"I can do all things, or can bear As I went out, "The Lord bless you For several weeks from this time, she was so comfortable as to sit up most of the day, and to see her friends as when she was in health. In the beginning of March, 1816, I heard that she was more unwell, and called immediately to see her. I found her very feeble in body, but unusually strong in mind. "I feel," said she, as I took her by the hand, "as if I was soon to leave you. Heaven seems very near. O! how delightful, how glorious the prospect!" "O, glorious hour! O, bless'd abode ! "O! my dear sir," added she, after a moment's pause, "recommend the Bless ed Jesus-recommend him to my dear relatives and friends-recommend him to the whole of your flock; you cannot exalt him too high, or honor him too much. I have tried him, and I have found him able and faithful. He is "a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation." Tell the dear brethren and sisters of the church, tell them from me, 'tis my last request, to culti vate a more intimate acquaintance with their glorious Head-to devote themselves with greater ardor and constancy to his service. I have been an unprofitable servant. I have great cause for humiliation before God; but I have not a doubt of my salvation. "The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin ;" and "the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his." One present, beginning to make a remark respecting the usefulness of her life, she immediately interrupted her, by saying, "Give thanks to God, for what he hath wrought in me, and done by me. If I have been of any benefit to my fellow creatures, the excellency of the power has been of him, and to him be all the glory. I desire to be nothing. I am nothing. Christ is all in all." To nothing was she more reluctant, than to have herself, her virtues, her merits, the topic of discourse. "Christ and his cross were all her theme." On this theme she would dwell, till her exhausted powers compelled her reluctantly to feel, what she seemed almost to have forgotten, that mortality was not yet swallowed up of life. In the evening of March 17th. she was thought by her friends to be dying: and so she thought herself. With the most perfect composure, she called the family around her bed; told them that the hour of her deliverance was at hand; and begged them not to be alarmed, or distressed, for that she longed for the glorious jubilee. From this state, however, she again revived and I found her the following evening, much as she had been for some weeks past. It was dusk when I entered her chamber, so that she could not discern me: but no sooner did I speak, than she knew my voice; and began, as she had often done before, to pronounce her blessing upon me. "O! what an honor," said she, as she closed, "is put upon you to be an ambassador for Christ-to be sent from the court of heaven with terms of capitulation, with articles of peace, for rebellious men! And think too, of the reward!-let it encourage you in difficulty, let it excite you to diligence, unfainting diligence in your Master's service-"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Having returned, a day or two before, from a place where there was a considerable revival of religion, I mentioned the fact, with some particulars respecting it, to her. Her countenance brightened with joy, and tears flowed down her furrowed cheek, while she gave vent to the emotions of her heart in a strain of thanksgiving to him, who "never leaves himself without a witness that he is gracious." "O," said she, in language to this effect, "could I see the goings of my God and King as I have seen them here as I saw them in the days of my youth, when God called me, as I trust, to the saving knowledge of himself, and "revealed his Son in me," with aged - "Simeon, who had long waited for the consolation of Israel," I could say, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." But whether I live too see this glorious day, or not, it will come, yes," with indescrib able emphasis she added, "I know it will come; for, "God hath said it, and shall he not do it? He hath promised, and shall he not bring it to pass? Yea his word standeth sure, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Being asked how her eye-sight was, she replied, O, as to that, it is almost gone; but so long as the eyes of my understanding are not darkened, and God is pleased to give me "the light of the knowledge of his glory, in the face of Jesus Christ," what need I care? I sometimes feel, as if I should be glad to see enough to read the Scriptures: but then again, when I think that I can remember so much of what I have read in times past, and meditate upon it, I see no great reason to lament even the loss of that privilegecertainly none to repine at it. O! I am dealt with very graciously. Nothing |