From N. Clapham at Horsley to Mary Fletcher at Madeley. Fletcher's letter was received and Clapham can inform her that Clapham's dear mother [Anne Walker] is regaining her health and hopefully, by the blessing of God, will be restored to perfect fitness. She is still very weak as she has been confined to her room for three months. For much of that time, her death was expected daily. Early one Saturday afternoon, she was seized with some kind of fit which they feared would result in imminent death. 'She lay for some moments speechless but at length broke out into such heavenly language as I never before heard. She first gave us an account of what she felt in her own soul, telling us death had lost it's sting and instead of a king of terrors appeared to her as a welcome messenger…she took a very affecting leave of her children exhorting us to seek the Lord with our whole hearts. She then distinctly counted eight and said the Lord has just given me this promise I will contend with them that contend with thee and I will save thy children …not a hoof shall be left behind but in that great day it will be [unreadable word] to my Father…
[John] Booth the assistant preacher came and visited her in the evening. She talked with him a great deal that night and the next morning gave him a detailed account of her experiences. She prayed most fervently for the Methodists and particularly for [John] Wesley and the preachers. She continued like this fora fortnight and then her condition seemed to gradually decline. The Lord was not however hid from her for as much as one moment and indeed 'the prospect of glory seemed to brighten more and more every day…we never saw the least prospect of her getting better till the week before last since then she has got a little strength and can walk over the room by taking old of my father's arm'. She has been reduced to a skeleton and the apothecary who attends her, says that he has never seen such a miraculous recovery.
With regard to God's work in this area, it is 'livelier' at present than for some time. The societies are and there are two classes at Horsley. In Clapham's class, there are several new members who seem to be coming along well. There is preaching in the warehouse every Sunday night attended by very large congregations and there is seemingly good prospects. There appears to be a great awakening around Thong and indeed throughout every part of this circuit the preachers are reporting good things.
Clapham's mother says that her work is to pray for a glorious revival and to rejoice over the same. She has not seen [Elizabeth] Ritchie nor received a line from her since she came home. Clapham had a letter from her [Ritchie] about three months ago, which mentioned Fletcher but there was no particular message for Clapham's mother. Spiritual matters are discussed with regard to Clapham's own progress and feelings of inadequacy.
Clapham's parents join with Mrs Walker in sending their love.
Notes
- Anne Walker (d.1787). Little is known about Walker, who also bore the surname Clapham, presumably from a previous marriage. A detailed account of her last illness was printed in the Arminian Magazine 1788 for 1788 and a manuscript account of the same is also contained within the Fletcher-Tooth collection. At the time of her death she had a husband and several adult children and was living at Honley near Leeds. She was a devout Methodist and was acquainted with several prominent female Methodists including Mary Fletcher and Elizabeth Ritchie. Source: Arminian Magazine 1788, p.188 and Fletcher-Tooth collection (MAM/FL/2/1/7-8)
- John Booth (d.1820) was converted in early life and entered the Wesleyan itinerancy in 1779. He served as a circuit minister in England and Wales until he superannuated due to ill health in 1818. He retired to Knaresborough in Yorkshire where he died, just a few days after his Wife. His obituary in the Conference minutes describes him as being 'of plain, useful talents and much Christian zeal… a man of great simplicity of manners and sincerity of heart'. Source: Minutes of Conference 1820 and An Alphabetical Arrangement of Wesleyan Methodist Preachers…1739-1818, compiled by Kenneth B. Garlick (1975)
- Elizabeth Ritchie (1754-c.1835) was born in Otley, Yorkshire, the daughter of a naval surgeon. Ritchie's parents were Methodists and John Wesley often stayed at their home. As a young woman, Ritchie attended her local parish church and regarded Methodism with some hostility. Converted in 1772 she was appointed a class leader and became influential in the Otley Methodist society as a teacher and spiritual advisor. After 1780 she travelled quite extensively and corresponded with many leading evangelicals especially John Wesley, who summoned her to his side during his final illness. She was a close friend of the preacher Sarah Crosby. In 1801 she married Harvey Walklate Mortimer and settled in London where she resumed her role as a class leader. Source: Dictionary of Evangelical Biography, edited by Donald Lewis (1995) and Encyclopedia of World Methodism (1974)