CHAPTER XX

Severe illness of Mrs. Hallock.-Letter to a nephew.-New-year reflections.-Letter to friends. His increasing infirmities. Sore trial in the alarming sickness of his wife.-His last labors.-Renewal of his will.-Death.-Funeral.-Address left with his will.-Death of Mrs. Hallock.

In the spring of 1825, a scene of deep affliction commenced in Mr. Hallock's family, which was probably a means of hastening his dissolution. The wife of his youth, who had so well shared with him the joys and sorrows of life; to whom his affection had for many years been increasing in strength and tenderness; and on whom, next to his Savior, he had leaned as the staff of his age; was smitten with distressing and alarming illness. When he found that her disease was dropsy, and probably incurable, his agony of soul became intense. As she sunk down gradually before his eyes, he felt that she must soon leave him; and by anticipation, already stood over her dying bed, pressed her cold hand, committed her soul to God, and her body to the dust, and felt all the loneliness of her absence;-a trial, in his own apprehension, far greater than if its occurrence had been earlier in life. But the severity of this affliction can be best learned from his own account of it, taken partly from his journal and partly from letters to friends.

"March 6, 1825. My dear Mrs. Hallock is unwell, and not able to go with me to meeting either

Friday, or to-day! Her disorder appears to be the dropsy. Her physician and friends think her dangerous. She grows weaker every day. Perhaps it is the coming of the Son of Man. O Lord Jesus, grant her thy sensible presence, and prepare poor me, with her anxious children and friends, for all thy will. Sometimes, the thought of parting with her is overwhelming-at other times I feel more quiet and reconciled. She, for the most part, appears calm in mind and ready. O Lord, let her not be deceived, but may she build only on Christ, and be accepted in him. O preserve her to us a little longer, if thy blessed will. O may all be sanctified and work to the furtherance of thy blessed kingdom in us, and among us for Jesus' sake. Amen.

"March 13. O Lord God of aged David, make me thine, and O be my helper and refuge unto death. My wife has had a sick and trying week. I never heard her groan, as she did Thursday night from about nine to three o'clock. She then grew easier through mercy. Her feeble stomach, which has rejected cordials and medicine, is somewhat strengthened, so that it retains what she takes; and we begin to hope she may be restored to us a little longer. Prepare her, and all of us, O Lord, for this mercy; but if -O receive her

spirit, and be with us, our light, life, shield and portion. I am this day sixty-seven years old. I feel the increasing infirmities of age, and know, that the end of all probationary things, is, to me, at hand !— O Lord, quicken and strengthen me, both to live unto Jesus and testify of him, and his so great and

needful salvation, to the children, the youth and all. And when thou shalt call, may I submissively resign my ministry, life, soul and body to thee, and go supported by the blessed Gospel hope. Let me not be deceived; teach my heart; make it right, and lead

me in the way which is everlasting.

'O receive my soul at last.'

"May 8, Lord's day, Northington. Poor Mrs. Hallock was so unwell that I did not go until morning, and returned home after meeting.* I greatly fear, her departure is at hand. O may she be ready. And, O Lord Jesus, strengthen and prepare poor me for all thy will for Jesus' sake. Amen."

To his brother at Plainfield.

"Canton, May 17, 1825.

For ten years, she health, to the great

"VERY DEAR AND RESPECTED BROTHER AND SISTER -The probability is, that the wife of my youth hath not long to stay in this world. hath been blessed with unusual comfort of her family. But, some time in January last, she was taken with that alarming disease, the dropsy. I have often feared, that she would not live twelve hours. Your know, she hath been the

*It was Mr. Hallock's uniform practice, when he exchanged labor with a brother, to go on Saturday, and not leave the place till after sunset Sabbath evening.

builder of her house, under Providence. To me, she is as the loving hind and pleasant roe.' This is the greatest outward affliction I ever experienced. Sometimes it looks overwhelming, and I feel as if I should sink under it. At other times, I feel a strange support, and as if I could do and bear all things by the help of our blessed Jesus. Do pray for us-you know for what. Mrs. Hallock is, for the most part, calm in mind, leaning as we trust on the Beloved."

we got home, she was taken very ill, so that she could not endure to ride. To-day, she appears to me more like soon leaving us. O must I be bereaved of the dear wife of my youth! I trust, I received her in answer to prayer, and I would give her up, at the call of him who gave her, and who hath made her such a blessing to me. O Lord Jesus, do, I beseech thee, shine upon her. O be her support; fit her for thy heavenly mansions, and receive her there. And prepare poor me to follow, for Jesus' sake. Amen."

The operation of tapping was performed the following month and often repeated afterwards, to the no small relief of Mrs. Hallock. In November, her health was so far improved, that they performed a journey to Plainfield, at the close of which Mr. Hallock writes: "I think, for forty years, I never had a more pleasant visit to my friends in Massachusetts, although I sat out in low spirits and under gloomy apprehensions. I trust

the journey has been beneficial to Mrs. Hallock's health. O may God, in Christ, have all the praise; and may we be wholly his, devoted to his fear and service. Amen."

This was his last journey to his beloved friends. The last Sabbath in November, he writes as follows: "More freedom and attention than I expected— came home, encouraged and comfortable in mind. Had a more pleasant conference than usual in the evening. The meeting was small in number, but remarkably still and sweet. quieted and cast down, O my the Lord, and take courage. will deliver, and I shall yet praise him, with his saints, for the health and help of his countenance."

Why art thou so dissoul, of late? Thank He has he doth, and

To his nephew Mr. Gerard Hallock, now one of the Editors of the New-York Observer.

"Dec. 19, 1825.

"DEAR AND MUCH RESPECTED COUSIN-I lately gave you an account of our late remarkably pleasant visit at Plainfield, which I trust you have received. After this, I received your precious letter, now on the table before me. The Holy One of Israel, and great Physician of soul and body, has raised the wife of my youth from the borders of the grave, so that she is able to oversee the affairs of her family, and