Page:Anecdotes of singular and remarkable conversions.pdf/19

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
19

get ready, and come to church, for there was one in the pulpit who prayed like an angel. The woman hastened away and heard the sermon, which, under the divine blessing, proved the means of her conversion, and she afterwards proved an eminent christian.

The Conversion of a poor woman near Bath.

I was well acquainted with a pious woman, who died in Bath, about the year 1774, who was brought to the saving knowledge of God, in the following remarkable manner. She lived in the country and was left a widow, with several children, who were all taken ill of the small pox at the same time. Being in deep poverty, and distress, especially while her children were under that affliction, a Quaker-woman one day rode up to her door and said, “Art not thou a poor widow and in great distress?” The woman answered, “yes, I am a widow and in distress enough.” She then gave her a little money, and said, I am a stranger to thee, but as I was riding along the road, the Lord inclined me to call at thy house, and to relieve thee.” She then rode away, and the woman saw her no more. Some time after this she came and lived at Mashfield, where the travelling preachers were entertained by one John Ranger, a truly pious young man, he being visited by affliction got this poor woman to attend him in his sickness. One day as she was sitting by the bed-side, he being asleep she fell asleep also, and dreamed that John Ranger said to her with great earnestness: “awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give the light.”— She immediately awoke out of her sleep and could hardly be persuaded but that John Ranger had really spoke those words to her. However they had a