‘I must write you one line of sympathy in this great sorrow. I know how much you loved your dear father, and had longed for this visit, and now there will be a great blank. You will not think now “How glad he will be if I do well.” But on the other hand, my dear child, you will feel you must be more than ever to your mother. You children will be all to her now. Besides, God never takes but He also gives—only we often miss the gift because we don’t look for it. He will help you to know Him better as your Father, partly because you will think of your own father as near Him, for where our treasure is, there our hearts are also. You will think more of pleasing Him, and so preparing to meet those who have loved you and loved God, where there will be no more death for ever.’ To an old pupil, on the death of her father:— ‘_November 9, 1896._ ‘MY DEAR CHILD,—This is indeed a blessed death for one so good as your father; you must give thanks for him. ‘There is no service I think so strengthening as the burial; may you be comforted and strengthened for the battle of life by a clearer vision of that unseen host which is ever near, though “our eyes are holden that we see them not” through want of faith. Soon must we join their ranks. Shall we join in their psalms of thanksgiving?’ To Miss Strong, on the death of Miss Margaret Clarke:— ‘_February 3, 1897._ ‘Indeed I am grieved; she has been a power for good, and has sent out some grand workers, and I shall miss her greatly. I am thankful I was with her at Christmas. ‘One feels sure “her works will follow her,” and He who gave her power will raise up others. It is, so far as one can see, too heavy a burden for Kate alone. Her memory will be a power, her life was so wonderfully guided, and one feels sure she has work to do beyond, for which the training of earth will have prepared her.’ To Miss Rowand, on the death of her mother:— ‘_June 1901._ ‘It is grievous for you and those who loved that dear and noble, simple-minded woman, for her goodness gave unity to her life. Now the alabaster box is broken, only the fragrance of the life remains. She has been spared the living death such as I have seen, when the soul finds in the body a tomb. She is released and doubtless carries on ministries of love with your noble father and beloved brother. ‘I have just seen Fräulein, whose only sister has just passed away.