and triumph to her; but it was a pleasure to me to see that her confidence was not placed upon her own imperfect works, but that she gloried in the cross of Christ. Gal. vi. 14. It might in some sort be said of her, that she never tasted of death, surely not of its bitterness, for her soul passed away without a struggle and without a groan. Her children followed her to her grave, weeping on their own accounts, but rejoicing on hers. She was buried by her father and mother, and near the place where the remains of James Clare had been laid. Her grave is pointed out by a small stone which her adopted children caused to be placed there, on which is graven "Blessed is she that bethis text from St. Luke i. 45. lieves, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her." These pious daughters, at the same time, failed not to raise a little humble stone to their father's memory, on which were these words from the prophet Isaiah, words which their father was often heard to repeat in his last illness: "O Lord, I will praise thee: for thou wast angry with me; thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me." Isaiah xii. 1. They were both married; the eldest, before the death of Lucy Clare, to the young man to whom she had been engaged some time; and the youngest, soon afterward, to a carpenter in the village. These young men lived in the fear of God, no less than their wives; and they have brought up large families in the same holy fear; they have been frugal, sober, and industrious; and, with God's blessing, although they have lived humbly, have never known want. I often call to see them, as my custom is, from time to time, to visit all my flock; and hear them with pleasure, after so many years are passed away, still speak of Lucy Clare as, under heaven, one of their best and dearest friends, remarking that "the memory of the just is blessed." Proverbs x. 7. When my worthy old friend had finished this little tale, he turned to my sons and daughters, and said, “My children, there is a lesson to be learned from the history of this pious woman, which is more valuable, if well observed, than all the boasted learning of men. "This lesson is, that we ought to place our entire trust in God, as a little child trusts in its mother, looking with pious care for all the signs and tokens which He gives of his divine will, knowing that He will never fail to point out the path of right, even in the most difficult affairs of human life, to such as sincerely wish to follow it." He then went on to describe that lovely, teachable, humble, and child-like spirit, so precious in the sight of God; that spirit which the world despises and holds in abomination, but by which alone men can attain the kingdom of heaven, for without it no man can rightly believe, and "without faith it is impossible to please God." Heb. xi. 6. 66 He then spoke of the contrary spirit, the spirit of this world-the spirit of pride, of self justification, of presumption; a spirit approved by the world and honoured of men, but whose end is shame, and grief, and bitter repentance. But, my beloved children," said this good old man, "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, passeth away; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John ii. 15-17. "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Matt. v. 3. The children of this world account "their life madness, and their end to be without honour; but they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints." Wisdom iv. 4, 5. My children hearkened to the words of my pious friend with great seriousness; and I hope that they are still written upon their hearts. The next day being Friday, and he wishing to have one day to rest, before Sunday, after the fatigue of his journey, took his leave with the good old lady his wife: and blessing me and my family, returned to his little flock, whom he never afterward left till God required his presence in a better place. His worthy wife soon afterward followed him. They are both deeply regretted by the inhabitants of their parish, as tender and pious parents are lamented by their children. END OF LUCY CLARE. |