Death in the Pastor's Home. 187 



death is not," and to-day, Mrs. Martin is passing 

 through " the valley and the shadow of death." 



A few days later, the mourners laid her venerable 

 form to rest in the cemetery of St. John's to await 

 the resurrection morn. 



Mrs. Audubon, by the advice of her attendant 

 physicians, was not informed of the death of her 

 aged relative. She lingered on through the hot 

 months of July and August. Very gently, in love, 

 the cords that bound together the dying and the 

 living were unloosed ; the Angel of Suffering, did 

 his part in preparing all for the parting hour. 



One day in September, the sufferer exclaimed, 

 with a far-off look in her eyes, " I see Grandmother ; 

 she is in heaven." The soul of the dying may have 

 caught a glimpse of the other shore. Then with 

 uplifted eyes, she slowly repeated : 



" Vital spark of heavenly flame, 

 Quit, O quit, this mortal frame ; 

 The world recedes ; it disappears. 

 Heav'n opens on my eyes; my ears 

 With sounds seraphic ring, 

 Lend, lend your wings ; I mount, I fly : 

 O, grave where is thy victory ? 

 O, death where is thy sting ? 



A few days later, and the lips that had praised 

 her Maker from childhood, were silent in death. 

 The record is, Maria R. Audubon, beloved daughter of 

 John Bachman, and ivife of John W. Audubon, died 

 September 23rd, 1840, aged 23. 



The Pastor of St. John's entered into his study, 

 and closed the door, even to his nearest and dearest, 



