The Life And Testimony Of Agnes Higgons
Gospel Standard 1668:
Death. On July 22nd, 1868, aged 33, Agnes Higgons, youngest daughter of Mr. Higgons, and the last of five children, all taken away within a few years.
She burst a blood vessel more than a twelvemonth ago, which much weakened her; but she partially recovered. A few months ago her cough became troublesome, and her strength began gradually to decline. About a week before her death the vessel again gave way quite suddenly, and she was greatly alarmed. I was with her alone, and she implored me, in the most piteous manner, to pray for her. I said, “Try and beg yourself for mercy as long as you have breath.” She answered, with the greatest emotion, “I do, I do.” I reminded her that the thief upon the cross was pardoned at the eleventh hour. It was a very solemn time, as I feared every moment she might be launched into eternity without any hope, as I knew not then she had ever been concerned about her soul, she being naturally very reserved. But the bleeding stopped at that time, though it reduced her to great weakness, so as not to be able to be moved out of the parlour where she was first taken.
It soon became manifest she was in great distress about her soul. She said she was afraid the Lord would not pardon such a great sinner as she felt herself to be, and entreated her father to pray for her. He tried to encourage her, but the agony of her mind at one time seemed too much for me to witness. Soon afterwards she was favoured to hope in the Lord’s mercy, and she was more composed. In another attack of her complaint, the Lord so blessed her soul that she kept praising him. She appeared nearly suffocated with the blood flowing from her mouth; but when that abated, it was wonderful to hear her converse upon the importance of her soul, and of the consolation she enjoyed. We were lost in astonishment at the wonders God had wrought; but Satan at times appeared to dispute the reality of the work, but was not long permitted to prevail as the Lord so confirmed it in our souls. It was his doings, and marvellous in our eyes. We could admire with gratitude also the many portions of Scripture which were applied to her father’s mind and mine with much power. One was, “The election hath obtained it.” This also: “The righteous hath hope in his death,” with other similar portions. Lines of hymns also would be brought with great sweetness to my mind, causing my heart to make melody with the Lord. Two lines in particular were more frequently brought: “Wonders of grace to God belong; Repeat his mercies in your song.” This verse also: “The vilest sinner out of hell, That lives to feel his need, Is welcome to a throne of grace, The Saviour’s blood to plead.”
This silenced me from thoughts that would intrude, representing that the mercies were too great to be so easily and quickly obtained, for those that had wrought but one hour to be made equal to those who had borne the burden and heat of the day. How it humbles and abases us to have such dishonourable thoughts of limiting the power of the Almighty, when it is said what is impossible with men is possible with God.
Agnes did not escape the thrusts of the enemy after such a blessed deliverance. Though the change was so conspicuous to all who saw her, yet her mind was dark at times. Doubts began to arise about her safety. She said one day to her father she was afraid she should not go to heaven, and her father tried to encourage her. Soon afterwards she asked me, with an anxious look, if I thought she would be saved at last, and I told her we believed the work was real. The Lord soon appeared again to rejoice and comfort her heart.
The day before her death, to my surprise, she told me how much she had been exercised about her soul-felt convictions at times for years; and no one knew the burden she felt. She said she was often praying to the Lord when I was asleep in the same room, and that once, when from home, she went to a concert with some young friends; but she felt so condemned and unhappy there she thought she must have left before it was over; and many times, when seeking pleasure in various amusements, vanity seemed stamped upon all; and how much she regretted hurting her father’s mind in one particular circumstance she alluded to, and owned she had acted wrong. Her sincere repentance and love to the people of God were one evidence that she had passed from death unto life. It was a testimony commended to the consciences of the Christian friends and members of our church that visited her, and some stayed with her night and day. It was quite a revival to us all. We could rejoice with her at times in having found the pearl of great price.
But I will come to the closing scene. A few hours before her death, her cup ran over with joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is past describing, as many of the friends then present can testify. With a strong voice, she repeated many times, “Happy in the Lord!” and “Praise him praise him! the everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Praise him all ye his saints, for his mercy endureth for ever! Let all his children say, Amen! How blessed for Christ to die for me! “‘Now can I tell to sinners round, What a dear Savionr I have found.’ I shall soon be with him to crown him Lord of all, where sorrow and sighing will flee away.” She said, “Is this dying? None need fear it. How sweet his loving kindness to sing in death.” With other lines of hymns and expressions to convey the glory she felt in her soul, which we cannot all recollect. She told her father in the evening she had been praying the Lord to take her that night; and he said, “Do you think he will?” She answered, “I do not know yet.” Her lips kept moving, no doubt in silent prayer. Soon afterwards she beckoned her father to come near, and whispered to him, “I shall die tonight. The Lord has told me so.” And she wished him not to go far away, that he might be quickly called. She died about half-past eleven the same night.
Almost the last words she uttered were, with a loud voice, and joy beaming in her countenance, “Victory! victory! through the blood of the Lamb!” The little she spoke afterwards could scarcely be heard or understood, and we perceived no change till a short time before she quietly breathed her last.
Frances Belcher
Oxford.
Agnes Higgons (1835-1868) was a sovereign grace believer. She was the daughter of Mr. Higgons, a servant of Christ who opened his house for the worship of God. Several notable preachers proclaimed the gospel in their kitchen, where the brethren gathered, among whom were Philpot, Tiptaft, Godwin and Warburton. With the increase of a growing congregation, Mr. Higgons, at great expense to his business, donated his warehouse to the cause of Christ. Agnes came to a saving knowledge of Christ while on her deathbed, in answer to her father’s prayers, at the age of 33.
