The Life And Testimony Of Maria M’Kenzie
Gospel Standard 1871:
Death. On June 6th, aged 49, Maria M’Kenzie, a member of the church at Zoar, Preston, and widow of the late John M’Kenzie, formerly one of the editors of this magazine.
In early life she belonged to the Church of England, but, on Mr. M’Kenzie going forth to preach the truth in Preston and the neighbourhood, she was led to hear him, and the word was made a blessing to her soul. She cast in her lot with the people, and was baptized. She was afterwards taken seriously ill in London while Mr. M’Kenzie was supplying there; but God, in his mercy, raised her up again, and she was enabled to bless his dear name for his goodness in her recovery. Afterwards she had to suffer another and a far heavier affliction in the loss of her husband; but she was enabled to look forward to the time when she would join him in a better country, never more to be separated; and, being one of those of God’s family who are called to pass through much affliction of body, sometimes she was unable to attend the means of grace; but she used to say her desire and her love would go forth that God would bless the word preached; and, though absent in body, she was present with them in spirit, and marked the time of the prayer and sermons, when the minister would be engaged.
She had a clear view of her own state as a poor helpless sinner, and of the precious truths of the gospel. She loved a living religion in the soul, and was a kind and dear lover and supporter of God’s house and ordinances. She knew very well from experience that
“To him everything we owe,
Above what the fiends have in hell.”
And when the last sickness came, she said to the doctor, “Don’t be afraid to tell me the worst; for I am quite prepared to hear it, whether it is life or death.” We fondly hoped she would be spared.
She had two very powerful manifestations of God’s love to her soul, and she was enabled to say, “Death has lost its sting. He that has kept me hitherto will not leave me at last.” Hymn 468: “Death is no more a frightful foe,” Ps. 23, and Jn. 14 were much blessed to her. She sent her last love to the church at Zoar by her brother-in-law, Mr. Ainscow, and told him to express her dying love and attachment to all of them, and that the truths she had so long professed and loved were now in death most dear to her.
She ordered £5 to be sent to our annual collection, about three weeks before her death. When any of the friends belonging to the chapel visited her, she told them how precious Christ was to such a vile, undeserving sinner, and how good he was to her in making her resigned to his will, and giving her a good hope through grace of her interest in the Redeemer’s blood.
She gradually grew weaker, and quietly breathed her last.
Mr. Taylor consigned her body to its mother earth, and spoke at her grave with confidence of the glorious inheritance and the sure resurrection that awaited all the family of God, and eternal life in heaven for them.
J. H.
Maria M’Kenzie (1822-1871) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. She was the wife of gospel preacher John M’Kenzie and a member of the church meeting at Preston.
