Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-06-01

hat his influence had hitherto been cx-
| erted in behalf of infidehIy was now the &C.
cason OF the Interest anguish. On this
subject he often spoke most freely. He fire.
queatly exclaimed, go that could repair
the mischief have done-Thai had health
and strength TO visit my friends one by one,
! and warn them against the snares of infideli-
ty."
| On Saturday morning, four days inter- ms
FIRST Interview with him, approached bin
bed side 10 take leave Of him, say ing, Unjust
| go, as have to preach to-day at ii o'clock
lie replied I'll you have 10 preach, I must
not detain you. almost envy tho Clergy
man the privilege of going about doing good
II wish could be with you-f have many |
things TO say TO my friends who will be nj |
church. But this is impossible Will YOU
deliver them message from mc:" With
the greatest pleasure. I replied "Then tell
them, SAID lac, "that after living sixty gears
and doing all that could for thirty years Of
That time TO establish myself in infideIity, |
dia not succeed AS death approached,
found II would not answer. Give them nv |
dying warning on this subject He also de- |
sired his particular friend, f. L., Esq. TO
deliver substantially the same message TO
each of his neighbors separately
did not see him again NATL Monday He
had several pious friends constantly with
him, however, 10 whom he expressed him
self as freely as he did 10 me. The7e friends
spared no pains in pointing him 10 the sim
ner's only refuge. When entered his room
ON Monday, found him administering con.
ISOLATION IN nm afflicted father and mother who
had just buried a child in infancy. He spoke
! with great propriety--assured them Of his
thorough coavicten that their little one was
IN Heaven, and that il was selfish 10 grieve
GU llave yet four living children said he
and they are promising ones-thcy are like
| 10 TN IL a oil, r. n
has been taken from you is far better off than
they. Then turning from his afflicted
friends 70 me, he said with an emphasis
strong and almost Irresistible "I am glad,
am thankful, am joyful in the hope, that
God has arrested me in time TO escape"
| remarked, the grace et God is full and free.
yes indeed" said he, "what should we lie,
what could we do without il lit is every
thing During this interview he pnoke
very freely for four or five minutes, of The
change which had taken place in his views
and feelings. There was nothing like inco-
herency or rapture in his manner or eypres-
SION IL IS trus, he wept freely rs be spoke,
but diSnified eomposure and settled peace
characterized the whole scene. Such were
my own feelings at the moment, that il was
impossible TO retain his expressions-I only
reco'Iect, and this do most distinctly, his
declarations OF love for the people OF G. sd-of
firm trust in Jesus Christ. He told us what
mad once been his visws Of Gods word, and
! what they now were. How he had once
read 1t expressly 10 find fault with ito see
II he could not make one fact contradict a.
no'her. But now il was entirely different
us declarations were all true and excellent
lie delighted in hearing it read-and vet
he said, 81 fear TO call myself christian-I
am wholly unworthy of the name-Iam s,il!
poor, vile sinner"
Having 10 set out the next day on Jour
ney, now took my lsave ofhim, not expect
ing 10 see his face in the flesh agan-nor did
L.. Ihree days alter my departure, he clos
ell his eyes in death. His Kind friends who
stu attended him, have since told me that lie
continued 10 the last wholly engrossed with
me interests OF his undying spirit and
though very reluctant 10 make an open pro-
iess'on OF conversion, he gave brighter and
brighter evidence 10 the last, that God had
| heard his broken hearted cry for mercy and
granted him forgiveness. One Of the last
acts OF his life was 10 exhort his venerable
and much loved wife, to devote the remnant
OF her days 10 the service ofGod A little
before he expired, ne called the attention of
friend, to new symptom in his disease
This, said he, sis always the immediate
forsrunner OF deaih-I am surely DIVING
but ] an ready have no fear"
Thus terminated the lie OF one who was
| respected and beloved by all who knew him
The best friend he had on earth cannot re-
! greet more than he did, thai he should have
lived SO long stranger TO the spirit and the
consultations ofthe Gospel of Christ This
indeed was the only consideration which EN-.
hIttered the last three days of his existence
close with two or three other general re-
marks
II has heen asked by some II he was en-
tirely rational during the conversations de-
tailed in the above narrative. TIE this oues
Iion | rejoice 10 be able 10 answer in the al
fiEmative. That there were Sigh. aberra-
/ tions oi mind during his illness " do not de-
ny But these were extremely slight-oc-
! curing commonly Immediately after awak =
ing on, OF sleep, and Of very short duration.
Q spent much the larger portion OF FIVE day .
} with him, unG twice during THE time his re-
y marks were somewha; incOhersnt-but this
never was the case when CONVEX sing on the
i subject of religion-nor can suppose thai
the yigor Of his mind was in the least impair
5 ed. In this opinion am amply sustained by
s those - ho knew him in health, and " he wer,
c much with bim during his last illness.
: 3 His bereaved family and friends have
g abundant reason TO believe that their loss ba
c been his eternal gain-and they may leave
/, assured hope that il will finally enjoy shar
d in the resurrection unto life--and that ever
II now, his raDsomed spirit reposes on the hos
i ON Of Him who died that we might live
3. Can any refuse 10 yield 10 his dyin
d testimony in behalf OF the truth and excel
}, lence Of ChriStianiiy-wi its oft repeste
il and solemn declarations staring them in III
{, face, viii any still persis. in rejecting reve