The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-04-16

Mr. SAMUEL DROWN, who is the subject of this
notice, died in Wheelock VT, the 2lst ut, at
the age of II years, under circumstances truly aw.
full.
The writer is unacquanted with the early his.
tory of this man, save that he was born in Roches
ter, N. II. and about the age of 80 he made profes
sion of The Christian religion About 80 years ago
he removed into this place, where he has lived ev-
er since, with few exceptions of occasional abb
sence, of few months at time, part of which
time he spent in Canada, at the numbering business
During his residence in this country he has aD-
peared to be much engaged in religion the most Of
the time until or weeks before his death A
bout the last of February he began to inquire Of
of different individuals 'fthey had heard any bad
reports about him - it that his SIN began TO
find him out, and he thought it must be, that the
peopie had made the same discovery.
1t was not long before his anxiety increased
to the most dreadful mental distress, and frequent.
ly he said, he smust confess but still appeared
unwilling to do so. Ate, continuing while in
this situation he exclaimed IL must confess - and
began to say he had been "deceiving the people
more than 30 years. he had made great preten-
tons to re gon and all the while lived in the
practice of gross sins lie confessed that he had
practiced theft to some extent and named different
also that ne had --------! but no, for
the sake Of the liuing leave it blank let oblivion
draw her dark veil over this part of his confession.
But yet he could not die, could he rest; he
stole away from the family where he lived, This
grand son 81 with butcher knife and attempted to
cut his throat, but while his left hand was employ.
ed in making his throat bare for the knife, OF
his fingers was SO situated that it received almost,
ha hole he .d IN knife md
throat was cut but little, but his finger was cut
nearly half off.
He continued in great mental distress, and said
there was another act of his life which he should
have to confess, which aDOrsa than all the rest!
and when he confessed that, it would "set the
world all in uproar." AT different times he
would appear more and more uneasy, and say, ~
must confess | MUST CONFESS" lie requested at
different times, that one would go aside with him,
for the purpose of hearing him confess, and when
there his courage seemed to fail, and he would not
tell what ii was and finally said he would
confess it, until the day of his execution ! He Of
ten spoke of dreadful burning he had within him
and when asked what he meant by it /? go" said
he ",ny conscience !"
A short time before he died il seemed as though
the ALMIGHTY extorted from him confession
of the horrid deed; he said that ut certain time
when he was in Canada (aboui % years ago. near
the Three Rivers, he KILLED AMAN. Some
one asked him if he really killed him he said
yes, ~ took up stake, and struck him an awful
blow, and killed him DEAD" He said lie stuck
the stake up by the River, and took all his money
While he was making this confession, and acting
over the dreadful notions his eyes, and his whole
visage were frigh,ful in the extreme, so much did
he appear like demon
Soon after this he began to die, and was dying
so hours The Oldest persons present, say they
never saw such a dying scene before He would
exclaim go, cannot die CANNOT DIE !! l CAN
NOT DIE !! He stands right before me staring
me in The face how black his face looks p
IIo was attended by pious friends and neighbours
but il they proposed pray with him, he for for
bid it, and when any one prayed, it kindled him
up into rage that is past description
After writing in this situation SO hours his spir
il took lis fight His last words were "I hare lied
to dc HOLY Ghost" His funeral was attended at
Sheffield Hollow. on the 23d by large concourse,
and discourse delivered by the writer founded an
Mathew 12 43, Al, as, emitting the last clause. 1t
was season OF much solemnity and deep interest,
and it is believed that the living did lay TO heart
He has had wives, and children, all of whom
died before him, and all died happy in the Lord
He has left one brother and large number OF dis
tant relatives, all Of whom respectable, and the
most of them pious their affection is very severe,
but we trust the Divine grace is their support.
And now anticipate question which will be
asked by the readers Of this obituary (vz.) what
was this mans disorder l answer, sin ! His sin
found him out and it killed him. He died ofhor'
of conscience, his physical constitution, though
! a very strong one, sunk under this mental pressure
He has enjoyed sound health the winter past, ana
had no physical disorder upon him when he died.
He said himself, his "appette was good ou'
his soul acns starring to DEATH" A short time De-
fore his DEATH he stood up like statuc hours ny
the clock, all the time wrnging his hands for men
tai agony And even then was forcibly SET down
by one who attended him. All have CONVERSE
with unite in saying that there W as no appeara"'
Of insanity in this case, his sin found him OUT anu
he was driven away in his wickedness. keaoe''