The Life And Testimony Of Mary Little (Hatch)

Gospel Standard 1870:

Death. On June 15, 1869, at Chapel Allerton, near Axbridge, Somerset, aged 51, Mrs. Mary Ann Hatch.

My dear wife was born March 20th, 1818, in the city of Bristol. When she was about eight years of age, her parents removed to Street, and her father became minister of the Baptist church in that place. Having gracious parents, she was mercifully preserved from the sin and follies of many young persons, besides having the truths of the gospel often set before her. Her mother, who was a gracious woman, was very anxious about the salvation of her children, and the Lord very mercifully answered her prayers.

My wife, when very young, had many thoughts about her soul. She felt she was a sinner, and that there must be a divine change in her heart; that she must be born again, or she could not see the kingdom of God. She more and more felt the weight of divine things. Her cry often was that the Lord would manifest his salvation, and give her to feel that she was one of his people. When about 16 or 17 years of age, the Lord brought her under a law-work, and made her feel something of the length and breadth of the law’s demands, though she often said it was not in so powerful a way as some of the Lord’s children have to experience; yet she felt herself to be a poor lost and ruined creature, that without Christ’s salvation she must for ever perish in her sins, and that he would be just if he sent her to hell. But the Lord in his own time gave her to hope in his mercy, and to look to him for life and salvation, by the application of that blessed Scripture: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” And also Isa. 43:1. This brought a blessed deliverance, and she was enabled to hope in his mercy and to rejoice in his salvation, to say with the psalmist, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

After some time she and her sister (of whom some little account appeared on the wrapper of the “Gospel Standard” for April, 1857) [1—See footnote] were baptized by her father, Mr. John Little, on August 28th, 1836, and joined the church. She very much felt the solemnity of the step she had taken in making a public profession of religion, for fear she should bring a reproach on the cause of God, her feelings on this subject being very tender that the truth of God should not be injured. However, the Lord kept her in an honourable profession of his truth, his name, and his cause. She was often exercised as to the reality of the work of grace in her soul, and was led more and more to feel that she was a poor helpless sinner, that she could do nothing of herself, and that the Lord must work in her both to will and do of his good pleasure. The earnest cry of her soul was, that the Lord would lead her in a right way, that she might not be deceived, that he would manifest himself to her more fully as her God, her Saviour, that she might say, in sweet assurance with the apostle, “Who loved me and gave himself for me.” “O!” she would say, “If after all I should become a castaway!” But, blessed be his dear name, he never did cast away his people whom he foreknew. He never leaves the work of his hands. His gifts and calling are without repentance; therefore, in his own time he makes it manifest, though we poor short-sighted creatures do not always understand the Lord’s dealings with us, often writing bitter things against ourselves; as was the case with my very dear wife, though amidst all the Lord carried on his work, and led her sweetly and more fully into the truths of the gospel of his rich grace. Nor was she ashamed of the glorious doctrines of the gospel, eternal predestination to life, of God having a people whom he had chosen from everlasting, to show forth his praise. She saw there was no salvation, but as her name was written in the Lamb’s book of life. These things she contended for earnestly as the faith once delivered to the saints.

In 1843 I became intimately acquainted with her, and having at that time to pass through much the same experience in divine things, I felt a union of soul with her.

About this time the “Gospel Standard” fell into our hands. It was often the means of much encouragement and enjoyment to my dear wife. She was then able to speak very sweetly of the Lord’s dealings with her. In a letter to me, dated July 27th, 1845, she writes, “I have enjoyed so much to-day that I cannot help sitting down to write and tell you of some of the Lord’s goodness towards unworthy me. I heard Mr. B. this evening. I believe the Lord was with him, and I am sure the Spirit sealed the truth home upon my soul. His text was Acts 13:38, 39. O how I felt humbled while hearing the sermon. It is solemn work! It is not a mere assent and consent to the truths of Christianity that will satisfy the soul. I think sometimes I do know something of it, and I am confident that nothing satisfies till Christ is revealed in the conscience as the end of the law for righteousness, and the sinner is justified by his (Christ’s) obedience to the law, rendering satisfaction to divine justice. It is not enough to know this as a doctrine, unless it is brought home to the conscience by the Holy Ghost. My soul is lost in contemplating this grace bestowed on such a vile, rebellious sinner as I am. I can only say, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul.’ What wondrous grace that God the Father should choose us in the person of his dear Son, that God the Son should endure the curse due to our sins, and that God the Holy Ghost should quicken and bring into spiritual life such rebels as you and I. It surpasses my thoughts and feelings. My poor finite mind cannot comprehend it. I want a seraph’s tongue to speak of its glory. Methinks when I get above I shall be able to sing without any impediment, and ascribe it all to free and sovereign grace, and to him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”

In 1847 she changed her position in life, and “came to Allerton, where the preaching was not at all satisfying, it being a Yea and Nay Gospel, or no Gospel at all, though the people were Baptists. We were very much exercised about it. Still the Lord did not leave us. A way was soon opened for the reading of his truth. We read Mr. Philpot’s and other good men’s sermons, as they appeared in the “Zoar and Penny Pulpit;” also the “Gospel Pulpit” from the commencement; and we were much encouraged in this step from a piece in the “Gospel Standard,” and from this passage, “Come out from among them and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” This in a great measure settled the matter, and we, with a few gracious persons, met in a room at Wedmore, three miles distant, to worship God and to hear his truth in its doctrinal and experimental purity. This we continued to do for 10 or 12 years; and we could often say it was good for us to be there. I shall never forget how my dear wife enjoyed those early sermons of Mr. Philpot’s: “The Valley of Baca;” “Rising of the Day-Star;” “The Houseless Wanderer;” the “Reproach Answered;” and very many more. That text was very blessed: “And he led them forth by a right way to a city of habitation.” Also Isa. 43:1, 2. That word, “Thou art mine” was very sweet and precious to her soul, and she often spoke of it to me as a word from the Lord on which she could rest her hope. Sermon 110 was also very precious to her. She would often remark, “All we want is to be able to say, for me.” Sometimes she would say, “Have I an interest in this salvation? Do I know anything of it in my own soul? We want to feel assured that we are interested therein. We cannot be satisfied without it.”

She often enjoyed Dr. Goodwin on the Ephesians, and would speak of the riches of God’s mercy and grace as displayed in his kindness toward us poor sinners, and would frequently quote Eph. 2:4-7. And as Mr. Philpot’s Meditations on the Ephesians appeared in the “Gospel Standard,” her soul was often very much blessed in reading them, and very many times did she speak to me of it.

But now I will say a little about her illness and death.

In May, 1868, she was taken ill, but partially recovered till the fall of the year, when she became much worse, so that we quite despaired of her life, though the Lord mercifully raised her up again for a little time. During this illness, the Lord appeared in a very blessed manner to her. She was able to rejoice in his salvation. She said her jubilee was come; she had been waiting for it for a long time, but it was now come. Her soul seemed to be set at full liberty, and she could bless and praise the Lord for the sweet manifestations of his grace to her.

In December she was very ill, and kept her bed. On the 8th, she said:

“‘Sweet to look back and see my name
In life’s fair book set down;
Sweet to look forward and behold
Eternal joys my own.”

Many times have I had little sweet manifestations of the Lord’s mercy to me: ‘I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember thy sins.'” At another time she said:

“”Tis that bless’d hope that never dies;
Beyond the reach of hell it lies;
‘Twill flourish and immortal be
When death is lost in victory.’

And I have that hope. I believe he did shed his blood for me.” At another time she said, “‘Tis all of grace! After 30 years’ experience, I have no power now until he speaks to me. If this is death, ’tis more like going home.” At times her soul seemed full of joy. She said, “Peace I leave with you; and he has left it.” She then quoted 1 Jn. 3:1, 2, and said, “Poor guilty sinners, and yet to be like Christ! Then shall I be satisfied, when I awake, with his likeness.” At another time she said:

“‘Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given.'”

I said, “You have experienced that earnest, my dear.” she replied:

“‘More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heaven.’

What a thought, that Jesus should shed great drops of blood, falling down to the ground, for poor sinners!” “Yes,” I said, “and when we can say for me.” “Yes,” she answered, “he hath made with me an everlasting covenant. Not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life, life, life!” At another time she said, “Precious hope! precious hope!

“’Salvation! ‘Tis mine,
And glory, dear Jesus, eternally thine.'”

At another time she said, “‘Sin shall not have dominion over you.’ God is faithful to his promise. He will not lay upon us more than we can bear. ‘Worthy is the lamb that was slain,’ &c. I shall be with him…’Tis that oil, that drop of oil. Precious, precious!” (Reference was here made to Mr. Philpot’s sermon on the “Anointing.”)

On Dec. 16th she said to me, “Haven’t you been writing something? Do not make much of me. I’m nothing but a poor sinner, saved by free and sovereign grace. O free grace, free grace! When my heart and my flesh fail, the Lord is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

Soon after this she began to recover, and we thought she would be quite restored; and for some weeks she felt the sweetness of the Lord’s manifested mercy, and was able to rejoice in his salvation. We could indeed bless the Lord for his kindness in raising her up in a great measure to health again, and I really hoped it would be permanent; but the Lord’s thoughts are not our thoughts. She soon began to get worse. Her poor heart began to beat again, and she got much weaker, till the beginning of June, when she took to her bed and did not get up afterwards. She was so very weak she could not talk much, and wished to be kept quiet; and we thought it would be for the best. To a friend who came to see her about a week previous to her death, she said, in answer to some remark, “I hope I have known something of these things for many years in my own soul. I do not expect to be saved but by grace. There is no other way. It will not do for us to depend on our works.” She said she did not know what the Lord was about to do with her; she felt she was in his hands, and hoped the Lord would give her patience in her affliction, though she never did complain, and was very submissive to his blessed will. To her sister-in-law she said, “What a blessed thing, when we come to such a spot as this, to have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” I was with her a great deal, leaving her only at short intervals.

On the Sunday before she died, I read that beautiful hymn of Toplady’s, which was one of her favourites:

“When languor and disease invade.”

That verse was very precious to her:

“If such the sweetness of the streams,” &c.

Also one of Herbert’s:

“How bless’d are they, for ever bless’d,
For whom the Saviour died;
God views them all complete in Christ,
Completely justified.”

This was very suitable to her state of mind, though she did not appear particularly happy, but calm and composed.

On the Monday she seemed weaker and much worse. Still we entertained hope. Little did we think her end was so near. She was perfectly sensible to the last. The night she died, she said, “The Lord has given ‘commandment to save me.'” (Ps. 71:3.) “And he will save you, my dear,” I said. A little after this, she said, “‘I have made an everlasting covenant with thee, ordered in all things and sure.'” “I know in whom I have believed.” “Lord, receive me to thyself. Take me to thy eternal rest.” “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Her breathing being bad, she spoke with difficulty. Again she said, “Justified by grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. I know it, I feel it.” This she spoke with an emphasis. “Precious Jesus! Lord, take me.

“‘Tis my happiness to know
All I desired or wish’d below.'”

It was blessed indeed to see how the Lord supported her when so near her end. Those glorious truths and doctrines which she believed in life, were her support and comfort in death. She now felt their divine and eternal reality.

It was now quite evident she would not be here long. She appeared to be sinking fast. She said, “O death, where is thy sting? Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A little before she died, she said, “I shall soon be in glory. What a mercy!” These were almost her last words. She tried to speak once or twice more, but we could not understand. She lay quite still, except moving one hand a very little, and quietly fell asleep in Jesus, without a sigh or the least movement.

J. Hatch

---

[1] Gospel Standard 1857, April. Death—On the 3rd of February, 1857, at Langport, aged 40, Catherine, the beloved wife of Thos. Tucker. She was awakened to a sense of her sinful state by nature early in the year 1836. For many months she labored under a severe law-work; but the Lord was pleased to deliver her by the application of this portion of Scripture to her soul: “Fear not, I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” (Isaiah 43:1.) Also that in Romans 8:14: “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” She was baptized on the 28th of August in the same year, by her beloved father, Mr. J. Little, many years pastor of the Baptist Church at Street, Somerset, but who is now in America. By the grace of God deceased was enabled to maintain a consistent profession during a period of 21 years. She was much favored with a very strong confidence in the faithfulness of a Triune Jehovah, and her personal interest in that salvation which is through the Lord Jesus Christ, and by him alone. Her death was almost sudden, and under very painful circumstances, so that surviving friends were not favored with any dying testimony; but, in a letter to her sister, dated Jan. 27th, one week before her death, she thus expressed herself: “Do we not find this world a wilderness? It is not our rest, for it is polluted! What a mercy to have found rest in Jesus, even present rest from our own works, and rest in his full and all-sufficient atonement.” “Never shall I forget,” says a friend, “how she repeated ‘Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’ O what a mercy it is! ‘To them that have no might he increaseth strength.’ She then read, ‘Fear not, I am with thee, neither be thou dismayed, I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ ‘This is my portion,’ she said; there I can rest. ‘Tis in his righteousness I stand.'” “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”

J. H.