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122 One shrinks from thinking what the grief of such parents must have been for such a daughter. But they were true Christians, and therefore their consolations were not few nor small.

Not quite five years after this loss, the family were bereaved of their beloved father. He was, notwithstanding several attacks of illness, full of mental vigour to the last. He died suddenly, on December 12th, 1829. His wife—his other self—did not linger long after him. In five months her spirit was released from the fetters of the body, and went to join her husband in praising that dear Redeemer in heaven, whom they had so long devoutly loved and followed on earth. Mrs. Gilbert, as before stated, lived what may be called a complete life. She sustained every relationship and responsibility—daughter, sister, wife, mother, widow, friend—excellent in all. She retained her youthful feelings and cheerful sympathies to the age of eighty-four. Her latest writings showed no abatement of mental power, while her noble minds enlarged by her greater experience, hailed every sign of progress in female education, in social and political reforms. She was not visited by any severe illness, nor, except a slight deafness, with any infirmity. Still she was ready; her lamp ever burning, and her spirit waiting for her Saviour's call.

She wrote up her diary, had settled all her yearly accounts, for Christmas was approaching;