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R723

a 133.606

EB 10 1905

THE EXPERIENCE

OF

MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS.

I was born at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, Jan. 31, 1756, of which place my father was minister for many years; being a clergyman in the Church of England. He was a man of strict morals, and, as far as he was enlightened, of real piety. I was trained up in the observance of all outward duties, and in the fear of sins which, in these modern times, are too often deemed accomplishments. I was not suffered to name God but with the deepest reverence; and once for telling a lie, I was corrected in such a manner as I never forgot. We had constant family prayer; the Sabbath was kept strictly sacred; and, as far as outward morality, my parents lived irreproachably, and, in all social duties, were regular and harmonious.

I was early drawn out to secret prayer. I be lieved God was the author of all good, of all happiness; and sin the cause of all misery and pain. If, therefore, I wished for any thing I had not, I asked God, in secret, to grant it me; and in any pain of body, or in any of my childish griefs, I fled to Him for ease and comfort: and it would be incredible to

some how often I have received manifest answers to prayer, when not more than four years old, and how my tender mind has been comforted. I was deeply affected, and had very serious thoughts of death, for some time after seeing the corpse of a little brother of mine, who died of the small-pox when I was five years old. I took great delight in the Bible; and could, at this time, read any part of the Old or New Testament, always asking questions, so as to obtain understanding of what I read. My parents required that I should give an account every Sabbath evening of the sermons and lessons I heard at church, and say my Catechism to them, which they explained to my understanding. They also required that I should get off the Collect for the day, and repeat it, with my other prayers, every night and morning. These Collects I often repeated in secret, and with great sincerity, before the Lord. I never remember going to bed without having said my prayers, except once: I was then diverted by a girl, who told me many childish stories, and so took up my attention, that I forgot to pray till I was in bed; and then, being alone, I recollected what I had done, and conscience greatly accused me; so that I began to tremble, lest Satan should be permitted of God to fetch me away, body and soul, which I felt I deserved. I soon after thought I saw him coming to the side of my bed; when I shrieked out in such a manner as brought my parents up stairs to see what was the matter. This made a lasting impression: and I never after dared to neglect commending myself to the protection of God before I slept. I was about this time six years old.

When about eight years of age, I heard my father say he had a very remarkable dream, in his recovery from a dangerous illness: that he stood before the throne of God, and saw his glory; but not being able to gaze upon it, he fell on his face in raptures of joy. My mother asked if he could describe what he saw; but he answered, "No! It is impossible to convey any idea of it:" it seemed almost to deprive him of being. She asked if any thing was spoken to him; but he desired her to ask no more respecting it; nor would he ever tell her any more. I have often thought he received some notice in that dream of his approaching dissolution. A material change was evident from that time in all his conduct and tempers. Anger was ever before a besetting sin, but I never remember to have seen him overcome by it after this. He was more vigilant in public and private duties; more humble and patient under little difficulties and trials; more watchful over the morals of all around him; and took more pains than ever to inform my infant mind in all things which led to piety. He warned me against reading novels and romances; would not suffer me to learn to dance, nor to go on visits to play with those of my own age. He said it was the ruin of youth to suppose they were only to spend their time in diversions. I believe I shall have reason to bless God for ever for several lessons he then gave me, and to all of which I listened with great delight.

In Feb. 1765, when I was a few weeks more than nine years old, he took his last sickness; a malignant fever, in which he lay three weeks; expressing, through the whole of it, an entire submission

to the will of God, and an assurance of a happy eternity. He sung psalms, repeated various scriptures, and praised God aloud; and was continually commending to his care his dear wife and children. A few days before he died, he called aloud for me; and when I came, he took my hand in his very affectionately, and said, "My dear Hetty, you look dejected. You must not let your spirits be cast down; God hath ever cared for me, and he will take care of mine. He will bless you, my dear, when I am gone. I hope you will be a good child, and then you will be happy." Then laying his hand on my head, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and, with a solemnity I shall never forget, said, "Unto God's gracious mercy and protection I commit thee the Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, and make thee his child and faithful servant to thy life's end!" I cannot find words to express what were the feelings of my heart on this occasion. Love for my valuable and affectionate parent, grief to reflect I was now losing him, and gratitude that his dying lips had pronounced such a blessing on my head, quite overpowered me. I fell on my knees, gave vent to a flood of tears, and continued to weep till my eyes were almost swelled up. He died April 10, 1765.

My grief for some time would not suffer me to take recreations of any kind; but I would sit and read to my mother, or weep with her. But after a season, I was invited to the houses of relations and friends; and as I soon became a laughing-stock among them for my seriousness, and dislike to their manners and their plays, I began to be ashamed of

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