Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/242

226 heard to thank God that he had allowed him to spend that last summer in the household of his son, and spoke with great affection of the constant solicitude of his children for him.

Several times after reaching the city, he was able to be carried down stairs, and go for a drive in the Central Park, but at last his physicians decided that this was too great a risk. It was a great disappointment to him to give up his drives, but he bore it cheerfully, as he did all privations and sufferings. The doctor laid his hand on his shoulder one day, and said, “Mr. Carter, you are the most patient man I ever saw in my life. A team of horses could not draw a complaint from you.”

Another day a friend said to him, “It must be a great pleasure to you to look back on your well-spent life, and think of all the good you have done.” “Oh no, no! I have been very, very unworthy. I have no reliance but in the atoning sacrifice of my Saviour.”

He was able to see his friends, and his social nature took great pleasure in their visits. His brother Peter came to him every day, and all through his illness he kept the run of the business and knew all that was going on at the store. He kept watch of political matters, and in the question of the revision of the Confession of Faith took a keen interest, having all the newspaper reports read to him. Once when there was something said in debate that seemed to him personal and unchristian, he said, “We have had enough of that. Read something else.” In this question of revision his feeling was that there were some expressions that might better be changed, but he did not favor wholesale alterations. In all such matters his motto was, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things