True, she had lived on earth but a short time, and, when compared
with others, had committed but few sins; but these few were aggravated and
overwhelming. God she had not loved; Christ she had not embraced. She had
violated the wise and holy law of the universe, and, to complete the work
of woe, had rejected the blood of the Son of God. She had a view of sin as
God presents, it in his word; and when she saw _herself_ as a sinner, the
contemplation was crushing and terrible. But these feelings of deep anguish
did not long continue. God heard her cries of penitence, and for the sake
of Christ forgave all the past, and caused joy, like a deep, strong tide,
to flow into her soul. Her rapture was as ecstatic as her sorrow had been
oppressive; and on the listening ear of her sister penitents she poured the
story of her change from death to life.
She was baptized on the 2nd of September, 1831, by Rev. J. B. Jeter. It was
a holy spectacle. The youthful candidate for the sublime ordinance was not
yet fourteen years of age; and, as she descended the bank and entered the
flood, a deep and awful silence gathered over the crowded shores.
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