Sister Peter Nell Biddick, the subject of the following memoir, was born on the
22nd of May, 1815, in the parish of St. Issey, Cornwall, England, where she
spent the former part of her life with her parents. Her parents while she was
yet young taught her in the ways of virtue and truth. The instructions thus
imparted from time to time seem to have had a good effect and made deep
impressions on her mind. While yet young she became noted for her moral worth.
The training she received gave her a high regard for God and his commandments;
and though not professing religion, she nevertheless shunned many things of low
and trifling character, such as the going to fairs, shows, and other places of
pleasure and amusement of the day; but would spend the time in some useful
occupation for the good of those who needed her help and comfort.
In the spring of 1843, she was married to Mr. Matthew Biddick, and settled in
her native parish. Up to this time, Sister Biddick had not an experimental
knowledge of religion, though at times she would think seriously on the subject
of her soul's salvation.
In the spring of 1846, she began to feel the need of being reconciled with God,
with new and deeper feeling than before. So greatly was she impressed with a
sense of her lost and helpless state as a sinner without God and without hope
in the world, that she was led to weeping to the foot of the cross for mercy.
One night while lying awake and thinking on her soul's salvation, she became
overwhelmed with a sense of her lost condition as a sinner in the sight of God,
that she cried aloud to God for mercy. Her soul groaned under the weight and
burden of sin she was laboring under. Her husband arose and went to her
brother William, who lived some mile and a half off. He came and prayed with
her and for her, and there they wrestled hard with God in the midnight darkness
and silence. They continued to wrestle though the night was far spent, but
still they would not give up the contest - the struggle for life. "I will not
let thee go till thou bless me," was the language for the struggling soul
hanging upon the promises of God's Word, hoping in his mercy, trusting alone in
his grace, praying, crying to God for forgiveness. Thus they continued till
the morning dawn sent forth its first rays of light in the eastern horizon,
telling that the hours of night and darkness were over, and that day was at
hand - a day of sunshine - a day of rest - a hallowed day it was - the Sabbath
of the Lord. And it was a Sabbath indeed to our struggling Sister; with her
the night of weeping was past; the day had dawned upon her soul - the glorious
day of gospel peace. Now there was a day for joyful sorrow, and praise for
weeping. God had said, "let there be light" and there was light. Yes, light
divine. The light of God's love in the soul filling it with heavenly rays of
blessed light. She joined the Bible Christians, as the people of her choice,
who had a flourishing cause in that parish, and with whom she continued in
church fellowship while she remained in England. She always had feelings of
love and sympathy for that people of God with whom she first met in church
fellowship.
In the year 1850, Bro. and Sister Biddick emigrated to the United States, and
settled at the Block House Branch, and joined the Primitive Methodist Church at
that place. In the following spring they moved near to Platteville, Grant Co.,
Wis., where they again joined the P. M. Church. In the year 1855, Brother and
Sister Biddick moved from Platteville to the head of the Platte, in the town of
Mifflin, Iowa County, Wisconsin, and formed part of a Primitive Methodist
Society at that place, and with whom she stood identified with till the time of
her death. Sister Biddick loved the Church of God and felt a deep interest in
whatever was calculated to advance its welfare and prosperity - its usefulness
to a perishing world. She had long wished to see a church in their
neighborhood. This she lived to see and enjoy for a short time. When the
church was dedicated to God and his service, Sister Biddick rejoiced in the
fulness of her heart. She could say with one of old, "I love Thy house, O God,
the place where Thy honor dwelleth."
About the middle of September, 1864, Sister Biddick was taken with her last
sickness. When she was called to have her graces tried in the furnace of pain
and suffering. Her disease was of such a nature as to cause at times severe
and excruciating pain, and for days and nights she was called to bear the rod
of affliction which her heavenly Father saw fit in his goodness and wisdom, to
apply. Though her sufferings were great, her grace and patience were greater.
She bore her sufferings with that patience and resignation which the grace of
God alone can impart. At times she would say, "I suffer, but I will not
complain." Her language was
"Labor is rest, and pain is sweet,As her disease increased and the prospect of her departure became more visible, both to herself and those around her, she looked on the approaching hour of death as only those can look whose peace is made with God. There were no doubts, no fears, no clouds, no temptations to disturb the peace of mind she enjoyed. All was well. She looked on death as a happy deliverance from pain, sin and sorrow. Whenever any of her friends came to see her, she always received them with a smile, which testified that she was supported by the all-powerful arm of the God she trusted in.
If Thou my God art here."
'To be far from a world of grief and sin,She then fell into a slumber, and gradually sunk away. Crossing the river, triumphantly she gained the other shore amid the songs of the redeemed, and angels who rejoice to see the heirs of glory, crowned with immortality and eternal life.
With God (and Christ) eternally shut in.'"
"We may meet no more,As we made Sister Biddick's house our home very frequently for two years. We are happy to add that the character above given we believe is not over drawn. There was always a pleasant reception, a feeling of happiness manifested in the company of the gospel messenger, and always a putting everything to the best advantage to accomodate the servants of Jesus. There was a freedom from censoriousness; a mild humble sweetness in her renewed spirit, which gave you to feel that she was a Christian indeed. Her due attendance on the means of grace as well as her lively, hearty participation in their benefits, all go to testify to her real interest in divine things. You could never feel any reluctance in going to her house, as there was such evident, unfeigned pleasure exhibited, (though not ostentatiously, but quietly, and in the purest Christian spirit,) in entertaining the preachers. If the giving of a cup of cold water, to the weary Christian traveller, shall not loose its reward, (as we believe it will not) Sister Biddick has been and is truly blessed. We believe her example, instructions, consistant life, patient suffering and happy death, will not, cannot, be lost upon her children, left to toil and struggle in the world without her counsel. May God bless Hannah, Emma, and Mary Ellen. --- D.
As erst we have met;
It is strange that our eyes
With tears should be wet;
Our last earthly greeting
May now have been given--
Our last farewell uttered--
'Meet me in heaven.'
In life's darker hours,
A musical tone,
Oft comes to my heart;
When weary and lone,
When vainly with sorrow
My spirit has striven,
That sweet voice oft whispers,
'Meet me in heaven.'
Those words have brought peace
And comfort to me,
And now as we past
I breath them to thee.
Earth's sorrows all past,
Earth's sins all forgiven,
Earth's friendships renewed,
'Meet me in heaven.'
