Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by William Sapcoat
ELIJAH MOLLETT was born at Winfarthing, in Norfolk, on Oct. 30th, 1818, of poor but pious parents; and when a scholar in a sabbath-school, he received Divine impressions which exercised a beneficial influence over his conduct in after-life. At about the fifteenth year of his age he was converted to God, and became a member of our Society. Soon he was called to exhort sinners to flee from the wrath to come; but through the difficulties of his apprenticeship, and the besetments incident to his youth, he fell from grace. Sad indeed was his state then; for, to use his own language, “all the time that he was a wanderer from God, he felt as if the pains of hell had hold upon him.”
In the year 1838, he began seriously to consider his state, and earnestly he returned unto the Lord, and found acceptance. Anxious that other “restless wanderers after rest” should enjoy the same blessing as he did, he prayerfully besought the Lord in their behalf, and availed himself of every prudent opportunity to recommend to them the Saviour. His brethren called him to fill a place among the exhorters of his circuit; and he laboured with usefulness and acceptability till the year 1842; when he was employed as a hired local preacher in the Rockland circuit.
By the Conference of 1843 he was stationed in the circuit as an itinerant probationer; and through his efforts many souls were brought to Christ; especially was this the case in the Eye mission. In 1844 and the following year he was stationed for the Cambridge circuit; and here he gave full proof of his ministry, though in the latter years his health began to decline. After the Conference of 1846, he came to the Wangford circuit, but was too weak to preach a single sermon; however, it was evident from his conversation, tears and prayers, that precious souls lay near his heart.
He had studied to show himself approved unto God,—a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; and his ministry was useful. I have heard him say that during the first two years of his itinerancy he had one soul converted in each week. He was a profound thinker, and his memory was retentive, and his disposition kind; he was zealously affected in the cause of Christ, his travail for souls was incessant, and in the promotion of the interests of the Connexion to which he belonged he had few equals.
Early in October last he became an inmate of my house; and I found his conversation spiritual, instructive and engaging. When he came to Wangford, medical skill of the first reputation was employed, and, for a while, flattering hopes were entertained by himself and others that it would effect his restoration; but so deeply seated in his system were the seeds of consumption, that in the latter part of February, 1847, he repaired to his father’s house, and here he was soon confined to his bed.
On May 29th, while he was violently attacked by the powers of darkness, his father encouraged him by saying, “Shortly Christ will change this vile body, and fashion it like his glorious body:” he exclaimed, laying his hand upon his breast, “What! change this vile body?” Instantly his faith took hold of the doctrine; the darkness was dissipated, and with much fervour he sang,
“The worms my poor body may claim as their prey,
’T will outshine, when rising, the sun at mid day,”
and called his mother and sister to help him to praise God. Death was met by him fearlessly; and when unable to speak, he upraised a hand to signify his complete victory over the last enemy. Thus, on June 7th, 1847, he entered into rest, in the twenty-ninth year of his age.
Family
Elijah was born on 30 October 1818 at Winfarthing, Norfolk, to parents Francis, a labourer, and Phebe. He was baptised on 10 November 1818 at New Buckenham Wesleyan Chapel, Norfolk.
Elijah died on 7 June 1847 at Winfarthing, Norfolk. He was buried on 11 June 1847 at Winfarthing.
Circuits
- 1843 Rockland
- 1844 Cambridge
- 1846 Wangford
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1847/583
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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