'BURY, _August 1st, 1881._

'DEAREST FRIEND,--Though I cannot be with you in your trouble I am
continually thinking of you, and praying that all needful help and
comfort may be sent to you _as_ you need and _how_ you need it. I have
no means of hearing any particulars, and am most anxious to know how you
do, and how you have got through the last painful week. Whenever you
feel able write me a few words, I await them with much anxiety. When you
are able to realise the _reality_ of his eternal gain--you will feel
that all is well. A _great_ spirit, a great and noble spirit, has passed
from the earth, his earthly tabernacle is taken down to be raised
again--glorious and immortal, a fitting abode for a spirit of the just
_made perfect_. How wonderful are those words, "made perfect." We are
even now part of that grand assembly where they dwell. "We are come to
the general assembly and church of the first born which are written in
heaven. To God the judge of all, to Jesus the Mediator, to an
innumerable company of angels, etc., to the _spirits of the just made
perfect_." Let us realise our communion with them even now, and _soon_
to meet them on the Resurrection Morn--when they who sleep in Jesus will
God _bring_ with Him ... and so we shall be ever with the Lord.

Ever with the Lord, Amen, so let it be, Life from the dead is in that
word, 'Tis immortality.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, their _works_ do follow
them. Your beloved father's work in Spain will follow _him_. His efforts
to spread the word of God in that benighted land, ever has and ever will
bring forth blessed fruits. Dearest Henrietta, be comforted, you have
been a most devoted daughter to him, and latterly his greatest earthly
comfort; your dear husband also; and together you have tended him to the
last. He now rests in peace. All the sufferings of mind and body are
over for ever. You will have much earthly business on your hands. I pray
that you may be directed in all things by true wisdom. The time is
short, we must set our houses in order, that we may not be unnecessarily
burdened with earthly cares. Having food and raiment, let us be
therewith content.

'Let us be without carefulness, and so quietly and piously spend the
remnant of our days--ever growing in the knowledge of Christ, and
finding in _Him_ all our comfort and all our joy, and when our own time
of departure shall arrive may we be _ready_ and able to say, "I have a
_de