Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/220

204 paper, but on August 2d my fondly loved wife was called to her rest, after only three days’ serious illness, in this lonely seaside place, whither we had come for a few weeks’ recreation. It was heart complaint. I had no serious fear until late on Wednesday, July 30th, and at four o’clock on Saturday morning my beloved one was with her Saviour.

“Not a shadow of fear clouded her peaceful and holy death-bed. She gathered our twelve children all around her bed, and spoke words of priceless love and motherly counsel to each.

“You will pray for us.

“The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. The Voice has been heard every hour, ‘It is I, and Jesus has been with me in the deep, deep waters which have gone over my soul. He has been so near and so tender! There has not been one drop of bitterness in the deep cup of sorrow,—nothing but love, Divine love, the love we cannot fathom or explain.

“We return to our shadowed home, D. V., next week. You will, I know, pray for us. Will you forward this note to dear Dr. Tyng and Dr. Ray Palmer. I find it very difficult to write all the letters which my heart prompts me to send. But it is sweet to think how much brotherly love will pour itself out for us in prayer in America.

“Believe ever, in the bonds of the Gospel, your sorely stricken and yet comforted friend.”

Another very intimate and beloved friend was Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg, so long prominent in benevolent work. He was a kindred spirit with Mr. Carter, who entered heartily into the Doctor’s philanthropic schemes, which gave constant opportunities for their being together. Dr. Muhlenberg spent his latter days at St. Luke’s Hospital, which he himself founded, and which is his appropriate monument. In his last illness Mr. Carter constantly visited him there, and used to say he was like St. John