her up the steps.  She tried to smile upon me, through her tears; but, drawing me into the room, she unfolded to me gradually the result of her interview.  I sat down speechless.  She rose from her seat and came and knelt beside me, saying, ’Do you know what was my first thought?  That I should not be there to nurse you, at your last hour.’

“I was stunned.  I felt as if the whole world was coming to a standstill.  She talked like a heroine, like an angel, to me.  She talked as she had never talked before.  I could say nothing.  I could only kneel with her and try to pray.

“I was due in Holland for some large Meetings.  I had arranged to travel there that very night.  She would not hear of my remaining at home for her sake.  Never shall I forget starting out that evening, with the mournful tidings weighing like lead upon my heart.  Oh, the conflict of that night journey!  I faced two large congregations, and did my best, although it seemed to me that I spoke as one in a dream.  Leaving the Meetings to be continued by others, I returned to London the following evening.  And then followed, for me, the most painful experience of my life.  To go home was anguish.  To be away was worse.  Life became a burden, almost too heavy to be borne, until God in a very definite manner comforted my heart.”

After this, there were two years and a half of such tortures for him to bear!  For some time, indeed, Mrs. Booth was still able occasionally to take part with him, even in very large Meetings.  But any one can understand how such privileges only increased his sense of coming loss.

Her last address was delivered in the City Temple, on June 21, 1888, and she had to remain for nearly an hour after in the pulpit before she could move.  Nevertheless, she was able to continue her help by writing for our publications, and to individuals, for a long time after this.  Before the Self-Denial Week of 1888 she wrote to our Soldiers:—­

“Although not able to be at the front of the battle in person, my heart is there, and the greatest pain I suffer arises from my realisation of the vast opportunities of the hour, and of the desperate pressure to which many of my comrades are subject, while I am deprived of the ability to help them, as in days gone by.”

In 1889 she wrote:—­

“I am now realising, as never before, how much harder it is to suffer than to serve.  I can only assure you again, by letter, that my heart is as much with you as ever.  Regard no opposition, persecution, or misrepresentation.  Millions upon millions wait for us to bring to them the light of life.”

To the great Crystal Palace Demonstration of 1889 she sent a message which was displayed in large letters:—­

     “My place is empty, but my heart is with you.  Go forward.  Live holy
     lives.  Be true to The Army.  God is your strength.  Love and seek the
     lost.  God is my salvation and refuge in the storm.”