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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:

Must I face the stormy river?

There is One to break its flood--

Christ, my great High-priest and faithful,

Christ, my all-sufficient good:

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Through His blood shall come the triumph

Over death and hell to me;

And I shall be in His likeness,

Sinless through eternity.

Disembodied of all evil,

I shall pierce with earnest eyes

Into Calvary's deep wonders,

And its infinite surprise:

The Invisible beholding,

Who is living and was dead;

In a pure, unbroken union

With the ever-living Head.

There I shall exalt the Person,

God's own Sacrifice Divine,

Without any veil or fancy--

And my soul like Him shall shine:

With the mystery revealèd

In His wounds, I shall commune;

Losing sight no more for ever

Of the all-belovèd Son.

From salvation's highest fountains,

Oh, to drink with each new day!

Till my thirst for earthly pleasures

Has completely passed away:

Waiting always for my Master,

Quick to answer to His call;

Then to hold the door wide open,

And enjoy Him, all in all.

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