“Calm as the full-orb’d moon, she sunk to rest,
The peace of God reflected in her breast.”
AN observation made by one very dear to the writer, whom the Lord has taken to Himself, seems worthy of record, as showing the sustaining power of the grace and truth of God in the time of nature’s extremity. Without wishing to write any lengthened eulogy upon the dear departed one, it may truly be said that her kindly and consistent walk and demeanor for many years commended her much to those who knew her, whether believers or unbelievers. She had a quiet, deep-seated “peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ;” based upon an unhesitating acceptance of God’s testimony as to the perfection of the finished work of Christ, in the putting away of sin “by the sacrifice of Himself.” She loved Him who had first loved her, and the constraining power of that love was manifested in the general tone and spirit of her life.
In the illness, which was the messenger of God to terminate her career on earth, she suffered at times from great prostration both of body and mind. On recovering from one of these attacks of prostration, she said, “The Lord has been very gracious to me, and has sustained me; but I have been so low that I could think of only two things.” Of course we were anxious to know what those two things were; she replied, “One is, that Jesus died for me; the other, that He is coming to receive me to Himself. Besides these I forgot everything.” This was said with such calmness and composure, that we could plainly see that the Lord had indeed graciously supported His beloved one in her weakness with His own blessed presence. Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20); 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17).
The two precious truths connected with the person and work of her Saviour and Lord, which He so tenderly kept in her heart’s remembrance, are indeed the foundation and the top-stone of the believer’s portion and hope. To know that Jesus “loved me, and gave Himself for me,” is to have perfect rest as regards acceptance with God; and to know that “unto them that look for Him, He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation,” when we shall see Him as He is, and be like Him, is “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” And the power which the perception of these truths by the Spirit of God imparted to her soul was evident, till she was mercifully set free from her afflicted body to be present with the Lord; waiting with Him till He shall come to receive unto Himself His own blood-purchased beloved ones.
T.