was largely made up to her in other blessings more valuable and less
common. Continue to her, O Lord, that firmness and constancy of
mind wherewith Thou hast most graciously endowed her, together with
that contempt of worldly things and vanities that she has shown in
the whole conduct of her life. O All-powerful Being, the least
motion of whose will can create or destroy a world, pity us, the
mournful friends of Thy distressed servant, who sink under the
weight of her present condition, and the fear of losing the most
valuable of our friends. Restore her to us, O Lord, if it be Thy
gracious will, or inspire us with constancy and resignation to
support ourselves under so heavy an affliction. Restore her, O
Lord, for the sake of those poor who, by losing her, will be
desolate, and those sick who will not only want her bounty, but her
care and tending; or else, in Thy mercy, raise up some other in her
place with equal disposition and better abilities. Lessen, O Lord,
we beseech Thee, her bodily pains, or give her a double strength of
mind to support them. And if Thou wilt soon take her to Thyself,
turn our thoughts rather upon that felicity which we hope she shall
enjoy, than upon that unspeakable loss we shall endure. Let her
memory be ever dear unto us, and the example of her many virtues, as
far as human infirmity will admit, our constant imitation. Accept,
O Lord, these prayers, poured from the very bottom of our hearts, in
Thy mercy, and for the merits of our blessed Saviour. Amen.


III. Written November 6, 1727


O merciful Father, who never afflictest Thy children but for their
own good, and with justice, over which Thy mercy always prevaileth,