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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

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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

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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

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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 –

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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

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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

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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!