Her kindness to her poor neighbours was remarkable. Her medical man informed me, that he scarcely ever went into her house, without her first asking him about some one who wanted relief, which relief she was always eager to give according to her means, and many were the portions which her provision-shop supplied. Few ministers have had a more valuable ‘helper,’ in all respects. I must add a short account of her, given to me in writing by one in her own house, who, at the time when she, Mrs. S. was opposed to spiritual religion, had chosen another fold than the Church of England in which to seek the way of salvation. This testimony is therefore not given in ignorance of her real character, or in undue partiality to her principles.
After speaking of the striking circumstances of her conversion, the paper goes on to say, ‘The words of the Apostle were fulfilled in her. “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” Yes, I know the truth of this, for I have seen it in her who is departed. Indeed she has proved to all around her, that she was a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ; not one who said, “Lord, Lord,” but in works denied him.
‘She showed her love to God by keeping His commandments. I have known her, many and many a time, sacrifice her own comforts to relieve her poor neighbours. I have known her take her clothes from her back, and her shoes from her feet. It was her delight to do her heavenly Father’s will in all things. She was determined, as far as she was able, to do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith. She was one who visited the sick and afflicted, the fatherless and widow, and strove to keep herself unspotted from the world. Her views of herself were truly humble: she took the word of God for her guide. She did not shun to reprove sin, but knowing the terror of the Lord, she sought to persuade her fellow-sinners to be reconciled to God. She sought after backsliders with great care and perseverance, and aimed to encourage those that stood fast in the Lord. Her love of the means of grace, both public and private, was very great, and witnessed by her regular attendance on them. Her patience in her affliction, and resignation to the will of God, was indeed striking. Her sufferings and trials had been many in life, “but not too many,” as she said on her dying bed. The cup had been wisely mixed by her heavenly Father.’