The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10
PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND HER
BIBLE.

When the King fell into the hands of
his enemies and was imprisoned. Prin-
cess Elizabeth, with her brother Henry,
was confined at first in st. James
Palace. afterward in Carisbrooke Castle,
on the Isle of Wight. For time Prince
James was with his brother and sister.
To add to her distress was the fear that
she should lose the faithful servants
that had been her attendants all
through her life.
AS these servants differed in worship
from the people in power, they were con.
sidered undesirable members of the
royal household. Princess Elizabeth
wrote touching letter to the Parlia-
mentary Commissioners, begging that
strangers" should not be put over her.
IL pray, my lords" she wrote. consider
OF it. and give me cause to thank you
aud to rest" Notwithstanding her pa
thetic appeal, several servants and her
| French master we're dismissed.
The Isle of Wight is beautiful, with
it's attractive and varied scenery. There
the fuchsia, the ivy, and the myrtle.
that require 80 much attention in our
gardens, grow with scanty care. The
fertile soil and pleasant climate make
the island home of many flowers and
fruits. But the Princess. separated from
her family, shut up in dreary castle,
tortured by painful memories and anxi.
Gus thoughts. could not enjoy the beauty
about her.
The King was allowed occasionally to
visit his captive children. At such
times even the stern Cromwell, his
enemy. looking on. was seen to weep.
The Kings last visit was on the day be.
fore he was put to death. He talked
with great earnestness to the broken
hearted Elizabeth and her brother. He
gave Elizabeth his Bible, telling her
that it had been his great comfort, and
that he hoped it would comfort her.
He feared the people would wish to
make Prince Henry king, and he tried
to impress on his son the duty of re-
fusing such an honor while his brother
lived. At last he said, sadly thinking of
the youth of the boy: Sweetheart
thou wilt forget what l tell thee"
Then Elizabeth said, with many
tears, that she would write all that he
had said to them, and Prince Henry
promised that he would never forget,
exclaiming: 81 will be torn in pieces
first"
Elizabeth was allowed to keep the
Bible in the room that had been her
fathers prison. She made this room a
place of prayer and kept it sweet with
flowers.
Prince Henry was too young at first to
realize the misfortunes of his family, or
the sorrow of his fathers death. but it
all sank deep into the heart of the young
girl. After the painful parting from
her father, she began to fade out of life.
The doctors could not help her. They
had no power to save her from distress
ing thoughts. Everything about her
| AoAAAhaOo AOA u AOA 5OiAOW6s DIG Qlu
not care to live. ITO die only is happi-
ness," she said.
One Sunday morning in autumn her
attendants found her asleep with her
head resting upon her fathers Bible
upon the sweet words of Jesus that, in
our own and in other ages, have so often
brought consolation to the suffering
Come unto me all ye that labor and are
heavy laden. and l will give you rest"
From her hand had fallen the paper on
which she had written her fathers
counsel to the young Prince. She was
asleep, asleep to wake in the bright
light of heaven.
The old chronicles record that she
died from mere grief for her fathers
unfortunate death"
For many years her resting place was
forgotten. but Queen Victoria brought
it to remembrance by placing in st
Thomas's Church at Newport. on the
Isle of Wight. a beautiful marble statue
1t represents Elizabeth as she fell into
her last long sleep, her head resting or