FullReads

“Ah! but the preparation for those heavenly mansions!” said Mrs. Ellis. “The preparation, Anna! Who may be certain of this?”

The eyes of the sick girl closed, the long lashes resting like a dark fringe on her snowy cheek. For more than a moment she lay silent and motionless; then looking up, she answered–

“God is love. If we would be with him, we must be like him.”

“How are we to be like him, Anna?” asked Mrs. Ellis.

“He is love; but not a love of himself. He loves and seeks to bless others. We must do the same.”

“And have you, Anna”–

But the words died on the lips of the speaker. Again had the drooping lashes fallen, and the pale lids closed over the beautiful eyes. And now a sudden light shone through the transparent tissue of that wan face–a light, the rays of which none who saw them needed to be told were but gleams of the heavenly morning just breaking for the mortal sleeper.

How hushed the room–how motionless the group that bent forward toward the one just passing away! Was it the rustle of angels garments that penetrated the inward sense of hearing?

It is over! The pure spirit of that humble girl, who, in her sphere, was loving, and true, and faithful, hath ascended to the God in whose infinite love she reposed a childlike and unwavering confidence. Calmly and sweetly she went to sleep, like an infant on its mother’s bosom, knowing that the everlasting arms were beneath and around her.

And thus, in the by-ways and obscure places of life, are daily passing away the humble, loving, true-hearted ones. The world esteems them lightly; but they are precious in the sight of God. When the time of their departure comes, they shrink not back in fear, but lift their hands trustingly to the angel messenger, whom their Father sends to lead them up to their home in heaven. With them is the true “Euthanasy.”

“Is not that a new experience in life?” said Mrs. Bell, as the two ladies walked slowly homeward. With a deep sigh, the other answered–

“New and wonderful. I scarcely comprehend what I have seen. Such a lesson from such a source! How lightly I thought of that poor sewing-girl, who came and went so unobtrusively! How little dreamed I that so rich a jewel was in so plain a casket! Ah! I shall be wiser for this–wiser, and I may hope, better. Oh, to be able to die as she has died!–what of mere earthly good would I not cheerfully sacrifice!”

“It is for us all,” calmly answered Mrs. Bell. “The secret we have just heard–we must be like God.”

“How–how?”

“He loves others out of himself, and seeks their good. If we would be like him, we must do the same.”

Yes; this is the secret of an easy death, and the only true secret.