Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

ADVERTISEMENT.

SHOULD any apology for the appearance of this little volume be deemed necessary, it may be found in the high estimation in which the character and writings of the lamented Mrs. A. were held among the missionaries with whom she was associated. A "Brief Memoir" of her appeared in the Oriental Christian Spectator soon after her death. In this, the missionaries have borne ample testimony to her worth, her fervent piety, extensive usefulness, and the value of the productions of her pen. They say, "The death of Mrs. Allen, on account of its suddenness, the esteem in which she was held, and the important labors in which she was so fervently and advantageously engaged, has made a deep impression on the minds of her friends. It is consequently much to be desired, that the emotions which have been excited should receive a holy impression: and that those lessons which may be learned from her life and character should be solemnly weighed, when the mind is in the most favorable situation for considering them. We state this as our reason for thus early inserting the following notices. Our readers in general, we are sure, will be much interested in them." In another place, they state, "Of her proceedings, and of the various interesting circumstances which came under her notice, she kept a regular

account, which she transmitted, at intervals, to her friends in America. No copy of this is to be found in Bombay. There is only a small portion remaining, which would have been sent, had the writer been spared to add to it. We shall give several extracts from it." The Journal here mentioned, which could not be found in Bombay, together with many interesting letters of the deceased, have been put into the hands of the writer of this Memoir, and from them selections have been made to constitute this small volume. Some use has been made, too, of the printed document sent from Bombay. The chief difficulty has been, to make a suitable selection from the abundant materials which have been furnished, and probably another work, of equal size and value, might be formed from the writings of our departed friend, which remain untouched. It is proper to remark, that all the letters and journals used in compiling this Memoir were written without any expectation of their ever being given to the public. They are not, however, on this account the less interesting, as they exhibit in a higher degree the natural, unstudied character of the writer.

That these pages may excite the youth in Sabbath schools and Bible classes to consecrate themselves to God, and engage with intense earnestness in promoting the missionary cause, and giving glory to Immanuel by laboring to save souls from death, is the fervent prayer of THE AUTHOR.

MEMOIR

OF

MRS. MYRA W. ALLEN,

CHAPTER I.

Her nativity, natural disposition, early habits, education, and religious character.

MRS. MYRA W. ALLEN was a native of Westminster, Mass. She was the youngest daughter of Colonel Abel and Mrs. Phebe Wood. Their intelligence and moral worth gave them a happy ascendency over the minds of their children, and they had the satisfaction of seeing all of them, nine in number, members of the same church of Christ with themselves.

Myra was born on the 7th December, 1800. She was blessed with a sweet and amiable disposition, which early endeared her to a large circle of relatives and acquaintance, and rendered her a peculiar favorite among the companions of her youth.

Their meetings were never deemed complete without her society;-without being enlivened by her cheering presence, and animating conversation. To break away from ties so strong and tender as those, which from her earliest years bound her to her young associates, required no ordinary firmness of purpose and decision of character. The place too of her nativity was a delightful portion of New England; and the paternal mansion, where she passed her youthful days, was surrounded with a scenery calculated to attach the affections to home, and country in the strongest manner. It is only by looking in upon the serenity and comfort and competence of the domes-tic abode, that we can duly estimate the sacrifice she made in devoting herself to the cause of Christ in heathen lands.

Nothing remarkable characterized her early days, except that they were passed with more than ordinary peace and tranquillity, under the guardianship of parents, ever watchful to promote her best interests. The social prayer-meeting and conference were often held under their roof, and the dew, of heavenly grace was sought as the richest blessing. The voice of joy was heard here, as it is in the tabernacles of the right

eous.

The consequence was, the children

« VorigeDoorgaan »