Religion in Earnest: A Memorial of Mrs. Mary Lyth, of YorkLyth, J. (John)
Religion
Religion in Earnest: A Memorial of Mrs. Mary Lyth, of York
Lyth, J. (John)
Lyth, Mary, 1782-1860
"Mrs. R., in band, faithfully told me of my faults, which, by God's
help, I will try to amend. A meeting of Missionary Collectors was held
to distribute the books, and to constitute a Ladies' Association.
I left to meet my class. Mrs. C. was elected Treasurer, Mrs. R.W.
Secretary, and myself, with all my unfitness, President. However,
being on my knees before I went to the meeting, my covenant
engagements were brought to my remembrance: 'Place me where Thou wilt;
make me the hand or the foot; a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water.'
Therefore, by God's help, I am determined to do my best, admonished
by another sentiment of Holy writ, 'Let not him that putteth on the
harness boast as he that putteth it off.'--Christmas morn. Rose about
four o'clock; a beautiful starlight morning. It seemed to me as if
'the morning stars sang together for joy' at the Saviour's birth.
Glory! Glory be to God!
"1842.--Nearly forty present at the sewing meeting. I endeavoured to
draw out the sympathies of the ladies present in behalf of those whose
welfare we had met to promote.--Under the word the Lord made such
a discovery of myself to myself, as completely stripped me of
self-confidence, and all hope,--except in the Saviour's merits, upon
which I had power to lay hold. Oh the mercy of God to me, a poor
worthless worm! After the prayer-meeting, two of the friends begged me
in future to engage occasionally in public prayer. I have not done so
latterly, because it is a mighty effort to me. But God forbid that
my silence should be a stumbling-block to any. At the morning
prayer-meeting, unasked, but not unmoved, I feebly opened my mouth,
believing it to be my duty; and was blest in so doing.--This morning
I awoke with 'Give unto the Lord of Thy substance.' Being about to
purchase wearing apparel, I resolved to moderate my expenditure. In
this, as in everything else, my heart's desire is to act in the sight
of God. My son, far distant, is daily present with me. I rejoice that
he is gone on the Lord's errand to the dark places of the earth; and
find here an additional motive to bring him daily before the Lord,
whose he is, and whom he serves. I have been much drawn out in prayer
for the Fijian chiefs.--Called upon Mrs. K. at her own request. I
had previously met her at a friend's house; and, in course of
conversation, had inquired after her mother, whom I had frequently
visited, but of whose state of mind I entertained considerable doubt,
believing that she was resting short of sound conversion; and whom
indeed, at our last interview, I had warned not to deceive herself.
These fears I expressed to Mrs. K. The same evening she saw her
mother, and repeated what I had said, with some degree of concern. The
next time she called, her mother said, 'Mary, you must get somebody to
pray with me, or I am lost for ever.' However, being unwell, she went
home to bed; but could not sleep, in consequence of what her mother
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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