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
Then, why should we weep at the thought she is gone,
Since we know she hath enter'd her rest?
No! her children will follow, united as one,
In her steps to the home of the blest,
J.L.
XXIV.
PLEASANT MEMORIES.
"THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED," Prov. x. 7.
Although the preceding pages will enable the reader to form a general
estimate of Mrs. Lyth's religious character, the writer deems it
necessary to add a concluding sketch, partly for the purpose of
recording some particulars which could not so well be introduced
elsewhere, and partly to supplement his own remarks, which might
otherwise be liable to the charge of partiality, with a selection from
the numerous testimonies with which he has been favoured by Ministers
and other friends.
In person Mrs. Lyth was of middle stature, slender, and, before
years had subdued her physical strength, straight as an arrow. Her
complexion was fair, and her features, rather pointed than full, were
regular and well formed. The eyes, of light blue, generally wore a
calm and gentle expression, but kindled with an unearthly light when
conversing on divine subjects. Then her whole soul flashed in her
countenance, and her features, lit as with sunshine, indicated how
deeply her spirit had drank of that "stream which maketh glad the city
of God." Her hair, which in youth was of a rich auburn, turned grey at
the early age of thirty, and at length its silvery hue was superseded
by a snowy white, which gave additional impressiveness to a
countenance upon which happiness, purity and peace sat continually
enthroned. Her dress, the perfection of neatness, was modelled
after the most approved style of the Society of Friends, not as now,
modified and robbed of its interest by all-powerful fashion, but as it
existed in its original simplicity fifty years ago. Though not gifted
with any remarkable powers of mind, she possessed a sound and vigorous
understanding, which however, was rather quick than penetrating. This
she improved by a considerable amount of good reading. Her choice
of books was in harmony with the set purpose of her life, and seldom
surpassed the bounds of religious literature: for while she had no
sympathy with those little minds that, on the pretence of greater
religiousness despise human knowledge, she steadily kept in view the
rule she adopted in early life, "never to trifle with any book with
which she had no immediate concern," and consequently preferred those
which, while they informed the judgment, were also calculated to
impress the heart. Within this limit her reading was widely varied. To
the better class of biography, she added poetry, history, philosophy,
and divinity. Her favourite poet was Young, from whom she often quoted
at length; her favourite divine, Wesley; and her favourite book the
Bible. This last she not uncommonly read upon her knees, seeking the
assistance and blessing of the Holy Spirit, who is the best expositor
of His own word.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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