In the year 1877, the Pakefield Friendly Society came to an end, having fought its way fifty-two years, and having survived the Vicar of Lowestoft fourteen years. Mr. Cunningham had from the first taken a deep interest in that institution, and greatly contributed to its prosperity.

I was proposed and accepted as one of its stewards in 1840, and continued to serve the office until its dissolution (37 years), the funds then being distributed among the members in sums ranging from £2 12s. 8d., to £20 13s. 8d., about 155 members partaking of this final benefit, although I am not sure they were all satisfied, yet the various awards were carried out very fair and impartially. As to myself I received a present from the directors, through Mr. Seppings, the secretary and that Gentleman also made me a money present. I resolved therewith to buy some books in remembrance of the above Society, that I might read them in days to come, among others I purchased “Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield,” and on reading it came across some of the chapters which I remembered to have read nearly sixty years before, and do not recollect meeting with the book in all that long interval, although I had seen it advertised. I thought I would one day catch hold of it. The above work is said to be “a domestic epic.” Its hero is a country parson, simple and pious in his way, a little vain of his learning, and a little proud of his fine family. Domestic joys and cares surround the parsonage, then in turn comes sorrow and suffering, storms from the outer world invade its holiness and trouble its peace. Then comes sorrow and suffering, and we behold the hero, like the patriarchal prince of the land of Uz, when the Lord “put forth is hand and touched all that he had,” meeting each new affliction with meekness patience and resignation; rising from each trial with renewed reliance upon God, until the lowest depth of his earthly suffering becomes the highest elevation of his moral strength, preminently conspicious by the indwelling and powerful influence of God’s Holy Spirit,

“This is the grace that lives and sings,
When other comforts cease.”

I remember in early life in the year 1816, at the time I attended school, a great festival was held in commemoration of the triumph of Waterloo. I carried home from school an invitation card to my parents, which ran thus (after naming) “you are invited to appear at the table at one o’clock on — day next, perfectly neat, with your family, and bring your half-pint mug, plate, knife and fork.”

The invitations were well received, the festival was truly appreciated, the plum puddings and other good things were greatly enjoyed, a long length of painted calico extended from one large tree to another, with these mottoes in large letters, “Peace to Europe,” “Glory to God,” “Deliverance to Mankind.” I remember also to have had a printed paper exhibited in front of my cap with the ominous words “Peace and Plenty.”

But perhaps the crowning scene of that day’s festivities was the effigy of the fallen Emperor of France, seated on a chair, secured prominently upon the roof of Ben Thompson’s cottage, in an attitude of sorrow, with his Hessian boots to the knee, his cocked hat on his head, the uniform of a superior commanding officer, with white handkerchief to his eyes, and looking the picture of fallen greatness, no longer to dictate laws to an infatuated and misguided people, whose time of reckoning had come.

The spring of 1854 was remarkably dry, no rain came during the months of March and April, many farmers could not get their corn in, and those who did so it could not germinate, by reason of the long continued drought. It was a serious onlook when the grass by the roadside was covered with dust and withering; the wind fresh and sharp from the northeast, week after week, sometimes a little moisture came resembling mildew, and altogether we seemed to be in a serious plight; in this emergency on one calm evening in the early part of May, I went into the field just across from my dwelling, turned to the fence where the railroad has since been made, and there knelt down and besought the Lord that he would be merciful to our transgressions, be favourable to our land, forgive our iniquities, though we had sinned against Him, yet spare us good Lord, O send us the so much-needed rain, and be not angry with us for ever.

The wind began to freshen and blow from another quarter, the vanes of the windmill began to creak and turn round, the sails thereof quickly went about from the north east to the south, and in the short space of twenty four hours, which was on the 9th of May, the earth was abundantly watered. Here then was manifested the bestowment of a great blessing in answer to prayer.

I had noted it down as a glorious rain, and I will also add the position of the mill was changing before I rose from off my knees. But I have always considered there were many others who were so engaged, whose petitions moved the hand that moves the world.I am also reminded being now upon the subject of prayer, that during the year 1849, that fearful epidemic called the cholera, had again visited our country; it was computed that more than fourteen thousand were carried off by its virulence in London, and coming nearer home great alarm prevailed in Lowestoft and other places at the approach of such a visitation, many were cut off in this latter place, among whom were Mrs. John Capps, and also one of her married daughters, Mrs. Cooper, both of whom it is believed were prepared for the solemn change. I had on one occasion feared that it had visited my cottage; my poor wife was attacked in bed with fearful pain, she complained of its violence and concluded it was an attack of cholera. I arose and brought to hand what we had in order to alleviate the pain, and then exhorted her to pray to God that he would be merciful unto us for Jesus Christ’s sake, I also knelt down by the bedside and prayed for mercy on behalf of the sufferer. The good Lord heard our joint petitions and after a not very long time, relief came, the pain abated, and our thankful hearts were attuned to praise the Lord, and the life of the sufferer was not merely lengthened out fifteen years as was good Hezekiah’s after his afflictions, but exactly that number twice told. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, abounding in compassion unto such as fear and adore and reverence his great and holy name.” This morning, Sunday, May the 8th, one of the first thoughts that entered my mind was a sentence referring to rest, and for a time seemed to wonder if it was a quotation contained in God’s Holy Word, when while I was dressing it came into my mind that it is the language of St. Paul to the church at Thessalonica, and so it proved, 2 Thess. i. 6, 7. “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you who are troubled, rest with us.” This is then a joyful communication imparted to every one who can appreciate the comfort of it, and it is an uncontroverted fact that all God’s children here in this time-state, shall have persecution of various kinds: of vituperations, of false accusation, and almost every other kind of unrest, but the apostle’s motto is “rest with us.”

In conclusion I desire to feel thankful to my Heavenly Father, by whose favour health has been continued, and although my eyesight is becoming very much impaired, and my hand almost inflexible, yet I have endeavoured to state a plain narrative of facts, not entirely as mere passing events, at which one might cast a casual glance and then continue to journey on the other side, affording no sympathy to our afflicted fellow-creatures in seasons of grief and distress. I am here reminded that I lost a sister-in-law by death: Maria, the wife of John Garner, of Lowestoft, on the nineteenth of July, 1858, aged 40 years. Also more recent by death, one of my own sisters, Charlotte, the wife of James Lines, of Hoxne, born December 1st, 1810, died December 21st, 1880. May the Spirit of God stir up the heart of the writer of these lines, as well as the readers thereof, to a fuller sense of the love of Him, “who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.” Henceforth let us not be weary in well doing, but be “followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise.” “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God, even our Father, who hast loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope, through grace, comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work,” so will I sing praise unto thy name for ever and ever, Amen.

George S. Cook, Nelson Printing Works, Lowestoft.