Part 3
Your faithful friend for ever, MARY FLETCHER.
The last of these loving remembrances was written two years ago, when the wound in her breast was at the worst, and it was supposed she could not survive more than a few days.
January 2d, 1814.
My dearest and best earthly friend,
I have only strength to say, I ask a thousand blessings on you, both soul and body. God will stand by you: He will help you through all. I solemnly commit you into his hands, and He is faithful to keep that we commit unto Him. We shall soon meet above, to part no more. You have been to me the _best_ of friends, and God will reward you.
I ever remain,
One with you in the Lord, M. FLETCHER.
The last week of her life she wished to have manifested her love again in this way, but writing had long been very fatiguing to her. However she asked me for the paper, but as I knew how difficult it was to her, I said, “What is it you wish to write? let me write for you.” “No, (she replied,) it won’t do for you to write what I would say, but I think I am too weak for writing now: I only wanted to put it down with my own hand, before I am taken from you, how completely satisfied I am with all that you have done, and how thankful I am that my papers are all in your hands, and nothing to be printed but as you approve; and that I am fully persuaded whatever trials you may have to pass through, God will be with you.” She was often telling me how confident she was, that the Lord would make all my way plain before me; and has sometimes said, “In all the painful circumstances you will have to pass through, your language still will be, The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation.”
She left nothing undone, that the creature could do, to soften the stroke of separation. While she herself stood, as the pigeon on the house-top, ready
“To clap the glad wing, and tower away, To mingle with the blaze of day;”
her longing desire for that hour was frequently expressed by her exclaiming; “O! my God, when shall I come to thy dear bosom!” At another time she would say, “My Jesus, and my all, I pant to see thee as thou art; O come, and take me to thy loving breast.” But, to write all her lively animating expressions, would fill volumes: I must therefore desist from recording any more of them, and conclude this account (which I have many times wished some abler hand had been the writer of,) by mentioning, that at the beginning of her christian warfare, she saw, as a plan for her life, the words of the apostle Paul to Timothy, 1st Epistle, chap. v. verse 10: “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.” And here I cannot but appeal to all you who have known her, whether her life has not agreed with this description, which she took as a rule for her conduct. Is she not well reported of for good works? has she not brought up children? has she not lodged strangers? has she not washed the saints’ feet? has she not relieved the afflicted, and diligently followed every good work? These things you know she has done; yea, has she not been abundant therein? But did she value herself upon any of all the works of righteousness she wrought? No, by no means. All her salvation she ever ascribed to him who had loved her, and washed her in his own most precious blood: therefore, with delight she would often repeat,
“Because that I can nothing do, Jesus, do all the work alone; And bring my soul triumphant through, To wave its palm before the throne.”
I must now conclude: but not without fervently praying, that the zeal, diligence, love, and humility, with all that faith _in_ and active dependence _upon_ the Saviour, that was in her, may dwell richly in each of you: and trusting that I also shall be interested in your prayers, that an abundant entrance may be administered unto me into the kingdom of our God and Saviour, after that I have for a little longer done and suffered his righteous will; that so I may overtake my company that’s gone before, and safely arrive “where all the ship’s company meet, who sailed with the Saviour beneath.”
Waiting for that happy day,
I remain,
Your affectionate friend, and willing servant, in Christ,
MARY TOOTH.
* * * * *
The following hymn of Mr. Newton’s, being very expressive and suitable to the occasion, was sung at Madeley, when the above letter was read there.
HYMN.
IN vain my fancy strives to paint The moment after death; The glories that surround the saints, When yielding up their breath.
One single sigh their fetters breaks, We scarce can say, “They’re gone!” Before the willing spirit takes Her mansion near the throne.
Faith strives, but all its efforts fail, To trace her in her flight: No eye can pierce within the veil Which hides that world of light.
Thus much (and this is all) we know, They are completely blest; Have done with sin, and care, and woe, And with their Saviour rest.
On harps of gold they praise his name, His face they always view; Then let us followers be of them, That we may praise him too.
Their faith and patience, love and zeal, Should make their memory dear; And, Lord, do thou the prayers fulfil, They offer’d for us here.
While they have gain’d, we losers are, We miss them day by day; But thou canst every breach repair, And wipe our tears away.
We pray, as in Elisha’s case, When great Elijah went, May double portions of thy grace, To us who stay, be sent.
* * * * *
* * * * *
PRINTED BY WILLIAM SMITH, IRONBRIDGE.
FOOTNOTES.
{27} I do not mean it to be understood, as though she never spent more than this in a year; but this I must say, it was very seldom that her clothes account exceeded five pounds per year, and in general it was under that sum: she saw it a duty not only to avoid expending much in this way, but was also very careful in the use of her clothes.
{30} This refers to a dream which will be published when her life and journals come out.
{34} This also has a reference to what will be more fully seen when her life is published.