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106 Juvenile Letters.

ferved by elderly people, that fhe talked like an experienced Chriftian.
     You know fhe was always admired for her difcreet and modeft behavior ; that fhe de-lighted in the company of the good ; was a conftant and devout attendant on religious worship ; and confidered the Bible as her deareft companion.
     During her ficknefs, fhe was compofed, and refigned to the will of her Maker. While her ftrength lafted, fhe converfed freely with thofe who vifited her, and moft earneftly entreated all her young friends to attend to " the one thing needful ;" to make religion their bufi-nefs. That fhe was a great finner fhe felt
moft fenfibly ; but her hopes in the merits of her Redeemer were fure and fteadfaft. She trufted that her repentance was unfeigned, 
and her faith fincere.
     The minifter of the parifh, at her requeft, fpent the chief of the forenoon with her ; with whom fhe converfed freely, as long as her ftrength would allow. She begged to join with him in prayer, that her faith might not
                                    fail

Juvenile Letters.   107

fail in the trying hour, and that fhe might be wholly refigned. After this, fhe took an af-fectionate farewell of every one in the family, beginning with her mother ; taking each indi-vidual by the hand, and pronouncing a few fhort fentences, applicable to their different cafes. At this affecting fcene I was not pref-
ent. I am told it was almoft too much for 
her poor mother.
     Towards her laft moments, I drew near her bed fide, that none of her words might efcape me. She appeared to retain her reafon to 
the laft; but was unable to fpeak much. 
What fhe did fay was expreffive of her willing-nefs to depart, and her confidence in her Sa-viour. She begged her parents, her brothers 
and fifters not to weep, for fhe was making a happy exchange. The laft words fhe was 
heard to fay, were " Come, Lord Jefus, come quickly." O, may we live the lives of the righteous, that our deaths may be like theirs 1
     I am, dear Sophia,
        Your affectionate friend,
           MARGARET MANSFIELD
Mifs Sophia Stanley. [[Italicized]]
                                     P.S. Since

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-05 18:36:44