was apprehended. On the 23rd and 24th, she penned two letters, the last she ever wrote, in pencil, but on the 26th she corrected the proof of "Morning Stars," on the text, "I am the bright and morning Star." Then she laid down the pen, never to take it up again; she was not suffering, but lying quietly in bed, with her little pet kittens, Trot and Dot, near her. She astonished her doctor by asking, "Do you think I've a chance of going?” for he did not regard his patient as being dangerously ill. He asked her if she liked lying there, and in pain, and she replied, "Yes, I do; it is as if an errand-boy were told to take a message, and afterwards the master bids him not to go. I was going to Ireland next week, hoping to write for the Irish Society; but God has upset all my plans, and it's all right.” Fever and internal inflammation rapidly set in, with all the symptoms and agony of peritonitis. All remedies failed, but her face shone with peace and joy, and when her friends appeared distressed, she smilingly said, "It's home the faster!" Once she turned to her sister and whispered, "Let my own Text, 'The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin,' be on my tomb; all the verse, if there is room." The pain now increased, but her resignation and endurance kept pace with it. When told at length that she was seriously ill, and that the inflammation was increasing, she said, "I thought so, but if I am going, it is too good to be true!" In the early dawn of Whit Monday she observed to her sister, "'Spite of the breakers, Marie, I am so happy; God's promises are so true. Not a fear." Then she requested her brother to conduct a sacramental service, and afterwards she asked for "Jerusalem, my happy home," to be sung to her father's tune, "Chrysostom," played on her harp-piano. Recovering a little, she saw the Vicar of Swansea, to whom she spoke of her blessed state, adding, "Ask Mr. A to speak plainly about Jesus. I want all young clergymen to be faithful ambassadors, and win souls. Oh, I want all of you to speak bright, bright words about Jesus, oh do, do! It is all perfect peace, I am only waiting for Jesus to take me in." On Whit Tuesday the change came, and to one of her sisters, who repeated, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee," she said with emphasis, "He must keep his word." After a short doze, she was able to speak of Miss Leigh's work in Paris, and one of her own friends there. Then she whispered the names of many dear ones, saying yearningly that she wanted all to come to her in heaven. After this, she sang the whole verse through, beginning, "Jesus, I will trust Thee,” to her own tune, "Hermas." The closing scene of all is thus movingly described by her sister :— "Then came a rush of convulsive sickness. ceased; the nurse gently assisting her, she nestled down in the pillows, folded her hands on her breast, saying, 'There, now it is all over! Blessed rest!' It "And now she looked up steadfastly as if she saw the Lord; and, surely, nothing less heavenly could have reflected such a glorious radiance upon her face. For ten minutes we watched that almost visible meeting with her King, and her countenance was so glad, as if she were already talking to Him. Then she tried to sing, but after one sweet high note, 'He-' her voice failed, and, as her brother commended her soul into her Redeemer's hand, she passed away. Our precious sister was gone, satisfied, glorified, within the palace of her King." The remains of Frances Ridley Havergal were conveyed to Astley, and laid in the churchyard beside those of her father, many tributes being paid to the dead. Hers was not a long life-she was only forty-two years of age-but it was preeminently a noble and a full life. As the inscription on her tomb says, "By her writings in prose and verse, she 'being dead, yet speaketh.'' She needed nothing to keep her memory green; but the "Frances Ridley Havergal Church Missionary Memorial Fund" worthily carries forward her spirit and traditions. It is beautiful to reflect upon the utter absorption of this loving and gifted woman in deeds of Christian charity and human amelioration. In her, the service of song and the service of the daily life were harmoniously blended. The published records of her sex furnish no finer examples of complete and perfect surrender of heart and faculties to the Master's work, and to but few are given such shining talents. But her life and works are doubtless already stimulating hundreds of women to Christ-like, if unobtrusive service in the streets and alleys of our densely populated towns and cities, as well as stirring them to active sympathy with Christian efforts in foreign lands. |