Gathered to the Lord’s Name
Hymns #50, 59, 199.
“Not many noble are called” (1 Cor. 1:2626For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26)); but it does not say “not any.” In the 18th century God raised up Lady Huntington (Selina Shirley) as a great help in the spread of the gospel. Then in the 19th century there was Lady Powerscourt (Theodosia Howard) as well as others of the nobility, such as Lord Congleton and G. V. Wigram. The gospel thus reaches the rich and mighty as well as the poor.
Lady Campbell, of whom we now write, was eldest daughter of the British General Sir John Malcolm, who distinguished himself in India and was a close friend of the Duke of Wellington. The date of her birth is not available, but she was married June 20, 1827, to Sir Alexander Thomas Cockburn-Campbell who at that time took the name of “Campbell.” He was with the early saints gathered to the Lord’s Name on the ground of the one body. He is named by J. Butler Stoney in some remarks dated July 12, 1871, as follows:
“I was at the meeting at Lady Powerscourt’s in September (1838). —Mr. Darby spoke last—touching on all that had been previously said. Mr. Wigram sat next him, Capt. Hall, Mr. George Curzon, Sir Alex. Campbell, Mr. Bellet, Mr. Thomas Maunsell, Mr. Mahon, Mr. Ed. Synge were there.”
This shows the early connection with the truth for Lady Campbell.
Sir Alexander became resident magistrate in Albany, West Australia, and died there in 1871. Lady Margaret had two children, Charlotte Isabella and Olympia. Her hymn #59 is deeply impressive as to the majesty of God’s power in creation, but with the emphasis laid on His eternal counsels. She died, probably in Australia, in 1859 and is now in the very presence of the objects of her praise in hymns 50 and 199.
“All praise and glory, Jesus,
Be Thine for evermore!
Thou didst from guilt release us,
Our souls Thou dost restore;
And oh! Thy grace transcending
Its fullness will declare,
When, from on high descending,
We meet Thee in the air.”