Succession!

The fair and lovely Character your Honoured Father hath acquired by
passing thro' all the chief Offices of the City, and leaving a
Lustre upon them, seems imperfect in his own Esteem, without the
Addition of this Title, _A Succourer and a Friend of the Ministers
of Christ_. And in this part of his Honour the Lady your Mother is
resolved to have an unborrow'd Share, and becomes his daily Rival.

It is to her unwearied Tenderness, and many kind Offices by Night
and Day, in the more violent Seasons of my Indisposition, that
(under God) I own my Life, and Power to write or think. And while I
remember those Hours, I can't forget the cheerful and ready
Attendance of her worthy Sister, her dear Companion and Assistant in
every good Work.

Under the Influence of two such Examples I have also enjoy'd the
Pleasure and Conveniency of your younger Services, according to the
Capacity of your Years; and that with such a Degree of sincere and
hearty Zeal for my Welfare, that you are ready to vie with each
other in the kind Imployment, and assist all you can toward my
Recovery and Usefulness. So that whoever shall reap benefit by any
of my Labours, it is but a reasonable Request, that you share with
me in their Thanks and their Prayers.

But this is a small Part of your Praise.

If it would not be suspected of Flattery, I could tell the World
what an Acquaintance with Scripture, what a Knowledge of Religion,
what a Memory of Divine things both in Verse and Prose is found
among you; and what a just and regular account is given of Sermons
at your Age; to awaken all the Children that shall read these
_Songs_, to furnish their memories and beautify their Souls like
yours. The Honour you have done me in learning by heart so large a
number of the _Hymns_ I have publish'd, perhaps has been of some use
towards these greater Improvements, and gives me rich Encouragement
to offer you this little Present.

Since I have ventured to shew a Part of your early Character to the
World, I perswade my self you will remember, that it must inlarge
and brighten daily. Remember what the World will expect from the
Daughters of Sir _Thomas Abney's_ Family, under such an Education,
such Examples, and after such fair and promising Blossoms of Piety
and Goodness. Remember what God himself will expect at your hands,
from whose Grace you have received plentiful Distributions in the
Beginning of your Days. May the Blessings of his Right Hand mo