Ebook Memoir of Mrs. Jerusha D. Mallery

Mrs. Mallery was born in Delphi, New York, on the 215t of April, 1803. Her maiden name was Jeru sha Dibble. Being deprived of her father while quite young, she and a younger sister removed with their mother to the town of Homer, and became the adopted children of their uncle, the Hon. John Keep, one of the earliest, most useful and highly esteemed members of the Baptist church in that place. To the pious coun sels and prayers of her beloved uncle and aunt, and the judicious and faithful instructions of her excellent mother, may be attributed many of those amiable qual ities that have since been so conspicuously developed in the character of an affectionate wife and faithful mother. The most prominent traits of her character in early life were a pleasant, obliging, affectionate disposition, industry in the improvement of time, and docile sub mission to parental authority. In January, 1820, a powerful revival of religion pervaded all parts of the town, and many became obedient unto the faith of the gospel. The writer of this memoir was at that time employed as a teacher of youth in the neighborhood where Miss Dibble resided. Nearly twenty of those under his instruction became the hopeful subjects of renewing grace. Miss Dibble was one of the happy number. The following extract from her diary, com menced soon after her conversion, will show the man. Ner in which she was brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. When I was but a child my mind was at times filled with terror at the thoughts of death. Frequently when I retired to rest, I durst not close my eyes in sleep, for fear I should awake in hell. I was unwilling to attend to the subject of religion till I had tasted more of the pleasures of the world. Yet fearing it would then be too late, I was at times almost resolved to be a Christian. I had an impression on my mind that my day of grace would be closed at the age of twelve years; and if my life were spared beyond that period, I should find no place for repentance, but should have the dreadful judg ments of God follow me through life. At the age of fourteen I concluded that as what I greatly feared had not come upon me, 1 might yet live many years, and at some future and more convenient season make my peace with God. My great excuse was that l was no worse than others, and that they run the same risk of losing their souls. The alluring vanities of the world, the amusements of youth occupied my sleeping' and waking thoughts. Perhaps no person's mind was ever more intense in the pursuit of pleasure than mine.