Little Ann: An Authentic Narrative

32 LITTLE ANN. [32 “ 0 supply my every want; “ Feed a tender, sickly plant; “ Day and night my keeper be ; “ Every moment water me. “ Hide me, gracious Saviour, hide ; “ Let me never leave thy side ; “ O, ’tis hell from thee to part; “ Press me closer to thy heart.” A.s some symptoms of a restless nature appeared, Aspasio inquired “ if she were quite happy in her mind to which she quickly replied, “ Yes, quite so.” Thus, with little variation, she continued patiently to suffer all the will of her heavenly Father; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of her faith, and receiving out of his fullness “ grace for grace.” On Tuesday, the Sth of January, she found that the conflict was soon to be over. At an early hour of that day she desired a person to go for Aspasio. When he arrived she was quite sensible, but seemed already to have entered the valley of the Shadow of Death. She made several attempts, but was unable to speak. After some time watching her, Aspasio said, “ My dear Ann, if you are happy—if you are satisfied that Jesus loves you, lift up your hand.” No sooner was this request made, than she raised her poor, emaciated arm, in token that she was happy in the assurance of the love of Christ. From that moment she lay in the arms of her gentle and good Shepherd, who carried her, in sweet composure, through those waters which have alarmed many an older Christian than little Ann; nor did He leave her until her happy spirit had clean escaped the prison of the body, and fled to the assembly of angels, and mingled with those who compose the church triumphant above. This event happened about 10 o’clock that morning. On the Sunday following her body was consigned to the grave, as near as possible to the chancel door of her parish church, the spot she herself had pre-

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