N04063:20
Early piety; exemplified in Elizabeth Butcher of Boston
Early piety; exemplified in Elizabeth Butcher of Boston: who was born July 14th, 1709. And died June 13th. 1718. Being just eight years and eleven months old.
Boston: printed by J. Draper for C. Harrison over against the Brazen-Head, 1741
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. She being a weakly Child, her Mother carried her into the Country for her Health: And when she was about three Years old, and at Meeting she would set with her Eyes fixed on the Minister, to the Admiration of all that sat about her, who said that grown up People might learn and take Example of her. She took great Delight in Reading, and was ready and willing to receive Instruction.
3. She being a weakly Child, her Mother carried her into the Country for her Health: And when she was about three Years old, and at Meeting she would set with her Eyes fix'd on the Minister, to the Admiration of all that sat about her, who said that grown up People might learn and take Example of her. She took great Delight in Reading, and was ready and willing to receive Instruction.
4. But nothing more extraordinary as we remember appeared in her, till she came to be about six Years old. Then she began to inquire concerning God, and the Nature and Affairs of her Soul, and she said, she was afraid she had not lived up to that End for which she was made. She was asked, What was the End she was made for? The Child answered, — To glorify God: But I am afraid I have not lived to the Glory of God, as I should have done. She was told, That she must pray to God, that he would be pleased to pardon her Sins, and give her Grace to serve and glorify him.
5. She was not contented with the ba•e Reading of God's Word, but would frequently ask the Meaning of it. And when she was at her Work, she would often ask where such and such Places of Scripture were, and would mention the Words, that she might be directed to find them.