Appoints the just to slumber, not to die,
The starting tear I check'd—I kissed the rod,
And not to earth resigned her, but to God!
[7] Drs. Chapman and Meigs, to whom with Dr. Nelson of New York, we all owe more for their unwearied and sympathizing care than we have words to express.
[8] One of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed, was the death of a little child, who, in the last moments, called on her mother to die with her. This was the voice of nature. To this call the heart would, but cannot respond. "Here our father and mother must forsake us."
[9] A lovely example of the power of this sentiment in subduing grief, is given in the narrative of one of our American missionaries. He and his fellow-labourer were alone in a barbarous land, far away from any creature who cared for their Lord or for them. Suddenly his friend was taken from him. In that awful moment of desertion and anguish, after commending the parting soul to God, and closing the eyes of the dead, he kissed his cold lips, and thought, "What glory has already burst upon his view!" In this thought his sorrow was lost.
[10] Life of Goldsmith, prefixed to his Miscellaneous Works.