that his son, the young man, not a member of my congregation, whom I
had several times visited, was near his end, and would like to see me.
Stranger comparatively though he was, and impassable as the streets were
by any vehicle, and almost by foot passengers, my gratitude for the
sweet and peaceful end of my own dear child, and for her undoubted
admission to the realms of bliss, was such, that, within an hour or two,
I forced my way to a distant part of the city, to assist another
departing spirit for its flight. This heart has no more fortitude, nor
has it less of natural affection and sensibility, than ordinarily falls
to the lot of men; hence those consolations must have been great, that
support and strength equal to the day, that hope concerning my child an
anchor sure and steadfast, which enabled me thus to go from her clay,
just cold, to aid a passing spirit in obtaining like precious faith with
hers, and the same inheritance. My motive in thus lifting a little of
the veil, or in placing a light behind the transparency, of my private
feelings, I trust will be seen to be, that I may comfort others with the
comfort wherewith I was comforted of God.

But there awaits me a blessing, with a joy, surpassing all that has gone
before. "My daughter is even now dead; but come and lay thy hand upon
her, and she shall live." From her grave, which was soon made by the
side of kindred dust, Jesus will raise her up at the last day; her voice
will come to that body; her youthful beauty will be reestablished by
her likeness to Christ's own glorious body; she will lean upon my arm
again; the separation and absence will enhance the joy of meeting; we
shall say, How like a hand-breadth was the separation! We shall see
reasons full of wisdom and love for the sickness and the early death. We
shall part no more. All this has more than once made me say, and sing,--

"O, for this love, let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues
The Saviour's praises speak."

Young friend, you will need him as the great Physician, the Friend in
sorrow, the Forerunner in the dark passages of life, the Conqueror of
death, the Lord our Righteousness, and, all endearing names in one,
Immanuel, God with us.

Parents, you will need him for your children. Children, you will need
him when father and mother, one or both, have forsaken you, or, if
alive, can only make you feel how little their fond love