Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/246

230 gifts. For several years he had not been able to do any Christmas shopping, but had sent instead a check to each of his sisters, and also one to each of his children to be divided among the grandchildren.

One of the last things he spoke of consciously was to tell his son Robert to be sure not to forget the grandchildren’s money, and his brother Peter to be sure to send the sisters their checks, and not to neglect the contribution sent every December from the firm to Foreign Missions. His ruling passion of benevolence was strong in death.

His last conscious moments were on Christmas day. The grandchildren living in the house brought their offerings to him, and he spoke admiringly of a Japanese vase filled with beautiful roses; and when two of the younger ones gave him an illustrated copy of “Rab and his Friends,” he spoke of the author, and said, “I knew him well years ago.” These were his last words. He sank into a sleep, and never awoke till he was in the presence of the King in his beauty. He entered into rest in the early morning of Saturday, December 28, 1889. His life of love and service on earth is ended, but in the heavenly home Christ’s “servants shall serve Him, and they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads.”