Oh, Oh, Oh! If my Father, God, had then lifted up the veil and showed me all I have passed through since, I must have died. But he does not try us more than we are able to bear. Indeed he bestowed such rich spiritual blessings upon us (your dear mother and myself) in that dark hour, that we were astonishingly sustained. We were filled with gratitude because dear father was ready. We knew that he had nothing to do, but to die. Like Stephen, he fell asleep.
My beloved children, I have his dying words written down, and after I show you what the newspapers say, and you have read his funeral sermon, perhaps I will tell you more about the last moments of your honored, it must be forever honored, grandfather.
Yours, affectionately, GRANDMA.
Belmont, March, 1861.
Letter Fifteen
My Dear Grandchildren:
It has been nearly two years since I last wrote to you, since which time, war has desolated our once prosperous and happy country, and drenched its soil with the blood of her sons. All has been excitement and turmoil. Many widows and orphans have been made-and the wail of anguish has been poured into the ear of the God of Sabbath. But I turn from the revolting facts which belong to the history of the nation-to consider the last sad hours of your revered grandfather, and to copy for your instruction and admonition his dying words.
After having seen something of his daily walk through life, thought upon his sad and unexpected death, and in imagination mingled with the throng that followed him to his last resting place-your mind will naturally revert to the lonely homestead and its desolate inmates. But words cannot picture the anguished of our hearts, the gloom and loneliness of our home—after the last relic of its light and glory had passed away from our view. So you will follow me, my dear children, to that little store on Market Street; look upon the bare floor, and behold your grandfather-the gentle and loving man, in his dying agony! Listen to his words.
He knew he was dying, for he said, in answer to a hope expressed, that he might live-No, no, no! I am a dead man. After a pause he uttered, fervently, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Again, said he, I am a great sinner. Some one directed him to look to Jesus. I do look to him. He is my all. He is very precious to my soul.