The Life And Testimony Of Mary Ann Booth
Gospel Standard 1929:
Death. Mary Ann Booth, Widow Of The Late John Booth, Of Bradford, Aged 69 Years.
The Lord has been pleased in His wisdom to solemnly visit us again at Bradford, and to remove suddenly from our midst dear Mrs. Booth, the loving helpmeet of our late, beloved pastor. For some time her eyesight had been rapidly failing, and an operation for cataract had been performed in the Eye and Ear Hospital; but about ten days after, the heart suddenly gave way, and she passed away in a moment or two. Mrs. Booth was a humble walker and a consistent, devoted attendant at the means of grace. She longed for brighter evidences, clearer sight, and more decided tokens of the love of Christ to her soul; but her faith was manifested in her walk, in the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, and in a deep desire for the welfare and prosperity of Zion. Oh how she grieved over the inconsistent attendance of some, and the absence of sober-mindedness in others; and how she looked, and we believe prayed, for the Lord’s blessing to rest upon the preached word in our midst!
At her marriage in 1881 she came first amongst our denomination, worshipping with her husband at Providence Chapel, Thurlstone. She seems to have been much encouraged under the preaching of Messrs. Stevens and Garrard, who supplied at this time; and in 1895 she was baptised by Mr. F. S. M’Kee. Since the commencement of Mr. Booth’s pastorate, she has been a member with us at Bradford.
She believed so thoroughly in the separating work of the Holy Spirit in calling her loved one to the work of the ministry, that she was enabled to submit with some degree of cheerfulness to the interference this must needs have made in their domestic life. She watched him, and could feel for him in his exercises. She knew the meaning of privation in early days, and the cares and anxieties of bringing up a large family; and two sons and three daughters survive. She shielded him from much that she thought would perplex his mind or interfere with his meditations, and undertook the chief responsibility in the management of the home.
May He who hath helped us hitherto, so sanctify this additional loss that we as a church may be brought to feel that humbling under His mighty hand which is the prelude to the exalting in due time.
W. B. G. V.
Mary Ann Booth (1860-1929) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. She was the wife of John Booth, pastor for thirty years of the church meeting at Zoar Particular Baptist Church, Bradford.
