(Three verses across the top): The adv antages of early religion / Happy the child whose tender years, Receive instruction well, Who hates the sinner's path, and fears / The road that leads to hell. / When we give up our youth to God / 'Til pleasing in his eyes, / A flow'r tha's offer'd in the bud, Is no vain sacrifice. / 'Tis easy work, if we begin / To fear the Lord betimes, / While sinners, who grow old in sin, Are harden'd in their crimes. / Twill save us from a thousand snares / To mind religion young: / It will preserve our foll'wing years, / And make our virtue strong. / To thee, Almighty God! To thee / Our childhood we resign; / 'Twill please us to look back and see / That our whole lives were thine. / Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise / Employ our youngest breath; / Thus we're prepar'd for longer days, / Or fit for early death. / (Below the brick house): Mary Bella Hopkins Completed this Sampler November 26th 1828 in the Thirteenth Year of her / Age

Maker

Hopkins, Mary Bella (age 13)

Date made

1828

Origin

Charleston, SC US

Stitches

Cross, Eyelet, Holbein.

In Bolton & Co.

No

Foundation Cloth

Linen

Embroidery Thread

Silk

Predominent Motif

2 alphabets: script missing the J. Several cross bands. Lower half has a large brick two story house with a fence and another smaller kitchen building. Various trees with birds and small dogs. Across the bottom various motifs of baskets of plants and flowers, birds, sheep, insects. Arcaded border of carnations.

Inscription

(Three verses across the top): The adv antages of early religion / Happy the child whose tender years, Receive instruction well, Who hates the sinner's path, and fears / The road that leads to hell. / When we give up our youth to God / 'Til pleasing in his eyes, / A flow'r tha's offer'd in the bud, Is no vain sacrifice. / 'Tis easy work, if we begin / To fear the Lord betimes, / While sinners, who grow old in sin, Are harden'd in their crimes. / Twill save us from a thousand snares / To mind religion young: / It will preserve our foll'wing years, / And make our virtue strong. / To thee, Almighty God! To thee / Our childhood we resign; / 'Twill please us to look back and see / That our whole lives were thine. / Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise / Employ our youngest breath; / Thus we're prepar'd for longer days, / Or fit for early death. / (Below the brick house): Mary Bella Hopkins Completed this Sampler November 26th 1828 in the Thirteenth Year of her / Age

Length Without Frame

27"

Width Without Frame

26 1/8"

Original Frame

Unframed

Historical Owner

#HT 4037 Donated by Mrs. Marie L. Brown 1946.

Owner

The Charleston Museum, Charleston, SC

Owner Private

The Charleston Museum