Untitled - Electric Scotland

186 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. VH.
by God s blessing expanding under the warm sunshine of His
word of truth.
" And this was the work of every seventh day, that of the six
with it.
intervening being in keeping
"
It was a bright scene that enlivened the old Deanery. Cheer
ful young voices sounded merrily as we gathered in the mornings
in the picturesque old drawing-room to obey the solemn injunc
tion that had been carved centuries before on the ceiling, That
here prayer should every day be made. The golden heads and
cherub faces of the little ones, the gentle, serious calm of the two
elder girls, as they knelt, recalled the groups in the pictures
of the old masters, wherein some opening scene in heaven is
attempted
to be delineated."
Early in the year 1856, it seemed more than likely
that he might be appointed to the Bishopric of Carlisle.
On Shrove Tuesday, February 5th, Bishop Percy, when
apparently in his usual health, was seized with sudden
faintness,
"
and as it was growing dark that evening,"
wrote Dr. Tait, "Mr. Page waited on me at the Deanery
to announce that the Bishop s long episcopate was over.
An hour after hearing of his death I received a letter
from him written in his usual health. O my God, make
us to live in readiness, through Jesus Christ."
"
Sunday, Feb, loth. I have preached to-day on the Bishop s
death. O teach me, Lord, to imitate those qualities in which he
excelled, and which my character sorely needs. Not a man-
pleaser, not a dissembler, not hesitating in his principles. O Lord,
strengthen me by Thy Holy Spirit."
"
Ttiesday, Feb. 1 2th (56).- -To-day we laid our kind old Bishop
shall never see again his upright form and
in the grave. . . . We
reverend grey head, and watch his elastic step. This cannot but
be a time of much natural anxiety \ but I trust, Lord, that my
heart is fixed on Thee, and, like my dear wife,
I trust I have no
wishes but that Thy Holy Will may be fulfilled, and Thy Church
may prosper, through Jesus Christ."
This last entry requires explanation. Ever since
the recovery of his health in 1850, and his work