and shining light, Jane Cooper. As she was both a living and a dying
24. Near the end of this year, God called to himself that burning and shining light, Jane Cooper. As she was both a living and a dying witness of Christian perfection, it is appropriate to include here a brie! account of her death, with one of her own letters containing a plain and sincere telling of how it pleased God to work that great change in her soul:
May 2, 1761 I believe while memory remains in me, gratitude will conGalatians 5:5-6: tinue. From the time you preached on Galatians 5:5, I saw
"For through the Spirit, by faith, clearly the true state of my soul. That sermon described my we eagerly wait for the hope of heart and what it wanted to be, namely truly happy. You righteousness. For in Christ Jesus read Mr. M—'s letter, and it described the religion I desired. neither circumcision nor uncircumFrom that time the prize appeared in view, and I was enabled cision counts for anything; the only to follow hard after it. I was kept watching unto prayer, thing that counts is faith working sometimes in much distress, at other times in patient expectathrough love." tion of the blessing.
For some days before you left London, my soul lingered on a promise I had applied to me in prayer: "The Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple."* I believed he would, and that he would sit there as a refiner's fire.
Memorial accounts such as this one of Jane Cooper were common among the early Methodists. SimiThe Tuesday after you went, I thought I could not sleep unless he fulfilled his word that night. I never knew as I did then the force of these words: "Be still, and know that I am
God."' I became nothing before God, and enjoyed perfect calmness in my soul. I knew not whether God had destroyed my sin, but I desired to know so that I might praise God.
Yet I soon found the return of unbelief and, being burdened, I groaned. lar accounts regularly appeared in The Arminian Magazine, published by Wesley beginning in 1778.
Their role was to be an inspiration to others, that they may change and live lives of holiness.
On Wednesday I went to London and sought the Lord without ceasing. I promised I would praise him if he would save me from sin. I could part with all things so that I might win Christ. But I found all these pleas to be worth nothing, and that if Christ saved me, it must be freely, for his own name's sake.
On Thursday I was tempted so much that I thought of destroying myself or never again conversing with the people of God. And yet I had no doubt of God's pardoning love, but, '*Twas worse than death my God to love, And not my God alone.
On Friday my distress was deepened. I tried to pray and could not. I went to Mrs. D., who prayed for me and told me it was the death of nature. I opened the Bible on, "The fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone." I could not bear it. I opened again, on Mark 16:6-7: "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, .
. go, tell his disciples .
. . that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him" (NRSV). I was encouraged, and enabled to pray, believing I should see Jesus at home.
I returned that night, and found Mrs. G. She prayed for me; and the Predestinarian had no plea but, "Lord, thou art no respecter of persons."'' He proved he was not by blessing me. I was in a moment enabled to lay hold on Jesus Christ, and found salvation by simple faith. He assured me that the Lord, the King, was in the midst of me and that I should predestinarian: a person who believes in the doctrine of predestination, which teaches that God has foreordained all things, especially that God has elected certain see evil no more. I now blessed him who had visited and redeemed me and had become my "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."" I saw Jesus altogether lovely and knew that he was mine in all his offices. Glory be souls to eternal salvation and others to eternal punishment to him. Christ now reigns in my heart without a rival. I find no will but his. I feel no pride, nor any affection but for him.
O all that pass by, To Jesus draw near, I know it is by faith I stand. Watching in prayer must be the guard of faith. I am happy in God this moment, and I believe for the next. I have often read the chapter you menHe utters a cry; Ye sinners, give ear!
From hell to retrieve you, He spreads out his hands; Now, now to receive you He gration, 1 Corinthians 13, and compared my heart and life with it. In so doing, I feel my shortcomings and the need I have of the atoning blood. Yet I dare not say, I do not feel a measure of the love described there, though I am not all I shall be. I ciously stands.
If any man thirst, And happy would be, The vilest and worst May come unto me; May drink of my spirit (Excepted is desire to be lost in that "love which passes knowledge."" I see "the just shall live by faith,"'* and to me, who is less than the least of all saints, is this grace given. If I were an archangel, I would veil my face before him and let silence speak none), Lay claim to my merit, And take for his praise!" his own.
Whoever receives The life-giving word, The following account is given by one who was an eyewitness to what she relates:
In Jesus believes, His God and his Lord, In him a pure river Of life shall arise,
Shall in the believer Spring up to the (1) In the beginning of November she seemed to have a premonition of what was coming upon her and frequently used to sing these words: skies.
My God and my Lord! Thy call I obey; My soul on thy word Of promise I stay; Thy kind invitation I gladly embrace; When pain o'er this weak flesh prevails,
With lamb-like patience arm my breast.
Athirst for salvation, Salvation by grace And when she sent word to me to let me know she was
O hasten the hour! Send down from ill, she wrote in her note, "I suffer the will of Jesus. All he sends is sweetened by his love. I am as happy as if I heard a above The spirit of power, Of health, and of voice say, love; Of filial fear, Of knowledge and grace, Of wisdom, of prayer, Of joy, and of For me my elder brethren stay, And angels beckon me away, And Jesus bids me come!" praise:
The spirit of faith, Of faith in thy (2) Upon my telling her, "I cannot choose life or death for you," she said, "I asked the Lord that if it was God's will, I might die first. And he told me you should survive me and blood, Which saves us from wrath, And brings us to God, Removes the huge mountain Of that you should close my eyes." When we realized that she had smallpox, I said to her, "My dear, you will not be frightened if we tell you what your disorder is." She said, "I cannot be fearful at God's will." indwelling sin, And opens a fountain That washes us clean.
(3) The disease was soon very heavy upon her, but her faith was strengthened that much more. Tuesday, November
Collection, #3 16, she said to me, "I have been worshiping before the
throne in a glorious manner. My soul was listening to God!"
I said, "Did the Lord give you any particular promise?"
"No," she replied, "it was all That sacred awe that dares not move, And all the silent heaven of love.
Us who climb thy holy hill (4) On Thursday, upon my asking, "What have you to say to me?" she said, "Nay, nothing but what you know already: God is love." I asked, "Have you any particular promise?" She replied, "I do not seem to want any. I can live without. I shall die a lump of deformity but shall meet you all-glorious. In the meantime, I shall still have fellowship with your spirit."
A general blessing make; Let the world our influence feel, Our gospel-grace partake:
Grace to help in time of need, Pour down on sinners from above, All thy Spirit's fullness shed, In showers of heavenly love.
(5) Mr. M. asked what she thought was the most excelMake our earthy souls a field lent way to walk in and what were its chief obstacles. She answered, "The greatest obstacle is generally from the natuWhich God delights to bless;
Let us in due season yield ral personality. It was mine to be reserved, to be very quiet,
The fruits of righteousness; Make us trees of paradise, Which more and more thy praise to suffer much and to say little. Some may think one way more excellent, and some another; but the thing is to live in the will of God. For some months past, when I have been particularly devoted to this, I have felt such a guidance of God's Spirit. The anointing I have received from the Holy
One has so taught me of all things that I did not need any human to teach me, except as this anointing teaches." may show, Deeper sink, and higher rise, And to perfection grow.
Collection, #412 (6) On Friday morning she said, "I believe I shall die."
She then sat up in her bed and said, "Lord, I bless you, that you are ever with me, and all you have is mine. Your love is greater than my weakness, greater than my helplessness, greater than my unworthiness. Lord, you say to corruption,
"You are my sister!' Glory be to you, O Jesus; you are my Brother. Let me comprehend with all saints the length, and breadth, and depth, and height of thy love! Bless these,"
(some that were present). "Let them be every moment used God of all-redeeming grace, By thy pardoning love compelled, Up to thee our souls we raise, in all things as you would have them to be."
(7) Some hours later, it seemed as if the agonies of death were just coming upon her, but her face was full of smiles of triumph, and she clapped her hands for joy. Mrs. C said, "My
Up to thee our bodies yield; Thou our sacrifice receive, Acceptable through thy Son, dear, you are more than conqueror through the blood of the Lamb." She answered, "Yes, O yes, sweet Jesus! O death, where is thy sting?" She then lay as in a doze for some time.
Afterward she attempted to speak but could not. However, she demonstrated her love by shaking hands with all in the room.
While to thee alone we live, While we die to thee alone.
Meet it is, and just, and right, That we should be wholly thine, (8) Mr. W then came. She said, "Sir, I did not know that I should live to see you. But I am glad the Lord has given me
In thy only will delight, In that blessed service join:
O that every work and word this opportunity, and likewise power, to speak to you. I love you. You have always preached the strictest doctrine, and I loved to follow it. Do so still, whoever is pleased or displeased." He asked, "Do you now believe you are saved from sin?" She said, "Yes, I have had no doubt of it for many months. That I ever had doubt was because I did not abide in the faith. I now feel I have kept the faith, and 'perMight proclaim how good thou art!
Holiness unto the Lord Still be wrote upon our heart!
Collection, #415 fect love casts out all fear.''' As to you, the Lord promised me that your latter works should exceed your former, though
I do not live to see it. I have been a great enthusiast, as they term it, these six months, but never lived so near to the heart of Christ in my life. You, sir, desire to comfort the hearts of hundreds by following that simplicity your soul loves."
(9) To one who had received the love of God under her prayer, she said, "I feel I have not followed a cunningly devised fable, for I am as happy as I can live. Do press on, and do not stop short of the mark." To Miss M—s she said,
"Love Christ. He loves you. I believe I shall see you at the right hand of God. But as one star differs from another star in glory, so shall it be in the resurrection. I charge you, in the presence of God, meet me in that day all-glorious within.
Avoid all conformity to the world. You are robbed of many of your privileges. I know I shall be found blameless. Do labor to be found by him in peace, without spot."
(10) Saturday morning she prayed nearly as follows: "I know, my Lord, my life is prolonged only to do your will.
And though I should never eat or drink more," (she had not swallowed anything for nearly twenty-eight hours) "thy will be done. I am willing to be kept so a year. 'One does not live by bread alone.' I praise you that there is not a shadow of complaining in our streets. In that sense we know not what sickness means. Indeed, Lord, 'Neither life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come, no, nor any creature, shall separate us one moment from your love.'" Bless these, that there may be no lack in their souls. I believe there shall not. I pray in faith."
On Sunday and Monday she was lightheaded, but sensible at times. It then plainly appeared that her heart was still in heaven. One said to her, "Jesus is our mark." She replied,
"T have but one mark; I am all spiritual." Miss M said to her, "You dwell in God." She answered, "Altogether." Someone asked her, "Do you love me?" She said, "O, I love Christ. I love my Christ." To another she said, "I shall not long be
Let him to whom we now belong, His sovereign right assert, And take up every thankful song, And every loving heart. here. Jesus is precious, very precious indeed." She said to Miss M, "The Lord is very good. He keeps my soul above
He justly claims us for his own, Who bought us with a price; The Christian lives to Christ alone, all." For fifteen hours before she died, she was in strong convulsions. Her sufferings were extreme. One said, "You are made perfect through sufferings." She said, "More and more
To Christ alone he dies. so." After lying quiet some time, she said, "Lord, thou art strong!" Then, pausing a long time, she uttered her last words, "My Jesus is all in all to me. Glory be to him through time and eternity." After this, she lay still for about half an hour and then expired without a sigh or groan.
Jesus, thine own at last receive!
Fulfil our heart's desire!
And let us to thy glory live, And in thy cause expire.
Our souls and bodies we resign:
With joy we render thee Our all, no longer ours, but thine, To all eternity.
Collection, #416