IJ - 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 /

 
 3r TA: WEfj/^rf. F£ 
 
 -Fi^j 989 ^h m A M M (D) 'j? T ffi ^1 .
 
 LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 MRS. SARAH NORTON 
 
 AN 
 
 |llustr;iti0n at |lnirticiil littg. 
 
 BY 
 
 SAMUEL D. BALDWIN". 
 
 -»•»- 
 
 PUBLISHED BY J. B. M'FERRIN, AGENT, 
 
 rOH TUB M£TU0»I8T Kl'ISCOl'AL CIIUUCU, SOUTH. 
 
 18 5 8.
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by 
 
 J. B. M'FERRIX, 
 
 In the District Court of tlie United States for the Middle District of Tennessee. 
 
 • ••• ••**-/ • 
 
 • ••••• • 
 
 • * 
 
 • « « • • • 
 
 • ••••• • 
 
 t • a • « • • 
 
 • • *• • « • 
 • • • » • 
 
 e • * 
 
 »•' c« • 
 
 • •_ • • • • to 
 
 ' • • • • 
 • • • • • 
 
 I • • 
 
 CCCCCO*** • 
 
 « • • 
 
 STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY A. A. STITT. SOUTHERN MICTHODIST 
 PUBLISHING HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENN.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. PAQB 
 
 INTRODUCTION EARLY LIFE OF MRS. NORTON EARLY MExfeoD- 
 
 ISTS — REASONS FOR BEING A METHODIST — CHURCH GOVERN- 
 MENT MILITARY IN STRUCTURE BAPTISM BY TOURING THH 
 
 V» lord's SUPPER AND HER MEDITATIONS AND HOPES FASTING : 
 
 ^^ ITS USES AND PHILOSOPHY — CLASS-MEETINGS T 
 
 CO 
 
 ^ CHAPTER II. 
 
 55 PRAYER — PKAYER-MEBTINGS — PUBLIC WORSHIP — SINGING 84 
 
 CO 
 
 "^ CHAPTER III. 
 
 ^ BENEFICENCE — SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY — VISITLNQ THE SICK — 
 
 ^ ATTENTION TO YOUNG PREACHERS 63 
 
 m 
 
 g CHAPTER IV. 
 
 LIBERALITY OF 8ENT13IENT CAMP-MBETINQS — BAPTISM — DJVEB- 
 
 8I0N8 60 
 
 3 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ^ CO.VVICTION — REMARKABLE INSTANCE — INSTRUCTIONS TO A 
 
 O MOURNER — FAITH — RELIGION 94 
 
 CO 
 
 ^ CHAPTER VI. 
 
 3 CONVERSATION WITH A NEW-LIGHT — MKTIIODIST USAfJES. „ 110 
 
 < 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 EFFORTS #0R TIIK CONVER.SION OF OTIIKRS — LETTER TO E. H. 
 
 DEVOTION TO HER CHURCH — DEATH OF A HINNEU — PARTIES OF 
 
 (lii) 
 
 447966
 
 IV CONTENTS. 
 
 TAGE 
 
 PLEASURE CONFERENCE WOMAN'S SrHERE TOO NARROW 
 
 CONVERSION OF MAJOR THRASHLEY OF m'ILVAINE 124 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BASCOM ROSS — DEATH-SCENE 141 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MAFFIT CORRESPONDENTS MR. NORTON IGO 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 PERSONAL APPEARANCE MENTAL POWERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS — • 
 
 HOME CIRCLE SERVANTS 171 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH 177
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. SARAH NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTION — EARLY LIFE OF MRS. NORTON EARLY METHODISTS 
 
 REASONS FOR BEING A METHODIST CHURCH GOVERNMENT MILITARY 
 
 IN STRUCTrtlE — BAPTISM BY POURING THE LORD's SUPPER AND 
 
 HER MEDITATIONS AND HOPES FASTING : ITS USES AND PHILOSO- 
 PHY CLASS-MEETINGS. 
 
 Earth is not our home. , We are journeying to 
 a land of angels. The Christian will soon be there. 
 How blest that country! how charming its in- 
 habitants! Could we unveil their glories, our pil- 
 grimage would lose its sorrow^s in the bloonung 
 prospect, and our weary feet flame with ardor to 
 scale the heights before us. 
 
 ** That holy -world is ever bright 
 
 With a pure radiance all its own ; 
 And streams of uncreated light 
 
 Flow round it from the eternal throne. 
 There forms that mortals may not see, 
 
 Too glorious for the eye to trace, 
 And clad in peerless majesty, 
 
 Move witli unutterable grace." 
 
 To know when first Omnipotence laid the founda- 
 tions of eternal realms, when wings of light first 
 
 (7)
 
 8 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 shook the heavenly hills and marshalled all the 
 morning stars from night, would be a blissful pri- 
 vilege. And could we read the biography of a 
 seraph, could we trace his early hours and prime, 
 and his vicissitudes from his birth down eternity's 
 highway, and view in full his person, heart, and 
 history, our interest would grow with every page, 
 and fadeless glory would remain upon the fasci- 
 nated memory. But there will come a period in 
 the Christian's history when his childhood and his 
 earthly years will swell in interest beyond the 
 story of the firstborn sons of light. An age will 
 yet arrive when Adam and his latest son will seem 
 the creatures of a single hour; when saints and 
 angels will appear as offspring of the self-same day. 
 The stars, though larger than ten thousand globes 
 like ours, by distance are but points of light : 
 their diverse magnitudes are indiscriminately lost 
 through boundless distance. Creatures though 
 born apart through the extremes of twice ten 
 thousand cycles of the stars, will, at the end of 
 cycles yet beyond, all sink to the diameter of a 
 sinde moment. Then saints and angels will be 
 of the same comparative age. Then will the Chris- 
 tian fill a sublimer sphere than they who never 
 " fought to win the prize, nor sailed through bloody 
 seas." 
 
 A Christian is the strangest character in the
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 9 
 
 niii verse — an anomaly in the empire of Divinity. 
 The strongest interests centre in him, and the 
 most awfnl events cluster around him. He is 
 nearer to God than the seraphs ; he is the only re- 
 deemed creature ; the only one whose nature God 
 has assumed ; the only one for whom God's only 
 Son was ever sacrificed. By the stupid world 
 around him he may be regarded with pity as de- 
 luded and visionary ; but though undistinguished 
 from men by any external insignia, he yet has 
 God for his father, and heaven for his home ; and 
 his present humility will splendidly heighten the 
 glory that shall be revealed in him when his con- 
 flicts are ended. The biography of the Christian's 
 future will be the more striking by antithesis with 
 his past : the heavenly will be the brighter from 
 the obscurity of the earthly. However less bril- 
 liant than those of military chieftains, his heroism 
 and conquests will yet shine with a lustre for ever 
 augmenting, while the memory of man's destroyers 
 shall dissolve like smoke from a conflagration. The 
 fellow-heirs of the same destiny are mutual objects 
 of affection and affiliation, of admiration and of ex- 
 ample. AVhatever may be the faults or the disas- 
 ters that attach to the probationer, the veil of char- 
 ity is always ready to cover the one, and the heart 
 of sympatliy to commiserate the other. ^ 
 Personally, Christians may be strangers; but
 
 10 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 they are yet kindred by ties the most endearing. 
 They may contend under diverse local standards, 
 but they are militant under the same Captain; 
 they may be called by various tribal names, but 
 they speak alike the language of the same Canaan. 
 Filling different stations of life ; abiding in the pa- 
 lace or in the cottage ; bereft of education or pol- 
 ished by learning ; moving in the circles of fashion 
 or among the walks of the lowly ; tempted by the 
 enchantments of riches or the sorcery of poverty — 
 they ahke love one another — labor for one des- 
 tiny — contend for the same mastery, and, having 
 overcome, they alike " ascribe their conquests to 
 the Lamb, their triumphs to his death." The life 
 of all such is worthy of careful record, and all are 
 written in the Book of Life. But as one star dif- 
 fers from another in glory, and as in various skies 
 the larger ones are the more perspicuous guides to 
 the benighted Avanderer, so there are Christians 
 whose light has been of the first magnitude in vari- 
 ous ranks of life, whose memory should be stereo- 
 typed upon the chart of the Christian pilgrimage, 
 that others on the wastes of time and sin may fol- 
 low them to Bethlehem, to Calvary, and heaven. 
 Among such luminaries we mention one, no more 
 of earth, to whose calm and unobtrusive light and 
 life we kindly ask an hour's devotion. We present 
 no glarmg character ; no model of eccentricity ; no
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 11 
 
 Christian poet, orator, or prodigy ; but a faithful, 
 practical exemplar of modest, womanly piety, in 
 the person of Mrs. Sarah Norton. 
 
 Biography is the most difficult of compositions 
 to execute with satisfaction to the living or jus- 
 tice to the dead ; and with a pen unskilled in por- 
 traiture, we fear to write ; but love constrains, and 
 we proceed. 
 
 j\[rs. Sarah Norton was born in York county, 
 Pennsylvania, September 2, 1790 : her maiden 
 name was Sarah Low. While a child she lost her 
 father, and when eight years old her mother re- 
 moved to Williamsport, in Lycoming county, and 
 there died, leaving Sarah an orphan at the age of 
 nine years. She then returned to York, and there, 
 in 1807, was united in marriage to Mr. John Nor- 
 ton, also of Pennsylvania, but a resident of Louis- 
 ville, Ky. 
 
 During her early orphanage she resided w^ith 
 Mr. Spangler, and also with Mr. Luy. The house 
 of the latter was " a preacher's home :" here Bishop 
 Asbury made his home, as also did Bishop Roberts, 
 at that time the circuit preacher. With these and 
 others she was familiarly acquainted in her girl- 
 hood. 
 
 In 1812 they removed to Lexington, Ky., 
 whore they resid(id till her death. She made a 
 profession of religion at the age of thirteen, and
 
 12 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 uniting with the Methodist Church in 1803, her 
 life was a practical ilkistration of the inspiring na- 
 ture of its doctrines and usages. 
 
 There are resistless (or natural) and moral forces 
 in the universe which shape our destiny. Among 
 these our parentage, our nativity, and our educa- 
 tion abidingly impress our character and our course 
 of life. They do not, indeed, necessitate salvation, 
 nor positively interfere with our choice of life and 
 death ; but they ordinarily predispose to the ways 
 of virtue, or prejudice us against those of piety. 
 We may naturally inherit superiority of attributes, 
 but association and cultivation develop them in ac- 
 cordance with a noble or ignoble standard of taste. 
 The mariner, in perpetual conflict with nature, is 
 proverbially hberal; and the fire and sweetness 
 of the poet and orator are but the lightning and the 
 bloom that sparkled or budded in the versatile 
 thoughts of childhood amid inspiring scenery. It 
 is natural for the orphan child to think intensely 
 of heaven. It only knew parental tenderness as 
 the stormy day often knows the rosy hues and the 
 brilhant sunhght of the morning. It remembers 
 its early days as earth does Eden ; it dwells upon 
 them as on the dissipated oasis of some celestial 
 dream, and thinks of living ones hard by the 
 throne of love that gave it life, and whose de- 
 parture was but a loving invitation to follow.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 13 
 
 The early days of Miss Low, after she was ca- 
 pable of intelligent apprehension of truth, were 
 spent amid the wilds of Lycoming, and the ani- 
 mated grandeur and hcauty along the Susque- 
 hanna. Here her rambles were prolonged and 
 numerous. Threading streamlets to their foun- 
 tains ; scaling mountain-sides and clambering over 
 rocks ; from dizzy heights survejdng landscapes 
 swimming in sublimity; traversing the country 
 with friends, or at school among sequestered shades, 
 she developed a passion for the works of nature so 
 strong as to imbue her character with an abiding 
 })oetry. Her relish for the beautiful was manifest 
 in the grounds around her residence, adorned with 
 trees and shrubbery planted by her hands, and 
 nourished by her untiring care. She recognized 
 God in the trees and flowers, and she loved them 
 for suggesting his nearness and his love. After 
 about forty years' absence from the haunts of her 
 childhood she revisited them with all her first af- 
 fection, and from their mountains gazed upon them 
 all again, and casting a wistful eye to scenes be- 
 yond the flood, bade them a fond farewell. 
 
 The loss of her father she was too young to feel; 
 but that of *her mother seems to have been the 
 most poignant of afllictions. Death is always ter- 
 rible. To the dying it may, through Christ, be 
 gain ; but to the survivors it is often crushing. When
 
 14 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 chilJrcn linger around the clying-pilloAV of a mo- 
 ther, and pour their tears like rain and cannot be 
 comforted, then we feel that death is indeed an 
 enemy. 
 
 The above view of death was fully entertained 
 by Miss Low. Forty years after her mother's 
 death its poignancy was still fresh in her memor}^, 
 and in comforting a bereaved friend she writes the 
 following : " what millions mourn o'er blighted 
 hopes and departed joys ! It must be that an all- 
 wise God, who is too good and kind to do wrong, 
 permits these things, to show us that this is not 
 our rest. Alas ! we need line upon line and pre- 
 cept upon precept, ere we learn to appreciate such 
 an important truth. Happy for those who early 
 seek to build above the stars. Happy the}^ who, 
 called away in Christ, escape earth's sorrows and 
 snares. I know, through early experience, that 
 the dead survive, and ^ the survivo}" dies J that 
 I could drop a word that would impart some com- 
 fort to your wounded and bleeding heart ! If sym- 
 pathy can assuage, you have it from me." 
 
 And so, when Miss Low was called, in her help- 
 less years, with life all dark before her, to watch, 
 tearfully, in her mother's room, to Lly her face 
 upon her bosom and sob her heart away, to receive 
 the last caress and the last words of counsel, her 
 sense of utter lonehness and friendlessness carried
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 15 
 
 the last words of kindness home to her heart with 
 a power that brought her responsive promise to 
 early fruition. " Sarah, my child, be good ; read 
 your Bible ; pray to God ; seek religion ; meet 
 your mother in heaven. There is no friend like 
 a mother, my child, but God; make him your* 
 friend, and all will be well." 
 
 How important to set a pious example before 
 children ! How deep the memory of a mother's les- 
 sons of love sinks into the soul of the child long, 
 long after the lips that uttered them are sealed in 
 the silence of the dust ! 
 
 The tones of her voice, like the music of joys, 
 Have a mystical thrill that will make the heart feel, 
 
 Whenever they fall on the ear. 
 Like the silvery chime of some dear olden time. 
 The words of her prayer linger sweet on the air, 
 
 In the musical distance afar. 
 
 In about two years after her mother's death 
 Miss Low professed religion, under the ministry 
 of Rev, Itobert Roberts, (afterwards Bishop,) and 
 joined the Church in Carlisle circuit, Baltimore 
 Conference. At that time the number of Method- 
 ists in America was only about one huifdred and 
 twenty thousand, and they were esteemed as an 
 inferior grade of people — a fiery, fanatical class of 
 deceivers. Did Christians live up to the gospel 
 requirements, their indomitable ardor would lead 
 the world to brand them with lunacy ; and it is
 
 16 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 not wonderful that the Methodists, beheving that 
 men are in danger of hell and destruction, and 
 preaching and laboring as if they practically be- 
 lieved their creed, should be accounted as demented 
 by practical or religious atheism. The odium in 
 •which they were held was a powerful preventive 
 of their success among some classes of people ; and 
 it has been considered remarkable by many that 
 such a lady as Miss Low became, should have en- 
 rolled herself among their numbers; or that, having 
 united with them, she should not have withdrawn 
 after a few years of practical experience of their 
 follies. The reasons why she became a Methodist, 
 and remained one, are easily stated. 
 
 The leading desire of her heart was to get to 
 heaven. This desire, let it be repeated, was the 
 leading motive of her life. It v/as not an idle wish, 
 or faint hope, or fanatical behef — an expectation 
 of an end without the use of the means ; but it was 
 an object to which all things else were subservient — 
 it was the supreme thought controUing her exist- 
 ence. She was inflexible in her purpose — no 
 temptation could prompt her to fickleness. The 
 capital city of God's habitation was the haven she 
 proposed to attain ; and no sea, however smooth, 
 no shores, however pleasant, could divert her set- 
 tled resolve to see the King in his beauty, and be- 
 hold the land that is afar. Nature may do much
 
 LIFE OF MP. S. NORTON. 17 
 
 in conferring decision of character, and may have 
 done much for her ; but grace must perfect Avhat 
 is commendable in nature, and be the crown of our 
 rejoicing. In casting around for companions earn- 
 estly ins})ired with a purpose like her own, she 
 found the Methodists greatly intent on a crown of 
 glor}". Their conversation was of heaven ; their 
 social meetings were absorbed with the one idea 
 of triumph over death through Christ the Lord ; 
 their preaching was fervid, pathetic, and horta- 
 tive; their music was the spirited melody of the 
 heart ; they invited others to Christ, and led the 
 way ; they proclaimed mercy free, in opposition to 
 a limited atonement; they used the scriptural ap- 
 pellatives of brother and sister with the warmth 
 of Christian aifection : persecuted and detested, 
 the world yet said, " Behold how these love one 
 another !" Instant in prayer, in journeyings for 
 the cross, and " in labors more abundant," " they 
 obtained the good report of pilgrims and strangers 
 on the earth, looking for a city which hath founda- 
 tions, and whose builder and maker is God.'' With 
 a Church thus earnest, humble, and imbued with 
 the Spirit of Christ, this earnest girl felt that she 
 had suitable company to the kingdom of tlie meek 
 and the lowly. She deemed the reproach of Christ, 
 ^vith such a i)eo[)lc, a greater honor than all the 
 respectability of Egypt — " for she had respect to
 
 18 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 the recompense of reward." Some unite with 
 churches that are fashionable ; some from regard 
 to municipal regulations ; some because of a loose 
 discipline or easy laws ; some on account of sacra- 
 ments, or predestination, or mode of baptism ; and 
 others at the instance of proselyting busybodies in 
 other men's matters ; but Mrs. Norton joined the 
 Methodists as the best means of getting to glory ; 
 as the surest method of obtaining " an abundant 
 entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ." 
 
 With our Church polity she was thoroughly con- 
 versant, and Bishop Asbury was one of the coun- 
 sellors of her youth. In her sixteenth year, we 
 find a catalogue of all the preachers in her posses- 
 sion, presented to her by Bishop Asbury. The 
 organization of our Church is in theory and form 
 purely military. It is intended for both conquest 
 and possession until the warfjire is ended and the 
 Captain of our salvation comes, as a king, to dis- 
 pense with armies and establish the Church as a 
 settled kingdom. The analogy of our Church to 
 the army of our country is remarkably striking. 
 The army is divided into large sections, termed 
 divisions; these are again divided into brigades ; 
 brigades are subdivided into regiments, haitalions, or 
 squadrons; and these into companies; and these 
 into platoons. Over the whole army, navy, and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 10 
 
 militia, the president is commander-in-chief. Over 
 each division of the army is a major-general; over 
 each brigade a brigadier-general ; over each regi- 
 ment a colonel ; over each company, a captain ; over 
 each platoon a corporal or sergeant. Our Church is 
 divided in like manner : the districts over which 
 the bishops preside answering to the divisions of 
 the major-generals ; the presiding eklers' office and 
 district answerino- to those of the briaade and bri- 
 gadier; the preacher in charge and his circuit or 
 station answering to the regiment, battalion, or 
 squadron, and their officers ; the class and band- 
 leaders, to captains, sergeants, and corporals. This 
 arrangement gives the Church advantages which no 
 other system of spiritual warfare can possess. It 
 is enabled promptly to send forth men- to pioneer 
 every outlying region, and at once to fill all vacan- 
 cies occasioned by desertion, infirmity, sickness, or 
 death. It demands the prime of health and man- 
 hood, the flower of life and talent, zeal and learnino:. 
 It calls for the youthful from all ranks, and by its 
 toils and trials develops their latent powers, and 
 strengthens thcra to become men of might and sons 
 of thunder. It lays aside in part the infirm and 
 aged, and taxes the preacher's devotion to Chris- 
 tianity to the utmost. It is the most penetrating, 
 self-sacrificing, self-denying, energetic economy the 
 world has seen since the days of St. Paul. A bless-
 
 20 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 iiig to the people, its burden falls mainly on the 
 minis try. Shnple and light in its operations, it 
 moves with celerity ; and celerity in war is equi- 
 valent to success. Compact and united, when it 
 strikes the foe, it does so with the force of its com- 
 bined momentum, and resists attack with its entire 
 front to the assailant. Like the angel of Revela- 
 tion, it flies resistlessly ; and, like him, preaches 
 the gospel to every creature. The system is to- 
 tally unselfish. It does not localize talent for the 
 benefit and pleasure of the fastidious and selfish 
 few, but dispenses its light and heat among the 
 poor as among the rich. It panders not to exqui- 
 site delicacy or morbid taste, but inspires attend- 
 ance upon the sanctuary as a place for Divine tvor- 
 ship, rather than for the pleasure of hearing a 
 musical or classical entertainment. Independent, 
 bold, young, active, and poor, it has been blessed 
 of God to the salvation of millions. Mrs. Norton 
 was an admirer of the Church because of its mili- 
 iarij economy. She wisely concluded that such 
 Church-government was the best and the most di- 
 vine which resulted in carrying the gospel to the 
 greatest number of people, and in winning most to 
 Christ. And judging a tree by its fruits, the 
 Church of her choice was peculiarly of the right- 
 hand planting of the Lord. To preserve the sys- 
 tem, she felt th'dt personal ^preferences must often be
 
 LIFE OF MRS. N OUT ON. 21 
 
 sacrificed to the general good ; and that as for op- 
 pression, this could not prevail so long as the pas- 
 tor's official prerogative was countervailed by his 
 means of subsistence in the hands of the laity. 
 Piety in the Church is the great safeguard of its 
 rights ; were this wanting, the Church would be an 
 engine of evil ; and when this wanes, it will be well 
 if the military Church decay. 
 
 As to Methodist doctrines, Miss Low cordially 
 embraced them — slie believed them plainly taught 
 in the word of Clod. As for " baptism and the lay- 
 ing on of hands," she was not much troubled. Bap- 
 tized into Christ by the pouring of the Spirit, she 
 was satisfied with being, in the same way, baptized 
 into his Church by the pouring of water. She be- 
 lieved that God promised to ''^ pour out his Spirit 
 upon his servants and handmaidens" in the Chri3- 
 tian age; and that this was the baptism of the Holy 
 Spirit on the day of pentecost, she was assured by 
 the words of Christ and of an apostle. Christ, " be- 
 ing assembled together with them, commanded 
 them not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for 
 the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have 
 heard of me. For John truly baptized you M'ith 
 water, but ye sliall be baptized with the Holy 
 Ghost not many d;iys hence." " This Jesus hath 
 (Jod r;iis('d up, whereof we are all witnesses. 
 Thurerore, being Ijy the right hand of God exalted,
 
 22 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 and having received of the Father the promise of 
 the Holy Ghost, He hath poured out this which 
 ye now see and hear." Iler conclusion was, that 
 if Christ himself baptized by pouring, and in no 
 other specified mode, it was legitimate for his peo- 
 ple to baptize and be baptized by pourhiff also ; and 
 surely it seems absurd that Christ would ignore a 
 mode of baptism as spurious which he himself prac- 
 ticed at the hour of the full inauguration of the gospel 
 economy. Surely, as the disciples were to baptize 
 in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost, from the day of pentecost through all time, 
 their exemplified mode of baptism was rather an abso- 
 lute and authoritative example to the Church than a 
 merely legitimate form of consecration : was not the 
 Divine pattern of baptism of Divine obligation ? 
 • To our sister the Lord's Supper was ever a 
 source of dehghtful meditation and participation. 
 At the sacramental meeting her heart was always 
 tender, penitent, and often rapturously moved with 
 gratitude and hope. Looking to the past, Jerusa- 
 lem as it was rose to her mind as in real life ; and 
 glancing at the future, Jerusalem as it yet shall be 
 appeared to her faith a glorious reality. Rev. Dr. 
 Huston says, " Mrs. Norton never interrupted my 
 preaching but on one occasion. I was preaching 
 from the text, 'Walk about Jerusalem,' etc., and 
 Mrs. Norton seemed altogether overcome by emo-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 23 
 
 tion. She pmised God aloud repeatedly during 
 the discourse. The next day she sent for me to 
 talk with her about the city of God, and I never 
 was in her company afterwards that she did not 
 make Jerusalem a theme of dehghtful conversa- 
 tion." The cross on which the Saviour died, con- 
 trasted with the throne of God, and the crown 
 of thorns with the diadem of eternal dominion, the 
 insulting crowds, the mocking soldiers, the con- 
 temptuous robe of purple, the ring of the hammers, 
 the writhe of agony, the weeping of timid and dis- 
 tant friends, the dripping blood, and the cry of 
 despair ; the awful hours of darkness, the rending 
 of the rocks and hills, the bursting of tombs, and 
 the death of the Lamb of God ; the solemn burial, 
 the sleepless vigil of the guards, the descent of an- 
 gels, the rise of Jesus from the realms of death 
 and hell, bearing their keys in victory, and the 
 ascent from Olivet amid the shouts of heaven, 
 seemed vividly near her as facts involving her re- 
 demption ; while her joyful hope as vividly ante- 
 dated the descent of the King in his beauty, and 
 the clouds of attending angels ; the clangor of the 
 last trumpet, and the shouts of eternity; the 
 flaming heavens, and the smoking earth; the burst- 
 ing sepulchres, and the rising dead; the shouts 
 of Christians, and the shrieks of the impenitent ; 
 the denunciation of the wicked, and the welcome
 
 24 LIFE OF M 11 S . NO K T N . 
 
 of the faithful. As she partook the elements of 
 bread and wine, she expected ere long to drink the 
 fruit of the vine new in her Father's kingdom, and 
 to take the bread of eternal life, broken by her own 
 Redeemer's hands, at his table, and among the 
 good and the glorified from earth. 
 
 The time-honored day of fasting before each 
 quarterly meeting was to her a season of self-ex- 
 amination as truly as of prayer and abstinence. 
 
 The philosophy of fasting, and its effect upon 
 our faith and practice, is simple and wonderfully 
 efficacious. Intense devotion to any object, and 
 especially to religion, is greatly augmented by in- 
 tense and concentrated thought. Whatever tends 
 to fix our minds fully upon God, upon his law, and 
 upon Christ and reformation of life, must result in 
 strong convictions and resolves ; and these natu- 
 rally develop themselves in the active practice of 
 duty. Religious abstinence from food tends, by 
 the constant recurrence of hunger-pains, to f^isten 
 our thoughts upon the sacred reasons of our fost- 
 ing. The weakness of the flesh suggests our utter 
 dependence upon God, and impresses us with hum- 
 ble notions of our own powers, and increases in us 
 earnest approaches to the Source of all our supplies 
 of grace. The faith which rises to the highest 
 power of triumph is inseparable from the humility 
 and intense prayer natiiralhj associated with the
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 25 
 
 Christian duty of self-denial in the temporary disuse 
 of food. One secret of our sister's warm devotion 
 seems observable in her attention to this simple 
 but often exceedingly onerous duty. Any Chris- 
 tian would be greatly profited by fasting at least 
 four times a year. The world can scarcely over- 
 come our faith if we observe truly the vows we 
 make to fast and pray. 
 
 Mrs. Norton always filled her place at the Lord's 
 Supper. As it was an inexorable Jewish duty to 
 eat of unleavened bread and of the paschal lamb in 
 memory of the passover and deliverance from 
 Egypt, so she felt it to be her Christian duty to 
 partake the memorials of the death of the Lamb 
 of God and of her deliverance from the destroying 
 angel by his blood. No silly whiin, no foolish ca- 
 price, no frivolous excuse satisfied her mind that 
 God would excuse a public neglect of solemnly 
 acknowledging her Saviour, and of showing a pre- 
 cious memory of his sufferings until his return : 
 she partook of the elements as at the last supper 
 on earth, and as hasting to the supper of the Lamb 
 in heaven. 
 
 At the class Mrs. Norton was always ready to 
 speak forth her testimony of the grace bestowed 
 upon her in hours of sorrow or joy. It was a 
 meeting she highly prized and understood. Few 
 persons uneducated by Methodism have a proj)er 
 2
 
 26 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 conception of its designs. It is simply a meeting 
 for Christian conversation, and is devoted to such 
 conversation exclusively. In its original institu- 
 tion, attendance upon it was not a test of Church- 
 membership ; indeed, it seems to have been ex- 
 pressly organized as a meeting for inquirers of the 
 way to life — it was a seeker's meeting rather than 
 one of full professing Christians. In America and 
 in England, after Mr. Wesley's death, its original 
 character was, wisely or unwisely, infringed, and 
 attendance upon it became a test of Church-mem- 
 bership, and this either fortunately or unfortu- 
 nately for the Methodist economy generally. As 
 it now stands, it is a meeting for both seekers and 
 advanced Christians by disciplinary obligation. 
 That it is an abundant and incomparable means of 
 grace to those who can attend upon it when pro- 
 perly conducted, there can be no doubt ; but when 
 ill-conducted, like all noble means of usefulness, it 
 must lose much of its saving influences. The 
 average weekly attendance upon it in sparsely set- 
 tled regions in England and America, has rarely 
 ever exceeded one-tenth of the actual membership". 
 Yet to those who constantly frequent it, it is 
 ever like the place on Jacob's journey where an- 
 gels hovered o'er his dreams, and heaven's fair 
 gates were opened wide to bless the fugitive of 
 sorrow. The heart borne down with griefs finds
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 27 
 
 sweet relief when it can pour its story of despond- 
 ency into the ear of Christian sympathy ; and 
 the feeble and the tempted gain new strength by 
 hearing a like experience from those that are still 
 urging their pathway to the skies. Where there 
 is zeal in a good cause, that zeal takes fire and 
 burns with double ardor when different persons, 
 burdened with the same thoughts, express their 
 feehngs freely to each other. Whatever may be 
 our secret fervor for God, we never can possess 
 the same strength of union of hearts and hands 
 without free and full expression of our thoughts, 
 as we can with it, 
 
 " The motion of the hidden fire that trembles in 
 the breast," must escape the lips before it can warm 
 the hearts of others ; and it is our duty to quicken 
 the souls of others, as well as to be strengthened 
 ourselves. In class, we meet 
 
 "Each the other's cross to hear, 
 
 While each his friendly aid affords, 
 And feels his brother's care." 
 
 Christian sorrows and joys are connnon Chris- 
 tian property,- and we may not deny sympathy 
 with the former, nor can we rightfully be denied a 
 share of the latter ; but if we have no class-meet- 
 ing, then the Church has no regular means of minis- 
 tering in the one case, nor of being ministered to 
 in the other. Mrs. Norton was ever awake to
 
 28 LIFE or MRS. NORTON. 
 
 these things, and always found the class-meeting a 
 A'ery gate of heaven; and it was here her true 
 Christian character radiated in the frequent narra- 
 tion of her personal experience; and her place here 
 was never vacant unless unavoidably so. When 
 she spoke, she did so in an intelhgible manner, so 
 that all could hear and profit by her experience. 
 This clear method of speaking is essential to a use- 
 ful class-meeting. By it we are able to compare 
 our experience with that of others, and gather 
 many a crumb of comfort which would otherwise 
 be lost. A mumbling, inarticulate expression of 
 our thoughts in common conversation is not ap- 
 propriate in any company, much less where we are 
 talking of God and his goodness. 
 
 The weekly experience of Mrs. Norton exhi- 
 bited a constant effort, on her part, of conformity 
 of life to the law of love. Christian enjoyment 
 was, with her, the result of a good life, as well as 
 of that joy divinely bestowed by the '' Spirit which 
 helpeth our infirmities." They were rarely ex- 
 pressed vociferously, but were often poured forth 
 as was the spontaneous glorification of God by 
 Mary of old. Her " soul magnified the Lord," in 
 intelligent enunciation for his mercy, till the list- 
 eners were overwhelmed by her spirit of utterance, 
 and by the grace she ministered to them. A shout 
 of glory is by no means reprehensible ; for " Cry out
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 29 
 
 and sJiout, thou inhabitant of Zion," is an exhorta- 
 tion to which our conformity is rather commenda- 
 ble ; but the protracted explanation of our joys 
 certainly gives more of pleasure to a company of 
 Christians awaiting the manifestations of Divine 
 love " as the Spirit gives them utterance." The 
 rapturous and angelic expression of Mrs. Norton, 
 while she spoke of redeeming love, her flowing 
 tears of pleasure, her burning words of happiness, 
 have thrilled the hearts of many of her classmates 
 journeying to the same destiny, and many of whom 
 have long since united with her upon the fruition 
 of joys to which those of the class-meeting were 
 but the antepast. 
 
 Mrs. Norton had her temptations and her trials 
 of faith. ]Many improperly suppose that persons 
 possessed of fortune can have but little to mar their 
 peace, or " tempt their steady feet aside ;" but the 
 case is far otherwise. Riches, by their fulness of 
 plenty, tend to satisfy us with our lot, and make 
 us forget those heavenly comforts which ordinarily 
 draw mankind in thought strongly toward heaven. 
 To be plain amidst the circles of voluptuous fashion, 
 to be humble and unassuming among the tongues 
 of flattery and compliment, is no ordinary task for 
 humanity. And Mrs. Norton ever felt that a por- 
 tion of one of our sweet hymns most graphically 
 described her struggles of mind :
 
 30 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
 Prone to leave the God I love," 
 
 was a constant sentiment with her amid the gaudy 
 scenes around her. But yet her constant con- 
 fession was, 
 
 " Here 's my heart, take and seal it, 
 Seal it for thy courts above." 
 
 To her the alkirements of heaven were stronger 
 than the flatteries of the world, and communion 
 with God more enchanting than the winning circles 
 of r<?fined but earthly society. Her habits of hu- 
 mility and piety, formed upon principle amidst the 
 strongest counter-attractions, became inflexible, 
 and she stood at length in her fixedness of purpose 
 as a Christian, " firm as an iron pillar, strong and 
 steadfast as a wall of brass." Many professed 
 Christians possess tastes so refined, that it seems 
 irksome to them to associate with the humbler and 
 less favored members of the fold of Christ. But the 
 cultivation of mind and refinement of manners pos- 
 sessed by our friend will challenge comparison 
 with those of any lady, either in our own country 
 or in any other : her personal beauty, her superior 
 intellect, her scholarly advantages, her ripe attain- 
 ments, and her circle of friends, will place her far, 
 very far above the large majority of those who put 
 forward their claims to a place in " the first circles." 
 But with all her natural claims to eminence, she
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 31 
 
 would have esteemed it unworthy of a genuine lady, 
 and much more of a Christian, to have pressed these 
 as a reason for holding the children of God at a dis- 
 tance because they were not attired in costly appa- 
 rel. To her the heart " refined" by grace, and fitted 
 to adorn a throne among '" the morning stars," was 
 more to be esteemed than the intellect adorned with 
 a few terrestrial ideas, and abody ornate with perish- 
 able apparel, too often badly selected, and adjusted 
 in worse taste. With her the milliner and mantua- 
 maker did not make the woman, nor hereditary 
 claims to name and money ; but those upon whom 
 God's seal was set, and who spoke the language 
 of the courts above ; those who could claim de- 
 scent from God, and w^ere beautified with salva- 
 tion, she recognized as proper objects of afliliation 
 and association. It was not wealth or poverty, 
 plain apparel or rich, high claims to merit or hu- 
 mility of pretensions, that had special charms for 
 her — it was those wdio had their names written in 
 heaven that she most admired and cherished. 
 Without reference to any e;irthly badge of distinc- 
 tion, she met on equality with her fellow-Chris- 
 tians in the class-room, and profited by those 
 having their " convers.ation in heaven," and, with- 
 out being conscious of the fact, she was herself one 
 of the means of preserving vitality in her class, and 
 of leading others to glory. In the years of her
 
 32 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 girlhood, with Bishop Asbury for a leader, she had 
 oftentimes spoken, in class, of her hopes of one 
 day outriding the temptations of life, and the 
 stormy waves of death; religion and Jesus had 
 been the subject of her strongest thoughts and ex- 
 pressions ; she had witnessed the youthful and 
 the aged drop their pilgrim staff at her side, and 
 " fly from this desolate shore j" she had 
 
 "Longed from this desert with joy to rise, 
 And away from her prison to fly ;" 
 
 And at last the season drew near. For the last 
 time she met in her class-room, seemingly con- 
 scious that she would return no more; she glanced 
 over the past, and felt, overwhelmingly, that most 
 of " her friends had crossed the flood," and she 
 had " to the margin come," ere long to pass away. 
 With a steady heart, yet full of emotion, she 
 spoke of her decease, which must soon be accom- 
 plished : " long had she sought to win the prize, 
 and glory was in view." She said, 
 
 "Tis almost done, 'tis almost o'er, 
 We're joining those who've gone before." 
 
 "My old companions in distress 
 
 I haste again to see, 
 And eager long for my release, 
 
 And full felicity. 
 E'en now, by faith, I join my hands 
 
 With those that went before,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 33 
 
 And greet the blood-besprinkled bands 
 
 Ou the eternal shore. 
 My spirit too shall quickly join, 
 
 Like theirs, with glory crowned. 
 And shout to see ray Captain's sign, 
 
 To hear his trumpet sound." 
 
 " I have followed no cunningly devised fable. I 
 know whom I have believed. I have fought the 
 good fight, and have kept the faith. I shall over- 
 come at last. I have the earnest of my inherit- 
 ance. I have tasted the good word of God, and 
 the powers of the world to come. There is a Di- 
 vine power in the religion of our God : it sus- 
 tained me when a child ; it has attended me in all 
 my riper years ; and it is with me still. I had 
 my doubts, my temptations, my trials, my days 
 of despondence, and often feared ' I should be a 
 castaw^ay ;' but grace has led me safe thus far, and 
 grace will lead me home. Hereafter I may talk 
 no more with you of heaven. I am going to see 
 its glories with open face ; to walk and talk with 
 God ; and expect to be in the company that will 
 give you, one by one, an abundant entrance into 
 the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. Be faithful, 
 and we shall meet again." 
 
 2:i:
 
 34 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 PKATER — PBATEU-MEETINaS — PUBLIC WORSHIP — SINGING. 
 
 Mrs. Norton was eminently a woman of prayer. 
 She " walked and talked with God ;" her " conver- 
 sation was in heaven." 
 
 The effects of prayer are twofold : they make 
 us like God, and secure the desires of our heart. 
 We naturally assimilate the character of those with 
 whom we associate, and become like them in spirit 
 and manners : we often unconsciously and involun- 
 tarily adopt their idioms of speech, their intona- 
 tions of voice, their idiosyncrasies of gesture and 
 attitude, and their idiocratic impulses ; we adopt 
 their sentiments, and affiliate with the objects of 
 their attachment : "A man is known by the com- 
 pany he keeps." This peculiarity of our nature 
 leads us to conform our hearts and habits, doc- 
 trines and duties, to the standard of Divine love, 
 by being often in divine company. As the glass 
 is made sensitive to the impress of the rays of 
 light in the hands of skill, and as the image of the 
 face before the object-lens passes to the glass within
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 35 
 
 the shaded camera, so the human heart, through 
 penitence, is rendered sensitive to pencils of celes- 
 tial rays; and humble prayer bringing the soul 
 into secret vision of the face of Grod, with worldly 
 light excluded, finds by experience that the glory 
 of the Lord is softly imaged on it in immortal love- 
 liness. And as the face of Moses shone from con- 
 tact with the vivid glory of Jehovah, so mortals, 
 merged by prayer into the glorious symbol of his 
 presence, are covered with its radiance, and from 
 communion with the Deity become, like him, ar- 
 rayed with the beauty of holiness. By prayer, 
 finite weakness is brought contrastingly into the 
 presence of Omnipotence ; corruption before spot- 
 less purity ; sin before eternal vengeance ; peni- 
 tence before mercy ; supplication before the Lamb 
 of God ; despair into the presence of hope ; and 
 death before immortality. 
 
 Here confession — the enumeration of our faults; 
 the cry for gi'ace to conquer ourselves, and to over- 
 come the temptations of the world and of lust ; the 
 sight of God's perfect standard of duty, and the 
 renewal of our vows of conformity to its require- 
 ments ; intercession for others, and the rising joys 
 of pardon, all mingle and make the hours of prayer 
 sadly sweet, but all essentially rapturous. 
 
 ]\Trs. Norton loved to be often closeted from 
 the world, alone in company with her Redeemer,
 
 36 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 and she never returned from his presence but with 
 a heart overflowing with love. It was her rule to 
 pray till she was happy under a sense of Divine 
 acceptance. Like Jacob, she never left the Angel 
 without a blessing, nor allowed him to depart 
 without pronouncing the emphatic name of Israel. 
 It was this unbroken communion with God that 
 gave that settled cheerfulness of temper she so 
 generally manifested, and added to the impressive 
 expression of her personal beauty. Whatever may 
 be asserted to the contrary, it is certainly true, that 
 where the heart is beautiful with love and joy, it 
 imparts an animation, a brilliancy and a force to 
 material charms almost fascinating ; but where this 
 joy, love, and brilliancy are toned up to a Divine 
 standard, they impart a glow to the features and 
 manners which dazzles the beholder into ecstatic 
 admiration. Many persons of unimpressive and 
 irregular features are often, when animated by in- 
 telhgent conversation or action, exceedingly beau- 
 tiful ; and it is not uncommon to observe, in sea- 
 sons of religious awakening, that many a face seems 
 wonderfully transformed from plainness to ele- 
 gance by coincident religious animation of the spi- 
 rit. Congregations, indeed, are often riveted to a 
 fixed gaze, and awed to silence, at the angelic 
 loveliness beaming expressively from the face and 
 deportment of some .converted sinner suddenly
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 37 
 
 translated from darkness to light under Divine 
 power. The transition from cries of sorrow to 
 words of impassioned gladness ; from tears to bril- 
 liant eyes ; from hnes of sadness to features flash- 
 ing with dehght, are incapable of counterfeit either 
 by a novice or an adept in hypocrisy ; neither faith 
 nor fancy can produce such beauty, nor can it be 
 the result of any self-deception. The cause of such 
 bhssfui expression is Divine ; the radiance and the 
 joy are alike supernal in origin and revelation. 
 Now, wherever such cause exists fermanenihj in 
 the individual, it must give a constant habit of ex- 
 pression, and the lineaments of the features must 
 correlate to it, and become in a manner stereo- 
 typed. Philosophy claims that intelhgence is one 
 of the principal sources of human beauty ; but cer- 
 tainly our faces express our moral feelings as truly 
 as our intellectual, and as the latter are of a higher 
 order, their resulting beauty of expression must 
 surpass the intellectual, and greatly enhance the 
 material. Mrs. Norton's face, though always en- 
 gaging, and though intelligence added much to its 
 attractiveness, was yet a debtor for its depth of 
 winning to her secret devotion, to her happiness in 
 God, and to her hopes of glory. 
 
 It is unfortunate for some Christians that they 
 allow tlieir private devotions to be needlessly in- 
 terrupted ])y trifling circumstances. Some persons 
 
 447986
 
 38 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 arise in the morning and enter upon their daily 
 employments without thanks for repose or reveren- 
 tial calls for dail}'' help from God ; nay, some do 
 not even breathe an ejaculation for help. Prayer 
 is not necessarily a protracted duty, and such 
 might at least pause long enough to say, 
 
 • ' Direct, control, suggest this day, 
 All I design, or do, or say ; 
 May all my powers, with all their might, 
 In thy sole glory. Lord, unite." 
 
 Alas for the Christian that begins the trials of a 
 single day without God's help or company ! Such 
 a one never finds a smooth life. 
 
 But there are also Christians who retire to rest 
 with the intention of praying after they lie down, 
 and are often fast asleep before a becoming prayer 
 has escaped their lips. 
 
 Mrs. Norton never permitted any thing to inter- 
 rupt her regular devotions. Her piety, at first 
 like that of all young Christians, though based on 
 principle, was yet impulsive ; but she disciplined 
 her principles into the habit of prayer, until at 
 length any departure from it was exceedingly 
 painful. Three times a day, morning, noon, and 
 night, she retired from observation to pray.* Her 
 
 * The following is an extract from one of her last lettci's. It is to 
 some young converts, and dated 1848 : 
 
 "I am seated by a good warm fire, writing to my dear Sarah and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 39 
 
 house was usually thronged with visitors, and the 
 cares of her household were onerous ; but nothing 
 prevented her observance of her stated seasons 
 of devotion. She always found opportunity to 
 forecast and excuse herself from her friends, and 
 retire unostentatiously to her closet. Here she read 
 a portion of the Bible, and was often drawn out 
 in prayer till her agonizing soul, interceding for the 
 salvation of some cherished object or friend, seemed 
 ready to faint; but in the end her faith prevailed — 
 she left her closet satisfied that " if we ask any 
 thing according to his will, he heareth us, and if we 
 know that he hear us, we know that we have the 
 petitions we desired of him, whatsoever we ask." 
 
 When away from home where retiracy from ob- 
 servation was often impossible, she selected appro- 
 
 her sisters, who have taken such a wise step as to set out in earnest 
 in early youth to serve the God whom angels adore. ... 0, my dear 
 Sarah, he firm, and you will be happy. Could I live my Christian life 
 over again, how I would strive to be more earnestly devoted to God 
 und his service. I find by long experience I am never so happy as 
 when I attend to my regular duties faithfully, such as daily reading 
 the Bible, and secret prayer at least three times a day, and also public 
 duties as far as is in my power. A due attention to those things, my 
 dear girls, will enable you to perform all other duties with delight and 
 success, and to be consistent Christians in your daily walks at home 
 and abroad ; thus you will prove a blessing to the Church and all 
 around you. . . . Read the Life of .Tames B. Taylor, which T gave your 
 papa. 0, take his example. Never be satisfied until your religion 
 gives you power over sin ; until it makes you happy, happy, happy, 
 in the love of God."
 
 40 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 priate times, and, without external forms of humil- 
 ity, bowed her heart to God, holding communion 
 with him, like Hannah before Eli at the taberna- 
 cle : " her lips moved, but her voice was not heard." 
 She might forget her apparel and hgr baggage, her 
 servants and her friends, but she never forgot to 
 pray. Her prayers did not make her morose nor 
 discourteous to strangers or acquaintances ; but be- 
 stowing a calm spirit of self-possession, she was 
 intimidated by no needless fears of dangers, nor 
 was her composure disturbed by casualties or mis- 
 fortunes : ever ready to alleviate the distresses of 
 others, she was patient under her own. In all her 
 journeyings, and they were many, God was a com- 
 panion whom she realized as always near. Under 
 the singular licentious impulse which seems to ac- 
 tuate most travellers w^ien first from under the 
 observation of friends, others might run wild in 
 their hunt of pleasure ; but Mrs. Norton always 
 preserved a sterling integrity. They might fly to 
 the opera, the theatre, the masquerade, or violate 
 the Sabbath, yet she sought the house of prayer, 
 and found everywhere that enjoyment which springs 
 from a conscience void of offence under temptation. 
 In all her walks, in all her ways, a prayerful spirit 
 and ,the recognized presence of God shed upon her 
 a halo of loveliness that constrained the world to 
 acknowledge that she was a genuine heir of glory.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 41 
 
 But Mrs. Norton realized most wonderfully that 
 God is the answerer of prayer. Often indeed be- 
 fore she arose from her devotions did the message 
 of comfort arrive. As Daniel was assured by the 
 arrival of an angel that his jDetition was granted 
 before he ended his sacrifice, so ]\[rs. Norton felt 
 that God granted all she asked. The fact is known 
 by the sweet experience of many a prayerful heart, 
 that " God answers while we are yd sjjeaking ;" 
 so strong is the impression oftentimes, that we 
 cease to urge our cry : constrained to believe we 
 are heard, we go in peace by faith, and after- 
 ward behold the realization of our wishes. 
 
 This was the frequent experience of our sister 
 when praying for the conviction and conversion 
 of those whom she had selected as special objects 
 of intercession. On one occasion, while praying 
 for an unconverted family, she suddenly paused 
 with the joyful faith of assurance, and calling for her 
 carriage, drove promptly to the household that had 
 been the object of her prayers, and ere long saw its 
 members happy in a Saviour's love. At other times, 
 in the same manner she would cease her cry to God 
 for some unregencrate person, and hasten to verify 
 her impressions by conversation ; nor was her 
 faith often disappointed : she was permitted, in 
 many cases, to witness, personally, the fulfdment 
 of the promise, that " what things soever we desire
 
 42 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 wben we pray, if we believe we receive them, we' 
 shall have thein." She knew that, whatever might 
 be the philosophy of prayer, we must ask if we 
 would receive. She studied to know as far as 
 possible the Divine reasons for this duty; but 
 w^iere she was not informed she was not delayed 
 in its practice, but might have been said to pray 
 without ceasing. She was constantly giving utter- 
 ance to ejaculatory petitions or praises to God, 
 and always possessed a prayerful frame of mind. 
 From her 
 
 " Prayer made the darkened cloud ■withdraw, 
 Gave exercise to faith and love, 
 Brought every blessing from above." 
 
 •' She loved in solitude to shed 
 
 The penitential tear ; 
 And all his promises to plead 
 
 Where none but God could hear. 
 She loved to think on mercies past. 
 
 And future good implore ; 
 And all her cares and sorrows cast 
 
 On him whom saints adore. 
 And when life's toilsome day was o'er. 
 
 Its last departing ray 
 Shone on a saint in joyful prayer 
 
 Hard by eternal day." 
 
 Mrs. Norton always attended her prayer-meet- 
 ings with extraordinary punctuality. Many per- 
 sons frame vain excuses for non-attendance upon 
 this wonderful means of grace to the Church ; and 
 some slight it because of its apparent insignifi-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 43 
 
 Ccance, or on account of its lack of interest to their 
 minds. Mrs. Norton always felt it her duty to be 
 in her place, and to do all in her power to render 
 the occasion ensaGrino: and useful. Indeed, the 
 
 COO / 
 
 very fact of a general indifference to the prayer- 
 meeting on the part of many, led her the more 
 zealously to uphold it. She felt it was not the 
 preacher's meeting more than that of the mem- 
 bership, and that every member was under vow 
 to sustain it, as well as all other ordinances of 
 the house of God. About tliis matter she did 
 not scruple to exhort, remind, and persuade others 
 to punctual attendance. She knew that some had 
 neglected so much and so habitually, that they 
 scarce knew what the prayer-meeting bell was rung 
 for, nor what the preacher meant when he, from 
 Sabbath to Sabbath, exhorted all to come up to the 
 house of prayer. It might rain or shine, blow, 
 freeze, storm, or snow, but Mrs. Norton was always 
 at prayer-meeting. On the coldest night of one of 
 our late winters the preacher attended for prayer- 
 meeting, hardly expecting to find any present; but, 
 to his astonishment, there was one gentleman besides 
 himself, and fourteen ladies ; and these had mostly 
 come with ]Mrs. Norton at their head. On another 
 occasion a tempest was rising sufticient to appall any 
 ordinary heroine from going to church, if not from 
 going to a ball ; but on arriving at the house of wor-
 
 44 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 ship the preacher found Mrs. Norton in her place, 
 engaged in singing the songs of Zion. On her way 
 home the streets were flooded from curbstone to 
 curbstone ; but Mrs. Norton waded across the cur- 
 rent as if it were a matter of course, and made no 
 objections. Such cold and rain would deter ten 
 thousands of our fashionable Methodists and Bap- 
 tists, Presbyterians and sinners from going to 
 church at all ; but Mrs. Norton thought these but 
 trifles when they interfered with the worship of 
 her God. There was a time when our Western 
 people could go four or five miles to church on 
 Sunday, and they can now ride that distance any 
 week-day to go a-shopping ; but when such a thing 
 as going that distance to church is talked of, it 
 seems absurd to many very good people. Such per- 
 sons would hardly wade through a torrent to go to 
 prayer-meeting. Our cities have as devoted Chris- 
 tians as can be found in the country, and it would 
 be well if many in town and country could endure 
 a little more hardness for the cross of Christ. 
 
 God often answers our prayers at once ; but or- 
 dinarily he delays till the accumulation of petitions 
 and their reiteration from the prayer-meeting cre- 
 ates a set time to fxvor Zion and to answer prayer. 
 " The time to favor Zion, yea, the set time, (is 
 when) God's servants take pleasure in her stones, 
 and favor the dust thereof." In other words, the
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 45 
 
 time to expect a blessing on the Church is when 
 its members visit it, and when they kneel in its 
 dust before God. In this work all are under obli- 
 gation to engage, and the labor should not devolve 
 on a few. Let our sisters imitate the example of 
 Mrs. Norton, and the waste places of Zion will 
 never languish or mourn. 
 
 Mrs. Norton was always a punctual attendant 
 upon public worship. When at home she wor- 
 shipped with her own people ; and when abroad, 
 if Methodists were not convenient, she made 
 it a point of duty to worship with Christians of 
 other name. The simplicity and naturalness of 
 Methodist worship had a peculiar charm for her. 
 No gorgeous architecture, nor painted windows, nor 
 pealing organs, no pompous apparel of priests, nor 
 pews with velvet lining, impressed her mind with 
 any very high views of Divine majesty. Her 
 father was a member of the Society of Friends, 
 and she inherited a love of plainness and neatness 
 in the worship of Heaven, but ignored all para- 
 phernalia of mechanical devotion as subversive of 
 that genuine worship which is "in spirit and in 
 truth." She was, however, conscious that spiritual 
 power is always accompanied with "a/wvw of god- 
 liness," but knew that such form is always exceed- 
 ingly sim[)lo, and of easy comprehension Ijy the 
 multitude. Plainness in the sense o^ rudeness she
 
 4G LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 did not recognize as of the gospel ; but in the sense 
 of mmplkihj she cherished it earnestly and affec- 
 tionately. She loved our itinerant system, and the 
 nature of its ministrations. It gave her a fair op- 
 portunity of analyzing the talent and attainments 
 of our ministry, and of extending, in a wide degree, 
 her sympathetic friendship for our self-denying 
 preachers. She was not incapable of criticizing, 
 justly, the finest Hterary efforts of the pulpit ; but 
 did not believe that an esmy read to a congregation 
 to secure highly literarfj apparel for gospel truth 
 was at all that kind of preaching the apostles and 
 their successors were charged to afford the world. 
 She believed that a man might teach by written 
 essays read to a congregation ; but was decidedly 
 of opinion that Christ did not ordain readers but 
 preachers of salvation. Exhortation as well as in- 
 struction, the language of passion as well as of lexi- 
 cography, expression of earnest zeal for man's sal- 
 vation, as well as a desire to gratify his taste for 
 good grammar, were, as she thought, essential ele- 
 ments of preaching. She deemed divine truth, ex- 
 pressed in the language of the heart by a divinely 
 authorized messenger, as far more agreeable to the 
 generality of men than the same truth in laced sen- 
 tences, dovetailed words, and metaphysical tech- 
 nology from the lips of a speaking automaton. She 
 preferred the eye flashing its lightnings on the con-
 
 , LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. -17 
 
 gregjition, though the words of accompanying thun- 
 der were, like St. Paul's, " rude in speech." To 
 gaze at a speaker's crown rather than his face ; to 
 watch his stooping figure, rather than a manly form 
 in earnest action ; to notice the eyeballs move in a 
 stereotyped style from the people to a scroll below 
 them ; to grow weary by monotonous intonation 
 and gesture ; to become restless at the sight of a 
 giant struggling to break loose with great thoughts, 
 and yet fascinated to one spot by a paper covered 
 with hieroglyphs, made her nervous for the cause of 
 sinners and of Christianity. She loved that preach- 
 ing which was earnest, and knew that it required 
 far more intellect to remember and enforce burning 
 thoughts orally and ad lihituni, than to write^them 
 in cold blood and read them with a frozen voice 
 and crippled expression. Animation, zeal, and fire 
 are always compromised by any close attempts at 
 literary accuracy in public speaking, and there is 
 no mortal power can prevent such a result. And 
 while the public speaker will never be criticized by 
 the same rules that are applied to an essayist or 
 reader ; and while thoughts of fire and words of 
 flame, however inaccurate in rhetoric, will always 
 wield more power than a polished lecture^ the 
 preacher as an agent to save sinners is under oljli- 
 gatioiis to confine himself io ]>7-eaehinfj rather than 
 read'uKj. xMrs. Norton's preferences fur the earnest
 
 48 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 man, in spite of his occasional inelegancies of dic- 
 tion, is to be commended, and we trust that such a 
 truly Mcthodistic taste will never be perverted in 
 our Church by aspirants after literary glory. 
 
 The Methodist ministry, like the college of the 
 apostles, embraces every variety of talent, culture, 
 and natural temperament. It has its sons of 
 thunder, and pathetic preachers, like John, and 
 its literary giants, like Paul; and Paul, Apollos, 
 and Peter are all our ministry, by whom we have 
 believed. 
 
 Mrs. Norton could listen with as much pleasure 
 to a simple-hearted earnest preacher — acquainted 
 with the Bible, though of unpolished manners — as 
 to a theological Cicero, and often derived more solid 
 edification from the simple sermon of a young licen- 
 tiate than from the lofty oratory of the sons of 
 science. She did not stay away from church be- 
 cause an humble brother from an adjacent circuit 
 was to preach, or because a local preacher was to 
 fill the pulpit : a Ileddington had as much of 
 warmth in his preaching for her heart as had a 
 Durbin, and though not quite so novel, his preach- 
 ing she thought as profitable to her soul. She went 
 to church to worship God, no matter who led the 
 service ; she was there as not neglecting " the as- 
 sembling of ourselves together," and that, when 
 God's worshippers were esteemed as jewels, she
 
 LIFE OF MILS. NORTON. 49 
 
 might be written in the book of remembrance ; she 
 was there as one ever prompt to sustain the for- 
 tunes of Christianity, and to testify her devotion 
 to Christ. 
 
 It is too often the case that professed Christians 
 visit the house of God simply to hear the word, 
 while the larger duty of pubhc worship forms little 
 or no part of their purpose. 
 
 To engage in singing praises, or in meditation, 
 prayer, and renewal of their vows, they seem 
 exceedingly slow; and if a favorite preacher is 
 not the leader of the exercises, their scowls of dis- 
 approbation and dissatisfied looks reveal a heart 
 but little at ease. That it is their personal duty 
 to add life to the devotions of the hour, they seem 
 never to dream ; they wish to be delighted by 
 others, but without any reciprocity of favors ; they 
 complain of dulness, wdien they should censure 
 themselves ; and speak ill of the preacher and the 
 Church, when charity should begin at home. It is 
 not the business of the preacher and of a few faith- 
 ful officials to perform all the worshipping : the 
 individual members of the congregation are under 
 equal obligations to perform the duty of worshij 
 I»ing God heartily. 
 
 There may be dull sermons, and lifeless songs 
 and heartless prayers, occasionally ; but a lifeless 
 and prayerless peoi)le are enough to paralyze the 
 3 
 
 j- 
 
 o"?
 
 50 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 ublest preaching, and the most fervid address to a 
 throne of grace. It is not expected that every 
 preacher or every sermon will be alike entertain- 
 ing ; but it is requisite that OYery Christian should 
 so worship God in the sanctuary as to feel that his 
 soul has been profited by being there. It is not 
 the best sermon, in popular parlance, that is most 
 profitable to the inquirer in the way to heaven, or 
 to the Christian hungering and thirsting after 
 righteousness. Many a preacher who can scarce 
 command the attention of even the pious few, will 
 often, by his plain and pointed remarks, bestow 
 light and comfort that bless his hearers for years, 
 while they may have listened in vain for such 
 thoughts from the tongue of the more gifted de- 
 claimer. Mrs. Norton was well able to distinguish 
 between a good sermon and a poor one, and such 
 as were food to her soul she rightly thought were 
 good sermons for others. For a gospel sermon she 
 had her standard, and that was the necessities of 
 her own heart ; for a literary performance, under 
 the name of a sermon, she had a literary standard, 
 and when there was a soul absent from the latter, 
 it was utterly distasteful to her. No one ever was 
 a stronger advocate for intelligence in the ministry 
 than she ; but she discriminated closely between 
 vast information and the " rightly dividing of the 
 word of truth." A man thoroughly versed in the
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 51 
 
 English Scriptures, and with a ready utterance, 
 good sense, and zeal for the salvation of sinners, 
 will often accomplish more good to the Church 
 than half a dozen others weighed down wdth stores 
 of ancient or general learning Avithout such zeal. 
 And it is so very common for literary preachers to 
 be incapable or ashamed of calling mourners, or of 
 laboring in the altar, that they are often at a discount 
 among' a people who look for results proportionable 
 to the capital invested. Mrs. Norton certainly 
 prized the practically useful preacher beyond all 
 others ; and when such were in the pulpit of her 
 church, she was never happier than in hearing them 
 and in cooperating with their labors to do good. 
 
 As a singer, Mrs. Norton in early hfe was quite 
 gifted and w^ell disciplined. At the house of God 
 she always sang as one that intended to be under- 
 stood as worshipping the Lord. In her singing 
 there was nothing either bold or shrinking. She 
 sang to glorify her Maker, and to add to the dig- 
 nity of the Church exercises, to edify others, and 
 to enliven her own affections. She was conscious 
 that active participation in this part of devotion 
 was useful as well as delightful, and that it easily 
 degenerates if either heloiv or ahove the tastes of a 
 promiscuous congregation. Our Discipline has pro- 
 vided for llie appointment of regular leaders in 
 church-singing; and where such persons are really
 
 52 LIFE OF MRS. NO U TON. 
 
 devotional, and enter not merely into the spirit 
 of the music, but also into that of the sacred poetry 
 the music is intended to enhven, no exercise can 
 be more exhilarating or profitable to the heart ; for 
 prayer, counsel, praise, and exhortation are em- 
 bodied in our hymns : our hymn-book is a full ex- 
 pose of our creed and our theology. Choirs and 
 congregations rarely harmonize in tastes and sing- 
 ino: : one is too much in advance of the other for 
 any general coincidence of theory or practice. 
 Music, without congregational devotion, is certainly 
 out of place in a church, and lifeless tunes ex- 
 hausted of vitality by a stereotyped repetition in 
 the mouth of a few wilful voluntaries are certainly 
 as destructive of devotion as are choirs when in 
 advance of the people. Did every one do as Mrs. 
 Norton, there would be far less of trouble on these 
 extremes. Believing it her duty to sing, she put 
 herself to the small trouble of learning new tunes 
 when they were introduced by the leaders, and in 
 a few days was able to sing with them, and assist 
 others to sing also. In short, as a woman of prayer 
 and praise, Mrs. Norton may be ranked among the 
 Hannahs and Annas of Israel ; and as an attend- 
 ant upon Church ordinances, she may be esteemed 
 a worthy example to all Christian ladies of our re- 
 fined age and dehcate Christianity.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 53 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 BENEFICENCE — SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY — VISITING THE SICK — 
 ATTENTION TO YOUNG PREACHERS. 
 
 Christian beneficence has many ramifications. 
 There are in the Church numerous channels through 
 M-hich Christian charities hberally flow. In the 
 support of the gospel ministry Mrs. Norton seems 
 to have entertained in substance the following phi- 
 losophical theory. If, upon an island adjacent to 
 one of larger population, the inhabitants were over- 
 whelmed with some great and calamitous sickness, 
 it would, by the laws of humanity, become the 
 duty of the citizens of the larger isle to provide 
 nurses, food, and medicine for the sick until they 
 recovered. This duty wovdd devolve on one citi- 
 zen as fully as upon another : none could be ex- 
 cused from devoting an amount of time to this 
 work proportioned to that of every other one. If, 
 upon a fair estimate, it were found to require the 
 time of every man for one dny out of every ien to 
 attend to this benevolence, none could be exoner- 
 ated from such requisition without a proper cqui-
 
 54 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 •07 
 
 valont or substitute. But for each man to leave 
 his work one day in every ten, besides being very 
 inconvenient, would subject the sufferers to much 
 inconvenience also, from want of skill in the inex- 
 perienced, and in loss of time by transportation, 
 and would expose each successive novice to the 
 dangers of acclimation and contagion. In such 
 case, w^ere each man to spend that te^ith day at 
 home, and in his own particular branch of business, 
 and devote its proceeds to employing substitutes 
 to fill the place of nurses, physicians, and stewards, 
 the wdiole matter would be placed in a far more 
 advantageous aspect. The nurses and physicians 
 would, from day to day, acquire fresh skill in 
 managing the pestilence, and the sooner bring its 
 ravages to a close. As to the selection of the 
 nurses and physicians, that should be left to the 
 highest authorities and best judges among the peo- 
 ple. A voluntary tax of one day's labor in ten on 
 every man in the island, paying for the support 
 of proper persons to care for the sick, would be 
 the substance of the proposed plan of relief. 
 
 Now the world is sick unto death : the pestilence 
 of sin is daily sending thousands to the grave un- 
 visited by the resurrection, and the Church of 
 Mercy is bound to see to its recovery. To effect 
 this instrumentally, one day's service in ten seems 
 requisite from every Christian. God, however,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 55 
 
 has substituted a plan by which the Christian may 
 remain at home, while aids, of God's own choosing, 
 are to go to the dying, and Christians remaining 
 at home are required to sustain the preachers in 
 their labor of love. 
 
 The duty of their maintenance devolves alike 
 upon all : one is as much under obligation as an- 
 other to give one-tenth of his means for their sus- 
 tentation ; none can be exonerated. The final cre- 
 dit of the world's salvation w^ill devolve upon each 
 Christian, according to the voluntary gift of his 
 time, or its equivalent, as truly as upon the 
 preacher : the glory of the world's redemption will 
 be common Christian property. 
 
 Entertaining these views, Mrs. Norton was al- 
 ways equal to her required p-o rata. Indeed, as 
 she knew that many never gave according to the 
 Divine standard of duty, she sought by more en- 
 larged liberality to supply the lack of service on 
 their part. Her means were large, and she ex- 
 tended her gifts to the outside limits of her liberal 
 standard. Iler husband, too, though not a mem- 
 ber of her Church, generally and promptly seconded 
 her eflbrts, and gave himself, unostentatiously, as 
 unto a glorious cause. It would be indelicate to 
 record the sums she gave ; and Jis she was ever 
 modest and quiet in her charities, we pass them 
 by ; they are written in the book of Omniscience,
 
 56 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 and will appear in that day when Christian works 
 will be reviewed as evidences of Christian faith and 
 character. 
 
 In searching out and in visiting the sick, Mrs. 
 Norton has a glorious testimony. In this matter 
 Christ was her pattern. Were there any sick or 
 in distress in any lane or on any moor, she was the 
 first to find it out, and she was sure to find it out. 
 Her carriage was often at their doors, and it never 
 appeared there empty of comforts ; she was sure 
 to carry supplies with her. " When the ear heard 
 her, then it blessed her ; and when the eye saw 
 her, it gave witness to her, because she delivered 
 the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him 
 that had none to help him : the blessing of those 
 that were ready to perish came upon her ; and she 
 caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." 
 
 One example will suffice to illustrate her regu- 
 lar interest for the afflicted. On a cold night, when 
 the frozen snow crackled beneath the feet of the 
 few that were hardy enough to be without, Mrs. 
 Norton made her way to her prayer-meeting, and 
 was the only lady there. Early next morning, 
 before her pastor had breakfasted, he was waited 
 upon by a maid-servant of Mrs. Norton. 
 
 " Mr. H,," said the servant, " Mistress w^ants 
 to see you right away ; she says, come before 
 breakfast ) she has something for you to do."
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON, 
 
 57 
 
 Without delay he visited her house, and found 
 her in a state of deep sohcitude. 
 
 Said she, " Brother H, I have not slept a mo- 
 ment all night for thinking of the sufferings of 
 the poor people of our city. I am afraid old Sister 
 L. is in want. Mr. Norton is absent, and all 
 the gi'OAvn servants are away, and I had no one to 
 send and make inquiry. I had half a mind to go 
 myself; but I am suffering with rheumatism, so 
 that I was afraid to venture out. I w^ant you to 
 go down to Sister L., and observe what she re- 
 quires for her comfort, and procure every thing at 
 my expense. If she needs wood, or food, or 
 clothing, or money, or bedding, or medicine, or a 
 doctor, see that all are provided, and let the bills 
 be presented to me." 
 
 Brother II. departed with alacrity, and reach- 
 ing the house on a gloomy alley, found every thing 
 perfectly quiet. After knocking at the door awhile, 
 he was answered by a feeble voice to push hard at 
 the door, and make his way in. On entering he 
 found not a spark of fire, nor a stick of wood, nor 
 a crumb of bread. 
 
 " 0," said Sister L., " Brother IT., is it possi- 
 ble that any cares for a poor old heli»lcss creature 
 like me ? I have been sick for two days, and have 
 been scarcely al)le to move. Last night my last 
 
 morsel of food and my last stick of wood gave 
 3:1:
 
 58 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 out, and I laid down here sick, and holding com- 
 munion with God. Brother H., God never quite 
 forsakes us. lie always sends help just when we 
 need it most." 
 
 " But, Sister L., I must tell you that Sister 
 Norton sent me here." 
 
 "Yes, brother, the Lord's angels, that watch 
 over me, touch the tenderest hearts, and they touch 
 others, and I am fed. They make somebody think 
 of us poor ones of the flock, and tell them to look 
 after us. Sometimes the word is heard and attended 
 to 5 sometimes it passes by without any effect. I 
 can never be grateful enough to you and Sister 
 Norton for your goodness ; but it is all from God, 
 who hears the needy when they cry." 
 
 " But I must leave you now, Sister L., and see 
 to it that you are made comfortable." Leaving the 
 house, he first bought a large load of wood, and 
 employed a man to saw it up and split it, and pack 
 it safely away. He then w^ent to the store and 
 procured the finest and most excellent blankets 
 and spreads and other articles of furnishing needed, 
 and having ordered a physician, he returned to 
 Mrs. Norton and reported the state of the case. 
 As soon as breakfast was over she ordered all sorts 
 of provisions, and, accompanied by a servant to 
 carry them, was soon at the bedside of sorrow. 
 Raiment, food, and nursing were duly provided
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 59 
 
 « 
 
 under her care, and the distresses of that aged and 
 iiifirin Christian were ever afterwards mitigated, 
 by the hands of her kind friends. 
 
 In this case, as in all others of a kindred tyi^e, 
 Mrs. Norton was actuated by the love of God, and 
 b}^ her accountability at the judgment-seat of 
 Christ. She knew that " whoso hath this world's 
 goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shut- 
 tcth up his bowels of compassion towards him, 
 the love of God had no place in him." She under- 
 stood that " If a brother or sister be naked and 
 destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto 
 them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and fdled, 
 notwithstanding ye give them not those things 
 which are needful for the bod}^, it profiteth no- 
 thing." The sentence of the last day was ever 
 familiar to her mind, and she felt that then there 
 would be no questions asked as to her theory of 
 religion, or orthodoxy of creed ; but that a genuine 
 saving faith would be referred to only in connec- 
 tion with its valid fruits. Then, " I was naked and 
 ye clothed me ; hungry, and ye fed me ; sick, and 
 ye visited me ; a stranger, and ye took me in," will 
 be the only admitted evidences of a true belief in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. In view of these things, 
 she labored as well as prayed ; she ministered to 
 ilie bodios as well :is to tiie soul, and all for the 
 love of God.
 
 60 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 Is it not to be feared that very many professed 
 Christians will come short in the final reckoning, in 
 view of their illiberality to the suftering poor of the 
 flock of Christ ? It will not dothen to say we have 
 enjoyed religion and been happy in the love of God. 
 Joy and peace undoubtedly attend the love of God 
 in every heart ; but where this love is true, it is 
 always attended by the fruits of true benevolence. 
 They who have joys without the practical fruits 
 of grace, are those 
 
 " Mistaken souls, who dream of heaven, 
 And make an empty boast 
 Of inward joys and sins forgiven, 
 "While they are slaves to lust," 
 
 It may be some charity to visit any that are sick, 
 if it be done prudently and usefully ; but are not 
 too many disposed to visit such of the sick as need 
 but little attention from strangers, while they 
 neglect the bedside of the lonely poor and really 
 broken-hearted. 0, how it revives the spirits of 
 such to feel they are cared for by others, and espe- 
 cially to know that the love of Christ inspires the 
 visitation ! On such occasions many words are not 
 needed; our simple silent presence, manifesting 
 sorrow for those that mourn, is often far more em- 
 phatic with consolation than volumes of garrulity. 
 On the part of Mrs. Norton it needed no combi- 
 nation of benevolent persons to stimulate her to
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. Gl 
 
 duty ; she led the way in the path of charity, as 
 every Christian should do, and that ^Yithout delay- 
 ing for the cumbersome and slow operations of a 
 " society of special charity." Combinations are 
 exceedingly useful and praiseworthy, but b}^ no 
 means indispensable in affording comfort to the 
 needy : every Christian has individual as well as 
 collective duties, and no oro-anization can merae 
 individual responsibility into aggregate obligation. 
 Each member of the Church of Christ is a special 
 vigilance committee of charity, and the Divine 
 President of all will hold each disciple strictly ac- 
 countable for the discharge of the duties of his of- 
 fice. While the ministry of the Church is laboring 
 in every land for the regeneration of the nations, 
 it would not be amiss if Christians everywhere 
 were to turn their attention to doing good in their 
 own immediate vicinity. A religion that does not 
 reform the moral practices of its people is good for 
 nothing ; nay, it is really a curse to man rather 
 than a blessing. And any system of religious be- 
 lief that professes to bestow high spiritual joy, 
 and at the same time is not eminently practical in 
 regenerating the practices of society, should be 
 discarded as fiilse and fanatical. " By their fruits 
 ye shall know them ;" and according to this stand- 
 ard, only that kind of Christianity can be esteemed 
 genuine which practically docs good to the hodics
 
 62 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 as well as the sjnrits of men ; and whatever reli- 
 gion, under the Christian name, diminishes Chris- 
 tian fraternity, must be esteemed infernal in spirit 
 and origin. 
 
 Whatever ma^^ be said of the rectitude of Mrs. 
 Norton's creed as a Methodist, one thing is cer- 
 tain — the overwhelming proof of her piety, of her 
 genuine regeneration, was a consistent and per- 
 sistent Christian life. Of her the language of in- 
 spiration is appropriate, "Many daughters have 
 done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." 
 
 Among the classes of persons to whom the at- 
 tention of Mrs. Norton was sympathizingly drawn, 
 was that of our young preachers. 
 
 A young man may be called of God to preach 
 the gospel, and may have a burning zeal for the 
 cause of the Church ; yet he has a fiery ordeal 
 through which to pass before he can stand freely 
 and boldly before the people with the heavenly 
 message. Time, practice, and experience are re- 
 quisite to amply qualify him for his work. The 
 Spirit of God may quicken the mind to a sense of 
 duty, and to a proper understanding of the Bible ; 
 it may guide into a thorough understanding of all 
 revealed truth ; but it gives no new truth, nor adds 
 any knowledge to the sum of duty already be- 
 stowed. God has given his full message to the 
 world in human language, and a knowledge of that
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 63 
 
 message is to be attained as is the knowledge of 
 any other book in human speech — that is, b}'' dili- 
 gent study. If we expect God to fill our open 
 mouths when we speak, we must avail ourselves 
 of our eyes and ears in filling our memory with 
 holy lessons ; then the Spirit may help our utter- 
 ance — not otherwise. The whole economy of the 
 gospel is opposed to idleness ; and an idle preacher, 
 who reads the Bible but little, and spends no time 
 in searching to understand it, will pray in vain for 
 help in time of trouble. But where industry has 
 been used, where the preacher has lived in the use 
 of the means preparatory to proclaiming salvation, 
 then he may call for God's help, and it will always 
 come at the right emergency. The gift of speak- 
 ing is attained by practice ; the grace of preaching 
 by faith and prayer : both are as necessary to suc- 
 cess as is knowledge. 
 
 In the first years of a young preacher's ministry, 
 he is naturally strained to the utmost in forming 
 hahits of thought, of investigation, of composition, 
 and of speaking. If he will learn to speak orally, 
 and not read sermons, he must submit to the mor- 
 tljicaiion of many a failure, and to the pity of many 
 a supercilious Solomon. If there be any thing 
 calculated to crush out the vanity of a young 
 preacher, it is the efforts of his .'ipjtrentice-years 
 ill the ilinerancy. If ever he needs sympathy.
 
 64 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 consolation, and encouragement, it is then; but 
 unfortunately he then meets with less than at any 
 other period of his life. How often does some mor- 
 tified old crone take the young preacher aside, and 
 advise his retiracy from the field as incapable of 
 rising above his imperfections ! In such hours of 
 despondenc}^, those "hours of darkness" to the 
 youthful advocate of truth, Mrs. Norton's house 
 was always a welcome asylum, and her cheering 
 conversation as a spring of refreshing waters in the 
 midst of the sultry desert of trouble. Some young 
 preachers we wot of, almost wishing themselves 
 dead through discouragement, have escaped from 
 their work for a season to obtain a little comfort at 
 her hospitable fireside, and from her words of hope- 
 ful exhortation. Before Bascom began his ministry 
 she was in the Church, and after he began to 
 preach was always among his most -constant 
 friends, and one too that he ever prized as a friend 
 in hours of trouble. Dr. Tomlinson, while a youth 
 at the university, was her protege, and had a gra- 
 tuitous home at her house ; and the room he occu- 
 pied is still visited by preachers in memory of the 
 benevolence of its former owner. Her house was 
 in truth a ^'' prcaclier s home',' and especially for the 
 younger members of the fraternity. 
 
 Aside from their regular suj)port, her preachers 
 frequently shared her Hberality, and many a dis-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 65 
 
 tant brother has had cause to bless her thoughtful 
 benevolence in seasons of want. In fine, she was 
 known by her deeds in every department of cha- 
 rity, not as an ostentatious giver, but as one whose 
 '*' hght so shone that others, seeing her good works, 
 gave God the glory." In addition to Mrs. Nor- 
 ton's private devotion to the cause of benevolence, 
 we find her associated with others in works of 
 charity. For many years before her death she was 
 president of the " Ladies Sewing Society," and 
 also of the " Benevolent Society of Lexington." 
 Like Tabitha of old, she was the practical friend 
 of the poor, and many a garment might be shown 
 wrought by her own hands for the comfort of the 
 needy. Writing of the Benevolent Association, she 
 says, " Its leading design has been, and now is, to 
 elevate the character and condition of the indigent 
 classes, and especially of indigent females ; to 
 lessen the tendencies to an evil course of life, and to 
 inspire a love of honest industry, and that of self- 
 respect and an independent spirit, without which all 
 attempts to ameliorate the condition of the poor 
 will prove abortive." 
 
 In the work of benevolence Mr. Norton always 
 unobtrusively aided his wife. lie did not believe 
 that almsgiving was always a charity ; but that the 
 giving of employment to others, and the cultivation 
 of independence of spirit in the poor, was the true
 
 66 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 course for philanthropy. We find, however, among 
 her correspondents many thanks through her to 
 him for his generous donations and perpetual as- 
 sistance. One incident will illustrate his charac- 
 teristic charity. Dr. Huston was once entering 
 the church to deUver an address on behalf of the 
 " Provident Association," in Lexington. A gen- 
 tleman stopped him and said, " Do try and squeeze 
 twelve and a half cents out of Johnny Norton." 
 When the subscription was taken up at the close 
 of the exercises, among other things found was a 
 deed conveying a house and lot to the society from 
 Mr. John Norton. Neither Mr. Norton nor his 
 wife seems ever to have had fuhlic credit for any 
 thing like the real amount of their charities. God 
 knows them all. 
 
 LETTER FROM DR. TOMLINSON. 
 
 Lexington, October 4, 1824. 
 
 Mr. AND Mrs. Norton : 
 
 Suffer me to call you my benefactor and bene- 
 factress, and do me the fovor to accept through 
 this channel the offering of my unfeigned gratitude 
 for your unaffected kindness towards myself, in 
 granting me a place in your family for the last 
 eighteen months, and, above all, for a share in your 
 solicitude and regard. 
 
 I have, however, to reproach myself for not 
 having exerted my powers more dihgently to de-
 
 i LIFEOF MRS. NORTON. 67 
 
 serve such distinguished attention. It neverthe- 
 less affords me a pleasure to reflect that the A'alue 
 of your generosity (to which I now most gratefully 
 refer) will not be estimated in the view of the great 
 Benefactor by the unworthiness of the subject to- 
 Avards Avhom it has been exercised, but by the 
 purity of the intention by which I am assured it has 
 been prompted. 
 
 I cannot better take this my affectionate leave 
 of you than by cordially commending you to the 
 continued guardianship of Him whose disinterested 
 goodness you have so strikingly exemplified in the 
 instance which is now and ever will be remem- 
 bered with sentiments of the most unquahfied 
 friendship and respect, by 
 
 Your very much obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Smith Tomlinson. 
 
 The solicitude of these generous people, to which 
 Mr. Tomlinson above refers, is often alluded to in 
 subsequent letters. In 1837, he says, among other 
 tilings, "I am amazed to find myself sprinkled with 
 gray hairs and surrounded witli almost a numer- 
 ous family. I have lived out more than half my 
 days. ... I shall always regret that I did not take 
 your advice to be more moderate, and indulge 
 more in tbe pleasures and relaxations of social in- 
 tercourse. I now believe it would have been
 
 68 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 justly to my advantage in a mental and spiritual, 
 not less than in a physical point of view. My con- 
 stitution was seriously and perhaps irreparably 
 injured by my sedentary habits and intense study 
 while at the University. 
 
 " I was elected to a professorship in Randolph 
 Macon College, and Dickinson, with a salary of one 
 thousand dollars and a house. I had made up my 
 mind to go to Dickinson College, but our trustees 
 (Augusta College) and my colleagues in the fa- 
 culty remonstrated most strenuously against it 
 etc. 
 
 5)
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 69 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 LIBERALITY OF SENTIMENT CAMP-MEETINGS — BAPTISM — DIVERSIONS. 
 
 A Christian is known by his catholic spirit ; a 
 bigot by his exchisiveness. The heart of the one is 
 enlarged like the universe ; to the other the radius 
 of a mustard-seed is vast as eternity. The former, 
 pure as the snow, like it absorbing the rays of the 
 sun, is lifted by them to range ethereal realms, to 
 glitter in the rainbow, to descend in pearly dew, 
 and to condjine with every life-sustaining work of 
 nature, and weave a halo of glory around all cre- 
 ated beauty. The latter, like the iris of a vam- 
 pire, expands so much by the light of day, that the 
 pupil dwindles to a microscopic line, while each 
 infinitesimal ray that falls upon the retina is full 
 of irritating pain. 
 
 ]5igotry is the offspring not always so much of 
 limited knowledge as of limifod intellect. Some- 
 times it springs from pride of opinion, from self-im- 
 jiortance, and from an un))alanccd development of 
 conscientiousness and local associations. A mind 
 with a tortoise eye, or of microscopic nerve, is often
 
 70 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 iiicnpablo of telescopic range of sight, or of em- 
 bracing large views. As a mind capable of gene- 
 ralization is always liberal in sentiment, so one de- 
 nied such conformation is naturally illiberal: a bigot 
 from this cause is less to be blamed than pitied. 
 The person who is afftliated to a particular party, 
 who hears the sentiments of his own partisans ex- 
 clusively, is prone to think all others immersed in 
 folly, and that wisdom will die with his own peo- 
 ple. This prejudice begets antipathies to all others 
 but of its own tastes ; matters of taste and opinion 
 become gradually articles of ftxith, and all others 
 not of its synagogue are given over, in its estima- 
 tion, to strong delusion to believe a lie. It re- 
 quires a strong mind and the most enlarged charity 
 in Christians of different names, to avert the growth 
 of bigotry in the heart. 
 
 Mrs. Norton had studied this tendency tho- 
 roughly, and had set herself strongly against it. 
 She learned to discriminate clearly and fully be- 
 tween articles of faith and matters of opinion ; be- 
 tween sentiments of taste and those of religion. In 
 articles of faith she was well informed, and as in- 
 flexible as adamant : in matters of opinion she was 
 intelligent and decided, but courteous and charita- 
 ble to those of dissimilar views. As a Christian, 
 she affiliated with all those who practically be- 
 lieved in " repentance towards God, and faith in
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 71 
 
 our Lord Jesus Christ." They might differ \Yilh 
 her about reprobation, election, and the final per- 
 severance of the saints, on apostohc succession, 
 baptism, and other ordinances, but while they 
 showed a sincere desire to please God and over- 
 come the world, she esteemed them as fellow-heirs 
 of the grace of God, and cordially greeted them as 
 true Christians. In writing to some young Chris- 
 tians, Mrs. Norton says : 
 
 '•' I have neither time nor room to give you my 
 experience on holiness of heart, but refer you for 
 it to the 17th and 18th verses of the forty-eighth 
 chapter of Isaiah. These I have read, and even 
 now read, with tears of deep penitential sorrow. 
 Hearken, my dear young friends, hearken to the 
 commands of God ; then, indeed, as I know for my- 
 self, your ' peace will flow as a river, and your 
 righteousness as the waves of the sea.' I am truly 
 thankful you have been led into the Methodist 
 Church. While I kiioic, and rejoice to hioiv, there 
 are good Christians among all evangehcal denomi- 
 nations of Christians, I must prize the iwivilegcB 
 of the Methodist Church before any and all. Its 
 doctrines of faith are attended with no mystery, 
 and are preached plainli/ ; all can understand them. 
 Above all, the soul-reviving doctrine of Chrisiian 
 holiness is constantly inculcated in our Church. We
 
 72 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 can, as we believe, attain even here to the blessed- 
 ness of the pure in heart." 
 
 Here we clearly observe strong denominational 
 preference, but not the least bigotry. As a Me- 
 thodist she was decided and earnest, and strove 
 zealously to advance the interests of her Church. 
 This conduct was Christian and praiseworthy. The 
 Church of Christ is a grand army of various sepa- 
 rate divisions. To effect the greatest good to the 
 whole, each soldier must necessarilv do the utmost 
 for his particular division, brigade, regiment, or 
 company. Were each, under a mistaken notion 
 of good to the whole, to labor for the special credit 
 of other companies than his own, his duty to his 
 particular band would be permitted to suffer, and 
 in that way the good of the whole would be jeop- 
 ardized, and anarchy rather than order would rule 
 the hour. To effect the greatest good for any com- 
 pound work, the laborer must attend specially to 
 the perfection of his part ; this must engage his 
 zeal, his skill, and his ambition. An army of men 
 in building a city wall, is always so divided to the 
 task before it, that each subsection has a definite 
 work to do, and each soldier a definite part of this 
 subsection to labor upon ; and by this division of 
 toil the Vv^hole is more rapidly and skilfully com- 
 pleted. 
 
 To accomplish the most in a Sabbath-school,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 73 
 
 each teacher must attend to the interests of his 
 special class, and labor to bring it to the highest 
 state of prosperity. In a city of many stations, 
 each pastor is obligated to attend to the advance- 
 ment of his own charge, and so also is each mem- 
 ber. The same principle holds true of each Con- 
 ference of our entire organization, and of each divi- 
 sion of the Methodist Church in the North and in 
 the South, in Canada, Great Britain, and Austra- 
 lia, and, indeed, of all denominations of Christians. 
 Each member of the Church of our Lord does the 
 most for its general good, by laboring steadfastly 
 for the special prosperity of that branch of the 
 Church with which he is most directly connected. 
 Mrs. Norton, therefore, by laboring most to build 
 u\) her own denomination, did more for the cause of 
 Clirist generally, than she could have done had 
 she pursued a different course. In persuading 
 worldly people to become Methodists, she per- 
 suaded them to become Christians, and thus se- 
 cured their salvation and attachment to the Church 
 general, by leading them to unite with one of its 
 accredited hranches. In doing this she infringed 
 the rights of none, nor was she chargeable \\\\\\ 
 any uncharitable exclusivoness. Proselyting to 
 her denominational dogmas she regarded both as 
 ungenerous and unchristian. Such conduct she 
 was well aware could si)ring only from a desire to 
 4
 
 74l life of MRS. NORTON. 
 
 glory in local numbers, rather than in the cross 
 of Christ, and she held it in utter disdain, as both 
 dishonest and dishonorable. If persons from other 
 denominations chose voluntarily to embrace her 
 views, and unite with her people, she received 
 them with cordiahty, but never with glorying or 
 exultation. To win a soul from the gall of bitter- 
 ness and bonds of iniquity was cause to her of the 
 greatest gratification ; but to purloin a lamb from 
 the fold of another Christian people she did not 
 deem a matter of special rejoicing. She sym- 
 pathized in the prosperity of other evangelical 
 Churches, and their dechne was to her no secret 
 cause of envious pleasure — in their decadence 
 she felt that Christianity was losing ground. At- 
 tempts to proselyte her she silenced by dignified 
 reserve, and a courteous but thorough contempt : 
 her firmness of attachment to Methodism was im- 
 pregnable to assault. The following conversations 
 Avith Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopahan, and other 
 ladies, will shed light on her views of the usages 
 as well as the doctrines of her denomination. 
 
 CONVERSATION AT SPRINGS CAMP-MEETINGS. 
 
 Mrs. Prince. I think, Mrs. Norton, I once saw 
 you at a camp-meeting as I passed through Logan. 
 
 Mrs. Norton. Possibly you did, Mrs. Prince. I 
 often visit my husband's relatives in that county,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. /O 
 
 anil, ^vith some of my old friends, go to Clifty 
 or Ash-Spring, to spend a few days in religious 
 enjo^^ment. 
 
 Mrs. p. Well, really, Mrs. Norton, I am sorry 
 to say it to you, but I was never able to see what 
 enjoyment there could be at a camp-meeting. There 
 is so much confusion, so much noise, so much ap- 
 parent if not real disorder, that it seemed like any 
 other place than one appropriate to rehgious medi- 
 tation. 
 
 Mrs. N. But you know, Mrs. Prince, we are 
 creatures of habit, and have very diverse tastes, 
 even in religious matters. You Presbyterians are 
 always for quiet and meditation. We Methodists 
 believe in self-examination and cdmness as much 
 as you do ; but we think there is a time for all 
 things. A camp-meeting Avith us is a battle-field ; 
 it is a place and an occasion for action, and not for 
 so much of meditation. As for the noise and con- 
 fusion, these, as far as they occur, are incidental 
 to all great assemblies. The thousands who fol- 
 lowed Christ, you recollect, must have appeared 
 quite disorderly, according to your conceptions. 
 We read that they marched with him in promis- 
 cuous crowds, and are described as ninnin(j to- 
 gether on various occasions, amid the greatest ex- 
 citement and wild enthusiasm, to witness his mira- 
 cles, and to wonder at the shoutings, and leapings,
 
 76 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 and praises of the converted and restored. I think, 
 Mrs. Prince, there must have been some dust and 
 noise, and no httle irregularity, in those assembhes. 
 Do you think you would have enjoyed a place in 
 the crowds around the Saviour, Mrs. Prince ? 
 
 " Yes, Mrs. Norton, I think I should, though I 
 prefer a calmer state of things." 
 
 "Ah, Mrs. P., I know you would, after all, have 
 been as much excited as any in the Lord's com- 
 pany. The truth is, every one delights in excite- 
 ment, and especially if it be pleasurable. I love 
 a camp-meeting because of its animation. I dislike 
 a dull life exceedingly. During the camp-meeting 
 exercises there are always hours of the profoundest 
 quiet and solemnity, of meditation and pathos, of 
 sadness and joy. It is a meeting that gradually 
 absorbs all other thoughts, and the eternal world 
 finally engrosses the profoundest attention. Many 
 that never hear the gospel elsewhere, attend upon 
 it here ; and it is one of those happy means em- 
 braced by our people of bringing the gospel into 
 the highways and hedges, and compelling men to 
 hear the invitations of Mercy." 
 
 " But, Mrs. Norton, your camp-meeting converts 
 are, many of them, like the morning cloud and early 
 dew, and much of your zealous labors are unfor- 
 tunate." 
 
 " That may be true, Mrs. Prince ; but is that a
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 77 
 
 reason for cessation of labor for the lost ? Of those 
 brought to your Church directly from the ivorld, as 
 are most of our converts, you will find as great a 
 proportion who have been unfortunate as with us. 
 I happen to have had a peep at several of your 
 church books, and I was no little astonished to find 
 there so large a number of backsliders from the way 
 of life. You, who are always twitting us on the 
 instability of some of our new converts, would find 
 ample food for reflection at home, were your poll- 
 books revised as often as ours are. But the exist- 
 ence of backsliders is to be lamented and not 
 exulted over, or appealed to as a witness of mis- 
 directed zeal. The net of the gospel, you recoflect, 
 was cast into the sea, and gathered good and bad 
 of every kind ; and when drawn to shore, the good 
 were put in vessels, and the worthless cast away. 
 According to your theory, Mrs. Prince, the gospel 
 net should have been used only to drag out fishes 
 known to be perfectly good. We are satisfied to 
 follow the sense of the Saviour's parable, and to 
 cast the net into all waters, and then undergo the 
 humble process of assorting good and evil. We 
 always get some good fish, INlrs. Prince, though 
 some appear in the net without gills or scales ; but 
 those who are afniid to cast the net for fear of en- 
 trapi)ing monsters, are often dependent for sup- 
 pfies upon us poor Methodist fishers of Gahlee. I
 
 78 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 will tell you, Mrs. Prince, how I came to love 
 camp-meetings. I visited one with prejudice. At 
 night I lay down to take a little rest, but found 
 it impossible, from the excitements of the occasion, 
 to go to sleep. The moon was at the full, and 
 sailed at meridian height above the forest. Its 
 broad rays, streaming downward through the trees, 
 covered the ground with enchanting figures of light 
 and shade. The preaching had ceased ; the suc- 
 ceeding prayer-meeting was ended, and the congre- 
 gation had retired to their tents : the midnight 
 hour had come, and was serene even to fascination. 
 The air was unusually balmy, and not a breath 
 disturbed the peaceful scene. I leaned my head 
 out of the window of the tent to admire the won- 
 derful tranquillity. Around me was a tented army 
 of pilgrims to eternity ; beyond were dimly seen 
 the summits of lofty hills, fathoming the depths 
 of the blue ocean above, and leaning against the 
 moon. The encampment below seemed connected 
 with the Mount Zion above by a tangible and ma- 
 terial highway. The communication between Ja- 
 cob's camp at Bethel and the gates of heaven 
 above by the ladder and the angels, was scarcely 
 more poetic and gorgeous than seemed the scene 
 around me, so draped was it in hght, and so holy 
 in its single object. While rapt in a revery of ad- 
 miration, I fell into a slumber, and dreamed of harp
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 79 
 
 and song, of victory and diadems. I saw the 
 tented host pass the gorges and the chfFs of the 
 eternal hills, march by the moon with songs, and 
 enter a halo of glory so bright that my eyes could 
 not follow them. I could hear their song sinking 
 deeper and fainter into the realms of immortal tri- 
 umph, but their forms I saw no more. Roused, 
 gradually, from my dream, I heard a song among 
 the hills " by distance made more sweet." Anon 
 it sunk and rose, and was full enough of power to 
 impress me as the voice of a glorious multitude. 
 Now its echoes floated away among the chasms of 
 the wilds, like beautiful clouds borne from the 
 parent mass by the fleet winds. Now it melted, 
 softer and softer, till it mingled with the silent 
 light above it. Now it broke across the valley like 
 the strong peal of a trumpet, and then sunk again 
 into the faintest murmurs of melody. I was moved, 
 absorbed, charmed, and bewildered ; then I slept 
 and dreamed again. Suddenly the shock of a glo- 
 rious tide of flying song startled me to my feet. 
 Below me the cneampnicnt was all alive with an 
 army of h;ippy Christians moving among the aisles 
 and checkered shades with hasting feet. Their 
 song was as that of the angels to the -she^jhcrds, 
 and the star of Bethlehem seemed to lead their 
 van. A thrill of ivipture came over me; projudice 
 vanished like smoke ; I shouted glory, without
 
 80 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 waiting for an invitation. I heard them sing, ' Come 
 along, come along, and let us go home ;' and, poor 
 orphan as I was, I ran from the tent with my com- 
 pany to join their numbers, and follow after my 
 fother and my mother to the skies. I tell you, 
 Mrs. Prince, a camp-meeting is a glorious place to 
 me ; I love it; and though you may have no taste 
 for it, yet I think it is because you never saw one 
 under favorable circumstances. I am for camp- 
 meetings, Mrs. Prince. I am certainly not ashamed 
 of that part of Methodism, I assure you ; I glory 
 in it." 
 
 " Well, Mrs. Norton, so you manage them pru- 
 dently, I hope they will do good." 
 
 " We ought, Mrs. Prince, to have as much cre- 
 dit for common sense as any other people ; and if 
 we fail in prudence, it is not unlikely that others 
 might also. But, Mrs. Prince, camp-meetings be- 
 gan with your people, and their perpetuation is not 
 so much a matter of faith as of expediency. Allow 
 another camp scene, and I will change the conver- 
 sation. At a meeting where the encampment was 
 in a valley, there was, among other ladies, one of 
 unusual attractiveness. Her person was elegant, 
 and her fice of singular beauty. Joined to accom- 
 plished manners was the spirit of fervid piety. She 
 was sedate, modest, and lovely. As a singer, her 
 voice possessed remarkable sweetness and power;
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 81 
 
 it was strong without being masculine, and shrill 
 without harshness. One beautiful evening, after 
 service, the ladies, in promiscuous groups, separat- 
 iuii; themselves from the listless crowds about the 
 tents, ascended a hill on the east, and met in prayer 
 ill the heavy woods beyond. After the lapse of 
 an hour or so, their united, voices were heard,' 
 making the woody arches ring with joy. It was 
 obvious that the company was in motion towards the 
 encampment, and the people began, instinctively 
 and simultaneously, to move in the direction of the 
 approaching throng. They looked toward the hill- 
 top, and observed that the rays of the sun were 
 covering the trees with a perfect mantle of light. 
 The reflection, indeed, was so strong that the air 
 itself was seemingly thickened with a flood of 
 splendor, and it was painful to look in that direc- 
 tion. Towards this cloud of glory the marching 
 crowd was advancing with shout and song. Pre- 
 sently the van emerged, and the baptism of light 
 upon their heads and forms seemed like the illus- 
 trious gleam of glory that faith beholds descend 
 upon the armies of Israel as they enter the gates 
 of heaven when their warfare is ended. The lady 
 of whom I have spoken was leading the compan}^ 
 .She was dressed in w^hitc, and one in like apparel 
 was on either side. Her graceful form w\as erect 
 on tiptoe ; her head was thrown back, her glossy 
 
 4=!:
 
 82 LIFE OV MRS. NO 11 TON. 
 
 hair was streaming in the wind ; her face shone 
 like an angel's, and the song she sung was full of 
 electric emotion. The first intelligible words heard 
 iu the distance were, 
 
 ' Who is like .Jesus? he is Salem's bright King; ' 
 He smiles and he loves me, and calls me to sing : 
 I'll praise him ! I'll praise him with notes loud and shrill, 
 While rivers of pleasure my spirit shall fill.' 
 
 The solemnity of the occasion, the wildness of the 
 scenery, the splendid harmony of nature with the 
 Christian emotions already awakened, together 
 with the theme of the hymn, so forcibly reminded 
 every one of the glory and music with which the 
 Christian shall march to the summit of Mount 
 Zion, that every eye was bathed in tears, and every 
 soul within hearing was thrilled with the .sublimest 
 feehngs that ever visit the hopes and hearts of 
 mortals in the valley of tears. The children ran 
 out to partake of the excitement, the servants for- 
 sook their employment, the tahles were left half- 
 spread, and the suppers unprepared; the whole 
 encampment, hke old Jerusalem, was moved at the 
 cries of hosanna from the hps of young men and 
 maidens, old men and children, as they hailed the 
 shout of a king among the tents of Jacob. You 
 may talk about animal excitement, Mrs. Prince, 
 but this excitement was celestial; it moved the 
 bodies of those that had souls, but the soul took
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 83 
 
 the lead. You may love a demure way of getting 
 to the kingdom, but I love a foretaste of the joys 
 above. I love such scenes ; I love to enjoy the 
 frames of mind they inspire, and the memories of 
 gTace they bestow. I love camp-meeting songs ; 
 they may often be rude in structure, but they are 
 polished by their own inspiring nature ; they are 
 the hj^mns of the heart : by their very repetition 
 they ' burn their glorious thoughts into the soul.' 
 Camp-meetings, my friend, are full of poetry, of 
 ardor, of rapture, and usefulness ; and though I am 
 a poor defender of any thing, yet I assure you 
 my heart is always in ftivor of a good camp-meet- 
 ing. I frequently travel a hundred miles to be at 
 one in its true simpHcity. Excuse me, Mrs. P., but 
 I hope you may yet form a good opinion of them." 
 
 CONVERSATION ON BAPTISM. 
 
 On another occasion, in company with a Baptist 
 sister, she w\as called upon to vindicate her Method- 
 ist preferences. 
 
 " I think, Mrs. Johns, that you spoke unkindly 
 of our usages. You say that Methodists are a good 
 .people, but you pity their ignorance. Now I should 
 like to be set right if I am in error." 
 
 " I rcjilly meant no oifoncc, Mrs. Norton ; but I 
 h;iv(' boon taught to believe lliat there is no such 
 thing as bM[)lism aside (Voni immersion; and of
 
 84 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 course I tliink you are in a grave error. I really 
 cannot see how you believe that any other mode 
 is baptism at all." 
 
 " Well, really, Mrs. Johns, I am certain of one 
 thing on that matter, and that is, that Christ him- 
 self baptized by pouring, and there is no proof that 
 he baptized in any other style." 
 
 " I never heard of that before, Mrs. Norton, and 
 would like to be informed of the place where such 
 a fact is stated." 
 
 " It is elaborately stated in the second chapter 
 of the Acts of the Apostles, madam." 
 
 " What does that say, Mrs. Norton ?" 
 
 " It states that Christ poured out the Holy 
 Ghost upon the disciples, and that Christ called 
 this pouring of the Spirit the baptism of the 
 Spirit." 
 
 '"Ah, my dear friend, but that was not water bap- 
 tism." 
 
 '•' True enough ; but it was a laptism, and quite 
 as important a one, particularly as it was performed 
 by Christ himself. It shows the 7node in which 
 baptism was performed at the first hour of the in- 
 auguration of the dispensation of the Holy Ghost, 
 and there is not another place in Scripture where 
 the mode of baptism is ever described." 
 
 "Ah, but, Mrs. Norton, the word baptize means 
 to immerse."
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 85 
 
 " How do you know that, Mrs. Johns ?" 
 
 " Why, madam, that is what the Greek word 
 
 means." 
 
 " I am no Greek, Mrs. Johns, but I have heard 
 that the Jews spoke only a kmd of Greek, the mean- 
 ing of which was essentially Hebraized ; and, besides, 
 there were various kinds or dialects of Greek, and 
 each dialect gave a different shade of meaning to 
 its words. At any rate, it seems to me that im- 
 merse does not necessarily mean to suhmcrsc, as 
 you Baptists mistakenly suppose. But, Mrs. 
 Johns, if immersion or submersion was the only 
 meaning of the Greek word to baptize, and John 
 by consequence submersed the people, how could 
 Christ baptize by pouring, as the apostle and Christ 
 assure us he did ? The very fact that Christ did 
 hapthe by 'pouring^ is proof to me that submersiou 
 was not the only sense of the Greek word for bap- 
 tize. As for the difference between water and Spi- 
 rit, Mrs. Johns, that does not Jiffect the mode, ' 
 about which you think avc are so pitiably igno- 
 rant." 
 
 " Well, jNIrs. Norton, I am no hand to argue : 
 if our preachers were here, they could explain all 
 about it." 
 
 " Well, madam, please put my question to 
 them, and if I hey can answer it satisfactoril}'-, ihon 
 1 will pl<:a<l ignoranc(>, and be very hnppy to see
 
 86 LIFE OP MRS. NORTON. 
 
 them. Remember my question, Mrs. Johns. You 
 say that hiqjtism hy pouring is no baptism at all ; 
 and the Scripture says Christ did baptize by pour- 
 ing ; now you or your preachers are to show me 
 how it is that your assertion, that baptism always 
 means submersion, is in harmony with the point- 
 blank assertion of God's word to the contrary." 
 " I'll bring you some of our books, Mrs. Norton." 
 " Very well ; if they answer my question, you 
 wall oblige me ; but if they evade it, you must 
 allow me to remain as I am now, that is, perfectly 
 satisfied with my baptism." 
 
 CONVERSATION ON DIVERSIONS. 
 
 At another time, meeting with an Episcopal 
 friend, the conversation took a religious turn. 
 
 • " The doctrines of your Church agree with ours, 
 Mrs. Norton ; but you are so strict with your 
 members that I am afraid I would make a poor 
 Methodist," said Mrs. Parsonsr 
 
 ^' We certainly would hold you to a reasonable 
 account if you departed from our rules of pious 
 livins:." 
 
 "You object to so many things that I think are 
 no great sins, that I really believe you are too se- 
 vere." 
 
 " What you call little sins, Mrs. Parsons, are 
 
 * the little foxes that spoil the vines.' I do not
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 87 
 
 place many of .the foibles of human practice in the 
 vilest category ; but ^\o are not to ' despise the 
 day of small things.' If you will observe carefully, 
 Mrs. Parsons, there is no dividing line between 
 great sins and little ones ; they are all of the same 
 fVimily, and are blood-relations of the same ancient 
 paternity. You cannot be insensible to the forci- 
 ble and instructive words of Montgomery, in de- 
 scribing the tendencies of our nature, and the ease 
 with which we are led astray. 
 
 « This world is all a wildering maze, 
 Where sin has tracked ten thousand ways 
 
 Its victims to ensnare ; 
 All broad, all winding, and aslope, 
 All tempting with perfidious hope, 
 
 All ending in despair.' 
 
 If, Mrs. Parsons, we are in danger of falling into 
 large sins by the indulgence of venial peccadilloes, 
 as you call them, I think we should be always on 
 our guard, and give the little foxes no quarter. 
 We are rarely in danger of suddenly yielding to 
 gi'eat temptations, unless our minds have become 
 pliant by a gradual yielding to httle indiscretions. 
 Familiarity with little sins leads us to palliate them, 
 to excuse them, to apologize for them, to plead 
 for them, and finally to advocate them, and look 
 pleasantly at larger ones." 
 
 " Really, Mrs. Norton, you state the case as it
 
 88 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 is, according to my experience ; but. I think God is 
 very charitable. I go to balls and theatres to ac- 
 commodate my friends, or play a game of cards 
 when necessary to complete the circle, and some- 
 times dance to make up a set ; and while my con- 
 science once upbraided me for this, I have found 
 myself at last defending these things. I know they 
 are wrong ; at least their tendencies are not always 
 good. Our Church is against them ; but we do not 
 expel our members for engaging in them." 
 
 " I believe, Mrs. Parsons, that whatever is 
 wrong in its general tendency, must be so in its 
 very nature. I am not metaphysician enough — Dr. 
 Holly is the metaphysician — I am not able to say 
 exactly where the intrinsic evil of dancing, card- 
 playing, and balls is located ; but the vast majority 
 of dancers and card-players and seekers of pleasure 
 in worldly amusements, are, I know, very far from 
 being experimental Christians. I have no patience 
 with an opera, or theatre, or with dances or cards. 
 Connected with these things there are always some 
 things innocent and elegant; but Satan always 
 covers himself with angelic apparel when he would 
 lure young hearts from the guardian care of Mercy. 
 A circus always has such vulgarity inwrought with 
 its performances, that it is really disgusting to 
 womanly modesty, and a theatre is generally but 
 little better. As for cards, they have the basest
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 89 
 
 and most abandoned associations so immediately 
 connected with them, that I am really shocked, 
 if not horrified, to see them in the hands of youth. 
 You know young Mr. J. was ruined very quickly 
 after his acquaintance with Miss L., of JNI. The 
 secret of that thing has now leaked out. Miss L. 
 brought with her to H. a pack of French semi-trans- 
 parent cards. She taught Mrs. N.'s daughters and 
 their cousins to pla}'', and when young gentlemen 
 called, they all met in the parlor, and to give zest 
 to the hour they set to with these cards. Mr. J. 
 learned to play among these young ladies a year 
 ago, and has, by that very means, been brought to 
 his awful death." 
 
 " You have no objections to parties, Mrs. Nor- 
 ton." 
 
 " I have no religious objections, if they are not 
 unchristian ; but in my tastes I have no relish for 
 them. I thiid<; the social principle of our nature 
 should be sedulously cultivated, and am pleased 
 when people meet and converse in a rational way, and 
 especijdly when Christian peoide meet and become 
 better acquainted with each other. But when they 
 meet in large crowds for the mere purpose of social 
 amusement rather than cntcrtumment, I think such 
 meetings are a real social injury : tlicy rapidly de- 
 generate ; they develop neither intellect nor refine-
 
 90 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 mcnt of morals. Refinement of manners may re- 
 sult from parties of pleasure ; but I fear they too 
 often cultivate a refined sensualism of manners, 
 rather than those of high-toned purity : where hu- 
 manity is crowded it too often ferments, and vir- 
 tue is often developed at the expense of innocence. 
 I am partial to social gatherings of small dimen- 
 sions. In these there are less numerous tastes to 
 gratify, and they are hkely to contain persons of 
 select and congenial tastes.* 
 
 * The following passages of correspondence illustrate Mrs. Nor- 
 ton's tastes for sociality : 
 
 " On New-Year's night we all wished for you. Mr. Taylor and Mr, 
 Hockady were so kind as to present Mrs. Bradford and myself with a 
 New-Year's gift of Baker's apples and candy. Well, we joined, and 
 had some nice ice-cream, etc., and invited all down into the par- 
 lor after tea. We had a family party. We were very sorry you had 
 gone, especially as H. told me he had fallen in love with you." 
 
 S. N., 1848. 
 
 " Sister Norton: ... I agree with you that company, unless there 
 is congeniality of sentiment, is much better dispensed with. Solitude 
 is, as you say, more instructive and profitable than an ignorant, self- 
 conceited, or giddy companion. I, with you, love the little domestic 
 circle, made up of friends of my own choosing: "the faithful few," 
 whose minds have been enlarged and cultivated ; who, if they have not 
 made much progress in himan wisdom, have been taught of God; 
 whose hearts have been enlarged by that charity which thinketh no 
 evil, and that love which is without dissimulation. All the better if 
 the mind has been cultivated, but good always. I tire and become 
 disgusted with the frivolous chit-chat of the day, and long for one sen- 
 sible person who can possibly discuss other topics than dress, parties, 
 fashion, etc. Like you, ' I am tired of visits, modes, and forms, and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON, 91 
 
 '■' I am certain that neither beauty, wit, humor, 
 fun and frolic in youth, can ever compensate for 
 untidy rooms, a horrid kitchen, a disordered table, 
 and an indolent household in the married state. 
 The woman of firm piety, of neatness and frugality, 
 is rarely nursed in the hotbeds of amusements and 
 frivolity. A well-spread table, the children cleanly 
 and in their places, the windows transparent, the 
 floors polished, and the carpets and beds inviting 
 and tidy, good nursing of the sick, and attention 
 to domestic comforts and arrangements, and ser- 
 vants well-trained and attentive, are, through the 
 great area of life, infinitely beyond, in merit, ' the 
 poetry of motion,' the smile of beauty, and ac- 
 quaintance with cards and novels, so charming to 
 some aspiring young men. The good sense of our 
 young ladies is badly spoiled by the dissipated 
 style of fashionable life, and its demoralizing round 
 of pleasures. I don't think young people should 
 be demure, but a perpetual giggle is not necessary 
 to hilarity; they need not attempt the oracular, l)ut 
 they ought not to be silly; they should l)e ani- 
 
 flatleriet paid to fcUow-worms' — such conversation cloys. . . Jane is 
 my only companion. Siic is experienced in the deep things of God. 
 She has had few advantngps, but yet she is well calculated to advise, 
 comfort, and encuirige tlie young," etc. 
 
 September 2(Jth, 1820. Emily R .
 
 92 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 mated, but they need not prompt their vivacity 
 Avith French brandy ; they ought to entertain each 
 other, but mind should be addressed rather than 
 passion ; let them regard each other as beings of 
 mind rather than mere animals ; let it be understood 
 that they are creatures of head and heart rather 
 than of heels ; let the mental rather than the mate- 
 rial person be the basis of social pleasure-parties, 
 and then such entertainments will be refining and 
 elevating. But while womankind are treated as 
 if they had so Uttle intellect that they are incapa- 
 ble of entertaining the other sex with three or four 
 hours of conversation, they are degraded by the 
 presumption. We have dancing-schools, and music- 
 schools, and literary schools, and painting-schools, 
 and it would be well if we had schools to teach our 
 youth how to converse rationally, brilliantly, and 
 delightfully. If they have not brains enough to be 
 educated to converse, they are certainly to be pitied. 
 Your mere material amusements, such as dancing, 
 cards, etc., belong in the main to barbarous and igno- 
 rant tribes, and should remain among them ; it is a 
 poor compHraent to a Christian age and people if 
 we have no capabihty of higher enjoyment than the 
 savages of Guinea and Patagonia. I want a higher 
 standard of pleasure for youth, Mrs. Parsons, than 
 such as governed the semi-enhghtened people of
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 93 
 
 other times. I would give to youth all pleasures 
 that do not endanger their temporal excellence, or 
 jeopardize their hopes of heaven. I think the 
 Methodist Church does right about amusements. 
 It sets a high and refined standard, and I hope 
 never to see it degraded one single degree."
 
 94 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 CONVICTION — EEMAKKABLE INSTANCE — INSTRUCTIONS TO A'MOURNER — 
 
 FAITH RELIGION. 
 
 " Mrs. Norton, you were speaking last week on 
 conviction for sin. I have been at the church and 
 heard Mr. Maffit. He describes the feelings of the 
 heart with great accuracy, and I have often had 
 compunctions of conscience, but never was in such 
 a state of mind as he described to be the experience 
 of some seekers of religion." 
 
 " He said, Mr. Truman, that under conviction, 
 there were as many different classes of emotions as 
 there were classes of people. The case he de- 
 scribed was, as he said, a remarkable one." 
 
 "Did you ever see a case of the kind, Mrs. 
 Norton?" 
 
 " There was a friend of mine whose experience 
 was of exactly the same character. Indeed, I have 
 her letter giving a full account of it." 
 
 " I should like to heai' it, Mrs. Norton, if it be 
 not improper to give it." 
 
 " Not at all, Mr. Truman. It is here in my
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 95 
 
 portfolio, and at jouy service. Shall I read it to 
 you i 
 
 " If you please." 
 
 "It is dated, Louisville, September 4th, 1828 
 — about nine years ago. The writer's name you 
 need not know : — ' I have wished ardently to 
 hear from you, my dear friend, and for the last 
 few days I have wanted you with me more 
 than any person in the world. I scarcely know 
 how to describe my feelings ; but if I could, 
 and you were here, you would understand them. 
 I have wanted your pra3^ers and the prayers of all 
 Christians. I have lived in rebellion against God ; 
 he has shown me his power, and I now pray for 
 his mercy. Since the death of a dear child, I have, 
 in tlie midst of grief, thought of my unprepared 
 state to meet him in judgment; but I have not 
 sufficient feeling to produce amendment. I should 
 have gone on had not God smitten me in wrath ; 
 but now I hope, through grace, to lead a new life. 
 I am under his sore displeasure, and know not that 
 he will accept me. INIother and S. think I am 
 enthusiastic, though I tell them they try to disbe- 
 lieve I am under conviction. how I wish to be 
 with those that could understand me, and pray for 
 me! My friends here are kind and amiable, but 
 ! how little they know about religion. They t(!ll 
 mc to ride or to visit; as if I could fly from the
 
 96 LIFE OF MRS. N Oil TON. 
 
 wrath of God ! The devil tempts me to deny my 
 comlition ; but it is too plain a case. It would be 
 shiful not to believe it is from my God — you shall 
 judge if I ought not to think so. 
 
 " ' On Monday evening, after tea, I went into 
 the passage and took a seat. Elizabeth Oliver 
 was there, and we conversed of matters, whether 
 of interest or not, I do not now recollect ; I was in 
 nowise agitated. I had neither heard nor read 
 any thing to excite my feehngs. The Avind blew 
 through the passage, and I thought how easy it 
 would be for God to carry me away with it to eter- 
 nity for my unbelief. Yet I was calm. I got up 
 and walked, and thought, if the Lord would only as- 
 sist me, and show me the way, I would try to serve 
 him. In a moment, like lightning, a feeling came 
 over me, such as cannot be described ; but 0, how 
 awful it was ! I thought I was struck with death — 
 that soul and body were lost for ever. It was not 
 fainting, for I was able to tvalk up stem's. I told 
 mother I was dying, and was not prepared. From 
 the agitation of my frame, and the palpitation of 
 my heart, she thought I was very ill, and sent for 
 Doctor Rogers. He thought it might be a chill, 
 and that a fever would of course follow ; but it was 
 nothing of the kind — I had no fever. I told them I 
 only wanted the prayer of some Christian. I lay 
 in this agony for some length of time, and then be-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 97 
 
 came a little composed. Next morning Dr. Har- 
 rison prayed for me. I felt the want of Christians 
 around me. ! how I wanted you or Mother 
 Anderson with me. My mother does not under- 
 stand these things, good as she is : even Elizabeth 
 seemed nearer to me, and I preferred her being 
 with me at night. James came, and was distressed 
 at my situation. He tried to reason me out of it. 
 I told him I did not give ivay to my feelings. In- 
 deed, I should feel better if I could talk freely to 
 some one : I tr}^ to pray, but my prayers are weak. 
 Very often that indescribahle feeling comes over 
 me, and almost destroys me. I dread it so much 
 that I constantly fear the next will kill me. I try 
 to lift my thoughts to heaven, and plead with my 
 Saviour; but I am afraid. my dear friend, will 
 you pray for me, and tell my dear mother I want 
 her to do so also? 0, if you could unite with me ! 
 
 " ' You will receive this to-morrow night or next 
 day. Will you tell mother? I know she will 
 readily unite lier prayers with yours, and I will 
 join at the same time, l^et the time be at 3 o'clock 
 on Saturday evening. ! think of my wretched 
 state of mind. I would not make this request if 
 I did not greatly need your players. 
 
 " ' There is one scripture that now gives me some 
 consolation. ^Vhen I am in the greatest agony, I 
 remember that Christ walked on the troubled wa- 
 5
 
 98 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 ter to his disciples. They thought it was a spirit, 
 but he said, "It is I: be not afraid." Then I think 
 he would not call me if he did not wish me to come : 
 would he call me to him to destroy me ? no ! 
 
 " ' I have ceased to grieve for my dear child. Its 
 death will prove a blessing. 0, how my feehngs 
 are changed ! If I can obtain peace with God, I 
 shall be happy, and not dare to repine. . . I have 
 mourned, but it is all over now. that the Lord 
 may render it a blessing ! I had your letter by 
 me several hours before I was able to read it, not 
 knowing who it was from. I felt unable to open 
 it. James opened it and told me it was from you. 
 I then knew I would find some consolation. 
 
 '''Mary A .'" 
 
 " That seems a remarkable case, Mrs. Norton." 
 " Remarkable, but by no means uncommon." 
 " Well, I think I can explain it, madam. That 
 lady lost her child, and it naturally made her 
 serious ; it led her to reflect on the future. In this 
 sensitive state the rushing of the wind, by associa- 
 tion, awoke a serious train of thought that became 
 overpowering to her already lacerated feelings." 
 
 " Those things are certainly to be taken into the 
 account, but they scarcely explain those successive 
 paroxysms of awful dread of God and his wrath, 
 of her constant frame of horror, and of the sud-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 99 
 
 denness of her transition from a perfectly calm 
 state of mind to that 'indescribable' agony under 
 conviction for sin. God's Spirit often makes use 
 of natural means, and of his word, to reprove the 
 world of sin, and there is nothing that happens to 
 us but, if we open our hearts to reflection, it will 
 reprove us of disobedience to God in one way or 
 another. But there is one thing I would have you 
 remember ; that is, that when the heart feels ac- 
 ceptance with God, it almost invariably passes 
 from the indescribable agony and horror of con- 
 viction, to unutterable rapture in a single moment. 
 As this lady says, her conviction was sudden as a 
 flanh of lightning ; so also is the joy to such hearts 
 when they find pardon by faith. The doctor did 
 not understand her case ; it was not a nervous or 
 febrile malady, though her whole frame sympa- 
 thized with her conscience ; all was attributed to 
 enthusiasm, as if there could be such sudden ef- 
 fects without an adequate and sudden cause. 
 Worldly people arc ignorant of the phenomena of 
 spiritual operations, or they feign to be. ]My own 
 experience coincides very much with that of this 
 friend. I was a child when I heard the word 
 preached ; but that word, attended by the Spirit, 
 ^wrought such a conviction of unprcparcdness for 
 heaven, and of sinful tendency, th;it 1 was often 
 overwhelmed with horror; nor did I ever find re-
 
 100 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 lief but in prayer to God for mercy. All persons 
 under conviction for sin do not feel and act alike ; 
 but all are distressed ; and there is not a living- 
 soul, that has arrived at yeiirs of accountability, 
 but, at some time, has felt something of those aw- 
 ful forebodings of the future, and of guilt before 
 God, which the Bible tells us are from the Holy 
 Spirit — so I believe. They come, and depart if not 
 improved ; and finally leave us altogether; and then 
 our case is hopeless ; for no man comes unto me, 
 says Christ, unless the Father draw him. Then 
 we are given over to be lost." 
 
 " Mrs. Norton, I wish you would tell me how to 
 get religion, if there is such a thing." 
 
 " By religion you mean, as I understand, par- 
 don and regeneration." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " With pleasure, Sir. Understand me then. A 
 regenerated person is a Christian, and a pardoned 
 man is a Christian. Regeneration is by the Spirit ; 
 pardon is through fxith. The Spirit regenerates — 
 this is God's work; in this transformation you 
 have no direct agency. Pardon is also the act of 
 God, but it is obtained on conditions which you can 
 perform and must perform. You must exercise 
 faith in the atonement, and then you will be for- 
 given." 
 
 "Pardon me, madam, for interrupting you; but
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 101 
 
 I never could understand what you mean by 
 
 faith." 
 
 " You must have been either badly instructed, 
 
 or have paid little attention to good instructions. 
 Faith is a belief in our responsibility to God at the 
 last great day, and that we will be saved if we for- 
 sake every sin, and ask God's pardon for the past 
 throuo-h the atonement. A savincr faith is such a 
 belief in these things as leads us to repent. Re- 
 pentance is such a regret for all our violations of 
 God's law as leads us to forsake them. When the 
 last sin is given up, then faith instantly takes hold 
 of a Divine promise, and the sinner is instantly 
 pardoned; and this pardon is accompanied by re- 
 generation." 
 
 "What is the proof of our pardon, Mrs. Norton?" 
 " The direct proof o^ pardon is theprow«/sc of God. 
 On this point I would have you thoroughly en- 
 lightened. The direct proof that we are pardoned is 
 the WORD of God — remember that. For examitle : 
 a seeker of religion, forsaking every sin against God, 
 and asking pardon for all, is instantly forgiven ; for 
 ' he that asketh receiveth,' and * him that comcth 
 to me I will in no wise cast out.' When we per- 
 form the required conditions of pardon, we know we 
 are pardoned, because God says so in his word ; it 
 is not by the witness of the Si)irit, but by the 
 Divine assertion, that we know we are forgiven. I
 
 102 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 repent of every sin — I say every sin — and then 
 pray God to forgive me all for Christ's sake — then 
 I AM FORGIVEN — I then KNOW I am forgiven, for God 
 affirms it. ' He that asketh receiveth.' I ask 
 pardon, on repentance, and receive it, because ' he 
 that asketh receiveth.' I want no higher testi- 
 mony than this. 
 
 ' Firm as God's throne his promise stands, 
 
 And he can well secure 
 What I've committed to his hands 
 Till the decisive hour.' " 
 
 " But, Mrs. Norton, I have asked, and I am not 
 satisfied that I have received pardon." 
 
 " The reason, sir, is obvious. You have not for- 
 saken every sin ; for had you, unbelief would not 
 keep you from resting satisfied of pardon on the 
 truth of God's word. Such is the nature of re- 
 pentance, faith, and pardon, that you cannot exer- 
 cise this faith while the smallest allowance or 
 apology for any sin finds a place in your heart. 
 You are fond of worldly pleasure ; you will not 
 give it up, and until you do, you cannot exercise 
 this fiiith. When you uncompromisingly give up 
 every sin, great and small, then you will be for- 
 given, but never till then. ' If I regard iniquity 
 in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer.' 
 You cannot beheve that you receive pardon for all 
 your sins, while there are so7ne left which you will
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 10 
 
 Q 
 
 not abandon ; the thing is impossible : forsake all, 
 and at that instant all Avill be forgiven. God never 
 forgives a part only." 
 
 " But if we are saved by faith in a special pro- 
 mise, what is the use of prayer and of caUing mourn- 
 ers forward,, publicly, for prayer ?" 
 
 " Prayer gives exercise to repentance and faith ; 
 it is inseparable from them, so that it is written, 
 ' Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord 
 shall be saved.' A convicted sinner is not always 
 willing to give up every sin, though he is ready to 
 part with many. ' God ^vorks in him to will and 
 to do of his own good pleasure ;' and in prayer he 
 is a 'co-worker with God, working out his own 
 salvation ^\\i\\fear and trcmhliufj before God.' By 
 prayer to God he becomes willing to give up one 
 sin after another, till he parts with the last one, 
 and tlien he rests satisfied in the promise that * he 
 that asketh receiveth.' In the act of prayer he 
 finds peace, because it increases faitli by enlarging 
 repentance till ' repentance is unto life.' ' Rei)ent- 
 ance unto life' is the nbandonment of every sin, no 
 matter whether tears or groans or external signs 
 of grief attend it or not ; it is the cessation of sin, 
 because sin is regretted as evil in the sight of God, 
 tliat constitutes repentance unto life. We may re- 
 form our life without any reference to Divine ac- 
 countabihty; but this is nut repentance towards
 
 104 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 God : reformation, and regret for sin as evil in 
 God's sight, make the sum of OJmstian penitence ; 
 it is principle and practice combined. God's house 
 is a house of prayer ; the altar is the usual place 
 of prayer in God's house, the known place of sacri- 
 fice and atonement. Men have sinned publicly, 
 and must publicly acknowledge it, if they would 
 be successful in prayer — ' with the mouth con- 
 fession is made unto salvation.' The man who is 
 umvilUng to acknowledge himself a sinner by a pub- 
 lic act of humility, will never be forgiven ; you 
 may rest assured of that." 
 
 " If we are saved by fiiith in the act of prayer, 
 Mrs. Norton, why do so many distress themselves 
 about the witness of the Spirit ? When I get reli- 
 gion, I want to know it for myself." 
 
 "That is praiseworthy, Mr. Truman; but many, 
 in seeking the witness of the Spirit, neglect the 
 necessary antecedents of repentance towards God, 
 and faith in his promise. When you are pardoned, 
 you will be regenerated, and the witness in your 
 heart will show your adoption into God's family. 
 ' Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, 
 and the love of God will be shed abroad in our 
 hearts, by the Holy Ghost' — we will have a sense 
 of ' righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy 
 Ghost.' Perform ?/our work of repentance and faith, 
 and God will attend to his, that of regeneration and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 105 
 
 of the witness of the Spirit : let his work alone — 
 attend to yours, and all will be right. Many per- 
 sons, under i\\Qfear and trembling of conviction, are 
 in a frame of mind too agitated to admit of com- 
 prehending the plan of personal salvation as I have 
 explained it ; hut they can fully comprehend and 
 feel that prayer will bring them to God. When a 
 convicted sinner can understand no other instruc- 
 tion, he can understand this ; and as prayer gives 
 exercise to penitence, faith and love, ' brings every 
 blessing from above,' I then urge him to pray, and 
 pray with him : if he perseveres, he is sure to be- 
 lieve and rejoice at last — ' God is the rewarder of 
 those that diligently seek him.' If you think your 
 soul worth saving, you have feeling enough to strive 
 for pardon ; and if you will pray earnestly and con- 
 stantly, you will exiierimentalhj learn the way to 
 God through repentance and faith. The most be- 
 nighted come to God in prayer, and are made 
 hapi)y by faith in the very same path as the most 
 enlightened. Prayer is the way to God : faith be- 
 gins, attends, and finishes repentance, conquers the 
 world, and trium[)lis over death." 
 
 What is conversion, Mrs. Norton ?" 
 'As a general term, it signifies change — change 
 of any kind. In religion it ordinarily means a 
 change of life ; but witli us it is often used as 
 
 synonymous with regeneration. In this sense it 
 5:h 

 
 106 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 means a reorganization of our moral nature ; a 
 change not only in our principles of religious action, 
 but in the spiritual nature itself. The spiritual 
 life which Adam lost when he sinned, and which 
 was not inherited by his children, is, in regenera- 
 tion, at once renewed. All are, by nature, spiritu- 
 ally dead ; but the Spirit entering the soul, unites 
 with it as a vital principle, and we possess new- 
 ness of life ; our bodies become temples of the 
 Holy Ghost, and the Father and the Son come and 
 dwell within us ; we are thus united to God, and 
 ^ are made partakers of the Divine nature.' This 
 regeneration is called by us experimental religion, 
 as distinct from practical religion, because God pro- 
 poses to us, if we will do certain things, we shall 
 feel his abiding presence ; we tr}^ the experiment, 
 and thus ' set to our seal that God is true.' When 
 we are converted by the Spirit, our hearts are love, 
 as God is love : we love all people, even our ene- 
 mies, and would bear them all to heaven. The 
 witness of the Spirit comes to the heart, and as- 
 sures us we are God's children. Yet it is not 
 always at once understood by those to whom it 
 comes. ' God speaks once, yea, twice ; but man 
 perceiveth it not :' hence we are exhorted to ex- 
 junine and prove ourselves whether we be in the 
 faith. ' Know ye not your own selves how that 
 Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates ?' A
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 107 
 
 good test of genuine regeneration is this : obedience 
 being the test of true love to God, if we would not 
 deliberately violate a law of God, then our love to 
 him is supreme ; then are we true Christians ; then 
 will we be always striving to do all our known duty. 
 Regeneration implies sup'eme love to God, though 
 that love may often be practically irregular ; per- 
 fect love differs from this in being lyractically 
 uniform. Regeneration is popularly called by va- 
 rious names, and if I ask a man if he has religion, 
 and he says he does not know that he has it by 
 that name, and I ask again, do you love God su- 
 premely, and he answers, yes, then I am satisfied 
 he has what I call experimental religion. Did 
 Christian people better understand each other's 
 terms for indicating the abiding sense of the love 
 of God in their hearts, there would be far more 
 harmony and fraternization among them. I may 
 find a golden coin, as a doubloon, and not know its . 
 name, the superscription being in an unknown 
 tongue. I may be asked if I have found a doub- 
 loon, and answer I do not know ; but if one is 
 described, I can, by examination, promptly ascer- 
 tain. I know at once that I have found a piece 
 of ffold of considerable value, ])ut I know not its 
 technical name and value until I knt)W the meaning 
 attached to its name. So it is with experimental 
 religion. I may obtain it, and not know it under
 
 108 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 that particular appellation ; but I know I love God 
 and his people, and have passed from death unto 
 life. It is said, very foolishly as I think, by some 
 persons, that ' a man cannot have religion and not 
 know it.' In one sense this is true ; but I know 
 people may be Christians, and yet be sometimes in 
 doubt of it ; and they may have experimental reli- 
 gion, and not know it by that particular name — the 
 suhstance is one thing, and the name quite another : 
 we know the substance always — not the name 
 always." 
 
 "But, Mrs. Norton, is noise essential to reli- 
 gion ?" 
 
 " Not always ; but I know this — that it is in- 
 separable from it if there be any zeal in the Church : 
 when there is lightning, there is sure to be thun- 
 der somewhere ; and where there is thunder, there 
 is sure to be an efficient cause for it. Mr. Norton 
 and myself once disagreed on this point, but we 
 have been long since reconciled."* 
 
 * In 1818 Mrs. Norton visited her old home in Pennsylvania. While 
 there she writes to Mr. Norton as follovrs : "I entirely agree with you 
 that, to enjoy religion, our principles must be pure, and our actions 
 just, both at home and abroad. So far I agree with you. My dear, 
 I know you most seriously believe the Scriptures. I shall take your 
 advice concerning the Methodists, as I believe it most kindly meant. 
 Fear not ; I shall tate no decided step in that way until we meet. It 
 is not to any sect I have been awakened, but to God; though grati- 
 tude compels me to acknowledge the Methodists as the means a second 
 time of my being uncommonly stirred up to my religious duty. In all
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 109 
 
 their meetings, public and private, day and night, I can solemnly say, 
 I have never yet seen any thing inconsistent with holiness. I am sorry 
 you are prejudiced against class-meetings. To the soul in real earnest, 
 they are useful. Church-meetings at night cannot be avoided. Every 
 society, English and German, has them. I go with your mother often, 
 as well as to Methodist meetings. My dear, I never could and never 
 did believe 7ioise or empty sound was religion; but I believe when the 
 heart is filled with the love of God, the tongue and the voice will some- 
 times praise him aloud. My greatest delight at present is alone in 
 my closet with my God. 'Tis to him I look for strength to persevere 
 until I become what I would be." 
 
 Mr. Norton, in writing to us on January 20, 1858, says, "I have 
 some connections Baptists, and many Presbyterians : I am more at- 
 tached to the Methodist Church and doctrine." From this statement 
 it appears he had very long since ceased to object to his wife's being 
 in that Church. Prior to 1818, she had been most useful in winning 
 many to Christ, and at that time was not at all what is called a back- 
 slider.
 
 110 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 CONVERSATION WITH A NEW-LIGHT — METHODIST USAGES. 
 
 '' Good evening, Mrs. Norton." 
 " Walk into the parlor, Mrs. Newel." 
 " I have come to have a little friendly talk with 
 you, Mrs. Norton. Have you lieard our new 
 preacher ?" 
 
 " I have been to hear him once or twice." 
 " Don't you think he is a charming speaker, 
 Mrs. Norton ? We are all delighted with him. We 
 think you Methodists ought to be pleased with 
 him, he is so much like you in his views. He is 
 for uniting all Christians on the Bible. You know 
 he preaches on the witness of the Spirit, and makes 
 the matter so plain, I really sometimes wish every- 
 body could hear him. You know I like you Meth- 
 odists and all your ways, except your mode of bap- 
 tism, and your unwiUingness to unite on the Bible." 
 " Indeed, Mrs. Newel, I was pleased with the 
 liberal spirit of your preacher ; but, really, on the 
 matter of Christian union, I am not so certain he 
 takes any really practical ground."
 
 ii 
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. Ill 
 
 " You don't understand him, Mrs. Norton. He • 
 wants all Christians to unite." 
 
 " Well, what do you understand him to mean Ly 
 union ? Do you mean to say there ought to he 
 one great denomination known hy one name ?" 
 Certainly I do." 
 
 Then you wish Methodists, Presbyterians, 
 Baptists, Episcopalians, and all, to give up their 
 views and accept those of your preacher, which 
 would be admitting that you have more sense 
 than all other people — an admission very compli- 
 mentary to you — and you claim this compliment 
 as perfectly just. Now, really, Mrs. Newel, you 
 admit that these denominations are Christians ; and 
 if so, they are such by uniting on the Bible : this 
 union exists now : why then ask for a union that 
 you already acknowledge ? I am afraid, Mrs. 
 Newel, that your preacher's notion of union on the 
 Bible, means nothing less than a union with your 
 denomination." 
 
 "Pardon me, Mrs. Norton ; but wc think that 
 although you believe the Bible, you yet do not 
 understand it." 
 
 "And pardon me, Mrs. Newel, but we think the 
 same of you; and your people are certainly in a 
 vast minority. And as for understanding the Bible 
 in the original Greek and Hebrew, the denominM- 
 tious standing against your views possess a far
 
 112 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 greater number of profound scholars, and men of 
 talent and practical piety, than you can ever boast. 
 You think you are right — we think we are right ; 
 and when doctors disagree, they must be allowed to 
 differ. I tell you candidly, Mrs. Newel, I have 
 heard your preachers ever since 1830, and I have 
 heard other denominations all my life, and if I am 
 any judge, your preachers differ more, far more, 
 among themselves, than do the preachers I have 
 heard among all the evangelical denominations of 
 our country." 
 
 '' But, Mrs. Norton, other denominations cling 
 to their creeds, and this makes their differences : 
 if all would take the Bible, there would not be such 
 contentions." 
 
 " But, Mrs. Newel, if creeds make us differ, and 
 your Church has none, then what makes the dif- 
 ferences among your preachers ? All the union 
 with you, if I rightly apprehend the matter, is on 
 the single doctrine of submersion for the remission 
 of sins : on this point you have union, but on no 
 other that ever I knew, except that of gaining all 
 you can from other Churches." 
 
 " Well you know, Mrs. Norton, when we find 
 people in error, it is our duty to enlighten them." 
 
 " 3^es, madam, that is true, if their religious 
 errors are in the way of final salvation ; and you 
 certainly believe your mother was a Christian and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 113 
 
 went to heaven without being submersed : she was 
 baptized by pouring, as I Avell remember." 
 
 "Yes, Mrs. Norton ; we think God saves peo- 
 ple through ignorance." 
 
 " Well, Mrs. Newel, I never read in the Scrip- 
 tures of ignorance being a means of salvation : un- 
 Ijehef is the only damning sin we read of, and ' he 
 that believeth hath everlasting life.' But on this 
 matter of creeds and union, Mrs. Newel, my opinion 
 is settled. The Bible embraces a vast amount of 
 facts and doctrines about which we may innocently 
 entertain very different opinions. Were all people 
 united in the same opinion, they might all be com- 
 mitted to some egregious fallacy, and there would 
 be none to correct the misapprehension. But as 
 the matter now stands, diversity of opinion leads 
 to controversy and close investigations, which in 
 the course of time give enlarged views of truth, 
 and pour a flood of light on the doubtful cause of 
 dilference. Human opinions have never been alto- 
 gether right since the fall of man, and any stereo- 
 typed union is an irrepressible barrier to mental 
 j)rogress. Again, there arc certain doctrines of 
 Scripture in which a practical belief is essential (o 
 salvation, as you a(hnit, and (here are many wlio 
 profess to believe the Bible and call themselves 
 Christians, who discard these doctrines as essential 
 articles of Christian laith. Now it is essential for
 
 114 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 the salvation of men that pious peoiDle should at 
 least briefly sum up their articles of Bible faith in 
 opposition to such dogmatists, and publish these 
 creeds to the world, as distinguishable marks of or- 
 thodoxy in the flock where there are many wolves 
 in sheep's clothing. It is the multitude of false 
 teachers that makes a distinct profession of faith in 
 certain articles of religion necessary on the part 
 of true teachers ; and those who hide their light 
 among so many errorists, it seems to me are very 
 ill-advised as to their duty. Every one ought to 
 show his standard, and have no fears of unfurling 
 his banners. In these times of false doctrine, I am 
 afraid of those who refuse to express in positive 
 words what are their articles of saving faith. And 
 as for any external corporate union of all Churches, 
 I am afraid of such a scheme : there is too much 
 ambition in the human heart, too much attraction 
 for ease, place, dignity, and power, to tempt men 
 from humility, and to lead them to oppression and 
 tyranny, for one to desire any such organization 
 till Christ appear. The Homan Church was once 
 pure ; but it had a vast external unity, and you 
 know how terribly it has corrupted its way. All 
 its tyranny grew out of that very kind of unity 
 you wish to promote. All the external unity I 
 wish is that of an official recognition among all de- 
 nominations of evangelical Christians, that each
 
 LITE OF MRS. NORTON. 115 
 
 belongs .to Christ — that is union enough. And 
 certainly, Mrs. Newel, you never expect that such 
 a unity of the Church as you propose will be at all 
 practicable before the coming of Christ." 
 
 "Yes, Mrs. Norton, we do. We think there are 
 to be vast changes in tlic world, and that every- 
 body will adopt our views." 
 
 " On what grounds do 3^ou hope it, Mrs. Newel ?" 
 
 " Why, madam, the Lord says he will cut the 
 work short in righteousness." 
 
 " Do you mean by miracle ?" 
 
 " I don't know how% Mrs. Norton." 
 
 " God works by means, Mrs. Newel ; and to 
 expect an end without ordinary gospel means, is 
 rather visionary, I should think; and besides, if you 
 should not be in the riglit, you would likely be cut 
 short in the Lord's work. For my part, when I 
 remember how many multiplied thousands are vio- 
 lently opposed to your reformation as unnecessary, 
 unreasonable, and impracticable, I see no earthly 
 chance of your people doing any thing more than 
 to build up another sect of religionists ; and as you 
 preach against the existence of all sects, your prac- 
 tice does violence to your own creed." 
 
 " Well, Mrs. Norton, you know I l)elieve you 
 .'ire a true Christian. Wo liope to get you some 
 day. Come and hear our preachers. I think you 
 would like them."
 
 116 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 " Very well, madain, I am a Methodist Christian. 
 The old ship has carried thousands safe to the king- 
 dom, and I expect to journey in it safely to the 
 good country, and I fear that you are deluded, and 
 that you will make shipwreck of your faith. With- 
 out faith and regeneration, Mrs. Newel, your bap- 
 tism will not save you. I believe you are now a 
 good woman ; you really wish to save people from 
 destruction ; but, Mrs. Newel, I entreat you not to 
 let your zeal for God degenerate into that of a pro- 
 selyter from other Churches : you know such a 
 character has little credit for generosity, justice, 
 or piety." 
 
 " Well, Mrs. Norton, I'll take a walk with you 
 in your garden, and look at your spring flowers : 
 I see you are gardening very early." 
 
 " With pleasure, Mrs. Newel. I hope we will 
 walk in the garden above." 
 
 CONVERSATION ON METHODIST USAGES, WITH MR. 
 
 PORTER. 
 
 At another time Mrs. Norton was jocularly 
 aroused in a fashionable company to defend her 
 Methodist peculiarities, and did so with no Httle 
 effect. 
 
 " I understand, Mrs. Norton, that you are op- 
 posed to wine-parties," said Mr. Porter. 
 
 " Of course I am," was her reply.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 117 
 
 " Well, ]\Irs. Norton, I was at one of your meet- 
 ings at the church, and really the company looked 
 to me very much like a wine-party." 
 
 " I never was present at a regular wine-drinking 
 party, Mr. Porter, and of course cannot judge of 
 the analogy from observation. And, sir, if a wine- 
 party is as much overjoyed with spirits as are the 
 Methodists in a revival, I hope never to be present 
 at one. Externally, Mr. Porter, the expressions 
 of joy ma}^ be the same in either case ; but the 
 causes of them at a wine-party are purely and 
 grossly sensual, while those of a revival are infin- 
 itely above any such carnality. At the day of Pen- 
 tecost, the people said the disciples w^ere full of 
 new wine, though, you know, sir, the cause of 
 their wild ecstasy was directly from Heaven. If 
 the ecstasy of a Methodist revival is really from 
 the Divine Spirit, as we believe it is, I cannot 
 but fear your comparison is a dangerous one for 
 you." 
 
 " How so ?" 
 
 "Why, sir, the sin against the Holy Ghost, 
 which is never forgiven, consists, as I think, in re- 
 fi.'rring the operations of the Holy Spirit to an ig- 
 noble cause. And if, sir, a revival, with its attend- 
 ant delights, is of the Spirit, then any sport made 
 of it is virtually in contcm[)t of the Holy Chost. 
 If you ridicule the idea of a revival proceeding
 
 118 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 from- such Divine cause, you but ridicule the cause 
 itself." 
 
 " But, Mrs. Norton, I was educated to believe 
 that the idea of the operations of the Spirit was a 
 Methodist delusion." 
 
 " Some of us have been improperly taught, Mr. 
 Porter ; but when we could know better, and re- 
 fuse light, we are personally responsible for wilful 
 ignorance. Since the day of Pentecost the Chris- 
 tian dispensation has been one of the Spirit ; and 
 all the evangelical prosperity of the Church is now 
 from the direct operations of that Spirit. You re- 
 member, sir, that Christ said, ' If I go not away, 
 the Comforter will not come unto you ; but if I 
 depart, I will send him unto you. I will pray the 
 Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, 
 that he may abide with you for ever, even the 
 Spirit of truth.' Again, the prophet said, ' In the 
 last days,' — that is, in the Christian age, — ' I will 
 pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,' — sinners as well 
 as Christians, — ' and your sons and your daughters 
 shall prophesy,' — that is, they shall teach the truth 
 of the gospel, — ' and on my servants and on my 
 handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my 
 Spirit, and they shall prophesy,' — that is, they 
 shall speak from Divine impulses. Now, sir, that 
 Spirit was to come on ' all flesh,' and especially 
 upon Christian men and women, and was to abide
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 119 
 
 -with them fur ever. That operation of the Spirit 
 is still found e\ery\vhere, in the Church and out 
 of it, and revivals nuist be the fruits of its im- 
 pulses. You ought not then to be tjuite so free in 
 comparing a revival to a drunken revel," 
 
 "0, I admit the operations of the Spirit; but 
 they are through the word." 
 
 "And what is the word, Mr. Porter?" 
 " ' My word is spirit/ Mrs. Norton." 
 " But you do not mean to say it is identical with 
 the Holy Ghost? that would be absurd. Christ 
 says, ' The Holy Ghost shall guide you into all 
 truth — he shall teach 3'ou all things, and bring all 
 things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have 
 said unto you,' — that is, he shall show them the 
 word of Christ, which you call spirit. The word 
 of Christ may always be attended by the Holy 
 Spirit ; but this Spirit may act on hearts that 
 never heard the gospel word. On the day of Pen- 
 tecost He came without any special preaching or 
 reailinir of the word, and so doubtless does now." 
 
 "But, madam, may not a man be converted in 
 the act of baptism ?" 
 
 " Certainly he may, Mr. Porter; ami (lieu again, 
 he may be bajdized without being really rcgene- 
 ratcfl ; and he may be converted and have the Holy 
 (J host either before or after ba[)ti.sm. Peter bap- 
 li/cd those at the house of Cornelius after they
 
 120 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 were baptized by the Holy Ghost ; and of others 
 it is said, ' The Holy Ghost as yet was fallen upon 
 none of them ; only they were baptized in the name 
 of the Lord Jesus — then laid they their hands 
 upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.' 
 Mr. Porter, do you believe those were Christians 
 that had received the gift of the Holy Spirit ?" 
 " Well really, madam, it seems to me they were." 
 "Then, sir, it is a plain case that some persons 
 were Christians before baptism as truly as after- 
 wards ; for they received that gift lefore baptism." 
 " Mrs. Norton, allow me to ask you a sincere 
 question. Do you not think that the excitement 
 in a revival is more the result of animal feeling 
 than of sound understanding ?" 
 
 ''• If you will state, definitely, what you mean 
 by animal feeling, I will answer you." 
 
 " I cannot define it precisely, Mrs. Norton." 
 " You are in the dilemma of all I ever heard use 
 the expression. I never knew any one that had a 
 well-defined idea of it; nor do any two persons 
 possess the same views as to its meaning ; and, 
 really, I am persuaded that it is a phrase without 
 any well-defined meaning. I have given it a defi- 
 nition of my own. I understand it to be a Wind 
 impulse put in motion without any rational cause." 
 " I accept your definition, madam." 
 " Well, sir, allow me to use a figure, and then
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 121 
 
 ask you a question. Suppose a steamer is on fire 
 in the Mississippi, and it is impossible to reach the 
 shore : would not universal fear seize the passen- 
 gers for their personal safety? Would not the 
 first impulse be flight from danger ? Would you 
 call this excitement mere animal feeling ? Is not 
 the instinct of self-preservation in rational beings 
 distinct from the blind impulse of brute panic?" 
 
 " I certainly think self-preservation is the first 
 law of nature ; but undet its influence people often 
 lose all self-possession, and take the worst steps to 
 save themselves." 
 
 " Precisely so, Mr. Porter ; but suppose they all 
 see an open and plain way of safety : will not their 
 earnest desire of escape lead them to move in that 
 direction, especially if they are guided, and warned, 
 and entreated to take it?" 
 
 "It will generally, Mrs. Norton; but some- 
 times people will go in the wrong direction in spite 
 of remonstrances." 
 
 " But such cases are very few, Mr. Porter, and 
 exceptions to the rule. But even these, if directed 
 rightly, will, by the assistance of friends, be saved. 
 Even in their blindness, if they move in the right 
 direction, they are sure to escape. Now, sir, wc 
 are on our way to eternity ; our vessel, crowded 
 with passengers, is on fire; the gospel is giving 
 the alarm, and many Jire suddenly aroused to their 
 6
 
 122 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 danger. In flying for safety, Christ alone is 'the 
 life, the truth, and the way;' and however full of 
 fear the heart may be, none can be lost who fly to 
 him; for, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no 
 wise cast out.' Prayer to God — sincere prayer to 
 God — always results in salvation. Prayer implies 
 faith, repentance, and a life of piety; so that 'who- 
 soever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be 
 saved.' Your panic-stricken ones who fly in any 
 other direction than to Christ, are those blinded 
 by animal passion, and not those who come weep- 
 ing and kneeling before God at the altar of prayer, 
 and in the house of prayer. And as there is joy 
 to friends on shore over those who escape from 
 a wreck at sea, and as there is joy in heaven over 
 sinners that repent, so the joys you falsely sup- 
 pose animal, and which Christians experience at 
 the conversion of their neighbors and kindred, are 
 the highest of which our nature is susceptible : they 
 are angelic, pure, artless, and godlike. You may 
 object to our tears, and noise, and expressions of 
 happiness; but were your father, your mother, and 
 your sisters to escape from sudden and impending 
 death, and you were to give none of those natural 
 manifestions of joy so common on like occasions, 
 you would be regarded as not only cold-hearted, 
 but absolutely unfeehng and vicious. Our noise is 
 innocent. It detracts from the good fame of none,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 123 
 
 nor filches the property of any ; it may ring through 
 the air for a moment, but its echo soon dies upon 
 ill-natured ears. Methodist shouts never disturb 
 Methodist devotion ; all things on earth that move 
 M'ith power, give the sound of their motion ; Jind 
 you need not upbraid jMethodism because the wings 
 of its power thunder as they fly. As well might 
 you chide the dove for the hurtling of its pinions 
 through the aii\ I hope, sir, yet to raise a note 
 of triumph over your conversion to God, and to see 
 you, not joyful 'with wine, but filled with the 
 Spirit.' "
 
 124 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 EFFORTS FOR THE CONVERSION OF OTHERS — LETTER TO E. H. DEVO- 
 TION TO HER CHURCH DEATH OF A SINNER PARTIES OF PLEA- 
 SURE CONFERENCE WOMAN'S SPHERE TOO NARROW CONVERSION 
 
 OF MAJOR THRASHLET OF m'ILVAINE. 
 
 When the work of redemption is completed, 
 heaven will be replete with the glorified. Its seats 
 will be filled, its mansions tenanted, and its table 
 without a vacant place. Each harp will be tuned, 
 each crown worn, each robe appropriated ; no 
 desolation, no sohtude, no silence or gloom will 
 exist. As years ghde away, the hosts of Israel 
 draw near to the citadel of the last enemy. Our 
 Captain has withdrawn from the actual scene of 
 contest to a mountain of observation. From the 
 hill of Zion he surveys at a glance the whole arena, 
 and his angel aids around him are sent hither and 
 thither to press the battle where signals of distress 
 are visible. From time to time the weary and 
 war-worn are ordered to retire from the field. 
 Taking their stations around the mount, they re- 
 fresh themselves for a season, and abide as reserves, 
 to join the contest again when the last emergency 
 arrives. At length the vast army of Satan will
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 125 
 
 waver on the field ; its lines will be broken, and 
 the rout begin. Then our Captain will sound the 
 last trumpet, and call the reserves to the last charge. 
 Then the ransomed legions will rush like flying 
 stars, and set the heavens on fire. Then will they 
 take vengeance on those that obey not the gospel. 
 The ruin of the foe will be complete. Saints and 
 angels will witness the death of the last enemy. 
 Then there will be glory enough for all — the king- 
 dom will come on earth as it is in heaven. To the 
 Christian these things will be real; to his faith 
 they are already present ; he counts all earthly 
 gain as loss compared with what shall be revealed 
 in him. But wdiile such riches and honor await 
 him, there is no selfishness in his heart w' ith refer- 
 ence to them, nor is there a single motive to self- 
 ishness that can inspire jealousy of the salvation 
 of others. Indeed, the very first moment we are 
 translated from darkness to light, and partake of 
 the Divine nature, we instinctively an<l irreprcs- 
 sibly desire that all the world shall go witli us to 
 heaven. Taking up the call of the Spirit along 
 the river of life, we repeat it to all, as soon as we 
 have tasted of its waters. As love prompted the 
 Son of God to seek and save the lost, so when wc 
 bear his likeness, like him we long to sec all re- 
 turning to the fold of God. This inspiration is not 
 that of sect or party ; it is not from prejudice or
 
 126 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 natural affection ; its spring is unearthly, its im- 
 pulse Divine. 
 
 With this loving zeal for the eternal good of 
 others, Mrs. Norton was deeply imbued. It 
 was not an intermittent spring, but steady and 
 perennial in the flow of its even tide. When 
 times of refreshing from the Lord visited the 
 Church, she improved the visitation with un- 
 wonted alacrity ; and was ever instant in season 
 and out of season, and in labors most abundant for 
 the salvation of all within her influence. For this 
 she visited ; for this she improved her casual visits ; 
 this purpose was prominent in her correspondence 
 and foremost in her conversation ; it warmed her 
 prayers, tuned her songs, and often caused her 
 sleepless nights of anxiety. It kept her heart ever 
 in commotion ; it moved her tears, and sent her 
 with unwearied feet to the house of sorrow and 
 distress. Resting or roaming, in sickness or in 
 health, among acquaintances or strangers, from 
 youth to later years, it was her memorial that she 
 sought to win others to Christ. In reviewing her 
 correspondence, the most persistent efforts to per- 
 suade others to become Christians are observable. 
 With an unwearied pen, for more than twenty 
 years, she is found pursuing her cherished friends 
 with steady exhortations, and persuasions to pre- 
 pare for eternity. To peruse many letters is often
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 127 
 
 considered wearisome ; j'et a few of Mrs. Norton's 
 have been selected as specimens of her constant 
 frame of mind, and of her zeal for God, which, it is 
 believed, will be read with interest. 
 
 LETTER TO MR. E. H., APRIL 16, 1823. 
 
 This letter was to a young gentleman who had 
 lived in her household while attending the univer- 
 sity. In one of her remarks she says : '• I think 
 you can appreciate a friend, even though that friend 
 be a female much older than yourself; and I trust 
 you will allow her, at least in some degree, to as- 
 sume the monitor. I may be presuming, but I 
 think you will respect my sincere expression of 
 esteem for you. . . . 
 
 " I have received your letter, and hold converse 
 awhile with my young friend. You mention your 
 conduct on the morning you left us with regret ; 
 but believe me there was no need of apology, nor 
 of language to express feelings which were mani- 
 fest in all your deportment. You say, ' Perhaps 
 our friendship may die.' Do not for a moment 
 harbor such a thought; for friendship based on 
 proper principles is lasting as the mind. Do you 
 know that T iiululgc the hope that friendsliip .'^uch 
 as this will hlooiii in inimortality ? By your let- 
 ters cannot 1 enter into your feelings, and be ac- 
 quainted witli the general state of your mind ? and
 
 128 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 by mine may you not learn my real sentiments of 
 heart ? and will you not regard my eflusions, how- 
 ever admonitory y as the manifestation of a pure and 
 sincere friendship ? I sometimes think it an omen 
 for good that you are associated in my mind with 
 hallowed objects. Association of ideas is in me 
 very strong. Sometimes the most apparent trifle 
 opens a vista through departed years. A strong 
 current of air always forcibly reminds me of run- 
 ning waters, and of the lovely streams on whose 
 banks I so often strayed when life was new, and 
 care had not disturbed my repose. The wings of 
 the wind never bear to me the perfume of certain 
 flowers, but with them rush the recollections of 
 youth, and of the spot, overgrown with flowers, 
 where my forefathers lived. Music recalls to me 
 the days and the friends which death and distance 
 have separated from me. Like a distinct land- 
 scape, they rise and pass before me, and disappear. 
 And shall not eternity restore my friends ? You 
 ask if ' I ever feel a disposition to weep, and give 
 up to momentary grief for the sake of mournful 
 pleasure ?' I answer, '■ Often.' I do not call this 
 a useless matter. In those delicious moments of 
 mournful joy, I feel conscious of a divinity within 
 that is immortal. Your feehngs so touchingly de- 
 scribed must teach your own eternity. Like the 
 caged bird, the soul struggles to gain its native ele-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 129 
 
 ment. It mourns while detained in this body of sin 
 and infirmity. If in this Hfe we feel so much, whjit 
 must be our emotions when freed from clay, if pu- 
 rified through the atonement ? Shall we nedect 
 this illustrious guest ? Shall we offer it food that 
 will unfit it for celestial flight ? Shall it be defiled 
 and cloGoed with sin, and lost for ever ? Let us 
 guard this precious treasure ; let it be cleansed by 
 a Saviour's blood, and thus prepared for inefi)ible 
 delights. . . Some of your sentiments were painful 
 to me — your better judgment will not assent to 
 them. . . I wish you always to write me what you 
 feel and think ; but I wish you to avoid, if possi- 
 ble, such thoughts. Your description was interest- 
 ing and subhme. At such a season remember 
 God. Nothing but the interposition of the Divine 
 hand could have rescued you from involving your- 
 self and others in deepest woe. It may be said, 
 ' It happened so ;' but ' such chances Providence 
 obey.' Then acknowledge God, adore his good- 
 ness, and where you cannot fully comprehend, be 
 
 not impatient, but trud Your enjoyments 
 
 must be of a refined nature, and those of religion are 
 refined. God has blessed you witli a strong miml, 
 and his kind hand would lead you by a way you 
 have not known ; would sliow you there is no li;in- 
 quillity independent of i)iety. I Jim often strongly 
 led to believe you are yet to become an orn;ini(iif
 
 130 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 to the Christian religion. You complain that no- 
 thing on earth can make you happy. . . 0, it is the 
 religion of the glorious Son of God that restores 
 peace to the unhappy. . . I believe, and can write 
 from experience, that religion gives peace to the 
 troubled heart. . . What more could you ask than 
 the religion of the New Testament? . . Now, my 
 young friend, if you have any confidence in me, 
 will you not at least consider a subject so important 
 to your present and eternal happiness ? Do go to 
 hear Mr. Johnson. I think him one of the excel- 
 lent of the earth. I have wished 3^ou to hear some 
 of Mr. Light's sermons lately — they were truly 
 sublime." 
 
 In this first letter to Mr. H., Mrs. Norton brings 
 forward religion as the principal theme, and 
 through four closely written pages urges its claims; 
 and in every successive letter to the day of her 
 death, she gave line upon line, and precept upon 
 precept. In other letters, she breathes the same 
 ardor for the personal salvation of those to whom 
 she writes. In January, 1824, she says, " I beheve 
 my letters will be sacredly revered by you : in 
 them I have endeavored to lead you to virtue and 
 piety, as to those means which soothe us in the 
 present life, and fit us for the life to come. I wrote 
 from experience, and if my letters have had any in- 
 fluence on your character, I am more than gratified."
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 131 
 DEVOTION TO HER CHURCH. 
 
 In 1824, she writes to an irreligious friend as 
 follows : 
 
 " Lexington is, as you may conjecture, much as 
 it was last winter — I believe not quite so gay. Dr. 
 Holly's ' metaphysical lectures ' commenced some 
 time since. I heard his introductory, and was 
 pleased. I expected to have attended regularly ; 
 but the lectures commenced at six o'clock, and con- 
 tinued three nights in the week, two of them inter- 
 fering with our meeting nights. I confess that my 
 taste is old-fashioned enough to prefer Mr. Light 
 with the Bible for his text-book to Dr. Holly with 
 Brown for his : this is the honest reason why I am 
 not dccj) in metaphysics. By this time useful 
 knowledge of every kind is desirable to me, and I 
 trust I have some taste for its acquisition; but 
 that knowledge immediately from above, which 
 leads more directly to nature's God, to his perfec- 
 tions, which inspires me to worship and obey him 
 as the source of all being and good — the knowledge 
 which makes me acquainted with my own heart, and 
 leads to examination and amendment of character — 
 such knowledge I deem of the highest importance to 
 me. my friend, it is only the knowl(Mlge of Cod 
 that cnn prepare us for life. What is nil beneath 
 the sun to us if, when sumnioiied to die, we have
 
 132 LIFE OF MUS. N Oil TON. 
 
 the rudiments of religion to learn ? We should, 
 above all things, know God for ourselves." 
 
 DEATH OF A SINNER. 
 
 This passage was written to a friend, in 1824. 
 She says : 
 
 " How shall we appear before Jehovah ? Sur- 
 rounded as we are by gospel hght, we are certainly 
 without excuse if we repent not. God must be to 
 us a God of justice, and if not reconciled to him 
 through atoning blood, how shall we stand before 
 him ? These suggestions have been partly occa- 
 sioned by the dying words of an acquaintance. Late- 
 ly, in the prime of Hfe, he entered eagerly into all 
 its follies. He almost thought religion and religious 
 people unworthy of notice. He scarcely deemed 
 a minister of God worth hstening to. But this poor 
 dear friend, when on his death-bed, though a man 
 of firmness in life, said, ' I would willingly cast 
 myself on a Saviour's mercy, if I only Jcnetv lioiv! 
 Mournful ignorance ! I was present when his af- 
 flicted wife and weeping family in anguish sur- 
 rounded him. He was calm as could be expected, 
 but if worlds could have purchased him consola- 
 tion in Christ, and triumph in death, they would, 
 if possible, have been freely given. 0, ' in that 
 dread moment how the frantic soul ran to each 
 avenue, and shrieked for help, but shrieked in vain :
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 133 
 
 the foe, like a staunch murderer, stood steady to 
 his purpose, and, forced to the eternal verge, the 
 sinner sank for ever.' Is this a dream ? I would 
 it were. . . 
 
 " My letter has again become serious, but I 
 make no excuse ; the solemn importance of religion 
 is my best apology. May you and I be saved with 
 an everlasting salvation." 
 
 r A R T I E S OF PLEASURE. 
 
 Mrs. Norton had but little taste for large social 
 assemblies; smaller companies of friends were to her 
 delightful and profitable. The following extract 
 expresses her opinions very candidly : 
 
 " Oct. 4, 1825. ... I am and have been much 
 engaged lately, and am now very much hurried. . . . 
 Mr. J. A., who you recollect as a ftivorite of Mr. 
 Norton and myself, was married last Thursday 
 night. We were at the wedding, and we intend giving 
 him a party one day this week ; and I suppose it 
 can be nothing else than a squcc.ve. This, with 
 preparing to start on our journey to you next week, 
 will keep us very busy. You know that crowds 
 and large parties are not congenial to me, and I 
 never go to them — never when I can avoid it ; but 
 I cannot avoid giving them, out of friendsliip. This 
 may seem incon.sistent ; but it is so — I cannot ex- 
 plain."
 
 134 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 THE CONFERENCE. 
 
 Mrs. Norton delighted in all meetings pertaining 
 to her Church, and especially in those of the An- 
 nual Conference ; and as often as possible was pre- 
 sent, though she sometimes reached them through 
 long and fatiguing journeys. 
 
 The operations of our economy are always in- 
 spiring. People and preachers, after a few years 
 of intimate friendship, are sundered for years, or 
 until the last trumpet. The mutual acquaintance 
 of the Church and ministry is, with us, very ex- 
 tensive, and the Conference is our common place 
 of reunion, if it occurs after separation. If. we 
 station ourselves at the reception point as the 
 preachers come up from their distant fields of labor, 
 we are likely to meet with incidents at once thrill- 
 ing and delightful. In every direction, towards the 
 first Tuesday of the Conference week, we may see 
 the highways dotted with travelhng strangers. As 
 they approach, the preachers in waiting begin to 
 guess who they are. Conversation waxes warm. 
 Methodists who have come from distant sections 
 to see their old preachers, look earnestly at the 
 comers, and emotion begins to swell as their former 
 pastors are named as at hand. One after another 
 as they come on, loud bursts of congratulation, and 
 shaking of hands, and gleams of joy, accompanied
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 135 
 
 with shining tears or ghstening eyes, produce sen- 
 sations that extend to disinterested spectators. It 
 reminds the Christian strongly of the great Con- 
 ference above, where those who have gone before 
 will stand together, and guess at and congratulate 
 the pilgrims and soldiers as they enter the city of 
 God on every side, and hasten to congregate at 
 the temple of light. None enjoyed a Conference 
 reunion more than Mrs. Norton. She has written 
 no essay upon the subject ; but in numerous letters 
 she speaks of it in terms of delight. "Writing on 
 one occasion to a friend who enjoyed the privilege 
 of which she was deprived, she says, (1825 :) 
 
 " how much I should have been delidited to 
 have been at the Conference ! Perhaps to you it 
 has been of little interest. You hear too often with 
 a criticizing spirit, and you lose the substance in 
 the letter. You ought to be a Christian ; for, my 
 friend, to be a Christian is to gain for the heart an 
 object at once so pure and so great, that there is 
 little danger of loving it too much, or of loving it 
 impi'operl?/ . ' Religion, without destroying the af- 
 fections, controls and employs them, and, like the 
 fabled transmuting power, turns all it touches into 
 gold.' " 
 
 L I B E K T Y O 1' AV MAN TOO C I R C U M S C H I B E I). 
 
 Wliil(^ much has been done for the elevation of 
 the social position of woman, there are yet many
 
 136 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 prerogatives of which she is improperly denied. 
 She is still fettered with shackles of a refined bar- 
 barism M'ith which prejudice binds her refined na- 
 ture. There is too much distrust of woman ; too 
 much of tyrannical surveillance exercised over her; 
 she is the subject of too much penitentiary educa- 
 tion and discipline to admit the full-orbed display 
 of her truly dehcate and superior character. A line 
 of demarcation between the duties of the sexes 
 should exist ; but too much of isolation and sepa- 
 rateness are injurious to society. Woman is not a 
 mere creature of sense and show ; and wherever 
 custom renders her a mere material appendnge to 
 social life, it should be promptly annihilated. Mrs. 
 Norton's views on woman's sphere are admirable, 
 and a few are here presented. In 1828, she writes 
 to a distinscuished friend as follows : 
 
 " I write just what I think. But while I would 
 have you think of me as I deserve, I candidly ac- 
 knowledge that to have the good opinion of my fel- 
 low-creatures is gratifying. The esteem of men 
 of sense and refinement and of superior talents, I 
 think I have a mind capable of appreciating. I hope 
 I shall always maintain an independent and digni- 
 fied course, and enjoy an interchange of thoughts 
 with gifted spirits. 
 
 " The world is not just towards our sex and 
 mind ; its customs are tyrannical, and calculated to
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 137 
 
 keep us almost dunces. If a woman dare to talk 
 good sense, and refuse to enter into the common- 
 place chit-chat of the day, she is at once ignored 
 as eccentric, sentimental, etc., etc. ; and to corre- 
 spond with any gentleman but her husband, why, 
 it is just tolerated, and hardly that. I am aware 
 of all this, and nuist acknowledge its influence on 
 me, and believe it has prevented me from receiving 
 and "-ivino- benefit. I cannot believe the enlargement 
 of our minds would make us masculine in our 
 manners. Were that to be its effect, then keep us 
 in ignorance. To deprive us of intellectual inter- 
 course with the other sex, when innocent and in- 
 structive, betrays a want of respect and confidence 
 not only mortifying but degrading to us. Are per- 
 sonal charms the onl}^ excellence man sees in wo- 
 man? ' 
 
 " The influence of woman, as it is called, is, I 
 fear, but the influence of material beauty. But 
 this, sir, be it ever so great, is l)nt dust in tiie 
 balance compared to the charms of refined female 
 intellect. It is true, and melancholy as true, that 
 many gifted female writers have injured our cause 
 by forgetting the real dignity and modesty of our 
 sex. But, thanks to the enlightening, refining, and 
 purifying influences of religion, the time is near 
 when father, liusbiHid, and brother will trustingly
 
 138 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 confide in her whose principles are holy, and whose 
 thoughts are controlled by a spotless mind. . . . 
 
 '' I send you Dr. Chalmers' Evidences of Chris- 
 tianity. that God may be known to you as the 
 author of your salvation." 
 
 CONVERSION OF MAJOR THRASHLEY. 
 
 Major Thrashley was a gentleman of influence 
 and fortune, and his family was extensive and ele- 
 gant. He came from Virginia, and settled in 
 Woodford county, Kentucky. He had been a Bap- 
 tist preacher ; but abandoning the pulpit, became, 
 professedly, an infidel, and was devoted to the pur- 
 suit of wealth and pleasure. While in this condi- 
 tion, Mrs. Norton made his acquaintance. Being 
 deeply concerned for his salvation, she made it a 
 subject of prayer and personal effort. She' visited 
 his house in company with his daughter, Mrs. Keen, 
 of Lexington, and broached the concealed object 
 of her heart. He stated to her his past history 
 and experience, confessing that he had been once 
 a minister of the gospel, but denied the reality of 
 vital piety. " Mrs. Norton," says her husband, 
 " then took up the subject with great liberty of 
 speech for tivo tvhole days, when her arguments 
 confounded him. He then went to church and 
 made open profession of his reclamation through
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 139 
 
 Mrs. Norton's conversations. He remained in the 
 Church until his death." 
 
 The sensation produced by Major Thrashley's 
 open profession is said to have been wonderful : 
 many were induced by it to become religious : his 
 family were all converted, and some of them still 
 live to testify of the grace of God through ]Mrs. 
 Norton's zeal. The Major died in the triumphs of 
 faith, and was doubtless in the throng of the glo- 
 rified that gave Mrs. Norton "an abundant en- 
 trance into the kingdom of our Lord." The fol- 
 lowing letter will illustrate the glory of his recla- 
 mation. 
 
 M/UOR thrashley's LETTER TO MRS. NORTON. 
 
 " September 13, 1814. 
 
 " My dear Sister : — Glorious news ! The Lord 
 is with me of a truth ! Such love-feasts ! such holy 
 desires ! such heavenly breathings for hours to- 
 gether ! such floods of tears of gratitude I never 
 experienced before. Sometimes I have almost 
 faith to believe ' your spirit is with me.' I feel 
 that the Lord has heard your cries and prayers 
 for me. I love you, my sister, for God's sake — a 
 love that the world knows nothing of I foci de- 
 termined to walk with God, and want you to w.dk 
 with us. I feel the fear of the Lord before my 
 eyes. I feel, as 1 told you some time ago, like a
 
 140 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 piece of soft wax ; and I want my God to stamp 
 ]iis own image upon me. Dear sister, the tears 
 flow so fast at this time that I can scarcely see to 
 write, and hold ray head on one side to keep the 
 tears from my paper. My sweetest times for two 
 days have been about an hour before day — I awoke 
 and God was with me. I have faith that the Lord 
 is doing a great work by you. Sometimes I feel 
 like I want the Lord to set me to work ; but I am 
 afraid to fetch one step for fear of doing wrong. I 
 feel so much insufiiciency that I am afraid ; but I 
 take comfort when I reflect that my desires are 
 holy. I am not satisfied Avith faith alone ; I want 
 knowledge, temperance, godliness, brotherly kind- 
 ness, and charity. Tell me, my sister, can such 
 desires come from any but God ? Tell Mr. Nor- 
 ton I want him to walk with us ; that I have a 
 heart large enough to take him and all the world 
 to heaven. Tell Patsy I feel like the Lord would 
 help her. When I reflect what a poor, feeble faith 
 I had on Sunday last, it appears that I might have 
 smothered it, and lost it for ever, had I not snatched 
 hold of that moment to proclaim it. But blessed 
 be God that you gave me courage. Pray, my sis- 
 ter — wrestle with God for me, that I may know how 
 to serve him. My whole desire is for holiness. 
 That favorite text that was applied to my soul a 
 few days ago, still hovers over me—' Blessed are
 
 LIFE OF MllS. NORTON. 141 
 
 they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
 for they shall be filled.' Pray write me every op- 
 portunity, and let me know whether you are grow- 
 ing in grace or not. My refreshing is from the 
 Lord — I feel him present — I shall surely pray for 
 you. Adieu for this time. 
 
 " T. TlIRASHLEY." 
 
 The . childlike fervency of this letter will be ap- 
 preciated by many who have had the same expe- 
 rience. 
 
 "Perhaps you think I'm wild, 
 Or simple as a child," 
 
 is often sung by the happy Christian to the as- 
 tonished unbchever ; and his explanatory response 
 is simply this : 
 
 " I am a child of glory ! 
 Just born from above : 
 My heart is Christian love ! 
 I love to tell the story." 
 
 Thank God for humble, childlike religion ! Thou- 
 sands have enjoyed it in other years ; and thousands 
 everywhere enjoy it now. Though simple, it is 
 not silly ; though ardent, it is not fanatical ; liuiu- 
 ble and sincere, it is godlike and full (»r imiiKtrlMlit}-. 
 
 CONVERSION OF MRS. m'iLVAINE AND FAMILY. 
 
 Mrs. C. S. M'llvaino is the wife of a hrulhcr of 
 Bishop M'llvainc, of Ohio. Her letter is interest- 
 imr. : it is another illustration of the fact that Mrs.
 
 142 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 Norton allowed no opportunity to escape of press- 
 ing home, courteously but promptly, the great duty 
 of knowing the love of God experimentally. 
 
 LETTER OF C. S. m'iLVAINE. 
 
 "New York, August 28, 1849. 
 
 " My dear Friend : — The recurrence of the cho- 
 lera among us forcibly recalls past events, which 
 caused us so much distress. The recollection of your 
 good husband's sincere friendship evinced during 
 life to my dear parents, and its warmth, shown af- 
 ter death, (yes, even cold marble shows it,) fills my 
 heart, when I dwell upon it. To you, my dear 
 friend, under God, I think our family are indebted 
 for the awakening of our minds to a deep sense of 
 the importance of religion. I well remember when 
 the first true idea of the Holy Spirit's power and 
 influence first dawned upon my mind : you were 
 relating the conviction and conversion of some one. 
 I often think of you — the many, many happy hours 
 I have passed with you ; the days when we read 
 together, worked or rode : what a ireat it was 
 to spend the day alone with you, while you read 
 aloud ! I have lately been looking over ' Young.' 
 As you first excited in me an admiration for his 
 poetry, it is natural that I always associate you in 
 my thoughts while reading it. It seems a fit time 
 for such poetry now — to reflect upon time, death,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 143 
 
 eternity, immortality. He is a grand poet. I re- 
 member how I used to admire your faculty of me- 
 mory, you could recall striking lines so readily : it 
 is an enviable power. I hope you may always 
 retain it."
 
 14:4: LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BASCOM — ROSS DEATH-SCENE. 
 
 The correspondence in this chapter extends from 
 
 1828 to 1841. It will be interestino; in the hidi- 
 
 'est degree to some readers. It is fragmentary, but 
 
 will recall to some now living the dreamy scenes of 
 
 days that are sweetly enshrined in holy memories. 
 
 LETTER TO BASCOM LOVE OF THE OLD CHURCH. 
 
 " Lexington, October 31, 1828. 
 
 " My generous Friend — When I received your 
 letter from Pittsburg, I was preparing for a visit 
 to the Barrens, and as far south as Nashville. I 
 concluded not to write until our return. We stayed 
 much longer than our first intention, and took 
 Louisville and the Conference at Shelbyville in our 
 return route, arriving here night before last. . . . 
 In my friendships I am Englisli-^all English. I 
 have heard some of those sayings that you speak 
 of, but do not for a moment believe that you have 
 not many warm friends on our side, as you term it, 
 or tvill have it. Positively I am not enough in-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 145 
 
 formed on the subject to reason on it. I do feel a 
 warm side for old Methodism — primitive Method- 
 ism — and know very little about the Beform ques- 
 tion. It may be prejudice or English stupidity 
 again, but I love my Church as I do my friends, 
 and cannot bear to think it has any faults. This 
 you will say is weakness ; but I grant I am a very 
 woman, and of course the weaker vessel ; and St. 
 Paul, who Jcneio our sex, has prohibited or exemi)ted 
 us from Church government allliirs ; and I am glad 
 of it. 
 
 " But, seriously, there are many with us who are 
 willing to think and let think ; who will not be- 
 lieve every flying report, nor sit silently by and 
 hear you defamed. I am truly sorry there is so 
 much warmth and party feeling between those who 
 should be of one heart and one mind, and that the 
 mind of him who was meek and lovely. 0, my 
 brother, when will these controversies cease, and 
 brotherly love be restored to our Zion ? . . I dined 
 on Sabbath, in S., with Bishop Roberts. Soon af- 
 ter I saw him, he said, ' I have lately seen uur 
 mutual friend, Henry B., and heard him profich,' 
 etc. What an amiable man ho is ! Don't you think 
 Bishop Soule a great man ? I do. I lioard some 
 excellent preaching at Conference. . . . We cer- 
 tainly expect you here; and whether you care 
 about seeing us or not, remombnr your home is on 
 7
 
 146 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 the hill ; and though the roses are feded, and we 
 have not many inducements to lead you here, I 
 can at least assure you a warm reception and a 
 lieariy welcome. liow I do wish you and Brother 
 Uoss might meet here !" 
 
 REV. MR. ROSS. 
 
 The memory of Mr. Ross is treasured in Lex- 
 ington as one of the loveliest men ever known 
 in that city. In person he was elegant ; in grace- 
 fulness of manners unsurpassed ; in abilities the 
 rival of Bascom or Summerfield ; and in fervid 
 piety a seraphic flame. As a minister, his services 
 were sought by all denominations, and his minis- 
 trations were everywhere thronged with a de- 
 lighted and profited auditory. He was editor of 
 the " Gospel Herald." Its pages were instinct with 
 force, and radiant with beauty : when he finished 
 a theme, all was said that was ■ demanded ; clear, 
 pointed, and pleasant, he seemed to cure by the 
 very wounds he made, and all said of him, " Let 
 the righteous smite me, and it will be a kindness." 
 Such men remain briefly below — " early they take 
 a passport to the skies." The gleam of promise on 
 the clouds of our sphere, they are the momentary 
 harbingers of what earth shall be when the shades 
 of error shall disperse, and earth be trod by angel 
 feet through the bright Sabbath of our God.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 147 
 
 Mr. Ross was born and brought up in Baltimore, 
 and highly educated. He removed to Jonesboro', 
 Tennessee, and engaged in commercial business. 
 Owing to his native generosity, and unfortunate 
 endorsements, he failed in business. Riding into 
 the town one evening, he saw several persons ap- 
 proaching the Methodist house of worship to attend 
 a prayer-meeting. Reaching home, and supper 
 over, he said to his wife, " I have never attended 
 a Methodist meeting in my life, though brought up 
 in a city of Methodism ; and I feel like going to their 
 prayer-meeting to-night." His wife responded, "I 
 have all the evening been thinking how much I 
 would like to go there to-night myself." They 
 both immediately set out, and reached the house 
 before services were fairly begun. All the attend- 
 ants were ladies, except one man and some few 
 negroes. This one man was a very plain, common- 
 looking person; and as he took up the Bible and 
 hymn-book to begin the services, ]\Ir. Ross IV'li 
 mortified that he had come. During the reading, 
 singing, and prayer, his views and feelings under- 
 went a great change. The perfect simplicity and 
 sincerity of all engaged struck him as the surest 
 testimony of unostentatious and true piety, and he 
 felt as in the vestibule of the mercy-seat. A sliado, 
 however, came over him as he began to wonder 
 who would pray next, as there were no other men
 
 148 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 in tlie house but himself and the leader. The idea 
 of so plain a man as the leader calhng upon any of the 
 fnie-lookiug ladies there to pray, seemed presumptu- 
 ous ; he thought they ought to resent such a call, 
 as insulting. The hymn, however, being ended, 
 one of the ladies was asked to pray ; and to his 
 astonishment she began. All knelt but himself and 
 wife. The clear, humble, sweet tones of prayer, 
 with its heavenly spirit, soon took hold of his wife, 
 and she slipped upon her knees. He felt he was 
 alone, and occupying an indecorous attitude, and 
 so shpped quietly down in the dust with the others. 
 As the prayer continued, his heart became solemn ; 
 then tender ; then awful ; then overwhelmed. He 
 turned towards his wife and heard her sobbing 
 aloud, and then too the fountain of his soul was 
 moved. Two stricken sinners were there in that 
 humble prayer-meeting. Their wounds were dead- 
 ly, unless the Good Physician should heal them. 
 They sought the Lord there in that house, till 
 they found him, and they had no pride to carry 
 them to rich churches : where they were convicted 
 and converted, there they were willing to worship 
 God. 
 
 Here is an example that should encourage wo- 
 men to pray, as those did at the day of Pentecost. 
 Prayer-meetings will always be owned of God. We 
 need never despair. The humble on earth can,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 149 
 
 with united prayer, lift the windoAvs of heaven and 
 let down floods of salvation; can break up the great 
 fountains of mercy, and cause converting power to 
 go forth like the waves of the sea. Who knows 
 but at length your faithful prayer may be the hum- 
 ble but efficient means of leading some wanderer 
 to God, or of leading to the ministry some Paul, 
 ApoUos, or Cephas ? 
 
 "Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; 
 Prayer makes the Christian's armor bright ; 
 And Satan trembles when he sees 
 The weakest saint upon his knees." 
 
 The history of Mr. Ross after his conversion is in- 
 cidentally involved in Mrs. Norton's letter to Bas- 
 com, giving an account of his death. To this let 
 the reader attend, and learn how sweetly a Chris- 
 tian can die. 
 
 DEATH-SCENE OF MR. ROSS. 
 
 Jan-uary 4, 1834. 
 
 My dear Brother Bascom : — Yours of the 29th 
 came to hand just as I was starting in a sleigh to 
 Major Ilanly's. We returned yesterday, leaving 
 your very warm friend, E. Christian, in good health. 
 This morning I sit down to answer you. . . . Ijittle 
 did I suppose when we passed you next morning 
 what a year would bring forth, and I cannot think 
 upon it now without deep feeling, hi IVicndshij) I 
 am a final perseveranceist, and I ask, are you
 
 150 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 coming to see us before you go eastward? All 
 your friends here wish very much to see you again 
 soon. They speak kindly of you — especially Mrs. 
 Hawkins, who says, " I wish he would come again." 
 Wc wore all surprised that you passed us without 
 stopping. We had hurried to have a new bedstead 
 made for your room^ and fully expected you to 
 rest and spend some time Avith us. We were 
 not sensible of any diminution of regard, and 
 indeed you wronged us. I speak from a clear 
 conscience. . . . 
 
 And now I would tell you of our beloved and 
 never-to-be-forgotten Brother Ross. I heard him 
 say that he was taught, when young, to think 
 very contemptuously of Methodism. He was at 
 length accidentally at a prayer-meeting — he thinks 
 a female prayer-meeting — at which there were a 
 few ladies, and some colored people. While one 
 lady was at prayer, the Lord in mercy convicted 
 him. Following the noble example of St. Paul, he 
 instantly laid aside his prejudices, and followed the 
 leadings of the Spirit. Among these people he 
 remained seeking the Lord, and in a love-feast he 
 received the witness of the Spirit. He soon began 
 to preach that Jesus who had met him on his jour- 
 ney. It was truly a privilege to hear him. Being 
 engaged in the mercantile business, and free from 
 guile himself, he trusted too much to others, and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 151 
 
 became seriously involved. This was told me by 
 Sister Ross. She said he was so fearful of wrong- 
 ing any one, he had not done justice to himself. 
 Being desirous of changing his location, and coming 
 to Kentucky on business for his father-in-law, he 
 was pleased with Lexington; and thinking it a good 
 place to educate his children, he removed hither. 
 Everybody was dehghted with him. But 0, how 
 vain are . all things here below ! How secure we 
 thought ourselves of such a blessed acquisition to 
 our Church. As a man, a citizen, a Christian, and 
 a preacher, all were charmed with him. But Hea- 
 ven saw fit to disappoint us all. Tho confinement 
 to his paper, his frequent public speaking, together 
 with a hereditary weakness of lungs, conspired to 
 hasten his death. Whilst preaching in Georgetown 
 he was seized with a pain in his breast, and was 
 never able to preach again. Though he lived months 
 afterwards, and attended many meetings, he gradu- 
 ally sank under his disease. The summer was much 
 against him, being damp and chilly, lie delighted 
 to ride out, and did so while he was able to sit on 
 a horse, which he preferred to a carriage. Mv. 
 Norton, who was devoted to him, took him out 
 daily to the countiy till witliin ten days of his 
 death. The next day he wished to ride, but Mr. 
 Norton begged him not — told him he was ((m» 
 weak. He got on iiis horse, bul Iliidiii.L; liis words
 
 152 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 too true, he refrained. From that time he sank 
 raiDidly, and never left the house agam. 
 
 A few days before his death, a few friends of us 
 were sitting in his room while he appeared to be 
 dozing. I observed that I had often heard Brother 
 Ross say, " it was nothing for a Christian to die," 
 and dwelt on several of his favorite sentiments. 
 After some time he aroused and said, " It is nothing 
 for a Christian to die. Sister Norton — it is nothing 
 for a Christian to die : he has nothing to lose, but 
 every thing to gain." As he said this, a most 
 heavenly smile lit up his face, and he continued, 
 " The great thing is to he a Christian." This was 
 about three days before his death. 
 
 When I was sent for to see him die, I found 
 him just out of a violent spasm of the lungs. He 
 lay apparently easy, inclining, I thought, to stu- 
 por. Mrs. Ross begged me to let her come into 
 the room, and I did so, as she promised to com- 
 mand her feelings. I have always thought it cruel 
 to force any one away from a dear dying friend 
 if they wish to sta}^ There were but two others 
 in the room. We were silent a few moments, when 
 Mrs. Ross took his hand and said, "0 my hus- 
 band, is there nothing you wish to say to me ?" 
 He roused and answered, " Yes, dear ; I'll talk to 
 you when I have more strength. I am very weak 
 now, but am much better than a while ago." He
 
 LIFE OF MllS. NORTON. 153 
 
 seemed to sleep, and had no idea he was dying. 
 After a short time, Mrs. Ross, who saw he was 
 sinking, could refrain no longer. She again took 
 'his hand, exclaiming, " my dear husband, have 
 you no request to make?" He replied, "When I 
 am stronger, dear, then I'll tell you : I am better, 
 but very weak." She continued to weep — when 
 he observed, " I don't apprehend immediate death, 
 as you do." I then begged Joseph Coales, who was 
 with us, to tell him he was dying. I feared, and 
 now believe, he would have sunk into a stupor 
 from which it would have been impossible to rouse 
 him. I then very tenderly said, " Brother Ross, 
 you have not much time." He quickly asked, 
 " Does the doctor think so ?" I answered, " Yes ; 
 the doctor thinks it will not be long, and I thought 
 it right to be faithful with you." "0 yes, cer- 
 tainly," said he, in his sweetest manner — there was 
 no start or confusion. " Well," said he, " then I 
 wish to speak some." Then solemnly clasping his 
 hands, he said, " My dear wife, I commit you and 
 our dear children to that God in whose hands I 
 am, through Jesus Christ." Mrs. Ross being mucli 
 distressed, he put one arm around hrr, drew her 
 towards him, and said, " Dear wife, this is a severe 
 trial, I know it is, especially to you ; but it is the 
 Lord." After some time he continued : " You liiivo 
 been a dutiful, kind, and affectionate wife, and iiie 
 
 7:i:
 
 154 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 Lord will bless you. Your trials, no doubt, will be 
 many and great ; but follow the Lord, and he will 
 comfort you. You will have much to contend with. 
 The labor of rearing the children will be great ; but ' 
 the efficient means will be the grace of God." 
 
 Thus did he calmly and affectionately comfort 
 his loved companion. She exclaimed, " my dear 
 husband, I will train up our children to follow in 
 your footsteps — to follow your example." He 
 quickly replied, " Not mine, dear ; the Saviour's." 
 
 After a pause, he turned again to Mrs. Ross, who 
 sat weeping in agony by the side of his bed, and 
 said, " My dear, I expect you now to feel the com- 
 forts of religion. In the darkest hour be of good 
 cheer. If God be for us, who can be against us ?" 
 Then raising his arm in his own graceful manner, 
 and pointing to heaven, he exclaimed, " There's a 
 bright world up yonder, dear wife. There we'll 
 meet to part no more." And a ray of that heaven 
 seemed at that instant to illuminate his face. Mrs. 
 Hoss becoming more distressed, was taken with 
 cramp ; while he, as though forgetful of himself, 
 pointed to the mantel, where sat a bottle of Cologne, 
 and said, " Get that and rub her ;" after which she 
 became more composed. He then asked if some 
 one would not sing a hymn. I rephed I would, 
 if he would name one. He requested me to sing, 
 " I'll praise my Maker while I have breath," etc.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 155 
 
 A couple of friends, excellent singers, then coming 
 in, it was sung to his favorite tune. He appeared 
 wrapt in heavenly communion all the while, and 
 when finished said, " That is what I wanted." 
 
 Brother Cooper coming in, he reached his hand 
 and said in the calmest manner, ''Well, Brother 
 Cooper, the Lord is ahout to take me sooner 
 than we expected. Will you try and meet me 
 where we shall be severed no more ?" His two 
 eldest children having been sent for, from the 
 country, the youngest was brought to him. He 
 stretched out his emaciated arm, and clasping her 
 to his bosom, said, in the sweetest and most solemn' 
 manner, "And he took little children in his arms 
 and blessed them, and said. Of such is the king- 
 dom of heaven. The Lord bless my child;" and then 
 giving her back, he after some time asked if the 
 doctor was gone. I went to the back door, and 
 found him weeping like a child, for 0, how he loved 
 him ! I told him Brother Ross wanted to see him. 
 He went in and up to the bedside. Brother Ross 
 said to him, in his own most peculiar manner, "Doc- 
 tor, have you any patients to visit ?" The Doctor 
 said, "No." "0 well then, you'll stay with me, won't 
 you ?" How perfectly divested of self was that 
 precious man, even in death ! Otliers were con- 
 sidered before himself. His sweet manner to Dr. 
 Satterwhite plainly said, " Doctor, you can do uo
 
 156 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 more for me as a physician ; but, my friend, my 
 dear tried friend, if duty to others does not call 
 you, stay with me. You have done all that skill 
 could do to save me. I love you dearly — stay with 
 me, my dear friend." His manner spoke these 
 things. He again desired us to sing, and asked 
 for " On Jordan's stormy banks I stand." 
 
 His dear children were now all brought in. In 
 the most calm and collected manner he looked on 
 them for an instant, and then said : " James and 
 Eliza, the Lord is now about to remove your father 
 from this world to another — you will see him here 
 no more. I want you to love your mother, and 
 obey the commandments of the Lord, as I have 
 often instructed you. Will you do this — will you 
 do it ?" 
 
 The little creatures answered, sobbing, " Yes." 
 " Then," said he, " you will be supported in hfe, 
 you wiU be comforted and sustained in death, and 
 then mother, father, and you will all meet in that 
 eternal world above, to part no more." Then clasp- 
 ing his hands, he solemnly prayed, "May the 
 Father of the spirits of all men be the father of my 
 children." 0, what an affecting scene ! You must 
 recollect how very interesting Brother Ross's man- 
 ner was. You remember how much dignity there 
 was about him, and how graceful all his move- 
 ments were — in death he was truly majestic.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 157 
 
 " His comforters he comforts, great in rain : 
 With unreluctant graiuleur gives, not yields 
 His soul sublime, and closes with his fate." 
 
 Dr. Blythe now came to take leave of him : of that 
 I wrote you before : it was truly solemn. 
 
 Mr. Norton now came to him. In the most af- 
 fectionate manner he said : " Mr. Norton, you have 
 been most kind to me. I have felt an interest for 
 you that I have never told you. Seek to know 
 the gospel and its comforts. Put it not off to a 
 dying-bed — 'tis a poor place to prepare for death. 
 Seek the Saviour and his religion. May the Lord 
 bless you for all your kindness to me." 
 
 Can my husband ever forget that scene and that 
 prayer ? God forbid. There was not a dry eye 
 in the room when it was made. 
 
 After a silence of some time he observed, " I 
 have much to say about my business, but have not 
 strength." They told him not to mind it ; all 
 should be attended to. " Then," said he, " my 
 friends will attend to the disposal of my bod};." 
 No one answered at that time. He looked around 
 with apparent surprise, and asked, " Wont you ?" 
 Being promptly answered in the affirmative, he 
 desired to be buried in his common wearing apparel. 
 Very often during the three or four hours in wliich 
 he was dying, he would stop his conversation, and 
 say, with a sigh, " 0, I am very tired !" but as if 
 feeling the necessity of consoling others, he would
 
 158 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 make the exertion to speak again. He never once 
 complained, nor uttered a groan, nor asked for any 
 thing, but lay perfectly composed : his manner was 
 all calmness and serenity. 0, 1 wish you had been 
 there ; I can give you no just conception of the 
 scene. 
 
 When Sister Ross found he was going, she could 
 contain herself no longer. She had done wonders, 
 poor thing ! While she hung over him, the tears 
 running down her cheeks, he raised his dying-hand 
 once more and wiped away her tears, then dropped 
 his hand, and raised it no more. How eloquent 
 w^as that action ! He had said all he could to com- 
 fort her, and when his voice was now no longer to be 
 heard, his remaining strength was exerted to show 
 his affection. His last act was to wipe away her 
 tears with his dying-hand ! Mrs. Ross was now 
 taken away, and about ten minutes before he died 
 he asked if she were better, still careful of others 
 to the last. His last action was to lay his left hand 
 on his heart, while his right was most gracefully 
 extended : in that way he gently slept in Jesus. 
 So peaceful was the close of his blameless life, that 
 the exact moment of his decease could not be told, 
 though all were anxiously watching. He died 
 about 3 o'clock P. M., August 4. 
 
 I think there was something remarkable in his 
 death. When suddenly apprised that he was dying,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 159 
 
 he was as serene as a summer evening. Tlie ex- 
 quisite sensibility and refinement so apparent in 
 his life, was equally obvious in his death. Never, 
 in all his sickness, did he complain, though he suf- 
 fered great pain. There was no shout, but there 
 was majestic glory in his departure. . . . 
 
 Sarah Norton.
 
 160 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MAFFIT CORRESPONDENTS MR. NORTON. 
 
 Perhaps no minister in America ever gathered 
 as many from the world into the Church as did 
 Mr. Maffit. That he had more and fiercer mahgners 
 than any preacher of righteousness in modern times, 
 may be readily conceded ; but that he was guilty 
 of any crime has never been proved. With so 
 many foes both in the Church and out of it, it is 
 incredible that, if criminal, he had not been early 
 tried by his peers, and condemned to the infamy 
 his foes assert he merited. He was not merely 
 eloquent — he was in the most powerful sense an 
 orator. Persecuted and forsaken, he was always 
 going about doing good ; turning many to right- 
 eousness, he fell in the glorious work; hunted 
 down by malevolence, he died of a broken heart : 
 hi^ death was that of a Christian — he prayed for 
 his enemies in his last agonies. He was buried in 
 the new graveyard in Mobile, Alabama. Not a 
 stone marks the grave of one of the most power- 
 ful seraphs that ever put lip to the trumpet of
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 161 
 
 mercy on the watclitowers of Zion. His dust is 
 immortal, and will wake from its slumbers to glory 
 again. Like others, he may have had his weak- 
 nesses ; but we do not beheve he was wicked ; he 
 regretted his imperfections, and never excused them ; 
 he was the traducer of none, nor can any alhrm 
 they were personally wronged by him. Honest, 
 charitable, and afiable,- he seemed a gentleman and 
 a Christian. 
 
 The frequent mention of him by Mrs. Norton, 
 makes a notice of him here not at all impertinent : 
 both Mr. and Mrs. Norton regarded him not only 
 as a superior man, but as a useful and pious one. 
 In 1837, Mr. Maffit preached awhile in Lexington, 
 and she writes of him as follows : 
 
 "I hope I shall not always feel and be in such 
 a stupid state of mind and body, should my life be 
 prolonged.'^ I did think Brother Maffit's excellent 
 sermons and extraordinary eflbrts would be of ser- 
 vice to me, and in one sense I hope they have been. 
 About the time you were here, the strong desire 
 I had for the salvation of my dear husband ab- 
 sorbed every other thought. I then felt as if he 
 would yield immediately to the sweet influences 
 of the Holy Spirit, and still I have hope that he will 
 never become so indillerent as he has been. Brother 
 
 * Mrs. Norton suffered many years with a diacaao pcculiiirly afflict- 
 ing to her spirits.
 
 1G2 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 Maffit is still in Lexington, and Mr. Norton has 
 never omitted hearing him, with but few excep- 
 tions — never when he was in town. He was ab- 
 sent a few days, but the very day he returned he 
 was wilHng to go to meeting, and is still going. I 
 have not been well enough to be always there, but 
 am thankful for the privileges I have and do enjoy. 
 I rejoice to see Mr. Norton go without me : still he 
 has taken no other decided step. When I reflect 
 that for eight weeks he has been attending con- 
 stantly upon the house of God, I cannot but hope. . . 
 Sixty were baptized — twelve by immersion. Mr. 
 Norton took Brother Stevenson to and from the 
 water in his buggy. . . Next week Brother Maffit 
 talks of leaving us for Harrodsburg, and on south 
 towards home : many, many will be sorry to part 
 with him. His congregations are still large, even 
 during the week : it is astonishing how he con- 
 tinues to preach with profit and popularity. Mr. 
 Norton says, ' The longer he stays, the higher he 
 rises :' people seem to have tired of slandering him ; 
 
 and as for , his very relations are ashamed of 
 
 him and his story. His own sister *said, if he re- 
 ported any thing against Mr. Maffit, she would 
 not believe him. I never heard he was ' a man 
 of truth' until he slandered a Methodist preacher." 
 Again, in writing the same year, she says, " Bro- 
 ther Maffit interested me very much, but the effects
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 163 
 
 of his preaching much more." In March, 1838, 
 she says, " Brother Muffit has been in New Or- 
 leans, and is expected here this summer. At the 
 last Quarterly Meeting there were one hundred 
 and twelve read into full connection, out of the 
 one hundred and thirty-seven who joined while he 
 was here. Only six had been dropped, and nine- 
 teen were continued on trial. So you see that it 
 is a slander that ' all his fruit drops off as soon as 
 he leaves.' He was made a great blessing to many 
 of the different Churches here, notwithstanding the 
 opposition he met with." 
 
 As there was much s;iid against ]\Ir. Maffit by 
 defamers, and every word and action perverted, 
 Mr. Norton was particular to know the truth of 
 some of them. The following letter he has handed 
 over for notice : " Mr. INIaffit got in the stage at 
 Maysville, on the morning of July 3d. I did not 
 recognize him. After we had gone some distance, he 
 turned round and politely handed me some newspa- 
 pers. . . I introduced myself to him, after which we 
 kept up a free and liberal conversation till we got to 
 Paris, where we left the stage, in which conversa- 
 tion I was agreeably edified and entertained. I 
 found Mr. Maflit pleasing in his manners, of fiiio 
 fancy, and extensive general information. I con- 
 fess I was delighted with his comi)any. and it woukl 
 be hard to convince me he is other than a good
 
 164 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 man. We conversed freely on most subjects hut 
 politics. On them he was, I thought, cautious and 
 reserved, and remarked that he thought it did not 
 become a minister of the gospel to meddle much 
 with politics. I replied, I should dislike to see 
 politics enter the pulpit ; but I thought it hard be- 
 cause a man was a minister of the gospel he should 
 be deprived of the privileges of other men. Mr. 
 Maffit said he thought with me, but that it should 
 be touched hghtly, and with a very delicate finger. 
 Yet, although there was but little said, I thought 
 I could gather that he was a republican of the old 
 Jeffersonian school. I do not recollect of any per- 
 sons in the stage except a young man of about 
 eighteen, and a young lady." — August 5, 1840. 
 
 CORRESPONDENTS. 
 
 The correspondents of Mrs. Norton reveal her 
 tastes and the high estimation in which she was 
 held. From examination of their letters during a 
 period extending from 1814 to 1849, they all ap- 
 pear to be persons of very high order of mind and 
 cultivation. A few are gentlemen of the first rank 
 in our country ; the remainder are generally ladies 
 of ardent piety. They all breathe the spirit of lofty 
 admiration and devoted friendship : they write for 
 counsel, and seldom give advice ; they acknowledge 
 indebtedness, and return the warmest gratitude;
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 165 
 
 they look to her as an anointed child of God, capa- 
 ble of instructing and consoling ; as blessed not only 
 with superior gifts, but grace : a friend nearer the 
 throne than they, and whose good offices are ear- 
 nestly to be sought. Some are lawyers, some 
 infidels, some politicians, some preachers; some are 
 rich, and others poor; some are lonely, some in 
 crowds ; some are rejoicing in hope, others mourn- 
 ing in despair; some are overwhelmed with misfor- 
 tune, others basking in prosperity ; but all expect 
 and receive the kindest attention. Though not an 
 official of the Church, nor in anywise affecting the 
 masculine character, she was acknowledged as one 
 of those " handmaidens of the Lord,'' on whom he 
 had poured out his Spirit, whom he had qualified 
 to instruct, to comfort, and to assist. Beyond this 
 sphere she never essayed to pass. Energetic, 
 prompt, and spirited, she was yet modest, unobtru- 
 sive, and retiring. The eulogies passed by her cor- 
 respondents are exhibited in chaste and delicate 
 lines, and were intended rather to cheer her in 
 her works of love than to flatter by empty com- 
 pliments. All esteemed her as a friend above 
 vanity and ordinary weaknesses ; as a creature 
 whose nature was like their own, but whose heart 
 had been severely disciplined into conformity with 
 a meek and lowly spirit ; not one ii(l<lresses bcr 
 but as an ('fpial — not one but esteems her "better
 
 166 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 than himself." One attributes his conversion to her 
 exertions ; another acknowledges with kindness 
 her efforts to lead him to the cross ; one returns 
 gratitude for help in hours of need, another blesses 
 her for comfort amid losses by mortality ; one asks 
 counsel and prayers ; another thanks her in a dying- 
 hour ; one seeks her aid in a revival, and another 
 asks her presence and friendship for a season on 
 her way to heaven ; one mentions her kindness at 
 home, another abroad ; all would be delighted to 
 live in her company for ever. 
 
 MR. NORTON. 
 
 Mr. Norton was born in Pennsylvania, in 
 
 In 1802, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and 
 commenced business. The city at that time be- 
 ing very unhealthy, he returned to his native State 
 in 1805. He was married to Miss Sarah Low 
 in 1807, and, in 1812, returned to Kentucky, 
 and settled in Lexington, where he resided until 
 his death. In early life he was not very partial to 
 the Methodists, and seemed to disbelieve in experi- 
 mental religion, through a misapprehension of its 
 nature. When fully advised by his w^ife of its true 
 character, he cordially approved of it, and we think 
 was made a partaker of it. Through all her life 
 after marriage, it was Mrs. Norton's grief that her 
 husband's name was not enrolled on the Church-
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NOR TO X. 1G7 
 
 book with her own. In many of her letters to her 
 friends, and in her conversations, his salvation was 
 the burden of her heart, the sorrow which gave a 
 sombre shade to all her joys, the cross that always 
 bowed her spirits down. From his correspondence 
 it seems, however, that he rested alone in Christ 
 for salvation, and not in his works of charity. Ilis 
 reasons for not uniting with the Church are given 
 by imphcation in a letter a few days prior to his 
 death. 
 
 By the prudent management of his resources, 
 he became a man of wealth ; and though re- 
 garded by some as very covetous, there is reason 
 to beheve, from many an acknowledgment of favors 
 to the need}', that he was a man of regular benefi- 
 cence. He made no show of his good deeds ; but 
 because his right hand did not proclaim what his 
 left hand did, it does not follow that he was not 
 generous. lie had no children, and many, as is 
 commonly understood, seem to have presumed u|)()n 
 this fact to a practical ignoring of equal rights ; and 
 it has been remarked, that Mr. Norton was often 
 nettled by allusions to this fact, when asking for 
 promptness on the part of his debtors. The ])Mrli- 
 culars of his last hours have not reached us ; but 
 we are constrained to think that Mr. Norton at- 
 tempted to obtain heaven througli the merits of 
 Christ alone ; this was his professed faith, though
 
 168 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 up to his last sickness he seems to have made no 
 formal profession to the Church of such faith. 
 He feared God, and reUed not on his own merits, 
 but on Divine mercy.* 
 
 * Died, in this city, February 9, 1858, Mr. John Norton, ia the 
 75th year of his age. 
 
 Mr. Nortou was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and 
 vras married in 1807, to the estimable lady whom he followed to the 
 grave only about nineteen months ago. 
 
 IMr. Norton had been a citizen of Lexington neai-ly fifty years, and 
 in that time had been engaged extensively and successfully in com- 
 mercial pursuits, and had been intimately identified with the growth 
 and prosperity of the city. 
 
 lie was connected financially with all, and ofiicially with some, of 
 the public internal improvements which were designed to contribute 
 to the improvement of Lexington and its vicinity, and some of the 
 improvements were successfully prosecuted under his faithful and 
 vigilant superintendence. Mr. Norton was educated at a time and 
 under circumstances favorable to the cultivation of a manly and dig- 
 nified character ; and if his virtues were not attractive, they were in- 
 flexible almost to severity and sternness. Such were the men of that 
 generation — characterized by simplicity, firmness, and integrity : men 
 "whose words were bonds — whose promises, oaths." 
 
 If not by nature, certainly by education, he was a man of fine so- 
 cial feelings, polite and attentive to strangers, very courteous to his 
 friends, and respectful to all classes. No one could be in his com- 
 pany without being impressed favorably with his urbanity, alike un- 
 affected and dignified. Those who knew him most intimately, re- 
 garded him a benevolent man, especially to the poor ; and while his 
 charities were never asked in vain, he was in this particular thought- 
 ful and considerate, not only giving but bestowing attentions and 
 sympathy at a time and in a way that rendered them peculiarly ser- 
 viceable and valuable. 
 
 For many years his excellent wife was the President of the Female 
 Benevolent Society of this city, and in this way he became its patron, 
 and in his last hours was not forgetful of this excellent institution.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. IGO 
 
 The affection of Mrs. Norton for her husband 
 seemed to pass the ordinary bounds of woman's 
 love. They were often separated for months by 
 business affiiirs, or by visitations to her early home; 
 but, true as gravitation, her soul was attracted to 
 him with painful longings of love. In December, 
 1818, in writing from Harrisburg, Pa., she says, 
 " "Well do I remember the spot on which we parted 
 on the 6 th of May. Alas ! since then how much 
 we both have suffered of anxiety ! Many nights 
 do I water my pillow with tears when thinking of 
 you — tears witnessed only by the All-seeing eye. 
 0, m?Ly that eye watch over you for good ! May 
 God watch over you, the dearest object to my fond 
 heart on earth !" 
 
 1827. " how delightful the anticipation of tliat 
 abiding home you mention, my dear sister, when 
 all that arc near and dear to us shall be with God 
 eternally. My heart yearns over my dear hus- 
 band, and sometimes when I sit by his side and 
 look at him, and think of his immortal soul, my 
 
 that bad been so often tbc grateful ami faithful almoner of bis 
 bounty. 
 
 Mr. Norton was a uniform attendant upon the public worship of 
 God's bouse, and has left a substantial proof of bis appreciation of the 
 institutions of Christianity. 
 
 His funeral was attended by a large number of bis fcUow-citizcns, 
 who will remember bim with respect and gratitude. — Observer nml 
 Jifforter. 
 
 8
 
 170 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 eyes fill involuntarily : I can scarce forbear throw- 
 ing myself at liis feet, and entreating him not thus 
 to trifle away his precious moments — moments, 
 alas ! which once gone can never be recalled ! mo- 
 ments for which he might yet be willing to give 
 worlds to recall ! Often when I return home from 
 meeting, I feel as if I could scarce restrain my 
 feehngs ; but something, I know not what, chains 
 my tongue, while he little suspects my internal 
 conflicts, and that my affections are thus powerfully 
 exercised. He is all to me — all that the fondest 
 heart could wish ; anticipates my wants, and com- 
 plies with every request ; but even thus amiable, 
 how much closer would the bond of union be drawn, 
 were thought and action to be thus united in the 
 Redeemer's cause, the family altar be reared, and 
 our hearts become temples of God ! How sweetly 
 would our lives glide down the stream of time ! 
 how blissful our reunion in the world to come ! 
 You sympathize with me, dear sister, being simi- 
 larly related, having an affectionate husband want- 
 ing but one thing. I understand Mr. is not a 
 
 professor of religion. I cannot resist the longing 
 desire for my husband to accompany me. It can- 
 not be strange we would wish with Joshua to say 
 ^ As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 
 
 5 J>
 
 LIFE OF iMRS. NORTON. 171 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 PEHSONAL APPEARANCE — MENTAL POWERS — ACCOMPLISHMENTS — HOME 
 
 CIRCLE SERVANTS. 
 
 In early life Mrs. Norton was esteemed beauti- 
 ful. Of medium stature, erect and elastic, with 
 regular features, full hazel eyes, dark glossy hair, 
 fair complexion, and animated though sedate ex- 
 pression, she challenged admiration. When in con- 
 versation, her face was brilliant and her manner 
 engaging. In her later years she was of full habit 
 to the point of fleshiness ; rheumatism and other 
 afflictions diminished her action and energy. She 
 was blessed with a remarkable share of common 
 sense, and her love of the humorous and the beauti- 
 ful were admirably blended with discriminating 
 taste. Iler manners were refined and pleasing; 
 all were at home in her company. She had a cordial 
 dislike to ostentation, to frippery, and to scnsckss 
 etiquette. Acquainted with all the rules of cour- 
 tesy, she detested all nffectation of excellence. 
 "Wealthy and admired, she scorned attonlion to 
 wealth for its own sake, and respected only such
 
 172 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 as were virtuous. Simple-hearted and sincere, she 
 discarded the friendship of the proud and vain, and 
 sought the society of the lowly in heart, whether 
 rich or poor. Of a meek and quiet spirit, she 
 avoided the fashionable assemblies of gaudy folly, 
 and the vociferous mirth of shallow impudence and 
 voluptuous loquacit}^ A child of God, she affihated 
 with. Christians. Her apparel was not with " out- 
 ward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing 
 gold ;" her conversation was not of idle words, of 
 scandal, nor of "foolish talking and jesting, but 
 modest and chaste, coupled with fear." Her godli- 
 ness was neither sour nor taciturn, bitter nor super- 
 cilious ; it was just such as every one admires and 
 loves, and learns to revere. 
 
 In defending the doctrines and usages of her 
 Church, few women were ever more courteous or 
 successful. She could talk calmly, clearly, forci- 
 bly, and right to the point. She made no preten- 
 sions to argumentation, but many were made to 
 respect her views by the clear method in which 
 she stated them : she was decided without in any 
 offensive sense being positive ; she was persistent 
 without being dogmatical ; and was superior with- 
 out any flush of triumph. She read extensively, and 
 was well versed in theology, history, philosophy, 
 poetry, and biography. She travelled considerably, 
 and was conversant with people, and manners, and
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 173 
 
 gi'eat objects : she saw and heard much, and trea- 
 sured all as her own. Cordial towards all Chris- 
 tians, she was a zealous Methodist ; unwavering in 
 her friendships, and attentive taher acquaintances, 
 she condescended to no finesse ; her friendship 
 was never deceitful. If her manners were some- 
 times cold, it was the result of bodily pain or men- 
 tal anxiety : her heart was always warm. 
 
 Her early education was the best her times af- 
 forded, but education was with her the business 
 of her life : she knew the themes of the cottage, 
 and was at home among the palaces of the noble : 
 all respected her knowledge, as well as her benevo- 
 lence : her admirers were among all ranks of so- 
 ciety. Her letters are elegant in style, and supe- 
 rior in matter : written without the least thought 
 of the public eye, they need no elision, suffer no- 
 thing from exposure to criticism. She wrote many 
 fugitive pieces on serious themes, both in prose 
 and verse — all breathe the spirit of fervency, piety, 
 and poetry. Unfortunately, her journal is lost, and 
 specimens of her thoughts are wanting to com- 
 plete this pubhcation. 
 
 HOME CIRCLE. 
 
 The house of Mrs. Norton was a favorite retreat 
 for her_ friends. Order was observable in all its 
 arrangements. The grounds around wore ordered
 
 174 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 with attractive taste, and the dwelling for comfort. 
 One of her friends, in 1818, thus speaks of it : 
 " Yesterday I went to look at your solitary abode, 
 my dear Mrs. Norton. In company were Mrs. 
 Anderson, Sidney, John, and Fanny ; and solitary 
 indeed it was. I felt as Goldsmith, when describ- 
 ing ' the Deserted Village.' It brought to my mind 
 the many happy hours — I should say weeks — I 
 had spent there with you. I recalled the last time 
 I was there, the last evening you passed there, and 
 wondered when we should spend such another to- 
 gether. I thought the house itself looked sad and 
 mournful. On the window in the front room I 
 found a comb — one I had often seen and used. I 
 looked at the place where the piano had stood, and 
 recalled the last time I had played on it there. I 
 opened the closets and cupboards — they were quite 
 mouldy from the damps. I rang the bell, which 
 was rather stiff for want of use. 0, how many 
 memories it recalled ! I pictured you to myself 
 ringing for Stephen to bring apples, hickory nuts, 
 wood for the fire, etc., etc. I saw many other 
 things which made me feel I can't tell how : even 
 the bare floors, the windows, the little room I have 
 so often slept in, all gave me melancholy pleasure. 
 I don't know what I shall do if you don't return 
 soon. I must make up my mind to freeze : wish 
 I could sleep all the winter, as the snakes do."
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 175 
 
 1825. " My inestimable Friend : — I sincerely 
 congratulate you on your return to ' that blissful 
 place which bounds your joy ;' Uut that return to 
 your little Eden has robbed us of the 'charms of 
 your society and conversation. In vain I seek 
 among my friends that congeniality/ of thought, feel- 
 ing, and taste I found in you. ... I approve 3'our 
 little reading-class very much. I half envy you. 
 How I m^^self would love to join the little coterie ! 
 Your time must pass pleasantly and usefully 
 away. IIow much superior are those females who 
 seek inward adorning to those who spend their 
 hours in dress and personal decoration. The few 
 moments spent in visiting are too little devoted to 
 improvement, too much to scandal or the idle news 
 of the day." 
 
 Mrs. Norton's house was peculiarly and posi- 
 tively devoted to mental and moral cultivation. 
 The best of books, the choicest themes of conver- 
 sation, and the most cultivated minds, were always 
 at home there, while the young were invited there 
 for their benefit as well as for pleasure. Did every 
 lady of wealth and professed piety imitate her ex- 
 ample, the social circle would indeed be pure and 
 refined; then would its pleasures infinitely sur- 
 pass the material mirth of tlie senseless dance, and 
 the animal excitements of wine and cards. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Norton were ])oth devotctl to liio
 
 176 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 temperance cause, and their efforts will be felt 
 long and happily by the youth within the sphere 
 of their influence! They gave no wine to their 
 guests, nor had brandy or cordial on their side- 
 board. They asserted that if friendship must be 
 purchased and perpetuated by intoxicating bever- 
 ages, they were not in the market as purchasers. 
 There was no stinginess in this abandonment of 
 drinks, as their abundant table and refreshments 
 of other kinds bore witness : they were the avowed 
 friends of temperance from principle, and were nei- 
 ther ashamed to own it, nor did they care for the 
 low hiss of opposition. Independent as the air, 
 they were true as steel to their vows. 
 
 In ordering domestic affairs, Mrs. Norton never 
 permitted any needless extravagance or wasteful- 
 ness. Her servants were controlled firmly and 
 mildly; they were cleanly and comfortable in abode 
 and apparel, and, above all, their religious culture 
 was attended to effectually : she enjoyed their 
 reverence and devoted affection. 
 
 All things considered, few homes are as happy 
 as was Mrs. Norton's. The extinction of its light 
 has left many in gloom, and the fall of its pillars 
 leaves thousands to regret, and many to tears.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 177 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH. 
 
 " Leaves have their time to fall, 
 And flowers to -wither at the north wind's breath ; 
 
 And stars to set ; but all — 
 Thou hast all seasons for thine own, Death." 
 
 Day has its morning, noon, and evening shadows. 
 The seasons bud, and blossom, and decay. Spring 
 brightens into summer ; summer ripens into au- 
 tumn, and winter spreads its silent robe of snow 
 upon the sepulchre of all. So mortals pass from 
 dimpled childhood to life's maturity ; then strength 
 and beauty sink into the lonely quiet of the cloud 
 that shrouds the margin of eternity. To the sin- 
 ner death appears an endless sleep; or, startled by 
 the thunders of the storm upon the boundless sea 
 before him, he grows restless upon his dying-pil- 
 low, and shrieks in vain for help. In either case 
 " the wicked is driven away iu Iiis wickedness ; but 
 the righteous has hope in his death." 
 
 "How sweet the .«ccnn when (.'liristiiins die, 
 When holy houIm retire to rest: 
 How mildly beams the cloning eye, 
 
 How gently heaves the expiring breast!" 
 
 8*
 
 178 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 Their pilgrimage may have been an arduous war- 
 fore : conflicting and often agonizing hopes and 
 fears may have broken their peace ; but "the great 
 fight of afflictions" ended, they are ready for their 
 departure, with a strange solicitude. Their faces 
 are undimmed by shadows : 
 
 «' Triumphant smiles the victor's brow, 
 ' Fauued by some guardian angel's wing." 
 
 The firmament may have been dark with perpetual 
 clouds ; the bark may have wrestled with the giant 
 spirit of the tempest through a more than arctic 
 voyage ; the day may have wept with showers of 
 sorrow, and scarce a calm have given respite from 
 the sickening roll of tumultuous biflows ; but when 
 the Christian is about to leave all behind, it is a 
 privilege to mark the transition in his expressive 
 features, and hear the cheerful shout he raises on 
 the sounding banks of Jordan : he dies gloriously. 
 
 " So fades a summer cloud away ; 
 
 So sinks the gale when storms are o'er ; 
 So gently shuts the eye of day ; 
 So dies a wave along the shore." 
 
 As travellers crossing the same wild river at dif- 
 ferent fordings are surrounded by different scenary 
 and dangers, so Christians at different times and 
 places, crossing the same flood to the land of pro- 
 mise, are in sight of diverse landscapes of the same 
 boundless inheritance, and experience diversified
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 179 
 
 emotions of glory. Sometimes the sky is cloud- 
 less and serene, and summer beauties charm the 
 soul away. Again, the spirit seems gradually trans- 
 formed from darkness into light, as a lone cloud 
 puts on the brightest hues of crimson, gold, and 
 purple when the spreading rays of sunset fill the 
 firmament with softened fight. 
 
 Again it trembles with excitement, while the 
 wrath of a dreadful storm, moving earth and air, 
 sweeps along the howling main and shaking hills. 
 But when the loftier thunders announce the re- 
 tiring tempest, and the sun on the horizon bursts 
 through its rifted banners of wrath ; when fields, 
 and floods, and heavens glitter in the dazzling 
 blaze, and brilliant arches span the firmament, then 
 hope claps her glad hands, and sings exulting on 
 the steeps, in sight of Canaan's rest, and longs to 
 launch away. 
 
 Anon the morning dawns upon the Christian 
 warrior, as did the sun to Israel camped on Jor- 
 dan's side. The trumpets sound. The dissolved 
 tabernacle leads the van, with angel pioneers. Their 
 feet are at the water's edge. The overflowing 
 stream divides. The current pauses in a turbid 
 wall, and silently, as if in reverence, bids the sa- 
 cred band pass on in safety to the realms of the 
 . emancipated saints of God. As the Hebrew, after 
 forty years of desert life, beheld his long-sought
 
 180 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 home, with thrilling joy and bursting tears of hope, 
 close to fruition, so the child of promise exults 
 when his immortal home appears in view. 
 
 In the month of August, 1856,* Mrs. Norton was 
 
 * A Tribute to the Memory of departed Worth. — IMrs. Sarah 
 Norton, late consort of John Norton, Esq., of Lexington, Ky., is no 
 more of earth ! She departed this life, in prospect of a blissful im- 
 mortality, on the 25th ultimo, although the sad intelligence did not 
 reach us at this place, in a tangible form, until within the last few 
 days. We have felt the stroke as we seldom feel on such occasions. 
 Having at different periods in the course of the last thirty-five years 
 sustained to her the relation of pastor, and, during those periods, 
 having shared largely in the benefits of her counsel, and other kin- 
 dred acts of Christian beneficence, as well in the later as the eai-lier 
 years of our ministry, we must be allowed to pause and throw off for 
 a moment the overwhelming cares and solicitudes of our position for 
 the purpose of paying a last humble tribute of respect to the memory 
 of one whose whole life was but a continuous exemplification of her' 
 many Christian virtues and elevated attainments. 
 
 If we are correctly advised, she attached herself, when very young, 
 to the Methodist Episcopal Church in York, Pa., under the ministry 
 of the Rev. Robert R. Roberts — afterwards Bishop Roberts. Some 
 years after this, in June, 1807, she was happily united in marriage 
 to her surviving companion. From Pennsylvania they removed to 
 the West, and finally settled in Lexington, Ky., where they con- 
 tinued to reside up to the time of her death ; from which it will ap- 
 pear that she must have been a member of the Methodist Church 
 for more than half a century ; during the whole of which period she 
 was known and read of all who were favored with her acquaintance 
 as a woman of noble and generous bearing, and of great moral and 
 religious worth. She was, in all respects, a lady of special mark 
 and distinction. 
 
 Her superior intelligence, unquestionable piety, general benevo- 
 lence, and conciliatory manners, rendered her the object of univer- 
 sal respect and esteem among all with whom she associated. Catho- 
 lic in spirit, liberal and charitable in sentiment and feeling towards
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 181 
 
 called to a bed of sickness, and of excruciating 
 pain — the last she was to know. In childhood she 
 
 those yrith -whom she differed in her religious opinions, she was 
 nevertheless devotedly attached to the Church of her early choice. 
 In fine, she was, from conviction, a decided Methodist; and, as such, 
 she anxiously desired and earnestly labored, in her legitimate 
 sphere, for the promotion of a cause which she had reason to regard 
 as involving the best iuteresis of the world. Her zeal was enlight- 
 ened, consistent, and in perfect keeping with the high and holy in- 
 terests of the great enterprise vrith which she was identified. 
 
 She died as she had lived — a Christian in the highest and holiest 
 sense of that term. Jesus Christ, and him crucified, was the only 
 groond of her faith and hope, and, consequently, the only and all- 
 sufficient source of her consolation and triumph. His truth, his 
 cause, his Church, and his people, shared largely in the purest and 
 best affections of her heart. 
 
 In her death the Church has sustained an irreparable loss, one 
 that must be deeply and extensively felt ; a loss that will not, per- 
 haps, be soon repaired. Long years will have passed away ere the 
 Methodist Church in Lexington, Ky., will "look upon her like 
 again." In her death society has been deprived of one of its most 
 "loved and valued members." A "bright and burning light" has 
 been extinguislied, never to be rekindled in this "theatre of crime, 
 and exile of misery." 
 
 No more will her presence grace the spacious halls of her hospita- 
 ble mansion, or add to the beauty and loveliness of the rich and fra- 
 grant fruits and flowers of her splendid garden walks. No more will 
 her presence animate the devotions of the sanctuary, or cheer the 
 hearts of the poor, afflicted, and disconsolate of earth. 
 
 A mother in I.srael, beloved, admired, and revered by all, is gone: 
 gone ft-om this scene of labor and conflict, of turmoil and strife, to 
 ber long-sought home "far up in the skies." 
 
 Let us, (lien, not sorrow as those tluit liave no liope; but, believ- 
 ing that Jesus died and rose again, let us confi<lcnlly liopc and dili- 
 gently prepare for the coming of that joyous day in which the fricnda 
 of Jesus shall meet to part no more for ever. 
 
 With fho bereaved husband we deeply sympathize, having drunk
 
 182 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 had joined the company of strangers and pilgrims 
 on their way to " the city which hath founda- 
 tions." Now, from 
 
 " The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed, 
 And streaming light through chinks which time had made," 
 
 she saw that she was pausing in the land of Beu- 
 lah. Now, amid the occasional rests from agony, 
 she glanced at the end of her journey, and the lan- 
 guage of her heart was thrilhng : 
 
 " I'm almost Lome ! my skies are clear : 
 The shadowy hills of blue, 
 On which I've pondered many a year, 
 Sublimely heave in view. 
 
 My glorious home ! Thy mansions fair 
 
 In mystic beauty rise ; 
 Dome over dome, and spire on spire, 
 
 Are glittering through the skies. 
 
 Immortal home ! Thy holy song 
 
 Floats over warbling streams ; 
 And angel watchers still prolong 
 
 The murmur through my dreams." 
 
 Around her bedside stood her husband, her inti- 
 mate friends, her classmates, and neighbors. In 
 silence anon they wept her near departure, or gave 
 
 from the same bitter cup. May God sustain him in his great afflic- 
 tion, is the earnest prayer of our heart. E. Stevenson. 
 Nashville, Auffust 27, 1856. 
 
 P. S. — A well-written biographical sketch of this exc-ellent lady, 
 if brought out in a permanent form, would be the instrument of ac- 
 complishing much good. Who that knew her well, and rightly ap- 
 preciated her worth, will undertake the work ?
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 183 
 
 utterance to sobs and groans. That she must die 
 was too soon a well-known truth, and all felt anx- 
 ious to know or witness the triumph of one so long 
 a useful Christian. There were, however, no ex-- 
 traordinary manifestations of victory. Her strength 
 was firm, her faith unshaken, and her hope secure. 
 Fler peace was as a river, and her departure a sohd 
 t^ictory over death and sin. Her testimony for Christ 
 had been a good life, and extraordinary manifesta- 
 tions of salvation were reserved till she should pass 
 the gates of light, and receive " the administration 
 of an abundant entrance into the everlastinsr kinsr- 
 dom of God her Saviour." Her prostration by 
 disease prevented her seeing many friends, or con- 
 versing much with any one ; yet so far as she did 
 express her feelings, they afforded strong consola- 
 tion. Her pastor visited her frequently, and Mrs. 
 Higgins and Mrs. Kennard were with her very 
 often. To ]\[rs. Kennard she said, " I have been 
 reviewing the past, and though I know I have been 
 an unworthy, slothful Christian, yet I have not a 
 doubt of ray acceptance with God through the 
 atonement." 
 
 She was in the habit of having a loaf of bread 
 baked, and sent regularly to an aged servant of 
 God ; and a day or two previous to her death, Mrs. 
 Kennard observed to her, that notwithstanding her 
 sufferings, she had not forgotten to send Miss
 
 184 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 her loaf. Siiid she, " No ; the Lord never forgot 
 me, and I will try and not forget his poor." 
 
 To a dear unconverted friend she said, " what 
 should I now do in my prostrate condition had I 
 put off my soul's salvation to this deathbed ! My 
 peace, blessed be the Saviour's name, has long been 
 made with God, and I now have nothing to do but 
 wait his summons to call me to himself. 0, my 
 dear friend, seek the Lord while in health : delay 
 it not to a dying-hour." 
 
 "A few hours before her death she became 
 speechless ; but a calm, peaceful frame pervaded 
 her whole spirit — then died Mrs. Sarah Norton, 
 very remarkable in life and in death for her simple, 
 strong, and inflexible faith in her adorable Sa- 
 viour."* Mortality has its woes ; but the rest of 
 immortality meets the pious at the dying-hour : 
 
 "Now just at home, the fauning wings 
 Of breezy incense play, 
 Softer than pleasure's music brings, 
 And charms the soul away." 
 
 In her departure the aged and poor have lost a 
 ministering angel of love. They mourn for her as 
 for a friend whose charity never failed, whose pre- 
 sence was light, whose voice was music, and whose 
 heart was compassion. At her footsteps the blos- 
 soms of hope revived among the disconsolate : by 
 
 * Extract from a letter of W. King.
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON^ 185 
 
 her the sick were -vdsited, the naked clothed, and 
 the hungry refreshed. Imbued with the spirit of 
 her Master, she strove to follow his example, and 
 has arisen from the Olivet of peace to behold his 
 face on the mount of God. Who will succeed to 
 her ministry ? Who will send bread to the poor 
 she can feed no longer ? 
 
 Her church will miss her when they meet to 
 worship in the class, the prayer-meeting, and the 
 congregation. Memory will regret that she is no 
 more ; and in many an eye, turned to the seat she 
 filled, will the gathering tear speak of the fond af- 
 fection in which she was held. The aged will be- 
 hold her in the skies, and long to be with her in 
 the courts above ; and youth will hear of her vir- 
 tues, to be inspired with the spirit of kindness. 
 The ministers who knew her will visit Lexington, 
 and remember her hospitable home, and feel sad at 
 the loss of such a friend to the Church and to hu- 
 manity. What Methodist that knew her well ever 
 thinks of her city without beholding her in fancy, 
 or viewing her by faith in the house above ? Often 
 as they retrace her old paths, will the forms and 
 voices of others suggest her presence, and reveries 
 of the past will be dissolved in pain as many awake 
 to the sad realization that she is in the tomb. 
 
 Her friends will visit her dwelling, and be re- 
 minded that she is not there. The associations of
 
 186 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 
 
 lier presence linger in all the walks of her abode, 
 and drape the trees, and shrubs, and flowers so 
 sedulously nourished by her care ; but they live 
 only to cast a sombre shade over the hearts of those 
 who loved her and shared her affection. Will they 
 behold her again? Will they walk with her in 
 white ? Will they share a mutual mansion in the 
 paradise of God ? Many of her admirers are in 
 the walks of affluence, surrounded by temptations 
 to disclaim a life of piety and active benevolence ; 
 but in her they have an example that the rich may 
 be pious and eminently useful, and reach the eter- 
 nal world with joy. 
 
 Mrs. Norton may be dead, but her life is left be- 
 hind her, speaking softly to the young and the 
 gay to embrace religion in youth, and live for hea- 
 ven. She may be dead, yet, standing by her grave, 
 we feel as if among angels who come to guard her 
 sweet repose. Her lips are silent, and her eye 
 has lost its lustre, but we hear her voice sounding 
 from the excellent glory, and exchange glances, as 
 she looks down from the windows of heaven. As 
 the star is hidden from common sight by the 
 brightness of the sun, so she is not dead, though 
 departed: beyond the firmament she is radiant 
 with life : she is "not lost, but only hidden by the 
 glory that enfeebles the eyes of mortals by its 
 blinding splendor. Ages may roll on over her dust,
 
 LIFE OF MRS. NORTON. 187 
 
 and the heavens may flood the earth with showers 
 of desolation, but the last thunder of the curse will 
 at length hush its moan in the clang of the trum- 
 pet that shall proclaim the release from the sepul- 
 chre. Then on the universal horizon shall appear 
 the panorama of angels, and the glory of the Lord 
 shall liijhten the skies. Then immortal frao;rance will 
 breathe destruction to the pestilence. Disease will 
 sicken and die. The simple voice that hushed the 
 seas will send its melody into the ear of the Chris- 
 tian. The living and the dead will be transformed 
 and live. Then will the familiar fjice and voice of 
 our sister again greet us. We will witness her 
 coronation, and once more familiarly visit her man- 
 sion, and unite with her in ascribing glory and do- 
 minion to God and the Lamb for ever. Amen. 
 
 THE END.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. 
 
 HYMNS FOR SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES, specially designed for the 
 Children of the Churcii Edited by Thos. 0. Summers. Net price 
 to Sunday-schools: boaids, 10 cents; roan, 21 cents. Retail, 30 
 cents ; roan gilt, 50 cents ; morocco, 75 cents. The fine ones are 
 gems. The book consists of 384 pages, and contains 600 Hymns. 
 
 "As its title indicates, it is a collection especially designed for the child- 
 ren of the Church, and it has been compiled with the ability, research 
 and taste which characterize the labors of the accomplished editor in the 
 department of hymnology. We are not saying too much for it, when we 
 affirm that it leaves nothing to be desiderated hereafter in this line."- 
 Southern Christian Advocate. 
 
 THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER; or, the Catechetical Office. By 
 Thos. 0. Summers. 18mo, pp. 144. Price 30 cents. 
 
 This work discusses the most interesting questions connected with the 
 Catechetical System— the Teacher's Qualifications, Difficulties, and Encour- 
 agements. It exhibits the obligations of pastors and teachers to the 
 children of the Church, and shows how they may be discharged. 
 
 OLD MICHAEL AND YOUNG MAURICE; or, Country Scenes ir 
 England. ISmo, pp. 178. Price 30 cents. 
 
 A truthful, fascinating, and instructive volume. 
 
 TALKS, PLEASANT AND PROFITABLE. By Thos. 0. Summers 
 18mo, pp. 146. Price 30 cents. 
 
 The topics of these dialogues are Orphans, May-Day, Birds, Tempe- 
 rance, Peter and the Tribute-money, Retribution, Recognition of Friends 
 in Heaven. The style is adapted to the minds of intelligent youth. 
 Tho engravings are handsome. 
 
 THE WORLD OF WATERS. By Fanny Osborne. With Illustrations 
 Two vols. 18mo, pp. 186, 224. Price 60 cents. 
 
 A couple of fascinating and instructive volumes. The tales and narra- 
 tives beguile, like sailors' yarns, the voyage over the world of waters. Tho 
 descriptions and anecdotes blend the charm of romance with the credi- 
 bility of truth. 
 
 SCRIPTURE VIEWS OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD. By J. Edmondson, 
 A.M. 18mo, pp. 249. Price 35 cvnis. 
 
 A neat edition of a book wliich takes rank with Baxter's Saints' Rest- 
 to which great work it is in some respects superior. 
 
 TRIAL OF THE WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 
 By Bishop Sherlock. With an Introduction by Thos. 0. Summers 
 18mo, pp. 137. Price 30 cents. 
 
 This rawterly work is got up in convenient form and beautiful style. 
 Tbo Introduction contains 8 'jrief biography of tho illuBtrious author.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. SOUTH. 
 
 DIALOGUES ON POPERY. By Jacob Stanley. 18mo, pp. 264. Price 
 
 35 cents. 
 
 A carefully revised and beautifully printed edition of an excellent book : 
 it has had an extensive circulation on both sides of the Atlantic. 
 
 THE HEBREW MISSIONARY ; Essays Exegetical and Practical, on 
 the Book of Jonah. By the Rev. Joseph Cross, D.D. 18mo, pp. 
 242. Price 40 cents. 
 
 This book is a valuable contribution to our Church literature — it 
 exhibits great research, and abounds in eloquent passages and valuable 
 reflections. The engravings and maps illustrative of Nineveh, as brought 
 to light by Layard and others, add great interest to the work. 
 
 PROGRESS: CONSIDERED WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO 
 THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. By the Rev. W. J. Sasnett, of 
 Emory College, pp. 320. Price 80 cents. 
 
 This is an elegantly printed 12mo volume, containing 320 pages. The 
 Advocates speak of it as a book of no common interest. The Home Circle 
 says : " The work is an earnest plea and practical plan for progress in the 
 Methodist Church ; yet, with all our love of the old landmarks and prima 
 facie opposition to any interference with them^ we have not met with a 
 sentiment or suggestion that we cannot endorse. We therefore express 
 the earnest hope that the book may find immediate access to the entire 
 Church. The sooner we all get our minds fully settled upon the matters 
 of which it treats, the better : and its pages will greatly contribute to such 
 settlement." 
 
 AN APOLOGY FOR THE BIBLE. In a Series of Letters addressed to 
 Thomas Paine, Author of the "Age of Reason." By Bishop Watson. 
 18mo, pp. 228. Price 30 cents. 
 
 A new and elegantly printed edition of this great Christian classic. 
 
 A REFUTATION OF THE THEOLOGICAL WORKS OF THOMAS 
 PAINE, not noticed by Bishop Watson in his "Apology for the 
 Bible." By Thos. 0. Summers. 18mo, pp. 84. Price 25 cents. 
 
 The Memphis Christian Advocate speaks of this work as "seasonable" 
 in view of the revival of infidelity of the Thomas Paine type — and says, 
 " The argument is terse and concise, but satisfactory." The author aimed 
 at saying a great deal in a few words. The " Refutation" is beautifully 
 gotten up. The "Apology" and "Refutation" are also bound together, 
 price 45 cents. 
 
 STRICTURES ON CHURCH GOVERNMENT. By the Rev. E. Abbey 
 Price 5 cents. 
 
 This essay has a special bearing on the government of the Baptist 
 Church.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Form L9 — 15m-10,'48(Bl039)444 
 
 UNIVERSITY af CALIFORNIA 
 
 AT • 
 LOS ANGELES 
 LIBRARY
 
 BR 
 1725 
 
 Bgild^ffin - 
 Life of Ilrs. 
 
 iliil'illir,^f!^,?tl,ffGIONALL,; 
 
 AA 000 604 625 
 
 BR 
 1725 
 
 IIG2B19