The Life And Testimony Of Annie Peake

Gospel Standard 1897:

Death. On March 25th, 1897, at Oakham, in her 87th year, Annie Fox Peake.

The above having written a few words to accompany her Obituary notice, we feel we cannot do better than send them as written, adding therewith a short account of the last days of her pilgrimage.

“If any of my brethren and sisters in the faith should survive me with whom I have walked in soul-union and affection, they may regret that I have not left any record of the Lord’s dealings with my soul; and I am not without a corresponding feeling, but circumstances have never favoured my doing so. When the Lord first commenced an effectual work in my soul, by the ploughshare of the law breaking up the fallow ground of my corrupt nature, and laying conviction of sin upon my conscience, about the year 1833, my father, who was then far advanced in years, and quite unacquainted with Divine teaching, often required my services; and when, about four years afterwards, the Lord appeared as my Deliverer from the direful effects of sin by the sweet and powerful application of Gal. 3:13, I was still as to outward things under such bondage that I could command but little time to myself, and that little I was more desirous to spend in reading the Word, and seeking communion with the Lord, than in any other way. In after years I was called into exercise through the affliction of near ties, and thus through the best, or at least the most marked part of the Lord’s dealings with my soul, the way was never open, nor was it ever really laid upon me to attempt to transcribe things which I was passing through in my own soul.

“After the loss of my dear husband, in 1859, I was engaged in bringing out a memorial of him, and in that little work some exercises of my own are recorded. It has been the Lord’s will that my lot should be cast amongst a portion of the Lord’s poor and afflicted people, towards whom my sympathies and energies have been, called forth, and my time has been occupied for them and on their behalf, which, with a weak body myself, and the frequent ailments of an elder sister, have left me little time and strength, except what was required for rest and recruiting. I have in my latter days passed through much darkness and soul exercise and trial of faith; and this petition of the Psalmist’s has often been mine: ‘Take not the Word of Truth utterly out of my mouth: for I have hoped in thy judgments.’ When enabled to retrace the way the Lord has led me, I have felt that ‘Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.’

“Having separated me by his grace from the world lying in sin and wickedness, and from a mere profession of his name, and having gathered me in heart and affection with his church and people here below, he will never forsake me. ‘He cannot deny himself.’

“At the time I became a member of the church at Providence, Oakham, Psalm 27:4 was my heart’s inmost language; and the Lord heard and answered my desire as to his church below, and I believe he will fulfil it in granting me a place at his right hand for evermore, for nothing less can satisfy the desire he has created. I was baptized by the late beloved Mr. Philpot, May 16th, 1852; and I do bless and praise the Lord that he was pleased to give me a place amongst his people here, which has been a solace to me through so many years, and where I have been caused to see much of his wonder-working hand; and we have passed, as a church, through ‘days of prosperity,’ and now have set over against it, ‘days of adversity;’ and who shall say unto the Lord, ‘What doest thou?’”

On Lord’s day, March 21st, as the departed was anticipating going to chapel, she was seized with a pain, which continuing, Dr. Keal was sent for about 12 o’clock; he went again in the eve, when he thought seriously of her state, sickness setting in which could not be stayed. On the Wednesday it began to be evident that her days were numbered, which she was evidently not unmindful of, nor had she been for some few years past, for in many instances it might be said, “She was setting her house in order.” Her mind was perfectly collected; and as throughout life she was exceedingly mindful of the well-being of others, so now at its close it was just the same; and on the day named, Wednesday, the 24th, she took an affectionate farewell of her two maids, who had faithfully served her for the lengthy period of twenty years and fourteen years respectively, and giving them each a present, said, it would be the last token they would have from her. In the eve, she wished to see a friend to make a few last arrangements with, first mentioning the bearers by name, then her aged and esteemed friend, Mr. Tryon, as wishing him to conduct the funeral. Her quarter’s subscription to the chapel, due on the 25th, she had at hand to give, and then wished to carry her liberality further by asking for a cheque to be made out, by which, on the morrow, she was going to give £50 to the Ministers’ Fund, thus showing her lasting attachment to the place of worship she had helped to maintain so many years, and which, with her late sister, Miss Morris, and the late Dr. Keal, they had erected, and which now stands as a memorial of them. And now that the Lord has seen fit to remove most of the old stakes and pillars, may it please him still to maintain his gracious rule and sway therein. She asked for a portion of Scripture to be read before parting, naming Psalm 114. She had been feeling an inward quietness, though no special blessing; later in the eve, she asked to have read the portion from “Harvested Sheaves” (which, with those of “Baca’s Vale,” she highly esteemed), and said, “What a nice portion!” and then repeated hymn 209 (Gadsby’s). In the night, when very sick, it was said to her, “It is hard work;” when she made reply, “His way was much rougher and darker than mine.”

She also mentioned a letter received from Mr. Tryon in the morning, and being told he sent her a nice message, and that it was hoped the Lord would also send her one; she said, with emphasis, “Ah! that is what I want; I want ‘a present salvation;’” and feelingly quoted, “Come unto me, all ye that labour,” etc., and several other scriptures, particularly the 84th Psalm: “They go from strength to strength.” When asked if that had been helpful to her, she said, “It has been a little sweet to-day, and it has been a help to me many times.” One of her attendants quoting, “Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,” she took it up, and quoted the next verse, “Other refuge have I none;” also many other hymns she repeated parts of, as well as scriptures, as long as her strength permitted; and when she could no longer be distinctly heard, her lips still moved in response or prayer. Almost her last words were expressive of her thoughtfulness of those about her, bidding her sister-in-law and daughter to have their breakfast. At 8 o’clock she had ceased to be able to make herself understood, and about an hour later she breathed her last, thus ending a life that greatly manifested the blessing of the Lord had been abundantly exercised towards her. And it is indeed true, as stated in her own words, that her sympathies and energies had been called forth on the behalf of the Lord’s poor and afflicted people; and as in life, so in and after death it will be manifest by her last will and testament, which a God- honoured minister has said is one in ten thousand, that her love went out towards the poor and needy saints and Christian friends with whom she had felt union of soul; she remembers the Ministers’ Fund, the General Expense Fund, the Members of the Church, the poor of the congregation, the needy and afflicted for some few years to come, the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society, as well as other charities in the town.

The funeral took place on the 29th. Our friend Mr. Tryon, though having complied with her request, was not permitted to carry it out, having been taken with faintness among his own people on Lord’s day, the 28th. It therefore devolved upon Mr. Dennett, as further requested by the departed, and who could commit her remains to the earth in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection. Several friends had gathered at the cemetery to take the last farewell of a valued and judicious member. In the eve, service was held at the chapel, when Mr. Oldfield spoke suitably from James 1:12, the hymns sung being 1055, 664, and 844.

In sending these few thoughts, it cannot be said that her character has been exceeded; on the other hand, there will no doubt be many who would rather exclaim against the friend’s inability to speak to her worth, which he himself has abundant cause to acknowledge is truly the case; and no doubt her many letters and notes, that carried with them enclosures up and down the land, will bear the same witness. N. B.

[The late Mrs. Peake’s life was a long-continued, untiring, valuable, and gracious service. We think the words of the wise man may be appropriately used: “Let her own works praise her in the gate, and give her of the fruit of her hands.” She had received of the Lord’s bounty freely, both in providence and grace; she ministered freely to many who were needy and tried, and that to a much greater extent than any will know but the Lord himself. She sent me two five pound notes on two different occasions, to help in two different causes. Her spirit and disposition savoured sweetly and strongly of him whose pattern she longed to embrace and copy. The Lord be pleased to raise up others to fill the places of the departed, who, like them, shall stand as pillars in the house of the Lord, and be made a blessing indeed to the cause and people of God, and sanctify such deeply felt removals from our midst. Ed.]

Extract from a Note to the Editor of the “Gospel Standard”—Dear Sir, I can sympathize with you in the many difficulties of your position, and I am sure nothing less than divine wisdom and true spiritual help and power is sufficient to guide you aright. Yours very truly,

A. F. Peake

Oakham, June 8th, 1895.