adapted to her situation, and closed my visit by offering a prayer. Before I retired, she said," when you offer your supplications for me, I wish you always to conclude by repeating the Lord's prayer, for that has always been sweet to me." During the last few days of this pious lady's illness, she was continually uttering expressions of gratitude, not only to her God and Saviour, but to her children and friends who surrounded her. She could receive nothing to refresh her, but a little icewater; yet, not a drop passed her lips, without acknowledging her thankfulness. As she approached nearer to the last scene, every doubt and fear vanished; and she happily reposed herself in the bosom of her Lord. She was never heard to allude to any of her good deeds, but constantly attributed all her mercies in life to the grace and goodness of her heavenly Father, resting her soul on the all-sufficiency of Christ her Saviour, and thus waiting the messenger death to call her to the scenes of immortality. cross. To whom, said 1, can a penibut to that blessed Redeemer The next time I visited Mrs. Hoffman, her strength was so far exhausted, that I said little more than to offer her a few sentiments for her consolation. I cited to her, David's charming surrender of himself to his Lord; part of which were the very last words expressed by Jesus, the true David, while expiring on the Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psl. xxxi. 5. tent sinner commit his guilty soul, whose hands were nailed to the cross? And to whom can a dying child of grace commit his fleeting spirit, but into the hand of his Father, who indeed, is the Lord God of truth? "Yes," she replied, "they are charming words indeed! I hope I shall take the comfort of them. You must now kneel down and pray for me, that those words may be mine." Rising from prayer, she asked me, why did you not pronounce the benediction? To gratify her, I immediately did so.-This was the last time I prayed with her. On the next Friday morning, I made Mrs. Hoffman another visit; but she was too low to admit of conversation, and I promised to stop on my return from Bellevue. This was the day previous to her death. In the afternoon she was a little revived, and received a visit from her valuable friends, Mr. and Mrs. B. Mrs. B. took a seat by her side, and read Mrs. Graham's “ provision for passing Jordan," and also selections of Psalms and Hymns in the Prayer Book. Occasionally she broke out in ejaculatory prayer, beseeching the Lord to be with her in passing through the valley of death.-On my return in the afternoon, her mind was composed in her God, but the power of speech was extremely feeble. I asked her if she enjoyed the consolation of those words of David's surrender, which I repeated on my last visit? She replied, "they are the delight of my soul; I feel them in my heart; my mind is at rest." Perceiving that life would speedily expire, I proposed to her daughter, Mrs. M. Hoffman, to make a visit in the morning, which Mrs. Hoffman hearing, said, "tell him to be sure to come." Saturday morning I made my last visit. Her articulation had become almost unintelligible; but still, in broken accents, she endeavored to glorify her God while breath remained. Looking at Mrs. B. the daughter of her still dear Mrs. Graham, she said, "my colleague has gone before; I am following fast." Then, after a short pause she resumed her speech: "Tell them," meaning the Board of the Orphan Asylum; "tell them all, there is a crown of glory in reserve for me." These were nearly her last words, except now and then an endearing expression to her children and grand-children. An oppressive slumber seized her animal spirits, and about nine o'clock in the evening, she gently fell asleep in Jesus, without the shadow of a struggle or a sigh, aged 79 years. Thus she received an answer to her constant prayers, that when she passed through the valley of the shadow of death, she should fear no evil; and certain it was, that her Shepherd and Redeemer was sensibly with her; his rod and staff supported and consoled her spirit while passing away to the mansions of eternal blessedness and glory! 66 Religion Providence! and after-state! "Here is firm footing; here is solid rock! "This can support us; all is sea besides, "Sinks under us, bestorms, and then devours."-YOUNG. On the following Monday afternoon, the mortal remains of this mother in Israel were deposited in the burial-yard of Trinity Church. From the house of her son, Martin Hoffman, the place of her many years' residence, the corpse was followed by many of her relations and surviving friends in carriages, which halted in front of St. Paul's Church. The walking procession was then formed, and advanced to Trinity, preceded by about one hundred of the Orphan Children, who had been the objects of her affec tionate care; and followed by a long train of respectable citizens, to give their last testimony to departed worth. The full burial service of the Church was performed by the Right Reverend Bishop Hobart; after which the body was conveyed to the family vault, there to rest in hope, 'till the morning of the resurrection, when the trump of God shall sound, the vile body shall be raised incorruptible, and fashioned like unto the glorious body of the Son of God; body and spirit be reunited, and both received to the climes of bliss and unutterable joy, forever and ever! O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN. FINIS. |