faith in the words, “What I gave I had.” He banked with heaven. His sacrifices may not look much apart, like stars sprinkled over the sky; but collected form a brilliant constellation, which the Master recognises and commends by saying, “You did it unto Me.”

His affliction was prolonged. It was paralysis; for several years partial, for several months entire. His affliction was mitigated. In helplessness the loving attention of a devoted wife and other relatives (who are comforted by the hope of a re-union), did much to relieve his sufferings, but there were assuagements transcending the earthly. Celestial dew-drops fell about his bed. Odours from the field of paradise were wafted into his room. He had believed in angelic ministration, now it was realised.
“They came with voices of sweetness,
With faces divinely fair;
To smooth the bed of suffering,
To mellow the breath of prayer.
They softened the dying pillow,
And laid his head to rest,
In gentleness and tenderness,
Upon the Saviour’s breast.”

His affliction was premonitory. It was the reefing of the sail before entering the port. His words were expressive of victory. On May 20th, the Rev. J. Stephenson committed “his dust lightly to sleep in dust,” and subsequently Mr. G. Tucker preached the funeral sermon amid much feeling to a numerous audience; but before that memorial service was held, or before the wreaths of fading flowers were placed by loving hands on the coffin, his spirit, accompanied by a celestial convoy, —
“Had swept by the mansions and temples of light —
And knelt at the foot of the Throne; ~
And He, the Supreme of Immortals,
From the seat of His splendour bent down;
And placed on his temples, late throbbing with pain,
A more than imperial crown;
And said to him, Rest,
In the land of the blest.”

Family

John was born abt 1825 at Hathern, Leicestershire.

He worked as a frame-work knitter.

John married Ann Bowley (1826-1852) on 5 December 1844 at Hathern, Leicestershire. Census returns identify three children.

  • John (1846-1927) – a frame-work knitter
  • Henry (1848-1881) – a frame-work knitter
  • William (1850-1924) – a frame-work knitter

John married Sarah Exon (abt1832-1913) in the summer of 1856 in the Loughborough Registration District, Leicestershire. Census returns identify two children.

  • Joseph Exon (1857-1922) – a frame-work knitter (1911)
  • Mary Jane (1864-1886)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/549

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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