Aged twenty-eight, admitted 31st January 1822. This poor creature was
another of the victims of fanaticism. She had been servant in a family,
but at some time or other had received “her call,” as it is termed, at
one of the religious conventicles, and, in a little time, lapsed into
melancholy and despair. Her constant habit was a propensity to biting
her nails and finger-ends, and lacerating her flesh, for the purpose of
mortification.
She was so merged in despondency and utter hopelessness, that she
firmly believed the devil was to have her when she should die. That
the evil-spirit had all the power, and the Deity none. That, seeing it
impossible to be saved, she had given herself up to sin, wickedness,
idleness, and sloth. That this was occasioned by her not believing in
God. That she was never more to be happy, but to be tormented for ever
and ever.
This was the constant tenor of her lamentations, from morning till
night. She could not be induced to repair any part of her clothes,
nor even mend a hole in her stocking, wash her skin, or do any thing
whatever that could contribute to her own health or comfort; not so
much even as to change her linen, unless when forced to do so.
In this wretched state she continued for a considerable time, until
at length she had a severe fit of bodily illness, from which, as she
recovered, her reason was restored, her despondency vanished, and she
was finally discharged well, in August 1822.