"When languor and disease invade
This trembling house of clay,
'Tis sweet to look beyond our cage,
And long to fly away,"
which she much enjoyed.
On Wednesday, November 16th, she said to me, "Oh, Joseph, I feel Jesus is all around me, and I know He is soon coming to take me home. I am so happy, and waiting to go to my home of eternal rest."
Turning to those present, she said, "You do not mind parting with me, now you know I am going to heaven, do you?" and, seeing us in tears, she said, "I cannot think what you have to grieve about. If I were not going to heaven, then you might grieve."
At times she seemed completely lost to all around, and was in sweet communion with God, and laid blessing and praising His dear name. The following are only a few of the sweet words that fell from her lips—"Oh, Jesus, I am so happy! Thou art precious to my soul. I long to be with Thee, dear Jesus—not that I wish to leave my brothers and sisters, only to come to Thee. I can leave everything to come to Thee, dear Jesus. Come and fetch me. Fetch me soon, if it is Thy will; but if I must wait a little longer, give me patience to wait Thy time."
At other times, she would repeat with sweet feeling her favourite hymns and chapters, amongst which were, Psalms xxiii., xxvii., and ciii.; and hymns, "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds," "There is a fountain filled with blood," and "Father, whate'er of earthly bliss." The last verse of the latter seemed particularly precious to her—
"Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine
My life and death attend;
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey's end."
One morning, she wished her books, &c., brought to her, that she might give us each a parting gift, saying, "Keep them in remembrance of me, when I am gone to heaven to be with Jesus."
On Wednesday, November 16th, in the evening, Mr. Oldfield again saw her. She spoke very freely to him, and said, "Won't it be nice to depart and be with Jesus?—much better than remaining here. I think He will soon come and fetch me. He has pardoned all my sins. Yes, He told me so." He read John x. at her wish, and spoke in prayer, which she much enjoyed and spoke of afterwards.
When I was about to leave her, she said, "I want you all to sing, 'How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,'" which we did, she joining with all the strength she had, her face being radiant with joy.