"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." Matt. chap. xxi. ver. 16 LONDON: PRINTED AND SOLD BY HARVEY AND DARTON, GRACECHURCH-STREET. 1832. PREFACE. SARAH LIDBETTER, the interesting subject of the following Memoir, was the daughter of Bridger and Elizabeth Lidbetter, (of the religious Society of Friends,) now residing in Brighton, but formerly at a farm in the county of Sussex; which they were obliged to leave during the general distress that the agriculturists met with. Since that time they have had to struggle with many difficulties to gain a livelihood for their increasing family, in which this dear child, although so young, participated, by sympathising with her parents in their various trials. Sarah was born at Denton on the 3rd of third month, 1822. The following pages are mostly written by her affectionate mother; yet many of her relations and A 2 friends well remember her agreeable deportment when in health, as well as the patient and heavenly state of her mind at different times during her illness. This precious child was indeed lovely both in mind and person, and, I doubt not, has been early transplanted to bloom in a better soil, and to join with purified spirits in singing songs of praise unto the Lord God and the Lamb for ever and ever. Brighton, 22nd of 11th Mo. 1831. S. B. **The terms, as well as the sense of the expressions, are retained in the following pages, although some verbal inaccuracies are corrected. MEMOIR. THE beloved subject of this Memoir was, from a very little child, fond of reading the Holy Scriptures, and showed a decided preference for religious publications. "Piety Promoted," "Guide to True Peace," "Baxter's Saint's Rest," and "The Pilgrim's Progress," were among her favourite choice; and if at any time, as a reward for many useful services, which she cheerfully performed and took delight in, I presented her with an interesting book of tales, that were amusing and entertaining, although they were gratefully accepted, yet it was easily perceived, that unless the tales were strictly authentic, or the anecdotes of a religious tendency, they were laid aside, and seldom read a second time. She was of a very unassuming, diffident turn of mind, yet from occasional remarks made to me when alone, on any subject that had been discussed in her hearing, I soon found |