Moravian Lives

IV. The Single Sistr. A. Mary Anton.
The following are her own Words:
I am born the 18th of May 1739 at Pilgerruh in Holstein. 
but so they Congregation emigrated, I came as a little Child to
[?] to Hhuth. But Anno 1744, my Parents toock  took me
along to Berlin, which was a great Loss to me, then
I heard & saw there many Things good for nothing for me
& had had not our Savr. preserved me, I had natural Instincts
& Occasion enough to commit many wicked Things. A.o 1747.
I moved wth my Parents from thence to Bertholdsdorf,
because the gat yet no Leave to come to Hhuth. Anno 48
we removed to Hhuth & after a short Stay there, to Hhaag.
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 25th of March I was
received into the Girls Choir but soon observed in the
first Conversation that this meant some Thing more
then they were upright & Sincere & that I could not do.
In this year I came with my Parents to Ebersdorf &
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 April 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 24th of Feb. as I toock a walk in 
the Field I accidently fell in a intime Conversation wth our Savr.
& 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 wth a
happy Heart to be in the Congregation. By this inter_
cource he was as near to me the as if he was visible.
Anno 1755 the Month of Jan. 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 me in the most extreme Distress about myself.
I conversed with my Laboures & revealed my whole
Heart towards her & our Savr. as the great Friend of
Sinners appeared to me again at in his unspeacable Nearness.
Anno 57.  21st of March I became Canditat to the holy
Comunion Communion, & had so happy a Time which I shall never
                                                                                            forget