Re: Margaret Elizabeth Grierson, born 1739 ; died Jan. 3, 1803, dau. of 4th Baronet
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In reply to:
Margaret Elizabeth Grierson, born 1739 ; died Jan. 3, 1803, dau. of 4th Baronet
David LYON 7/13/09
Source: (1) Evangelical Biography, being a complete & faithful account of the lives...., year of 1807, pp. 375-380.
MIDDLETON, MRS. was the second daughter of (Sir) Gilbert Grierson, [4th] Baronet of Rock Hall, in the county of Dumfries, North Britain ; and was born in 1739. Both of her parents were of the Episcopalian persuasion, attended chapel statedly, and were highly distinguished by morality and kindness. (Sir) Gilbert [Grierson] being a younger son of the ancient family of Lagg, settled in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, [Scotland] ; and worshipped, with his lady and children, in the English chapel there, which for some years without a fixed clergyman. The (Reverend) Erasmus Middleton, was called by the members of that church, and ordained as their minister. Among those who called him were, the ladies Gordon, (Sir) Robert Grierson, [5th Baronet of Lag & Rock Hall] ([Sir] Gillbert [Grierson] having died not long before, [7 February 1766]) and his mother (Lady) Grierson. Mr. Middleton, who by a singular course of Providence was brought to Dalkeith, found the people, high and low, sitting in darkness, resting in a form of godliness and destitute of its power. They were even ignorant of the way of salvation, according to the doctrinal articles of their own church. The Gospel was now preached to them i its purity and the Lord gave testimony to the word of his grace. Among the first seals of Mr. Middleton’s ministry was (Miss) Margaret Grierson ; and there was something in the Gospel which pleased (Miss) Grierson from the first time she heart it, though it was not till some months afterwrds that she felt the power of the devine truth. Her conviction of sin was deep, and the fear of God’s wrath drove her almost to despair ; but the Lord spoke pardon and peace to her troubled soul by the powerful application of these words, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John iii 16.) ; a passage dear to her heart from that day.
While the Gospel was the only ground of (Miss) Grierson’s hope, she was led to a sight and sense of the plague of her own heart, and delighted in the law of God as the rule of holy obedience. The inward change was accompanied with a visual alteration ; vain amusements were relinquished, and thoughtless gaiety gave place to spiritual & rational enjoyments. (Miss) Grierson now so truly feared and loved God, that, in the most decided manner, she gave up the world, & every person, & every thing, that stood in competition with an unreserved surrender of herself to the Father of mercies. Devine ordinances were her delight, and the saints, of whatever rank, her companions. About the same time another daughter of the family was called by grace, & the two sisters set on foot a praying society, composed of females.
The ladies as may be supposed, met with no small opposition from some of their own family, who reckoned them enthusiastic, but they bore it with so much Christian temper, and acted so prudently, that prejudice was softened, was even removed in some instances, and those who once jeered and frowned, glorified God also. The young ladies persevered in prayer for themselves and relations, and others, were seriously impressed and, there is reason to think, savingly converted.
Mr. Middleton had frequent opportunities of conversing with the serious part of the family, was respected by all of them for his consistent, gentlemanly deportment, and observing the piety and amiable qualities of (Miss) Grierson, a mutual attachment was formed, which led to their happy union. Family pride, which, though not confined to Scotland, operates there from local circumstances with peculiar force, made some of (Miss) Grierson’s relations averse to the match ; but she never repented it, and had reason to be satisfied with her choice. Mr. & Mrs. Middleton were united in affection, and by the strong cords of religious principles and tempers : opposition only cemented them the closer ; and they were removed from the scene of it by Mr. Middleton’s being called to London, where he labored with faithfulness for several years, as curate to the late worthy Mr. Romaine, as related in the preceeding article.
His being compelled to withdraw from Chelsea, after Mr. Cadogan’s death, was one of the many trials which Mr. & Mrs. Middleton experienced in their course, & during all of them Mr. Middleton manifested great patience & was wonderfully supported by particular promises, which came with such power & sweetness, that often she rejoiced in tribulation. She searched the Scriptures diligently with profit and pleasure till the day of her death ; evidently grew in grace ; & was made eminently useful to others. She retained a predilection for the Church of England, being educated in that church, called by means of a valuable minister of it, & firmly believing in Scriptural articles. Mrs. Middleton nevertheless esteemed every minister of Jesus, & every Christian, without respect to names & distinctions. In her, the saint, the friend, & the gentlewoman, were united & blended. Dignity & humility, seriousness, & suavity, were conspicuous in her conversation & manners.
She shone brightly in the various relations of life, & there was a pleasant uniformity in her temper & conduct. In troubles great & manifold, here was the faith & patience of the saint.
About 1792, one of her daughters being dangerously ill, Mrs. Middleton mentioned to an intimate female friend, that she had received much comfort under the occasional ministrations of a Dissenting minister ; & to another gentlewoman, she then rehearsed, with great thankfulness & diffidence, her trials, experience, & supports, in the early part of her Christian life ; and recited, that when a near relation urged her to lay aside her new notions and manner of life, she replied,
“In every lawful command I will submit to your ladyship’s authority, but in no other ; I am bound to obey God rather than a parent.”
We can vouch the fact, that Mrs. Middleton especially after her conversion, was a shining example of filial duty ; and had the unspeakable comfort to see evidences of a gracious change in her aged mother.
[They are refering to : Elizabeth Maitland was the daughter of (Colonel) Robert Maitland and Elizabeth Bell. She married (Sir) Gilbert Grierson of Lag, 4th Baronet, on marriage date 25th November, 1737 at Dalkeith, Mid-lothian, Scotland. She died on 8th April 1788 at Dumfries, Dumfries-shire, Scotland. ]
Note: A note of interest, it is not at all clear who the mother of the 5th Baronet of Lag & Rockhall was.
In 1798, Mrs. Middleton was seized with a universal rheumatism, the effect of cold in a benevolent & friendly service. From that time her constitution which had been always delicate was gradually enfeebled ; but her soul was “renewed day by day.” About a year afterwards, Mrs. Middleton, had a violent fever, from which she never fully recovered. Her debility & pain increased and so did her faith and patience. Two months previous to her deceased, death seemed to be very near. During this fit of illness Mrs. Middleton was brought so low, that Mr. Middleton apprehended she was dying ; and as she looked at him earnestly, appearing desirous to speak he laid his ear to her mouth, when she whispered,
“My consolations are great.”
Reviving a little, she added, “To me to live is Christ, & to die is gain.”
The time of her departure, however, was not come, & Mrs. Middleton recovered so much that it appeared to be considerably distant ; yet she daily waited for it, and with the serenity of a good hope.
On the evening of January 2nd, 1802, Mr. Middleton performed family worship in her chamber, & when he was taking leave of her, she thanked him tenderly for the present kind office, & all the expressions of his regard ; reminded him how long they had known each other ; reflected with gratitude on the way by which the Lord had led them ; & remarked how few married persons had been so happy as they. She detained her two daughters a little, commended them to God, & gave them suitable advices. Happily for her husband, and her children, they knew not that they were to hear her voice no more.
hat a mercy for herself, to be surprised into glory. On Lord’s day morning, January 3, while Mr. Middleton was engaged in secret prayer, and just about to supplicate the Father of mercies, that Mrs. Middleton when deprived of public ordinances might drink deeper at the fountain, one of his daughters knocked, and with great emotion desired him to go immediately to her mother, hastening to her chamber, he found that Mrs. Middleton had just expired without a struggle or a groan.
Thus lived, and thus died a woman who dignified, & adorned her high birth by true religion ; what a mercy for herself, to be surprised into glory. On Lord’s day morning, January 3, while Mr. Middleton was engaged in secret prayer, and just about to supplicate the Father of mercies, that Mrs. Middleton when deprived of public ordinances might drink deeper at the fountain, one of his daughters knocked, and with great emotion desired him to go immediately to her mother, hastening to her chamber, he found that Mrs. Middleton had just expired without a struggle or a groan.
Thus lived, and thus died a woman who dignified, & adorned her high birth by true religion ; who did much good, and always shunned notice ; who sympathized with the afflicted, and conversed with the godly as the bests companions ; who despised not the poor, but pitied and relieved them, because she honoured & loved their Maker ; who in the domestic relations of wife, mother, mistress, manifested the happy influence of devine grace, who, in the various personal & relative afflictions of her worthy husband, proved
“an helpmeet for him ; “ who,
Tender of character, spake evil of none unjustly and rashly ; who, knowing the value of truth, adhered to it scrupulously in the least things ; who, prudent in conduct was cautious alike of giving and of taking offence ; who, never intermeddling officiously in the business of others, guided her own household affairs with discretion ; who had a particular antipathy at gadding abroad, and ceremonious visiting, through gualified to shine in polite company, who trusted in the Lord, learned to be content, & wisely observed the course of providence ; who was exemplary in temper, dress, conversation, and practice ; who lived by faith, and died in it.
She may be called "the Elect Lady."