On the evening of her attack she asked her friend to repeat the hymn

“One there is above all others,
Oh, how He loves!”

She then observed that she had been depressed for some time with a sense of her many sins, but that the Lord was now giving her tranquil and joyful rest.  She often spoke of the manner in which her soul was comforted, and that never-forgotten night.  It is thus described by Dr. Moody Stuart, who was for many years her close friend:  “There was nothing of the nature of a dream or trance; but as she lay sleepless, there appeared as if really before her eyes a white scroll unrolled, glistening with unearthly brightness, and with floods of vivid light ever flowing over it.  Written at the head of the scroll, in large bright letters of gold, she read this inscription:—­’THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’  All her darkness was dispelled in a moment; with the glorious words, the Spirit imprinted on her heart and conscience the fresh seal of the pardon of all her sins; she believed and knew that the Lord Jesus Christ was of God made unto her ‘righteousness,’ and that His blood had made her whiter than snow.  Her soul entered in a moment into perfect rest; the peace of God that passeth all understanding now kept her heart and mind through Christ Jesus; and she rejoiced in the full assurance that for her to die that night was to depart and be for ever with the Lord.”

Day after day passed on, and she still lived.  All her thoughts and words were about her Lord and the spiritual welfare of those around her.  Her servants were a special care to her.  As she was not allowed to see them individually, she sent them a message that they must not be content with trusting in a general way to the mercy of God, but that each of them must be found in the Lord our Righteousness if they would be saved.  Throughout the illness her mind was kept in perfect peace, being emphatically stayed upon her Lord.  One can well understand how prayers would be offered up for her by many that the valued life might be spared, if it were God’s will.

During the time of her slow and partial recovery she occupied herself with learning hymns.  She laid up a store which became in later months a great source of comfort to her.  The hymn which she first committed to memory was one of her chief favourites:—­

     “A mind at perfect peace with God.”

The second verse she specially valued:—­

     “By nature and by practice far,
        How very far from God;
      Yet now by grace brought nigh to Him,
        Through faith in Jesus’ blood.”

As we have said recovery was only slow and partial.  She tried to learn the lesson designed in this lengthening out of her earthly sojourn.  “I thought my life was spared,” she said, “to give the opportunity of devoting for a longer period my influence and substance to the cause of Christ, but I see now a deeper meaning in it.  There is more personal holiness to be attained, more nearness to Christ, and more joy hereafter through a deeper work here in my heart.”