E HAMILTON,

STRATING THE REALITY AND POWER OF GODLINESS
IN CHILDHOOD.

BY AMBROSE EDSON,

Author of "Letters to the Conscience," "The Key Stone," &c.

SECOND EDITION.

HARTFORD:

PUBLISHED BY CANFIELD & ROBINS.

ROCHESTER: H. STANWOOD & CO.

L

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1836, AMBROSE EDSON,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticu

and Mrs. Schroeder

gift

PREFACE.

THE details of this volume furnish a
striking illustration of the REALITY and
POWER OF GODLINESS in childhood, ex-
hibited in a season of protracted and
severe suffering, for nearly a year, un-
til it was terminated by a happy death
in the triumphs of faith. The compi-
ler has aimed at simplicity and cor-
rectness, in spreading the facts and
incidents of the volume before the
reader. In some of the conversations
of this child, her precise language has
been given; and, in every instance, the
exact thought has been preserved, in
language as nearly identical as it was
possible for memory to recall.
be remarked,

1-17-50-Mr. Nath,

5. Schroede

54281

.429

It must

wever, that much which

(Hamilton
5503

429

(RECAP)

gave a deep interest to the occurrences of her last sickness, and the conversations of her death-bed, cannot be transferred to paper. The words may be given; but the expression of countenance, the tones of the voice, and the spirit of the sufferer,—every thing that gives life and eloquence to the scene, will appear wanting. The truth of this remark will appear evident, to those. who were present during some of the scenes described in this volume, which occurred in the last sickness, and on the dying bed of the subject of this memoir. They may say, with truth, the representation is almost incomparably below the reality. Of this, the compiler is sensible. But it is, still, his firm conviction, notwithstanding these defects, that the memoir will be found of unusual interest. It is not designed exclusively for any one particular class of persons; but it is hoped

that it may be found of practical utility to all.

A single remark may be necessary to explain the reason why "the mother" of Charlotte is so frequently named in this memoir, in connection with her conversations, &c. The reason is, that the mother, for months, gave up almost her whole time to the care of her daughter; and being almost always with her, and possessing the full confidence of the child, as it is easy and natural for mothers to do; Charlotte was more free in the full expression of her feelings to her mother, than to any one else. She often whispered in her ear, what, from her own extreme diffidence, she would never think of saying to any one else. For this reason, the mother is necessarily so frequently introduced in connection with the conversations that occur.

The appearance of the volume be