flock; and the "loved physician" now stood by the bed-side of his faithful Lucy, seeking to alleviate her bodily sufferings and to guide her trusting spirit to Him who alone could walk with her through the "dark valley." 'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one towards another." The deeds of kindness and self-sacrifice which so endeared the good parson to his flock shewed him indeed to be one of the Saviour's disciples. In 1775, the year the Revolution commenced, these Isles-of-Shoals were much exposed to attacks by the British fleets, so that many of the inhabitants left their homes, taking refuge with friends on the neighbouring shore. Among these refugees was Mrs. Randale, whose kind brother and wife were now no longer living: Ishe went to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Marsden, who then resided at Hampton, but soon after removed to Portsmouth, occupying a house directly behind that of Mr. Carter's. Several little grandchildren shared the love of the kind old lady; but little "Nabby" seemed to draw nearest to her heart. The bright, happy little girl would quietly seat herself in the old chimney-corner beside her grandmother, listening to the tales of that home of the "Isles," while the old lady's fingers ever busily occupied with her knitting, thus even in old age setting an example of unwearied were industry. Then the old lady would open a little box containing a few treasures of the past, and, taking from it Lucy's little cup, often and often she would repeat its history to her darling grandchild, whose eyes, dimmed with tears, would shew the heart beating in sympathy with the sorrows of the little slave-girl. But a day of parting came, and from her dying grandmother little Nabby, then ten years of age, received the little cup as a last gift and memento; and then "the best of all grandmothers" "passed on" to inherit the promises. The mantle of her Christian spirit seemed to fall upon that beloved grandchild; and when,some fifty years aftewards, she was called to the severe trial, not only of poverty but of intense bodily suffering, she could say, "It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth to Him good." For twelve years she was a helpless invalid, unable to move any limb, excepting her hands, and often tried with the most excruciating pains. Yet no murmur escaped her lips, for she felt the "Everlasting Arms" beneath her to support her; and she had received the blessing promised to those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Her humble room seemed not the abode of poverty, for the blessing of the Comforter enriched and sanctified it. She could indeed say, "Though my flesh and my heart faileth, yet God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." As I stood by her side, and heard her dying lips utter these words," I trust in my Redeemer's promise, that whosoever cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out, no, not even the greatest of sinners"; "Peace He has given in me; and, oh; the world cannot give that peace," I felt that "Death is swallowed up victory. Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory !" A few months before the death of this Christian sufferer, I received from her hands, as a parting memento, the little cup, which in her childhood she had received from her beloved grandmother. How many are the associations connected with its history! THE FRIEND OF YOUTH, AND CHILD'S MAGAZINE, wwwwm NEW SERIES.-VOL. VI.-JANUARY TO AUGUST, 1865. LONDON: J. S. HODSON, 26, GRANVILLE SQUARE, W.C.; |