Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

A generous desire to participate in the blessing, and to extend it, led her to a neighbouring town (Dunfermline), that she might unite with the friends of the Redeemer in prayer and supplication, and in hearing the Word of the Lord. She was not disappointed. A large share of spiritual influence seems to have rested upon her. Her heart was full of divine love. Her soul was much drawn out in prayer. She spoke sweetly of Jesus to many. In the evening of the day on which she went, and again the following morning, she read the Scriptures and conducted prayer in the family with which she passed the night, where several female friends were assembled; and in these exercises she was remarked to be, as it were, “filled with the Spirit," her "heart burning within her," and giving eloquence to her tongue. Visiting a ladies' charity school, she spoke affectionately to a little group of girls upon their souls' concerns, some of whom were much impressed, and were noticed, on a succeeding night, engaged in earnest attendance on religious exercises. Many were edified by her conversation; and one young person, after much distress of mind, appears to have been guided by her to the sure consolations that are in Christ. The visit was blessed to her own soul, and, we trust, has proved a blessing to others. On her return, before she reached home the damp cold air of the evening had fallen. But ten days elapsed before her health seemed to have sustained material injury. On the second Saturday after her return, she was exposed unconsciously to a current of cold air, which chilled her whole frame, the front door happening to be left open. Yet next day she rose and applied herself to her Sabbath duties with as much

T

alertness in well-doing as ever, taught her class of young women in the morning, and, after attending church, her class in the Sabbath-school, having felt particular pleasure in the services of the sanctuary, and shown great earnestness in the instruction of her interesting pupils Thus was the last Lord's-day of her conscious communion with the saints on earth spent in the Lord's service, with her loins girt and her lamp burning. "To her power, I bear record, yea, and beyond" her strength. she was willing and zealous to do good: still, to the end, devising and executing plans of Christian kindness That Lord's-day evening a shivering seized her; and next day fever ensued, which, though not at first alarming, advanced rapidly, and, a few days after, deprived her of the command of her thoughts and powers, inducing convulsive efforts and incoherent expressions.

Was there no testimony to her Saviour, no profession of faith in him, which she was permitted to utter before her lips were closed in death? It will not, I hope, be an undue encroachment on the sanctity of a private communication, if I mention that her mother, distressed at finding that, though sometimes called for by the poor sufferer, she was not recognised, and could not awaken a sense of her presence, petitioned the Lord that he would grant her one word from her daughter's lips, declaring what her hope was. At this time the patient had sunk into a sleep of stupor rather than repose. When roused out of it, her husband put to her the question, "What is your hope?" to which she clearly and distinctly answered, "The Cross." These words were articulately and intelligently uttered; and

while they undesignedly fulfilled her mother's prayer, and confirmed her husband's confidence, though by no means necessary for the consolation of either, they may justify us in conjoining her with the interesting group of the same name with herself, who, together with the beloved John, attended the Saviour in his dying mo ments, when the other disciples had forsaken him and fled for, we are told, "There stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene." And as these stood by the cross, and clung to the Saviour, although at the time very imperfectly apprehending the nature of his sufferings, so our beloved Mary clung to the cross as her hope, however imperfect her apprehensions of all things else. In the course of her illness, she was requently overheard speaking of Jesus Christ: ard once, when asked who he was, she answered, "The Man of sorrows." Her husband, expressing his concern for her great sufferings, she replied, "Quite content." And on one occasion, when he repeated the passage, "These are they that came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him," &c. (Rev. vii. 14-17), the words "Wonderful peace" passed her lips, as if expressing her own experience in response to the sentiment. another occasion she said, "I would give all the world to be with Christ." Being asked whether she would like a revival, her whole countenance kindled into a glow as she replied, "Sweetly, sweetly." On the morning of this day se'nnight, about four o'clock, the difficulty of breathing increased: after a while, the

On

mains

292

MEMOIR OF MRS. W. W. DUNCAN.

of strength gradually sunk away; and at noon, with scarcely a perceptible change of countenance, and without a sigh, the spirit quitted its mortal tabernacle, and returned to God who gave it.

[graphic][merged small][merged small]

HAPPY SUNDAYS, FOR THE YOUNG AND GOOD,

A COMPANION TO THE PRINCE OF PEACE,' AND 'LINE UPON LINE.' Dedicated, by permission, to the Right Rev. R. BICKERSTETH, Bishop of Ripon. Comprising Fifty-two Tales on Scriptural subjects, explanatory of the Lessons for the Fifty-two Sundays in the Year. In two Series or Twenty-six Sundays. 3s. each Series, cloth, lettered. After observing that the Right Rev. ROBERT BICKERSTETH has connected his Name with the Publication, the Publishers need scarcely add their own terms of estimation; but they cannot help advancing the opinion that HAPPY SUNDAYS is a book calculated to promote happiness amongst Youthful Readers, by affording them Sunday reading of a character instructive in its matter and amusing in its style. The TYPE is large and clear. The SIZE same as 'Line upon Line.' The BINDING, strong and tasteful. The ILLUSTRATIONS by Leighton. The CONTENTS suitable to place in the hands of every CHRISTIAN Child.

« AnteriorContinua »