blessed, had an almost absorbing power over her mind; so that she
greatly preferred to read of them, and reflect upon them, to joining in
the ordinary sports of childhood. Yet she was a gentle and loving child,
to her little companions, and would always leave her book, cheerfully
and sweetly, when requested to join their little circle for play. But it
was evident that she could not as easily draw back her thoughts from
their deep and heavenly communings.

Whenever she witnessed a funeral procession, instead of lingering over
the pageant before her, her thoughts would follow the individual into
the invisible world. Was the person prepared for death? Had the soul
gone to God? were questions which she pondered with the deepest
interest.

A short time previous to her death, she was permitted at her urgent and
oft repeated request, to witness the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Her
mother was much affected to see the interest which the dear child
manifested on the occasion, and also the readiness with which she
entered into the meaning and design of the sacred ordinance.

The entire sixth year of Mary Jane was a period of unusual confinement.
Several members of the family were sick during that time; her mother
more than once; and she was often confined for whole days to the nursery
amusing the younger children and attending to their wants. Hence, when a
visit to the 'water-side' was talked of, the proposal was hailed with
joy. The prospect of escaping from her confinement, of being permitted
to go freely into the fresh air, to see the ocean, and gather shells and
pebbles upon its beach, was hailed with joyous emotion. Yet all these
delightful anticipations were destined to disappointment. The family did
indeed go to the 'water-side'; but they had scarcely reached the place