Moravian Lives

IV. The Single Sist<hi rend="superscript">r</hi>. <persname>A. Mary Anton</persname>.
The following are her own Words:
I am born the <date>18</date><hi rend="superscript"><date>th</date></hi><date> of May 1739</date> at <placename>Pilgerruh</placename> in <placename>Holstein</placename>. 
but <unclear>so</unclear> they Congregation emigrated, I came as a <add>little</add> Child to
[?] to<placename> Hhuth</placename>. But Anno <date>1744</date>, my Parents <sic>toock</sic>  took me
along to <placename>Berlin</placename>, which was a great Loss to me, then
I heard & saw there many Things good for nothing for me
& had had not our Sav<hi rend="superscript">r</hi>. preserved me, I had natural Instincts
& Occasion <add>enough</add> to commit many wicked Things. A.<hi rend="superscript">o </hi><date>1747</date>.
I moved w<hi rend="superscript">th</hi> my Parents from thence to <placename>Bertholdsdorf</placename>,
because the gat yet no Leave to come to<placename> </placename><placename><placename>Hhuth</placename></placename><placename>.</placename> Anno 48
we removed to <placename>Hhuth</placename> & after a short Stay there, to <placename>Hhaag</placename>.
Here I came soon to my great Joy in the Anstalt of
the Children. In the Begin I was very happy, but my
lightminded Temper made the feeling of our Saviour
soon vanishing. Anno 49. the <date>25</date><hi rend="superscript"><date>th</date></hi><date> of March</date> I was
received into the Girls Choir but soon observed in the
first Conversation that this meant some Thing more
then they <add>were</add> upright & Sincere & that I could not do.
In this year I came with my Parents to <placename>Ebersdorf</placename> &
served the, but resided very often in my Choir-House.
I was here not long I begun to grow indifferent & came 
by means of a wicked Compagnie in poor Circumstances
& became excomunicated for a time from by the Congregation
till our Saviour bestowed Mercy on me that I could
disclose all my hidden Tricks.
Anno 53 in <date>April</date> I was received into the Congregation.
I was

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I was ashamed about this Grace, but by all that I came not
farther then my Heart was not open & secure before God &
Man. I soon came in my former Snares again & begun
to doubt if it would come with me to any Thing at all.
However Anno 54 the <date>24</date><hi rend="superscript"><date>th</date></hi><date> of Feb.</date> as I toock a walk in 
the Field I <add>accidently</add> fell in a intime Conversation w<hi rend="superscript">th</hi> our Sav<hi rend="superscript">r</hi>.
& could discover my whole Heart towards him & so
begged Mercy under many Tears & that he would let
me from This Day experience how good it is w<hi rend="superscript">th</hi> a
happy Heart <add>to be</add> in the Congregation. By this inter_
cource he was as near to me the as if he was visible.
Anno 1755 the Month of <date>Jan.</date> I came in my Choir-House
as wherefore I loockd out a good while. The first time
I was happy again, but as I disliked to appear
as such a wicked & naughty Siner, then it didn't went
as well as it could; but the Truest Friend of my
Soul whose Patiens persecuted me from my youth, did not
draw back his Hand, wicked as I was. They holy Ghost
licke a true Mother begun his Work anew & showed
to me de deplorable Condition of my wicked Heart
& brought <add>me</add> in the <add>most</add> extreme Distress about myself.
I conversed with my Laboures & revealed my whole
Heart towards her & our Sav<hi rend="superscript">r</hi>. as the great Friend of
Sinners appeared to me again at in his unspeacable Nearness.
Anno 57.  <date>21<hi rend="superscript">st</hi> of March</date> I became Canditat to the holy
<sic>Comunion</sic> Communion, & had so happy a Time which I shall never
                                                                                            forget