Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-09-28
ANECpoTE OF LAyATER.

AA4NAtCA%oA1 VI AAA n Lib
From the Letters of Karamsin, Russian traveller.
My friend, | am every day more aud
more surprised at Lavater; he enjoys not
an hour oil leisure: the door Of bis study
is never shut The beggar comes for
alms; the afflicted in spirit, for consola-
ton and advice !; travellers, to see man
OF snch celebrity and, however short
the stay of any one, it is still to certain
degree an interruption. Then he goes
abroad to visit the sick; not such only as
may have a particular right 10 bis care,
but whosoever he understands to be i'll 10
the town. Late this afternoon, after
despatching some letters, he took bis hat.
and requested me to walk with him. /
had curiosity to know whittier he might
be going, and / accordingly followed.
We passed out of one street into another,
aud SO onward till We came almost to the
gates Of the city ] thought we were to
stop there, but Lavater went on. We
passed out by the gate; and then pro-
ceeding TO small hamlet, there entered a
lowly peasants cottage. +" Is Anna yet
alive % said Lavater to an old woman
who came. She still draws breath and
this is all that can be said,' replied the old
woman with tears in her eyes. She open
ed the door of the sick chamber, and we
went in. We there saw an old woman,
with the paleness Of death in her face, and
her person whitening away TO mere skin
and bone lie stretched upon a bed. Two
boys and two young girls stood by the bed,
aud wept. When they saw Lavater,
they instantly made way for him, and
kissed his hands. He approached the
dying woman, and, in voice of tender
ness, asked, How do you find yourself@
: Dying-dying,' replied the old woman,
with difficulty. She was too feeble TO ar
ticulate more. Her eyes were fixed; aud
she heaved her breast at every breath, as
in the greatest agony. Lavater sat him
down beside her +; took her by the hand );
and endeavored to prepare her to die.
&c Your hour is come" said he; your
Saviour calls you hence fear not thou
the terrors of the grave: only this frail
mortal body shall become its prey. AT
this moment, when thine eyes are for ever
closing on the vanity Of this life, turn thy
thoughts to where rises the day star OF a
happier world, that shall endure for ever.
Be thankful to God, who has, out of his
goodness, preserved you to such an adj
vanced age, to see your children and
grand children grow up around you, ia
honesty and good esteem. He will make
your memory blessed upon earth /; and
will grant to you for ever TO enjoy the
light of his divine countenance, in the
mansions of eternal felicity. There, there
shall we be for ever united in one happy
family" He uttered these last words in
a hesitating, interrupted voice and as he
ceased, he wiped his eyes, from whence
involuntary tears had begun to flow. He
then prayed, pronounced his blessing over
the dying woman, and took his leave
He tenderly kissed the children, and babe
them not to weep. observed him also
to give them some money. was deeply
affected by the scene: my heart felt
heavy within me; and ! could scarce
breathe freely when came into the open
air.
Whence have you SO much strength
of mind, and power Of endurance ?" said
to Lavater, in my surprise at his fortitude
and activity. My dear FRIEND" replied
he man rarely wants the power to work,
when he possesses the will. The more |
labor in the discharge of my duties, so
much the more ability aud inclination to
labor do / constantly find within myself"