Memoir of Charlotte Hamilton

Preface

The details of this volume furnish a striking illustration of the REALITY and power of godliness ia childhood, exhibited in a season of protracted and severe suffering, for nearly a year, until it was terminated by a happy death in the triumphs of faith. The compiler has aimed at simplicity and correctness, 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 indenlical as it was possible for memory to recall. It must be remarked, however, that much which 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 ihe 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 warning. The truth of this remark will appear evident, to those who were present during some of the scenes described in this

IV PREFACE.

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.

MEMOIR

CHARLOTTE IIAMILTOK

Chapter I

Charlotte Hamilton, the subject of the following memoir, was the second daughter of Horatio Asa Hamilton, M. D., of Somers, Connecticut, and was born July 7th, 1825. She was early consecrated to God, by her parents, to be trained up for his service and kingdom.

When about five months old, she was attacked with the whooping-cough, which she had to a degree of unusual severity. From the shock given to her constitution at this time, she never entirely recovered. It was too much for her slender frame, at such a tender age. This was evident through the years of infancy, and in those

of childhood, until her death. Although she 1*

MEMOIR OF Traits of character.

never complained, when it was possible to conceal any little illness she might feel, still it was obvious that she could bear but little, compared with ordinary children of her age. And when she voluntarily acknowledged that she was unwell, her friends knew that she must be sick ; as she never otherwise complained.

There are several traits which marked the character of this child, which it may be proper, in this place, to notice.

1. Her natural temper was uncommonly amiable. She seldom manifested the least irritation or fretfidness^ under any of the little crosses which often disturb the feelings of almost all children of such an age. Hence she was never involved in the little broils and feuds of children, in which some of her companions were sometimes found. Kindness marked her treatment of others; and she usually experienced kindness in return. The mildness and pleasantness of her temper did much to make her a favorite in the circle of her relatives and intimate friends.

2. Connected with her natural amiableness of temper, Charlotte was characterized by a remarkable degree of equanimity^ or that calm temper, or firmness of mind, which is not easily elevated

CHARLOTTE HAMILTON.

or depressed. When quite young, during some severe thunder showers, when her older sister was trembling and shrieking at almost every peal of thunder, or flash of lightning, and in a perfect agony of fear, Charlotte would often say to her sister, in her deliberate way of speaking, " What good does it all do ? Do you think you can stop it, Elizabeth ?"

When she was about five years old, the regiment met in the town, and paraded in the street near her father's house. Most children would have had their interests and feelings entirely engrossed by such a military display. But neither the equipage, music, nor discharge of fire-arms, aff'ected Charlotte. She had obtained some book in which she felt interested, and she continued to read, nearly the whole time, without apparently taking any notice of what was passing without. Even when her companions were ready to shriek at every burst of thunder from the military ranks, Charlotte continued her reading still !

When she was about two years old, the following circumstances occurred. During a very severe thunder shower, when there was not an individual in the room beside, the mother, seated in her chair, was holding this child in her arms. The

MEMOIR OF Incident. Another irait.

elements seemed thrown into one wild and furious conflict. The winds raged — the lightnings blazed — and peal after peal of thunder seemed almost to rend the vault of heaven. At length there came one tremendous crash, which seemed, at the instant, to have rent the house into a thousand fragments ; at this instant, little Charlotte sprang from her mother's arms, at a single bound, upon the floor, and looking round, exclaimed, " Why, where is God ? He is right here : he sees us ; but we can't see him, can we, 'ma ?"

3. Another trait of character in this child, was an unusually inquiring turn of mind. This was manifested in a thousand different instances, in relation to her studies, to what she might happen to read, or hear in conversation. She always wished to know the reason of the thing, in regard to any subject which attracted her attention ; and she would not generally be satisfied, unless she could get at this. This trait she carried with her into her Sabbath school exercises ; and her teacher is said to have frequently remarked, that Charlotte Hamilton caused her more difficulty and labor, in consequence of the questions she would ask, on the subject of her lesson, than all the rest of. her class ; and that often she was

CHARLOTTE HAMILTON.

Sabbath school. Adam and Eve.

obliged to defer an answer to questions asked, until a future time, that she might have an opportunity of examining the point, and gaining further information. The necessity for this, resulted from the fact, that these questions were very far from being of a common-place character ; or such as would be suggested by a superficial glance at the subject. I will mention but a single example in illustration of the point under consideration. She had one day been committing to memory her Sabbath school lesson, in preparation for the Sabbath. The lesson embraced the description of the apostacy of man, as contained in Genesis. While reciting the lesson to a member of the family at home, she inquired, with an arch kind of expression, " I wonder what God would have done with Eve, if Adam had not eaten the forbidden fruit ?" This circumstance is mentioned, not because there is any intrinsic importance in the question itself, but merely as exhibiting the fact that, for a mere child, she thought^ emphatically, of subjects which engaged her attention ; and was ready to pry into relations and consequences, which would not ordinarily be noticed, or thought of, by multitudes of even an advanced

Strict regard to truth.

4. Another circumstance deserving notice in the character of this child, was a strict regard to truth. Whenever questioned with regard to what she had done, at any time, there was never any attempt to disguise or conceal the exact truth, however much she might feel that she was implicated by it ; or whatever the anticipated consequences might be to her. If she said that a thing was^ or was not so — the assertion always had the entire confidence of her parents : and never, in a single instance, to their recollection, did they find that confidence misplaced, after she was old enough to understand any thing about what truth was. Have the little children who read or hear these pages, never told a wrong story to their parents, or others ? I have known some children tell wrong stories, and when this was known, people had no confidence in any thing which they said; they were not believed, even when they spake the truth. And this will always be the case with those, who, it is known, do not always speak the truth. And in addition to this, it is very wicked to tell such stories. God is ofi'ended by it, and he has said in his word, that " all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second

Obedience in parents. Her mother's charge.

death." I hope, therefore, dear children, that jou will, all of you, imitate the conduct of little Charlotte ; and when you have done wrong, acknowledge the whole truth about it, and thus your parents will always have confidence in what you say, and you will not ofi'end God.

5. Another trait in Charlotte's character, was strict obedience to her parents. \\Tienever she was told to do a thing, or was prohibited from doing it, all that was necessary to ensure obedience was, to hear and understand the command or prohibition. When this was done, her parents had no occasion to doubt, in regard to the result. And they have frequently said, they did not recollect the instance in which she had willfully disobeyed them, since she was old enough to understand the obligation of a command. Obedience was always a matter of principle and conscience with her, even from her earliest years. I will state a single circumstance in illustration of this. When she was quite young, her mother one day went away in the afternoon, and left her, with an older sister, in the care of the house, with the charge to both, not to leave it until she returned. But after the mother had been gone a little while, Louisa K., a very intimate companion of Char-

Sister's consent. Her estimate of her act.

lotte, came in, to have her go home with her to play. *' No," said Charlotte, " I cannot go, for mother told us we must not leave the house while she was absent." But her older sister told her she might go home with Louisa, and play a little while, and that she would remain and take care of the house. With this permission, Charlotte went, but soon returned ; and in reply to the question of her siste.r, why she had come back so soon, said, " Ma did not give me any liberty to go ; I know it was wrong to go. I could not enjoy myself any, while I was there, and I would not stay."

This is no more than a fair specimen of her scrupulous, conscientious regard to the commands of her parents. In this instance, she had not only the consent, but the advice of an older sister, in relation to her doing as she did, without which she would not have thought, for a moment, of yielding to the solicitation of her little friend. But when she came to think more of it, all these mitigating circumstances did not prevent what she had done from being disobedience to her mother's direction, in her estimation. Hence she would not stay ; and on her mother's return, Charlotte voluntarily told her what she had done, and expressed her sorrow for it. But the whole occur-

Prayer for a little child.

rence had passed from the mother's recollection, and never would have been recalled, had it not been done by this dear child on her dying bed, as I shall have occasion hereafter to state. And this was the 07ily instance of disobedience, even of such a character, which she, or her parents, could recollect. Children, can your parents say as much as this of you ?

After the death of Charlotte, among the choice papers which she had laid away, were found the following stanzas, cut from some newspaper, at how early an age is imknown. They are very suitable for every little child to commit to memory, who reads this volume, or hears it read. And if, when he repeats them night or morning, or at any other time, he really desires the thing mentioned in the different stanzas, and desires that the Saviour would grant them, it will be a

PRAYER.

PRAYER FOR A LITTLE CHILD.

" Dear Jesus, let an infant claim The favor to adore thy name ; Thou wast so meek, that babes might be Encouraged to draw near to thee. 2

Stanzas.

My gracious Saviour, I believe Thou canst a little child receive ; Thy tender love for us is free — And why not iove poor sinful me ?

Then to a child, dear Lord, impart A humble, meek, and lowly heart ; 0, cleanse me by thy precious blood, And fill me with the love of God.

Though oft I sin, yet save me still, And make me love thy sacred will ; Each day prepare me by thy grace, To meet thee, and behold thy face."

One thing Ihou lackest.

Chapter II

In the preceding chapter, I have mentioned a few traits in the character of Charlotte Hamilton. And I wish it distinctly to be understood that these traits existed before she ever indulged the hope that she knew any thing about experimental piety. And all my young friends will conclude that they made her a pleasant child. But 0, if she had had nothing more than these, she could never have died so happy, so triumphant a death as she did.

You recollect that a certain young man once came to Christ, and he had so many amiable traits of character, that it is said Christ looked on him and laved him. But notwithstanding all this, Christ kindly and faithfully assured him, " One thing thou lackest." This one thing was piety. And it was enough to shut him out of heaven. And it is just so with every child, as well as adult. Let their natural dispositions and conduct be ever so amiable, unless their hearts are right

How C. felt. Commencement of the interest.

in the sight of God, they will not be prepared for the happiness of heaven. I wish all my young readers would feel this. They may have a great many things to make them lovely in the eyes of men, while it may be said, in relation to a most important qualification, " One thing thou lackest."

Charlotte was led to feel this. Blameless as was her external conduct, when she obtained a correct view of her own heart, as compared with God's character and requirements, she felt conscious that she was a sinner, and was neither prepared to live, nor to die. And the experience of every real Christian, whether young or old, corresponds with this. There must be a great change in the feeling and temper of their hearts, to prepare them for the scenes of a dying hour, and of the judgment day.

This change Charlotte gave evidence of experiencing, in the autumn of 1833. It was in a time of unusual religious interest among the children in Somers, and which was confined to them. The first of these was a little boy about twelve years of age, who, after several days of anxiety and distress, found peace in believing. The seriousness began to spread from child to child in the

Charlotte did not intend to be eeriona.

neighborhood, until from fifteen to sixteen children, from seven to twelve years of age, indulged the hope of having passed from death unto life. Among some of the earlier of these, was an older sister of Charlotte. The knowledge of this, evidently had an effect on her mind. But it was such an effect as is often witnessed among older persons, when the carnal mind is roused up to put on a show of thoughtlessness and indifference, not commonly exhibited. This was the case with Charlotte. She did not intend, at first, to be serious, or give her attention to the subject of her soul's concerns. It is not known that she did, or said any thing to oppose the work ; still she was evidently more light and trifling than usual ; which led her friends to remark that they never knew Charlotte appear half as rude before, as she did now. But she could not effectually shake off the subject in this way. The Spirit had evidently commenced a work of grace in her heart. At this time, one or two of her young companions, who had just begun to rejoice in the love of God, called in to see Charlotte and her sister, and the time was spent in their chamber. Charlotte could not but notice the evident change in their feelings and conversation, and the first prominent

2*

Faithful companions. The change.

thought, which seemed to cut to the heart was, *' all my young companions are pressing into the kingdom, and I am to be left behind." To this thought she could not submit. She had accompanied them to the point where their paths seemed now to separate, and were leading to terminations as far asunder as hell and heaven. Must she now make up her mind to have a separation commence which should widen and widen through eternity ? This was more than she could endure. Her companions were faithful to her. They urged, and warned, and entreated ; and she melted into tears. In this state of feeling, they left her, sometime in the afternoon of Saturday. Her parents witnessed the change in her appearance, but nothing further was said to her. She sought to be alone, with her Bible ; and this was as good an instructor as she could have. The struggle was a severe one ; but on the next morning, peace dawned upon her soul. There was no ecstasy of joy in her feelings, but like the dawning light of that Sabbath morning, hope brightened and brightened into a perfect sunshine upon her soul. On the evening of this day, her mother inquired relative to her feelings, and found her in a very happy frame of mind, and indulging a very de-

Precious truth discovered.

cided hope of having submitted her heart to Grod. " This day," said she, " has been the happiest Sabbath which I have ever spent." The preaching appeared so different — the singing different — the Sabbath school exercises different. Indeed, old things seemed to have been done away, and all things to have become new.

Her mother inquired how she felt, before she thought she submitted to God ? She said she thought she was going to be deserted by all her young companions, and she felt alarmed at first ; that afterwards she tried to pray ; but the more she tried, the more she felt distressed. It seemed as though she could see Christ ; but he was a great way off, and did not try to relieve, or help her. And while she was trying to pray, she said He did not seem to notice her ; and she thought he would let her perish there. " But," added she, with a countenance beaming with a purer joy than she had ever felt before, and eyes filled with tears, " I found that just as soon as I was ready

TO GIVE UP MY HEART, HE WAS READY TO RECEIVE ME."

Here is a truth, traced as with a pencil of light, upon the whole plan of redeeming mercy. It accords with the experience of every redeemed

The difficulty universal

sinner in heaven and on earth. And it ouojht to be written as with the point of a diamond, upon every heart still unreconciled to God. The obstacle that prevents any sinner who hears the gospel, from an immediate compliance with the terms of mercy, is not found in God. It is in the sinner, and in the sinner alone. " He may frame a thousand apologies and pleas for delay in yielding up the controversy with God ; but the undisguised truth is, he is not willing to yield. This prevents his immediate submission to God ; this^ if continued, will assuredly shut him out of heaven.

Look, my dear friends, at the simple experience of this mere child. The assertion was not dictated by any philosophical speculation of either old-school or new-school theology ; it comes from a child of eight years of age, taught by the Spirit, just emancipated from the bondage of sin, and beginning to taste of the love of God. She felt herself forsaken by her young companions, who were pressing into the kingdom of God ; and when she came to look to her Saviour and attempted to pray, as a substitute for giving up the controversy with God, he stood a * great way oflF. And he always does so. The sinner never gains one

Directing sinners.

approving smile from Him, until he yields up the controversy. He may read the Bible, attempt to pray, visit the sanctuary of God, and perform every other external duty which God demands ; but he will be like the woman who had spent all her living upon physicians, and was continually growing worse, instead of better. But no sooner is the point of controversy yielded by the sinner, no sooner is he willing to let go his hold on sin, or the world, or self, and just drop into the Saviour's arms, than he finds the Saviour's arms extended to receive him. " Just as soon as I was ready to give up," said this dear child, " he was ready to receive me."

If the reader has any thing to do in directing sinners in this most interesting and critical part of the probationary existence, or is in a situation in which the inquiry may be made of him, " what must I do to be saved ?" permit me to request you to pause and settle an important principle on the spot; and that is, — is it wise, or benevolent, or safe, to deviate from the plain, unambiguous answer to this inquiry, which God has sanctioned in his word ? In not a single instance will you find any countenance to this system of false philanthropy which puts the sinner upon the perform-

Bible direciion, plain.

ance of any round of external duties, to induce God to have mercy upon him. But the simple urgent demand is, " repent — believe."

The single point to which the sinner is urged, is the immediate laying down of the weapons of his rebellion, and submission of his heart to God. Until he does this, he is waging a fearful, and most unequal controversy with his Maker ; and is not in a condition to receive pardon. Turn off the attention of the sinner, therefore, from the simple, single point of immediate submission to God, to any other subject in the universe, however important or interesting, under other circumstances, and you throw an obstacle in the way, which will retard, if not prevent his conversion. Let him understand, on the contrary, that neither reading, praying, nor any thing which he can do, has any tendency to reconcile God to him, while he holds back his heart :

For God abhors the sacrifice, Where not the heart is found.

Turn which way he will — do what he will — it is all sin, all rebellion, until he drops his weapons, and yields. The sooner this is understood and felt, the shorter, ordinarily, will be the sea-

Whai the Spirit uraes. Visit to U)usid K.

son of protracted anguish, under a resistance to the demand of God for immediate repentance ; and the sooner, it may be hoped, the controversy will be settled. The Spirit always presses to this point, and every word of instruction and direction should bear upon the same. We owe it to God, and the welfare of souls, to be faithful here.

The next day after Charlotte hopefully submitted her heart to God, she called to see Louisa K., one of her most intimate little companions, for the purpose of urging upon her attention the subject of religion. These two children were nearly of the same age; of dispositions very similar, and on terms of unusual intimacy. When, therefore, Charlotte began to rejoice in the love of God, she felt a deep interest that Louisa should share in the same happiness which she had found. And this was a deeply interesting meeting. Charlotte was faithful ; and from Louisa it was afterwards ascertained that she read the Bible to her ; urged her to repent : and to repent immediately, and prayed with her. And so pressing was she on this errand of love, that she had satisfactory evidence that it was not without efifect. Louisa became anxious for the salvatiou of her soul, and

Louisa's death. Effect on Charlotte's mind.

after some time indulged a trembling hope that she had made her peace with God. Thus they were more than ever united, and were often together, engaged in prayer, reading, and conversation.

But Louisa's course was short. Early in July, 1834, she was seized with a violent inflammatory disease, which, in despite of all the medical aid which could be employed, in four days terminated her life. During her sickness, such was its violence, and the excruciating pain experienced, that she was unable to converse but very little. She however, expressed a cheerful resignation to the will of God, in view of approaching death. She had not made a public profession of her faith in Christ ; but Charlotte often remarked, that " although Louisa did not say so much about her feelings as some, she gave as good evidence as many, that she was a Christian." This death seemed to have a great effect upon Charlotte's feelings. Emphatically a little *' lover and friend was taken from her," and she mourned sincerely and heartily her own loss. At the funeral she was deeply affected; and the day following, she went in to comfort the mother of her little friend ; while it seemed as though her own heart was ready to

Her Religion, ils character.

burst with anguish. But this death was evidently sanctified to her, in the deepening and purifying of her own piety, and in preparing her, in a measure, for the scene of sufferings upon which she was soon to enter.

From the time she experienced religion to the commencement of her sickness, Charlotte appeared well. On account of her own modest, retiring habits, she did not attract as much notice, as others of a different natural temperament. The character of her mind, or the excellence and depth of her piety, could not be known, but by a most intimate acquaintance. Religion, with her, was not like the blazing of a meteor^ but like a steady and increasing light ; not like the rushing of a cataract, but like a peaceful stream, deepening and widening in its course.

It is not designed to be intimated that during the year subsequent to the time she professed to indulge a hope, that she never talked and acted like a child. It is not the province of religion to change children into men^ any more than it is to change men into angels. The piety which she exhibited, was the ipieij of childhood, as consistent and uniform as could be expected from one of that age, without being marked by any thing so

How much she loved the Bible.

special in its character, as to attract the particular attention of others.

During this year, however, Charlotte took a very deep interest in the exercises of the Sabbath school, and was always a constant and interested attendant, while her health permitted. And long after she was confined to the house, by her lameness, she continued still to get her Sabbath school lesson regularly, that she might keep up with her class.

Another circumstance may also be noticed relative to this period. She was a most devoted and constant student of the Bible. This was a daily employment. She loved the book of God, and seemed to value its perusal more than her daily food. If she could find any time, she was sure to be in her chamber, and her Bible was her companion. There she could go to the very fountain of truth, and she drank deeply too. She was frequently thus employed by the half day together. The nature of her employment was not exactly known at the time, and when gently reproved for her long absence, she would reply, " Why, 'ma, I havn't been gone but a few minutes, have I ? "

" Yes, my child, you have been gone three or four hours, and I have wanted you very much,"

Past circumstances.

On her dying bed, Charlotte referring to these circumstances, told her mother that often she was not aware of having been gone but a few minutes ; so imperceptibly did time pass away, when thus employed. It was emphatically her " meat and drink."

To this cause, unquestionably, is to be traced much of her uncommon growth in piety, and the ripeness for heaven, afterwards exhibited in her protracted sickness, and in the near view of death. The language of her heart and practice was, —

how I love thy holy law,

*Tis daily my delioht ; And thence my meditations draw

Divine advice by night.

Interesting period. Her illness.