I will not leave him there, but will keep him company through the valley of the shadow of death. It is my busihess to see that he takes no harm.' How comfortable is it to be able, on a death-bed, to sayLord, I venture my all on the efficacy of thy grace, and the unfailing certainty of thy covenant. On this have I built all my hopes, and on the same bottom I will now venture my departing soul. I know whom I have trusted. It is no new, no unusual thing for me to give myself, body and soul, unto thee. It is what thou knowest I have often done. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. I know I cannot comfortably do it at death, if I do not sincerely do it now. The excellent saint Mr. Grosvenor speaks of, had much comfort in her last hours, though in her life-time she leaned much to the doubtful side. The nearer she came to her end the more her assurance grew. At length these words dropped from her: I thank God I have no clouds nor fears remaining.' From that time, he observes, "we stood round the dying as curious spectators to see, and observe, how heaven met the travelling soul on its way-to learn to die to see religion in some of its grandeur -to see a mortal triumph over death, and through faith and patience, more than a con queror. And, after she had, with the majesty of an ancient Patriarch, given the last admonitions and blessings to the several branches of her family, she waited, to use her own words, but a little while for leave to die.' When, in her last sickness, the minister asked her what he should more particularly desire of God for her, she answered; Pray for patience to bear the pains and troubles of sickness-for pardon of all sins -and the evidence of that pardon, acceptance with God in the beloved-our Lord Jesus Christ, and a welcome reception into his presence." It was not needful, though, had it been consistent with infinite wisdom, it would have been for edification, that Mrs. Savage should have left this world, enjoying those cheering manifestations which have shed a lustre upon some favored believers. A sudden death does not admit of it. The words of a saint, whose soul is just ready to take flight to heaven, are peculiarly impressive, but they are not the test of our judgment. The life is the best evidence of piety. What Mrs. Savage's was we have seen. Her hoary hairs were found in the way of righteousness, and her end, though not triumphant, was serene, and happy. The event will be best related in the words of her niece, Miss Hannah Tylston, in a letter to a friend. "My dear aunt Savage died, February 27th, 1752, in a good old age (almost eightyeight,) was gathered to her people. Her death was sudden. She dropped mortality without being herself sensible of the change till she found herself in the worlds of light, among the number of spirits made perfectthe world to which she was allied, and formed to the temper and disposition of. She had lived a holy, cheerful life; made religion her business, her choice early; and she was an ornament to her profession, through all the different scenes and periods of it. She was useful, beloved, meek, humble, charitable. She is gone to receive her reward-joined by the society she loved. May I ever remember such examples as these, to quicken, animate, and encourage me in the Christian warfare, since I have by experience known how happy all thy servants are. May my soul be gathered with theirs." Her mortal remains were deposited in the church yard at West Bromwich, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.' The funeral sermon was preached, March 15th, 1752, by the Rev. Mr. Howell, Dissenting Minister at West Bromwich, from Daniel xii, 13. But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days—a text of her own choosing. The discourse was never printed. 13 CHAPTER IV. MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY, BETWEEN THE YEARS "Saturday night, Dec. 8, 1688. I spent a little time in looking over my papers of this kind, finding how it hath formerly been with me. I have just cause to fear decays in grace, because I do not watch over the motions of my heart so strictly as formerly. Woe is me. Do I go backward instead of forward? O Lord, strengthen thou the things which remain. This evening I was a little refreshed with a passage, in a letter from a friend, speaking of the providence of God thus-It is not only tender, but particular. He gives his angels charge over me. A host of angels about one Elijah. Sept. 10, 1689. I read, in course, Micah iv. I found many sweet prophetical passages concerning the enlargement of the gospel church. The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains. A thing I have often prayed for-that Christ's kingdom might be uppermost; and though I may not live to see it, yet I stedfastly believe it shall be in God's due time. 12. My dear mother, together with brother and sister Hulton, came to see us. Stay ed all night. Next day returned. I was much pleased, and refreshed with their company, but, alas! how do such pleasures pass away—perish in the using! At parting, my mother prayed with us. Sister Hulton left with me that scripture, Lam. iii, 26. It is good both to hope and quietly wait. Oh, I want this quietness of spirit, but I do cast my care upon God. If it be good for me he will bear me up under my burden to the appointed time; if otherwise, I submit. I will endeavor that there shall not be a murmuring heart. Wednesday, April 14, 1690. I was present at the funeral of Mrs. Kirks, at Chester. Brother preached immediately after, on Luke xvi, 9-that when ye fail. Death is a failing. This night my father came to Chester. Thursday. My father preached, and baptized brother Henry's child Elizabeth, in the face of a full assembly. God, hear prayers for it, and make it a branch of thy family. This night we all-sisters and brothersslept at brother Henry's, where afterwards, we went up to sister's chamber, and my father prayed with his ten children-Blessed be God who hath once brought us all together in this world, but the great time of gathering is to come. Saturday. After I had a few days seen and enjoyed my dear relations we must part. It is very probable it may be long before we |