Part 20 (2/2)
”Having yielded up her son at the call of the Church to the perils of a Missionary life, in a land of cannibals, she never revoked the gift, neither grudged the sacrifice. Her maternal yearnings were often excited by the narration of his sufferings and privations; but they were never suffered to rise in mutinous rebellion against the Divine will. For nearly twenty-two years she not only submitted to his absence with uncomplaining meekness, but she abounded in thanksgivings on his account, and gloried in the sacrificial services he was enabled to render to the cause of the Redeemer, in the high places of the field.
”Mrs. Lyth's religion made her habitually happy. Fully a.s.sured of her acceptance in the Beloved, walking daily in the liberty of the children of G.o.d, and exercising herself to have always a conscience void of offence, the smile of contentment rested on her countenance; benignity beamed in her eye; the law of love regulated her speech, while kindness, courtesy, and a cheerful urbanity, marked the whole of her deportment. In her dress she was simple, neat and economical.
In her habits, she was a pattern of order, early rising, diligence, prompt.i.tude, and punctuality. Possessing inward peace, she was calm, self-possessed, firm, and full of trust in the providence of G.o.d.
Doing one thing at a time, and always intent upon doing that thing well, she accomplished a great amount of holy service; was seldom in a hurry, and always in time at the Sanctuary and Cla.s.s-meeting. With such traits of character, and modes of action, it will not excite surprise that she became a centre of religions influence in the community to which she belonged. The sick sought her prayers, persons in spiritual distress, and temporal perplexity, applied to her for advice; the poor appealed to her for relief, the young listened to her counsels, and those who were intent upon obtaining a full salvation, coveted her friends.h.i.+p, strove to imbibe her spirit, and to imitate her example.
”In age and feebleness extreme, she was divinely supported by her Saviour's might; and was cheered by His love, and the hope of beholding His glory. No murmuring word escaped her lips, no sign of impatience was visible in her appearance and manner; but expressions of grat.i.tude, praise, and thanksgiving, flowed from her tongue, and indicated the peacefulness and purity of her mind. On her death-bed I found her calmly resting on the merits of her Redeemer. Her countenance was full of interest, a placid smile rested upon it, and but for her laborious breathing, and interrupted utterances, hopes might have been entertained that she would yet be spared, she was herself hopefully waiting the hour of her dismissal; yet there was one earthly wish, which she breathed out in meek submission to her heavenly Father, not yet gratified; that was, that she might once more see her Missionary son, before she quitted the clay tabernacle. Prayer was offered, and among other pet.i.tions it was urged, that her maternal desire might be granted. She lingered on the border land, till he arrived, and soon after having kissed _him_, and blessed all present, she fell asleep in Jesus; the last accents of her lips being those of praise, adoration, and filial confidence.”
We conclude these notices by the following kind words of condolence from the Rev. M.C. Taylor.
”I cannot resist saying how much I was affected by the tidings of the pa.s.sing away of your sainted mother; not that I could mourn for _her_, but I felt deprived and bereaved of one of the most lovely and touching pictures of grace I have ever seen; and I mourned for myself.
Her name and memory are an inheritance indeed. To have known her will be an honour and joy for ever,--to have belonged to her is more than great riches. Hundreds are this week glorifying G.o.d in her.”
_By the same Author_,
THE LIVING SACRIFICE;
OR, A
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE
OF
SARAH BENTLEY,
OF YORK.
Published by JOHN MASON, 66, PATERNOSTER ROW, and may be had of all Booksellers.
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