Atkinson, Fanny Maria (1870-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Spensley

Fanny Maria, only and beloved daughter of Mr. Thomas and Maria Atkinson, of North Kelsey, Brigg Circuit, was born on April 13th, 1870, and passed calmly and safely beyond the shadows into the clear beautiful light of God’s presence on Sunday, July 23rd, 1899, aged twenty-nine years. “Her sun is gone down while it was yet day,” but the setting thereof was under a bright western sky. Her end was peaceful and triumphant. She suffered long, but patiently and trustfully, and was quite ready for the Master’s call to go up higher. During the last  few days of her life she seemed to be in close and constant communion with God, and was frequently heard to say, “Bless the Lord.” “Bless His holy name.” “He will carry me safely through.” When asked by her father if Jesus was precious, she replied, “Yes, O yes, He is precious. Bless His name!”

By her demise our cause at North Kelsey has lost one of its best friends and most liberal supporters. When but a girl she collected large sums of money for missionaries; and only a few weeks before her death, when suffering from great bodily weakness, she manifested great interest in the annual effort, and was very anxious it should be a great financial success. Although a weak and suffering invalid, and unable: to canvass the neighbourhood for subscriptions, she would have a book, which, when sent in to the treasurer, was found to represent the handsome sum of £5. Born and cradled in Primitive Methodism – her father’s house being the minister’s home for many years – she had learned to love the habitation of God’s house, and to esteem very highly His servants for their work’s sake. It is true she was never very demonstrative in her religious life, but was none the less real and sincere for all that. She always had great joy in doing something for the Master in her own quiet and unostentatious way. There was much in her character and life to admire, esteem, and imitate. Unsel?sh and Christ-like, she experienced much pleasure in doing good to others. Indeed, forgetfulness of self, and kindly thought for those around her were distinguishing features of her character. Notwithstanding her long and painful affliction, she always seemed to be watching for opportunities to minister to other people’s comfort. Her work, however, is finished, and she hath entered into rest – “sweet rest.”

On Friday, July 30th, her mortal remains were laid in the quiet village cemetery to await the resurrection morn. On Sunday, August 20th, by special request of the family, the writer conducted a memorial service in the chapel, which was largely attended, selecting for his text, Phil. i. 21. May the bereaved and sorrowng family find comfort in the thought that their loved one “is not lost, but gone before.”

Family

Fanny’s father, Thomas was a coal merchant and publican at the time of the 1871 census. By 1891 he had become a farmer.

Census returns give no occupation for Fanny.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/710

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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