The Life And Testimony Of Ann Carter

Gospel Standard 1897:

Death. On Feb. 26th, 1896, aged 82, Ann, widow of the late Joseph Carter, of Bampton, Oxon.

My dear mother was not a scribe, therefore I shall write what I have had from her own lips at intervals. I do not know the exact time she was sailed by grace, but she was awakened to her sinnership under a Primitive Methodist minister. She was very reserved, but a lover of peace. She went to live at Holwell, four miles from Alvescot. While there she opened upon the 1003rd hymn (Gadsby’s Selection), which contained the very breathings of her soul; she copied it, and treasured it up as her own. She walked to and fro to Alvescot until she was married. Many times she went with a heavy heart, and returned home like a giant refreshed with new wine. She was then called a “sister of mercy,” for many times she has been the bearer of mercies to her poor brethren at Alvescot from Mrs. and Miss P. L., causing her joy and gladness in so doing.

In 1834 she was baptized, with many others. She was married to my dear father, Jan. 12th, 1837. Having a large family, she had many trials, which she bore with great fortitude. She was a good helpmeet, a wife from the Lord. My dear father read the above copied hymn, as the Lord would have it, which was greatly blessed to his own soul; so they both wept and rejoiced together. For many years they opened their house for prayer and preaching, until the little chapel was opened at Bampton. The late Mr. Godwin, Mr. Doe, and Mr. Emery, preached in the room, which were very special seasons to my father and mother, and many others that are now in glory. I have heard my mother say that when it was broken up, she felt as though her all was gone; but still she was the recipient of many blessings at Alvescot and Bampton. In 1866, at my baptism, Mr. Doe said to my mother, “What a blessing it is to godly parents to see their children walking in the truth.” She said, “Yes, and I believe I shall live to see more of my children come up out of that water.” In 1876 the Lord brought it about, but it was a time of sorrow and joy mingled together: my brother J.’s wife lay dead, and my brother L. was brought home dangerously ill, which tried dear mother exceedingly. She said, ‘’’All these things are against me;’ I shall be disappointed.” But the Lord so over-ruled it that she had the privilege of seeing two sons, two daughters, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, with seven others, baptized. In 1882 it pleased the Lord to take my youngest sister to himself. My dear parents were much supported under the bereavement, and could say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In 1889 they were also bereaved of their third son, and were blessed with a good hope that it was well with him. My parents strove to their utmost to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, not by teaching them religion, but by prayer and supplication. In 1890 the friends made my dear parents a Christmas present my father a nice chair, and my mother a down quilt, in consideration of my father’s long service to the church at A. and B.

In 1891 it pleased the Lord to lay his afflicting hand upon them both. They were much favoured in this affliction, especially one night after hearing my brother read a portion out of Isaiah and engage in prayer. They were so blessed, they talked the greater part of the night of the Lord’s goodness.

Owing to circumstances of a painful nature, our little farm was sold, which put my parents into very great straits. Their way was so hedged up, they knew not which way to take. My father had it on his mind to go to America. My mother said she would rather die than go. She said, “All these things are against us.” Our late dear friend Mr. Doe came in at the time; he felt for them, and tried to encourage my dear mother. He said, “Mrs. Carter, I believe the Lord will appear for you in his own good time. Sometimes the Lord moves wicked men to make room for his own people;” which proved to be true, for in a short time the farm fell into their hands, and is still in the hands of the family. ” God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

In 1893 the Lord was pleased to remove her dear partner, which we feared would crush her; but the Lord was better to us than all our fears, for she was greatly supported under the bereavement. On the day of the funeral she said, “How can I sink with such a prop, That holds the world and all things up?”

Early in 1894 she was laid on the bed of affliction, and brought so low that we thought the Lord was going to take her from us; but she was raised up again. She was favoured, at intervals, during this affliction. She had many kind friends to visit her, but was more at liberty to speak to Mr. B. of the Lord’s goodness to her soul. She longed to be gone; she felt as though she could welcome the grave as her bed. Since this affliction she told me how she had travailed in soul for dear father, when he sunk so low in mind that he thought he never should rise again. One morning, when making her bed, she was in agony of soul for him; but the Lord encouraged her with a portion of his word: “When he is tried, he shall come forth as gold;” which gave her great relief. She went and told my father, who said to her, “How do you know that the Bible is true?” which cut her through and through. But the Lord gave her another portion: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” She felt assured that the Lord would raise him up out of this horrible pit, which he did, to the honour and glory of his holy name, so that they wept and rejoiced together. She could adopt the language of the Psalmist: ”Bless the Lord, O my soul.” She has often said, “How I do miss your dear father.” I said, “Don’t you long to be with him?” She said, “I must be honest, for I still feel a cleaving to the earth. I sometimes feel the separation is for ever. I have many fears that I shall not hold out to the end. I do want enduring grace.”

It was now quite evident that the Lord was anointing her for her burial. I have often heard her, in the night watches, praying for her children and for the church at large, and for our little hill of Zion, that the Lord would add unto its number such that would be eternally saved. The two last Sabbaths she was out she was extra cheerful. Many times have I heard her repeat a verse of her favourite hymn (667), which was greatly blessed to her many years ago:

“O that my soul could love and praise him more, 

His beauties trace, his majesty adore!

Live near his heart, upon his bosom lean,

Obey his voice; and all his will esteem!”

The last Saturday she was up, when going to bed, she said so heartily, 

“‘Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by thy help I’m come; 

And I hope, by thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.'” 

On Sunday morning I awoke with those lines:

“At home or abroad, on the land, on the sea,

As thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be.”

I told her what I awoke with. She said, “The Lord is about to take me from you: 

‘All must come, and last and end, 

As it please our heavenly Friend.’

‘If thou press on, the clouds will fly, 

Or if thou faint, to Jesus cry,

And he will send supplies.'”

She was taken about mid-day on the 21st February with a violent pain at the heart, from which she has suffered for many years. She said to me, “This is agony, but the Lord’s will must be done.” The doctor requested the family to be sent for at once; he thought she would not last many hours; but she revived, and was able to speak to her children at intervals. Once she said, “I do want my dear children to be brought into one bundle the bundle of eternal life.” To my sister and brother she said, 

“Other refuge have I none: 

Hangs my helpless soul on thee; 

Leave, ah! leave me not alone; 

Still support and comfort me.”

A few hours before she died she had a sharp battle with the enemy; she conquered him with these words: “Moses said, he would rather suffer with the people of God.” He then departed from her, no more to return. Her last words were, “Precious Jesus; praise him, praise him; home for evermore.” She was buried by Mr. Ashdown, whom she greatly loved and esteemed for the truth’s sake. He preached an appropriate sermon at Bampton in the evening from Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” She leaves ten children to mourn her loss. 

M. Carter