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Title
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Ann Kellet (1745-1788)
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Creator
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Kellet, Ann, 1745-1788
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Publisher
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Moravian Lives Project
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Date
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1788
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Type
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Text
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Format
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image/jpg
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Description
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Ann Kellet, born in Yorkshire in 1745, was raised within the Moravian school system and from childhood felt deeply drawn to the Savior and the Moravian congregation. After periods of spiritual struggle, doubt, and fear about her salvation, she experienced a powerful sense of Christ’s forgiveness and devoted herself wholeheartedly to life among the Single Sisters at Fulneck. She served faithfully for many years in the children’s work, kitchen, and washhouse, finding both spiritual growth and comfort through communion, fellowship, and prayer despite many inner trials and family losses. Later in life she suffered disappointment when a hoped-for missionary call to Barbados could not be fulfilled, as well as declining health from consumption, yet she remained grateful for the Savior’s mercy and confidently anticipated eternal rest with Christ. She died peacefully in 1788 surrounded by the prayers and blessings of her Choir and congregation.
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Subject
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Kellet, Ann, 1745-1788
Moravians--Biography
Women--Biography
Autobiographies
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Identifier
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Ful/3/17
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Place
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Fulneck, England
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Language
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eng
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Extent
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9 pages
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Rights Holder
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Fulneck Moravian Archives, Fulneck, UK
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transcript of
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The life of the Sle Sisr Ann Kellet who departed to our Savr in the Choirhouse at Fulneck Jany 5th 1788. She has left the following account of herself.
I was born at Whibsey in the Parish of Bradford Yorkshire, March 21st 1745, as soon as I was able my Parents sent me to School which was then kept by the Sisrs at Scoles and Horton, and I had a great pleasure in it, but the first real feeling I remember to have had, was when Br. Gross had the care of the Children, when he came his round, he kept us a meeting, and told us that on such a day in the next week at Lambs-Hill there woud be a Congn. day for Childn., which he had wish’d for many Years. telling us how he wish’d us to spend our time till then, asuring us that our Saviour would bless us in a particular manner, I longed for the time to come as I expected something particular and was not dissappointed, it was the first time I had been at such a meeting, we Country Childn. were in the Gallerry, the discourse was kept by Br. Tranecker, during which I remember my heart was quite overcome with the feeling, I pray’d our Savr. to bless me, tho’ I did not think myself to worthy as those who were below, but He was very near me. I long’d afterwards for these Congn. days to come. When I was reciev’d amongst the Great Girls
my whole wish was to prosper for our Saviour and I felt a desire to go and live with the Sisrs. which lasted till a Cousin I had who went to live with the Brn. soon left them again, and as I know he went with a full intention to stay with them, it put such a damp upon me, that I gave it up, thinking that I might perhaps do as he had done. My Parents spoke to me in a very close manner, and told me never to think of going if I thought of acting in the same way, but instead of this proving a blessing, it harden’d my heart, and I did my best to stifle all convictions, I went on this wicked way for near a Year, till I cou’d hold it out no longer, I then made a full resolution to leave all, let the consequence be as they wou’d. My Parents were exceedingly pleas with this, and did to the utmost of their power to get my things in readiness against my removal, which took place Octr 23d 1761, when I mov’d into the Choir House at Fulneck, my Mother accompanied me, but on seeing her so concern’d for fear of my not praying, affect me very much, but I soon got to be at home amongst the Srs. tho’ one thing always put a damp upon me, which was that I was not sure of my Salvation. Jany 1st, 1762 I was receiv’d into the Congn. quite unexpectedly, but instead of this being a pleasure, it was a pain to me, as I secretly wish’d it not to take place till I knew for certain that my sins were forgiven, now I had no more rest, think I wou’d neither eat nor sleep, till I had attain’d it, as at
time I thought it was all fancy, I went on in this way for a whole Year unti Decr 19th, when Br. LaTrobe preach’d a sermon, and took his text out of the Song of Solomon, where our Savr. is describ’d as a Roe or a Young Hart, he first treated of the swiftness of them and likened them to the haste which our Saviour makes to any poor Soul in distress, whilst he was speaking I felt so overcome that it is impossible to express what I felt in those moments, when I came a little to myself, having my Hymn book on my lap, it came into my mind to open a verse for myself, which was Jesus my Bridegroom my soul is – To thee already joined &c. what I felt at the reading of this is impossible to describe, it was as if our Saviour spoke every word of it Himself and I had never heard the verse before, I was so happy, and felt that such a change had taken place, that I cou’d hardly believe what had happen’d to me, being once in my Class, my Labouress (who I believe had a mind to try my faith) said she had a question to ask me, adding Our Saviour will know if it is so, and the Sisrs shall be witnesses, the question was, whether I had felt our Savrs. forgiveness? I told her I knew I had as clearly as I knew when the sun shone, but I know I must have it daily renew’d, she answer’d me with those words, that For without fresh supplies – the former droops and dies Continually we’ve need. By faith on Him to feel. This made me reason a little, why she should ask me first a question but my faith failed not. In the year 1760 I had
the grace and favour of being receiv’d into the Sle. Sisrs. Choir, which has prov’d a real blessing to me, the reception meeting in particular, Br LaTrobe sung that verse, Where agonizing Blood – The reeking earth did cover – There each unlamblike though – Shall be interr’d forever. after these words he kneel’d down, and pray’d very affect ingly that every thing displeasing to our Savr. might be remov’d before we enter’d into a new Choir, when he rose up from prayer he sung, Henceforth they’ll move no where This made such an impression upon me, that I wish’d with my whole heart that this might be my case. At this time a new school began to take place in my heart, and those things which before seem’d not of much consequence to me, now appear’d as great Sins, I thought at this time that if I disclos’d my mind to anyone, I shou’d not have the favour to stay any longer in the House, and pray’d our Savr. earnestly to help me without opening my mind, a Sisr. in the Room, seeing the distress I was in, spoke to me in a tender manner, and gave me to understand that She had expereinc’d the same, and advis’d me to speak my mind to my Labouress, but being of a very close turn, I still cou’d not do it, one day when I cou’d hear it no longer, I went alone, and there pray’d our Savr. to help me I open’d that verse, Can any ill distress my heart – Since God with his own Son did part – Whate’er I want can’t be deny’d – Because for me the Saviour dy’d. Then I saw clearly that no ill need distrress me, for by my Saviours Birth and Sufferings He had purchas’d all things for
me, and wou’d not deny me any thing, now I cou’d speak openheartedly to my Labouress about every thing. Augt 13th the same Year I was made became a Candidate for the Holy Comunion during the Sacrament, the pouring out of the Wine and singing that verse How in this Hall with haste – That thy Church met it render &c. I felt in my heart as if it really was so; afterwards I waited with ardent longing for the time to come when I shou’d enjoy it, which favour was granted me the 4th of May following, but I did not feel so well as I cou’d have wish’d being very timerous, and wanting to enjoy something so very extraordinary, not expect ing that at such a time one bad thought shou’d arise after another; but I found by experience that they were some times more ripe then, than at any other time, and I felt so many things stirring from time to time; but our Savr. gave me to feel that there was no occasion for me to be a shame to sin of any kind, as in Him there was full santification. In the Year 1767 it pleas’d our Savr. to take my dear Parents home to himself, also my Br. and Sr. in a few weeks who left 3 Childn Orphans we were in the greatest distress how they shou’d be cared for, but our Savr. according to his promise has cared for them all, but taking the youngest to himself and the other two are now in Gomersal Oeconomy. In the Year 1768 when the Unitys Elders Conference was here, I serv’d in the kitchen during their stay
and after they were gone, I was desir’d Serve in the Childrns work which at first for several reasons was not agreable to me, but it prov’d a School for my heart and made me keep close to our Savr so that I can truly say 5 Years I liv’d there form’d a real blessing for my heart, especially the Childrns Congn days, which remind my Childrens Years to me. After that I return’d into the Choir house, where I was employed in the Wash for 12 Years. As for those latter Years, I am at a loss what to say, and cannot express what our Savr has been to me, but so far I am joy. He has taught me to know what his in human nature, and other human weak nesses are, together with what He can be to a poor distress ed Soul, for I often thought I was like God, and had to weep the bitterest tears, on account of my thinking too much of certain circumstances that occurred to me, that He never faild to comfort me in a most striking manner by passages of Scripture just so. Are not true Sinners Sold for a farthing, and not one of them shall fall to the ground without my heavenly Fathers knowledge, fear ye not therefore, for the very Hairs of your Head are all remeber’d. Amidst all reasonings I cou’d also believe what that verse expresses, How well O Lord art thou thy People leading – Tho’ oft thy ways seem wonderfull and Strange. There can be nothing wrong in thy proceeding Because thy faithfulness can never change – Thy ways are often crooked and yet Straight – In which thy
Children are ordain’d to walk– Tho’ all to ruin seems to go and waste – As his to ?? ??? thou art wise and great. And now I hope our Savr will grant me patience to wait his time, untill He shall please to call me home to Himself, then I shall be able to praise him better for all that He has done for me.
So for our late Sisrs on account.
What she writes concerning those last Years is in reference to her receving a Call in the year 1784 to serve our Saviour in Barbados, which she ???? accepted but no for account of circumstances) it was afterwards found good to postpone the matter for sometime, it prov’d a great trial to her, and she took it much to heart, which so far impair’d her health that (tho’ it was still kept in view for her) it now no less oblig’d to be entirely drop’t But as she herself how briefly noted how she felt in those circum stances, will only further mention that in her last sickness, which from what time now gradually, ??? ing, and at last terminated in a Consumption, our Savr was particularly gracious to her, and enabled her to resign everything chearfully into his faith full hands, whenever she spoke of her own hearts feeling it was always in the most gratefull tone, that She loved her help’d thro’ so well, for said she, when I look my whole course ever, I see abundance of greatness
and mercy which our Savr. has always shown towards me his poor one, for which I shall remain a debtor to all eternity. the Joy she felt at of the prospect of soon seeing him on whom she had believ’d while here, was visible evident in every conversation with her, and her confidece in our Savr. remain’d unshaken.
January 5th, early in the morning, it was evident that her time here wou’d not be long, upon which the last blessing of the Congn. and her Choir was im parted to her, during which she was quite sensible and herself had signify’d that a Liturgy shoud be kept by her, which was attended with an awefull feeling of the near presense of our Savr. and of what came to pass in those moments, for, during the same, she fell happily asleep in Him, having spent here below 43 Years, 11 weeks wanting.
