a rheumatic affection of her limbs, she had, as I was informed, been
unable for several years to rise from her bed without assistance, and
much of the time experienced severe pain. I was informed by her friends
that through her protracted period of suffering she was never heard to
utter a complaining or repining word, but was found daily in a calm even
cheerful frame of mind. After a time I left the village and returned to
my home. Returning thither to visit some relatives after the lapse of a
few months, I met with a friend, soon after my arrival, who informed me
of the death of old Mrs. H., which had taken place the day previous. Two
days later I joined the large numbers who assembled to pay their last
tribute of respect to one of the oldest residents of their village. As
is usual upon funeral occasions, the coffin was placed in front of the
pulpit, and a large number occupied the front pews which were
appropriated to the friends of the deceased. In those pews were seated
men in whose hair the silver threads were beginning to mingle, and women
who were themselves mothers of families who all met around the coffin of
their aged mother. Childhood, youth and middle age were all represented
in that company of mourners. Their pastor, Mr. M., delivered a very
appropriate discourse from the words, "Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord." In the course of his sermon he took occasion to remark, that
a funeral discourse should apply to the living--not the dead. I had
before listened to different sermons from this same text; but I never
listened to a more searching application of the words than upon this
occasion.

Near the close of his sermon, he said: "I presume many of you are aware
that I deem it unnecessary as well as unwise, on occasions of this kind,
for a minister to dwell at length upon the life and character of the
deceased, for, as I have before said, our duty is with the living; but
upon the present occasion, I think I may with propriety say, that we see
before us the lifeless remains of one who has 'died in the Lord.' I have
been for many years acquainted with our aged sister now departed, and
have ever regarded her as an humble and earnest christian. I have
frequently visited her during her lengthened period of suffering; and
have felt deeply humbled for my own want of resignation to the ills of
life, when I observed the exemplary manner with which this aged woman
bore her sufferings, which at times were very seve