In the summer of 1837, the plague prevailed in its most virulent form; and this time the mission was not spared. Mr. Goodell remained with his family at Pera, directly opposite the city, but the other mission families removed to the distant suburbs. Mr. Dwight was at San Stephano, on the Sea of Marmora, about ten miles from the capital, a place often selected for temporary residence during the visitation of the pestilence, on account of its remarkably healthy location. Commodore Porter had made it his permanent residence, and the seat of the embassy, for this reason.
While they were dying by the thousand daily at the capital, even this chosen spot was not now to be exempt. One of Mr. Dwight's children was seized with the plague, and died within forty- eight hours. Mrs. Dwight was attacked at the same time, and, after lingering several days, died on the 8th of July, in complete separation from all Christian friends, excepting her husband. Of the sad scenes attending her death and burial Mr. Goodell wrote to his brother Temple, then at Smyrna: —
CONSTANTINOPLE, July 2,1837.
My DEAR BROTHER TEMPLE, — I hardly know where or how to begin. You know we have a precious concert for the children. Last Thursday was the day for little Johnny, and last Thursday was little Johnny's last day. He lived till, we may suppose, the last prayers were offered for him by any of those here or at Broosa who observe the concert, and then "he was not, for God took him." He died of the plague about half-past ten on Thursday evening, after forty-eight hours' illness. Our dear sister, Mrs. Dwight, then lay at death's door of the same terrible disease; and thirteen others in the family all exposed, besides two of our German missionary brethren, who had gone down on a visit to San Stephano.
Mr. Dwight's house in Pera
On Friday, Mr. and Mrs. Schauffier, with Mr. Dwight's babe and its nurse, left and came to Mr. Dwight's house in Pera; and all the domestics, except a pious German and his wife, went into a tent at San Stephano with Mr. Dwight's two eldest children. This German and his wife (the latter was the one who had the plague last autumn) stopped with Mr. Dwight, the former to cook, &c., and the latter to assist in taking care of Mrs. Dwight. Brother Dwight, with this German, carried the body to the grave, and buried it alone; and the German said he never heard such a prayer before in all his life, though he did not understand a word of it, as it was in English, and was poured only into
the ears of his heavenly Father. It is a great grief to us that we cannot he with him in this extremity; but his God forsaketh him not. Christ is nigh; heaven is nigh; and the peace of heaven is actually there.
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