The Life And Testimony Of Elizabeth Jeffries
Gospel Standard 1898:
Death. On. Jan. 9th, 1897, aged 79, Elizabeth, widow of the late J. Jefferies, Minister of Ashton Keynes.
My dear mother was brought up to attend the Church of England till after her marriage, when she attended and became a member with the Primitive Methodists, and afterwards with the Independents. She was much concerned about her safety in Christ, and was in soul-bondage for many years, not finding amongst those with whom she worshipped the things her soul desired; till on one occasion, when visiting her native village (Alvescott), she heard Mr. Doe, and the Lord blessed her with the assurance that she was interested in “the covenant ordered in all things and sure.”
On Aug. 22nd, 1874, she was baptized by my dear father, and became one of the few members who formed the little church at Ashton Keynes. It was a blessed time to her soul, and the dew and savour of it remained with her for many days. She passed through many trying dispensations, and lived to see seven of her twelve children cross the river before her. She was much helped in these trying times by many sweet portions from God’s word. She was a lover of good men, and was always pleased to entertain any of the Lord’s ministers. After the death of my dear father, in 1871, she met with a severe accident, which affected her brain to the end of her days; yet, at times, she could converse clearly on the things of God. During her bad illness (which was preceded by another accident) her mind became very calm and childlike. She was most patient, and grateful for everything done for her, and talked constantly of going home. I said one day, “You mean your heavenly home, don’t you, mother?” She answered, “Yes:
‘Heaven is that holy, happy place,
Where sin no more defiles;
Where Jesus sits upon his throne,
And lives, and loves, and smiles.'”
While washing her one morning, she commenced to repeat the 23rd Psalm, and, with a little help, repeated it all through, laying great stress on the 4th verse. On Christmas-day she said, “My dear child, this is the last Christmas I shall see on earth, and I am nothing but a poor empty sinner.” I said, “Dear mother, for empty sinners there is a full Saviour.” She replied, “There is, that’s the best of it, and I shall soon be with him.” She was a woman of prayer; and many times when she thought herself alone have I heard her praying for her children that they might be amongst his jewels, and then beg the Lord to take her home to be with himself. She gradually sank, and for three days was unconscious. About an hour before her end she opened her eyes, smiled at us, pointed upwards, and then gently breathed her last.
L. E. Lewis
Elizabeth Jefferies (1818-1897) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. She was the wife of J. Jeffries, Minister of Ashton Keynes.
