TWO SISTERS

The amiable Mrs. R. had a sister distinguished for early loveliness, of whose death the following remarkable account was given by Mrs. R.:—

“I was taken sick, and when the physicians advised the family of my great danger, this dear sister came to me with a visible concern, and earnestly besought me to tell her whether I was ready and willing to die; for she was afraid I would die, and she could not comfortably part with me but to go to Christ; she hoped, therefore, that my interest in Him was comfortable and clear. I earnestly turned to her, and said, “Why, sister, do they think me in such hazard? I must confess to you that my distress would be great, on account of my soul, if I thought my death was now coming; for I have not that full assurance of my interest in Christ, which I have always begged of God I might have before He pleases to call me hence.” No sooner had she heard me say this, than she fell as in an agony, on her knees by my bedside, and in a manner inexpressible for fervour and humility, besought the Lord, that if her father must have the grief of burying one of his children it might be her! for through His free grace, and to the glory of it, she could joyfully profess before Him her assured hope of her interest in His everlasting mercy, through Jesus Christ! wherefore she could willingly render herself to die, if it might please God to grant her sister a further space for making her calling and election sure. Having prayed thus in a transport the most surprising and astonishing to me, said Mrs. R., ‘she earnestly kissed me and left the room, without giving me time or power to answer her a word;
and what is almost incredible to relate, from that hour or two I grew better and recovered, but she took to her bed and died within a few days!'”