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
[The following letter was sent, with the articles specified, to some
unknown person in Nottingham; and the subject of it remained a secret
in her own bosom, until the copy was found among her papers.]
"Dear Sir,--Having a little matter to put into your hands
in aid of the Methodist Missions, I take the liberty of addressing
a few lines to you.
"The approach of your Annual Meeting at Nottingham
reminds me of what I have seen and heard on such occasions;
viz., that small donations, and comparatively trivial incidents,
in the hands of your ingenious and able speakers, have often
been turned to good account, and produced a very happy impression.
This consideration induces me to mention a few
particulars relative to myself, which otherwise would be impertinent.
"When very young, a kind friend of mine, for whom I had
a great affection, gave me a piece of silver newly coined, with
which I was so well pleased, that I was resolved to keep it for
the sake of the giver; or, as the common phrase is, to make a
keepsake of it: and this resolution I held so sacred, that
neither childish toy, or youthful pleasure, could wrest the treasure
from me.
"When in my twentieth year, it pleased God to bring me
to the knowledge of His salvation; which so rejoiced my heart,
that the natural consequence was a readiness on all occasions to
contribute my mite to promote the cause of the Redeemer,
through whom I had experienced such unspeakable happiness.
"On one occasion it happened, that I had no money
about me but this piece, which I had so long and sacredly kept
in remembrance of my friend. As the collectors were handing
the boxes round to the different pews, I began to argue in my
mind the propriety of giving away my piece, as the best way
of keeping it. The thought of laying it out upon myself I
could not entertain for a moment; and was aware there would
come a time when I could no longer retain it. At length, to
test the propriety of giving it, I supposed I had done so; and
afterwards met my much-loved friend in the world of spirits.
I imagined she was well acquainted with what I had done; but,
on consulting her countenance, I could not perceive the least
mark of displeasure: on the contrary, I thought she gave me
a smile of approbation. This determined me; accordingly,
when the box was presented to me, I dropped my piece into it;
and from that moment to the present, whenever the circumstance
has occurred to me, I have always felt perfectly satisfied
with my decision.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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