Christian Faithfulness.
By R. A. Rice
The letter inserted below is from a young Christian friend, whose obituary is in this paper, who has grown up under unfavorable circumstances, yet has ever been an example of Christian faithfulness. She has kept the Sabbath with her mother from her earliest years. Her influence was felt by all who knew her. The church in South Lancaster have known of her consistent life, and now look back to her as a pattern of piety for the young and also those of mature years. MY DEAR FRIEND:—It is impossible for me to write to you again myself; so I get mother to write for me. I can only whisper very faintly now, and can scarcely do that. My feet are so badly swollen that they have lost all perfection, scarcely resembling feet; but while my poor body has been growing out of shape and comeliness, I trust my heart has been becoming conformed to the will of God. I have given up all. . . . Oh!———, get ready. You will not have many more warnings; for God will not always plead with you. You are lost if you do not repent, and find pardon through Christ. We shall never meet again; for in a few short days at most I shall be beyond the nearest and dearest of friends. I can do nothing. I cannot even pray for you, my dear friend. My time is mostly taken up in sleeping; but I trust I have oil in my vessel, that when the Bridegroom cometh I shall be ready. O my friend, it takes all to get into the kingdom. What a taking off—what a casting aside, of everything! Oh! the gratitude I feel to my Maker for giving me so much time and opportunity to prepare to see him! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I long to go. I am only watching on the shore, soon to leave all that are near and dear to me here, brothers and sisters, and mother. My poor, tired, worn-out mother! It will be only a little while before I hope to meet her. I am weary now, and must bid you good-bye. Good-bye to all at Lancaster. May Heaven be gracious to you all. It is not probable that I shall write to you again; for mother has no time; but dying, I send my undying love to you all, asking you to meet me on Mount Zion. Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 26, 1874.