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AN

ACCOUNT

Of the DEATH of

+ 103.

SARAH LAWRANCE,

Who Died at the Vicarage

IN

Madeley, Shropshire,

December 3rd, 1800.
Aged 44 Years.

And I looked, and lo, a Lamb flood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand; having his Father's nume written in their foreheads. Thefe are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. thefe are they which follow the Lamb whither foever he goeth. Rev. c. 14. v. i. iv.

MADELEY:

PRINTED BY J. EDMUNDS.

And Sold at the Houfe of Rev. Mr. WALTER, Curate of the Parish.

PRICE

1801.

TWO-PENGE

f.

An Account of the Death &c.

MY dear friend Sarah Lawrance has many Years

been weak and infirm, but her ardent defire for the Salvation of Souls carried her frequently beyond her ftrength, and many times, when the was inviting Sinners to repentance her poor Body has been fitter for bed, than any other place. It might be truly faid.-the Zeal of the Lord did eat her up,-and fince the has been quite confined, what tears and prayers has the offered for Souls, in and about this Parith. For fome time fhe was much exercifed with the thought of my being left without her, and allo, many fiery darts from Satan, accufing her with want of faithfulnefs to the Souls caft in her way, telling her, the talent was taken from her; becaule he had not used it well.but I think I may fay, fcarce ever have I feen any one fo truly exem plary in this refpect as herself,-but the bore her inward and outward Crofs with a filent-refigned patience, waiting on the Lord; till the Cloud hould break at the fame time, faying,-" tho'

I am

I am weary and heavy laden, I never find a doubt of acceptance with God."

When I was going a few Sabbaths ago to-open Coalport Houfe, which was built for her,fh: faid to me," you may give them my loving remembrance,if I was ever called any where, I furely was to that place-It feemed at times, as if my whole Soul was drawn out in their behalf, and, when I think of the dear Children and grown Perfons too, who ufed to come through such deep roads to meet me, I cannot help turning my eyes with tears and prayers many times towards that Spot-well, I have a strong Confidence I fhall meet many of them at God's right-hand-When I have been coming home in a dark Night over Sutton Common, I have found fuch a fenfe of the heavenly Hoft round about me, and fuch Communion with them as I cannot defcribe."-One day, The faid with great tenderness,-" We have scarce ever been Parted a day thefe 40 Years,how many hundred Miles have we travelled together, and if the cold hand of Death fhould now tare us afunder; it will not be for long, we fhall have a bleffed meeting in Glory."-I replied, little did 1 think to fee this Day: but we are called to refign ourfelves to all the will of God; I have been thinking of that word I once heard. my dear Husband's voice fpeaking to me foon after his death.

For the joy that's fet before Thee,

Bear a momentary pain;

Die, to live the Life of Glory,
Suffer with thy Lord to reign,

"O! faid

1

"O!" faid the," that was the very word which came to me laft night; but my head was fo confufed with the Fever I could not recollect it, and this morning as I was thinking on the faithfulness of God, I faw fuch a fullness in the Promises as filled me with comfort, and it came to me, Having loved his own, he loveth them

66

unto the End."

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She was greatly affected at the idea of my lonely fituation, which we both faw aggravated by many particular circumftances, and expreffed how gladly if it was the will of God, fhe would have drunk of that bitter Cup, inftead of me.As I was obferving what fome of the Martyrs fuffered, who left their Families, languifhed in Prifons, and burnt at a Stake-fhe cried out,"O! what have I to be thankful for-not one negleft-how carefully am I attended-ah, what fhould I have done without you at this time.' Seeing me greatly afflicted (tho' I ftrove to hide it from her) the expreffed the tendereft concern, thinking of various things fhe wifhed to remind and counsel me about, and added," If you were but in Heaven; with what pleasure fhould I look at Death."-Next day, fhe faid, "I have had many fiery darts this morning: Satan would perfuade me I am deceived and have never known the Lord,-but I reflected on the great Change I felt when he first discovered his Love to my heart, for months before I feared to go to bed; fo dreadful was the thought of Death to me, but from the hour I felt forgiving love, O! how often, night after night have I 1 in

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