A memoir of John Finch Marsh ...

Preface

Having been called upon at a very unexpected season, to watch beside the dying bed of my ever dearly beloved father, John Finch Maesh, and while yet hoping for and expecting his recovery, being struck with the impressiveness of his words, I felt impelled (unknown to him) to note them down. After his departure, I conceived the idea of printing a simple account of his illness and death, as the most effectual way of answering the enquiries of our friends, and easing my own mind of a responsibility.

Circumstances, however, combining to enable me to remain a little while with my bereaved mother, she gave me permission to search among his papers, where I found very little left behind of an early date — but a considerable amount of memorandums of later years ; also some scattered copies of his letters to various friends, and a packet of his letters to Richard Allen, of Waterford, recently returned to my father at R. A.'s request, soon after his decease.

This search commenced at the desire of the friends (appointed by our monthly meeting to prepare a testimony concerning him) that we would furnish them with some account of his early life, &c.

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But here the query arose, whether some selection from these writings should be prepared in addition to the closing scene. And inwardly becoming sensible of a gentle and clear pointing that a little work of this kind was to devolve on me, I did not feel my way clear to return to the engagements of home until it was ready for the press.

And although I regret to add to the great store of books already on our shelves, I believe I should fail in my duty to survivors if I were to neglect thus to revive his memory, — not for his sake — but for the sake of that testimony to Truth which was given him when young, and lived in his heart to his latest days.

And though I feel a most precious unity with his spirit, I forbear to say much concerning him, preferring that his heart should be unveiled by his own words.

And now, having with tears laid my little offering on the altar, in much love to all, I leave this caution with the reader :— It needs to be read in stillness, and with the true eye opened.

Peiscilla Pitt.

Park Lane, Croydon, 1873.

Introduction

My Father was born in the year 1789. After receiving a fair education, lie was apprenticed to the linen drapery with his cousin, Samuel Weetch, of Ratcliff, till the age of twenty-one, when he was engaged as shop assistant with Mary Liversidge and John T. Shewell, at Ipswich. His last situation was with John Kitching, linen draper, in Whitechapel, London, whom he ultimately succeeded in the business in 1818. This he carried on satisfactorily for ten years, with a consistent plainness, closing his shop to allow of all attending their mid-week meeting, and would often find customers waiting their return. His marriage took place in the year 1819, to Hannah Lucas, daughter of Samuel and Ann Lucas, com dealers, in Warwick-street, London, with whom he had been acquainted from childhood. Of their four daughters, two died in infancy, and one peacefully breathed her last in the thirty- seventh year of her age. In 1828, partly from delicate health, and to be more set at liberty for religious service, he retired from business, and the year following came to reside at this cottage in Park Lane, Croydon, which he used to style " our comfortable, peaceful home."

The first record we find of his having spoken in meeting was in his twenty- second year. He was acknowledged as a minister in unity in 1818, by Devonshire

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House monthly meeting. His travels in the work of the ministry with the unity of his monthly meeting extended over a period of forty-three years, commencing in 1822, during which time he visited all the meetings of Friends in most of the English counties, and some of them several times. Also in Guernsey and Jersey and the Isle of Wight ; in Wales and Scotland ; and three times paid a general visit to Friends in Ireland, viz., in 1837, '56, and '65. His calling was much in the way of private sittings with individuals or families, which service he diligently performed in many places. Four times, at least, he visited in this way the Friends near home. The largest engagement of this kind was in the winter of 1846-7, when he had 277 sittings alone with the young men in our quarterly meeting, 66 with the young women, and 229 other sittings. He not unfrequently was led to hold meetings with persons not in our Society where his lot was cast, and once accompanied Sarah Harris, of Bradford, and Mary B. Brown, her companion, to some parts of Holland and Germany. There are evidences and testimonies that his labours in Gospel love were acceptable, and not without fruit. His ministry, like his nature, was loving and persuasive, hearing a clear testimony to the spiritual and inward nature of religion, and of the powerful operation and working of saving grace in the secret of the heart, often reminding us that it was "an individual work." Perhaps on the occasion of interments, his ministry was most of all impressive. It was then his exhortations on the vanities of life, and the realities of death, seemed to penetrate the hearts of many present, and leave a savour of divine life long to be remembered.

His heart yearned over little children, that they might not be hindered from coming to the Saviour by

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the indifference of those around them ; and often when he met with infants would instructively remark, " This is what we must all come to — the state of a little child."

He was remarkable in life for endeavouring to walk spotless, and not join with anything that by the inward light was forbidden him, and in the near approach of death he was the same.

He directed that none of his money should be given for the promotion of those undertakings in our Society with which he had not felt unity, because they were not sufficiently carried on in accordance with the principles we profess, saying we could not depart from them without going back to a lower dispensation ; and because, deeply feeling the need of a daily cross to possess a true religion, he believed that a superficial religion, or profession only, had too much usurped its place among us, and become a substitute for that vital Christianity, or the life and witness of God manifest in the soul, which ought to precede all our efforts for the good of our fellow creatures. Otherwise he had a sympathizing heart, easily moved to pity and compassion.

He often used to say, "When I was young, I felt that if there was only one Quaker left, I must be that one"— a feeling he retained to his end. And he lamented that our early Friends' writings are so little valued and read by friends at the present day.

P. Pitt.

A MEMOIE

OF

JOHN FINCH MARSH

Without observing any strict rule, I thought it well to give some memorandums from my father's diary, as they occur in point of time ; after that his dying expressions, concluding with selections from his correspondence.

FIBST— HIS DIABY.

I was born on the fourth day of third month, 1789, at Chatham, in the county of Kent, and descended of honest and virtuous parents. Their names were Thomas and Catherine Marsh. My father was the son of Thomas and Hannah Marsh, and born at Folkestone, 19th of 10th mo. 1748, 0. S. My mother, the daughter of Peter and Mary Finch, it appears was born at Chartham, near Canterbury.

1810, 2nd mo. 24th. Emila Marsh, my brother William's wife, died about ten o'clock in the evening.

1810> 3rd mo. 4th. To Batcliff meeting, morning and afternoon.

1810, 3rd mo. 7th. Left Samuel Weetch.

1810, 6th mo. 4th. Uncle John Finch died.

1810, 6mo. 29th. Came to live with Mary Liversidge and John Shewell, at Ipswich [as assistant] .

1810, 8th mo. 12th. Attended Ipswich meeting, morning and afternoon. Appeared with a few words at the morning meeting.

1812. 5th mo. 19th. Left Ipswich.

1812, 7th mo. 8th. Went to Deptford [as assistant to Joseph Shewell] .

1813, 7th mo. 5th. Left my kind and affectionate friend Joseph Shewell.

1813, 8th mo. 3rd. Went to Coggeshall, and 9th mo., 27th, left it.

1813, 10th mo. 21st. Went to Colchester [to E. Brockway's] , and left it 3rd mo. 24th, 1814.

From 7th of 4th mo. 1814, to the 15th of 5th mo.

1814, again with my dear friend Joseph Shewell. From 22nd of 8th mo. 1814, to the 26th of 2nd mo.

1815, again with my dear friend Joseph Shewell.

1814, 6th mo. 12th, 1st day. At a friend's house this evening ; after supper had a religious opportunity, and was enabled, I trust in an acceptable manner to acknowledge the Lord, and have cause to believe it was an act of obedience with which He was pleased.

22nd, 4th day. At Dover week-day meeting appeared in supplication and testimony.

26th, 1st day. Attended Canterbury meeting, and appeared in supplication and testimony.

30th. At a friend's house at Maidstone ; had a religious opportunity in supplication in the evening.

7th mo. 2nd, 1st day. Attended Rochester meeting morning and evening, much to the satisfaction and comfort of my mind ; in the former was engaged in testimony ; they were both precious meetings with me.

During the few weeks I spent in Kent, which was a visit to my relations there, I was permitted to enjoy frequent opportunities of religious retirement.

Whitechapel, 10th mo., 1816.

Some account of a short visit to Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Early on 3rd day morning, 17th of 9th mo., 1816, left London by coach for Southampton, and arrived there about six o'clock. Lodged at the George Inn. I have good reason to remember that evening, both before and after retiring to bed, it being a season of divine favour, my soul tasted of the goodness of the Lord, and under an humbling sense thereof was sweetly bowed in supplication. Slept comfortably, and awoke in the morning much refreshed ; walked a little before breakfast. At eleven went to meeting, sat with a very small company, and expressed a little by way of encouragement. Here I met with John Barclay, who kindly engaged to meet me in the afternoon at W. W.'s, at whose house I dined, to walk with me. I was pleased with his company, and presently found him an amiable, interesting companion ; his mind evidently appears impressed with much seriousness, a seriousness accompanied with a solemn sweetness. I esteem it a privilege my lot was cast so as to meet with him. He has been much the pleasant companion of my thoughts since my return ; my heart has rejoiced on his account, and been comforted in the belief that he is bowing with fear and humility under the forming hand of the Lord. My heart longs for his encouragement, and that he may continue to be preserved in a watchful, humble frame, that so none of the many hindering, hurtful things that are in the world may be permitted in any degree to obstruct his progress in that path in which I believe the feet of his mind are sweetly turned. Oh ! how delightful and encouraging in passing along to meet with those young in years concerned to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. My heart, yea all that is within me, is at times made to rejoice over such as these, and tenderly and affectionately desires their encouragement and growth in the Truth.

May I be so preserved on the watch as to omit no opportunity of doing what my hands find to do, and endeavouring to encourage and strengthen the minds of these preciously-visited, exercised little ones, according to that ability which may be given. The mind thus engaged, if careful not to move beyond present ability, if careful to attend to right feeling, need not be afraid, while thus preseiwed in the simplicity and humility, of expressing anything that would be likely to bring forth anything like unripe fruit, or an untimely birth ; but would, I believe, if faithful in attending to the pointings of Tfuth in the inward parts, be made instrumental in different and many ways, to gather the children and people — to strengthen the brethren and sisters.

We spent the remaining part of the day pleasantly ; went to Netley Abbey to see those ancient and interesting ruins ; the scenery of country and water from the spot and about Southampton exceedingly beautiful. Got back in the evening in time to meet our young friend Edmund Janson, who had been on a visit at J. S.'s at Shaftesbury, and agreeable to appointment met me here in order to accompany me to the island. We supped at W. W.'s.

19th. After breakfast our young friend J. B. met us and accompanied us to Netley Abbey; spent the morning pleasantly together, stopped at a neat, quiet house on our return, and, taking a light meal, got back in time for the packet, when, parting with dear J. B., went on board between three and four, and after a pleasant sail with agreeable company, landed at Cowes about six, took some tea, and walked to Newport in the dark. [Here follows an account of their brief walking excursion on the island, and of his return to Whitechapel on the 23rd.]

[It is to be regretted that nothing more than a few scattered memorandums can be found during the interesting period of his early life, so that there appears to be no record concerning the happy event of his marriage, which took place in the year 1819.]

1821, 12th mo. 1st. After reading the 6th chapter of Daniel in the morning, this language seemed pleasantly impressed on my mind — "The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." In the afternoon had a short time of retirement in my chamber.

1823, 1st mo. 1st. Last evening, at the close of an eventful year, my mind favoured with the overshadowing of good ; and to-day the secret breathing of it hath been that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart may be more acceptable in the Divine sight for the future than of late they have been.

[Near the close of a long visit to relatives at Warwick, he mentions,]

1831, 11th mo. 27th. We attended Warwick meeting morning and afternoon. My dear wife and self appeared in testimony in the morning. In the afternoon broke up meeting too soon, which was a cause of much uneasiness to my poor mind the remainder of the evening, &c, having reason to believe that my dear Hannah was not quite clear of some in that little company, and came away burdened. Oh ! what sorrow and regret I felt !

1839, 2nd mo. 9th. [Being on a visit at Kochester] I called on a medical man, having felt my mind secretly attracted towards him in love ; I found him at home. We had a sweet little time together, much to my satisfaction, and I trust to our mutual comfort and strengthening. I believe him to be a valuable character, one whose mind has often been preciously visited, humbled and contrited, under a sense of the goodness and mercy of the Lord towards him, and which I believe has followed him from his youth up, and continues to follow him. May he be preserved humble and watchful ! the preciousness of the love of our Heavenly Father, shed abroad in the hearts of the children of men !

7th mo. 24th. I attended the interment of the remains of dear Eliza Bell, at Croydon. Her dear bereaved husband seemed preserved in much calmness, and was strengthened to express a few words sweetly at the grave side. There were several communications in the meeting, and some supplications. I am of the mind, that more silence, and fewer words would have been more profitable and edifying. I incline to think if there was more inwardness and watchfulness, that there would be less of the feeling of excitement experienced by those who may at times have to minister, than it is to be feared, is often the case on such occasions.

[Whilst holding a minute, liberating both my parents for service in Croydon, during which time they had nearly 50 sittings with Friends, also sittings in nearly 60 families not Friends.]

1840, 1st mo. 26th, 1st day. Very poor, and stripped of the feeling of good, and of any qualification or fitness for the important engagement in prospect [among our neighbours] . P. B., K. B., H. D., and Brother S. H. L. took tea with us, they being appointed by the monthly meeting to confer with and assist us in making the way for our visits. After tea we had a comfortable, strengthening and encouraging time together. B. B. appeared in supplication.

27th. We took tea in company with dear M. S., who had very sweetly and encouragingly to address my dear wife and myself in the prospect of what was before us ; it was a precious opportunity. Dear H. Dymond called and spent a little time very pleasantly with us. I feel much love to flow in my heart towards him, and desire to have more and more of , his company, which think, I may say, is always instructive to me.

28th. Eetired comfortably to rest last night, and this morning my mind is favoured to feel calm and quiet.

29th. In the evening commenced our visits, sitting with F. and E. , a sweet and refreshing opportunity.

We are proceeding, I trust, safely and peacefully in our engagement ; oftentimes comforted with a feeling of sweet fellowship of spirit in the company of the humble in heart, in our visits. And I think I may acknowledge that gratitude has often been the covering of our minds for the help which has from time to time been afforded to our own humbling admiration, so that we are abundantly compensated for the humiliating and proving seasons we are often introduced into.

3rd mo. 15th, 1st day. Felt something towards an individual who attended our meeting in the afternoon (not in membership with us), at the close of which I found it safest for me to seek an opportunity with him, which I did by walking a little way with him, much to the peace of my own mind, and I believe to the comfort of his. He parted sweetly from me, expressing the desire the Lord might be with me. He was at meeting also in the morning. I think his words were, " The Lord be with thee."

Myself and wife attended the marriage of and

. We dined at the house ; a large company. The

want of simplicity at the dinner table, as also in the appearance of some as respects dress, was affecting to witness. the sorrowful departure in this our day, in so many ways, from the simplicity which the Truth leads into, and would lead into, was there but an individual faithfulness in yielding to the dictates thereof — its pure teaching and guiding.

I attended the marriage of and , and appeared in testimony. On going into the room afterwards to speak with the bride and bridegroom, &c, I was concerned to see such a display of flowers, so many having a nosegay in their hands. Alas ! how many deviations there are in the present day from the simplicity which the Truth would lead all into, was there but a willingness to yield to its simple leadings and guidings. No one perhaps can enjoy the sight of flowers more than myself, and I believe it an allowable pleasure for us all ; but the display of them on this occasion, and in this way, does not feel comfortable to me, neither do I think it right. Also it appears the practice of many Friends now-a-days to ornament their dishes brought to table, with flowers, which does not appear to me consistent in us so to do.

1841, 7th mo. 6th. In the forenoon enjoyed a sweet time in prayer in my chamber, under a renewed sense of the fresh extension of my Heavenly Father's love to my soul. My spirit was, I trust, bowed and contrited with the feeling of gratitude and praise.

[After returning a certificate he held for visiting the meetings in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derby, and Notts., he wrote :]

1842, 1st mo. 20th. During this long engagement it was my lot for the most part to move along in the feeling of much poverty, and weakness, and strippedness ; yet I trust there were times when best help was nigh to strengthen and enable me to bear a faithful testimony to the Truth as it is in Jesus, — and that I was mercifully preserved from doing harm to the precious cause.

3rd mo. 16th. Our beloved friend Sarah [Lynes] Grubb departed this life at Sudbury, aged about 69 years. Great indeed is the loss the church has sustained by the removal of this faithful servant and minister of Christ. She was one eminently gifted for the work of the ministry, in which she was a faithful and diligent labourer from her youth up to the latest period of her life.

23rd. The remains of our beloved Friend S. G-. interred at Sudbury before meeting. It was a sweet and solemn time by the grave-side, nothing expressed vocally. In the meeting I ventured to bend the knee. Seven Friends appeared in testimony. I believe it would have been safe for me, and have tended to the peace of my mind, had I simply rose towards the conclusion ; but, alas ! I suffered the meeting to separate without venturing the expression of a little; and which omission occasioned me to feel sad. Ah ! how glad should I have been could I but have got the same company of Friends and others together again when it was too late ; and how the lost opportunity was afforded for this exercise of faith, even while the people were rising from their seats, and leaving the meeting-house, which they did in so deliberate and solid a manner.

May this circumstance, or omission, prove a lesson of lasting instruction to me, — and may I yet be favoured to experience a moving along in more simplicity and faith, and in singleness of eye.

1847, 10th mo. 20th. I have been seriously unwell, and confined to my bed about a week. I am now favoured to be nicely recovered, and nearly regained my usual health and strength, and trust that my heart is made to feel thankful to my heavenly Father for this great favour, and for the sense of his goodness and. mercy towards me in this time of prostration, which I have to look back upon as a season of renewed favour, wherein I trust I did enjoy something of the Divine presence, and was bowed in spirit before the Lord under a sense of my great unworthiness and unwatchfulness — my many short comings and sins of omission and commission, in which I trust near access was found in prayer and praise, and renewed desires raised after a closer walk with God, and that I might become increasingly humble and watchful; yea, experience a daily watching unto prayer. During my indisposition, I had occasion to be well satisfied with the kind attention paid me by our medical attendant, Edward Westall.

21st. Our Monthly Meeting. It seemed with me to remark on the necessity of witnessing the new birth ; signifying that that which was necessary for one individual, was needful for all to experience, viz., a true and real change of heart, and conversion of soul — a being born again agreeable to the doctrine of our Holy Redeemer, which he taught Nicodemus.

11th mo. 8th, 2nd day Morning Meeting. My wife and I attended it. Ann Tweedy, from Truro, was there, and had feelingly to remark on the sorrow it had occasioned her, since being up this way, in seeing the increased departure from the simplicity in our young people, bringing the matter close home to Friends filling the station of Ministers and Elders ; giving suitable counsel, and encouraging to faithfulness in speaking in love one to another, as occasion might seem to require. I was glad of her communication, as also in that it opened the way for my dear wife to obtain some relief in a similar manner, which she was strengthened to do in unison and accordance therewith. Their communications were, I think, a word in season, and may they prove a profitable watchword.

1853, 1st mo. 30th. It is, I trust, under some feeling sense of the love of our Heavenly Father shed abroad in my heart, and for the nearness of access in prayer, renewedly permitted me again of late in my private retirement, that I incline to write what my heart desires to say, and I trust does say, viz., Rejoice in the Lord, my soul, rejoice in him always, for He hath dealt mercifully and bountifully with thee ; yea, " Bless the Lord, my soul : and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

" Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks ; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Surely the Christian's life is, and ought to be, a life of prayer, of thanksgiving, and of praise. A life of devotedness and dedication of heart unto the Lord, at all times, and in all things. A state of watchfulness is a state of prayer ; herein is safety experienced. — How important then is individual attention to the injunction of our Holy Redeemer, to watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation. " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation."

1853, 1st mo. The present is an awful time, calculated indeed to awaken and arouse to serious thoughtfulness and reflection — a season of mourning and heaviness with many. The latter part of the past year, with the opening of the present, has been, and is still, fraught with solemn and fearful events, from the very long continuance of much rain and consequent damp atmosphere, with much illness from fever and other indisposition, the town of Croydon and its neighbourhood being remarkably visited thereby, very many being ill, and many removed by death.

How striking that in the short space of five weeks six individuals, members of Croydon Particular Meeting, should have been called upon to render up their accounts ; and in about six weeks the remains of each consigned to the silent grave. Affecting, indeed, the events that have been happening about us in this time of visitation with sickness and death. Fever of a typhoid or a typhus kind, with diarrhoea ; and in most cases that have been fatal, it seems from the first to have so seized on the intellect as to afford very little if any time of consciousness ; so that if preparation for the solemn change was not sought after in time of health, there appears to have been little or no opportunity on the sick bed. Ah ! solemn events, indeed, and well it will be if the inhabitants of this place and elsewhere so profit thereby as to seek repentance, forsake sin, and by so doing come to learn righteousness. And well will it be if some of the members of our meeting, yea, all of us, be afresh instructed in the way of righteousness, by yielding to the humbling and contriting power of that chastening Hand which has seen meet to dispense largely to some of this affliction.

2nd mo. 8th. A time of precious quiet in retirement this morning, and prayer.

8th mo. 10th. A. N. dined and took tea with us. This dear young person, aged nearly 19 years, is sweetly visited ; the love of our Heavenly Father is, I believe, preciously shed abroad in his heart. May he be strengthened to hold on in the way cast up for him to walk in, in faith and in faithfulness.

Amidst the many discouragements, there are some bright spots to cheer the mourners on their way; here and there a precious plant to cast the eye upon, from which, too, proceeds a fragrant smell, calculated to revive and animate the drooping hope ; some sweetly visited minds on whom the good and tender Hand of the Lord is laid, in order, if there he hut a yielding to its forming and cleansing power, to fit and qualify for His own work and service in His own way and time.

1854, 9th mo. 8th and 9th. Days spent much in retirement, and I trust in waiting upon the Lord, wherein I was engaged to pour forth my soul in prayer.

10th, 1st day. Toward the close of our evening meeting I ventured in weakness and in fear to stand up, and was, I think, helped in my testimony by Him who " giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." William Higgins feelingly expressed a little afterwards, and in unison with my communication.

17th. Priscilla and myself by ourselves to-day, wherein we were favoured to experience some precious quiet.

18th. A day spent in profitable retirement, and in the feeling of inward quiet. In the forenoon I trust near access was granted in a time of prayer. Oh ! how great the privilege of prayer, and the blessedness which is known and felt when so engaged; when, in private retirement waiting upon God, ability is afforded in prostration of spirit to pour forth the soul unto Him, in the name of His beloved Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.