Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/235

Rh him a Psalm when he expected a verse. It was a picture never to be forgotten by the loving eyes that witnessed it, the old man and the graceful little golden-haired child as they enjoyed together the Psalm, verses of which are now engraven upon their burial stones. That week she was taken with that most terrible of diseases, membranous croup. The bright little “Sun-beam,” the ray from the Sun of Righteousness, was not to be left longer to irradiate her earthly home, but was taken to the city where she shall shine forever.

Thus again, and for the last time, Mr. Carter was obliged to taste of the bitter cup of sorrow, Thus four very dear to him were carried from under his roof in thirteen months. He was ready to say with holy men of old, “I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because Thou didst it.” “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” He neither “despised the chastening of the Lord” by feeling lightly the dispensations of his hand, nor “fainted when he was rebuked of him” by yielding to undue gloom and despondency. His eyes were ever directed above to the home where his beloved are, and he knew well that the Lord of the many mansions would erelong receive him unto himself.

The next summer he spent at Atlantic Highlands. He had for the last four summers gone to some seaside place, and he greatly enjoyed the water. He never tired of rowing and sailing, and never refused an invitation to do either. He grew as bronzed as an old sea captain, and was sometimes called the Ancient Mariner. He greatly enjoyed the services in the Methodist tabernacle there, and took part in the Love Feasts and other services, as if he had always been accustomed to them. His voice was frequently heard in the social meetings.