Sweet Singers of Wales

Ann Griffiths

Her latter days were spent close to the frontiers of the Better Land. Her soul was filled with the thoughts and desires of her eternal home. We can almost watch the flame of the spirit's life burning higher and higher--burning up the earthliness of her nature and the last remainders of unheavenly interests. Thus she writes:

'I see more need than I have ever seen before to spend what there is left of my days in giving myself daily, body and soul, to the care of Him who is able to keep that which is committed unto Him against that day. Not giving myself once, but living in giving myself, until, and even when this tabernacle is put off. The thought of putting 66 it off is specially sweet sometimes. I can say, it is this of all things which gives me most joy in these days. Not death in itself, but the great gain to be had after passing through it; every inclination contrary to the will of God left behind, every inclination to dishonour the ordinance of God left behind--all infirmity swallowed up of strength--perfectly conformable to the law--in the likeness of God to enjoy Him for ever. I am sometimes so carried away with these things that I fairly fail to stand on the way of my duty in the things of time; but waiting for the hour when I shall be dissolved and be with Christ, for it is much better, although it is very good with me here sometimes. When my Beloved showeth Himself through the lattice, He sometimes reveals, in a glass darkly, as much of His glory to me as my feeble faculties can bear. I rejoice to say in closing--I would wish to say it with thankfulness--in spite of my sinfulness, and the cunning of hell, of the world and its charms, through the good grace of God I have not changed the object of my affection till to-night: rather from my heart I rest in His love, and joy over Him with singing, although I cannot obtain that in the least degree on this side of death, except with effort and violence.'

And thus she sings: