In 1864, tragedy struck. Alexander fell ill with a sickness he battled until he finally succumbed the following year. Lilias was twelve when her father died. She was devastated. This young woman on the verge of adolescence took on a seriousness of heart—a gravity in the form of an ever-deepening desire to know and follow God. Years later, family members recalled times when they thought Lily was off playing somewhere only to find her kneeling in her room, deep in prayer.
