Wesley Corpus

Wed. '7.--I called there again, being determined now to speak more closely. But meeting company there, prudence induced me to put it off till another opportunity. 28 _ REV. J. WESLEY 8 JOURNAL. [July, 1736. Thur. 8. --Mr. O. being there again and casually speaking of sudden death, Miss Becky said, “If it was the will of God, I should choose to die without a lingering illness.” Her sister said, “ Are you, | then, always prepared to die?” She replied, “ Jesus Christ is always prepared to help me. And little stress is to be laid on such a preparation for death as is made in a fit of sickness.” Sat. 10.--Just as they had done drinking tea, Mrs. Margaret, seeing her colour change, asked if she was well? She did not return any answer; and Dr. Talser soon after going by, she desired him to step in, and said, “Sir, my sister, I fear, is not well.” He looked earnestly at her, felt her pulse, and replied, “ Well! madam; your sister is dying!” However, he thought it not impossible bleeding might help. She bled about an ounce, leaned back, and died! As soon as I heard of it I went to the house, and begged they would not lay her out immediately, there being a possibility, at least, she might only be in a swoon ; of which, indeed, there was some slight hope, she not only being as warm as ever, but having a fresh colour in her cheeks, and a few drops of blood starting out upon bending her arm ; but there was no pulse and no breath; so that, having waited some hours, we found her “ spirit was indeed returned to God that gave it.” I never saw so beautiful a corpse in my life. Poor comfort to its late inhabitant! I was greatly surprised at her sister. ‘There was, in all her behaviour, such an inexpressible mixture of tenderness and resignation. The first time I spoke to her, she said, “ All my afflictions are nothing to this. I have lost not only a sister, but a friend. But it is the will of God. Irely on him; and doubt not but he will support me under it.”