DELIA, THE BLUEBIRD OF MULBERRY BEND By Mrs. E. M. Whittemore
CHAPTER 12
and another, and stating her wishes concerning a few of her little possessions, she said, with such a fond look, gazing into my face, "Well, as for you, mother dear, I have nothing to say!" She had repeatedly stated before she only wished she could put in to words how she loved me, but every time she tried she couldn't. Ah, she little knew how loudly her actions spoke of that pure, true love far greater than anything she could say; and how she would watch my face, and, if she saw a look of concern for her upon it, how she would endeavor to dissipate it with some cheering word. For instance, once when almost choking in a paroxysm of coughing, she caught my eye of pity, and she whispered between the coughs, "O, if I wasn't coughing so hard, you know, I might be doing something worse, so don't mind."
Quite overcome, I hurried from her side, and, though by this time I could truly say, "Thy will be done," the tears would flow, no matter how I tried to restrain them. She was then so entwined round my heart, that more than one has expressed surprise at such affection, but it was a God-given love, therefore unexplainable, and all the more real, and I am convinced it is the only cord by which these poor wanderers can ever be drawn into the kingdom of heaven. It's not toleration, but love they require.
She called me to her bed in a few moments, and, earnestly regarding me a second, entwined her arms gently round my neck, and in such a quiet manner, as she drew me to her, said, "Mother dear, please stop crying, it's not right; and see here, dear mother, I can be of far more service to you after I go than I can be here, a poor sick girl." As I was about to question how, she added, "You see, when I get to heaven I am going to ask God to let me be your guardian angel, I am going to guard you every single moment. Now won't that be nice, mother dear? Now there, don't cry any more."
After that morning she never shed a tear, and, although she fully expected to live a short time longer, she was well prepared to meet her God when taken.
About quarter to eleven, looking at the clock, she said, "O, Mother Whittemore must be almost home by this time; won't she be happy in the morning to find I have fallen asleep!"
Always thinking of others, she cautioned the trained nurse by her side, in case she fell asleep, not to forget the girl in the next room, who had gone to bed sick, but to warm a little broth for her and make her drink it.
Two hours later, putting her hand to her head, she exclaimed, "What is this strange feeling? What is it?" By the expression on her face the nurse knew the truth, and hastened to have those of us who loved her come. In a few moments all was over. No struggle, no pain, simply a breathing out, into Christ. She was conscious to the end, until entering heaven, and only lost her speech five minutes before closing her eyes forever on earth. She was at first asked if Christ was very real, and she nodded a glad yes, with a face full of trustful confidence. It was a most glorious and abundant entrance into the fullness of God; no fear, perfect peace and joy unspeakable toward the last, and full of glory.
Previous to this her father, who had become reconciled to her, begged most earnestly that she would allow a priest to visit her, but she as repeatedly refused most firmly. Finally he requested an
explanation, and she told him the only reason she possessed was, she believed in going to Headquarters direct, and that was why.
I informed the grief-stricken man that if she desired, she could have one; also that the subject of religions was never discussed at the Door of Hope, for we had Catholics, Jews, infidels and Protestants there, all being welcome, adding, though, that the one theme of the Home was Christ, and with Him I left all else.
Without one word of influence upon my part, through the prayerful study of the 27th Psalm, Delia had been led so close to the Lord that she renounced religion for her Saviour, and she truly lived up to all the light she could get, and was what one of the inmates said she had become, when asked what she was questioned as to whether she was a Protestant or a Catholic. "Why," she promptly replied,
"I shall say I am neither, for I am all for Jesus now!"
I would to God every one who reads these words might take power to so become all for Jesus!
DELIA, THE BLUEBIRD OF MULBERRY BEND By Mrs. E. M. Whittemore
CHAPTER 13