IN a comfortable cottage by the side of the river Welland, which flows through the divisions of Deeping, there resides a lady of well-nigh four score, possessing such a cheerful grateful spirit that it is a pleasure to converse with her.
During our visit to Market Deeping, in June, 1905, we had a much needed plentiful rain, which was a matter of public acknowledgment before God. On leaving the chapel the next Sunday, the aged friend before-named remarked, “Now is the time to praise the Lord;” and quoting from a psalm with which she is familiar, added, “Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.” The name of the person we thus introduce is ANN QUINCEY; and we purpose that a few particulars of her life, which she has related to us, shall form the subject of this present article.
Ann Quincey was born at Shenley Hill, near Barnet, Herts. Her father, Mr. Montgomery, was a godly man. When old enough, she was sent to the parish school, and on Sunday attended a Sunday school, to which she became much attached.
After leaving school, she entered domestic service in a quiet home, and on Lord’s days attended a place of worship where the gospel was not fully preached. During this time it pleased the Lord to open her eyes to a discovery of her guilty state as a sinner in His sight. She was arrested with the following words: “He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” A damp sweat came over her, and she felt most unhappy under a sense of the anger of the Lord. Eventually she fell asleep, and on awaking was thankful to the Lord for sparing her, promising how good she would be in the future if he would but show her mercy. Pursuant to her resolution, she became very religious, all the while flattering herself in her own goodness, although it brought her no true peace or satisfaction.
A young woman lent her the “Life of Agnes Beaumont” to read, the perusal of which created a desire to be equally godly as she was; which, although a good desire, yet springing from a proud heart, tended to build up a righteousness of her own to be pleasing unto God. She grew more and more dissatisfied with herself while she still labored to be good, for the Lord, who was her teacher, again and again discovered to her how bad she was, and at length He led her to see that it was sinners, not righteous people, He came to save. These words came into her heart with some power: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:1717When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17).) She then saw very clearly that being a convinced sinner gave her ground to hope in Christ Jesus, and this produced faith in her heart in Him as her salvation. She also saw that righteousness in herself could afford no plea for mercy, but rejoiced in the fact penned by Mr. Hart:
“Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.”
Her heart overflowed with love to the Lord for his manifested mercy; and being full of zeal, she made no hesitation, but soon made an open profession of her religion. The relation of her experience was thought a wonderful one by those with whom she cast in her lot; and she was looked upon as a very bright disciple of the Lord. She could see that God’s sovereignty was as much displayed, in her as it was in Mr. Hart, who ignorantly strove by sin to fling his life away, but could not; whereas she had been striving by a self-righteous spirit to save herself, but could not.
How long our friend continued attending with her first friends did not transpire in our conversation; but as she believed her pastor was a godly man, she entertained no thought of leaving the chapel, or removing from her comfortable situation, where everything tended to her happiness. The Lord’s thoughts, however, are not according to man’s thoughts, neither are his ways man’s ways. He was about to lead our friend to another pasturage, where she might eat clean provender. At length in God’s providence her peace of mind was disturbed by receiving a letter from Miss Barringer, who, having heard of her, desired of her to accept of a situation she had open at Peterborough. She felt constrained to submit this application unto the Lord by prayer, not knowing what to do; but on informing her master of it, he considered she would be very foolish to leave his home and go among strangers, and was angry with her for entertaining the proposal. However, though it cost her some self-denial, yet, believing that it was the right way, she decided to leave, giving her master no other reason than that she felt it was God’s will for her to do so.
On arriving at Peterborough, she appeared very lonely. This, however, was soon removed, for on her first visit to the chapel where Miss Barringer attended, the late Mr. TRYON was supplying. He was led so fully to describe her case as to fill her with astonishment. She had never heard the like at the former chapel she had attended. The subject was from the book of Ruth; and she saw that she had, like her, come from her own country to glean in the fields of the heavenly Boaz. And continuing to glean, such handfuls of purpose were dropped for her from time to time as to fill her heart with much joy and love to the Lord, who had taken knowledge of her, seeing she was but a stranger.
These were the days of her first love; and having little, if any, worldly care, she could sit down under the apple tree of God’s favor and find His fruit sweet to her taste. But, her times being in God’s hand, He ordained in His providence that she should receive an offer of marriage, which she accepted, and eventually left service, and went to reside at Northborough, and subsequently became a member of Mr. Tryon’s church, St. James’ Deeping.
Her entry into a married life proved a path of tribulation. She lost by death nine children out of ten born to her; and her husband, who was a farm laborer, by the loss of his sight was compelled to relinquish his situation.
Some of their friends proposed a weekly contribution, but she would not consent to live on charity. The Lord caused her to hope by giving her this promise: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” They took three acres of land, and by the help of friends obtained a horse and cart, in which she conveyed to the markets of Peterborough and Stamford the produce of their land. Her husband would often say to her on loading the cart, “You will never sell your things;” but she would drive along the country roads praying to the Lord nearly all the way. And it was wonderful to see how the people used to purchase her goods; and she invariably returned home with purchased articles by the result of her sales.
From the raising of vegetables and fruit she started the cultivation of flowers, and sometimes took as much as €3 per week from the sale of flowers only. Many times did she return the eight or ten miles, blessing and praising the Lord for His goodness towards her.
We must pass over the other events of her life, to relate a trial which overtook her through her father, who was a widower, coming to reside with her. He was then suffering with cancer, which appeared to affect him mentally, being beset with a distressing temptation that the devil would take him away. His case became very trying but before the worst phase of the trial, the Lord was pleased to apply the following promises to her heart: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Also: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.”
These promises were mercifully fulfilled when the trial was at its worst. Her father one night got up. under the influence of a powerful temptation, and ran downstairs, fleeing into the street. His daughter pursued him, but he escaped she knew not where. She returned to her home, and went into her room, and fell before the Lord in her trouble, when He drew nigh and sweetly comforted her, reminding her of the promises he had given. She felt she could talk to him as a friend; and He said, “Did I not tell you I would be with you?” which brought relief to her mind. She could then leave her father in the Lord’s hand, and rested quietly till morning light, when she ascertained that her father had fled to a friend’s house, who had kindly cared for him, and he suffered no harm.
Mrs. Quincey’s friends much sympathized with her in this trial, and in answer to their united cries to the Lord, it pleased him to restore her father to health, when he left Northborough, and subsequently married again.
On December 10th, 1887, our friend’s afflicted husband was removed by death, and since then she has continued a widow. The Lord has supplied all her needs, which she frequently acknowledges with a grateful heart, it daily being her custom to repeat a psalm of praise to the Lord; feeling she has abundant cause to bless Him who has brought her through all her troubles, and blessed her with a comfortable assurance that it will be well with her when called to die. Her chief concern now is to walk tenderly in the fear of the Lord, with a grateful spirit, patiently waiting her appointed time till her change come.
New Cross.
S. B.