South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-08-06

man OF superior mind, and possessing
many excellencies Of character, who
was suddenly taken ILL Without much
| previous indlspostion, he fell down on
entering his door in a sort of fainiing
fit, which was not followed by any ex-
traordinary symptom at the time. Qw
ing to a preternatural exctability Of
the nervous system, and perhaps the
existence of disease which Fad not vet
manifested itself, he hid restless
| night. The want Of sleep was follow
ed by dslfium, apd 10 very short
time very anEayolraale symptoms we're
developed. rs is not unfrequent when
the system is Iabouring under diseased
action, eyen before il is discoverable
by TIE ordinary indications, the mind
yesms TO participate 10 the lurking mis-
chief and evnces consciousness of
what is about to take place. La this
instance my patient proposed making
his will. aud gave me to understand
/ that he thought he would not recover,
before was aware Of approaching dam
ger. The subject was referred 10 me
for my opinion as 10 its proprlety and
concurrence. A, the time | really had
not been able to detec. any ,hing seri
GUS in the case, and believing that all
he wanted was sleep, l advised him 10
postpone sending for scrivener until
morning, with view of preventing
mental agitation, SO that he might be
benefited by the medicines given to
promote rest.
So strong however was the convic-
ton in his own mind that he would
not recover, that he summoned his wife
to his bed side, and in the presence OF
myself and another witness, made a
verbal disposition Of his property. He
then inquired of his wife il she were
satisfied, and being answered in the
affirmative, he turned round and adj
dressed me in ealm, collected man
ner, as follows: "Doctor, | am aware
that shalt die, the hour Of my disso.
luton is at hand /! Al other times,
the certainty of dying would fll my
eyes with tears, but now l have not a
tear to shed.-Ths uncertainty Of our
future condition is very awful 40 one
returns from the grave TO tell US what
is to take place hereafter"
An expression OF regret for misspent
time, with promise of improvement,
in future, closed his conversation to
me. A supplication to the Almighty
occupied the remainder OF lacid 10
terval. Recovering from temporary
exhaustion, he proceeded in familiar
manner but with great seriousness,
"Doclor, to look back tweaty years
appears very short time indeed, but
twenty years to come seems ittle e.
iernity But it will come round, and
you and all my acquainlances, sooner
or later, will arrive at The same condi-
ton am now in. And whatever may
be the realities of the future, the Chris
tian is always on the safe side the
Christian is always sure"
Words and declarations like these
from a dying man, one who, in the
fulness ofheal,h and spirits, had so
often amused by his wit, and delight
ed by his good humor and ami ability,
all who knew him, came like thun-
derbolt TO the heart. 1t was like the
voice of the spirit of God upon the ear,
To me 1t was moment of profound
thoughtfulness and sole unity. ! noted
down the substance Of his prayer,
which followed these portentous ex-
pressons.
Sand now, oh | God, we commend
ourselves to thy care, relying on the
mercies and promises Of Jesus Christ,
TO deliver us from that state of suffer
ing and torment, of which we have
heard, and that flame of which we
have read andao thy care and pro-
| lection we commend our spirit through
the merits efJssus Christ,our Saviour,
Amen"
This was the last rational effort Of
his existence. A state OF phrenzy
speedily supervened, and death closed
the sceae the following day.
And here let me give caution to
young practitioners, and perhaps 9th.
| ers may profit by lt-never object nor
interfere with patient about arrang-
ing his family affairs at such times. 1t
can do but very little harm to crafty
his wishes, and il may be a source OF
lasting regret to the physician, and
much domestic trouble and inconveni-
enee might result TO the family by de-
Icy. In This case, no subsequent OPP.
portunity was afforded to execute "a
formal will.