OBITUARY.

POETRY.

THE NEGROES' PETITION.

T. C. JOHNS, PRINTER, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street.

THE

WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION

MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1844.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE MRS. SIGSTON,

By Mr. James Rawson, Chaplain of the Leeds Cemetery, and formerly one of Mr. Sigston's pupils.

THE late beloved wife of Mr. James Sigston, of Leeds, was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Teale, of that town. From early life she was distinguished by unusual gravity and propriety of deportment. One, who was her schoolfellow, says: "She was not like most young persons, but was indifferent to the levities and frivolities in which so many delight." It was at this time that she formed and cultivated those habits of diligence, economy, and regularity, which all, who were acquainted with her, knew her so eminently to possess.

Her conversion to God occurred when she was about seventeen years of age. A sermon preached in the parish Church, Leeds, by Mr. Porter, curate of St. Paul's, from James iv. 13-15, was the means of awakening her mind, and bringing her to the feet of Christ. The change wrought in her by the Spirit of God was most decisive. She was deeply convinced of the evil of the vanities of the world, and resolved to make every required sacrifice for Christ. She began to attend the private meetings conducted by Mr. Miles Atkinson and his curate. It now became her delight to associate herself with the people of God, and to participate of the privileges of the sanctuary; and so intense was her anxiety to enjoy the means of grace, that she frequently obtained permission to remain, locked up in the church, at the conclusion of the afternoon's service, sometimes without any light; and after partaking of her simple repast of bread and milk, would earnestly and devoutly wait for the evening lecture.

In the year 1799, she joined the Methodist Society, and with holy ardour and sacred joy took upon herself the solemn responsibilities of a public Christian profession. The means of grace were, indeed, at this time, wells of salvation. She regularly attended the preaching and prayer-meeting held at five o'clock in the morning, and thought no sacrifice too great, in order that she might be present

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on those hallowed occasions-with the royal Psalmist she could say, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." She could appeal to him who searcheth the heart, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth."

On the 14th of January, in the year 1800, she entered into the marriage state with Mr. Sigston, who now survives and mourns the loss occasioned by her death. In the various relations of life, which she was called to occupy, she conducted herself with that prudent and conscientious propriety which has seldom been equalled, and never surpassed. As a wife, a mother, a matron of a large seminary for the education of young gentlemen, too much cannot be said of her. Knowing the importance of religion herself, she panted to communicate its blessings to the members of her family, and to all within the sphere of her influence.

The following fact is a pleasing illustration of her ardent desire for the conversion of her own children,-when one of her sons was going from home, before he left, she selected passages of Scripture which she wrote on slips of paper, and placed in various articles of his wearing apparel, fondly hoping that whilst removed from the restraints of the domestic roof, the words of eternal truth might impress his mind, and be brought home to his conscience, and heart; truly is it said, "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters."

By the kind providence of God, she had the privilege of close and intimate intercourse with some of the most devoted and exemplary Christians of her day; such as Miss Ritchie, Mrs. Crosby, Miss Tripp, Mrs. Baiston, &c.; and with exquisite delight, and true Christian hospitality she entertained, under her roof, some of the most distinguished and holy preachers of the Methodist body; among whom may be mentioned, Messrs. Bramwell, Nelson, George Smith, David Stoner, and John Smith. "The memory of the just is blessed," and these are names embalmed in the remembrance and hearts of all who knew them. She prayed with them, she praised with them, she rejoiced with them, she wept with them on earth, and now they have welcomed her to their blest society above.

She was most devoted in her efforts to convey religious instruction to the minds of the pupils of her husband's establishment; and she did not labour in vain. The Sabbath evening was often a season of holy and solemn impression. After the public services of the day, the interesting charge committed to the care of her beloved partner, were assembled, and she would, with him, and the pious teachers, advise, entreat, and beseech them to turn to God, and surrender their early affections to the blessed Jesus. The Word was often accompanied with Divine unction-many a young heart was powerfully impressedthe deep sigh heaved the bosom-the tear of godly sorrow for the first time was shed-and the eager cry was heard, "What must I do?"-and sometimes after they had retired, she was delightfully employed in standing over their beds, telling them of the power and willingness of Christ to save. Many on earth, now occupying important stations in the church of Christ, do refer, and many in

heaven will, through eternity, refer to her active and holy zeal, with unspeakable gratitude and joy, and acknowledge her as the honoured instrument from whom they received spiritual instruction.

And, oh! if there are any whom she exhorted and warned, but hitherto in vain, may they, whilst perusing this imperfect sketch, be induced to recal her pious admonitions, and tender appeals; and return to the Lord God, against whom they have so greatly revolted. God forbid that she should appear as a swift witness against any!

Exemption from trials is not permitted to the people of God; the truth of this she was called to realize, having had to go through much tribulation. Her bodily sufferings were severe, and of a long protracted duration; consisting of frequently returning paroxysms of spasmodic affection: but as her sufferings abounded, so her consolations did much more abound.

For many years she had not a doubt of her interest in Christ; and that confidence in God which distinguished the various stages of her life, supported her during the pains of her disorder, and the approach of the last enemy. She had long cast her anchor within the veil, which she found to be sure and stedfast; and with Paul the aged, she could say, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day."

When her body was feeble, decaying, and sinking, her mind was as vigorous, active, and cheerful as ever. Detached portions of Scripture and of sacred poetry were constantly on her thoughts, and on her tongue. On one occasion Mr. Sigston repeated the following first line of a verse of one of the Wesleyan hymns:

"There all the ship's company meet,"

When she instantly added,

"Who sail'd with their Saviour beneath,

And repeated the remainder of the verse.

"The Lord

On the afternoon previous to her death she exclaimed, is good in a dying hour-I have known him a long time, upwards of forty years." Her nephew, Mr. Thomas Teale, called to see her, and on taking her leave of him, she said, "If I don't see you again on earth, I hope to meet you and all your family in heaven."

At another time looking most affectionately towards her husband, and no doubt, anticipating what he might have to endure after her departure, she told him that when she should be gone, he would be ،، as a sparrow upon the house top." The night before her departure, she requested him to pray that she might have an easy admission into the mansions of blessedness; after which she told him, that he would soon follow her, and that she would welcome him into glory, adding, with peculiar emphasis, "Be thou faithful

unto death.'

On Tuesday night, the 8th of February, she was rapidly sinking, and it became evident that the time of her dissolution was near;

but her spirit was composed, placid, and happy; not a feature in her expressive and lovely countenance appeared to be disturbed-the glance of her bright eye still retained its vigour, even to the last moment of her earthly existence. She was indeed, in the dark valley, but the good Shepherd was with her, to hush every fear, to cheer her with his presence, and to give her a foretaste of the glory just about to be revealed. Surrounded by her dearest earthly friend, and her weeping family, her happy spirit left its tenement of clay, to mingle with the spirits before the throne, at half-past five o'clock, on Wednesday morning, the 9th of February, 1842, in the sixtysixth year of her age.

On the following Sabbath, her remains were interred in the Leeds' Cemetery, in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and Christian friends. The mournful service was conducted by Mr. James Rawson, chaplain of the Cemetery, and on the Lord's Day, Feb. 20th, the same gentleman improved the solemn event in the Wesleyan Methodist Association Chapel, Lady Lane, from the words, "Who hath abolished death." Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers!

The following sketch, of the distinguishing traits of her character, is from the pen of him who was long and most intimately favoured with her society-and it is hoped that many will be induced not only to admire, but also to imitate her excellencies.

1. NEATNESS AND CLEANLINESS. When a child she manifested a dislike to finery in dress. Cleanliness and neatness were then strictly attended to by her; and when she arrived at years of maturity, the same peculiarities were conspicuous, not only in her dress, but in every thing in her house. Indeed, some have thought that she carried these matters to an extreme; in proof, however, that they were perfectly natural to her, they were attended to by her to the very last: after taking her food, or her medicines, and when so weak that she had scarcely strength to put the bed clothes in order, she would point with her delicate fingers, and thus intimate to her attendants what she wished to have done.

2. PUNCTUALITY. When a girl she was remarkably punctual in her attendance at school, unless lawfully detained, she was always in her place, at the time appointed. When she grew up it was an invariable rule with her to be punctual in all her engagements. If she had to call upon any one, at a certain hour, she was sure to be there by, and generally before, the time appointed. When she had to take a journey, and to go by an early coach, on the previous evening, she made every needful arrangement; and it is not known that for upwards of fifty years, she was ever once too late. When she had the domestic superintendence of a family, of from forty to fifty persons, she would have every meal precisely at the time appointed; she would be in her place in the dining room, waiting for the moment when the bell was to ring; and every servant, as well as all the teachers and young gentlemen knew that they were expected to be there at the proper time.

3. EARLY RISING. For many years, whilst in pretty good health, she was seldom more than seven out of twenty-four hours in bed.