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God, or who was so instantly aware of any cloud which came up to separate her soul from him. Once, anxiety about the life of her distant and only child, whom she dearly loved, caused her for a day or two to lose her entire submission and dependence on God. She was inwardly discomposed for a brief space. But on the third day, after earnest prayers, she reappeared with her former serenity, went about her duties with composure, and waited calmly for a week, till another letter came, to tell her that her child was out of danger.

And now it only remains to speak of her death. I was away from ****, having gone to spend a week in a city about one hundred and fifty miles distant by the river. But it was winter, and a sudden rise in the water filled the river with drifting ice, which made it impossible for a boat to leave the port. For four weeks I waited, expecting every day in vain an opportunity of going home, and hearing nothing from it all the time. At last, one afternoon, as I stood on the landing, looking at the boats, I saw one preparing to move. I immediately went aboard, and we made our way slowly along through the floating ice, until within about eight miles of ****, when we could go no further. I went ashore and walked to the city. The first news I heard was, that Mrs. was 'dead, and was to be buried that afternoon. Letters had been written to inform me of her sickness, but they had not reached me. Her funeral was to take place about an hour after my arrival.

She had expressed, during her brief sickness, a desire to see her distant friends, but did not repine. She said, "If my Master has more work for me here, I am willing to

live; if not, I am ready to die." In this frame, she passed away.

The funeral was from the church.

It was crowded

People of all deAlthough absent from most

with those who knew and loved her. nominations were present. of her relations, she did not go away unmourned. In her case was fulfilled the wish of Jeremy Taylor. "I desire to die a dry death, but am not very desirous to have a dry funeral; some flowers sprinkled on my grave would do well and comely, and a soft shower to turn those flowers into a springing memory or a fair rehearsal." But particularly touching it was to see the little children who had belonged to her school, or Sunday class, crowd around the coffin with loud sobs, and refuse to be comforted for the loss of their good teacher. My own loss was very great, but there was much to comfort me in the manner of her departure.

Every thing in the above sketch is strictly true, and there are a few instructive inferences which I cannot forbear indicating.

1. The above history is, to my mind, a complete refutation of the idea that we can dispense with historical Christianity, or that the miraculous part of the Gospel is unimportant. Mrs. believed the morality of the Gospel, she had a full faith in natural religion, while a skeptic. The change in her opinions related to the dispensation as a supernatural one, and to its miracles. But the change in her opinions on these points was followed by the most profound inward change, and she became a new

creature.

2. The above history shows the importance of a true -No. 228.

VOL. XX.

2

philosophy, and the advantage of those views of miracles which take away their unnatural character. Many persons say that it is of no use to enter into such distinctions at all, but in this case it was of the greatest use, as it removed the main difficulty in the way of her conversion.

3. We may learn from this story to trust more in the leadings of Providence. In this case was verified the saying of Jesus : "No man can come to me except the Father draw him." God's providence, which carried her into a new country and amid new scenes, was the first means of leading her to a faith in Christ.

4. We may learn from this history that Unitarianism contains all that is necessary to produce eminent piety and holiness, to convert the infidel, and to give peace in the dying hour. The doctrines and views which were the life, and comfort, and hope of Mrs. are such as all Unitarians profess to believe, though many of us believe them with the head rather than the heart.

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