52 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. IT. 



upon his Saviour. I saw him the day before his death ; I shall 

 never forget his look, it was full of joy and hope. Mrs. Wilson 

 was in truth ' a mother in Israel/ for notwithstanding the bit- 

 terness of her sorrow, she it was who directed his mind to the 

 Cross, and supported and comforted him during the languor of 

 disease by her presence and Christian conversation, never 

 allowing her feelings to overpower her judgment, but always 

 appearing composed and even cheerful." The contrast to his 

 brother in personal appearance became more striking as his life 

 approached its close. He had attained nearly six feet in height, 

 and when, with his lustrous black eyes and raven hair, he was 

 seen beside George's slender little figure and fair complexion, 

 none could have guessed how close the tie was that united them. 



But two months before, John had entered his eighteenth year. 

 No record of George's sorrow at this mournful separation exists : 

 it was a grief too deep for much expression. His friend, Wil- 

 liam Nelson, remembers a walk they had together in this time 

 of sadness, and George with great earnestness telling him there 

 was no text in the Bible he thought so beautiful as this, " God 

 shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." As a child this had 

 been a favourite, and was to have been the text of his first 

 sermon had he ever mounted a pulpit, but now new beauty was 

 seen in it. No wonder that in later years he writes, -" The 

 other world and the shadow of death have been in my thoughts 

 ever since I remember." To one or two intimate friends he 

 frequently spoke tenderly of John ; and the only wish he was 

 known to express regarding his burial was in conversation with 

 a friend, " I should like to be laid beside my twin-brother." 

 This desire has been fulfilled ; side by side they lie as in the 

 happy dreams of childhood, safer now and happier than then ; 

 for them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him, and they 

 shall be satisfied when they awake in His likeness. How truly 

 does the wise Jeremy Taylor tell us, that " the sadnesses of this 

 life help to sweeten the bitter cup of death." 



The winter Session of 1835-36 found George steadily at work. 

 The lectures of Professors Alison, Syme, and Home, were at- 

 tended, together with Anatomy in Mr. Lizars' class-rooms, and 

 the Hospital wards. The determination to keep a diary, an- 



