me to some further thoughts upon the subject.  Soon after, as I came into my wife’s chamber, she told me that our maid Betty, who had indeed the affection of a parent for my dear girl, had just before assured her, that, on the Sabbath day evening, Betsey would be repeating to herself some things of what she had heard in my prayers and in my preachings, but did not care to talk of it to others; and my wife assured me that she solemnly recommended herself to God in the words that I had taught her a little before she died.  Blessed God, hast thou not received her?  I trust that thou hast, and pardoned the infirmities of her poor, short, childish, afflicted life.  I hope, in some measure out of love to me, as thy servant, thou hast done it, for Christ’s sake; and I would consider the very hope, as an engagement to thy future service.  Lord, I love those who were kind to my child, and wept with me for her; shall I not much more love thee, who, I hope, art at this moment taking care of her, and opening her infant faculties for the duties and blessedness of heaven.

Lord, I would consider myself as a dying creature.  My first born is gone;—­my beloved child is laid in bed before me.  I have often followed her to her bed in a literal sense; and shortly I shall follow her to that, where we shall lie down together, and our rest shall be together in the dust.  In a literal sense the grave is ready for me.  My grave is made—­I have looked into it—­a dear part of myself is already there; and when I stood at the Lord’s table I stood directly over it.  It is some pleasure to me to think that my dust will be lodged near that of my dear lamb, how much more to hope that my soul will rest with hers, and rejoice in her forever!  But, O, let me not centre my thoughts even here; it is at rest with, and in God, that is my ultimate hope.  Lord, may thy grace secure it to me! and in the mean time give me some holy acquiescence of soul in thee; and although my gourd be withered, yet shelter me under the shadow of thy wings.

October 4, 1736.]