your few remaining days. I shall soon
be left alone, almost the only one on earth to pray for him, and I
have great confidence in your dying prayers.' He looked earnestly
at the little boy, and said, 'I will try to pray for him; but I
trust very many prayers will ascend for the dear child from our
friends at home, who will be induced to supplicate the more
earnestly for him, when they hear that he is left fatherless in a
heathen land.'

"On Wednesday, while looking in the glass, he seemed at once to
see symptoms of his approaching dissolution, and said, without
emotion, 'I have altered greatly--I am sinking into the grave very
fast--just on the verge.' Mr. Mason said to him, 'Is there nothing
we can do for you? Had we not better call the physician? Or shall
we try to remove you into town immediately?' After a few moments'
deliberation, it was concluded to defer the baptism of the male
applicants, and set out for home early the next morning. Nearly all
the female candidates had been examined, and as it is difficult for
them to come to town, it was thought best that Mr. Mason should
baptize them in the evening. We knelt, and Mr. Mason having prayed
for a blessing on the decision, we sat down to breakfast with
sorrowful hearts.

"While we were at the table, my beloved husband said, 'I shall soon
be thrown away for this world; but I hope the Lord Jesus will take
me up. That merciful Being, who is represented as passing by, and
having compassion on the poor cast-out infant, will not suffer me
to perish. O, I have no hope but in the wonderful, condescending,
infinite mercy of God, through his dear Son. I cast my poor
perishing soul, loaded with sin, as it is, upon his compassionate
arms, assured that all will he forever safe.' On seeing my tears,
he said, 'Are you not reconciled to the will of God, my love?'
When I told him I hoped I did not feel unreconciled, he continued,
'I have long ago, and many times, committed you and our little one
into the hands of our covenant God. He is the husband of the widow
and the father of the fatherless. _Leave thy fatherless children, I
will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me_, saith
the Lord. He will be your stay and support, when I am gone. The
separation will be but short. O, how happy I shal