The Life And Ministry Of Marry Bennett
Earthen Vessel 1895
The Late Mrs. Bennett
Many readers of the Earthen Vessel and Gospel Herald in the counties of Surrey, Sussex, Kent and elsewhere, will receive with deep regret the announcement of the death of Mary Randell Bennett, the beloved wife of Mr. W. Bennett, of Wellesley-road, Croydon, formerly of Chelwood House, Burgess-hill, Sussex, where, for a great number of years, she almost entirely supported the Baptist chapel there. Her translation from earth to heaven took place November 12, 1894, aged 60. Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Daynes Wood, at one time minister of Wilderness-row Strict Baptist Church.
Early in life Mrs. Bennett was, by the Holy Spirit’s influence, brought to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the grace of God, was enabled during the whole of her life to keep herself “unspotted from the world.” The departed was favoured to hold much sweet intercourse and fellowship with her blessed Lord and Saviour. This produced in her a truly humble mind, which bore fruit in a sympathetic and unselfish disposition towards her fellow-creatures and to the honour and glory of her God, and was therefor an ornament to her profession. Her chief enjoyment was in the service of Him who had made her a partaker of His saving grace and mercy.
Though highly favoured in God’s good and kind providence, she was not without trials; yet, “with the promised land in view,” she was cheerful and kind to all with whom she came in contact. For some time she was deprived of her natural eye-sight, but the eye of faith grew stronger and with joy “Beheld the land that was far off,” and longed, out of love to His dear name, to be there where “Pleasure in perfection is.”
November 4, she was at chapel, bright and cheerful, and said to a friend, “I am looking forward with fond anticipation to the land of far distances.’”
November 8, she took to her bed. On the 10th, she asked me to read. I read to her John 17. She commented very sweetly on verses 4,8,13, 24, and we sang one of her favorite hymns. On the Saturday (10th), Mr. Copeland called to see her, when she said, “I am going to heaven, not on account of any merit on my part, but, because Jesus Christ came to save poor needy sinners, and through grace divine I am one.” A little while before she entered into the joy of her Lord, she repeated the verse:
“The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to His foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
Almost her last words were: “I’m firm on the Rock.” As long as life lasts I shall never forget that voice so dear to me.
November 19, her remains were interred in the cemetery, Walstead, Lind-field, Sussex, service being conducted by Messrs. Standing and Camp. A great number of friends gathered round the grace, and suitable hymns were sung.
Among the relatives and friends were Mr. Bennett, Miss M. A Miles (adopted daughter), Mr. And Mrs T. Daynes Wood and family, Mr. And Mrs. Scrase and family, Mr. And Mrs. Miles, and Miss Luckens, Mrs. G Miles, the Misses Randells, Mr. And Mrs. Knott, Miss Robinson, F. Smith (a child of her many prayers), and a great number of others.
The funeral sermon was preached on Sunday evening, November 25, by Mr. J. J. Copeland, pastor of Derby-road, Croydon, from the text, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8), from which Mr. Copeland delivered a most solemn discourse.
The loss of Mrs. Bennett will be mourned by many, especially so by Mary Anne Miles.
49, Wellesley-road, Croydon
Mary Randell Bennett (1834-1894) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. For many years she almost single-handedly supported the church meeting at Wellesley-road, Croydon.
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