Children of Thomas and Jane Wigham

MARY WALKER, Ulloch, near Carlisle            59   25  11mo. 1838

Wife of John Walker. This dear friend evinced much patience, during a very protracted illness; and although for a considerable time, no hopes of her recovery were entertained either by herself or friends, yet she was perfectly resigned, and frequently intimated that she believed, when time to her should be no more, that "all would be well." She was much beloved by her friends; and had for some time acceptably filled the station of overseer, in the meeting to which she belonged; and was very exemplary in her family; conscientiously discharging both her religious and social duties.

Mr WEIR [ . . . ] proceeded to nominate for one of the vacancies Mr John Wigham, tertius, who had been long known in Edinburgh as a business man and as a public spirited and patriotic citizen, and who was now about to retire from business.

Mr DICKSON seconded the nomination.

In answer to Mr Paterson, Mr WEIR said he could not give such a decided answer as he could wish to the question whether Mr Wigham would stand. A deputation had waited on him, but had not found him at home; he was expected that afternoon, but he had not had any message from him as to whether he would stand.

JOHN WIGHAM (Tertius).

AN ELDER.

Died at Edinburgh, the 27th of Tenth Month, 1864, aged 80 years.

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In the long life of this dear friend, there are no very striking incidents to record; it was simply a consistent, unostentatious walk of Christian integrity. During it course, he met with many trials and vicissitudes, which he bore with patient resignation to the Divine will. His prevailing characteristic was a beaming cheerfulness, founded on love:—love to God, and an ever-expanding love to his fellow-men, which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, and especially to those who knew him best. His love for young people, and especially for little children, was very great, and his playfulness and gentleness with them indicated the child-like nature which corresponded to theirs, and to which they turned with reciprocating affection.

He was the son of Thomas and Jane Wigham, of Cornwood, Northumberland, and was born there in 1784. In the year 1805, he removed to Edinburgh, and in the course of a few years entered into partnership, in the manufacturing business, with his cousin, John Wigham, junior, son of John and Elizabeth Wigham, who, twenty years previously, at the call of religious duty, had settled in Scotland.

While he carried out very fully the apostolic injunction, to be "not slothful in business," we believe he also sought to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." By the strength thus obtained, he was enabled to walk honestly in the sight of all men, and, though possessing much business ability, to retain a straightforward simplicity which was remarkable in brought so much in contact with the world.

During the early part of his mercantile life, he travelled extensively on business, at a period when travelling was a much more exposed and laborious undertaking than it has become since the introduction of railways. In the commercial room, he met with a great variety of character, and not unfrequently felt called upon to administer caution and counsel to those whom he saw deviating from the path of rectitude, or whose inexperience exposed them to dangers on the way; and many have borne testimony to the benefit they derived from his example and advice.

In 1855 he retired from business with an ample competency; but two years afterwards, the greater portion of his property was swept away by the failure of the Western Bank of Scotland, in which he was a shareholder. This failure was a natural calamity which brought many to poverty, and some even to the grave. John Wigham bore it with quiet submission, and after the troublesome period of settlement was over, seldom alluded to his losses, but cheerfully accommodated himself to his altered circumstances; and, at the same time, encouraged his fellow sufferers by his consoling words. He often remarked that "there would be no need for money in the kingdom of Heaven," and he would sometimes say that if any one had offered to lend him this money till his children were all reared, educated, and in a position to provide for themselves, he would have been very thankful, and would surely not have repined when the loan was resumed.

The was deeply attached to the principles of the Society of Friends, both from education and convincement, and took a lively interest in its welfare. He never allowed business, or any other cause than illness, to interfere with his regular attendance at any of our meetings for worship, and he often encouraged others, especially the young, not to neglect the performance of this religious duty. He was also a diligent attender of meetings for discipline, and was a valuable member of the Society in Scotland, especially of his own particular meeting, in which his lively interest and faithful services will long be missed. His enjoyment in frequently attending our Yearly Meetings was very great, and when declining health prevented his doing so, his mind followed his friends from day to day, in earnest solicitude that the cause of Truth might be advanced by their deliberations.

At the close of 1863 his health more rapidly declined, and he attended meeting for the last time on the last day in the year. As feebleness increased, he himself knew that it was the beginning of the end, and looked around to see that his house was in order. Some matters of business with which he was associated were transferred to other hands, and then he took no further thought of worldly affairs, but seemed quietly awaiting the final summons.

Earnest had ever been his longings that he might have sensible assurance of acceptance with the Saviour, and, through Divine Grace, he was enabled to say, "I feel satisfied that I have had all granted me that I require." During the long, fine summer, he had visits from many relations and friends with whom he held very precious intercourse, and to many of them he imparted solemn and touching counsel. His greatest enjoyment was hearing read the Gospel according to John, especially from the 14th to the 17th chapters. When he was asked to select the reading, his reply usually was, "Oh" I think we cannot do better than read the Saviour's own parting words." And so the summer wore on, and autumn came. There was not much change till the 13th of the Tenth month, the day of the Two-Months Meeting of Edinburgh. Several friends came to see him, and in the evening he wished a chapter of the Bible to be read; without his selection it came in course to read his favourite portion, "Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me, in my Father's house are many mansions," &c. He enjoyed the reading, and a few words in reference to it offered by a friend. Very shortly after, he became much exhausted, and was with difficulty assisted upstairs. Great feebleness continued, with much difficulty of breathing caused by impeded action of the heart, but his gentle patience was exceedingly instructive; not a single word of complaint ever passing his lips.

On the text being repeated, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee," he responded "Oh! yes, that is just it." Speech became more and more difficult as the days wore on, yet at times he had a little added strength, and he enjoyed hearing the Psalms read or repeated, as well as other passages of Scripture. Sometimes he remarked "Those are very precious promises," and in reference to the Twenty-third Psalm he feelingly said, "O! that is very beautiful." Once when he seemed very weary and exhausted, the passages respecting rest were repeated, "There remaineth a rest for the people of God." "They who have believed do enter into rest"—he looked up brightly, and with a firmer voice than usual said, "I do believe on the Saviour," the intonation indicating that thus he could accept all those gracious words. When the following beautiful lines were repeated to him,

"What then" For all my sins His pardoning grace,

  For all my wants and woes, His loving kindness,"

he rejoined solemnly and sweetly, "I have found His pardoning grace," and a happy smile and full assent followed all allusions to the tender mercy and loving kindness of the Lord. Two very favourite passages were, "Like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him," &c., and the kindred one, "If yet then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." On the three days previous to his death several of his friends called to see him, and although he was very feeble he indicated to all his affectionate recognition and loving farewell. When power to articulate, and even to form the sweet smile on the lips failed, he still turned his head in the attitude of listening intelligence, as verses of Scripture were repeated till within a few hours of his departure.

On Fifth day morning, the 27th of Tenth month, at a quarter before eleven o'clock his spirit, gently and without a struggle, returned to that God, in whose love and tender mercy in Christ Jesus he had so much delighted.

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

THOMAS WIGHAM, Hargill House                    43       27  8mo.  1832

In Cornwood, Northumberland.

This Friend was in a delicate state of health for many years; yet his removal was very sudden, being occasioned by the bursting of a blood vessel, which caused almost instant death; affording a striking instance of the uncertainty of time. His life and conversation were exemplary, and his loss to the Society and near connexions is much lamented; yet they have consolingly to believe, that through the mercy of Redeeming Love, he was prepared to meet the awful summons.

On the afternoon of Easter Monday, the teachers and scholars of the Friends' Sabbath-school, about 200 in number, were entertained by our highly respected townsman, Mr George Baynes, at his residence, Preston Villa. The old boys and young boys amused themselves with foot-ball and other games, while to the girls "Sally Walker" proved an endless amusement. After all were well tired with an afternoon of frolic, the tea and spice cake were done ample justice to. Then hymns were sung, a small present was given to each, and loudly cheering their kind-hearted entertainer, the children took their departure homewards in time to escape the rain which afterwards began to fall, the scholars were similarly entertained last year by Mr J.F. Spence at his residence, Chirton-cottage.

At South Preston Villa, North Shields, on the 20th inst., Rachel, the beloved wife of Mr. George Baynes.

Old Shields people tell us that no fairer picture of a comely English couple could be imagined than George and Rachel Baynes. "Doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God."