Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/229

Rh don’t want to murmur; I hope I don't murmur.” But no one but himself would ever have thought of using the word in connection with his saintly though deep-seated grief. It was a comfort to him that his wife was spared all suffering in death, falling asleep on earth to wake in heaven. She had always feared death, being timid and self-distrustful in her disposition, and it seemed as if God had mercifully spared her all knowledge of the great change that was taking place until she saw Him, and was satisfied. Hers was a lovely life, crowned with a peaceful death.

Mr. Carter received a very large number of letters of sympathy. One young friend, who had gone to a Western home, wrote: “I cannot forget my parting with her when I first came West. She told me that she felt that she should never see me again on earth, and directed me to live close to my early teachings. I am not what I should be, but the memory of those loving words has often been the cause of my resisting temptation, and now that she is gone to that better land above, they will be the more vividly impressed on my memory.”

Dr. Cuyler wrote:—

“I fear that the announcement which I see in the New York papers means that your dear wife is no more! No more in this world, except in the hearts of her loving husband and grateful children. To be no more here is to be forever with the Lord.

“If this be indeed your life companion who has been taken, (and I know of no other Robert Carter,) then I extend to you my most heartfelt condolence. I recall the pleasant rides and talks with you both at Saratoga in the years gone by, and I can imagine how lonely you must be after a half-century of loving fellowship. Not long, however, will you be sundered. ‘The miles to heaven,’ as holy Rutherford says, ‘are few and short.’