Fry, Elizabeth Gurney, 1780-1845; Prison reformers -- Biography
and then expressed how beautiful it was, and how the little
children that die stand before Him; but she did not remember all
the words of the hymn, nor could I help her. She then mentioned
other hymns, and many sweet things ... her heart appeared
inexpressibly to overflow with love. Afterwards she told me one or
two droll stories, and made clear and bright comments as she went
along; then stopped a little while, and said in the fullness of
her heart, and the joy of a little innocent child.... "Mamma, I
love everybody better than myself, and I love thee better than
anybody, and I love Almighty much better than thee, and I hope thee
loves Almighty much better than me."... I appeared to satisfy her
that it was so. This was on Third Day morning, and she was a corpse
on Fifth Day evening; but in her death there was abundant cause for
thanksgiving; prayer appeared indeed to be answered, as very little
if any suffering seemed to attend her, and no struggle at last, but
her breathing grew more and more slow and gentle, till she ceased
to breathe at all. During the day, being from time to time
strengthened in prayer, in heart, and in word, I found myself only
led to ask for her that she might be for ever with her God, whether
she remained much longer in time or not; but, that if it pleased
Infinite Wisdom her sufferings might be mitigated, and as far as it
was needful for her to suffer that she might be sustained. This was
marvellously answered beyond anything we could expect from the
nature of the complaint.... I desire never to forget this favor,
but, if it please Infinite Wisdom, to be preserved from repining or
unduly giving way to lamentation for losing so sweet a child.... I
have been permitted to feel inexpressible pangs at her loss, though
at first it was so much like partaking with her in joy and glory,
that I could not mourn if I would, only rejoice almost with joy
unspeakable and full of glory. But if very deep baptism was
afterwards permitted me, like the enemy coming in as a flood; but
even here a way for escape has been made, my supplication answered
... and the bitter cup sweetened; but at others my loss has touched
me in a manner almost inexpressible, to awake and find my
much-loved little girl so totally fled from my view, so many
pleasant pictures marred. As far as I am concerned, I view it as a
separation from a sweet source of comfort and enjoyment, but surely
not a real evil. Abundant comforts are left me if it please my kind
and Heavenly Father to provide me power to enjoy them, and
continually in heart to return him thanks for His unutterable
loving kindness to my tenderly-beloved little one, who had so sweet
and easy a life and so tranquil a death.... My much-loved husband
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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