Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-01-20

bow Ia The decree OF Pruvidcncc. our
.rieis cannot but pour themselves out
IN sincere lamentations. :.
LAST HOURS OF Or JOHNSON.
The following circumstances, connected
With the last illocss of DIR Samuel johnson.
(sa,s writer IN the London Wesleyan Ma.
gazine, were communicated by Colonel Pow.
nall
In the near approach of death, Dr..
Johns0y expressed great dissatisfaction
with himself. and with the state of his
heat; and IA reply io one of hi. friends,
whu. in order to comfort him, had re-
frrrcd 90 his writing in defence Of vir-
tue and religion, he SAID, :Admit,in.
Tor II moment all YOU saw j. truc. vet
how can tell whether have done
enough :" He therefore refused to be
comforted by the ordinary topics Of
conversation which were propO, al to
HIM and. IN consequence. desired to
see some clergyman. ard described
the views aud character Of the person
he wished 10 consult. y Mr.. Win
,'lnbv was mentioned. as cNaCtiy an
~ cr,rg To his WISHES; and the Doctor
desired 4 note TO be written in his
name, earnestly requesting his attend
ance a. a minister. Mr.. Wins;anhv.
who VA, ia most debiIitated state Of
nerves, was ove,powcrcd AZ receiving
the note. and was appalled, At the idea
ul cncOuntcrIng the learning and tn
Tents of the Doctor; bciug wholly un.
aware 81 the mcekucss with which he
was prepared 10 receive the words of
salvation. In his pcrplexity he con
-uittd with his friend Col. Pownall.
WHO urged ban without delay IL fol
low what appeared such a remarkable
call of Providence. For time ms
nervous apprehcnsi"us seemed TO give
way but they soon returned and,
abandoning all thoughts cf personal
interview, lie determined ON writing
Tie following letter:
DE4H SIR-l beg 10 acknowledge the
honor Il your note am sorry that the
state 81 NV hralth prevents . compliance
w,th your request My nerves are 10 %
shattered a slate. feel - IL should be
quite COP ouDdcd 10 your presence: sud
instead Of promoting. should ouly luJurr,
I the Cause IN Which YOU seek "a aid. there
fore permit me- 90 wrte what should
vish To- say we're ! present ] can conceive
what must br the suhjr ct oG your inquiries,
your views OF yourself m1y be changed
With your condition: and ilat IN the near
approach oI death, what YOU cousidcTe j
acre pcccadIllocs. have risen into noun
iaIns of guilt. while your best actions
have, ~ your esteem. dNtndlrd irtp no
thing. Whatever side You look At, you
only see positive ;raus erosion. or deloc
iIvc obedience. and hence 90 self despair.
YOU may hc iuquifipg. What shall 30
90 be savci'' ! s,y 10 YOU. IN tho Ian
guasc % the Baptist. u hyld 'he Lamb
OF God. th4t taketh away the s,us q the
World"
I When sir John Hawkins. vho read
this letter 20 d.. Inhnson. came g. Chs
passage, thc Doctor Interrupted him.
anx,ously asking. Does hc -av 30 :
II WAS read again 10 him upon which
he said, Ibis d, Just thc man want
- see wiite 60 him again \ second
note was sent; aud - second an,w 60
was returned Even thi. repeated 50
ilcl'aii0n could not prevail. IT, the 30.
cond letter. Mr.. NInstauby enlarge
on tie subject Of tie first; and ti,
communication. together with snm.
conversation with the late Mr.. L1l,ube
who afterwards visited the Do,io
were etidcntlybles,ci bv God iE 5fia..
iug the great man o. . complete &C.
DuncIAtiun e self. AMI .implc roll
aucc or 1e.us Sc biz ~4s,our. tIls O..
40 communicating 60 hm that peso.
which De- could not find rl-ew here. Hu.
whicb, when the world wac iajins
from his view. filled toe aching oid,
sud dl--ipated 'hc gloom even Of che
valley 81 lhe shadow 81 drlth. u g.
tho. God pats honor up'.n ihe doctrine
81 faith 90 CruC.6ed Krdecmer.
Prs|ape IaDRV0yc 49, Arari from the
lcarlli img.eiy of trts P'scHce. % .
most ss>gffdly unr-Efe,l, and ] netef
will never can eu.cr ou nv l.t a
= gehtlrmen. the man vhp sw sfs pro
stue1s Whatever may De- hs 5rcun
ulf.sment--desccBdtng e. l.,s vol1ar
~. stte.ly mars iis character IS q
Ermlcmsn. 80 Us vor-r than the dead
f'r. d.. a .f..f fftrn ..r Hr... a. 81