Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-09-18
8cllsluus department.
Conducted by REV. c. NJ. sourHG.rE
WAITING THE LORDS LEISURE
ny FRANCES LEE.

| had been reading the arguments of Prof
f. II. Newman aud other gentlemen Of higI
culture and scientific think ng. in favor o
the formal recognition, by the laws, of sui
eide as privilege, aud, indeed, duty il
some cases. When for instance, life can be
no longer anything but pain and a burden
to ones self and ones friends, with no posi-.
bility of any relief
There is much TO be said on this subject
euthanasia, and these learned men can
say it plausibly; but their arguments were
all answered without word when sat half
an hour after beside coffin, and remember.
ed the past twelve months in the life of the
woman who lay there at last in her white
Fepose.
More than year ago she knew she had
an incurablc and most painful and loathsome
disease. She knew there was no help for il
but death, and that she should have not n
moment OF ease or rest, but that each month
must be worse than the last.
Again and again we went to see her die
She was ready, she was longing to 90; she
was not needed here, she had full assurance
OF habitatlon there. Aud again aud again
the doctor said, " 1 hope she will not come
out of this attack. 1t will be an escape for
her, and the sooner the better"
No, we could not wish her to live for any
reason. No one could. There were MANY
things beside pain to make life full of weS.
rlness for her. She was very poor as well
rs very i'll, and had nothing but what was
given her from week to week. She was per.
and nagiI nnfunal
there were family troubles and alterations
enough to break down the happiness of any.
body.
Z" | cannot bear IT." said she, six months
ago. :" | lie awake at night and pray and
pray that Jesus will help me- but - gets
her beer because she is low spirited, and
then is so cross that can't bear it, and |
would rather go to hospital or anuehere."
But there was no hospital that could take
her aud nothing better to be thought of than
the intolerable life she was ever enduring.
Could there ever be fairer excuse for
the privilege or duty" of suicide
Only an overdose Of morphine, and the end
Of it all.
But wait and listen.
The nurse was persuaded to give up beer,
aud being deeply affected by the communion
service held one Sunday evening by the sick
bod she began to go to prayer meeting.
4" think" said she, at my time of life
ought to be considering about my soul"
And there began to be change in her
daily life from that hour.
Then as the body of the sick woman grew
weaker, her spirit grew stronger. She was
helped to be very patient aud cheerful and
her patience aud cheOrlulness was reflected
in those about her.
For live months she could not walk, but
sat most OF the time ia painful and con.
strained position in bed, suffering more and
more, but more and more content TO be
the follower Of Sufferer"
DO you think the Lord will let me 90
DON ?" she said 10 spasm of pain few dayss
before she died.
81 do not know. Can't you be patient
little longer ?" | asked.
II will try" she whispered.
Then as the minister read the twenty. |
third psalm, she joined in a faint voice 60
the end Of the fourth verse.
"Yea, though walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death, will fear no evil; |
for thou art with me- thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me-" is the last text she ever
repeated.
{" She is only waiting the Lords leisure"
,aid the old Scotch. Irish nurse.
At last, after days that we're like our
weeks, and nights that were like our months"
he who stitch in the patience Of eternity
ZANE and called for her.
And now beside her coffin, thinking of the
rounded r;peness Of her own character aud
If the bountiful ministry of her suffering on
others, l am persuaded that
With more than mothers care and thought
The Healer, Christ, stood by her
Ono pang too many, suffering not
In all her palm " try her.
--AdUanee.