Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

I began by committing much to memory from the Scriptures; and when reading the Bible, kept a common-place book beside me, in which to copy texts expressing, first, the attributes and perfections of God, and next, such other subjects as presented themselves, by which my hungering and thirsting soul was sustained. Thus, in my sense of perfect destitution, I obtained knowledge from the eternal source: there was guidance imparted from on high, with clear satisfaction at the moment, and strong hope for the future, which years since then have ever found advanced and confirmed.

I have thought, as to the lives of persons whose writings, or other labours, have been most beneficial to their fellow creatures, that the success arose from the immediate power of the Holy Ghost, enlightening their understanding in the study of the Holy Scriptures, and not from secondary causes, however good; and I have thought it well, while setting a just value on the works of enlightened persons, to read them sparingly, and in their proper place, not as standards; and ever reserving a much larger portion of time, and of my best hours, for the Bible. The advantage of resorting to it in circumstances of trial or difficulty, for minute direction, and sure guidance, has been as life against death to me. And oft, when my strong impetuosity of feeling, and impatience before God, have arisen before an evil, when anger would have assumed the place of patient enduring love, and when my own sins before God became greater than that, which was to be deplored and reproved by me in

another, then this Divine and perfect book, whilst it supplied, and still supplies, correction, ever told of mercy. Having obtained peace, I looked upward with adoring wonder, and grateful astonishment, to my precious God and Redeemer, and at his mighty power, which had actually cast down and overthrown all my deeply rooted and bitter prejudices, had beaten down all the tyranny of Satan, and had made me alive from the dead. And now, in the glorious liberty wherewith Christ had made me free, I wished to give proof of my love, and desired the Lord to open privileges to me of serving my fellow creatures, that happily I might, with the Bible in my hand, point others to those fountains of joy, whence my own so largely flowed..

The first generous favour thus conferred on me was, attendance to teach in a Sunday school; nor did God withhold from me the sight of his power in many beautiful results. One sweet child, a girl of ten years old, S. S., was attacked with inflammation, and died in a fortnight. Her testimony was, her Saviour taught her first by a short prayer I had written and given to her. Her views of sin, of God's justice, and her Saviour's redeeming power, were clearly expressed. She named a woman of the worst character, saying, "She is bad, but I am the worse;" and the dear believer welcomed her Lord through death without a sting. The blessing of our Father was neither held back from me nor the children, but after a course of years, when strength failed for both, this duty was resigned in favour of the prison.

at

In the spring of 1810, I had a strong desire to visit the poor in the workhouse; and by my gracious God I was soon indulged in this also. Having been told of a young woman afflicted with an abscess, I found admission by going to visit her, and at her death, obtained the desire of my heart, in the request of a number of aged and sick women in the room, to continue my visits to read the Scriptures and pray with them; and my comfort was extended by a hearty welcome from the inmates of all the sick rooms.

In the same year, (1810,) whilst frequently passing the gaol, I felt a strong desire to obtain admission to the prisoners to read the Scriptures to them, for I thought much of their condition, and of their sin before God; how they were shut out from the society whose rights they had violated, and how destitute they were of that scriptural instruction, which alone could meet their unhappy circumstances.

After a few slight difficulties, the first wish of my heart was granted. My Saviour had said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, believing, ye shall receive:" and I found it true, in being soon admitted into that interesting field of occupation, which increasingly obtained the first interests of my life for the last twenty-four years. I did not make known my purpose of seeking admission to the gaol, even to my beloved grandmother, until the object was attained, so sensitive was my fear lest any obstacle should thereby arise in my way, and the project seem a visionary one. God led me, and I consulted none but him.

B

In August, 1819, I heard of a woman being sent to the gaol for having cruelly beaten her child, and having learned her name, went to the gaol, and asked permission to see her, which, on a second application, was allowed. When I told the woman, who was surprised at the sight of a stranger, the motive of my visit, her guilt, her need of God's mercy, etc., she burst into tears, and thanked me, whilst I read to her the twentythird chapter of St. Luke. For the first few months, I only made a short visit to read the Scriptures to the prisoners, but desiring more time to instruct them in reading and writing, I soon thought it right to give up a day in a week from dress-making, by which I earned my living, to serve the prisoners. This regularly given, with many an additional one, was never felt as a pecuniary loss, but was ever followed with abundant satisfaction, for the blessing of God was upon me.

At this time there was no Divine worship in the gaol on the Lord's day, nor any respect paid to it, at which I was particularly struck, when in going one Sunday to see a female convict, before her departure for transportation, I found her making a bonnet. I had long desired and recommended the prisoners to form a Sunday service, by one reading to the rest. It was at length adopted; but aware of the instability of a practice in itself good, without any corresponding principle of preservation, and thinking that my presence might exert a beneficial tendency, I joined their Sunday morning worship as a regular hearer. On discovering that their afternoon service had

been resigned, I proposed attending on that part of the day also, and it was resumed. After several changes of readers, the office devolved on me. That happy privilege thus graciously opened to me, and embraced from necessity, and in much fear, was acceptable to the prisoners, for God made it so; and also an unspeakable advantage and comfort to myself. I continued the two services on Sundays, until 1831, when, as my strength seemed failing for both, it pleased God that a good minister, who then came to reside in our parish, should undertake the afternoon service, which was a timely relief to me.

In my happy and quiet course, comparatively unknown and unnoticed, and where no influence beyond that of the governor and his wife was essential, it pleased God to give me that important advantage; and I would gratefully acknowledge the kind support which I received from them.

After having visited the gaol about three years, a lady who felt much interest in my success, with the view of enabling me to allow myself more rest for my health's sake, kindly proposed the gift of an additional day at her own expense, which was to compensate me, as if I were engaged in dressmaking this I at first feared to accept, because, whilst rest would be sought in serving my fellow creatures, more money would then be needful; for the narrow sphere already entered upon, with such limited means as were in my own power, required all I had. This objection was met by a few quarterly subscriptions, chiefly 2s. 6d. each, for Bibles, Testaments, tracts, and other books for distribution. With this happy prospect of

« AnteriorContinuar »