the younger members of my congregation, who had provided for the last
earthly things which the precious dust of their young friend required;
and so they seemed to bid me rest from all care and thoughtfulness, upon
the "Sabbath day, according to the commandment." All which should
increase my feelings of sympathy and kindness for the sick, and
especially for the sick poor, whose rooms, and whose dying hours, and
whose griefs, are oftentimes in such contrast to those into which divine
and human loving kindness seem striving to pour their abundant
consolations. As the family retired from the dying scene, and were
weeping together, a father came to my door, in that great snow-storm, to
say that his son, the young man, not a member of my congregation, whom I
had several times visited, was near his end, and would like to see me.
Stranger comparatively though he was, and impassable as the streets were
by any vehicle, and almost by foot passengers, my gratitude for the
sweet and peaceful end of my own dear child, and for her undoubted
admission to the realms of bliss, was such, that, within an hour or two,
I forced my way to a distant part of the city, to assist another
departing spirit for its flight. This heart has no more fortitude, nor
has it less of natural affection and sensibility, than ordinarily falls
to the lot of men; hence those consolations must have been great, that
support and strength equal to the day, that hope concerning my child an
anchor sure and steadfast, which enabled me thus to go from her clay,
just cold, to aid a passing spirit in obtaining like precious faith with
hers, and the same inheritance. My motive in thus lifting a little of
the veil, or in placing a light behind the transparency, of my private
feelings, I trust will be seen to be, that I may comfort others with the
comfort wherewith I was comforted of God.

But there awaits me a blessing, with a joy, surpassing all that has gone
before. "My daughter is even now dead; but come and lay thy hand upon