Moravian Lives @ Moravian U

Our late Sr Elizth Coffin was born
nearatEllesmere, on the borders of Wales, A.D. 1777
 her father being an extensive farmer. 
Of her earlier years, very little is 
known to us; as our late Sr left 
no memoranda of her course thro’ 
time. It appears however that 
her religious impressions were 
received early in life; & she was accustomed 
to refer to one youthful experience 
as a turning point in her experiencecourse. 

Whilst attending the parish Church, 
some particular sentence in the morning
prayer come home to her heart with
such power, that she felt the love of 
Christ as accomplishing her redemption. 
She was thus persuaded of her interest in 
his atonement, & it is remarkable 
in the religious experience of our 
late Sr, that her course was not so 
subject to change & deviation as 

Page 2
that of the majority of the Lord’s 
children. As far as her Xn experience 
is known to us, she has alway spoken 
of his life of faith as a happy one; 
she knew no periods of gloom & tasted 
not the bitterness of the soul from 
whom the Lord’s comforts are with 
drawn.

As the age of 17 or 18, she removed 
to London, and entered the family 
of our late Sr Vowelwith whom she 
lived till that lady’s death. It 
was during her residence there, & 
during Br Montgomry‘s service of 
the Congn that she joined the Church
of the Brn, of which she has been 
so many years a consistent member

After Sr Vowel‘s departure, she 
remained with the 2 Mr Youngs, the 
nephews of the deceased till her own health began to fail.

About the year 1820, she removed 
to Bristol, where she became an in 
mate, of the sisters house, during 

Br Okelys‘ ministry. Her stay 
in Bristol was but short, & 
the subsequent years of her life, 
up to her last removal in Fulneck, 
appear to have been somewhat un- 
settled as to her abode. She lived 
in Fulneck Srs House for a few 
years; & also spent some time again 
in London, & with more than one 
family of her relatives. 

In July 1831i.e about 24 years ago 
she settled finally on Fulneck, a 
place which seems above others to 
be that of her choice. Her 
walk among us here, her peculiarities 
her cheerful nature, her activity & 
especially her great love for the meetings 
for family & public worship these 
are well known to many who this 
day see her mortal remains conveyed 
to their last resting place. 

Being so long an invalid, her thoughts 
were often busied concerningupon her own

Page 3
health whilst she inquired sympa-
thisingly after the welfare of others.

About a year ago, when speaking 
of a recent attack of illness, she re- 
marked I had sometimes the feeling 
that she Lord would take me to 
himself. Being asked whether she 
felt herself prepared for the last change 
she replied in her quick characteristic 
manner & quite cheerfully — It would 
be a great shame if I were not ready 
for it; for it is now 50 years since 
I first knew the Lord; & since that 
time he has enabled me to serve 
Him It would be ungrateful in me 
to think he would not accept me 
at the last.” 

For the last twelve month s her 
health was perceived to her failing con-
siderably tho’ she would not, till 
near the last, hear of seeking medi- 
cal advice. Tho’ she most often 
have been suffering from weakness 
& pain she was still seen as her –

place in the Prayer Hall & Chapel 
where the meetings were always a 
source of spiritual enjoymentTo her “As 
long as I can I must go” she would 
say “for soon I may not be able”-

Towards the close of last week, 
as perceptible change was noticed in 
her & it be came evident to her friends, 
tho’ not as first to herself, that her 
time here below was drawing near 
it close. When her labouress 
alluded to the approaching end, & asked 
her whether she felt ready for our Saviours
coming, if it should please Him to 
take her now, she answered, that 
she would like to feel Him nearer, but 
she had no fear.

On Sunday, the last day of her 
life, tho’ growing very feeble, she 
retained a clear conciousness & on 
unshaken faith. In reply to a question 
as to her spiritual support in this trouble
she answered with energy “I will trust
Him tho’ he slay me.” And again 
she said “I care not what pain

Page 4
I have, if I have only Him with me 

For the attention of the Sisters & 
friends to her in her illness, she was 
truly grateful, & expressed herself 
surprised at the display of love
which she witnessed. 

On Sunday evening when her 
Laboress told her she our Savrmightwould probably
very soon come & take her to himself, 
she seemed still somewhat surprised that 
her end should be so near; but was 
free from all apprehension of the event. 
Her feeling appeared to be that of the 
conviction & confidence expressed 
in the Hymn 1184. 2 Thou knowst &c.

She regretted Br Libbay’s absence from 
the Congn at this time, much wishing to 
live to see him again; as at the first, 
she appeared not right to have under- 
stood him in his Conversat with her.

When asked if she wished to par 
take of the H. Comn again, she replied 
somewhat doubtfull, — I do not rest on 
that – You know He is my Bread of 
Life. 

The same evening she received the 
blessing of the Congn. imparted by Br
Okely after a fervent prayer for the 
nearness & support of Jesus in this 
hour of trial – She was not only per- 
fectly conscious during this transaction 
but expressed also the enjoyment & 
benefit she had derived from it.

About 10 o’cl. the same evening 
Jan 28th /55 whilst supported in the arms of some 

the sisters the hour of her departure
came; the silver cord was loosed, 
& she gently breathed her last, her 
ransomed? spirit departing to be with 
that Lord whom she had long here 
followed in faith tho’ in feebleness & 
with the sense of much unperfection. Her age was 77 years. May our 
end be as tranquil & happy, & as 
full of confidence in our unseen 
but present & faithfulRedeemer!

Our late Sister Elizabeth Coffin was born near at Ellesmere, on the borders of Wales, A.D. 1777 her father being an extensive farmer. Of her earlier years, very little is known to us; as our late Sister left no memoranda of her course through time. It appears however that her religious impressions were received early in life; and she was accustomed to refer to one youthful experience as a turning point in her experience course.

Whilst attending the parish Church, some particular sentence in the morning prayer come home to her heart with such power, that she felt the love of Christ as accomplishing her redemption. she was thus persuaded of her interest in his atonement, and it is remarkable in the religious experience of our late Sister, that her course was not so subject to change and deviation as

(page 2)

that of the majority of the Lord’s children. As far as her Christian experience is known to us, she has always spoken of his life of faith as a happy one; she knew no periods of gloom and tasted not the bitterness of the soul from whom the Lord’s comforts are with drawn.

As the age of 17 or 18, she removed to London, and entered the family of our late Sister Vowel with whom she lived till that lady’s death. It was during her residence there, and during Brother Montgomery’s service of the Congregation that she joined the Church of the Brethren, of which she has been so many years a consistent member. After Sister Vowel’s departure, she remained with the 2 Mr. Youngs, the nephews of the deceased till her own health began to fail. About the year 1820, she removed to Bristol, where she became an inmate of the Sisters’ house, during

(page 3)

Brother Okelys’ ministry. Her stay in Bristol was but short, and the subsequent years of her life, up to her last removal in Fulneck, appear to have been somewhat unsettled as to her abode. She lived in Fulneck Sisters’ House for a few years; and also spent some time again in London, and with more than one family of her relatives.

In July 1831 i.e about 24 years ago she settled finally on Fulneck, a place which seems above others to be that of her choice. Her walk among us here, her peculiarities her cheerful nature, her activity and especially her great love for the meetings for family and public worship, these are well known to many who this day see her mortal remains conveyed to their last resting place.

Being so long an invalid, her thoughts were often busied concerning upon her own

(page 4)

health whilst she inquired sympathizingly after the welfare of others.

About a year ago, when speaking of a recent attack of illness, she remarked, “I had sometimes the feeling that the Lord would take me to himself.” Being asked whether she felt herself prepared for the last change she replied in her quick characteristic manner and quite cheerfully — “It would be a great shame if I were not ready for it; for it is now 50 years since I first knew the Lord; and since that time he has enabled me to serve Him It would be ungrateful in me to think he would not accept me at the last.”

For the last twelve months her health was perceived to her failing considerably, tho’ she would not, till near the last, hear of seeking medical advice. Tho’ she most often had been suffering from weakness and pain, she was still seen as her –

(page 5)

place in the Prayer Hall and Chapel where the meetings were always a source of spiritual enjoyment to her “As long as I can I must go” she would say “for soon I may not be able.”

Towards the close of last week, a perceptible change was noticed in her, and it became evident to her friends, tho’ not at first to herself, that her time here below was drawing near it close. When her labouress alluded to the approaching end, and asked her whether she felt ready for our Saviour’s coming, if it should please Him to take her now, she answered, that she would like to feel Him nearer, but she had no fear.

On Sunday, the last day of her life, tho’ growing very feeble, she retained a clear consciousness and an unshaken faith. In reply to a question as to her spiritual support in this trouble, she answered with energy “I will trust Him tho’ he slay me.” And again she said, “I care not what pain

(page 6)

I have, if I have only Him with me

For the attention of the Sisters and friends to her in her illness, she was truly grateful, and expressed herself surprised at the display of love which she witnessed.

On Sunday evening when her labouress told her she our Saviour might would probably very soon come and take her to himself, she seemed still somewhat surprised that her end should be so near; but was free from all apprehension of the event. her feeling appeared to be that of the conviction and confidence expressed in the Hymn 1184. 2 Thou knowst etc.

She regretted Brother Libbey’s absence from the Congregation at this time, much wishing to live to see him again; as at the first, she appeared not right to have understood him in his conversation with her.

When asked if she wished to partake of the holy communion again, she replied somewhat doubtful, — I do not rest on that – You know He is my bread of life.

The same evening she received the blessing of the Congregation. imparted by Brother Okely after a fervent prayer for the nearness and support of Jesus in this hour of trial – she was not only perfectly conscious during this transaction but expressed also the enjoyment and benefit she had derived from it.

About 10 o’clock the same evening January 28th, 1855 whilst supported in the arms of some

(page 7)

the Sisters the hour of her departure came; the silver cord was loosed, and she gently breathed her last, her ransomed ~ spirit departing to be with that Lord whom she had long here followed in faith tho’ in feebleness and with the sense of much imperfection. Her age was 77 years. May our end be as tranquil and happy, and as full of confidence in our unseen but present and faithful redeemer!