Year: 1860

II.
"Crandma' piece in your paper, so that our
Grandma see it. GRANDcHILDREh-


GRANDMA.


Grandma is gone, dear, lovely old grandma
Ito the land of eternal youth. How long she
waited After her work was done, her three
score years and ten of labor and sorrow, how
long still she waited, patient and quiet, till the
day when she might go!


She didn't know why she staid, she would
say; 'sshe didn't seem to be of any use to any
one, but it couldn't be great while longer,
now Her faith did not grow impatient. We
saw why she staid, and blessed Providence that
he left among SO long this living witness of
his long tried love and faithfulness. How
many times have impatient and sinking
hearts taken courage as we caught sight of the
dear, placid old woman sitting dreamily chant
ing old melodies to the baby on her knee think
ing of the life that was just closing, and of the
new life soon to open for her. She sat in the
growing dawn of it, and had caught its light.
When we thought must give up, we could
not struggle any longer, there she was always
silently to remind US of the faithfulness of
Him that hath called us. For we knew very
well she had borne weights weary as ours,
had suffered the heat and burden of the day as
few are called to suffer, and had endured to the
end, seeing Him who IL invisible.


But her sheaves were gathered now. She
had seen all her children and grandchildren
who had come to maturity, large family. pos
sessing the promise of this life and of the life
to come. One she had nursed and tended, her
favorite grandchild, away the ocean
when grandma left US. Perhaps some whisper
ing wind or roaming dream spirit will tell her
of it !; such things sometimes happen on the
sea.


We have often prayed, "Spare MS from grow
ing old p when thrown with testy, in
firm goddess, and miserable old person but
our lovely grandmother was the type of Christ
ian old age-serene, cheerful accomplishing.
afraid of nothing SO much as of bt ing trouble
some. Age had brought neither querulousneSs
nor great infirmity; she could hear the softest
baby tones, ard was still companionable and
helpful at eig hty-four.


We knew she must go very soon. but when
she iourneyed so far to see all little while
ago, we did not suspect had guest who
only fortnights journey from heaven
heaven that is so far off to us, seen beyond the
weary years to come When she lett US, it
was to go home indeed


How happy and busy must her spirit be now.
holding sweet intercourse with those who left
her long ago. There she has found the dear
companion of her life, one she Lowell and mourn
ed sincerely. And there the infant children
who years back went to heaven. and whom you
may be sure she expected and longed for as
she sat day by day with our little ones on her
knee-those her tried heart gave up in the
flower and promise of their life, and one she
gladly laid to rest after his weary day of suf-
fering and trouble. What a joyful meeting!
Do you suppose the long past of her life here
IL but moment in her memory now With
out doubt its soiTows have weight; that
cannot move sigh row which drew strong
crying and tears before but its memories
not forgotten, but rather IN tgnied in the clear
seeing of heaten.


Every dark experience that waited for the
future to reveal itself, every day of thronging
hopes and doubts, of longings and regrets, will
be understood, explained, illumined, glorifed.
Not IL dim, distant point of time is life to her
now but ii wonderful scene, whose mysterious
workings, and multiplied events and discipline,
are each arguments of praise and thankfuness.
The traveller, torn and half persisted, basking
at length in the glowing light of the welcome
fireside whose distant beam he hls been trying
NO long to reach, does not forget one moment
of the dark and stormy way; but the memory
has no longer any plin in it. and the refresh
ment and comfort of the ii 'estlc slime ut each
recollection of peril and distress.


We are glad you are home, grandma Ask
our Saviour to increase faith and courage
to walk the way. the ''long way between the
aoac and then We will try and sing, as in
trembling tones you used to sing:


ssThc tn ng my God appoints is best;


While here do his Will be mIne


An / his hN my t.nle of rest.


- Ltdspeideaf.