Hilling, Jane Elizabeth (1870-1905)

Transcription of Obituary in the Christian Messenger

MISS JANE HILLING, the subject of the following lines, was the youngest daughter of Frederick and Emma Hilling, of Snape, in the Kelsale station. As a child she was surrounded with influences and examples of a strictly religious and virtuous character, which, no doubt, played a very important part in producing the very gentle, sweet and affectionate spirit of which she was possessed and which she ever breathed, both towards parents and sisters, at home, and with all whom she came into contact. When quite young she gave her heart to God and her hand to his people, and for several years lived a very consistent and useful life, ever seeking to adorn the doctrine of her God and Saviour in all things. As long as health and strength permitted, she was very regular in her attendance at the public services of the sanctuary, and always appeared to drink in the precious truths of the Gospel of Christ with much evident delight and profit. She took a very intelligent and practical interest in the various parts of worship and work in the dear old sanctuary and school, with which she and her excellent parents and amiable sisters have been connected so happily and so long. Her home life, too, in these later days of her early career was one of a strikingly beautiful and exemplary character. To her father and sisters she was very tenderly attached, and rendered them all much cheerful and valuable service in the business in which they are engaged as long as her physical strength allowed, and now that she has gone they all miss her gracious presence and valuable assistance very much. For more than seven months, however, she was laid completely aside by a very painful and distressing affliction, which both prevented her from attending to her usual duties at home and taking her accustomed place in the church of God. This at first gave her some mental pain and anxiety. However, she sought and obtained grace to say, “Not my will, but Thine, be done.” During her long and trying illness she had much kindness and sympathy shown her both by friends of our own Church and others, which she and her friends appreciated very much. She struggled bravely to live as long as there was any reasonable hope of her recovery, and everything that medical skill, good nursing, and the tender sympathy and fervent prayers of earthly relatives and friends could do to help her in this respect was freely done, but all in vain. As the end drew near, the thought of leaving her aged father and kind-hearted sisters to bear the burdens and grapple with the difficulties of life without her companionship and help was very painful to her. Through the power of Divine grace, however, she calmly resigned all into the hands of her all-wise and gracious Father in heaven, and as she bade them adieu for the present, assured them she was going to her eternal rest in heaven. Thus on the 10th of September last, her ransomed spirit passed peacefully away, to be for ever with the Lord and the blood-washed at the right hand of God. On the following Wednesday all that was mortal of her was laid to rest in her native village churchyard in the presence of a large and deeply sorrowing congregation. The writer, about a month after, improved her death in our chapel at Snape, in the presence of a good and sincerely sympathetic congregation.

“With them blessed angels
That know no grief or sin.
I see them at the portals
Prepared to let me in.
O Lord I wait Thy pleasure,
Thy time and why are best;
I’m wasted, worn and weary,
My Father, give me rest.”

G.F.

Family and other information

Jane was born in 1870 at Snape. Her father Frederick was a shoemaker. In 1901 Jane and her sister were bread and pork dealers.

References

Christian Messenger 1906/159

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers