29 March 1887 Death of Mrs. Reynolds, CMJ volunteer #otdimjh

“Mrs. Reynolds continued her useful and voluntary work amongst the Jewesses in the East End, until her death on March 29th, 1888” (Gidney).

I have not been able to find a picture of Mrs. Reynolds, or even discover what her first name was. Like so many volunteers, she remains in the shadows, not wanting to take credit for her self-giving service. Yet she is mentioned frequently by Gidney, and also in the work of Samuel Wilkinson, as someone who served faithfully, was much respected, and significantly contributed to the sharing of the Good News of the Messiah.

Samuel Wilkinson’s Diary

We do know that she was the daughter of a distinguished surgeon, Sir David James Hamilton Dickson, M.D and married to the General Secretary of the London Soceity, Rev. James Reynolds. Reynolds published the Beehive, the children’s version of the CMJ magazine, several lectures, and a whimsical children book, “The Confessions of a Pencil-Case”.

Mrs. Reynolds, as we must call her, served as a ‘volunteer’ visiting Jewish women in London with her team of two assistants each week. This was in the East End of London, teaching, helping with welfare, and sharing the scriptures. Here are some excerpts from Gidney.

“The work amongst Jewesses was not neglected during this Period, for in 1870 Mrs. Reynolds was appointed as missionary to work in their midst The daughter of Sir David James Hamilton Dickson, M.D., R.N., she married, in 1859, the Rev. James Jubilee Reynolds, many years incumbent of Bedford Church, Exeter, and previously one of the secretaries of the Society. After his death she came to London, and offered her services to the Committee. She laboured very zealously for seventeen years amongst Jewesses and their children in the East of London, by paying personal visits, distributing the Holy Scriptures, and holding night classes for Jewish children in the Wentworth Street Ragged Schools. She was assisted by two helpers.”

And

“Mrs. Reynolds continued her useful and voluntary work amongst the Jewesses in the East End, until her death on March 29th, 1887, when she further shewed her devotion to the Society by bequeathing it a legacy of £1500.”

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for Mrs. Reynolds, one of many volunteers who gave their time and resources to serve you and your people Israel. Thank you for their spirit of sacrificial love, their practical gifts, and their willingness to put your kingdom first. Help us to serve you with similar zeal and motivation, not for ourselves but for your sake. In Yeshua’s name we pray. Amen.

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http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_streets/bedfordstreet.php

Reynolds, Mrs., missionary to Jewesses, 343, 426

David James Hamilton (Sir) Dickson

b.1780 d.2 January 1850

Kt FRCPE(1816) Ex LRCP(1822)

Sir David James Hamilton Dickson, M.D., was the youngest son of the Rev. George Dickson, minister of Bedrule, in Roxburghshire. He was educated as a surgeon; had a licence from the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1798, and having entered the navy, served in that capacity in the expedition to Holland in 1799, and in that to Egypt in 1801. He was also present at the capture of the French and Dutch islands in the West Indies. Created doctor of medicine at Aberdeen 18th August, 1806, he was appointed, in 1806, physician and inspector of H.M. ships and hospitals at the Leeward islands. In 1813, he was appointed superintendent of the Russian fleet in the Medway, and for his services in that office received the order of St. Vladimir from the emperor Alexander. He was next appointed physician to the Mediterranean fleet, and in 1824 physician to the Royal Naval hospital at Plymouth. He had been admitted a fellow of the Edinburgh College of Physicians, 6th August, 1816, and he was admitted an Extra-Licentiate of the College of Physicians of London, 15th June, 1822. He received the honour of knighthood from William IV, 20th August, 1834; and in 1840 was promoted to the rank of inspector of hospitals and fleets. Sir David Dickson died at Stonehouse, co. Devon, 2nd January, 1850, in the seventieth year of his age.(1)

William Munk

[(1) Gent.Mag., March, 1850.]

The Confessions of a Pencil-Case Paperback – 1 Jan 1901

by James Jubilee Reynolds (Author)

1837 James Reynolds becomes general secretary of the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews

1846 Reynolds retires from General Secretary role due to ill health.

1850 David James Hamilton Dickson dies aged 70

1851 Reynolds becomes vicar in Bedford Chapel, Exeter.

1859 Daughter marries Rev. James Jubilee Reynolds

1870 missionary

An old Secretary of the Society passed away in 1865, in the person of the Rev. James Jubilee Reynolds, who received his second Christian name from the fact that he was baptized in 1 8 10, the jubilee year of King George HI. He was appointed Secretary in 1837, holding that position till 1846, and residing in Palestine Place. In 1846, owing to poor health, he was obliged to resign his post, and to accept the association secretaryship of the northern district. He resided at York till 1850, when he was transferred to Birmingham, taking charge of the midland district. In 1851 he was appointed to the incum-     1874] DEATH OF DR. WOLFF 333 ‘   bency of Bedford Chapel, Exeter. He was the first editor of the children’s Jewish Advocate^ and author of Six Lectures on the JewSy a course of sermons which he preached in St. Saviour’s Church, York, in 1847. They are most excellent discourses, and have been of great help to many who wished to become acquainted with the Scriptural aspect of the question.

The work amongst Jewesses was not neglected during this Period, for in 1870 Mrs. Reynolds was appointed as mis- sionary to work in their midst The daughter of Sir David James Hamilton Dickson, M.D., R.N., she married, in 1859, the Rev. James Jubilee Reynolds, many years incumbent of Bedford Church, Exeter, and previously one of the secretaries of the Society. After his death she came to London, and offered her services to the Committee. She laboured very zealously for seventeen years amongst Jewesses and their children in the East of London, by paying personal visits, distributing the Holy Scriptures, and holding night classes for Jewish children in the Wentworth Street Ragged Schools. She was assisted by two helpers.