The Dairymans Daughter | Page 2

come! then shall 'his
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.' Men shall be daily fed with the
manna of his love, and delight themselves in the Lord all the day long.
Then, what a paradise below they will enjoy! How it animates and
enlivens my soul with vigour to pursue the ways of God, that I may
even now bear some humble part in giving glory to God and the Lamb!
"Sir, I began to write this on Sunday, being detained from attending on
public worship. My dear and only sister, living as a servant with Mrs
---, was so ill that I came here to attend in her place and on her. But
now she is no more.
"I was going to intreat you to write to her in answer to this, she being
convinced of the evil of her past life, and that she had not walked in the
ways of God, nor sought to please Him. But she earnestly desired to do
so. This makes me have a comfortable hope that she is gone to glory,
and that she is now joining in sweet concert with the angelic host in
heaven to sing the wonders of redeeming love. I hope I may now write,
'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.'
"She expressed a desire to receive the Lord's Supper, and
commemorate his precious death and sufferings. I told her, as well as I
was able, what it was to receive Christ into her heart; but as her
weakness of body increased, she did not mention it again. She seemed
quite resigned before she died. I do hope she is gone from a world of
death and sin, to be with God for ever.
"Sir, I hope you will not be offended with me, a poor ignorant person,
to take such a liberty as to write to you. But I trust, as you are called to
instruct sinners in the ways of God, you will bear with me, and be so
kind to answer this wrote letter, and give me some instructions. It is my
heart's desire to have the mind that was in Christ, that when I awake up
in his likeness, then I may be satisfied.
"My sister expressed a wish that you might bury her. The minister of
our parish, whither she will be carried, cannot come. She will lie at ---.
She died on Tuesday morning, and will be buried on Friday, or
Saturday (whichever is most convenient to you), at three o'clock in the

afternoon. Please to send an answer by the bearer, to let me know
whether you can comply with this request,
"From your unworthy servant,
"ELIZABETH W---."
I was much struck with the simple and earnest strain of devotion which
this letter breathed. It was but indifferently written and spelt; but this
rather tended to endear the hitherto unknown writer, as it seemed
characteristic of the union of humbleness of station with eminence of
piety. I felt quite thankful that I was favoured with a correspondent of
this description; the more so, as such characters were at this time very
rare in the neighbourhood. I have often wished that epistolary
intercourse of this kind was more encouraged and practised among us. I
have the greatest reason to speak well of its effect, both on myself and
others. Communication by letter as well as by conversation with the
pious poor, has often been the instrument of animating and reviving my
own heart in the midst of duty, and of giving me the most profitable
information for the general conduct of the ministerial office.
As soon as the letter was read, I inquired who was the bearer of it.
"He is waiting at the outside of the gate, sir," was the reply.
I went out to speak to him, and saw a venerable old man, whose long
hoary hair and deeply-wrinkled countenance commanded more than
common respect. He was resting his arm upon the gate, and tears were
streaming down his cheeks. On my approach he made a low bow, and
said:
"Sir, I have brought you a letter from my daughter; but I fear you will
think us very bold in asking you to take so much trouble."
"By no means," I replied; "I shall be truly glad to oblige you and any of
your family in this matter, provided it be quite agreeable to the minister
of your parish."

"Sir, he told me yesterday that he should be very glad if I could procure
some gentleman to come and bury my poor child for him, as he lives
five miles off, and has particular business on that day. So, when I told
my daughter, she asked me to come to you, sir, and bring that