The religion as
well as habits of the Indian, had become hers. Ninety summers had passed
over her head. The missionary had visited her, and had been assured that
her faith had long been in accord with that of the red man, and she had no
desire to change her religious views.
But ere her last hour came a voice reached her from the distant past. It
awakened memories long forgotten. She sent for the missionary. He came and
stood by her. She was almost withered away. Her small, shrivelled, finely
wrinkled face, silvery hair, toothless mouth, the nose almost touching her
chin, and her thin, wasted form, indicated the presence of second
childhood. The memory of that long lost mother rushed back upon her mind.
She cried out in anguish, as well as sincerity of heart, "Oh, God! have
mercy upon me!" The prayer of her childhood returned; she instinctively
began to say.--"_Our Father which art in heaven._"
As a child she received the instructions of the missionary, and before
departing this life, her soul was lighted up with a cheering hope, based
upon a reception of the clear and living truths of Christianity.
No one had sought to disturb the serenity of her advanced life, by
intruding upon her the idea that she was a sinner. How came she to be thus
exercised? The lessons given in childhood, availed more than sermons, and
impressions were then made, which though apparently effaced, still
remained to be quickened into life, and bring forth fruit, which cheered
the closing days of her singularly eventful history.
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