Divine Mercy Commemorated,

IN A

SHORT ACCOUNT

OF THE

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

OF

MARY RECKITT,

LATE OF WOODBRIDGE,

WIDOW OF JOSEPH RECKITT,

WHO DIED

THE 16TH OF 12TH MONTH, 1816,

AGED NEAR SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS,

PREFACE.

THE individual who is the subject of the following memoir, was possessed of a disposition remarkably amiable and benevolent; many could bear testimony to her active usefulness in endeavouring to relieve the necessitous and afflicted. These acts of kindness were not confined to the indigent; for her generous heart expanded in sympathy to all around her. It is known, that, seemingly forgetful of her own personal safety, she was accustomed to enter the habitation even of infectious disease, and to administer to the various wants of the sufferers.

She was a most affectionate and tender parent, studying the happiness of her children. She was to them as a companion and friend; but this tenderness was accompanied with that mild authority which distinguished her as the parent; so that they not only loved, but highly revered her.

Those placed under her roof in the capacity of servants, were much attached to her from her uniform kind behaviour to them; and she manifested a concern for their eternal interest. Thus the moral virtues shone conspicuously in her; joined to a susceptibility of mind, and fear of offending that Divine Being whom she was convinced it was her duty to serve; and whose supporting power she had experienced through many trying vicissitudes of her life. But when the evening of her day was nearly closing, when the curtain of life was about to be drawn aside which hides from us the invisible world; she became fully sensible of the inefficacy of those moral virtues for which she had been distinguished, for procuring that solid peace of mind which robs death of its sting, and gives victory over the grave; and which she could not obtain until access was mercifully granted to the "Fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” The following short account of her religious attainments, will fully develope her blessed experience of that faith therein, which enabled her to rise triumphant over every fear and suggestion of the enemy of souls; so that she could adopt the language of the great apostle: "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

MEMOIR

OF

MARY RECKITT, THE ELDER.

THE FOLLOWING EXPRESSIONS DURING HER LAST ILLNESS WERE PRESERVED BY HER DAUGHTER, M. RECKITT, JUN. THE SUBJECT OF THE PRECEDING NARRATIVE.

DURING the former part of my dear Mother's last illness, which commenced on the twelfth of tenth month, 1816, we were apprehensive that she was in a very low and tried state of mind. This apprehension was confirmed. on my sister's delivering a message of love from a friend for whom she had a great regard, to which she replied: "It is all nothing to me." My sister said: "But it is pleasant to have the love of our friends." Mother rejoined: "I know it, and it is very kind; but it is the Lord alone that can help. I cannot say, as some have, that guardian angels seem to surround my bed; though I hope I have never wholly lost my confidence." It was evident her depression arose from not feeling