realise that it was the voice of the lately timid girl that I now heard loudly praising His name who had done such great things for her. Without reserve Betsy was telling to all around the wonders of redeeming love. Her dying exclamations were, Lord, have mercy upon me! Praise the Lord! Blessed Jesus! we bless Thee for our creation, &c." She was tossing her limbs about when our maid, S-, went up-stairs. S- said, "Miss has sent you a text: now, do you think you can keep still while I read it?" Betsy at once fixed her eyes on S S P. while she read She Psalm xxiii. 4, "Yea, though I walk . . . ." and, turning her head, finished the verse herself. feared no longer to tread the unknown path alone. One could but exclaim, "Thanks be unto God, who hath given her the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Thinking it might be an impressive lesson to some of Betsy's schoolfellows, they were invited to her room, that she might tell them, with her expiring breath, what a Saviour she had found! But when they reached the cottage she was past speak ing to them. They could only behold with their eyes what the breath of one untimely blast had done to this flower of the field, so lately springing up in beauty beside them, and learn that, while all that is of earth fadeth away, "the Word of God endureth for ever!" And the promise of " perfect peace to those whose minds are stayed on God" now enabled such an one as themselves to face the King of Terrors as a vanquished foe! May the lesson not be in vain! "Oh, Saviour, give to those who gazed At eight o'clock Miss B. went in, and putting her face close to Betsy's ear repeated the hymn, 66 Jesus, lover of my soul," and told her that soon the conflict would be over, and she would be in glory. Betsy just opened her eyes for a moment, and then gently closed them for ever on the things of time. The aged father remained in the same spot, sobbing pitifully and chafing the clay-cold cheek of his child; the mother sat weeping on the stairs; the brother and sisters were gathered round the bed, when, just before ten, the spirit burst its prison bars, "And spread its wings to inherit Its home in yonder spheres." While she was passing away, many voices at the Rectory were blended in the prayer "Thou Framer of the light and dark! We are in port if we have Thee!" Her soul was then commended in fervent prayer to Him who, while we were speaking, hailed its entrance into the haven of rest whither it would be! YE cottage homes, in smiling peace reposing, Forget not that your summer life is closing, Good seed was sown amongst you "in the morning," And not "withheld at even; " "The north and south wind" brought their timely warning. Showers late and early given. The tender blade that drank soft dew descending, And sprang up in one night, With the full ear in grace and glory bending, Are garnered in God's sight. And where are some who grew up close beside them, In spring time budding fair? And they who for the love that so long tried them, No kindly fruit would bear? And ye who tarry still where they are sleeping, Unto the silent angel, ever reaping, Your life may soon be given ! Let not the stricken voice of hopeless sadness Tell that God's time is o'er, But haste the Harvest Day with songs of gladness, Home, home for evermore! L. C. P. |