impressive. He at the same time lifted up and stretched out his hand, which seemed to give dignity and weight to the things he uttered. On most occasions I found my friend reading, in which he had always taken delight. He mostly read that best of books, which is both medicine and food to the afflicted mind, and which furnishes the only sure directions for a peaceable and happy progress through the dark valley of the shadow of death. But there were two other books in which I found him reading at two separate visits: one of these was Howe's Blessedness of the Righteous. He seemed to enter most fully into the views of that puritan divine; and he conversed on the glory, the fulness, and the perpetuity of the future state of happiness, with a clearness of intellect, an elevation of feeling, and an ardour of desire, not often equalled. The other work which I found him reading on another occasion, was the Rev. Mr. Wardlaw's Discourses on the principal Points in the Socinian Controversy. The subjects in dispute between Mr. W. and those who take the opposite side of the question, were, in his estimation, of the highest importance. Some of the circles into which he had been cast in the earliest years of his residence in the Metropolis, had induced him to examine this controversy with great care and diligence; and, happily, the examination issued in a clear, full, and abiding conviction of the truth and importance of the divinity and atonement of Christ. And I cannot refrain from remarking, that it is no small eulogium on the work of Mr. W. that a reader of such compass and discrimination of mind as Mr. H. should have devoted some of the most precious of his last hours to its perusal, and have pronounced it one of the most interesting and conclusive that he had ever read upon the subject. Clear as his views were of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, and rich and powerful as were the consolations he felt in the prospect of obtaining eternal life through that glorious Redeemer, yet there were seasons when his mind was occupied in close and solemn investigation of the character of his own Christian profession, and the grounds on which he was venturing to assure himself of eternal glory. In a conversation at one time upon this subject, he spoke of the deceitfulness of the human heart, the danger and awfulness of hypocrisy, and expressed such jealousy over himself, lest, after all, he should be wrong, as convinced me that his mind had been closely exercised upon that subject; and also that he came out of the conflict with increased satisfaction that all was well between God and his soul, and that he should not be ashamed in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. This jealousy over himself, this anxiety that he might not be deceived with regard to the great question of his real state before God, was by no means incompatible with his high attainments in religion. Indeed, the more confident we are of being the true disciples of Christ, and that he will take us to glory, the more careful we should be in examining whether that confidence is built upon a scriptural foundation. Every time I visited this dying Christian, I was much pleased with observing the resignation and submission of his will to the all-wise providence of God. He was willing to live or to die, as seemed best to his heavenly Father; and it was in this temper that he expressed the following passage: If I am to live, I shall welcome life, and thank its giver. If I am to`die, I shall welcome death, and thank its conqueror. But if I have any choice, it is to die and be with Christ, which is far better.' The last visit in which he was able to hold any conversation with me, he told me how frequently he had been comforted by reading Dr. Watts's 71st Psalm"God of my childhood and my youth.' He repeated with much animation that verse, Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs, He endeavoured to repeat the last two verses, beginning with 'By long experience have I known—’ but his strength failing, the hymn-book was brought, and they were read to him; and if the Reader will turn to them, he will perceive how admirably they are suited to a Christian who is dying in the hope of a blessed and glorious resurrection! He now desired me to go to prayer with him, and to remember him in my best moments; and added, ‘If I see you no more in this world, I hope to meet you in heaven: and I hope the Lord will bless you and your family, and continue to make you a blessing to others.' The following extract from a letter I received during his illness contains such a pleasing view of his spiritual state, that I hope my young friend who wrote it will excuse the liberty I take in making it a part of this Appendix. DEAR SIR, My father has desired me to convey to you his wish, that in leading the devotions of the congregation with whom it has been his pleasure and privilege so frequently to worship, you would remember him according to his present circumstances of great weakness, and apparent nearness to the hour of dissolution. Under circumstances of such deep affliction, it is a source of unspeakable comfort to my dear mother, and all the family, to witness the sweet composure of his mind, his resignation, peace, assurance, and joy in believing. His great desire is to feel more of the presence of the Saviour, to magnify his name, to bear his dying testimony to his faithfulness, and to the truth and supporting power of the doctrines and promises of the gospel. We join with him in requesting that you would pray that these and every blessing may richly abound through the short period of his continuance with us. My dear and inestimable father's hopes and consolation all centre in Christ: he longs to be with him, to behold his glory, and to be changed into his likeness. Our hopes are more depressed this morning than they have been yet: we believe, indeed, the hour of separation to be very near. God grant that that of reunion may be experienced by each one of us in due time. Your obliged and faithful Servant, HARDCASTLE. I am fully aware that some persons object to such particular accounts of dying Christians as the preceding. We, however, glory in having it in our power to adduce such striking proofs of the happy tendency of the gospel, and feel it to be our indispensable duty to give them publicity, as they encourage surviving saints to anticipate their own departure with resignation, confidence, and even joy! READER! mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.' What thinkest thou of the death of this eminent servant of God? Dost thou not say, with the prophet of old, 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his?' Seek, then, the aid of that blessed Spirit, by whose divine influence alone the happy subject of this publication was enabled to walk so closely with God in this life. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' 'Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.' Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.' That it may be thy unspeakable happiness to embrace this Saviour, is the earnest prayer of thy sincere friend and well-wisher, J. T. |