Of the lady the subject of this short narrative it could indeed be said that never did a sweeter, gentler spirit inhabit a human body. Placed in circumstances of affluence, she appeared uninfluenced by them: with a right in her position to command, her spirit was one that would submit. Fortune, which, alas! to many is their only title to respect, added nothing to her merit. She was placed providentially in a position that to many would be an object of envy, as if to show the grace and lowliness of her spirit to walk in it. Humility is before honor. God Himself put honor on humility. The Lord Jesus humbled Himself.
As a wife and mother, this lady was exemplary: as a child, she comforted the declining years of a widowed mother; as a friend, God’s poor found her such. But let us own, that what was to be admired in her character was the work of divine grace within her.
A fearful disease seized upon her. The best advice the metropolis afforded was all in vain to arrest its progress. Now indeed the comforts of the gospel were needed divine support alone could sustain her, and it was amply vouchsafed. Necessarily much confined to her room, she searched her Bible diligently. She underlined portions which, more particularly struck her mind, and thus left behind her a precious and striking memorial of the workings of her soul.
Life, abstractedly considered, is a joyous thing; the trials which we meet with do not change the fact. Wearisome days and nights may be appointed unto us; “Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” But still life, existence, is God’s gift to His creatures. Death is the opposite, and nature shrinks from it; struggles hard against the enemy; protects the part invaded; summons all aid against encroachment, and only yields to overwhelming force.
“The wages of sin is death.” Philosophy sought in vain to unravel the mystery of man’s decay: mankind had lost the key to their history. God in His mercy has revealed it in His word. Death is the wages of sin. “But the gift of God is eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” We die because we are sinners: “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Adam did eat, and died, and entailed death on his offspring.
We enter into a world where death reigns, because sin is there. Sin cries with a loud voice, “Pay me my wages;” and one after another make up the reckoning; generation after generation pass into the insatiable jaws of death. Some sink like lead, are horror stricken at his aspect, groan in their agony, and pass away. Some how few!—smile at his terrors, open their bosom to his dart, bid him strike home, and cry exultingly, as he pierces their vitals, “O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
The one of whom I am writing was amongst these few. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I, be afraid?” was her triumphant experience. The disease gained rapidly upon her. After some months’ residence in London, she was brought home to die.
I was engaged in service at my usual abode. Returning home one evening, I was led to think much about her. My spirit was oppressed, and after a restless night, I felt called imperatively to go and see her. I could not resist the impression, and I took the rail the following morning.
How striking are such impressions! How, in the history of God’s people, such instances have arisen! In “Biographical Notices of Eminent Servants of God” (by S. Clarke, 1678), is given a remarkable instance of a minister who awoke troubled and anxious about a friend; so much so, that he arose at midnight, and hasted away some miles distant. Strange providence! His friend, under mental trial, had resolved upon suicide. The rope was attached to the beam; a few moments more, and he would have entered eternity. The arrival of the minister at this juncture arrested his hand; he confessed his purpose; they prayed together. The darkness was dissipated from his soul, and with humble penitent heart he confessed his sin, and was restored.
When I entered the apartment of my sick friend, she stretched out her hand, and never shall I forget the look with which she greeted me, and her words, “I prayed, yesterday, that the Lord would send you, and here you are!” As she was thus praying, my heart was troubled about her a hundred miles distant. We recognized the finger of God, bowed together in prayer, which was graciously given suitable to her need.
That night she was seized with violent hemorrhage. After three days’ patient suffering, her spirit was released. Her consolations in the gospel abounded: and the heart of a fond husband and beloved child have this comfort in their bereavement, that their loss is her eternal gain.
J. W.