June 11, 1823-My dear Wife com plained of sharp pains in her limbs: toward night, she was seized with violent vomiting; which decreased in a few hours, and severe fever ensued. Dr. Barry, who came immediately on being sent for, succeeded in removing the fever and vomiting.

June 12 Mrs. Vaughan was, by the mercy of God, much better this morning, and sat up a few hours. Her mind appears to be very happy. June 13-The mercies of my God are very great: I enjoy good health, and my Wife is much better. Though very weak in body, she appears to have much strength of soul. She expresses a conviction that the Lord is preparing her for some greater affliction; but prays that she may be faithful unto death.

June 14-My dear Wife is but a little better this morning. I sometimes think, from her heavenly-mindedness, that she is too happy to live in this world long. She observed, on one occasion, "Let us talk more about the things of eternity, for all things below will soon fade away. I often lament that we set our affections so little on things above, and am quite sure that we should not do so; for we know not how soon we shall be called upon to leave them." About seven in the evening, she became much worse; but said, "I do not like to complain, for I am much better than I deserve. I think it a great mercy to be out of hell; but a greater to have an interest in Jesus,

my only Saviour." On being asked how she bore her affliction, she said much better than she had expected. She had never been afflicted before, and therefore was afraid she should be very impatient; but she found the Lord to be very gracious, and His promises wonderfully fulfilled toward her; therefore she dared not repine..

June 15, Sunday-Mrs. Vaughan is still suffering from weakness. Among other remarks to-day, she said-"I feel thankful that God has, by His Holy Spirit, raised us up with Christ; and that He has latterly enabled me to see more clearly that Vanity, Vanity, is stamped upon all created things, and that they are all vexation of spirit... Nothing can do us good, or bring glory to God, that does not lead us to a Crucified Saviour: neither shall we profit in our actions or conversation, if all does not centre in Christ Crucified: but I have great reason to lament and mourn over the coldness and deadness of my evil heart... Jesus crucified is the Christian's great theme in this world, and redeeming love will be his everlasting song in the world to come. this is a song that even angels will not be able to sing."

Ah!

June 16-About eleven o'clock last night, my dear Wife appeared much worse, and I had but little expectation that she would survive till morning. She urged me to write to her relatives, and inform them that she was very happy; remarking, "My

3 G

time is in the Lord's hands: I leave the issue with Him, because I know that He will do all things well. I have no fear of death, because Jesus hath taken away the sting; and Death will give me more than was in Eden lost. Death is victory! Death is the deliverer who rescues man! Death is the crown of life, and the lattice letting in eternal day. . . . I have no desire to live: but, O Jesus! as long as I live, I'll live to Thee!" quoting from Young

Were death denied, poor man would live in vain :

[fool.

Were death denied, poor man would live a
Heav'n wept, that man may smile ;
Heav'n bled, that man may never die.

Toward day-light she became somewhat better, and appeared very composed. Seeing me weeping, she said, "Come hither, my Dear: don't grieve for me, for I am very happy; and why should you be otherwise? I am not afraid, for I know that the death of a Saint, even as vile and unworthy a one as I am, is precious in the sight of God. I am the Lord's, whether living or dying: I shall not only be preserved in and through life, but in death and judgment... It rejoices me to know that Jesus is gone before to prepare a place, not only for me, but for you, and all who love His appearing we shall be kept, therefore, by His power, till we are brought to His everlasting glory."

June 17, 1823-I inquired if she would not wish to return to her native climate, as more healthy than that of Africa. She replied, "O no! by no means! for it is for Christ's sake that I am come here, and I only lament that I am not enabled to do more for the good of souls. I know it is He, who has brought me hither; therefore He will give me health, strength, and life to do what He has appointed for me to do in Africa, and I have nothing else to desire; nor do I fear any thing, because my God lives and reigns here, the same as He does in England.' I asked whether she were not sorry that she came hither: Why should I be sorry," said she, "when I believe I have done the will of God?"

66

June 19-My Wife's health appears to be fast improving. On my remarking that the Lord was very

gracious in restoring her health, she said, "Yes, He is; but He would be still more so in taking me out of this world, if my work is at an end: it does appear to me to be so, and, if so, Make haste, my Beloved, to fetch me away, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart on the mountains of spices. But it is very mysterious that so many of those who came out, with an express desire to do good to the souls of the injured sons and daughters of Africa, have been taken away in so short a time: however, the work of the Lord is not carried on by might nor by power, but by His Spirit: it will still go on; and we know that He can work even without means... I often feel much for my dear Children in the Schools; and though I cannot convert their souls, yet I will continue to pray for their salvation. Who can tell, but the Lord may have made use of such an unworthy servant as I am, as the means of bringing them to Jesus, though he has not allowed me to see it." Several of the Brethren having sent to inquire after her health, she said, “I wonder that they should trouble themselves so much about such an unworthy Sister, though I trust an affectionate one: do give my kindest love to them all, and tell them how grateful I feel for their kindness: indeed they have always been exceedingly kind to us since we have been here."

June 20-My dear Wife has been better this day than since the commencement of her indisposition. She has talked very much on the propagation of the Gospel, and said,

It is no wonder that we feel so little love for the souls around us and so little real desire for their salvation, when our love to the Saviour is so cold." She was much edified by Baxter's Saint's Rest: next to her Bible, this was always her favourite book. She found it much blessed to her soul whenever she read it, As she was seldom able to sit up so late as the time of Family Prayer, it was, by her wish, held in her bed-room. On these occasions she would often say, "One would think that the Hymns and Chapters which you read were selected on my account; but I know that is not the case, because they come in the regular order. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians,

which you began to read a few nights ago, I have been led to view in quite a different light to what I did before." Having read the Hymn, "Come thou fount of every blessing," she remarked, "That expresses the very sentiments of my heart: oh! let us say it over once more"-which being done, she added, "I can always think on that Hymn with great delight."

June 21, 1823, Saturday-My dear Wife is much worse to-day; and her affections appear to be daily fixing more and more on things above. When the clock struck seven, she said, "Now, you know, is the appointed time for our Missionary Prayer Meeting; therefore do not let my sickness prevent it, for it will not be too much for me." After reading the Scriptures and Hymns, and conversing and praying together for our usual time, she observed, "This has been a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. I find that promise fulfilled toward meThey, that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. It is a pleasing thought, that, most probably, many of our Christian friends have been en. gaged in the same holy devotion, and particularly those who meet at Salisbury Square for the same express purpose that has engaged our attention. Mr. Ward very beautifully says, It is Prayer, that moves the hand, that moves the world;' and I do hope that our various Meetings will not be in vain. Though we cannot meet in body, we can in spirit, at the Throne of Grace. I now appear to feel a greater desire than ever for the ingathering of Zion; and I do hope that the time is not far distant when every one of God's promises shall be fulfilled. Oh what a joyful time will that be, when we shall all meet to part no more!" I inquired if she did not repent coming to assist in hastening that glorious time: "Repent! Oh no! how can I! Neither have I repented of one single step that ever I took toward coming hither; neither should I, if I knew that I should die to-night: because I sought for my Gods' direction (and had I not done so, I should have suffered for my neglect), and I firmly believe had it, both by the teaching of His Spirit and the leadings of His Providence; and as I trust that my motives

I

arose from the constraining love of Jesus, I have nothing to fear or to repent of, though I have great reason to lament over my unworthiness and barrenness. I rather rejoice at the thought, that I am counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake; and glory in the idea that I shall die in His service. I have always found His promises fulfilled toward me. I asked for His presence, and I have and shall have it; and as He has delivered me in six troubles, He will not forsake me in the seventh.”

birth came

On the 24th the pains of childon, and great hopes were entertained that she would do well. In her extremity, she called for her Husband, and gave him this affectionate charge :

Though I am not able to talk much to you, yet be sure you pray for me, that I may be submissive and quite resigned to the will of God. I leave the issue entirely in His hands: but I rejoice in the thought, that, if I suffer with Christ here, I shall be glorified with Him hereafter; for these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; therefore, my Love, make yourself quite happy, for I am so.

The next day, the 25th, she was delivered of a still-born child; and, after manifesting throughout the day the gracious support that was afforded to her departing spirit, closed her eyes for ever on the world soon after nine o'clock in the evening. We extract, from Mr. Vaughan's narrative, the most striking parts of her conversation.

About twelve o'clock, she said to me, "I do not think there can be any expectation of my living long. Well! I am quite resigned to God's will. Jesus is far more precious than ever I felt Him before. I do feel a great desire to go to Him. I do hope I shall soon go. Jesus! let me to Thy bosom fy!' Oh, I never felt so exceedingly happy before! Jesus is my all and in all!"

I told her that the Medical Men still entertained hopes of her recovery. "Oh!" she said, "I am sorry to hear that; but, O Lord, pardon my im.