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he feared I should not be able to take it any way, and then diet was the only remedy, which without any appetite would be more likely to weaken than strengthen.

“So you see, dearest William, it is God's Will you should prepare your mind to give me up even as Abraham did Isaac, in that beautiful lesson that came in se appropriately yesterday afternoon.1

"Thanks be to GOD for His unspeakable mercy to me! I feel quite happy and content whichever way I am to go; but I do long to see my dear parents resigned. I was so rejoicing yesterday, that Uncle Tand Mr. T told mamma the truth; but I find she has made herself a loophole, and still thinks I shall get well on the dieting, if I don't on cod-liver [oil]. I have been getting weaker so long now, while taking everything to strengthen me, that the end looks near and bright; but I trust I do not wish for my sufferings to be shortened, but to be entirely conformed to the likeness of my blessed SAVIOUR, whom I long to see -then I shall be like Him.

"Uncle T― thinks I may go home sooner than I did last year, which will be nice. Don't be anxious about me, dearest William. If I go away, we shall soon meet never to part, and it may yet please GOD to restore me to perfect or partial health; but He seems asking you now to offer me up to Him. Much love with the earnest prayers of

"Your most affectionate sister,

"M. H. M. BROWNLOW."

To Miss L

66

My dearest L

"I should have written to you before, but I

1 The First Sunday in Lent.

have been so very weak, it was quite a labour; but I will try and write to you now, for I shall not write you very many more letters I think. I am very sorry to hear they are all ill together in your family, it is very trying indeed. * * Do write and tell me fuller particulars and how they are getting on. I did as you asked me at once; but He knows best.

"Uncle T was here on Sunday, and brought Dr. W- to see me. They said, unless I could take codliver oil nothing would strengthen me; and they have never been able to make it agree with me hitherto. I was glad they spoke so plainly, and I trust God will give me grace to use the remaining portion of my time in preparing to meet Him. I feel joyful at the very thought of it; but I know Satan is often allowed to urge doubts at the last. I shall need your prayers, dear L-, both that I may employ my time well, and that JESUS will be with me in the dark valley.' My poor parents will feel it sadly; though Uncle T

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spoke to mamma so plainly, yet she throws off the idea, and is full of hope, almost [of] certainty.

"We shall soon meet for ever I trust, dearest LOh! that none of either family fall short! We ought to use more prayer, more diligence for their salvation.

"I like to hear about your district, and am very glad the people are attentive to you-is it far off?

"Mr. Y-, whom we liked so much last year, is giving Lent Lectures. I have not been yet, (but al. most think I shall to-day,) and only go to the Sacrament on Sunday: the whole service is almost too much for me.

66

"Ever your loving sister in JESUS,
"MELISE."

'May GOD help and bless you, dearest L. This

is a selfish letter, when you are so full of trouble at home; but all is sent in love, and it is far better to lose health or sight than Him. May these troubles be blessed to all!"

"My dearest L

To the same.

"You wanted a scrap when I was able. I am very much obliged to you for doing all you can for my restoration to health, but if your doctors1 have to rely on cod [liver] oil they would suit me no better than mine, for it kills me. I took a few teaspoonfuls nearly a fortnight ago, and have not yet stopped the diarrhœa they started, though taken with the strongest astringents; else I have plenty of lungs left, no one would give me up on that score.

"One great blessing I have,-such a holy man to visit me, Mr. Y-; he is so kind and good. He is coming on Monday at 11.15 to administer the Holy Communion, and will give It me once a week, now I cannot get out. I never knew the comfort of a clergyman's visits before, and cannot but thank GOD for bringing me such a one. He is giving a course of Lent Lec

most beautiful they

tures, which I had hoped to hear;
are: the theme-'The Cross'-the last text,2

All the

day long have I stretched forth My Hands in vain.'

"How are all your people? I am always glad to get a letter, though I don't often feel well enough to write one. If I were at home I might write lying down; but here I have no convenience, and my arms seem so weak to hold up, and go to sleep directly.

1 Her friend was very desirous for her to put herself under homoeopathic treatment.

2 Or rather subject, the text probably being Romans x. 21.

"CHRIST is sensibly present very often; but weakness dulls thought, and sometimes I seem more going backwards. It is altogether His work in you, none of mine, dearest L. May He ever bless and keep you near Him.

"Your loving sister in Him,

66 'MELISE.

"What sort of thing would you like of mine? A book, pencil-case, or something I have worn ?"

To her Father.

66

Torquay, March 17th.

"My dear Papa,

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"Thank you very much for your letter. I feel a little better to-day, so take the opportunity of writing. I think I have nearly got over the effects of the oil, not that I can expect to get up my strength again in a hurry, though I dare say when I can sit out of doors it will revive me a little. I manage to eat better breakfasts than I did,. which is a good sign. I have no repugnance to the homoeopathic system, and will try anything you wish, dear Papa, though, as you say, our times are in GOD's hands.' He can make me well, if He sees fit; but it seems as if He were calling me 'Home;' and for myself I long to go where sin shall be no more, but where I shall ever behold the Face of my Father which is in heaven. My sickness is no trouble or sorrow to me; for you and dear mamma I do feel troubled, for I know you will be loth to part with me, and perhaps for your sakes GOD may yet spare me as He did before. If He does, may He give me grace to be a better daughter than I have been, alas!

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* * *

"I feel a little better this morning, so begin an answer to your kind letter. Write to me when you have time, for your letters are always a comfort; but I am not strong enough to write often. I lie down nearly all day, and I have not my convenient table here. I wish for you here sometimes, indeed very often. You would come if I were worse, would you not? but I am rather better just now, only I still get weaker. And for our dear parents' [sake], perhaps it were better that I were taken away, because they love me so much, and GOD will comfort them. Mr. Y is so kind in visiting me, and came yesterday and gave us the Holy Communion. It was so refreshing! I had rather dreaded It, for fear of wandering thoughts, but was wonderfully helped, and felt very happy afterwards. I wish you Icould have been with us. Sometimes I seem so very cold and dead, only thinking about making myself comfortable, and grow sleepy directly I begin to lift up my heart; but Mr. Y- says I must not mind that, be

cause GOD knows how weak I am.

"Ever your most loving sister,
"M. H. M. BROWNLOW."

The following letter, written in a very irregular hand, shows signs of increasing weakness. She was at that time only able to sit at the table for a very short time.

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