LONGNOR

EXTRACT FROM THE
LEEK WESLEYAN METHODIST
CENTENARY BOOK
(Pages 55 to 61.)
(I have split some of the longer paragraphs.)

Cisley Godbyhere (Mrs. Cisley Ferguson)

An individual whose excellent character was such as to entitle her to a much more enlarged memorial than can be given in these pages, must now be briefly noted - Cisley Godbyhere, a distant relative of the Olivers. In early life she went to reside in a wealthy family, living in the neighbourhood of Manchester.

Shortly after she became an inmate of the household, some valuable lace was missing. The female servants were immediately summoned before the family, and the theft stated to them. They each denied any knowledge of it. It was then enquired, "are all the servants present?" "All," it was replied, "except the girl who has recently come."

The young ladies, of whom there were two, (daughters,) observed : "It could not be her, as she was employed below, and had no acccess to it." To this, some demuured, and she was summoned to appear. On entering the room , she was ovecomne by her feelings, fainted, and sank insensible to the floor. "There," exclaimed one of her fellow-servants, "you see who is the gilty party!" Mark the sequel. While they were using means to restore poor Cisley, the stolen property was discovered, hanging from the pocket of the very individual who was so ready to accuse the innocent.

These circumstances led the young ladies to take a lively interest in Cisley, who was promoted to the situation of ladies-maid. They undertook to be her instructors, and gave her an excellent education. Their interest and goodwill ripened into sincere friendship, and she became their constant companion. Theses facts speak well for both parties.

But now a change comes over the scene. Miss Godbyhere was in the habit of occasionally visiting her friends at Longnor. On one of these occasions she was awakened, and brought to a saving knowledge of God. On her return, she was unable to join the young ladies, in what she now regarded as a sinful waste of time, card-playing. The fact was, the bond of their union was broken, - their sympathies now ran in opposite channels, and a separation became inevitable.

Miss Godbyhere came to reside with her relative, Mr. Thomas Oliver, of Longnor. She at once united with the Methodists, and became a truly "burning and shining light." On a certain occasion, she made a vow to the Lord, that she would visit, and pray with, every family in Longnor. This vow she fulfilled, and met with a kind reception in every family except one, where she was rudely treated by the Master of the house, who thrust her out of the door. It is said that he never prospered from that day.

Her marriage
Some time after this, Mr. Oliver was at Buxton, where he met with a Mr. Ferguson, a merchant, from Amsterdam. Mr. Ferguson was a Local Preacher, and a widower. In course of conversation he stated that he was in search of a companion, and from the description which he gave of the required qualifications, Mr. Oliver hinted that he could take him to the very person.

That evening Mr. Ferguson was introduced to Miss Godbyhere, after which he preached in the chapel. On the following morning the important matter was divulged, and a fortnight given her to consider of it. Greatly perplexed, she sought the advice of her friends, and the counsel of him of whom it is said : "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." The offer was accepted. They were married at Derby, and from thence proceeded to London.

Mr. Ferguson kept an establishment both in London and in Holland. A regular correspondence was kept up between them and their friends in Longnor. A few extracts from their letters will exhibit Mrs. Ferguson's christian conduct in her new relation as a wife, and also a stranger in a strange land.

Extracts form her letters
In one of the first letters which she wrote after her marriage she says : - "I often stand astonished at Divine Providence. I believe you know that I was not seeking the things of this world. My thoughts were continually on Christ, desiring his kingdom to be established within, to which he has said, all other things shall be added. I bless God, that my dear William's heart and mind are more and more given up to Jesus ; and though I am in the world, I desire nothing that it can give : all is as husks to my souls, except that which will abide for ever. I have read Mr. Wesley on early rising - it is the best ting I ever met with on the subject. I wish I had the opportunity of sending a few copies to your society. However I hope you will recommend it. I cannot express the advantage which I have derived both to soul and body, by rising at four o' clock."

Mrs Ferguson then refers to a Moravian Love-feast which she attended ; and was surprised to find that no one spoke of their personal experience, but occupied the time in singing, praying, reading letters from Mssionaries, &c., she adds : "there were present a Mr. And Mrs. West, two of the oldest members of the Moravian church in London. Mr. Wesley met in band with them before Methodism began," [i.e. before the United Societies were formed] "I am to spend a day with Mrs. Moor the Bishop's wife. I almost long for the time, she seems a woman of such sweet experience ; and so deeply devoted that I have not met with her like since I came here."

The piety of Mrs. Ferguson suffered no deterioration by worldly prosperity. The favourable change which was produced in her temporal circumstances by her marriage, seemed to her as food for gratitude, and an incentive to humility. Theses rmarks will be fully born out by the following extract from another letter. After stating that her husband's income from trade was over £500 a year, independent of that which was derived from personal property, she continues:- "But what gives my mind pain is the Horse and Chaise, which cost about £80 per annum. With a clear conscience I cannot ride in it, and see my fellow mortals wanting bread. My husband would gladly take me an airing in it, but God gives me good health, and were I to give way, I should be beaten with many stripes. I made a full promise that I would never set foot in it again , so last Tuesday morning I prevailed with him to sell them both ; and I hope in a few days they will be entirely gone."

Her first visit to Holland
The accompanying extract is from a letter written by Mr.Ferguson, dated August, 1794. After thanking God, and his friends, for giving him so excellent a wife, and stating that she had gone with him to Holland, he writes :- "The country exceeds her expectation in three particulars - First : In that she found some dear children of God - Secondly : It is a beautiful and plentiful country - Thirdly : The inhabitants are open-hearted and friendly ; indeed wherever she goes she gains the esteem of all-Clergy, Magistrates, and peoplc-and as love begets love, she is now so attached to the country. that she seems not willing to leave it, even for London. Two things grieve her, one is, she cannot speak the language, the other is, she has not heard from you."

she begins to understand Dutch
In a letter written the following year, he states, In consequence of the war, we are detained in Holland, and one pleasing result is, Mrs. Ferguson is able to speak her experience in class, with comfort to herself, and edification to others ; and also to under- stand the word preached by the Godly ministers - and by my long stay, the Lord hath brought about a circumstance, which I think, will give you great pleasure. You must know, that through my formerly staying so short a time, I never could get hold of the language, so as to be able to preach in it, but now I am able to preach a Methodist sermon in their own tongue ; and the Lord gives such a blessing to the word, that numbers come from all parts of the city to hear, nor does he send them empty away - as their num- bers increase daily, it gives my wife great pleasure, to see so many precious souls hungering for the word."

fitting a room in their house for preaching
Writing from Holland where she had been some months, Mrs. Ferguson remarks : - "We leave been very busy fitting up a room in our house for preaching. Mr. Ferguson, and another, will preach in it alternately. I hope God will give his blessing. Twice we have had the French lodging in the house. At first it appeared very awful, but they were civil and orderly." In reference to herself she records : - "I feel more than I can express of grief over myself, the more I feel my need of the precious blood of Christ: precious indeed, now I know its value. It is not I that now work, but lie that worketh in me. My business, I find, is to be obedient to the teachings of his spirit, who leadeth me into the good old way, and will bring me into a safe habitation."

1796, fever rages in Holland;
In the summer of 1796, Mrs. Ferguson was called to endure a severe trial, in the removal of her excellent husband. A deadly fever had heen raging in the city for some time. Death literally mowed down his victims, -

"Scarce a house could escape the fell swoop of his sword,
From the cot of the poor, to the dome of the lord."

Mr. Ferguson taken ill while preaching, and dies
Mr. Ferguson was engaged in his Master's work, when the messenger came. He had taken his text, which was Col. i, 9-11 v., but was unable to go through with his discourse, and had to be carried by two men to his bed. Here he lay thirteen days, patient, resigned and happy, until the Saviour spoke the word of release, when his triumphant spirit burst away from the bonds of the flesh, and soared to joys on high.

The blow was a heavy one, but she bowed in submission. She records :- "my loss is great, but I feel tolerably resigned, my chief desire is to possess that grace here, which will fit me for the glory which he is now enjoying."

The family affairs were settled to the satisfaction of all parties. Mrs. Ferguson speaks of all the sons in high terms, but especially of Samuel, who was joined withi her in the business, and of whom she says: - "His disposition is one of the sweetest I have ever met with. He is very humble, meek and quiet in spirit. I have never seen him out of humour, nor his countenance soured."

her months of sickness
After a long confinement by sickness, she states : - I have been nearly three months and could not get out to the means of grace. Sometimes it makes me uneasy, and I impatiently desire to be amongst the Methodists in England. My heart is always with you, longing to share those blessings which you enjoy. Prayer meetings, class meetings, love feasts : these make the soul lively and fruitful." Elsewhere she says : - "I have found nothing like the simple, earnest piety of the Hills." (North Staffordshire)

her happy life with the Ferguson family
Living happily in the midst of her affectionate family, she employed her time in the work of faith and labours of love, visiting the abodes of the poor and the afflicted. Amongst others the wounded soldiers, who were brought into the hospital in the city, received her special attention. Nor were her labours in vain, she had the happiness of leading some to the Lamb of God, in whom they found "redemption, even the forgiveness of sins."

her intimacy with God
She cultivated a close intimacy with the Highest, and in the time of trial and affliction, bowed in meek submission to his will. She believed much, and therefore received much ; and receiving much, she loved much, and,

"Tis love that makes our willing feet,
In swift obedience move,"

her death in 1801
Her life and labours were however soon brought to a close. In the spring of 1801, her physical frame, (which was never robust) gradually sank under a complicated disease. During her affliction her mind was cheered with the presence of God. She was enabled to resign her children to his Providence ; and then sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

"Death came to change, but not destroy.
She slept on earth, to wake in Heaven."

Mr. Ferguson left a numerous family by a former wife. They were all, as it has been seen, attached to their mother-in-law. After her death, one of them came all the way to Longnor. To see here relatives, and the place of her former residence. At the time of his visit, he was a gay and dissipated young man. The friends deeply concerned for his spiritual welfare, ernestly sought the salvation of his soul. They had the unspeakable delight of seeing their efforts crowned with success. He became a changed character, and when he left, took a public farewell of them, and from the pulpit, declared what great tings God had done for his soul.

(Return to the Leek Centenary Book, May 1853.)

If anyone has the more complete account, and perhaps the letters, of Mrs. Ferguson, please let me know.

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November 2000