Though no famed eulogy proclaims her worth,
  Nor with her fellow-pilgrims ranked on earth,
  A higher record doth her history trace;
  In heaven’s high register she claims a place. 
  Retiring, and unknown or but to few,
  Her latter days were hid from public view;
  But I have often witness’d, when alone—­
  The prayer uplifted, and the sigh unknown. 
  When no eye saw her, but with God shut in,
  She pour’d her plaint to Him, who saw, unseen;
  Then from the sacred word she succour drew,
  ‘To hoary hairs I bear, I carry you.’ 
  This promise still her drooping spirit cheered,
  And shed its starlight when the night appeared. 
  Bold, in her weakness, close the foe pursued,
  And oft the bitter conflict was renewed;
  Conqu’ror at last, she calmly soared away,
  And left a smile upon the passive clay.

I heard Mr. Dawson, from ’Peter followed afar off’—­a season, I hope, never to be forgotten; for then Richard made up his mind to accept the invitation, and ‘come near,’ as Mr. D. expressed it.  This to me is matter of joy and thanksgiving; for since I knew that Mr. D. was coming, it has been my prayer, that his visit might be made a blessing to some, not particularly thinking of my son.  Thus, beyond my expectation, has the Lord condescended to my prayer.

  AFTER A FIT OF SICKNESS.

  While thousands in Thy courts are found,
    Waiting on bended knee;
  Behold, in solitude, a worm,
    That dares approach to Thee,
  To me the heavenly gift impart,
    Thy Holy Spirit send;
  To fill and sanctify my heart,
    And bid its wand’rings end. 
  Then health or sickness let me share,
    As wills eternal love;
  For all is well, if Thou art near,
    Thy creature to approve. 
  My grateful thanks for ease I bring,
    And every comfort given;
  Nor less for sorrows, sent to wing
    My grov’lling soul to heaven. 
  Great God! to Thee my wishes flow,
    Who dost my life prolong;
  Thy witness let me live below,
    Thy statutes be my song.

“Ere the day broke, the Lord broke in upon my soul with the words, ’Thy sun shall no more go down, nor Thy moon withdraw itself, for the Lord shall be thy everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.’  Such light shone upon the whole chapter, as filled my soul with gratitude for the rich promises given to the people of God.—­Called to see a man and his wife, both sick, to whom the Lord has blessed affliction.  The man was rejoicing in the Lord, and the woman is resolved not to rest short of salvation.  While we united in prayer she received some encouragement.”

XIV.

POWER WITH GOD.

  “FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG.”—­2 Cor. xii. 10.