A MEMORIAL,
Of Dover Monthly Meeting of Friends, concerning that worthy Elder in the Church, Elizabeth Bond, who died on the l3th of the Fourth month, 1848, aged nearly ninety three years, having been a Minister about sixty seven years.
This, our beloved friend, Elizabeth Bond, was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Beales, respectable members of the Society of Friends, in Guilford county, North Carolina, where she was born on the 25th of Fourth month, 1755. When she was young her parents removed and settled in the limits of "Westfield Monthly Meeting, in Stokes county, of which she was a member for many years. She was favoured to yield obedience to the tendering visitations and impressions of Divine love made on her mind, when quite young, often seeking places of retirement; and through the operations of Divine Grace was favoured with an evidence of being near to Him, who said, " Suffer little children
to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Thus she experienced preservation from many of the vanities and follies that young people are often led into.
In the twentieth year of her age she was married to Samuel Bond, a worthy Friend, whom she found to be a true helpmate, both temporal and spiritual, and was soon afterward appointed to the service of an overseer, which station she filled to the satisfaction of her friends for several years, being well qualified therefor, and careful to wait for right openings to speak to offenders. About this time impressions became strong on her mind, that if faithful, she would be called to the work of the ministry ; very fervent were the breathings of her soul, to the Heavenly Father, for strength to perform His will, and being instructed in the school of Christ, she came forth very acceptably in the ministry, in the twenty sixth year of her age. Being anxious to learn to read, as she was utterly destitute of any literary education, she devoted such portions of her time as could be spared from the cares of an increasing family to that purpose, and with her husband's assistance learned to read the Holy Scriptures and other useful writings, to her great satisfaction.
In 1812 her dear and much beloved husband was removed from works to rewards ; yet under so great a trial, by dwelling in a state of true resignation to the Divine will, her mind was borne up under this severe affliction. She had been frequently, previous to the death of her husband, engaged in visiting the meetings belonging to her own Yearly Meeting, likewise in the weighty service of visiting families, and in the fall of the year 1812, with the approbation of her friends, she visited some of the meetings of Friends in Ohio and Indiana, and returned with the reward of peace.
In 1814, she removed, with her family, and settled within the limits of White-water Monthly Meeting, Indiana, and by the setting up of new meetings, she subsequently became a member of Dover Monthly Meeting.
In 1820, with the unity of her friends, she visited most of the Meetings of Friends belonging to North Carolina Yearly Meeting, much to the relief and comfort of her mind, and, by accounts received, to the satisfaction of those where her lot was cast. After her visit to North Carolina, she was frequently engaged in visiting the meetings and the families of Friends, within the limits of her own Yearly Meeting, until a very advanced age. She was a diligent attender of meetings, frequently walking three, and sometimes four miles to attend them, being disabled from riding on horseback ; and she continued faithful in the performance of this religious duty as long as her bodily strength would admit. On one occasion, which she afterwards several times spoke of as an encouragement to others, she said that when about starting to meeting, great difficulties were cast up before her, — her lameness, and the badness of the roads were such that she would not be able to get there ; and making a little halt with her mind turned inward, a language appeared to be uttered — Go, and I will go with thee — remember David would not offer that unto the Lord that cost him nothing — a light seemed to shine round about her, and she went on ; it was a highly favoured meeting, and said she, "I returned home much better, and with a thankful heart."
She was a tender mother, a good neighbour, and a true sympathizer with the poor and afflicted. And as a minister, sound in doctrine, carefully waiting for a right qualification, her testimonies being clear and edifying, and mostly delivered in few words. She bore a faithful testimony against a spirit of insubordination to the wholesome discipline and order of our Society, and of unbelief in the doctrines of the Christian religion as held by Friends ; and in times of deep trials amongst Friends, on account of a dividing spirit that was permitted to enter, she stood as an upright pillar, firmly established on the sure rock, and was remarkably favoured with a clear discernment, as was plainly manifested by her appropriate remarks concerning the state of meetings and individuals. Notwithstanding she was, in a great degree, deprived of hearing in her latter years, yet she was, as a messenger, often encouraging the faithful to hold on their way ; and warning the disobedient, inviting them to return, repent and live.
In the ninetieth year of her age she visited all the families belonging to her own Monthly Meeting, and when it was finished she said she believed it was her last visit, for it seemed like a farewell to her friends in their families, and she felt the reward of peace. In the latter part of her life she often expressed her deep concern that the ministry in our Society might be kept pure, in the simplicity, in the life and power of truth, clear of the wisdom of men — and also that Friends would come more from under the influence and love of this world, and be more a spiritually minded people, living more according to our profession than many do in the present day. Her humility and simplicity in manners and dress, greatly adorned the doctrines she held forth to others ; she often said her dear Lord and Master would never, in any age of her life, give her leave to follow the vain and changing fashions and customs of this world, but that her clothing and the furniture of her house should be plain and simple. She said, I have, in latter days, had to view with sorrow of heart, many Friends, professing to be a plain people, and to bear the name of Christ, but denying him in the decoration of their poor bodies, after the vain fashions and customs of this world, and in the ornamental furniture of their houses ; yet I believe there are many who feel bound to the law and the testimony, and who often have to mourn on account of these things ; and it has been my prayer that there might be more faithful labourers raised up to stand in the gap, and to turn the battle to the gate.
She was mostly confined to the house for nearly two years before her decease, but being favoured with a clear understanding, many weighty expressions and remarks dropped from her lips. At a Preparative Meeting of Ministers and
Elders, held at the house where she lived, by her request, a few weeks before her decease, she was remarkably favoured in testimony, and spoke much of the goodness of the Lord to poor fallen man, encouraging those present to faithfulness in serving their Divine Master, and pressing upon them the necessity of keeping up the watch unto prayer, saying, I find it necessary for me to watch yet. At one time she expressed that she had, in the present affliction, been favoured with a peaceful mind, and she felt the love of the Father to be near to support, and that she loved the Lord above all things ; my dear children and grand children, and my dear friends feel very near, but I can give them all up, though I love them with the Father's love, and I feel it for my dear friends, every where ; I feel that I love them with the love of the Father.
The remainder of her days, her conversation both in the family and to those who called to see her, evinced that her mind was stayed on that treasure that faileth not. On Fifth-day night, the sixth day of Fourth month, about one week before her departure, she was taken with a pain in the stomach and great soreness, which she had been subject to for many years, but of late more frequently. She continued quite unwell until First-day, then seemed to mend until Third-day, when she said she felt nearly as well as common, but said that it seemed to her that her days were near an end, and that she had desired that she might continue to feel a sense of the goodness of the Lord, which had been granted, for she was favoured with the sweet incomes of the Master's love.
About daylight on Fourth-day morning, the pain returned in her stomach, with a severe cough, which continued till about noon, when the cough left her, which she said was a great favour; the pain still continuing, and being told she was near the Kingdom, she replied, "I hope to find entrance, and it is a comfortable hope, as I have a clear evidence of acceptance." About two hours before her decease she asked what time it was, and being told, she said, "I am here yet, and I do not know how much longer I shall remain here, but I hope the Lord will give me patience to bear all that he may be pleased to lay upon me," and then in a very solemn manner, said, "death, death, what a solemn thing it is when rightly thought of, and it is my greatest desire that all may be truly given up to the Great Potter, to be just what he may be pleased to make of them, and to do His will, that they may witness and know a being qualified and prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven."
A little before her close, those around were brought into much sympathy and tenderness on seeing her sufferings so great ; she was asked what she wanted done? she replied nothing that you can do, but I desire to wait patiently ; yet if it is the Lord's will to take me now, it will be a welcome release. She was quite sensible to the last, and having done her day's work in the day time, was no doubt found ready to render up her accounts with joy, and she quietly passed away a little before eleven o'clock on Fifth-day evening, the 13th of 4th month, 1848. A solemn covering was spread over the minds of those present, and the language of Holy Writ was brought into remembrance, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," and "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."
Signed by direction of Dover Monthly Meeting of Friends, held the 23d of 8th month, 1848.
John Knight,
Amy Jessup,
Clerks.
