SHE RECEIVES THE SACRAMENT.

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evinced all the kind interest of an old friend. He read prayers and administered the Sacrament, of which our dear sufferer partook with a humble and contrite heart, which the Lord promises he will never despise. She appeared deeply impressed, though unable to speak from excessive weakness and languor. On Monday morning, when Dr. Clarke came, he wished to feel her pulse; and perceiving that she held out her right hand, the one on which she had been lying, he objected to it."I cannot give you my left hand," she said, "I have not had the use of it since Saturday." And then it was discovered, that from that time of her dreadful suffering, she had lost the use of her left side; and had forborne to mention it, for fear of grieving her mama. Every trait of her character which illness developes, makes us more acutely feel the worth of this inestimable child; and, at times, we cannot persuade ourselves that we shall be called on to sustain so heavy a loss. Knowing that the mercy of God is equal to his power, we applied to Mrs. B. to ask the prayers of the German Protestant congregation, having heard of the deep piety of their minister, and being firmly persuaded that the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. In the kindest Christian spirit, our request was immediately granted; and I here subjoin the English translation of the prayer made use of on this occasion.

"The Christian congregation is requested to

222 PRAYER FOR HER AT THE GERMAN CHURCH.

join in hearty prayer to God for a young maiden, who according to all human appearance is near her departure from this world, to the grief of her pårents and relations.

66

"Let us pray.'

Almighty and merciful God, the comforter of all who call upon thee in their time of trouble, Thou who so oft hast healed by a word them that were sick unto death: Grant, that this maiden, for whom we pray, may be relieved of her sickness, and fulfil her days on earth to thy glory, and the benefit of her fellow-creatures. But if thou hast otherwise determined in thine impenetrable counsels, then grant to her, Lord, patience and strength to bear her pains, and a blessed departure when her hour shall come; and to her afflicted parents give the comfort of thy Holy Spirit. Grant this of thine infinite mercy for the sake of Jesus Christ thy blessed Son our Lord. Amen."

These mournful days pass on without my having power to take notice of them; sometimes I feel as if grief absorbed my faculties; my memory does not retain many things which would be interesting for you to hear, and for myself hereafter to recur to. Time rolls heavily on; and still our sweet child exists, but that is all. She lies unable to her bed; except when her for no other hands can she

move, or to turn in poor mama lifts her,

bear to touch her.

Night and day she suffers,

but she suffers as one passing through the "re

My poor sister, at the moment, seemed to be roused from a frightful stupor of grief, in which she had been absorbed, and going into her husband's room, sunk on her knees as she said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; 'blessed be the name of the Lord." And it hath pleased the Lord to take from this fond father also, one of the chief comforts of his declining years. A dark cloud overshadows his setting sun, and he must sink under the overwhelming load of sorrow, but for one bright beam of heavenly consolation, which points to his child safe from every storm, in the arms of her Redeemer: that heaven-taught child, who never, in thought, word, or deed, inflicted a pang on the heart of either of her parents, except the bitterness of watching her protracted sufferings, and lamenting her early death. As my sister and I attended her while living, we would suffer no other hands to touch her when dead. In silent agonizing admiration, we hung over the beautiful body, while we put on the last dress, and laid it in its last receptacle.

On Monday morning, January 8, we accompa nied her sorrowing father to see her laid in the grave; and a little earth soon covered for ever from our eyes what, for nearly fourteen years, had been our delight and admiration, our joy, and the object of our fondest solicitude. But she died in the Lord, and her rest is glorious.

As it is contrary to rule here to have a Protestant

interment in the day-time, a deputation was sent to the higher powers, in consideration of the advanced age of Sir W., his recent affliction, and delicate health, to ask permission that the funeral might take place in the morning. This permission was not only readily granted, but, as an additional mark of respect, a troop of cavalry received orders to be ready to attend us, in case any insult should be offered. But so far was such an attempt from being made, that even the very soldiers stood near the grave with their muskets lowered, looking on in solemn silence, as did a numerous concourse of persons, who respectfully followed the procession of carriages, in which were some of the Roman nobility, as well as Germans and English. Two young English clergymen officiated, and never was our beautiful burial service read in a more impressive manner. He who "does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men," supernaturally sustained us in that trying hour, when the heartrending sound reached our ears, of "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," and the inanimate stones fell on the coffin which contained her who was alike inanimate. We were borne up by the sure and certain hope of the joyful resurrection unto life eternal through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, when, at the sound of the last trumpet, this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal immortality.

LETTER XXXI.

Rome, February 20, 1821.

WEEKS roll on, my dear friend, and every day we feel more and more the loss which we have sustained; but we also feel that every day shortens the separation. We know that we cannot bring her back, and I trust would not, if we could; but we shall go to her; we shall again meet where parting shall be no more. Oh if the young and inexperienced traveller could look forward over the rugged and thorny path of life, how joyfully would he hail the messenger of mercy who removes him from the dangerous trial, and bears him away to a place of safety! Our child was the object of the Redeemer's love: he would not allow her to be exposed to storms with which her delicate mind could not struggle. He pitied her; He watched over her; He dried her tears; He hath received her, and she is safe! Oh how safe! The roaring lion who goeth about seeking whom he may devour, can never, never, reach her. She is gathered into the fold of Christ; she is one of His own lambs, and He is her shepherd! Why are we anxious to detain those whom we love, to struggle with the waves of a tempestuous ocean? Alas, our love is not properly directed! We see through a glass darkly; and our