The Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church: 1850. [pp. 525-541]

O n the Return of Missionaries.
consent to her husband's accompanying her on the long voyage to her own country. Trusting herself and little daughters to the care of Christian friends, whom a kind providence
might raise up for her, she turned her face toward her native
home. Her feeble step gave little hope that she would live
to see those who longed to welcome her return; and so it
proved at last. She was called to her rest from the sea that
washes the Southern Cape of Africa. But she died in perfect
peace, surely no less happy on the Saviour's breast, though
surrounded by weeping strangers, than if she had departed
from her father's or her husband's arms. And God took care
of her children. He also supported her bereaved father in
life and her many sorrowing friends. Often in reflecting on
the last days on earth of the now sainted CHRISTIANA SCOTT,
we have deeply and tenderly felt the power of her Christian
piety. She has left us an example of priceless value. She
has shown what the grace of Christ can enable his servants to
do and to suffer; and how He can make them to triumph over
all that the timid heart would fear. It is an example worthy
of the martyr age of the Church. We do not doubt the wisdom of her decision to return without being accompanied by
her husband. She could hope for necessary attendance and
comfort, and she could trust in God for all needed grace.
She would not take a true and able missionary from his work.
She hoped to return to him again; but if not, their separation would have commenced but a short time earlier, and their
reunion would be more happy in a better world. Jesus would
richly reward his servants for their sacrifices in his cause.
And yet owing to different circumstances all whose health becomes impaired cannot follow her example. Some have not
the measure of strength with which she commenced her
journey; others may require a more constant degree of attendance; some may be so wasted by disease that their friends
could not leave them. Each case should be viewed in its own
circumstances.
But the question recurs, Why should a missionary leave his
field of labour at all for the sake of impaired health? Why
not remain at his post, and there exemplify the power of
religion under disease, imparting patience, resignation, confi VOL. XMI.-NO0. IV. 34
850.]
533