As it hath been reported to me, that the story of my beloved daughter, Susan Gray (who departed this life now nearly twenty years since) has met with the approbation of many of my Christian brethren, and more especially of such as have daughters growing up; I am tempted, although now getting far in years, to impart to my friends the History of Lucy Clare, as it was related to me by a dearly beloved brother in the ministry, and shortly before his death. From this story which I am about to relate, it will appear, that the trials with which the Lord was pleased to exercise Lucy Clare, were not less difficult to be endured than those of Susan Gray, although entirely of another kind. But both of these young women were "strengthened in the Lord, and walked in his name:" so that we," seeing their good works," have much reason on their account to "glorify their Father which is in heaven;" for they were his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Zech. x. 12; Matt. v. 16; Ephes. ii. 10. And thus having made known to my readers who I am, and for what cause I again put pen to paper, I proceed to relate in what manner I became acquainted with the History of Lucy Clare. In the Vale of Teme, and about ten miles down the stream below my parish, is the rectory of Swhich was formerly held by a very old and dear friend of mine. I think I may presume to say of him, that he was a disciple whom his Lord loved, and one who always leaned on his master's bosom. John xiii. 23. He was for many years a kind neighbour to me, and ever ready to obey my call in time of need. Nor did we ever meet, that he did not make it a season of unusual joy; a sort of holyday-time in the family, as my children used to say, who were never weary of hearing the many pleasant and profitable relations with which he entertained us. And truly, he had a rare and exquisite memory, taking hold of such things as were beautiful, holy, and profitable, and passing by such things as were otherwise: insomuch that I could have no doubt of his speaking under the influence of a divine remembrancer. John xiv. 26. The last time I saw him will be eleven years ago next midsummer. Having surely some foresight that he should not long be spared to those who loved him on earth, he sent me a letter, to say that he would come wtih his wife, God being willing, to pay me a visit before he was summoned to set out upon his journey home (for that was his manner of speaking of death). I was well pleased to receive this letter; and still more so when I saw him the next day ride up to the garden-gate, with the good old lady, his wife, on the pillion behind him. Those twelve days which this good old couple spent at my house, were the happiest which I expect to see on this side of the grave: for I had all my children at home with me at that time, and my poor wife was then living. My good old friend had a mortal disease on him at that very time, notwithstanding his cheerfulness. He was, as it were, waiting on the very brink of the river of death, ready for the messenger who was to call him hence; his thoughts were all heavenwards, and his conversation there already. Phil. iii. 20. Yet had he not lost his relish for such of the lovely works of his heavenly Father as are exhibited upon earth; having learned, through faith, to see clearly the invisible glories of another world, through the visible beauties of the present. Rom. i. 20. On the morrow after his arrival, I showed him my hop-yard and orchard, with the trees which I had planted many years before, when we were both young men; while my wife took the old lady into her dairy and poultry-yard, and from thence into her garden, where she particularly pointed out her beds of tulips, and her favourite rose-bushes. Not that we were proud, I humbly trust, of those good things which God for a season had lent us; but being enriched in all things, to all bountifulness, we had daily cause for thanksgiving to God. After we had shown our friends all that was worthy of notice about our house and garden, I would have them the next day to go with me into the church, which stands on the same hill with the parsonage, but considerably higher. After walking through the church, we sat down on the porch, the day being remarkably warm and pleasant. Now, perhaps, through the whole lovely vale of Teme, there is not one spot from which a finer prospect may be seen, than from my churchyard: such variety is seldom found in one view, of hill and dale, sloping lawns, waving woods, orchards (at that time of the year bending with fruit), hop-yards, fields of corn, and flowery meadows; through which Teme, winding her silver stream, may be traced all the way by rows of willows, with here and there a water-mill; farmhouses, with their corn and hay-ricks; thatched cottages, enclosed in little gardens and deep woody dingles, from whence, in the summer season, proceeds the voice of the ringdove. My old friend had often seen this fair prospect before: but as this day he sat in the church porch, his poor palsied limbs being warmed and refreshed by the sun, and all the beautiful works of his Divine Master being spread out before him, not with a sparing hand, but in the richest profusion, he seemed more delighted than ever with the lovely view; and as he gazed, he broke forth in the praises of that Divine Power by which all these things were created, and of that goodness by which they were made thus exquisitely fair: and never did I hear him speak in a more animated manner. Looking first at the fair landscape at a distance, and then at the graves and tomb-stones nearer to him, and addressing my children, he said, "My dear young ones, you see those beautiful works of God spread out before you, as far as your eyes can reach above and below; but know, that among these graves and clods of earth, lie the seeds of a fairer creation than that world of beauties which now meets your eyes- Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. So man lieth down and riseth not, till the heavens be no more.' John vii. 24; Job xiv. 12. Those among our departed brethren here, who died in the Lord, will revive in him, as it is written. 'Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.' Isaiah xxvi. 19. How truly glorious and beautiful will they appear, who shall then awake in the likeness of their Lord! Psalm xvii. 15. If the sinful world before us hath so much beauty, Oh! how infinitely fairer will the sinless world be!" Then turning to my youngest son, he asked him "What it behooved him to seek above all earthly things?" Upon my son's hesitating, he took up his own question and answered it thus: "That which it behooves us by all means to pursue on earth is, the recovery of the image of God: that glorious image originally stamped on man, but defaced by sin. We are taught by Scripture, that the opportunity of recovering this lost image is allowed only in the present life. This opportunity once lost, is lost for ever. 'There's no repentance in the grave, He then proceeded to point out the only means of salvation offered to man: which is the purifying blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by his sacrifice once offered, procured us a free pardon, and purchased for us that glorious gift of the Holy Spirit, whereby man is sanctified throughout, his very body becoming the temple of the Holy Ghost, and his members the members of Christ. So that, being led by the Spirit, the renewed man brings forth all the fair fruits of holiness; and when his body, which is become a member of Christ, is laid in the grave, the mystical union of the dying member with its ever-living Head is not dissolved. For death has no power to separate Christ and his people; since our Lord himself has expressly said, “It is the will of God, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John vi. 40. "Therefore, my dear son," continued my friend, "lose not a moment, delay not till to-morrow to take hold of this great" salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." 2 Tim. ii. 10. How happy are those who, having walked with God on earth, have fallen asleep with Jesus! We have known many, since we came into this country, who have fought the good fight (added he, looking at me), and who now rest from their labours." This led me to point out the several graves of those of my parishioners concerning whose state I had the best hope, judging according to man's judgment. Among these were the graves of James and Mary Gray, together with that of their daughter Susan, marked by the white stone which my Lady West had caused to be inscribed to her memory, "The name of Susan Gray, and her triumph, through divine grace, over the snares of sin and Satan," said my friend," remind me of an account which a poor woman in my parish gave me of herself, when near death. This happened some years ago; but the story is still as fresh in my memory as if I had heard it only yesterday: so, if you please, I will relate it to you this evening while we sit round your table. And as you are a ready penman, if you are so minded, you may commit it to paper, for the benefit of other young women who may meet with the like trials." Accordingly, that same evening, my friend related the tale, which I, with the help of my son, committed to paper, before his departure; and I am glad that I did so, as the example it exhibits may be profitable to young persons. CHAPTER II "THERE is in my parish," said my good old friend, "at some distance from the church and the village, as well as from any high road, a very deep valley, rendered shady by the coppices and orchards growing upon the declivity of the hill on both sides. At the mouth of this valley runs the river, and near it in the bottom |