Some Account of the Life of the REV. F. A. A.Gonthier

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837. Excerpt: ... it is not in the midst of such perplexing conflicts that a right judgment can be formed. We must retire to the silence of our closet: it is there that, alone with our God, we shall see ourselves as we really are, and shall behold nothing but the most wretched weakness. The time was now fast approaching when my uncle was to leave his garden for the last time. Extreme weakness was now more and more combined with his severe sufferings. The day that he had purchased this garden, Fanchette had expressed her hopes to him that he would long find enjoyment there. You forget, he answered, that the day of my death will be the day of highest enjoyment to me. This long wished for day he saw approaching nearer and nearer. He even thought it right to forewarn us of it at the end of the autumn. My children, he said, there is a period in our lives when years no longer add to our strength, but are, on the contrary, daily depriving us of it. My garden has given me notice of this. Formerly I was able to dig in it; a few months ago I could still handle a small spade; now I have scarcely strength to stoop to tie up my young shrubs. I have but little strength left, and winter is coming on!....Winter came, but it was the mild one of 1834. M. Gonthier appeared less tried by it than he was in general. On new year's day he was still able to receive us all, and to give us his blessing. We hoped much from the return of spring, and from the journey which he might then undertake. The first, however, which he did attempt, decided at once that his strength was entirely gone. He was taken very ill upon arriving at Geneva. He wished to set out at once on his return home, but having attempted to walk from the inn to the place from whence the carriage started, he found himself unab...