Talbot; but I am afraid the last state of that man will be worse
than the first." I questioned her as to her meaning; and she went on to
tell me that her husband had once made a profession of religion; but she
feared he was then in a "backslidden state," as she termed it. I know
not how this matter might have been; but during my acquaintance with Mr.
Talbot I never observed any thing in his conduct which to me seemed
inconsistent with a profession of religion. He certainly excelled his
wife in one thing, and that was christian charity; for he was seldom if
ever heard to speak of the short-comings of others. It is quite possible
that he thought his wife said enough upon the subject to suffice for
both. Mrs. Talbot made a point of visiting her neighbors, if she chanced
to hear of their meeting with any trouble or misfortune. The reason she
gave for so doing was that she might sympathize with them; and if
sickness invaded a household Mrs. Talbot was sure to be there; but I
used often to think that her friends must look upon her as one of "Job's
comforters," for no sickness was so severe, no misfortune so great, that
she did not prophesy something worse still. According to her own ideas
she was often favored with warnings of sickness and misfortune both to
her own family and others.
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