“I thank thee for all the endowments of our young pastor, of nature and grace.  I thank thee, that thou hast kept him faithful to Him who has called him, and for the precious treasure thou hast put in that earthen vessel.

“Now, Lord, that thou hast called him to leave his family and his flock, to travel to a foreign land in the service which thou requirest, go with him, prosper him, overrule all his concerns for thy glory, the good of his soul, of the church in general, and his own little flock in particular.  Amen.  Glorify thy name”

CHAPTER VIII.

JOURNAL AND LETTERS—­LADIES’ SCHOOL FOR POOR CHILDREN.

“NOVEMBER 22, 1801.

“ISABELLA SMITH,” a grandchild, “is very ill; she appears to be in a stupor.  Two physicians are attending, but my eyes are to the Lord.  She is his own, given to him by faith, as a covenant God in Christ for her in particular, for ourselves and our children.  I desire not to draw back, but, the Lord strengthening me, to give up at his call.  If it be his will to spare her, she is still his own, to be done by, with, and for, as his infinite wisdom may see fit, for his own glory and her eternal interest.  If he is about to remove her out of the world, she is his own; out of the mouth of this babe will he perfect praise; with that company of whom is the kingdom of heaven, she shall join in the song of Moses and the Lamb, ’to Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, to him be glory, honor, dominion, and power.’

“O Lord, one petition I prefer—­if it be thy will to take her out of the world, take her in thine arms and carry her through the dark valley; grant to her a gentle and easy passage, and an abundant entrance into thy kingdom; and tune our hearts to sing, ’The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’  Amen.”

“NOVEMBER 23.

“This day the dear Isabella joined the church triumphant, and took her place among that company which Christ has pronounced blessed.  I yesterday asked of the Lord that he would take her in his arms and carry her through the dark valley, that he would give her a gentle and easy passage, and an abundant entrance into his kingdom.  He heard my prayer; it was indeed soft and gentle; not a struggle, not a groan; and the affliction which brought down the frame was moderate throughout.  I was enabled to resign the Lord’s own into his own hand, in the faith that he did receive, and would keep that which I committed to him.

“My soul is satisfied—­more than satisfied; I rejoice, and congratulate the lovely babe on her early escape from a world of sin and sorrow, to the arms of her dear Redeemer, and to perfect blessedness with him.”

“NOVEMBER 24.

“It is done—­finished—­the soul with God, the body in the tomb.  It is all well; yes, our covenant God, thou doest all things well.  I firmly believe thy mercy is over all thy works.  Goodness, mercy, yea, loving-kindness has marked thy every step.  I believe it now.  I shall see it soon.