Last Epoch of the Christian's Life

The last epoch of the Christian’s life — such a life as these pages have attempted to portray — cannot but be peculiarly interesting and impressive. It were, perhaps, incorrect to speak of it as the most instructive part of his history. A prolonsred course of unreserved consecration to Christ, the record of which would be but a continuous testimony to the truth of the Bible, the character of God, and the power of the Saviour’s grace in upholding and succouring, sanctifying and comforting the believer, must necessarilv constitute a volume of instruction, such as the most triumphant departure could scarcely supply. If this be so, of how much greater moment, then, is it that the Christian should be solicitous how he should live rather than forestall, by vain and fruitless speculations, the question how he shall die! It is the life and not the death, that supplies the most satisfactory and assured evidence of real conversion. “Tell me not,” says the excellent John Newton, “how a man died; rather tell me how he livedo Let but the religion of an individual be a living, practical embodiment of the noble sentiment of Paul, “For me to live is Christ,” and he need not be unduly anxious about his final change; that change, be it whatever God appoints, must be his gain. It is not always that a life of such transcendant beauty — ’ the beauty of holiness’ — as that which we have sought to delineate, is closed by a departure of such corresponding interest and grandeur. As if to illustrate the importance, and to enforce the lesson of a holy life, as a thing of essential moment, God has sometimes disappointed a too eager and, perhaps, too curious expectation, and has taken home His child, not in a chariot of fire, but of cloud. We are now, however, to trace the harmony between an eminently godly life, and a singularly happy death. Indeed, so strangely and beautifully alike were the two, it were difficult to decide which the most became her, and which brought most honour to God — the dying life or the living death. Both were emphaticallv — life in Jesus.

The reader, as he unfolds the closing leaves of this volume, will not fail to mark, we will not say the growing spirituality of its subject, but the deepening glory into which she was so soon to enter. Every thought and word, every look and action, now indicated the nearness of the soul to a higher, nobler, and more genial state of being. AVhile the ‘weary wheels of life ’ moved slower and slower, the ‘deathless principle’ within gathered fresh strength, and with uplifted pinions and panting bosom, waited and watched the signal for its flight.* Unconsciously to herself, but visibly to all around her, she crrew still more heavenly. And as each day some crumbling fragment of the earthly house gave way, the opening chinks let in upon her soul richer streams of the light and blessedness of the upper world, imparting to her countenance inimitable beautv, and to her conversation an indescribable charm. And now she wearied to be gone. As pines the fond child for its home, as sighs the way-worn traveller for his rest, as longs the storm-tossed voyager for the port, so panted she to depart and be with Christ.

Nothino; could now exceed the hallowed, elevating: tone of her conversation. Many flocked to her, as much to be instructed by her holy counsels, to be comforted by her heavenly words, and to be encouraged and stimulated by her trustful, cheerful piety, as to watch the growing splendor of her setting sun. All who now heard her testify of God, of Christ, and of heaven, irresistibly felt what a reality was vital religion, how beautiful was gospel holiness, how glorious was a risen Saviour, and how solemnly true, and strangely near, was the eternal world! Turn we now to some of her precious thoughts gathered from her closing remains, and recorded in her journal a short time preceding her last illness.

“There remaineth therefore, a rest for the people of God. Uh, what a rest that will be! Sitting down to rest awhile this aged bodv, I am reminded of that blessed, eternal rest prepared for both soul and body. Lord, let me even here find Thyski.f

*” The nearer still she draws to land.
The more her sacred joys expand;
With steady helm, and wfll-bent sail,
Her anchor drops within tiic vail:
Triumphant now she claps her wings,
And her celestial sonnet sings,

Glorv to God!”

my sweetest resting-place. Oh, to rest in Thy exceeding great and precious promises — to rest in Thy tender, unchanging love — to rest in Thy Almighty power and Godhead — to rest in Jesus, my own Jesus, who has made Himself over to me as my Saviour, my Redeemer, and Friend, and who has promised never to leve nor forsake me! Then He is here; and while I rest this weary frame. He is present with me. Bless the Lord 0 my soul!”

“Texts last Sabbath: morning — Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God even our Father luhichhatli loved us, and hath given ics everlasting consolation and good hope through grace comfort your hearts, and stahUsh you in every good word and work. 2 Thess. ii. 16, 17. Evening — Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall he thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall he ended. Isaiah Ix. 20. These precious portions have been each a word of rich consolation to my soul, drawing forth my heart to the Lord in gratitude and love. Blessed, for ever blessed, be His name for all His great goodness to me and mine. What a God has He been to me, who hath loved me and given me everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, no tongue, no, not that of the highest angel in heaven can tell. They know not, nor can they enter into my feelings; nor have they any cognizance of what is passing between a broken heart for sin and a sin-forgiving God. My sins, which are mountains high, are all pardoned, blotted out of the book of God’s remembrance by the precious blood of His dear and well-beloved Son. Praise God for His marvellous goodness to me a sinner.”

“A most refreshing view of Jesus this morning has filled my heart with love, and joy, and hope — love to Him who has done so much for unworthy me. What shall I render unto Him for all the benefits received at His hands? He draws me sensibly near to Himself, and indulges me with precious views of that glory that will be revealed in me and in all them also who love his appearing.”

“My heart within me leapeth,
It cannot be downcast;
In sunshine bright it keepeth
A never-ending feast.

“The sun which, smiling, lights me,
To Jesus Christ alone,

And what to sing invites me,
Is heaven on earth begun?”

“The Lord is most gracious in permitting me so sensibly to approach him, to talk with Him by the way, to lift up upon me the light of his ineffable countenance. I have been pleading with Him to-day to be especially near to me in a dying hour; to come with the pale messenger, and let me see the uplifting of his face, irradiated with beams of love, as I tread that dark valley. Oh, to feel Jesus with me then, applying His precious blood to my conscience, speaking pardon, peace, love, full and complete! May I be enabled to triumph over my last enemy, and exclaim, 0 Death, luliere is thy sting f O Grave, where is thy victory? Bonar remarks, ‘Our life throughout is one unceasing battle with death, until, for a season, death conquers us, and we fall beneath his power; but the prey shall be taken from the mighty, and his victim rescued for ever. The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall arise triumphant over death, hell, and the grave.’”

“What a blessing it is to have such a Friend to go to as Jesus, with all our difficulties, small and great, transferring them to His hands who is infinite in wisdom and in power, and will do all things well. Is not this a mercy worth recording in letters of gold, to be written in the deep recesses of every believing heart? May I have stronger faith and deeper views of truth. Lord, impart to me more of Thyself. Fill this heart with Thy love, engrave Thine image there, and let me not lose sight of Thee for one small moment.”

“Thou Lamb of God, Thou Prince of Peace!
For Thee ray thirsty soul doth pine;
My longing’heart implores Thy grace,
Oh. make me in Thy likeness shine.

““With guileless, ever-humble mind,
Thy will in all things may I see;
In love be every wish resign’d.
And hallow’ d my whole heart to Thee.

“Close by thy side still may I keep,
Howe’er life’s various currents flow;
With steadfast eye mark every step.
And follow Thee where’er Thou go.*’

“How can I ever recount the wonders of His lov<’! Wondrous are, and ever have been, all His doings with me. Ili’^

*’hole heart is love, and nothing but love; nor will eternity see its end. Thou beloved of my soul, tell, oh, tell me, how I can show forth Thy praise, and best speak of Thy wondrous goodness to me, the chief of sinners. I think of what Thou didst suffer for me — Thy night of watching, Thy day of grief, the trial, the cruel mockimjs, the thorny crown, the breakinoheart — all, all for me, my sins, my cruel sins, charged to Thy account. Jesus, precious Jesus, put such a heart within me as shall never let me forget for one moment what it cost Thee to save my soul. Hell would have been my portion, hadst thou not died that I might live for ever. And now, what returns! Often the worst. Often have I forgotten Thee, though Thou hast never once lost sight of me. Dear Jesus, give me a heart like Thine own. I cannot be satisfied without one cast in Thv mould, reflectins; Thv own likeness. How precious Thou art to me, language fails to express. I cannot even tell Thee. I can but weep out my love at Thy feet, and there would I lie to all eternity. When, dear Lord, shall I see Thee face to face? Prepare me for the last struggle. And should the enemy come in like a flood, arraying my sins before me, oh, manifest Thyself then, and fill the gloomy valley with the brightness of Thy presence! When heart and flesh are failing, leave me not. Be gracious, be merciful, and say to my panting spirit, It is 7j he not afraid; and let me leave a testimony behind to Thy unceasing faithfulness. Oh, blessed prospect of soon being with Thee whom mv soul loveth! How mv heart bounds at the thousrht. And shah I behold that dear, that blessed face without a veil, that has so often beamed upon me its ineffable love and sympathy? Lord, I love Thee with a love so ardent, all language fails

me.

“Have been much impressed with some remarks on the

sight of the dying. ‘The late remarked, when he was

dying, ‘’ Mother, I can see a great distance.” Doubtless this is the experience, beautifully expressed, by every one who comes with a chastened faith to a calm deathbed. In his progress through ordinary life, the vapors that float in his mental atmosphere render the vision imperfect, and he cannot see afar off; but as he draws near eternity, the air grows purer, the light brighter, the vision clearer, and serenity pervades the whole being; the vista of futurity opens to the eyes of the soul; he beholds the gate of heaven, and the river of life, its glad waters kissing the footstool of the throne of God; the glories of the new world grow brighter upon him; with Stephen, he beholds Jesus at the right hand of the Father; and as he dwells with rapture on these entrancing sights, the earth and all its scenery grows dim about him, and like Elisha’s servant at the gate of Damascus, he is instantly environed with troops of angels who come to take him up over the everlasting hills in the chariot of the Lord of Hosts.’ Oh, that this might be my experience! Then, when my eyes are closing in death, may I have these refreshing, far-seeing views of Jesus, my best, my dearest Friend.”

‘’’■Blessed he the Lord., my strength., which teachdh my hands to zvar, and my fingers to fight; my goodness and my fortress my high toioer, my shield, and He in whovt I trust. Such is God, my God, to his unworthy handmaid. Without Him, life were an aching void, earth a wilderness of woe and sorrow. He it is who maketh my heart glad, and in Him I confide. And if thus He can transform this wilderness into a little heaven, making it radiant with His presence, what must heaven itself be!”

“/ toill sing of Thy ‘poicer; yea., I luill sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning; for Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto TJiee, 0 my strength, uill I sing; for God is my defence and the God of my mercy. Psa. lix. 16, 17. This has God been to me throughout my eventful pilgrimage; and so is he now that that pilgrimage is drawing to its close. How can I praise Him as my heart desires? Lanouasre fails me, and thought is too big for utterance. Vast as eternity are His mercies, infinite His perfections, and wonderful all His ways. What will eternity disclose to my astonished sight, my eyes then unveiled to see what now I understand not! 6 God my Lord, draw me sensibly nearer to Thyself Reveal to me thy hidden love, and conform me closer to Thy image. My soul longeth to behold Thee, to see Thy face unveiled. Surely I shall know Thee; for have I not, even in this vale of tears, been favoured with i)recions glimpses of Thy countenance, radiant with love and sympathy? When trouble has threatened to overwhelm me, then Th<ni hast condescended to speak comfortable words to Thy sorrowing child. May I never ferget it! May I be humbled, even to the dust, for my base returns; for how often, when fresh trouble has arisen, I have so little remembered past deliverances. Oh, the baseness of man; the goodness of God!”

“Religion should be the whole business of a man’s life. Nothing is of such vast, such paramount importance. And is not the thought appalling, that it is one of the last things the D^eneralitv of men think o£ if left to themselves? Then how ought we to praj for and exhort sinners to repent and turn to God! Should we not thus reason with them — ‘You have departed from God: repent and believe the Gospel; for whv will ye die? “This should be our expostulation with every unconverted person we meet. May the Lord make us faithful and diligent! God be praised for the boundless love treasured up in Jesus for every poor sinner that seeks it with the whole heart. Let us who believe, pray, and exhort, and employ every opportunity to arouse, to instruct, and win all to Christ, who has life, yea, eternal life, to give to all who seek it sincerelv and earnest! v, even with the whole heart.”

“AVhen I go hence, shall not my ten thousands of prayers be answered in the salvation of n seed and of my seed’s seed to the latest generation? Is 1. not a God bound by His own word to answer prayer? and did He not promise me in the days of my deep sorrow, ‘I will be a Father to thy fatherless? ‘And oh, how blessedly, in spite of all my baseness and unworthiness, has He fulfilled that promise? As for Me, this is my covenant with thee, saith the Lord. My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. Isa. lix. 21. lay I not take this promise to myself?”

“Confined to my bed. All my thinkings, and all my doings, are now with God. I have to deal most clearly with God in Jesus now. He is all in all to me. I feel a blessed nearness to Jesus, to heaven. Mv soul holds converse with Him, and sweet I find it to lie as a helpless infant at His feet; yea, passive in his loving hands, knowing no will but His. Holy and distinguished is the privilege of talking with Him as a man talketh with his friend, without restraint or concealment. What a mercy, thus to unburden the whole heart — the tried and weary, the tempted and sorrowful heart — tried by sin, tried by Satan, tided by those you love! What a mercy to have a loving bosom to flee to, one truly loving heart to confide in, which responds to the faintest breathing of the Spirit, Precious Jesus, how inexpressibly dear art Thou to me at this

BEYOND THE SMILING AND THE WEEPING.” io

moment! Keep sensibly near to me. Lift up upon nie thy heavenly countenance, for it is sweeter, dearer, better than life.”

“Oh, the abounding, superabounding mercies of my God and Father, my reconciled Father, to my soul! How amply has He met my every exigence, and cared for my necessities, body, soul, and spirit, and manifests Himself to me in this pleasant, quiet room. Precious Jesu.s, Thou hast put love in the hearts of all, who are so tender, kind and loving to Thine aged one; bearing with her many infirmities, and helping me patiently to endure my weakness. Blessed be Thy name f(5r placing me beneath this roof to breathe out my last moments on earth here, until I exchange earth for heaven with dear

to watch over me, and finally close my eyes, when I shall

re-open them in glory. Oh, to be there! Oh, to see Jesus face to face! To behold Him whom my soul loveth, and be with Him for ever! But a little while, and I am there.”

“Beyond the smiling, and the weeping,
I shall be soon.
Beyond the waking, and the sleeping,
Beyond the sowing, and the reaping,
I shall be soon.
Love, rest, and home,
Sweet hope!
Lord, tarry not, but come!

“Beyond the blooming, and the fading,
I shall be soon.
Beyond the shining, and the shading,
Beyond the hoping, and the dreading.
I shall be soon.
Love, rest, and home.
Sweet hope!
Lord, tarry not. but come!

“Beyond the rising, and the setting,
I shall be soon.
Beyond the soothing, and the fretting,
Beyond remembering, and forgetting,
1 shall soon be.
Love, rest, and home,
Sweet hope!
lord, tarry not, but come!

“Beyond the gathering, and the strowing.
I shall be soon.
Beyond the ebbing, and the flowing.
Beyond the coming, and the going,

I shall be soon.

Love, rest, arid home,

Sweet hope!

Lord, tarry not, but come!

“Beyond the parting, and the meeting,
I shall be soon.
Beyond the farewell, and the greeting,
Hearts fainting now, and now high beating,
I shall be soon.
Love, rest, and home.
Sweet hope!
Lord, tarry not, but come!

“Beyond the frost-chain, and the fever,
I shall be soon.
Beyond the rock-waste and the river,
Beyond the ever, and the never,
I shall be soon.
Love, rest, and home,
Sweet hope!
Lord, tarry not, but come!”

“There are periods in one’s eventful history when one sees, and yet does not see, hears, and yet does not hear. Thus, when I see and hear what I would not, and cannot remedy, I go to Jesus and disclose my impotence to Him, beseeching Him to undertake. Oh, the unspeakable privilege of having such a resort, a resort so accessible to a poor, weary, oft-tried pilgrim, moving on through a wilderness thronged with the thorn and the briar, and often echoing with the bowlings of that roaring lion who seeks to devour, and yet cannot touch the saints, since the Lio7i of the tribe of Judah has chained him fast. How true that it is a life of faith the Christian has to live while passing to his crown of glory! Many are the trials, disappointments, and vexations he is to meet with by the way; but these are things which keep the life of faith in vigorous exercise, work the soul’s best interest, and glorify God. Whatever drives or allures us to Jesus is a blessing. The great welfare of the soul is the concern of heaven. All the heavenly host are deeply interested and absorbed in the salvation of Christ’s little flock, whom the Shepherd that died for them is conduct in 2; to the fold above. Oh, to be ever looking forward to what is to come!”

“How sweet and sacred is broken-hearted communion with Jesus, God’s dear Son, crucified for our sins, and risen again for our justification! It is a mercy of mercies to be permitted to draw near to Him with an open, confiding, though a contrite heart — telhng him all one feels, and desires, and i’ears. What an inestimable privilege to have such a friend always so near! We have not to ascend into heaven, nor have we to descend into the deep, to seek for Him; for He always is near, one with us, one in us, yea, a part of ourselves. How constantly is the Lord seeking to withdraw us from the arm of flesh, to a more simple and unbounded confidence in Himself! To whom shall we look? He answers. Look unto Me, and he ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. Blessed b God, even my God, for every precious word written in that Book of Books — the Bible. Oh, that it may be unceasingly precious to my soul. It is good for me to have been tried, though it scarcely can be called a trial, since so sweetly and blessedly has the Lord dealt with me in it. When I can call Jesus mine (as I can at this moment,) trials are no trials. Yes, Jesus is mine. He is sensibly near; and all I need and all I desire is in Him, in comparison of whom all the glory, and honour, and riches of the world are as dross. How sweetly and confidingly can I rest in His faithfulness and love. He lives, and I shall live, because my life is bound up with His life. Blessed reality! Lord, my time now is short; I would fain be useful in encouraging others to come to Thee, thou Fountain, yea, thou Ocean of living waters, that they, too, may draw supplies from Thine infinite, inexhaustible fuln.-. Oh!^ the mightiness of the privilege of having, not the hearkt- ning ear only, but the loving heart of God towards and upon us! And if He has set His heart upon us, making us His people, redeeming us from all evil, past, present, and to come, should we not set our hearts upon Him, and upon Him only and confidently? Lord, here is my heart, my poor heart; take it just as it is, and make it all that Thou wouldst have it to be; cast it into Thy mould, and let it receive and reflect Thine image, Thou Son of God, thou inexpressibly, precious Jesus, thou Saviour of sinners, thou Redeemer of my never-dying soul!”

“Oh, that the Lord would descend, and give us a gracious revival in our souls, and in the congregation. We need :in especial outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Lord, send down gracious answers to our pravers. Come Thou among us, and do us good; for none but Thyself can do us good. Follow the

letter that I have written to Lord with Thy bU’ssmg.

Direct in all our poor concerns. Make us ui)right before Thee.

Let Thy fear rule, and Thy love constrain us to do Thy will. Search all our hearts, and cast out that which is wrong in Thy sight. May we live upon Thee, and for Thee, and rejoice and be glad that Thou seest us always, desiring to have no concealments from Thee, our best and dearest Friend. Be with Thine handmaid throughout this day, directing in all that lies before her, giving wisdom and grace, a right judgment and an upright heart, and withholding not thy presence. Amen and

amen.”

“Nothing in my hands I bring,
Yet all things from thy hand receive.”

“The apostle, speaking of those who separated themselves from the true Church of Christ, says, They went out from us, hut they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us! hut they went out that they might he manifest that they were not all of us. 1 John ii. 19. It strikes me, these are the real dissentients, those who separate themselves from the church of God. We are evidently drawing near the time which will mark the consummation of all things. The light of the glorious gospel of the blessed God will shine brighter and brighter, and then will be more clearly revealed — only to be entirely and for ever effaced — the dark spots that now obscure the beauty of the Lord’s church; and then will she, freed from all that is now dishonouring to her Head, stand forth a glorious churchy complete in all her loveliness, in the presence of a holy God. Oh, then, let us, who really and truly are the Lord’s, unite together in bands ot Christian love to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and aim in all things to return to the beautiful simplicity of Christ. Lord, pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy people, enlightening, healing, and sanctifying; and hasten the time when, coming in all Thy glory, the glory of the Father and of

the holy angels, Thou wilt claim Thy bride. Thy one ‘^ h,

and present her without spot, or lurinkle, or any such thi)i<j.

“Give ear to my prayer, 0 God; and hide not Thyself from my supplications. Oh, that my children might live before Thee! This is my daily prayer, that to the latest generation they may be a seed to serve Thee. 0 Lord, incline Thine ear to my request, and deny me not, for Jesus’ sake. I am Thine, and Thou art mine. Jesus has said it, and I believe it. God be praised for His wondrous goodness to me, as poor and needy a sinner as ever lived; and yet I shall live for ever, and rejoice in God my Saviour through an endless eternity.”

“When Christians meet together, do they not too much talk about religion, preachers and sermons? 1 cannot but think, that if they communed less about relision, and more of Jesus, it would give a higher tone of spirituality to tlioir conversation, and prove more refreshing to the soul. He would then oftentT draw near, and make Himself one in their midst, and talk wirh them by the way.”

“Jesus, Thou art unspeakably precious to my soul. How

precious, Thou knowest. Do not I love Thee? Search my

heart, for Thou canst read its every thought and feeling, and

see if I do love Thee. Blessed by Thy name for Thy love to

worthless me. I love Thee, because Thou first loved me. /

am He that liveth and icas dead, and, behold I am alive for

evermore.^^

“‘Tis past — the dark and dreary night,
And, Lord, we hail ‘I hee now,
Our morning star, without a cloud
or sadness on thy brow.

‘• Thy path on earth, the cross, the grave,
Thy sorrows, all are o”er;
And, 0 sweet thought! Thine eyes shall weep,
Thy heart shall break, no more.

“Deep were those sorrows; deeper still
The love that brought thee low — That bade the stream of life from Thee,
A lifeless victim, flow.

“The soldier, as he pierced Thee, proved
Man’s hatred, Lord, to Thee;
While in the blood that staind the spear,
Love, only lore, we see.

“Heaven in prospect is very sweet tome. My happiest moments are spent in its contemplation. My soul holds unseen communion with Christ and with the pure spirits around the throne, now in the full enjoyment of His unveiled beauties. I think I can behold their joy, and seem at times to be so near that but a transparent vail separates me from them, and that with one step I am there. I delight to contemplate some n.-ar and dear to me (dearer and nearer now than ever,) who have recently passed awav from a world of sin and sorrow. Hapj»y spirits f ye are safe at last. Ye have outrun me in the race, have reached the goal, and are at home before me.”

*’ BeLOYED ones, whom I HOPE THROUGH INFINITE
MERCY, TO MEET IN HEAVEN,

“First and chiefest, my own most precious Redeemer, enthroned in all His Dflorv, His comitenance radiant with ineffable love, and a welcome beaming from every feature. So shall I behold Him vrho loved me with an everlasting love, and landed me at last in the kingdom of glory. Then I shall meet my beloved husband, his little faith at the eleventh hour saving him for ever. Then my eyes will be fixed upon my precious mother, sajdng to me, as she welcomes me home, ‘Here, my

child, the weary find eternal rest.’ And then dear H

whose simple faith, more costly than the most splendid gifts, placed him beyond the reach of life’s stormy winds. And then will come dear S and dear F, whose sincere, childlike confidence in Jesus gave them the victory, and lodged them safely within His arms. There, tof, shall I greet many whom I knew and loved below. Dear Mr. Evans and his wife, dear ]Ir. AVhitmore, and a host of others, all encircling the throne, and basking in the full sunshine of the Redeemer’s countenance, while I shall lie prostrate at His feet in wondering joy and adoring love at the matchless grace that brought me there. Hallelujah! hallelujah! praise, endless praise to God!”

AYith indescriljable solemnity and tenderness of feeling, we thus have transcribed the last record of her journal. It was with a tremblino; hand we lifted the vail that disclosed to other eyes the most sacred thoughts and feelings of her soul. We drop the vail — for we can disclose no more! Bearing us through many years of daily walk with God, to the threshold of heaven, she disappears within its unapproachable glory, and the last notes we catch from her closing lips are, ‘Praise, endless PRAISE to God! And then she laid aside her harp below, because she could rouse it to no sweeter, loftier strain.

“Death darken’d her eye. and folded her wings.
And the sweetest note is the last that she sings.”

It was in the early part of the year 1854, that the indications of a gradual decay of nature became apparent. To those who watched with wakeful eye each new symptom of waning power, the elidences were painfully unmistakable that she was nearing her long desired haven. She still, however, persisted in attending the public means of grace — for she ‘loved the habitation of God’s house, and the place where His lioiiour dvrelt’ — often when the state of the weather and her own-felt weakness might have pleaded her exemption. Her last service in the sanctuarv of God below, was on Lord’s-dav morning, July 30th. The subject of the discourse could scarcely have been more in harmony with the affecting occasion, had the sad truth been known, that her next mingling with the great congregation would be in the New Jersualem above, of which the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple. The text was selected from the tenth chapter of John’s gospel, and the first clause of the twenty-eighth verse — “I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE.” The Varied aspects of the theme, — the glorious truths which it developed, the bright visions of future blessedness which it necessarily brought before the mind, were well calculated to afford nourishment for passing over Jordan. And so she acknowledged. Returning from this her final public service on earth, she expressed in affecting lano-uage the refreshment her spirit had experienced, and gave vent to her full heart of thanksgiving and praise for the o-lorious gospel of Christ, and for the assured hope of eternal life which it revealed.

As the sea air — her native air — always acted upon her constitution like a charm, it was hoped thai a few weeks’ sojourn at Brighton would prove a restorative. It failed, however, to realize”^ the hope cherished; and finding her powers rapidly faihng, she expressed an earnest desire to return to her home. Mostgrateful was she to find herself once more in her own quiet chamber, which had been to her so often, as she expressed ir, ’ a Bethel to her soul,’ the very walls of which might be said

The quiet chamber where the Christian sleeps, And where, from year to year, he prays and weeps; Whence, in the midnight watch, his thoughts arise To those bright mansions where his treasure Hes; How near it is to all his faith can see! How short and peaceful may the passage be! One beating pulse — one feeble struggle o’er, May open wide the everlasting door. Yes, for that bhss unspeakable, unseen, Is ready, and the vail of flesh between A gentle sigh may rend — and then display The broad, full splendour of an endless day. This bright conviction elevates his mind. He presses forward, leaving all behind. Thus from the throne the tyrant foe is hurl’d. — This is the faith that overcomes the world.” -J ant: Tatlor. IS to have been tinted vritli her prayers.* Shy, was not, hovv’ever, entirely confined to her room. Until Y-it!i In a few weehs of her translation — for such we must designate her departure — she was enabled, occasionally, to join the family circle, unite in its devotions, and listen to some of her favourite hymns upon the piano, often affected to tears while they were sung. During intervals of her illness, supported in bed, she still employed her pen in brief, holy exhortations, a few quotations from which are subjoined.

“... Oh, to live for eternity! To live to-day, as if to-morrow we should be there. Eternity! eternity! Oh, solemn thought! The eye, the all-searching eye of God is upon us at this moment. Let us, then, dear brother, act for eternity. Mav the constrainino- love of Christ — the eternal love of the Holy Ghost, rest upon you, keep, direct, and bless you!”

In a solemn entreaty to an unconverted individual, her love of souls, — the ruling passion of her life, — never appeared more earnest,

“... And are these things so, dear friend? Yes, they are, Jesus Christ is risen indeed, and has gone up on high, and has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Oh, then, why not live? Jesus stands ready to receive, is prepared to welcome you. He will cast none out who repair to Him for help and safety. Oh, I could stand upon the housetop, and cry aloud. Come to Jesus — come now — come at once. He is all-sufficient to save, and is as willino: as He is able. In a littie while, and whether rich or poor, high or low, learned or unlearned, one thing will be of infinite moment — your calling and election made sure to you. Lose no time in this great, this greatest of all great transactions — the salvation of your soul. Delay not, lest the enemy take possession of you, and you are lost for ever. Why will ye die f”

A temporary reviving of her strength elicited in a brief note to a friend some grateful, holy thoughts.

“Through the unchanging mercies of a good and gracious God, I am yet spared a little longer in this vale of tears. My education for a crown of glory is not yet complete. “When it is, I shall be called to behold Him whom my soul loveth, and go no more out for ever. 0 eternity! eternity! An endless life of never-ceasing glory awaits the feeblest follower of that same Jesus, who suffered, bled, and died on Calvary, and who now, in that very same body (though glorified), is enthroned, prepared to welcome home the feeblest of his little flock. 01 1, to live, while here, in close intercourse with Him! This is our mighty privilege. Do not let us, dear friend, lose sight of Jesus. Daily intercourse “will bring us more to partake of His lovely likeness. I can write no more, mv strength fails. Friends so kind — children so tender — a little while, and I shall be with those above, who are waiting to bid me welcome. Realize more and more your glorious inheritance, and covet not the poor trifles of time and sense.”

The following touching and solemn counsels are supposed to be nearly the last sacred words her pen ever traced. They were written in acknowledgment of a kind note of affectionate sympathy addressed to her a few weeks before her departure: —

TO MISS L M-

“Dear young Friend, —

“I am sorry to have let your kind letter remain so long unanswered; and also that I am thoroughly unable to say all that is in my heart to say. Young travellers to the glorious kingdom need often a little counsel from those who have waded through trials and tribulations, and have had manv hard lessons to learn, preparatory to the full enjoyment of the coming glory. Oh, prepare to meet your God! A little while, and we pass away — all is uncertain. Oh, to be quite ready! The enemy is ever on the alert to entangle the young Christian, and draw him into sin. Sin darkens the eye, and hardens the heart. Keep close to Jesus. Oh, the compassion that is in His heart! Never more welcome than when we come with an open heart to tell Him all our failures, all our sins — sins of omission and sins of commission. Alwavs welcome to Jesus — not a feature, not a look in that blessed face to grieve us. ‘Oh, how He loves! ‘Keep close to Jesus. Carry all your little things to Him, as well as greater matters. He will bow His ear, and listen to all that you have to say. Let your walk and conversation be such as to commeDd Him to all you meet with. Be ye holy for I am holy. Oh, dear Aoung friend, I have been very ill; my happy home almost in sight! It looks lovely — oh, how lovely! Make Jesus your chief Friend, and look more to the things that are not seen and eternal. I can write no more, sitting in bed supported by ] illows. My Christian love, to your worthy father. Oh, may 1 meet you in heaven! lake sure of heaven. You may make many mistakes as it respects this poor world, but I beseech you, make uo mistake as it respects a vast eternity

An unfinished note, inscribed to one of her sons, was found amongst her last records. Almost too sacred for publicity, and yet too characteristic to be suppressed, we venture to subjoin it. After referring to her deep maternal affection, she proceeds:

“This love emanates from the love, the pure, holy love of God’s dear Son, shed abroad in my heart. I know you will go forth and preach Jesus Christ to poor sinners. I believe He will make you a blessing. God grant it! When I am gone home, may you live long to do the will of the Lord, and may I be one of the first to bid you welcome, when your work is finished. I feel almost too ill to write, and must lay this by.”

It was but within a short period of her happy release that all hope of prolonging on earth a life so holy and precious, yielded to the agonizing conviction that she would soon leave us. The conflict between the desire for her full enjoyment of the heaven for which she longed, and the affection that would still detain her here, was painfully severe; nor was it until a few moments before the last fetter was dissolved, that we could find it in our hearts to comply with her often-made request, and ask of God to release her from her extreme suffering, and take her to Himself* Her chamber was now literally the gate of heaven. A visitor to that privileged spot might have supposed himself in communion with a being standing within the precincts of glory. So entirely abstracted were now all her thoughts from time, and so concentrated were they upon eternal things — so filled was she with the Holv Ghost — so glowing with the love of Christ — so spiritual her conversation, and so tender and affecting her expressions of love to all around her, nothing could equal the tenderness and unearthliness of the scene. It pleased God that her bodilv sufiferino; should at times be severe, but the unimpaired vigour, to the last, of her mental faculties was graciously vouchsafed. During the few months of her last illness, as might be supposed, many holv and precious observations fell from her lips, some of which

* “Me, let the tender office long engaye,
To rock the cradle of declining age;
With lenient acts relieve a mother’s breath,
Make languor smile, and smoothe the bed of death;
Explore the thought, explain the asking eye,
And keep awhile one parent from the sky.”

Pope ox Old Age.

were noted down at the time, but many others, it is to be regretted, Yere not preserved, TVe present them rather in a frasrmentarv and detached form, than interwoven with the narrative of the closing scene: —

“I am so happy — I cannot tell you how happy I am! Xot a ruffle, not a cloud.”

“Oh, how graciously the Lord is taking down the tent, pin by pin. What an eventful life mine has been! I have lived much in camp, and have seen the tents struck, and the regiment move off. Such is life. Jesus is all to my soul. Oh, how I realize His presence! I have a full view of Him at this moment. Heaven is a reality. AVe mystify heaven; it is a place. I am going to my family, and I shall see those whom I ought

to love as my family. Dear Mr. E, and a countless

throng of others, as dear to me as my own loved family — or, who ought to be, for they have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus.”

“I wonder if we shall not go over our eventful lives in heaven? I think we shall.”

“I wish you to keep my poor wandering mind fixed upon that one blessed truth — Christ’s glorious resurreciion; for it Christ rose aorain and is alive, I shall certainlv rise and live with Him for ever.”

Portions of the 15th chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians were frequently read to her, together with much that fell from our Lord on the subject of the Resurrection.

“I shall enter heaven a poor sinner saved by grace. I seem to have done nothing for the Lord, who has done so much for me.” On beinsr reminded that she had been a faithful parent to her children, and had also been a succorer to many in affliction, she replied: —” Ah! faithless, faithless have I been to my trust.

“‘Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling.’”

“I think many Christians dishonour Christ by refusing to obey Him. Oh, keep close to Jesus, and neglect none of His commandments. Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might.”

“Shall soon be with Jesus — shall see Him face to face. Oh, glorious prospect! Who would not be a Christian?”

To her dausrhter she said: — “Go and tell Jesus all your sorrows; keep back nothing

414 MEMOIR OF MRS. MARY Vs’IXSLOW.

from Him. You will soon be an orphan, but remember, you are Christ’s orphan, and will be His especial care. When your father and your mother forsake you, then the Lord will take you up. When you feel desolate, remember that Jesus lives, and you cannot srrieve alone, for He dwells within you. Oh, how have I, throughout my pilgrimage, proved the Lord, and ever found Him faithful to his promises! He has never failed me in any one thing, giving me more than He promised, and far more than I had asked. I asked Him to restore you to health, that you might comfort me in my old age and attend me in my dying hours. What should I have done now, if He had not answered me? I am such a poor dependent creature, [ cannot think for myself When you come to your last sickness, I trust and pray that the Lord will raise you up one who will be as tender a nurse to you as you have been to me. May Jesus make all your bed in your sickness. He is the best friend to trust; He changes not. Oh, how full His heart IS of love, I cannot express to you! And if I had millions ot tongues, I could not tell you how precious He is at this moment to my soul. I feel His sensible presence. He is near to me; so near, that I feel as if I could embrace Him.”

“What a glorious prospect I have in view! Who can picture it? No tongue can tell how I love Jesus; not because it is my duty to love Him, but because I cannot help loving Him. He is the chiefest among ten thousand, and the One altoGfether lovelv.”

“This is Wednesday evening (the weekly lecture). Oh, may the Holy Ghost rest upon the people! How have I prayed for the church. Lord, pour out Thy Spirit upon that little flock, and upon, its under-shepherd.”

“Talk to me of the glorious Resurrection; I wish my mind stayed upon that fact.” L^pon being reminded of the transporting view Stephen had of glory, seeing Jesus standing as if rising to welcome His first martyr, she replied, “Beautiful! beautiful! and you will perhaps say, ‘Mamma thinks herself of much importance,’ when I say that I believe Jesus will stand to receive me, even me. I am the chief of sinners, but am dear, very dear to the heart of Jesus, who shed His blood to save me, even me, as if there were not another soul to be saved.” In this elevated frame she continued several days, frequently observing, that “as she neared eternity, the atmosphere of heaven became brighter and brighter.”

DYIXCx SAYIXGS. 415

That the enemy should not allow her to pass away unchallenged to a final conflict, is not surprising; but it was permitted by Him who loved her, only to render his defeat the more signal, and her own victory the more complete. All one long night she battled with the foe, and when mornino- dawned she exclaimed: —

“Oh, pray for me! pray for me! I am under a cloud. Oh, what a night of conflict I have passed! — a conflict with death, hell, and the grave. The enemy would conquer me, if he could.” She was reminded that all these were conquered foes, and that Jesus had promised that no one should pluck His people out of His hands. She replied, “True, true; but Jesus prayed, did He not?” The words were repeated, “Oh, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away,” She answered, “Oh, then, is it any wonder that if the incarnate God should thus pray, I should feel the need of prayer? It is one thing to talk of death; it is quite another thing when it becomes a reality to grapple with it. It is an easy thing to speak of the war in the East — perhaps to plan an attack upon the enemv; but it is quite a different thing to be in the heat of the conflict, the mig-htv foe contending with you foot by foot. Some go out of the world without a fear, but they know not and feel not the magnitude of sin. To have one’s sins all in review before the mind’s eye, and eternity in view — this is a reality, and it needs the Trinity to comfort and support the sinkinsr soul,” She then referred to Bunyan’s Christian passing over the river, and said, “How long, Lord, wilt Thou keep me in the valley of the shadow of death? Why are His chariot- wheels so long incoming?” Various passages of Scripture were read, which appeared to afford her much consolation; to which she responded, “The Lord will comfort me through His truth.”

It was delightful to hear her exclaim soon after: —

“The gloom has all passed, and I have a full view of the glory that awaits me. I shall soon see all the dear ones that

have gone before me. Dear F! I shall never forget,

when visiting her grave, the words that came to me as with an audible voice: She is not here she is risen. You were (addressing her daughter) a great blessing to her, and you have been equally so to me. The Lord will take care of you. Thousands, oh. thousands of times have I committed you to His keeping.” On her asking her daughter if there was anyilO MEMOIR OF MRS. :lfAnY VriXSLOW.

tiling she could do for her, before the Lord took her, it was replied, only that she v.^ould pray that grace might be given to follow her, as she had followed Jesus. She answered, “No, not as I have followed Jesus; for I have come so far short of His example. But I will pray that you may follow Jesus v;holly.”

On beintj asked by her daughter, on Lord’s-dav evening, if she felt able to spare her just to go and partake of the communion, she replied, “By all means; and may Jesus, our Head, meet you there, and speak comfortably to all His dear saints. I shall not partake of it again until I drink of the new wine with Jesus in our Father’s kingdom. There we shall sit down together at the marriage-supper of the Lamb.”

“This night is long and weary. Come and let us talk together of the better land, then the time will pass sweetly. Oh, how often has Jesus comforted us when cast down, upheld us when ready to give up our hope! And when trouble came, how often has He spoken sweet peace, and delivered us out of it unhurt. Oh, to see Him in all His un vailed glory, and then to turn and behold the many we have loved in the flesh around the throne, shinino- brio-ht and lovelv in their milk-white robes; Oh, the hope of heaven! when shall I be there? I was almost in sight of it, and brought back again, seeing my meetness was not complete. Even so. Thy will, not mine, 0 my Father, be done.”

“You must pass through tribulations, as I have done. AYe require to be taught by various trials that this is not our rest. And then come the results — the weanings, the heart-searchmgs, the drawing of the spirit nearer to God, the sweet, encouraging recognitions, the gracious whispers of Jesus’ love. His voice saying, ‘Fear not, it is I; I will come and receive you to Myself, that where I am, ye may be also.’ And then comes the last enemy, and the final conflict; and the happy spirit, freed from the body of sin and of death, trembhng and panting, is at the feet of Jesus. Oh, the bliss, the unutterable bliss of that moment! Absent from the body, it is present with the Lord. Oh, the glory! To see Jesus, once a Man of sorrows, now enthroned; that very same Jesus who was upon earth, and who has often spoken words of comfort when others could not comfort.”

“Lord, I weary, I weary, I weary, to be gone. Keep me, patient, waiting Thy will. I must be perfected through suffering; not one pang too severe, nor one sorrow too much.”

“My faith is still strono- and confident that I shall meet all mj dear children in heaven. The Lord promised to be a Father to my family. It was not for this poor world that He gave me that promise, but for that world which is to come. He is my Father, and He will be my children’s Father. Oh, I cannot find words sufficiently expressive of His loving kindness to me. I enter heaven as a poor sinner, saved by grace.”

“Read to me the precious words of Jesus. Endeavour to keep my mind upon His truth. Christ is the Rock upon which my feet are placed.”

“Keep close intimacies with Jesus. We must live upon Christ, and we must die upon Christ.”

To her daughter she said, —

“A mother’s blessing rest upon you. Oh, what loving-kindness has the Lord shown to me! He has denied me nothing. I have everj comfort I need. I am just where I would wish to die. This room has been so often a Bethel to my soul. I have seemed to commune here with God face to face. I am so thankful that I am Aere.”

“How sweet is the sympathy of Jesus; Jesus vjept. He mingled His tears with Mary and Martha, and yet he met Calvary without a tear.”

“Oh, live for eternity! This poor world is passing away; the reality is to come, and a glorious reality it is. How important it is to walk so as to please God in all things.”

“Little faith will bring the soul to heaven; great faith will bring heaven into the soul.”

“My first joy in heaven will be to see Jesus!”

“I am passing away, but not a single cloud veils Christ from my view. Language cannot express how happy, happy I am. Words fail to describe the preciousness of Jesus to my soul. I seem as if Christ were beckoning me to come, saying, ‘Why do ye delay? Come up hither!’”

“Your prayers detain me here.”

“It ought to be to you a joyous thought that I am going home — going home! A welcome home. I have not a want, nor care, nor trouble.”

“You are going to the prayer-meeting; oh, be faithful to professors y

“I never so felt my dependence upon the power of the Holy Ghost as I now do. I have not honoured Him as I should have done. One in the Godhead, he is worthy of equal honour and praise. The power of the Holy Ghost carried Christ through all of His work. In the saints, it is first seen in quickening and calling them; then, in teaching, sanctifying, and comforting them all their journey through. I repeat it; I never so much felt my dependence upon the Holy Ghost as I do now. My first prayer in the morning when I awake is addressed to the Holy Spirit, that He would take possession of my thoughts, my imagination, my heart, my words, throughout the day, directing, controlling, and sanctifying them all.”

“Dwell more prominently and earnestly, in your preaching, upon the truth that nothing but the power of the Holy Ghost can convert the soul.”

“You have a great work before you, and I shall be in heaven to welcome you home. Be faithful unto death. My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus y

“Oh, for a revival of religion! perhaps the Lord is keeping me here to see it. Wrestle with God for it. If there is a spot upon earth more blessed than another, it is the mercy-seat. None can tell the joy that springs from it.”

“Few people are aware of the communications that are going on between earth and heaven. I do not wish to be visionary, but many such manifestations have I had.”

“This is the hour to test the reality of the gospel. It is a reality, a most blessed reality.”

“There is a service in heaven for Christ.”

“I wish ‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow,’ to echo through this house when I am gone.”

“Soon I shall be singing His high praises in heaven. Oh, how great His love? How can He love so vile a sinner as I? yet he loves me. I have nothing of my own goodness to bring in my hand, — all, all I cast away.”

“What will the music of heaven be!”

“Many people say to those going to another place, ‘You talk so much about it, you will be disappointed;’ but oh, licaven will transcend our highest expectations!”

Gazing one evening from her bed upon a magnificent sunset, she remarked, “Oh, if the outside of heaven is so beautiful, what must it be within!”

“I never take a glass of cold water, but I think of Jesus’ words — ‘I thirst.’ Lord, shall I not weep when I fix my eyes upon Thy blessed face, and remember that my sins caused Thy sufferings? Oh, if there were a thought of my heart for which Jesus did not atone, I should never enter heaven!”

“I long, I weary to be gone; but I would not be impatient.”

After a day of extreme languor, she said, “The Lord has fed me to-day with drops of honey. Do not grieve after me.”

“Note this. — There is a buoyancy, a “vitality in the principle of the renewed soul, which in dying, cannot be depressed. The more the body decays and sinks, the higher it rises to its native heaven.”

“If ever there were one graciously, gently, wisely led, it is I. Would that I had kept a more perfect record of all His deahngs with me. He would not have me a spoilt child, therefore He has employed the rod; but all His corrections and rebukes have been in love

On her grandson asking her, if he should read to her from a delightful little book, entitled, “Words of Jesus,” placing her hand upon her heart, she replied: —

“I have them all here. The Holy Ghost administers to me like a little child. My loving Shepherd cherishes the lambs as well as the sheep; and He will come and take me to Himself. I shall not go alone. I want to go — I want to go.”

“Oh, why are His chariot-wheels so long in coming? Why does He delay? I am longing to depart, to be with Christ. All is real. If Christ is risen from the dead, then I am safe. K He is alive, then I shall be with Him for ever. I Ions: to end this mortal struggle, and can truly say —

” ‘Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly.’ “’

On the draught being brought to her, which had so often revived her sinking powers, she said, “Is it wrong to take the draught that detains me here? No, it is not wrong. I would not be impatient, but I long to end the conflict, and be with Jesus. Oh, how precious He is to my soul!” On the passage being repeated to her, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” she repHed,” Oh, yes! that glory is to behold the face of Jesus. The glory of heaven is Christ. It has been a hard conflict through life to hold fast mv confidence. Oh, how far have I come short even as a professor! But I rest upon the finished work of Jesus. I am complete in Him. Stephen when dying, in such painful circumstances, saw Jesus at the right hand of God. That is a sure evidence that He is alive

It was on Tuesday evening, October 3, 1854, that she departed to her rest. At six o’clock in the morning of that day, she had sunk into a state of exhaustion so extreme as scarcely to betray any signs of life. Observing the alarm this produced, she rallied her feeble powers, and indicated her perfect consciousness, and recognition of all around her. One of her son3 then took his position at the head of her bed, and as the Holy Spirit aided his memory, repeated for three hours such passages of Scripture as were appropriate to her solemn circumstances. To nothing were her quick sensibilities more responsive than this. The occasional elevation of her attenuated hand — the heaven-cast glance of her dim eye — the soft whisper of her faint voice indicated her felt preciousness of God’s word, and the support it was imparting to her soul, around which the deep waters were now swellinfir. Soon after, while another of her sons was holding her hand, she raised them both, still retammg his, and fixing her eyes upon his face, with a look of the profoundest solemnity and tenderness, pointed upward. The act was too significant not to be understood. “Meet me in heaven!” was her dying charge. And then, when her lips were thought for ever sealed — lips that had testified so long and so faithfully of Jesus — she exclaimed, with a voice of wondrous energy and power, “A cloudless death! — a cloudless death! — a cloudless death!” So resplendent was the glory now surroundins: her — so sacred and awe-struck the feelings of all who gazed upon the scene — the spot where the last conflict was waging seemed more like the vestibule of heaven, than the chamber of death. And now her oft urged prayer was answered, her utmost wishes were fulfilled; Jesus, “that very same Jesus who once trod this earth, had come with the pale messenger,” lightening the dreary valley with His presence, and manifesting Himself, as once He did to Stephen, as her own risen, living Saviour, waiting to welcome her to her long-wished-for home. While her gathered children were surrounding her dying bed, watching the closing scene, expecting each moment to catch her last sigh, her eyes partly opened, her lips moved, and with a low yet distinct voice, she rapidly repeated the words,” I see Thee! — I see Thee! — I see Thee! — I see

Thee!” The unearthly grandeur of the scene transcends all description. We felt that heaven was opened — that Christ was there — that the eternal world enclosed us.

“What do you see, dearest Mamma? “The only reply was,” J^ee Thee! — I see Thee! And as her voice grew fainter and fainter, and the words died softly upon her lips, she ceased to move — a holy quiet reigned — a solemn calm ensued — her sanctified spirit was in the bosom of her Lord.

“The long yearnings of her heart were still’d.”

She lay like a conqueror — as more than conquerer she was — surrounded with the spoils of victory. By the power of a simple faith in a living Saviour, she had wrested the dart from the Kin or of Terrors on the confines of the eternal world, and death was swallowed up in victory. Her countenance was the image of repose — the sublime of tranquillity. No statue from the master’s hand was ever chiselled as were those fixed and marble features. From the mental emotion, the soul-ecstasy through which she had but just passed — wrapt in the vision of her living Lord — there still lingered a lustre in the eye, a smile upon the parted lips, and a glow, like that of sunset, upon the countenance, which formed a picture of inimitable beauty and grandeur.

“There lived no trace on that pale brow

Of wishes unfulfill’d;
The only hope of answer’d prayer,
The calm of perfect peace, was there,

The saint’s last sleep to gild;
‘Twere more than crime to mar a rest
So tranquil, so supremely blest.”

Our work is nearly done. With a deep feeling of regret — for the preparation of the last few pages of the volume has rendered us quite unec[ual to the task — we relinc|uish a feature which entered into the original plan of this Memoir, of presenting a minute analysis of the Christian character and experience it has attempted to delineate. We trust, however, the reader will have no difficulty in forming a just estimate of the principal characteristics of its subject, and of gleaning for himself those practical lessons which may be learnt from the history we have thus recorded. A few observations are all that we can attempt in briefly suggesting those points which appear to be worthy of especial study.

Constituted altliougli she was by God with a mind of superior order, and possessing remarkable strength and decision of character, great energy, and promptness of action, it yet will not be her mental, so much as her sinrituil endowments, -upon which the Christian reader will most delight to dwell. The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant in her, with faith and love. That grace, by the side of whose perennial stream she perpetually dwelt, imparted inspiration to her thoughts, a mould to her actions, and invested her whole habit of life with a sanctity and charm indescribably impressive and heavenly. None but those who saw her in all the relations and phases of domestic and every-day life, can form an adequate conception of the beautiful proportions and exquisite symmetry of her Christian character and course. Thev alone could testify how practical godliness was exhibited, not in fitful and impulsive throes, but as a principle suffused over her whole character, shedding everywhere the bloom and fragrance of spiritual life — noiseless and uniform as the light of day. Reader, the same grace by which she was what she was, is alike accessible to you. By this grace you maybe assimilated with the Divine will, may be transformed into the Divine image, may be trained for active toil, or for passive endurance, as was, in an eminent degree, her sacred privilege. Limit not a Divine blessing so inexhaustible in its resources, and so free in its bestowment; but out of the Saviour’s fulness receive grace for grace, that in all things “the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Her power o faith and prayer — the two distinctive features of her Clu’istianity — are suggestive of deep practical instruction. Her faith was of the most simple character, and in its simplicity may be found the secret of its mightiness. She was “strong in faith, gi’ing glory to God.” She took Him at His word, believins: Him because He was God. This childlike, unquestioning faith, purified her heart, sustained her under present trial, enabled her to triumph over things seen, and brought eternal realities vividly and constantly before her mind. Her faith honoured God by believins;, and God honoured her faith by bestowincr. With this vicjorous 2:race of faith, was naturall v connected great power in prayer. She cherished the most exaltcJ views of the prevalence of prayer with God. With this weapon, wielded by the arm of faith, she felt nothing: was too difficult

COXCLUDIXa REMARKS. 42’>

of accomplishment, since with God all things were possible. She was a woman mighty m prayer. Apart from all figure of speech, and without any exaggerated conception of the idea, it might be said, she literally “walked with God.” She seemed to live, and move, and have her being in fellowship and communion with the Invisible. Her habit was, — be the errand trivial or momentous, — to use her own simple and expressive language, a continuous “going and telling Jesus.” She remembered his own words, “Without me ye can do nothmg,^^ and so she lived, as a little child, upon His guardian, incessant care. The closeness of her walk, and the holy familiarity of her intercourse with God mav astonish some, but so it was. She seemed to have her home in His very heart, and thus to have penetrated its infinite depths, and to have unveiled its hidden love to an extent startling to those whose transactions with God are distant, cold, and unfrequent. God was all in all to her. No thought nor wish, no want nor plan, did she cherish or devise, with which His counsel and glory were not sought. “The Lord direct,” was always the calm, submissive response to every question of doubt and perplexity. In this impressive feature of her Christian fife, how powerfully does she speak! Could her living voice now be heard addressing each tried reader of this volume, with what earnestness of manner, and persuasiveness of tone, would she still say, —” Go,

AND TELL JeSUS.”

How forcibly do these pages illustrate the essential relation of strong faith, full assurance of hope, and elevated rapture of pious feeling, with profound humility of heart, and an almost entire negation of self! When Isaiah, in the heavenly vision, “saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filling the temple,” and heard the seraphim cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” overwhelmed by the glory of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Woe is me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips!” And when the believer obtains a near view of the “glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” he, too, falls prostrate at His feet, lost in a sense of His vileness. It is in the lisrht of the Divine countenance the exceeding sinfulness of sin is seen, and seen but to whelm the soul in self-abhorrence. Before the deepening glory of Christ, the glory of self pales, as the morning star retires before the ascending sun. The closer the acquaintance with Jesus, and the stronger the assurance of Divine forgiveness, the more softly and lowlily will the spirit walk with God. “There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest he feared’’’ As the vessel more heavily laden sinks deeper into the water, so the soul, the more that it is filled with Divine grace, sinks the lowest into self-annihilation. Almost painfully humiliating, at times, were her views and expressions of herself; and yet, in the deepest, gloomiest vale of soul-humiliation which she trod, she appeared never to lose sight of her completeness in Christ. Her seZ,”-denial never betrayed her into ^?-ace-denial.

Let the widoio’s desolate heart be cheered as she reads these pages. They are the records of one who, perhaps, like herself, was early bereft of the husband of her youth, and left to tread the remainder of life’s journey in lonely widowhood, and, sino-le-handed, to rear a familv for God. Did that God, the widow’s God, forsake her? Did any single promise of His word, upon which He caused her soul to hope, fail? Did He, as a God of providence, or as a God of grace, betray the confidence He asked, disappoint the trust he invited, or leave unhealed the wound, unsoothed the sorrow, unaided the burden. His own hands had made? No; not in a solitary instance. Then, all that He has been. He still is, and ever will be — the God of the widow who putteth her trust in Him.

The aged Christian too, will gather much to encourage her heart and strengthen her hands in God from the life under review. A saint of God, closing her pilgrimage of toil and conflict, in her eighty first year, bears her dying testimony, that His aged ones are the especial objects of His loving, tender, faithful care. Lean in all the decrepitude of years, in all the weakness, pain, and tremulousness of advanced age, in all the fears, misgivings, and becloudings of life’s close, upon this Divine rod and staff. Now that thou art old and grey-headed, thy God will not forsake thee. Rest in the faithfulness of. God, lean upon the finished work of Jesus, and hope on for the glory so soon to be revealed. Let thy believing prayer be, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” And God’s faithful answer will be, “Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you.”

How great the power and charm of a holy life! Such is the lesson these pages impressively teach. The world is replete with beauty. There is beauty in nature, and beauty in art, and beauty in countless forms; but there is no beauty like” the beauty of holiness.’^ The brightness which gleams through a good man’s life outshines the sun in its meridian splendour. The world, too, is mighty in its forces. There is the power of intellect, and the power of learning, and the power of genius, and the power of wealth, and the power of rank; but there is no power so commanding and so effective as the power of holiness. The power it wields is omnipotent for the achievement of good. And a more precious and enduring legacy parental affluence and affection cannot bequeath to posterity, than the record of a life traced by the sanctifying influence of faith, the achievements of prayer, and the adornments of holiness. Such a life is a living demonstration of the Divinity of the Bible, and does more to confirm its veracity, and spread its truths through the world, than all that has ever been spoken or written on the evidences of Christianity.

How measureless the loss of such a saint of God! To her family and friends, to the church of Christ and the world, the withdrawal for ever from earth of her living piety and fervent prayers, her holy conversation and consistent example, is a serious and far-reaching calamity. And yet she still lives amono-st us, not in our hearts and memories only, but in the undyino- influence of her holy life. “The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.” The grave hides them from sio-ht, but not from memory. Neither the g-reen turf nor the salt wave can bury the still surviving, and still moulding recollections of the holy dead. In the embalmed remembrance of their graces, their prayers, and their actions, they still live to euide, to stimulate, and cheer us in our homeward march. Nor do we cease to live with them! They remember and love us still. Bearing their friendships with them to the skies, purified, sublimated, and enlarged, they yet think of us, yearn over us, and long to have us with them there, with a tenderness of interest, and an intensity of affection, such as they never felt on earth. For ausfht that vre know, they still hover around our persons, encompassing our path to the abodes of bliss. Ano-els are ministerino; asrents to the heirs of salvation; and may we not suppose that many of the glorified spirits of “just men made perfect” are clothed vrith a like embassy? “They serve Him day and night in His temple;” and who will say that it does not enter essentially into that service for the Lord, to administer in some unknown way to their former companions in tribulation, and the expectant sharers of their

426 MEMOIR OF MRS. M^RY WIXSLOW.

gloiy? But until we rejoin them in the home of the Father, we should think of them but to follow their holy example, to gather encouragement from their faith and patience, to learn lessons from their failings, and to take up and carry forward the work of the Lord, which dropped from their dying hands, until we, too, are summoned to rest from our laljours, and receive our reward.

Such is her happiness, whose sacred memorials we close. She has reached, at last, the heaven of glory, for which her panting thoughts and heaving heart so yearned. She has looked upon Christ, whom her soul adored with an affection so absorbing and intense — has seen angels, and talked with those she once knew and loved below. And now she feels that all indeed is true! Mysteries which the hoary sages of antiquity should never know, — glories which the human eye could never see, — joys which human thought could never conceive, — and music such as earth never heard, have burst upon her wondering, blissful spirit. At His feet, who died for her, and who rose again, adorinslv she casts her crown, exclaimins”, “WoR-THY IS THE Lamb!” Ascribing to the Triune Jehovah — as we now devoutly do — the praise and the glory of all that she was, as a partaker of life in Jesus, we will rejoice that, through His sovereign grace, she “fought a good fight, finished her course, kept the faith;” and that now —

She is gone to the mountain of myrrh, and to the

HILL OF frankincense, UNTIL THE DAY BREAK, AND THE
SHADOWS FLEE AWAY.