WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1868.

MEMOIR OF MRS. CHARLOTTE COOPER,

OF NORTHAMPTON:

BY THE REV. WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS.

THERE are two purposes which religious biography is calculated to serve,-the benefit of the living, and the preservation in the annals of the Church of the memory of departed worth. The first of these ends may be promoted by the following Memoir; but it is with the special design of securing a more permanent remembrance of a "mother in Israel" that it has been written. The writer is indebted to Mrs. Mary Ann Church, of Northampton, a daughter of the deceased, for the materials from which it has been prepared.

MRS. CHARLOTTE COOPER, relict of the late Mr. William Cooper, printer, of Northampton, was born at Wollaston, in Northamptonshire, in the year 1785. Not much is known of her early days; but as her parents were not pious, her training was unfavourable to religion. Indeed, she was brought up in the midst of scepticism. When about fourteen years of age she was invited to a cottage prayer-meeting, and went, ignorant of the character of the service to be held. The Spirit of God, however, powerfully strove with her, and she was greatly troubled. So unhappy did she feel, that she resolved, when she left the place, never to enter it again. This was the beginning of her spiritual life, but she knew it not. Instead of her convictions ceasing at the close of the meeting, as she had expected, they became more powerful on her leaving it, and almost unconsciously she fell on her knees in the street. Aroused by a passing friend, who called her by name, she started to her feet, and ran to her home, but only to prostrate herself before God in prayer, and to cry earnestly for mercy. Had her parents then known anything of experimental religion, their instructions might have made this the decisive moment in their daughter's religious life; but she had to struggle alone,nay, to contend with much opposition.

Like many a youthful seeker of salvation, at this comparatively early period in the history of our Societies, when personal conversion to God was a strange thing to many people, she was thought to be

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beside herself, and Methodism was severely reproached for her supposed madness. Under these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that she did not at this time attain settled peace, and become a true Christian. The seed was sown; but the uncongenial influences which surrounded her were prejudicial to its growth. Soon, however, in the order of Divine Providence, she was placed in a more favourable situation. The occasion is not stated; but about this time she removed to Northampton, where she frequently had the opportunity of attending the old Wesley an-Methodist chapel in King-street. To the latest period of her life, she often referred with gratitude to the ministry of the Rev. John Woodrow, which it was then her privilege to attend; and she retained a distinct remembrance of the first class formed in the above chapel. After a while, both her parents died; and this afflictive bereavement rendered it necessary for her to reside at Great Billing, a village about four miles from Northampton. Such an event seemed the most likely to prevent her religious decision; but it was one of those minute links in the chain of Providential arrangements, by which God often accomplishes, in an apparently indirect manner, His gracious designs. At this time, the Methodists had preached in the village in question only twice. A small class, composed of a Mrs. Luck and her two nieces, had just been formed; and Mrs. Cooper, then Charlotte Bettles, was invited by them to join their company, for the purpose of assisting in singing. Trifling as this incident may appear, it led to momentous results in her history. With deep emotion she often spoke of it in after days, as marking the watchful care of God over her. She was then on the brink of danger. Her fine voice, and her passionate fondness for music, singing, and dancing, exposed her to great temptations; and some peculiar snares beset her path. The invitation of the three friends mentioned proved the turning-point in her career, and was the opening of the door which led to a life of Christian devotedness and usefulness. She united herself to them; and the four formed what was known throughout the Circuit as the "praying band."

Mrs. Luck had been a strict member of the Church of England; and much consternation was created in the parish when she left the Church. Under the Wesleyan-Methodist ministry she was aroused from her spiritual lethargy, brought to feel her lost condition, and led to seek the mercy of God. The fruit of this change immediately appeared; she evinced real earnestness in the service of God; and, following the leadings of His providence, opened her own house for preaching, and other religious exercises. These were days of persecution wherever the "sect" appeared which was "every where spoken against." There was no exception to the rule at Billing.

"The praying band" was sorely assailed by the ungodly world. Brickbats and other missiles were thrown down the chimney

leading to the room in which the religious meetings were held; and it was no uncommon thing for the devoted four, in turns, to be pelted with rotten eggs, and subjected to other serious annoyances, as they passed through the village. On several occasions they would have received much personal injury, had it not been for the interference of a special Providence. They, however, knew that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." They had counted the cost; and, having entered into a solemn covenant with each other and with the Lord, to be faithful to Him, they yielded to no opposition; but, praying for their persecutors,

"They were of one heart and soul,

And only love inspired the whole."

The particular circumstances connected with Mrs. Cooper's personal closure with Christ, so as to find rest unto her soul, are not recorded, but of the fact there can be no doubt. It is believed that soon after she had made her choice, like Ruth, that the people of God should be her people, and their God hers, she sought earnestly the pardon of her sins, and obtained it to the joy of her heart. "Her path," henceforth, was like that "of the just," that "shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

In the year 1805 the Rev. Isaac Lilly, then Superintendent of the Northampton Circuit, officially formed the devoted four into a Society class, giving to each, for the first time, the usual ticket of membership, and appointing Mrs. Luck the leader. Thus commenced the cause of Wesleyan Methodism at Great Billing; though but for the decision and devotedness of these godly women it would have soon ceased to be. Such were the prejudices and worldliness of the population, that all means used for their religious improvement were unavailing; and for nearly two years the "praying band" prayed and laboured in vain. They saw no fruit of their example and toil. Their faith was tried to the utmost, but it was not destroyed. For this long period they had no accession to their number, but themselves remained faithful:

"Bold in their Master's cause they nobly stood."

Their exertions to do good were not confined to the immediate neighbourhood of their residence; but, like the evangelists, they visited surrounding villages, then as morally dark and degraded as their own. Ecton, Bray field, Weston-Favell, and other places, witnessed their labours of love, and they rested not until their ministers, whom they accompanied in their journeyings, had preached the Gospel in the whole of them, and laid the foundation of the present Societies. The memory of these preachers was ever dear to Mrs. Cooper; and often in after-life has she spoken in glowing terms of the devotion of