The Life And Testimony Of Hannah Dyson

Gospel Standard 1872:

Death. On March 26th, aged 62, Hannah Dyson, of Glossop.

The subject of this memoir was born at Shepley, near Huddersfield, in 1809, of poor, but honest parents. She was the eldest of a large family. As the eldest in large families are generally put to all they can do, especially when the income is small, so it was with Hannah Dyson. Her parents rented a small farm and kept a few cows, and Hannah had all kinds of work to do; yet she never refused to perform her task or murmured at her lot.

At that time education was scarce, and schools were very thinly scattered over the neighbourhood. She was sent to one taught by a female, under whose instruction she soon made proficiency, showing signs of intelligence of no ordinary degree. When old enough for the journey, she was sent to a Sunday school which was two miles away; but her place was very rarely vacant, unless she was prevented from attendance by illness. She loved her school and teacher, and manifested her love by her good conduct. From this Sunday school—not a denominational one—the scholars went to the Methodist chapel in the morning, and to the Independent in the afternoon, as very few Dissenting places of worship then had a school connected with them: The Independents had no stationary minister, but were supplied, at times, by ministers of other denominations, very frequently by the Baptists. Hannah, being an intelligent girl, thought over what she heard at the chapel, and seemed most impressed with the preaching of the Baptist ministers. She made inquiry where they had a place of worship, and found that the nearest was at Clayton West, a village some five miles distant from Shepley. Her parents were thorough Methodists, and consequently Hannah had many struggles of mind in acting out her convictions. But the truth sown in her heart germinated and broke forth with power: Amidst much opposition Hannah started in her Christian journey in company with the Baptists. She had firm hold of Christ’s garment, and neither wind nor weather, friend nor foe, could prevent her following him. She was up early on the Sunday morning, got her domestic duties done, and was off to Clayton West. In fact, nothing but personal or domestic affliction (which was of rare occurrence) could keep her from her post. During the week, in her spare moments at home, she was diligent in searching the word of God, as for hidden treasure, and at her work daily she would have the Bible open before her, trying to come to a knowledge of the truth. The more she searched, the more deeply she was convinced that she was a sinner, and that without a personal interest in the Saviour she must inevitably perish. Thus she laboured until Christ was revealed to her heart, and she obtained the pearl of great price. After she felt a consciousness that her sins were forgiven she was baptized in the open river at Clayton West, by Mr. Higson, jun., in the presence of a great number of spectators. This all came to pass while she was in her teens.

She formed an acquaintance with John Garlick, and eventually got married in her 21st year. In her marriage Hannah did not disgrace her profession, her aim being “to glorify her God below.”

In 1832, Hannah with her husband and family removed to Glossop. Here she found a home amongst her own people. Hannah went to Charlesworth chapel, amongst the late Mr. Gadsby’s friends, as long as her strength endured. A prayer meeting was held at her house during the week, and Hannah was always glad when those times of refreshing came.

After becoming the mother of fourteen children, eight of whom are living, she lost her husband, and was left in trying circumstances; but in course of time she became the wife of David Dyson, who still remains to mourn his loss.

During her life she was a strong, healthy woman, always used to hard work, and plenty of it.

About a year ago she was taken ill, and all who saw her said she could not continue long, as the attack was very severe. It was distressing to see her, and she desired to be gone. The doctor who attended her said that she would go out like the snuff of a candle; but she rallied for a few months, during which time she attended to her household duties, and went once to chapel. That place of worship she had attended upwards of 30 years, going to it all weathers, though it was two good miles from her residence. She would put some little refreshment in a handkerchief or basket, and stay morning and afternoon services. The chapel was opened in 1836 by the late Mr. Gadsby; Mr. Beard became the minister, and afterwards the late Mr. George Drake. Mrs. Dyson was one of the chief supporters. She was greatly attached to Mr. Gadsby, and was often much blessed under his ministry, and scarcely ever heard him preach without receiving a blessing. On one occasion, particularly, she spoke of hearing him from Ps. 84:11. She was also much attached to Mr. Kershaw, and once especially was blessed under him when preaching from Ps. 115:12, 13. She used to go to Manchester by coach, there being then no railway at Glossop; and when asked where she had been, having heard Mr. G., she would sometimes say, “I’ve been having roast beef today.” For 43 years up to the time of her death, she always had bed and board for the ministers who came to Charlesworth to supply, and would tell them of God’s dealings with her, and of his leading her into the green pastures and beside the still waters. The younger ministers, especially, felt it a privilege to be in her company.

When the chapel at Charlesworth was opened, not only was it crowded, but there were more people in the yard than in the chapel; so Mr. G. stood against an open window and preached to all at once.

She was seized with another attack about New Year’s day. Her sufferings were extreme. Her family, scattered now in various parts of the country, friends, and relatives came to see her in her last affliction. She used to say that the windows of heaven were opened. She had been a great reader, and had always a passage of scripture ready for every occasion. All her children, except two, came to see her before she died. A short time before she expired, one of her sons stayed with her during the night, and read several psalms, Jn. 14, 1 Cor. 15, and some of her favourite hymns:

“Rock of Ages.”

“‘When languor and disease invade,” &c.

Her mind seemed to take in every word, and she often said, “Yes, that’s me.” There was a number of the “Gospel Standard” lying on the drawers, with an account of the death of the late Miss Gadsby, and also of Mrs. Gadsby. She requested me to read it over several times. I did so. “Ah!” she said, “John Gadsby has had his troubles, and so have I; but the Lord puts no more on us than we are able to bear.” She gave everyone of her children a blessing. She was like old Jacob. She had them all near her, and had a fitting word for all of them, according to their tempers and circumstances. Her illness was not a common one. The symptoms were of the most severe character.

The Thursday before she died she was convulsed. On the Sunday it was evident that she was fast sinking. She said what a blessing it would be to spend the first Sabbath with her beloved Jesus in heaven. While she had strength she talked of going to that blessed rest which she had been seeking for 45 years. At noon on the Sunday she was in a dying state, she fell into a kind of stupor about ten o’clock, which continued all night; and during Monday she was partially unconscious, and her speech was affected; but even then she kept saying, “Crown him Lord of all.” She lingered until a quarter past four o’clock on Tuesday morning, March 26th, when she passed away without a struggle. Her last words were, “For Christ’s sake. Amen! Amen!”

“During the last days of mother,” writes one of her sons, “I was much with her. The whole theme of her conversation was her Saviour, and going to that better land.”

The children of this good woman have received from Mr. John Sykes, one of her intimate friends, the following testimony of the worth of their departed mother:

“It pleased God, who is rich in mercy, to call your dear mother by his grace in early life, which grace enabled her to choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. She felt like Ruth, when she said, ‘Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.’ She had many trials to contend with when young, but the Lord enabled her to bear them all with patience. She looked to him who has said, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ She was much attached to the Particular Baptist denomination to which she was united. She loved all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth. I have spent many profitable hours with her in Christian conversation and when I was cast down she would point me to God’s promises, to his unchangeableness, and say, ‘He rests in his love, and none can change him.’ She was often cast down herself, and she knew well how to speak a word of comfort to them that were in trouble. She had very humble views of herself, but high views of Christ, her Saviour. In a word, she was a poor sinner, and nothing at all; but Jesus Christ was her all and in all.

“Never did I meet with a woman who was better acquainted with the scriptures. She would often stay up at night when the rest of the family were gone to bed, spending the time in prayer and reading God’s word. She was well acquainted with God’s dealings with the Old Testament saints. She lived to the praise of him who called her out of darkness into his marvellous light. She had much sympathy with others that were in need, and would help them so far as her circumstances would allow. She was a good wife, an affectionate mother, ruling well her own house, having her children in subjection. We cannot but admire that grace that kept and preserved her through life, and brought her up out of the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved; and now she is safe in heaven, a sinner saved by grace.”

One of her daughters says:

“I cannot allow a memorial notice of my dear mother to appear without trying to say a few words about her. She was truly a good mother, loved her children, and always tried to do them all the good she could, both temporal and spiritual. We all loved her, and when she was removed from us by death we felt our best friend on earth had left us. She was a woman that loved her Bible, and the word shone out in her daily life. She loved the Old Testament most where it related to Christ.” 

G. Hester

Sheffield