BV 4585 .R5 Copy 1 l!lllflllill!llllilllil!llll!l!ll!li!!!li!ll!ll| -g^O THE S/c^ I ' = Especially tlie Young, ^ = POSSIBLY THE DTINO, ^ I "FEAR NOT : | s For, leholil, I \mi yon i I GOOD TIDINGS | I GREAT JQY." | = This leaflet, will be sent to the sick, when called S — - for. Addiess, C. N, Uicharps, U. S, Senate P. O := ■^ W ashington, D. C. SS iiniiiiiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiii!i!iiiiiiiiiiijfi[iiiij|i!iiiii ,1\ ^^ -' I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU DE^EAMs, fiction, allegory, works of art, human speculations, intellectual sky-rockets, and ef- fervescent drafts may, for the time, tickle the fan- cies or quiet the fears of the living ; but for the dying, I have seen the need, during the past month, of something more solid and practical; something that has stood the test of ages; some- thing ihat proved sufficient for the occasion by a ^ "cloud of witnesses whom no man can number.;" something everlasting as God's eternal truth. In order to aid the invalid to look to His word re- vealing His love, and becoming reconciled to His will, I hasten, now, that the youth for whom some such simple written help was desired has passed willingly and peacefully on to eternal joy, to pick out a few crumbs of comfort for other doubting, trembling tenants of crumbling clay. To fulfil a three-fold purpose, the closing days of the friend just gone Shall supply much of the thought and words to be herein inscribed. 4 The first desire, when informed that her earthly career would soon end, was a longing to live just enough to do some good in the world by coming out and taking a decided stand for Jesus, and be numbered among his people on earth. She was told perhaps the Lord had yet a work for her to do. A part of that work she was permitted faith- iully to do with her own lips to father, mother,- sister, relatives, and friends in a manner never to be forgotten, but too personal for public good. Hence, this reminiscence is partially to set afloat another part of that work — "She being dead, yet speaketh," The life and departure of an angel fresh from Heaven, that scarcely trod the earth, woukl be of very little help to the average boy or girl launching out into the eternal. But it may be a comforting crumb for the playful, frolicking' youth of to-day, loving life and fearing death in common with other animals, to know just how one of their number met this last dread enemy. And to older and matured minds it has been de- creed:. "Except ye be converted and become as Utile cMldren, 2/e shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.' CLARA MiivNiE CAI.EF livcd lo suiiimers, ai> predating the advantages of a quiet country life. Her eulogist might tell, as her playmates and teacher do tell, how pure she lived, and how determined to pursue the right, as she under- stood it; yet her own lips declared that she had done no good in the world worth remembering. Her first sickness of much moment was begun while having a jolly good time skating with the girls in the meadow of the old homestead, where she and her father were born. A severe cold was followed in the Spring by pneumonia, and when Summer came the stranger could see that consumption had began its fatal waste; and so when the leaves began to fall, and there were no more berries nor wild flowers for her to gather, the doctor said she must seek a milder clime for Winter. It was decided that she must visit grandmcxther and friends in Washington. AW the attractions of a winter season at the gay cap- ital had ever failed to draw her from her home among the hills of New Hampshire. Mother was fcverj^thing and everybody to her, however, so that, with the understanding she would soon join lier, good bye was said to faces and places and all the belongings of her childhood's happy hours. Hopes ever bright became brighter far a few days and weeks under the Southern sky. Gaining in strength and appetite, riding in and around the city, enjoying the company of a score of relatives and friends about her, all seemed to be going well, till chilly Winter came. Then followed a long, bitter, and painful struggle. Christmas day she was about with the rest, giving little Dorcus gifts her own hands had made, and receiving little tokens of love from the •Atlantic shores, and the Pacific slope, so that when the sun had sank in the west, she exclaim- ed: "Oh ! what a happy day I have had." And this was the last day of earthly enjoyment. Rer pleasure in the few days that followed, came from higher up the stream, clear and fresh from the fountain head. By the physician's advice she had been kept ignorant of her true condition. Two days after Christmas, she. was plainlj^ told, that the doctor said all hope was gone, he could nV)t save her, " The great physician now is near. The sympathising Jesus." Her father, still full of hope for her rec.overy,. was telegraphed to come with all speed, as Min- 7 nie miglit die in a few hours — certainly in a few days. After being told as best, a stricken, but believing mother could, that she had only a little time to staj'-, but that a better friend was waiting to take her to a better home, she called for other loved one's to gather around her. Oh ! she said, "1 do want to live. Is it wicked to wish so? I have thought so much of going back home in the spring and picking May flowers with the girls." "Yes, but other hands will pick them for you, Minnie?" — "Oh! I'm afraid I'll be forgotten." — ' 'Can't I live till February; I'll be sixteen then, 3'ou know?" — ^"It seems so hard for one to die so young." — " Oh I if mother could only go with me." ^" How can I go without my darling mother? I have never left her, and how can I leave her now, and go alone, when I don't know where I am g=. ing? Oh. dear ! I dread the death struggle, and the death rattle so much. When I was a little girl some one died near us, that sufferred teribly in dying, and I have always had a fearful dread of it ever since. FrdY for me. that I may die easily." Such a praj^er was then offered in faith believing, and at her request another, that she might not .die until father came. Then came a night of watching, suffering, and pleading She wanted the Bible read to her, and a portion of the 14th chapter of John was selected, read and talked about. It happened to be one she had learned in Sunday- School, and now it seemed to open up a new- world to her. She had believed in God, and loved her Saviour ; but was greatly troubled that she had not tried to get others to love Him. She was not even a member of the church herself. ' 'Would you like to be ?" she was asked. "Yes, indeed. I would." "Well, then," she was told, -^He will take the will for the deed, and also your desires to do other things for Him. Do you love Him enough now to trust Him, to be taken as a little help- less lamb in his arms, whenever or wherever He chooses to go with you ?" " Of course, I do." The 23d Psalm was then read and talked about as follows : The Lord is what ? My shepherd. How careful a shepherd is of his sheep, par- ticularly the lambs, even taking them in his arms and carrying them over rough places. But who is my shepherd ? The one altogether lovely. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want, ichat? Any particular thing? Graop to live by, or grace to die by V I shall not want any good thing. Yea, thougli I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Why ? For thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Is that true ? Yes, she said, and then appearing quite disturbed, she added : "I can't see why we have to sin when God is so good to us. Do you suppose if I should get well, this faith would leave me, and I should go on sinning?" The next day a helpful letter came to her from her Sunday-school teacher. When read to her, she seemed delighted with the thought that her teacher believed she had been trusting Jesus for some time, and that she was praying for her now that her faith fail not, but that she might con- tinue to look to the God of the 23d Psalm. Her father arrived in breathless suspense to know her condition. One prayer was answered, and her faith was stiengthened that the other would be. How good God is to me, she said; so many are sick and die, away from friends, while those I love the most are about me. Hoped they would forgive every unkind or impatient word. She thanked all for their kindness — those who had sent flowers, fruit, home-made dainties, and sympathizing notes and cards from afar. She did not want her friends at home to see her 10 emaciated foim when dead, but to remember her as in health. If she had known the foreshadows of Heaven were to be so clearly stamped upon her face, she might have been willing to be seen as a shining witness that "it is not all of death to die." At times every-day concerns were brought up for conversation, thinking it might rest her mind as well as others. It was very plain that it did not please her, and subjects more suited to one dying were chosen. God's word was read and applied to her condition, a prayer oflFered or a song sang with Jesus in it. Of these she never seemed to tire, when possible to listen to any- thing. Several times she called for her sister to sing a hymn that expressed her inner feelings, and appeared to take her away from her aching body. " They tell me there are dang-ers In the path my feet must tread, But they cannot see the glory That Is shining- round my head. Oh, 'tis Jesus leads my footsteps! He has made my heart his OAvn, For I would not dare to journey. Thro' the wide, wide world alone. T know ray heart is sinful. And my love seems all too small ; But if Jesus' arm is round me, I shall win and conquer all. 11 Sabbath morning the doctor said she was cer- tainly dying — that she probably would not live an hour. She was so informed, and called for all in the house to gather around her; also sent for one at church, whom she always wanted with her when she thought she was dying. She had previously spoken to each one individually, and given them some little token of remem- brance. Now her words were to all, and seemed wonderfully inspired with thought and faith. A stenographic report of those words would be a great help to others, but a tithe of the expres- sion and soul-power can never be carried in words. Amid the anxiety attending her sick- ness, of course much is lost. Only such of her words and acts as are distinctly fastened in the memory of several witnesses are here recorded for the good they may do to others. The minister and a few neighbors who came in, said that the funeral was mingled with more joy than any they had attended. Certainly, those who witnessed her dying days cannot doubt that "death has lost its sting, and the grave its victory." Clouds and doubts would come while writhing in pain, only to clear away and show the sunshine of God's love in bolder 13 relief. As twilight came on, and the snow was beating against the window-panes of the little upper room, she seemed to shudder as she looked out and soliloquized: ''Isn't it dreadful to be . taken out into the cold snow ? But then Jesus is warm." She then sank away as if for the last sleep. In a little time she was seen struggling, as if trying to say something. She was told to try to say one word, and perhaps the whole could be guessed. She made the effort, and said " Ground." " What is it ? " was asked, " don't you like the idea of being put away in the ground?" She blinked her eyes, which signi- fied yes — when she was unable to talk. Other signs indicated tha,t she wanted to be talked to about it. Sometimes her mind seemed to weaken with her body, and at such times she would implore some one to help her understand. So, now, she was told that while her body should be taken care of tenderly and lovingly as the house she had lived in so long ; that while pret- ty flowers should be put upon her grave, as sweet memories that cluster around her slender form, yet ' ' our Minnie ' ' should be thought of as among the angels of God, praising Him who has broken 13 the bands of death asunder and emptied the grave. That she Tvas not to lie under the snow. The coffin would be put there and the casket ot her soul, but not the soul itself. " To-day," the Saviour seems to say, "shalt thou (thy soul) be with me in Paradise." The part that has been aching and festering^ the part that has caused the groaning, in fact, all that has been dying will be taken by loved ones five hundred miles to Auburn and put in the grave in sight of mother's chamber- window, as you have requested. But the part that loves and thinks, in fact, thyself — the part that is to live on forever — will be taken by the angels to God, who gave it, to bathe in the sunshine of his presence continually. She was soon back to her accustomed resigna- tion. After a little quiet she said, am I going right off now ? When told that her feet were not cold, she seemed somewhat disappointed, and re- plied in a broken way that she wanted to go to sleep and not wake up again. Getting almost homesick aren't you, Minnie ? Yes; I am. lam so tired. "Blessed are the homesick, for they shall get home. ' ' A little dosing and she aroused again and called for aunt C to sing once more 14 an old time hymn that had been a delight to her upon her sick bed. It was hard for others to keep the tears back or the voice from choking, but the dying one listened as usual with bright eyes toward Heaven, and face all aglow with joy, exclaiming in raptures now and then: Beau- tiful! Beautiful; That's so; that's so. •* HEAVEN OUR HOME." Autumns' pale leaves, withered and dying-, Bloom of the Lily that lasts but a day, Mists of the morn on the breezes flying. Tell us how swiftly we are passing away. Beautiful things born but to perish, Go as the snow flakes, are lost in the foam. Passing away all that we cherish, All things are telling that earths not our home. Chorus. Heaven our home. Heaven our home. Grasping at phantoms not long shall we roam, Heaven our home, Heaven our home. Soon we'll be going to heaven our home. Beautiful earth, dearly we love it. Though in its bosom we shortly must lie, Teeming with forms angels might covert. Yet in the blooming they wither and die. Beautiful earth thou canst not hold us. Faith that looks upward to Heaven's high dome. Sees outstretched arms soon to enfold us. How can we murmur that earths not our home. 15 List tne faint tones nearer and nearer. Earth hath no. voices with music like this, Thrillingly sweet, clearer and clearer, Ang-els are hymning' their chorus of bliss. Rapturous sight over the river, Frosts cannot wither nor age bring decay. Beautiful things bloom on forever. Nothing in Heaven is passing away. In order that slie miglit rest, and, if possible sleep, all kept quiet in the room for several min- utes. After several efforts she managed to speak another word. " Talk,'' she said; and while col- lecting thoughts to know what more to say, she made this sentence to be understood: ''Talk more of what we Avere talking about this after- noon." A.nd then, as if to make clearer and more emphatic. "Talk about Jesus." God's care and love were then dwelt upon. Even the very- hairs of our head being numbered, showing how particular He was in that care. ISTot a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, and shall His OAvn child pass away without His loving presence. If there is nothing a mother would not do to help a dying child, what is there God would not do. — "I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." 16 "He that spared not His own Son, but deliv- evered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" — "The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." "This God is our God forever and ever : He will be our guide even unto death." — Again she said I know I am dying, it is up to here — putting her hand just below her throat. I cannot talk much more with you. I shall soon be with Jesus. Grandmother, it won't be very long before you will come too, will it?' Two more such days came and went. Only those who have been there, know the anxiety of watching day by day a cherished life going out expecting every minute to be the last. Even the doctor who made a specialty of lung diseases af- firmed that he was perplexed to see nature resist- ing death so persistently. Much of the time her pain was severe, and tossing her head upon the pillow from one side to the other, she desired to be alone with mother. She alone could move her, or fix her pillow right. If she left the room for an instant she would hear the call. " Quick, mother, come!" Repeated so often, that now the voice is hushed, the same words are rintiino-in the mother's ears. 17 At one time she said. " I am so glad I'm going first. Is it wrong for me to feel so?" Wliy no, she was told, it seems very thoughtful in your being willing to be the first one, we shall have all the more to call us "over the river." "I don't know" she quickly replied, "it seems self- fish in me. I could not live without my mother " Wednesday night, which really was the last of earth, she wanted all the loved ones to sit around the room, where she could watch their faces. All looked as cheerful as possible, but scarcely a word was spoken. All realized that they were in the presence of death. One whispered in an undertone, " Doesn't she look beautiful now f Her quick ear caught it, and she looked on all in the room and smiled. Then fixing her eyes above, she seemed to be in prayer. Several times she made an effort to speak, but could not, and seemed to give it up. Her lips were moving, and she was asked if she was trying to give a parting kiss. She smiled, and by her eyes told that such was her desire, and when they were returned she smiled again. On being asked if all was well, the look was sufiicient answer. As one was bending over the foot of the bed to catch the last word, if possible, she managed to say, in a broken way, "Give — my — love — to — 18 Tommie — and — ." Here her strength was gone and she could not make another sound ; others added the names of the father and mother of her little three-year old cousin in California, and she intimated that was what she wanted to say. A little rest and she tried to mention other names to whom to give her dying love, but had to stop by saying, "And — the — rest — ." For a half hour nothing was said ; her sun ap- peared to be set, but the bright golden twilight still lingered beneath a cloudless sky. Suddenly she revives enough, or is ing^^ired enough, to offer a prayer, learned in childhood, but not heard from her in many years. Although she lingered on "till morning light." and then passed gently away without a- struggle, so much so that those watching her face could not say when, this prayer seemed to be the closing up. Each word was brought out clear and distinct, with what seemed, for her, a superhuman power, even lo the amen, halting just long enough after each word to gain power to bring the next word out in full. She closed her eyes, raised her hands in attitude of prayer, perfectly'' calm amid the loud sobbing of many in the room, and seemed to think she was alone with her God, as she slowly uttered these words : 19 "■Jesus, tendei' Shepherd, hear me," Bless this little child to-nig-ht, Throug-h the darkness be thou near me,. Watch my sleep till morning- lig'ht. May my sins be all forg-iven. Bless the tj-iends I love so well. Take me when T die to Heaven, Happy there Avith thee to dwell." Here a minute praise as if life had gone, then the prayer was closed as follows: "■ Now I lay me dOAvn to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." " Make me a little christian. And take care of all the loved ones." AMEN, 20 Numerous letters of sympathy, and touclving affection have been received, all of a private na- ture, with no thought of publicity. Therefr)re if the liberty is taken to give verbatim, one just received, as a specimen for the whole, the pur- pose will be understood by all who love the Lord, and the departed, and their dying love for other souls. St. HEiiENA, California. Januanj 21, ISS^. T have just been reading- over again your letter descriptive of the last days, and the letting loose of life of our darling Minnie. I wns not able to read it at first. I attempted to read it to B , but when I came to her last message to Tommie and me, from her death bed, it was too much, so B took it and read it to me. I shall always keep this letter among my ti-ei;s- ures, for it portrays a scene, I never want to forget ; such perfect trust, and childlike confidence in our Saviour, is something so sweet to contemplate, and what I desire to strive for, till this mortal shall put on immortality. Because Minnie had such a beautiful character, so lovable in her ways, and so strong in her attachments,it must make the separation all the harder to her mother. Yet there is much that she can look back to in Minnie's last days, aside from the terrible suffering of the poor child, that will always be a.soin'ce of great comfort to her. To thijik her mind was so 21 clear up to the ver^r last moment of her life. That little prayer how beavitifully appropriate it was in her dying- hour. ''Watch ray sleep till morning- light." Yes, in the morning- light she awoke from the sleep of death into the New Jerusalem and was received into her Heavenly mansion. What a privilege it was for yoii all to witness that transflg-uration. Would that 1 could have been there to. And it must have been pleasant for Minnie to have had you all about her, and no doubt it helped her mother and father, and sister, to better bear their grief in that sad hour of trial, to feel they were strengthened by the strong- love and sympathy of the loved ones about them T have hung- her picture where I can see it every moment, and un- derneath on a bracket I keep flowers and ivy and myr- tle. I know she must have looked beautiful in her casket, under the ti'as light, surrounded by flowers; she was so fond of them it was very fitting, they should pay their last tribute to her memor j'. What a cherished spot that little cemetery on the hill will be to them now, though I can't seem to think of Minnie there, she is above, happy in Jesus. Affectionately your,. Sister A, " THE VOICE OF THE DEPARTED," *'Qmc7c, raotJier, come," but not alone, For father must come too ; And Lulie, tell all the girls I've knOAvn, " There's room up here for you," *' I shine in the light of God ; His likeness stamps my brow ; Through the valley of death my feet ha%^e trod, And I reign in glory now. No breaking- heart is here. No keen and thrilling pain, jSTo wasted cheek, where the frequent tear Hath rolled and left its stain. I have reached the joys of heaven, I am one of the sainted band ; To my head a crown of geld is given. And a harp is in my hand. I have learned the song they sing. Whom Jesus hath set free, And the Glorious walls of heaven still ring. With the new-born melody. No sin, no grief, no pain. Safe in my happy home. My fears all tied, my doubts all slain. My hpur of triumph's come. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Oct. 2005 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111 23 Oh, friends of mortal years. The trusted and the true, Ye are waiting- yet in the valley of tears, But I wait to welcome you. Do I forget ? Oh, no ; For memory's golden chain Shall bind my heart to the hearts below, Till they meet to touch again. Each link is strong' and brig-ht. And loves electric flame. Flows freely down like a river of lig-ht. To the world from whence it came. Do you mourn when another star Shines out in the glittering- sky ? Do you weep when the rag-ing- voice of war. And the storms of conflict die ? Then why do yoiir tears run down. Why your hearts so sorely riven, For another g-em in a Sa^-iour's crown. And another soul in heaven ?" *» LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 022 168 893 f W The Very Best Guide "^1 TO A = HAPPY LIFE I IS E ThebibleJ AS IT IS AT.SO S The Veiy Best Guide I TO A E HAPPY DEATH. I r^. "And the Lord shall guide thee continu- ./-f^= ' - A. ally and satisfy thy soul." Tillllllillll TiiiniiiiiiisiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiininiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimniimtr