As her bodily weakness increased, she remarked, “I often feel unable to read, or even to think; but I can cling; this is about as much as I am able to do.”
Though this beloved friend took these low views of her own state, her company was deeply instructive and edifying to those around her, and a heavenly sweetness marked her deportment. Her heart was often filled with gratitude to her heavenly Father for the extension of his love and mercy, and she remarked many times, “I have indeed been mercifully dealt with.”
The dear sufferer rapidly declined; yet her mind continued bright, and she was preserved in a patient, waiting state, fully conscious of the approach of death, she queried how long it was thought likely she might live? praying,—“Oh! dear Saviour, may it please thee not to take me till the work be fully accomplished.” She often said, “It is a solemn thing to die;” and the evening preceding her death, when her friends were watching around her, she remarked that, believing her end was near, “It felt very, very solemn to her.” At this deeply interesting season, He who is indeed Love, condescended
in great mercy to draw near, so that she seemed lifted above terrestrial things, and permitted a foretaste of those joys, of which we consolingly believe, she now fully participates. Under this precious influence, her countenance beamed with sweetness, and she emphatically repeated many times,—“Divine compassion! mighty love!” and raising her hand, exclaimed, “Oh such love!—such love!—and to me such a sinner; is it not marvellous?” adding, “a weary burdened soul, oh Lord, am I, but the blood of Jesus can wash the guilty sinner clean.—Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.—Oh how wonderful! hard things have been made easy, and bitter things sweet.”
She remarked that, at such a solemn hour, the world had no relish, “oh no!” she said, “it is not worth a thought:
‘The world recedes, it disappears,
Heaven opens on my eyes, my ears.’”
To a young friend whom she tenderly loved, she said, “Oh if we should all meet in heaven, will it not be delightful? oh! dear ---, we must all come to this, and nothing will do for any of us but the blood of the Lamb.”
She continued for some time addressing those around her in this strain; and to the question of her brother, whether she was happy? she replied, “Yes, indeed, I am happy.” Thus her dying lips seemed to testify, that she was mercifully brought to see the salvation of God, and that he is able to save to the uttermost all those who come unto him, through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Henry Neild, Over Whitley, Cheshire. An Elder. 59 10mo. 4 1849
In the removal of this beloved friend, we have another instance of the uncertainty of time, and another call to prepare for the life to come. Henry Neild left home on the 12th of 9th month, 1849, for the purpose of attending his Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, at Nantwich; but he was taken ill in the former meeting, and though relieved by medical aid, it failed to remove disease, which continued daily to waste his frame, and in little more than three weeks terminated his earthly pilgrimage; and we thankfully believe, through redeeming mercy, translated the immortal spirit to “an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”