The Annual Monitor for 1851 | Page 6

less valuable parts of the
spiritual building, may ever be honoured amongst us. Such an one was our late friend,
William Binns. It was during his apprenticeship that, under the ministry of two women
friends, engaged in a family visit, he was powerfully awakened to the eternal interests of
his soul, and through divine grace, the impression made, was of so decided a character,
that putting his hand to the Christian plough, he looked not back.
He was greatly concerned for the true welfare of our religious Society, and in the district
in which he resided was eminently useful; caring for the flock over which the good
Shepherd had made him an overseer.
Sterling integrity and uprightness marked his character; his judgment was clear and sound,
and was frequently given in comprehensive and pertinent language, free from all
superfluous expression.
He took a very low estimate of his own attainments, and was humbled under a sense of
his shortcomings; as the shadows of evening were closing around him, he frequently and
feelingly intimated, that there was for him, but one ground of faith and hope, the free
mercy of God in Jesus Christ his Saviour; such was the subject of his frequent expression
to his friends, and they rejoice in the belief that having in his long pilgrimage taken up his
cross, and sought above all things to follow Christ, so in the end he was prepared to enter
into the eternal joys of his Lord.
GEORGE BINNS, Bradford. 52 8mo. 26 1850
EMMA BINNS, Sunderland. Daughter of Henry Binns. 6 8mo. 22 1850
WILLIAM BLACK, Cockermouth. 71 9mo. 20 1849
JOSEPH BLACK, Lisburn. 22 5mo. 23 1850
THOMAS BOWRY, Stepney. 67 4mo. 27 1850
ROBERT WM. BRIGHTWEN, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Son of Charles Brightwen. 4 3mo. 6
1850
THOMAS BROWN, Cirencester. A Minister. 84 10mo. 13 1849
AMELIA BROWN, Luton. A Minister. Wife of Richard Marks Brown. 62 12mo. 7 1849
This beloved friend was privileged beyond many in the pious care exercised in her
religious training. She became early acquainted with the teachings of divine grace, and
from childhood, appears highly to have valued the holy scriptures. It was frequently her

practice to set apart some portion of the day for private retirement and meditation, and in
thus seeking to wait upon the Lord for the renewal of her spiritual strength, she was
favoured to know "times of refreshing," and a growth in "pure and undefiled religion."
She loved the truth in sincerity, and her mind was enriched in the instructive
contemplation of its order, excellence and beauty, and the benign and salutary influence it
has on those who obey its requisitions: fervently she craved for an increase of faith and
strength, that she might be found among the "called, and chosen, and faithful." "I felt,"
she remarks on one occasion, "as if I could make any sacrifice called for; the language of
my mind is almost continually, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits."
Under the apprehension that it would be required of her publicly to bear testimony to the
power and sufficiency of divine grace, her mind was greatly humbled, and under the
pressure of religious exercise, she thus records her feelings: "Sweetly tendered in my
room, and craved for strength, fully and unreservedly, to yield all to Him, who still in
mercy visits me; if consistent with divine goodness, may my mind be more illuminated,
that I may more clearly distinguish between my own will and the Lord's requirings." She
was recorded a minister in 1823; and on this important event she observes: "Feeling some
quietude, humble desires are prevalent that I may indeed be watchful. Dearest Lord! be
pleased to hear my feeble though sincere aspirations after increasing strength and wisdom.
Thou knowest that I feel awfully fearful lest I should bring any shade on thy blessed
cause."
Her connection in married life, introduced her into a large family, the duties of which she
cheerfully performed with maternal solicitude, and she became closely united in bonds of
affection to the several branches of the domestic circle, anxiously promoting their
religious and moral welfare.
In ministry, this dear friend was pertinent and edifying, at times close and searching; in
the exercise of her gift, she travelled at different intervals in several of the English
counties. In the summer of 1848 her health began to decline; her demeanour under pain
and suffering evinced her humble dependence upon the Lord, and the language of her
soul was, "not my will, but thine, oh Father, be done!" Some alleviation was permitted,
and she so far recovered as to be able to assemble with her friends for divine worship; on
these occasions, her communications evinced her undiminished interest in the cause of
truth and righteousness. In the last