WE ARE THE LORD'S. "Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's."-Rom. xiv. 8. "We are the Lord's!"-how bless'd the thought! The Lord's-by blood divinely bought: "We are the Lord's!"-delightful thought; Yes, lov'd and sought when wand'ring wide; In life and death we are the Lord's, When time and things have fled away, "We are the Lord's!"-and so shall rest, Then glory to the highest Lord, What then have we to fear or love? J. R. A. FOSTER, PRINTER, KIRKBY LONSDALE. FRIENDLY VISITOR. No. CLXIV.] MAY, 1832. [VOL. XIV. AN ACCOUNT OF OLD SUSAN HUDSON. The power of divine grace is oftentimes manifested in the conversion of the young, and sometimes in the conversion of the aged sinner. In both these cases, the Almighty must and will have all the glory. Now, as in the days of old, "the word of God is quick and powerful." The following instance of it, is one which must call forth thanksgiving to God. Susan Hudson, late of Leeds, resided in one of the districts of the Ladies' East Bible Association. When the collectors visited her, she began to subscribe for a Testament of the largest type, having only an old Bible with small print, which she was unable to read. Though so very old, being 92 years of age, her heart was not turned to God. Her temper was sharp, which made it difficult to please her. She was supplied with a New Testament until she had paid for her own, which she obtained in her ninety-third year. י, One of the collectors visited her about the month of November in last year, and found her laid on a bed of sickness, apparently near the end of life. On being told by her daughter who the lady was, she lifted up her feeble hands, and with tears rolling down her aged cheeks, said: "O! that has been a blessed Testament to me.' With much feeling, she expressed her gratitude to the Almighty for his preserving care and blessing, through her long life; and with an earnestness, which will not soon be erased from the mind of the visitor, she spoke of her faith in her Redeemer, now as she approached near unto death, which testified, that this aged pilgrim was about to receive the fulness of that faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. At the commencement of this illness a pious friend called upon her, and prayed very fervently for her conversion to F She often called From this time a views, temper, and Her manners became God. She now read her Testament whenever she was able, and would repeat passages aloud, which she had read, and treasured up in her mind. her Testament-" her blessed book." very visible change took place in her feelings. Her heart was softened. mild and affectionate. Like a new-born babe, she desired the sincere milk of the word, that she might grow thereby. Being requested by the collectors at their monthly meeting, the writer of this little account visited this aged convert, on the 8th of December last. Though near her end, her face literally beamed with joy, while she spoke of her now beloved Saviour. She said: "I want a praying spirit. O! it is good to pray to God. He has stablished me, and strengthened me, and confirmed me." It was truly surprising to see the energy with which she uttered these words. How do you like that nice Testament which you got from the Bible Society? "I like it much. I have read it, and read it, again and again; and the Lord has led me, and guided me, and taught me by it." Can you say with Mary: "my soul hath rejoiced in God my Saviour"? "O yes, that I can. I do rejoice, and praise him all the day long. O! how precious is my Saviour. He is my Lord, and my God." Can you say with good old Simeon: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation"? "I can say so. I am waiting for Christ, till he come, and take me to himself." At that time she eat so little, that her daughter was surprised how she could continue alive. She said to her: mother, you eat nothing. "O," said good old Susan, "I have meat to eat that the world knows not of. I feed upon heavenly manna, upon the bread which came down from heaven." Her landlord called upon her one day, and asking her what she read, Susan replied, "Come and see." She then gave him her Testament. He opened to this beautiful promise: I will give him the morning star; and bade her keep close to this precious word. To a female friend she said with peculiar emphasis, "Christ is in me, the hope of glory." The writer called again upon poor old Susan, on the 10th of December, and found her still living. How do you do? "I am very poorly." You are looking unto Jesus? "Yes-I am. He is the true God, and was crucified for me. You feel confidence in the love of God? "I do. He helpeth me. He is full of love and mercy." You are not afraid to die? "No-I am not. I thought I should have died yesterday at six o'clock in the evening; but I felt nothing but happiness." At that time she said to her daughter: "I thought I was just entering into the celestial city; but Jesus called me back, because he saw I was not meet." Standing by her bed side, the writer said to her: Susan, you love to praise Jesus for his goodness? She raised herself up in bed with much difficulty, being extremely weak, and exclaimed; "O what wonders he has done for me. I want to praise him, his loving-kindness is so great. If I had breath, I could tell you a great deal." When her daughter came to assist her, and administer to her comfort, she would frequently say: "help me to praise God. I want to praise him.” With holy transport, she one day poured out her heart: "help me to praise the Lord. Praise him, ye sun and moon. Praise him, all ye stars of light. O let every thing praise the Lord." She then repeated the word hallelujah ten or twelve times. With much assurance she declared: "I am thine, and thou art mine. God is love. I feel he is. Make me holy, for thou art holy." For the last time, December 13th, the writer saw old Susan. Her strength was nearly gone. To her daughter who stood weeping by her bed-side, she said: “don't grieve for me." Susan, you can say, I am a sinner saved by grace? "O yes-freely." With St. Paul you can also say: "O death, where is thy sting"? With peculiar strength of voice she added: "yes-yes-and, 'O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."" Looking at her daughter she said: "I have no breath to speak; tell the gentleman all about me; you know what I would say. I could tell him a great deal." She seemed greatly exhausted by this effort. On leaving poor old Susan, I said, The peace of God be with you." Amen"- said the dying pilgrim, with an emphasis which bespoke it to be the language of the heart. I then prayed with her, commending her departing spirit to that Saviour who had washed her from her sins in his own blood, and made her a monument of his redeeming grace. On parting, she held out her hand, with her usual expression of grateful feeling. The night before she died, her daughter said: "mother, I think the fear of death is kept from you;" for when in health, she had always a peculiar dread of death. "Yes," said the dying parent, "the sting of death is taken away from me. I have obtained the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.". At another time she comforted her daughter with these words: "Fear not; God is on my right hand. Be thee reconciled to thy God, my love." In this happy, peaceful state of mind, old Susan fell asleep in Jesus, between ten and eleven o'clock on the forenoon of Thursday the 15th of December, leaving her dying testimony to this truth, that, "By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." She had lived 53 years in the house in which she died; respected by her neighbours, as an honest, industrious woman, when able to work; but never savingly acquainted with Jesus and his salvation, till she had reached the |