The Life And Testimony Of Arthur Triggs

Zion’s Witness 1858:

To The Editor Of “Zion’s Witness”:

Dear Sir,—It is seldom that the pen of your writers is employed in describing the history of one so eminently taught to preach the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as was our dear departed brother Mr. Arthur Triggs. With what simplicity, power, and grandeur did he set forth the covenant love of Jehovah in His Trinity of persons, as being all engaged to ensure the salvation of lost and ruined man; of the union which exists between Christ and His body the Church,—He the Head, we the members; and of our being complete in Him. Led by the Holy Ghost to enjoy a personal interest in that union, he was often wont to adopt a higher tone of expression than could many others; and although he well knew that this brought him many enemies, among whom were to be found even professors of the gospel, he was not thereby in the least daunted; for he did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men would hear or whether they would forbear. Founded on Christ and His resurrection, he was led for some time past to look forward to the article of death with composure and delight, often longing to depart and to be with Christ which is far better. When the time of his departure was at hand, his faith and hope in God were not shaken; for when an interval of apparent ease was experienced from the excruciating pains of the disease under which he laboured, he would say to those around him, “I am waiting for my dear Lord to take me home.” From the nature of my engagements I was prevented from visiting him during his illness as often as some others; but on going to his bed­ side with my wife a few days before the vital spark had fled, he held out his hand to us both, and seeing that we felt as though we were taking our final farewell, he said, “Don’t be concerned on my account; I am going home quite safe.”

On Wednesday the 10th of August, being in his usual waiting posture, (for he was deprived for a time of both speech and vision) he breathed his last in the bosom of his God; and on Monday his remains were interred in Norwood Cemetery, awaiting the final resurrection. His funeral was attended by a numerous train of persons clad in sable attire, the most of whom were those who had attended his ministry for nearly twenty years past, whose countenances portrayed the sorrow which they endured in their hearts, that they should no more see him in the flesh. His bereaved widow and family will, by his decease, experience a heavy privation, and those who visited them most can testify to the tender solicitude which he during his life-time evinced on their account.

In concluding these remarks I would state, that there are others often terrified at shadows. What is there in death for a believer to dread? Nothing, when his eye is fixed upon Him who hath plucked and carried away the sting; but when, like Peter, the eye is off the Master, down we go; and unless He is pleased to lay hold of us, we should sink like lead.

We should hail with pleasure the appearance of the second part of dear Triggs’ life, his letters, and sermons, bound in separate volumes. Who will undertake the task? We have no doubt Zion would reap the benefit, and are well sure Zion’s King would get glory.

The first letter we ever received from our departed brother we shall never forget. It is now nine years ago; and well do we remember the soul trouble we were in, together with a severe thorn in the flesh. One thing in the letter is still fresh upon our mind: after blessing the Lord on our behalf for what He had done for us, he stated, “and we know what God doeth it shall be for ever, nothing can be taken from it nor added to it.” Many, many times since it has arisen in the mind with much sweetness.

We have never had occasion to alter our opinion of dear Triggs as a faithful ambassador of peace; and though thousands of tongues have been employed against him, we can bless the Lord he never allowed ours to be thus used. That he had his infirmities was evident; and was a creature of like passions with ourselves; but who can cast a stone at him, if led into the mystery of iniquity lurking in one’s own heart? Who, indeed! However, he is now past all praise or blame; and we can adopt the language of scripture—holding head and members—in saying, “The memory of the just is blessed;” and, “The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.”

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From what we have heard of our brother’s ministry, he was the most useful at “Trinity Chapel,” Plymouth, and “Zion Chapel,” Waterloo Road, London; the latter place especially. But he is now no more! Where is he? “Where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are for ever at rest.” Where is he now? In the same arms that he was in in eternity. Upon whom is he now gazing? The same altogether-glorious Person—only without a vail between—he was privileged to look upon here. Who does he walk with now? The same Lord and Master he walked with below. Christ was all in all to Arthur Triggs here, and He can but be all in all to him there. Here, he was highly-favoured indeed! being sweetly instructed by the Spirit of light and revelation into the sublime mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; but there, he knoweth even as he was known. Here, he bore the image of the earthly as well as the heavenly; but there all semblance to a fallen head is eternally unknown. While below he was compelled to alternately sigh and sing; but now eternal Hallelujahs bursts from his enraptured heart In this lowland of sorrow no small share of tribulation fell to his lot; but now he has passed its boundary, and enjoys uninterrupted peace. In this wilderness he was exposed to enemies of almost every kind and character: not so there; for,

“Within the sapphire walls is found

A golden pavement for the ground,—

A sea of purest glass;

Where all the blood-bought saints can sing. 

Who through the pearly gates came in,

But foes can never pass.

‘Tis there the saints all walk in white, 

And gaze with infinite delight

Upon the Lamb of God:

No foes or fears, nor sighs or pains. 

But songs in sweetest noblest strains

Of Jesu’s precious blood.

Our brother, then, beloved saints, is inhaling the pure air of the Paradise above, and has for ever dropped the plaintive note.

While he ever strikes the higher, 

Most sweetly on his golden lyre.

And now, O Lord, we would pray thee, as thou hast seen fit to take our brother, and thy child, to thyself, because thou didst want him more above than thy church needed him below, do in love and mercy equip and qualify another to take his place upon Zion’s ramparts. Thou, O Lord, knowest what is best for thy people; and, as none but thee can lead us to pray for what thou wilt grant, do in much love and mercy lead us to ask aright, praying in the Spirit. If consistent with thy blessed pleasure, send forth a man after thine own heart with a double portion of thy Spirit resting upon him, that he may speak of the mysteries of thy spiritual kingdom as recorded in thy word, and as set up in the souls of thy believing people. This, O this, favour do be pleased to grant, O Lord, our Covenant Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit. Thine outcasts will soon be gathered in; thy sheep will soon be enfolded; and thy jewels will shortly bedeck thy crown to an eternal day. Thy voice shall soon be heard speaking the world back again into its non-existence, and calling thy ransomed home to ever enjoy the heights of thy love, the depths of thy goodness, and the lengths and breadths of eternal glory. Till then, keep us as dear children waiting and watching for thee, our Lord, to come; when.

We all shall see thy lovely face,

And ever rest in thy embrace.

The Editor

Plymouth, August, 1859