Untitled - Electric Scotland

i 34 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. v.
been noted as a warning that he was overtaxing his
powers.
" O
Lord, save me from indolence. My body becomes so
wearied that I cannot pray to Thee as I ought. Forgive me,
O Lord, and give me strength for Christ s sake."
And again :
"Lord, make me more constantly diligent. Forgive that in
dolence which at times so overcomes me in the evenings, and
prevents me from having my heart and thoughts active when I
would draw near to Thee."
And again :
"
I have been sadly drowsy. This is the very sin which I
most called to mind this morning at Thy Holy
Table. Yet so
weak am I that this very afternoon it has been overpowering
me. Last night I felt it and deplored it deeply. O Lord, deliver
me from it."
Suddenly, in February 1848, he was stricken with
rheumatic fever. Both heart and lungs were affected,
and the illness soon assumed so alarming a character
that for several days recovery seemed hopeless. His
brothers and sisters were summoned, and he took leave
of them one by one. On Ash Wednesday, March 8th,
it was thought that he might die at any moment. He
dictated a letter of farewell to the Sixth Form, and sent
special messages to many
"
friends. 1
Before I left the room that evening," writes Lady Wake,
heard him put this question to his doctor, In what manner will
death come ? The doctor, who had given up all hope, answered,
Either in that faintness which so frequently comes over you,
or in a fit of coughing. He listened in silence. His breathing
was difficult, and he was in much suffering. Wearied in body
and mind, my sister and I fell asleep in the adjoining room. A
1 The message to Mr. Shairp was as follows : "Tell him I have perfect
peace, from faith in the simplest of all truths, that Christ died for the
ungodly."
"
I