A Brief Memoir | Page 7

To cease from my own?works, surely in a very small degree, I can experimentally say, "this is the only true rest." This?blessed experience seems to me the height of enjoyment?to the truly redeemed. Oh, a little foretaste?of this sabbath has been granted, when I have?seemed to behold with my own eye, and to feel for?myself in moments too precious to be forgotten, the?waves of tumult hushed into a, more than earthly?calm by Him who alone can say, "Peace, be still."?My tossing spirit has never found such a calm in?any thing this world can give.
During her first attendance of the Yearly Meeting in London, in 1841, she wrote the following affectionate lines in a letter to her sisters at home:--
LONDON THOUGHTS.
The crowds that past me ceaseless rush?Stay not to glance at me,?As falling waters headlong gush?Into their native sea.
But hearts there are that brightly burn,?And light each kindling eye,?And home to them my thoughts return,?Swift as the sunbeams fly.

To home, to home my spirit hastes;?For why? my treasure's there;?'Tis there her native joys she tastes,?And breathes her native air.
Oh, sweetest of all precious things,?When this wide world we roam,?When meets us on its balmy wings?A messenger from home!
From home, where hearts are warm and true,?And love's lamp brightly burns,?And sparkles Hermon's pearly dew?On childhood's crystal urns.
Oh, sweet to mark the speaking lines?Traced by a sister's hand,?And feel the love that firmly twines?Around our household band!
To one of her sisters:--
LONDON, 6th Month, 1841.
? * * * I lay still half hour, and read over thy tenderly interesting and affecting sheet, and poured out my full heart; but what can I say? How I do long to be with you, and see, if it might be, once more, our beloved uncle! But perhaps before this the conflict may be over, the victory won, the everlasting city gained, none of whose inhabitants can say, "I am sick." And if so, dare we murmur or wish to recall the loved one from that home? Oh for that childlike and humble submission which is befitting the children of a Father of mercies, and the followers of Him who can and will do all things well!
After the Yearly Meeting, she thus writes in her Journal:--
6th Mo. 12th. Many and great have been the?favors dispensed within the last five weeks. The?attendance of the Yearly Meeting has been the?occasion of many and solemn warnings and advices,?and, I trust, the reception of some real instruction.?But, truly, I have found that in every situation, the?great enemy can lay his snares; and if one more?than another has taken with me, it has been to lead?me to look outward for teaching, and to depend too?much upon it, neglecting that one inward adoration?for the want of which no outward ministry can atone.?But I hope the enemy has not gained more than?limited advantages of this kind, and perhaps even?the discovery of these has had the effect of making?me more distrustful of self. And, now, oh that the?everlasting covenant might be ordered in all things?and sure, and He only, who is King of Kings and?Lord of Lords, be exalted over all, in my heart; and?the blessed experience thus described, be more fully?realized: "He that hath entered into his rest hath?ceased from his own works as God did from his."
6th Mo. 21st. Very early this morning the long?struggle with death terminated, and the spirit of our?beloved Uncle E. was released from its worn tenement.?The stony nature in my heart seems truly?wounded. May it not be as the wounded air, soon?to lose the trace. My heavenly Father's tender?regard I have, indeed, felt this evening; but I tremble?for the evil that remains in me. May I be blessed?with the continued care of the good Shepherd, that?I may be preserved as by the crook of His love.?And now, seeing that much is forgiven me, may I?love much. I feel that my Saviour's regard is of?far more value than any earthly thing; and oh?that my eye may be kept singly waiting for Him!
The decease of her uncle was soon followed by that of his youngest son, Joseph E. In reference to his death, she remarks:--
7th Mo. 22d. He, in whose sight the death of?His saints is precious, has again visited with the?solemn call our family circle, and summoned away?the sweetest, purest, and most heavenly of the group.?Our dear cousin Joseph last night entered that?"rest which remains for the people of God;" rest?for which he had been panting the whole of the day,?and to which he was enabled to look forward as his?"happy home."
7th Mo. 28th. Yesterday was one long to be remembered.?The last sad offices were paid to him?whom we so much loved; and oh that the mantle?of the watchful, lowly disciple might descend abundantly?upon us! Yet it is only by keeping near to?the divine power, that I can receive any thing