not pass from him," he might at length be able to say," not my will but thine be done." In the course of this morning, I went several times into the sick room, but placed myself, as much as possible, out of her view, lest the sight of my agitated countenance should disturb her repose. She continued to doze a considerable part of the morning; but took, at intervals, small quantities of egg, mixed in brandy. I left her room about two o'clock; and after being absent a short time, sent a message to request that, if my name should be mentioned, I might be immediately informed. Soon after I retired, she asked one of her kind attendants, what o'clock it was; and was answered," twenty minutes past two." She directly repeated, -looking at her aunt, "twenty minutes past two!" In a short time after, she said, "it is now half-past,-it will soon be three. Where is my father? He has not been lately in the room. And my dear mother?" I was immediately sent for. On approaching her bed-side, she asked, "is the doctor gan to loathe her medicine, and she was with difficulty persuaded to take it. Her mother, thinking it of the last importance that this should not be discontinued, and that Mr. Ives would more easily prevail upon her to take it than she could, called him out of the adjoining chamber, where, as usual, he was sleeping in his clothes. On his appearance, my beloved daughter was much grieved that her reluctance to take the medicine should have caused his rest to be disturbed, and immediately took it, though it evidently caused great nausea. When I approached her bed, about seven in the morning, she fixed her eyes upon me; and, with a heavenly smile upon her countenance, she said, "I am not alarmed!" Sweet creature! But how was thy afflicted parent alarmed! He saw thee sinking gradually into the arms of death; and his soul was melted within him. He withdrew, and laid his case before Him, "who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities;" and intreated that, since " the cup might not pass from him," he might at length be able to say," not my will but thine be done." In the course of this morning, I went several times into the sick room, but placed myself, as much as possible, out of her view, lest the sight of my agitated countenance should disturb her repose. She continued to doze a considerable part of the morning; but took, at intervals, small quantities of egg, mixed in brandy. I left her room about two o'clock; and after being absent a short time, sent a message to request that, if my name should be mentioned, I might be immediately informed. Soon after I retired, she asked one of her kind attendants, what o'clock it was; and was answered," twenty minutes past two." She directly repeated, -looking at her aunt, "twenty minutes past two!" In a short time after, she said, "it is now half-past,-it will soon be three. Where is my father? He has not been lately in the room. And my dear mother?" I was immediately sent for. On approaching her bed-side, she asked, "is the doctor coming?" I replied, I hoped he would soon be here. I then perceived that her dissolution was at hand. A cold sweat bedewed her countenance: her pulse was scarcely perceptible; and every thing indicated that death was silently performing his last office. Her dear aunt was constantly employed in sponging her forehead with an aromatic; and the grateful creature kept testifying, by signs, her thankfulness for the refreshment it afforded her. I could no longer restrain my agonized feelings; and I fear I must have disturbed her repose, at a moment, when it was peculiarly desirable that all should be still and correspondent with the awful event which was taking place. I endeavoured, however, with as much self-command as I was master of, to direct her mind to the Saviour. I reminded her of the brazen serpent. I said she was just within reach of the haven of rest. I told her that angels were waiting to conduct her soul to Abraham's bosom! that, in a few moments, she would be beyond the reach of pain, and sorrow and danger; and that she was about to be welcomed into the realms of everlasting light and blessedness. She then just articulated "some egg." I presented it to her; and as she was receiving it, I said, "take this, in remembrance that Christ died for thee;" and I have no doubt she " fed on him, in her heart by faith." I still exhorted her to put her whole confidence in the atoning sacrifice; and assured her that all would soon be well. She then made an effort to speak; her aunt applied her ear to her lips, and received her last words, "I have no other hope!" In about three minutes, she breathed her last, without a struggle or a sigh; and passed from this vale of tears to stand "before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple and she shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on her, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed her, and shall lead her unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from her eyes." I approached : |