CHAPTER XII.

FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE"- -OR TRIUMPH IN

PROSPECT OF DEATH.

IN my visits to Mrs. McFarland after she was confined to her room, I found her in so peaceful and happy a frame of mind, and her conversation so instructive and heavenly, that I resolved to pen down the remarks which she made during our interviews, as the precious testimony of a dying saint to the value of the gospel. This I accordingly did, immediately after returning home. I have used her own words, as exactly as I could recollect them, and aimed to describe the closing scene of her life, just as it was. The daughters and one or two of her christian friends took notes of her remarks when I was not there; a portion of which will also be introduced into this chapter.

Sept. 24, 1838. The last time that Mrs. McFarland attended public worship was the sacramental season, the first Sabbath in September. She was then feeble, and attended only in the morning. The three succeeding Sabbaths she

had been confined at home. Visiting her early on Monday morning, the 24th, I asked, "How did you enjoy the Sabbath, deprived as you were of the privilege of public worship?" She replied, "Happy; my mind was calm, and resigned to the will of God. I felt an evidence of acceptance, through the merits of the Saviour." After a brief pause, she added: "The Sabbath is a precious day; it has usually been so to me. But I have found that my enjoyment has depended much on my preparation for its duties. My mother used to say, when I was a child, that we should rise earlier on the Sabbath than on other days, because its duties were more important. I have found the morning of the Sabbath exceedingly delightful. When I had a family of young children it required much resolution and effort to rise before the rest of the family, in order to be alone; but still I did it, and I experienced the benefit of it during the day. I believe that if christians would prepare for the Sabbath, they would find it the market-day, the feast of fat things to their souls." I observed, We read that the Saviour often rose, while it was yet dark,' and a 'great while before day,' in order to be alone for prayer; and that the women who ministered to him were early at the sepulchre, on

the morning of the first day. This remark seemed to give a new direction to her thoughts: "Yes," she said, as the tears started from her eyes, "when I think how that Saviour was treated by those whom he came to save; how he was rejected and crucified,-I am astonished at his kindness and grace to us still. I wonder that he should ever manifest his presence to so unworthy a creature as I am. I have for many years been trying to serve him, and to be conformed to his image; but I come so far short in all things that I hardly dare think myself one of his disciples. But he is a precious, all-sufficient Saviour, and I rejoice in his all-perfect righteousness." "Yesterday," she continued, "Miss C. read to me several of the last chapters of John; and when she came to the Saviour's words, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, I thought that his intercession reached down even to me, and to all his disciples to the end of the world; and this seemed to give me a new view of his love!"

Sept. 26. On my visit to Mrs. McFarland this morning the conversation turned on the subject of christian perfection. The remark was made, That there was an absolute perfection

required, which true christians aimed at; a relative perfection, which they attained in this life,and a promised perfection, which would be enjoyed forever by them in heaven: to which last remark she responded, in a weak voice, but animated look,

"O glorious hour! O bless'd abode!
I shall be near and like my God."

"How sweet Watts' hymns are! It seems as if I could not live without them." To a young friend she said, "Dear Mrs. M., do live near to the Saviour; follow the Lord fully, as did Caleb and Joshua. He will not accept a divided heart. The world must be given up. He must be all

in all."

fast.

Thursday, Oct. 4. The day of the church. She even expressed a desire to observe it by abstaining from food, but was dissuaded from it by her friends. Mr. and Mrs. J. A——e, who were particular friends of the family, spent an hour or two with her in the afternoon. To Mrs. A-e she said: "I trust we have been helpers to each other in the christian course, and what a glorious meeting we shall have in heaven! Do be faithful while you live, and pray for me, that I may glorify God in death." She then thanked Mr. A- -e for all his attentions to her departed husband, and to all the family; and

parted with them, saying, "You have been good friends to me ever since I came to Concord."

Oct. 6. She was made happy by the calls of friends from another state, who had long been dear to her. Upon asking Rev. Mr. W. to pray with her, she observed, that after every prayer made during this illness in her sick room she had evidently obtained renewed strength. To Mrs. F., who came in, she spoke of her anticipated happiness in heaven. "When," said she, "we enter a company of christians, there is something to mar our happiness. We do not know all, and we must part with them: but in heaven we shall know all, and there will be no separation of dear ones." To another friend who came in she spoke of the kindness of people to her. "It has not been with us as with the families of some deceased ministers: forgotten and desolate; but all have continued to be friends to us. When," said she," Mr. McFarland was dismissed I could look around and feel that it was all right; and I loved every individual, and how has that love been returned!"

Oct. 8. The interview with Mrs. McFarland this day was peculiarly tender and affecting. Her daughter Sarah, and son William, who had been absent about a year, returned to see her.