Such is a poor, meagre account of this last precious Bible-reading.  Possibly some of the things here recorded belonged to previous readings—­though Mrs. Prentiss occasionally repeated remarks on points to which she attached special importance.  “Some good (she said) will come of these meetings, I feel sure.  It is impossible that you should take so much pains, and some of you put yourselves to so much inconvenience, in order to come here and study together God’s Word—­and His blessing not follow.”  The blessing has already followed, good measure, pressed down and running over, and it will continue to follow in days to come; especially the blessings of this last meeting, when, in a strain so sweet and tender—­as though she had a new glimpse of heaven and the heart of God—­our beloved and now sainted teacher urged us to bear witness for Christ and showed us so plainly how to do it.

At the close of the meeting she looked very pale and seemed much exhausted.  “You are ill, Mrs. Prentiss,” said one of the ladies, distressed by her appearance.  “Yes,” she said, “I am.”  Still, it seemed a great pleasure to her to have met us once more.  Nor can I help thinking that, even if she herself had no presentiment of what was coming, she was yet led of the Spirit, the blessed Comforter, to hold this last Bible-reading.  It was itself just such a testimony for Christ as fitly crowned her consecrated and beautiful life.

Upon my return from the station with Dr. Vincent she met us on the porch, bade him welcome to Dorset, told him with what extraordinary care the girls had made ready his room, and appeared in excellent spirits all the rest of the day.  While at tea she expressed to Dr. V. our regret that Dr. Poor could not have made his visit at the same time; although, to be sure, they might, if together, have “brought the house down” upon our heads by the explosions of their mirth.  She then related some amusing anecdotes of a queer, crotchety old domestic of ours in New Bedford a third of a century ago, and of her delight when Dr. Poor (then settled at Fair Haven, opposite New Bedford) got married, because “now, it was to be hoped, he would stay at home with his wife and not be coming over all the time and drinking up our tea!”

On my asking her about the Bible-reading, she said she got through with it very well, expressed surprise at the large attendance, and spoke of the deep interest manifested.  After tea she sat with us in the parlor for some time and then, kissing M. good-night, omitted Hatty and the boys (a most unusual thing), remarking, as she left for her chamber, “Well, I’m not going to kiss all this roomful.”