It is as if the spirit of
the departing, having reached the boundary of time, and looking forth
on the unclouded scene beyond, shouted back to its companions yet
enveloped with the mists and gloom of earth: "It is all true, you have
only to follow on a little further, and the glorious prospect will
burst upon you." Mrs. Lyth seems to have carefully treasured the last
words of those, who, within the circle of her acquaintance, died
in the Lord; and in the case of particular friends, these notices
sometimes extend to several pages: as if she delighted to linger on
the borders of another world, and to catch a momentary glimpse of its
happiness, and the distant sound of the harpers, harping with their
harps. An example occurs in the course of the following extracts.
"At the two o'clock class, many were in tears; while others testified
of the Lord's goodness. We were, as one of the little hills of Zion,
refreshed by the dew from above. In the evening I remained at home,
intending, if the way opened, to go and see my cousin Elizabeth, who
is very ill. John is recovering; Eliza is still unwell, but I will
leave them in the Lord's hands.--A little before six, I left my cousin
Elizabeth much better, and happy in God. She told me that in the night
she could scarcely refrain from singing:--
'Here we raise our voices higher,
Shout in the refiner's fire,
Clap our hands amid the flame,
Glory give to Jesus' name.'
"On analysing the feelings of my heart, I find a disposition to
brood over trifling grievances; this robs my peace, and encourages an
unfavourable opinion of those who occasion them.
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