" Now you must go down to the
abyss.' Like arrows these words pierced my heart; my strength
departed, and others bore me to my home. There my parents were
speechless with sorrow. The bed of down was made ready, but it
afforded me no rest. I seemed to lie on thorns. Then I appeared to
faint, though still able to hear their conversation. Sobbing aloud,
they said, 'Sweet child, if you were only a Christian, gladly would
we go with you to the gates of heaven, hoping soon to meet again;
but this is more than we can bear. Alas, that one borne in the arms
of our love, with whom and for whom we have prayed, must now say
that our God is not her God, nor our Saviour hers! Is there no ray
of light for her in the darkness? Can we never again point her to
Jesus?' As I listened in anguish, I cried aloud, 'Is there no hope
for me?' They replied, 'We will implore mercy for you again and
again, and possibly the physician may help you. Here he is.' As he
came in the recollection of his past faithful warnings made me weep
aloud. He said, 'Why weep? Do you not wish to see me?' 'Dear friend,
it is not that; but the sight of you recalls your entreaties to come
to Christ, and my neglect of them.
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