When Elizabeth returned to Herford she was very sad to find that her friends had departed. She had found much comfort and joy in their companionship, and her house had been filled with songs of praise. God never intended His people, under ordinary circumstances, to isolate themselves from other Christians. He always encourages them to meet together. He has a portion for us, and says, "Gather the people together and I will give them water" (Num. 21:1616And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. (Numbers 21:16)).
“Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:1717Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)). He says also, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-2524And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24‑25)). In many other portions He instructs His people to gather together.
Elizabeth was not happy without Christian friends around her. She began to seek true believers from various places and offered them a refuge at the abbey. Many there were in those days who needed such a haven, for large numbers were being persecuted and driven from their homes. It made no difference to Elizabeth whether these unfortunate people were French, English, German, Dutch, or any other nationality. Neither did it matter whether they were rich or poor. Elizabeth said, as she had said before, that her heart and home were open to all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus Herford remained a bright and blessed center of Christian life, and Elizabeth rejoiced to use the position and wealth with which God had entrusted her, to His glory and to the untold blessing of His people.
She was visited there by William Penn, who founded the state of Pennsylvania, and by George Fox, Robert Barclay, and other notable Quakers. These men found in her simple and sincere devotion to her Lord a source of great joy and thanksgiving. In his book, "No Cross, No Crown," William Penn gives us a word picture of Elizabeth at Herford. He writes: "She had a small territory which she governed well; she would constantly, every last day in the week, sit in judgment, and hear and determine causes herself, frequently remitting her forfeitures where the party was poor or meritorious; and which was excellent, though unusual—she would temper her discourses with religion. Though she kept no sumptuous table in her own court she spread the tables of the poor in their solitary homes. Abstemious in herself, and in apparel devoid of all vain ornaments, her mind had a noble prospect, her eye was to a better and more lasting inheritance than could be found below.”
Thus Elizabeth passed several happy, useful years at Herford. She died there in the year 1680, rejoicing during her last illness that she would soon be in the presence of Him who loved her and gave Himself for her; the One who had given her true peace and joy after the years of sorrow, uncertainty, and bewilderment-even her blessed Lord Jesus Christ, in whose presence there is fullness of joy for evermore. Deeply mourned by the poor of her territory and by the persecuted and afflicted, she was buried at Herford, and over her grave was raised a monument to "Elizabeth, descended from the Electors Palatine of Germany and the Kings of Great Britain.”
Although Elizabeth refused the crown of Poland and did not desire the crown of England, to which she could have advanced a claim, shall we say that she never attained a crown? No, indeed! Hers was a crown far more enduring than these-the crown of righteousness of which Paul speaks in 2 Tim. 4:88Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8), and the crown of life, of which James tells us in James 1:1212Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12).
James says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Elizabeth truly loved the Lord, and because she loved Him, she loved also all those who were His.
Paul declares with assurance, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Certainly Princess Elizabeth qualified for that crown, for it cannot be doubted that she loved and longed for the appearing of her Lord. Now she is with Him and "In thy presence is fullness of joy." She is awaiting that time when we will be altogether made perfect, when all the redeemed will form that group around the throne in heaven, and will sing the new song of Revelation 5-a song which will far surpass those which she enjoyed at Herford. What a privilege to be in that innumerable company of saints, who without the hindrances of infirmities of our present condition can enjoy to the full the perfect fellowship around the throne of the Lamb.
Everyone who will believe God when He tells us that we are sinners, lost, guilty, and deserving only judgment, and who will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior will be given the same eternal crown that Elizabeth received.