The Life And Ministry Of Mrs. George Moyle
Earthen Vessel 1895:
The Late Mrs. George Moyle
[“George Moyle” was a household word among the Strict Baptists of the middle of the present century. The following brief notice of Mrs. Moyle is written by one who was called under the ministry of Mr. Moyle when at Artillery-street, and was a life-long companion to his widow. We insert it with pleasure, accompanied with portrait.—J. W. B.]
Mrs. Moyle was born Dec. 12, 1795. It pleased the Lord to lay His afflicting hand on her when eight years of age, being brought low with scarlet fever, from the effects of which she suffered through life, the drum of the ears being destroyed; and, though all possible advice was sought, nothing could be done to restore her hearing. Thus, early in life she was shut out from the world. But the Lord, in His own way, implanted His fear in her heart while young. The following extract from her own writings, which she gave me years ago, sets forth some of the exercises of her mind:—
“I muse on the years that are past, how my feeble desires flowed upward, panting and longing to know if I was one of those little lambs that Jesus folded in the bosom of His love. I muse on those early days when I sought the Lord in sorrow of mind, frequently sighing out, ”Tis a point I long to know.’”And I muse on the time when singing, ‘There is a fountain filled with blood,’ and with what emotions of joy and grief I sang—
“The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, as vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.”
It was a tiine of love to my soul, for I began in a fearful, yet not desponding manner, to sing—
“Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared
(Unworthy though I be)
For me a blood-bought free reward,
A golden harp for me.”
Though so very deaf, she was very useful as a Sunday-school teacher, for the Lord opened His Word to her, and gave her ability to tell out what he put in. Her dear husband (George Moyle) found her to be a real helpmeet, just what a pastor’s wife should be—“and she was that.” Her letters were most spiritual and sweet, as those who were favoured to receive them well know, and I will just give an extract from the last two she wrote. After she had been speaking of the inward conflict, she says:—
“I often think, as I have been plodding on with closed ears, what melodius sounds will burst upon me when
“Heaven opens on my eyes; my ears (will)
With sounds seraphic ring,”
and many that have been blind while here below to every object, what a transcendent sight ’twill be to see their adorable Redeemer in all His radiant beauty, and hear unnumbered millions of blood-bought souls singing, ‘Unto Him that loved us,’ &c. Ah, we who have a good hope through grace shall join them ere long, and help to swell the chorus of the skies.”
The last letter was written Jan. 4, 1895, in which she says: “I am breaking down very fast; this very cold and severe weather has affected me so that I am very helpless, but not at all unhappy. While I feel the Almighty arms of my covenant God underneath me, and the downy feathers of His love around me, how can I be friendless, lonely or helpless?
“Lonely! no, not lonely, while Jesus standeth by:
His presence fills my chamber, I know that He is nigh!
Tired! no, not tired; while leaning on His breast,
My soul hath sweet possession of His eternal rest.
Helpless! yes, so helpless, but I am leaning hard
On the mighty arm of Jesus, and He is keeping guard.’”
The closing scene of this grand old centenarian was tranquil and serene. The day before she entered the New Jerusalem she became rather drowsy, but was calm, and smiled at her sister and those who attended on her, and she tried to do a little of her favourite needlework for the poor. At night her cough was rather troublesome. Her attendant was about giving her some medicine, when she said, “I am going; call my sister Martha,” who immediately came; a heavenly smile, and in a few brief moments she was gone.
Thus the Lord kissed her soul away on the morning of Feb. 21, 1895, in her 100th year. We have parted with one with whom we have held sweet communion for fifty-five years; we thank God for her companionship, and can say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”—Ruth Chalmers
Mrs. George Moyle (1795-1895) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. She was the wife of George Moyle, pastor for thirty-five years of the church meeting at Rye-Lane, Peckham. Although deaf, she became a Sunday school teacher and highly esteemed member of her church and local community. She was eight years her husband’s senior, but survived him by eighteen years.
Further Study
