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"I then first discovered that it was my mother's secret wish and prayer, from my birth, that I should become a minister of God's Word; but she had never disclosed it to me, from a fear of creating an undue bias in a matter she considered of so great importance. She had wished me to be guided by the unfettered disposition of my own mind, and hoped God would direct me in the right path.— Her sentiments may be gathered from the following extract of a letter, dated March, 1794:—

"Your account of the motives which have determined you to enter into the Church, as contained in your letter to your father, has given us both great satisfaction. Your determination on this point appears to me an answer to the prayers which I have been offering up ever since you were born. The character of a good clergyman has ever stood foremost in my estimation; and on the other hand, that of a careless, idle, and dissipated, and above all, an immoral one, has been my dread and abhorrence. The object of almost every other profession terminates with this world, and its concerns, but that of a clergyman looks to eternity.

"Your choice of a profession has eased my mind of a considerable burden; and the principles which you express give me hope, that if my life be spared, you will be a comfort in my old age, and also a blessing to others. Pray to God for direction and counsel in all your ways; trust in the mercy of the Saviour, and pursue the path of duty as the way to happiness.""

On the occasion of his ordination, she writes :"I passed the evening of the day on which my

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dear son was ordained, in privacy and prayer.Next to the day that gave you birth, I consider it as the most important of your life. now become a minister of the Church. a weighty charge-may God give you grace to fulfil its duties aright. You are going to reside in a beautiful country, and I hope you will also find the beauty of holiness there. I always had a desire to see the Isle of Wight; and now I have the prospect of visiting the young pastor and his flock, as an additional inducement to go there.

"I shall conclude by observing, that as it may now seem too presuming in me to give lectures on theology to a reverend divine, I shall, henceforth, rather expect to receive them from you: but a mother's prayers may be as needful as ever, and her blessing no less acceptable than formerly. Take them both from your affectionate mother, "C. R."

This interesting series of letters was left in an unfinished state, but the loss is, in some measure, supplied by letters addressed by the Rev. Legh Richmond to his wife and daughter. The former gives an account of the sudden death of his father, and describes the Christian fortitude with which his mother met this severe trial, and the letter was written immediately after her death.

"I found my mother in a most interesting struggle between divine consolation and natural affection. My first words, after an interval of silence, were, 'Are you supported, my dear mother?' 'Beyond all hope and expectation,' was the reply

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'Do you feel the consolations of Religion?' 'I am resigned to the stroke, though it rends my heart in two. I may weep; but I dare not, will not, complain. I never deserved him—he was lent me, and now God has taken him again. You are come to support a poor widowed mother's heart, and I know you will be what your dear sister Fanny has already been-the prop and strength of my age and afflictions.' I was astonished and melted at her fortitude and resignation. I find my dear father's mind for three weeks past, was calm and tranquil, expressive of much faith, patience, and hope. My mother was reading that exquisite commentary of Bishop Horne's, on the 23rd Psalm. He observed, at the close of the fourth verse, 'That is heavenly, and is my comfort.' He then suddenly said, 'My head is giddy,' staggered to the sofa, and fell into my mother's arms-his eyes fixed, and a deadly paleness on his face.

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contrived to ring the bell, and instantly returned to him: he gasped for breath, and groaned twice. The servant came in, and lifted up his legs; he gave one more slight struggle, and breathed out his soul in my mother's arms. She sat with him for two hours in silent composure, unable to weep, but calm in grief. That night she could not sleep, but gained relief by much weeping.

"He seemed to have had a presentiment of his approaching end, but rather concealed it from others. I never felt myself of such power to console as at this moment. My dear mother says- You are my oak, and and I am a poor ivy clinging around you: now are you my child indeed.'

"

To one of his daughters he writes

"My dear F

"I am just returned after executing the difficult and affecting task of preaching a funeral sermon for my most excellent and revered mother at her Parish Church. I took my subject from Psalms, 115 chap. 1 v., as best suited to her humble, meek, and believing frame of mind. It was indeed a trying effort, but God carried me through surprisingly. I introduced some very interesting papers, which I have found amongst her memoranda in her own hand writing. Her last message to me was -'Tell my son, I am going direct to happiness.'

"Never was there a more delightful and heavenly countenance than her's, as she lay in her coffin-it combined every sentiment which the most devout mind could desire-love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, charity-all shone serenely bright. I followed her to her grave, in Lancaster church-yard, where she lies under a sycamore tree, amid the magnificent landscape of sea, mountains, rivers, castle, and church around. You remember its high beauties. But you very imperfectly know the high qualities of head and heart, which your grandmama possessed-I never met her equal at the same age. I occupy her little room adjoining her bed-room, by day, and it is a great consolation to me to sit in her arm-chair, and think of her, and read her papers on various subjects. My dear mother was loved and honoured most extensively. Dear woman! for forty-seven years I have proved thy affection, and can trace from earliest infancy the tokens of thy worth. May I follow thee in

humility, faith, and love, and cherish thy memory with gratitude and honour!"

The following is inscribed on her tomb:

Sacred to the memory of
CATHERINE,

Widow of HENRY RICHMOND, M. D., formerly of Liverpool,
and late of Bath;

and daughter of JOHN ATHERTON, Esq., of Walton Hall,
in this county;

who departed this life, January the 30th, 1819, in the
eighty-fourth year of her age.

"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."

C. R.

SOLI DEI GLORIA.

"What, though affliction here would heave a sigh,
That one so loved and so revered should die-
Calm Resignation clasps a Saviour's cross,
And mourns, but does not murmur at the loss.
'Twas there her meek and lowly soul was taught
To seek the heavenly crown his blood had bought;
'Twas thence, in mercy, beamed the welcome ray,
Which cheered with hope the aged pilgrim's way.
This mouldering dust shall here repose in peace,
Till that great day, when time itself shall cease:
Her spirit is with God, and this its plea-

'My Saviour lived-my Saviour died for me!'"

"Not unto us, Oh Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy loving mercy, and for thy truth's sake."

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