1.  It had been only proper, and due to your affection, that I should have been on the spot, and have taken part in the present occurrences.  Thus I might have at once assuaged my own sorrow, and given some consolation to your excellency.  But my body will no longer endure long journeys, and so I am driven to approach you by letter, that I seem not to count what has happened as altogether of no interest to me.  Who has not mourned for that man?  Who is so stony of heart as not to have shed a warm tear over him?  I especially have been filled with mourning at the thought of all the marks of respect which I have received from him, and of the general protection which he has extended to the Churches of God.  Nevertheless, I have bethought me that he was human, and had done the work he had to do in this life, and now in the appointed time has been taken back again by God Who ordains our lots.  All this, I beseech you, in your wisdom, to take to heart, and to meet the event with meekness, and, so far as is possible, to endure your loss with moderation.  Time may be able to soothe your heart, and allow the approach of reason.  At the same time your great love for your husband, and your goodness to all, lead me to fear that, from the very simplicity of your character, the wound of your grief may pierce you deeply, and that you may give yourself up entirely to your feelings.  The teaching of Scripture is always useful, and specially at times like this.  Remember, then, the sentence passed by our Creator.  By it all we who are dust shall return to dust. Gen. iii. 19.  No one is so great as to be superior to dissolution.