The conversion of this young woman, affords another instance of the riches of sovereign mercy, and the freeness of divine grace.
Though the child of many prayers, and regularly attending the preaching of the gospel, Mary Rymell spent 15 years of her life, without any thought about her soul's eternal welfare: and till within a few weeks before her death, she knew nothing of the pleasure and happiness connected with the knowledge of Christ, and his great salvation

In the month of June last, some alarming symptoms of consumption appeared; her mother, tremblingly alive for her soul's eternal welfare, felt distress almost insupportable: yet fearing to acquaint her with the danger of her complaint, lest it should agitate her mind, and increase her disorder, she chose rather to make her request known to God, earnestly praying that the Lord would enlighten the mind of her daughter, and lead her to feel the need of an interest in the blood of Christ. In a way but little expected, these prayers were wonderfully answered. God appeared to have said concerning this vessel of mercy, "Let there be light, and there was light!".

In a letter written by her mother, it is said, "It appears, that for nearly two years past, she has had convictions of sin. She mentioned a sermon preached by M. I. for a young person, from Matt. xxiv. 44. Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. The first thing in her affliction that I particularly noticed was, the great attention she paid, when I read to her several chapters in the gospel of Matthew. When I had read the fifth, she said, "read another," and after hearing that, repeated, "read another." The next morning when alone with her, I asked her what she thought about dying? She replied, with great composure, and to my surprise, "Why, I have been thinking about that:" and added, "I hope I have an interest in Christ." I said, that was worth thousands of words? She answered, "The tempter has told me to night that I am a hypocrite, which made me very unhappy; but my mind has been much relieved by the sentiment which has been running through it, Fear not, for I am with thee, even to the end: and our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory." These scriptures supported her to the end of her life.

Her conversation after this, indicated an entire change of sentiment, and feeling: she would say,
"Tis a point I long to know;
Oft it causes anxious thought,
Do I love the Lord or no,
Am I his, or am I knot?"
adding, "I am afraid, I do not love Christ enough." At another time, a young friend called to see her, to whom she said, "Let me intreat you to read the Bible, - repentance should not be put off till a dying bed, and we shall soon stand before the tribunal of God:"she added, "It is not for one so young to dictate; but I hope you have an interest in Christ."

A female friend lent her that excellent work entitled, "Thornton Abbey." She read the three volumes through, very eagerly, and said "I shall read them a second time, and then I shall perfectly understand them." This, however, was prevented by the rapidity of her disease, and owing to her mind being wholly absorbed by reading the New Testament. Her attention to this was remarkable. The Testament she had, when at school, was, with great difficulty, found, at her earnest request: saying, "I would give any money for that old book." When it was brought her, she immediately said, with great delight, This is my pearl;" and ever afterward, when asking for it, she said, "Bring me my pearl!" "I will begin it," she added, "and read it entirely through: every word is good: and there are so many striking stories in it. How remarkable is that part, where Christ, having a child set before Him, said, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven! and also another part, where they wanted to touch the hem of his garment, that they might be made whole!" A female friend, who called on her, said, "What a mercy it is for you, to have your mind so calm under affliction!" "Yes, I am not afraid to die; I depend upon Christ." "You see yourself a sinner then?" "O, yes, we shall not feel the need of a Saviour, if we do not feel ourselves to be sinners!" "You feel yourself a sinner, do you?" "O yes, but I trust in Christ as a Saviour!" She added, "My poor dear mother will feel my death: she is so kind, I cannot love her enough." The hymn was mentioned, "Other refuge have I none," &c. "Yes, I often think of that, I shall escape sin, and be with Christ: I am now fitted either for living or dying - I was to have gone into the country; but heaven is far better. O yes, to be with Christ!" She then spoke of "Thornton Abbey" as a good book, but said "I am more pleased with my pearl." I call it my pearl, because it informs me respecting Him who is the pearl of great price." At night she would charge her nurse, "mind my pearl, I shall want it first thing in the morning." And when she came down stairs, she would say, "Don't forget my pearl!" She had read through Matthew, Mark, part of Luke and the Revelations: but her rapid decline prevented her reading more.

A few days before her death, she had a long conversation with her minister, of the most satisfactory kind: she expressed a strong desire to be baptized: and said, she thought the Lord would restore her for that purpose. He asked, "Why do you wish so earnestly to be baptized? It is not essential, you know, to your salvation." "No," said she, "but I wish to follow the example, and to obey the commands of Christ."

After this visit, which appeared to afford her much gratification, she conversed with the greatest clearness respecting her funeral; mentioning the text her funeral sermon should be preached from - and the hymns she wished should be sung: those which had afforded her much delight, viz.
"Jesus, and shall it ever be," &c.
"Why do we mourn departing friends," &c.
"Your hearts with youthful vigour warm,"
"Come let us join our cheerful songs," &c.

This was on Friday; and she died on the following Monday.

On Saturday and Sunday she appeared greatly debilitated - said but little, as she was fast sinking into the arms of death. On Monday morning, she said to the servant, "Do you think I am dying?" "Yes, my dear, I think you are;" she calmly said, "I am going to Jesus, he is near." Her father coming into the room, she said, "I am going to Jesus!" At a quarter before eleven, the writer of this saw her, as he thought, expiring: already the cold sweats covered her: and she looked the image of death. He spent a few moments in prayer, that God would give her dying strength. Not expecting she could speak, he said, "If you are quite happy you will raise your hand?" Raising it, and looking at it very attentively, as if conscious that she was dying, she waved it to and fro several times, with the most perfect composure, and the strongest indication that her mind was enjoying perfect peace. She revived a little, and he said, "You will soon pass over Jordan, and you will find all the inhabitants singing, Worthy is the Lamb! and will you not join in the song?" Exerting all her strength, though she was then cold, she said with a voice and energy that will never be forgotten, "Worthy is the Lamb!" She then uttered very softly and in broken language,
"Come let us join our cheerful songs,"
then said "waiting thy time O Lord." She called "Mother" who coming to her, she said, "I am going to Jesus - come Lord Jesus, come quickly - waiting the appointed time," adding, "do not grieve, rather rejoice." After this she was heard to whisper, "Come, come, come, quickly," and, as if in prayer, "happy, happy, they!" then turning to her father, she said, with all the energy she could express, "Good bye," and instantly expired, on the 26th August, 1816. Her funeral service was preached on the following Lord's-day, at Eagle-street, from Isaiah, xli.10.                       IOTA.

Transcription from The Baptist Magazine of 1816 - Vol VIII by Peter Rimell December 2006.

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