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jointly and equally made her visits welcome . By an affecting but undesigned coincidence , the paragraph which announced her death in the Cambridge Chronicle was immediately preceded by a notice of a sermon on behalf of the Bene-W * # * Satiety * which , as long as it continues , ( and may it be perpetual !) -will serve as a memorial of her virtues .
For the last six years , the scene of this excellent woman ' s goodness had been shifted from Cambridge to Harlow . Wherever she went , she " found , or rather made , affectionate friends ; who , as they admired her character , were prompt ia co operating in her labours of love . Her amiable manners
won confidence , and enlarged her usefulness by enabling her to give a direction , though without ostentation or arrogance , to the charity of her neighbours . In the place of her final residence , she was in many secret ways , in many open , a benefactress of the
poor ; and one of the last things which employed her active mind , was the establishment of a sunday-school , which her sudden death has probably somewhat delayed , and which , alas ! whensoever set on foot , must now want the
benefit of her expected superintendence The closing scenes of such a life corresponded with its promising beginnings and pleasing progress . Tne departed saint had a presentiment on her mind for some time that she should not be long in this world . During her last illness , which brought on premature labour , and terminated in her
dissolution , she appeared to be weaned from life , and displayed an intelligent sere * nity which seemed the dawn of heavenly happiness . She was harassed with no distressing fears ; though in her wonted humility , she said to a faithful and affectionate attendant , and repeated the sentiment often , " When I consider the
mercies with which Providence has surrounded me-f-my husband , my children , my easy circumstances—I have to lament the little returns I have made . I fear I have not been sufficiently grateful , and now 1 am under God's
afflicting hand , I pray I may never be suffered to murmur or repine / ' For some few days previous to her decease , the minds of her fri end * were alternately elevated aa < J depressed with hope and fear ; though hope chiefly prevailed till the middle of the day on which ahe died , when the medical attendants pronounced
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the excruciating sentence , that life wai ebbing away This she herself was aware of before it was made known to the family . To her much-affected husband , who spent the last hours of her life by her bedside , she said , in a firm tone , and with her eyes most steadily fixed on him , — You have now to pray for resignation to the will of God . For myself , I feel that the God who has been
my portion through life , is now , when flesh and heart are failing me , the strength of my heart and my portion for ever . " He then reminded her of the conversations that they had frequently held respecting the parting hour , and the reunion of themselves and their dear
children , after the short separation made by death : " Now , " he added , « c do you feel the force of these consolations ? Do not talk—give me a signal of hopehold up your hand /* With the * sweetest smile upon her countenance , with one of her hands she grasped his , and holding up the other , waved it , again and
again , as if in triumph . Just before the spark of life went put , she was asked if she wished to see her children , for whom she had always shewn an affection bordering on anxiety . She faintly answered , < c ^ Q . —j shall see them again— -when I
shall be much better ?* Instantly , she composed herself to rest , and fell asleep in Jesus , so gently and pleasantly , that they who were observing her scarcely perceived the change . c < See in what peace a Christian can die !"
Thus expired this superior woman , in the 40 th year of her age ; leaving her husband , relatives and friends the consolation , in the midst of their bereavement , of reflecting upon her virtuous life and happy death , and of anticipating a rejunction with her in a state of death * less being .
She has left two children , one seven , the other five years of age , to exhibit the image of her interesting person , and , it is hoped , also , of her powerful min 4 and affectionate heart . Her remaina were interred on Saturv day , the fcist instant * in the burial ground belonging fco the Protestant Pissenters of Hariow , situated in Forster ' s
Street , a rural hamlet in that parish The Rev . Mr . Chaplin , of Bishop Stortford , delivered an affecting address at the grave , to a concourse of friends antf neighbours ; and on the afternoon of the following day , the Rov , Mn Severn , of Harjovv , preached a funeral sermon ,
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Qlttuari *—~ idr $ . Flower . 205
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1810, page 205, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2403/page/45/
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