Page:A Sermon Preached in Hawarden Church.djvu/21

 glory of the Giver, and the good of all who came within her reach. Few persons were more considerate and thoughtful for others; fewer still more guileless and pure themselves. Rarely have any walked amid the things of this world and retained the simplicity of their baptismal gifts so little impaired by its attractions or its snares. And if any we have known have come near to that test of spiritual perfection which St. James proposes to us—and which too our own hearts as well as our neighbours can witness to the difficulty of acquiring—viz. the not offending in word, surely it was she whose voice is now to some of you as the remembrance of a melody still loved, though heard no more.

More than this it is needless to say; though thus much, if we follow the pattern of other times, it is well to have said. I may add, however, that though her removal from those duties which she so adorned, was in some sense sudden and unexpected, it could scarcely be premature for one who had long seemed ripe for the time of gathering, and more fitted for a better world than for this. It could not well take by suprise one who lived in habitual contemplation of the eternal and unseen; and made daily preparation for that event, which, though it came earlier than others looked for, found her, I doubt not, both ready and prepared, with her loins girded and her lamp burning brightly.