by the secret
supplies she obtained through constant communion with God. Although
ready for every good work, and glad to take her share in the mere
machinery of the Christian church, her chief aim was the salvation of
souls. This she never lost sight of, and generally, when collecting
for Missions or other benevolent objects, availed herself of the
opportunity of warning, exhortation, or prayer. One who frequently
accompanied her on such excursions says, "We called at every house in
the district. Some of the people were exceedingly poor. At one door
I said, 'Mrs. Lyth, you will not beg here.' Her reply was, 'It is my
duty to ask them, if they give us but a penny, it will not lose its
reward.' In another case the people were Roman Catholics; she at once
exhorted them to come direct to Christ, and not allow the priest to
come betwixt them and the Savior. In a third, where a member of the
family was sick, we went in, and Mrs. Lyth prayed." Another writes, "I
first became acquainted with her about 1823, and have always found her
the same consistent character. She assisted me in the formation of my
class in Acomb. Her visits to us were always welcome and profitable.
Her eye was single. She had light in her own soul, and it shone in
every society in which she was cast. Many a round we have had together
among the villagers, to beseech them to be reconciled to God. In this
work she went, perhaps, even beyond her strength, that sinners
might be brought into the fold of Christ. She rejoiced to lend a
helping-hand to the seeking soul; warning the unruly, comforting the
feeble-minded, and encouraging believers to seek after a full devotion
of heart and life to the service of Christ. Her faithfulness in the
administration of reproof was exemplary; and though naturally of a
retiring disposition, in the defence of truth and the cause of her
Master she became bold and fearless." Her ready pen, for to the
last she wrote a clear and steady hand, was often in requisition to
administer counsel, encouragement, or consolation. Whatever might be
said of her "bodily presence," her "letters were powerful," and, as
they were accompanied with believing effectual prayer, seldom failed
to produce a happy effect. The writer much regrets that the prescribed
limits of this volume precludes the introduction of extracts from the
voluminous correspondence placed in his hands. It is sufficient to say
here that her letters strikingly exhibit her oneness of