The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-24
NE orala an d cBHgious.

WI oral ane d Es ca aG sous.
LAST HOURS OF PROFESSOR NEWMAN.
Extracts from notice rProrc ssor Newman from
the Christian Mirror.
The continually declining health of Mr. Newman
compelled him, about three months since, TO resign
his office in tho Normal School at Barre, which,
though under the pressure Of severe bodily iniirmi
w. no had filed with the highest credit TO himself,
as we'll as of advantage 10 the community. He
returned though with great difficulty on account OF
his extreme debility, to Andover, Mass, and with
his family took up his residence under the pncrnaI
roof, there as the event has proved, to die.
Ii was my privilege to he near him, few days,
ubout a fortnight before his decease. few paiuc
ulars that occurred during this visit, will reier TO.
somewhat, in the order of time, that the state Of his
mind in the solemn circumstances in which he
was placed, may be more Clearly seen. On my
first interview found him. as had feared, greatly
reduced and to my mind near the end of his pigri-
mage. ~ He inquired affectionatcly for friends
in Brunswick, and expressed in particular his in
terest in tho members of the church, Gin answer to
whose prayers, he thought he had enjoyed many
precious seasons, Remarked tho: his religious
peace and consolation continued as they had been
- that he had great comfort in the scriptures and
that tho Epislle to the Romans especially prec
ious to him. y
Having been absent for two days, returned
l had hoped to find him more comfortable, but was
greatly shocked at his altered appearance.
referred to what he had written 10 me, in respect
TO his clear apprehensions Of Christ Saviour,
his 7reciousness to him, and his own feelings Of
submission to the Divine will Have you the
same feelings nrw' file replied ''you know that
some years ago, l had some difficulty OF
these points; but all Is cloor Great have been
my peace and comfort You know then, by expe
ience, that it is through the Cross that
onciled to God? eyes, with great emphasIs) do
1 see the adaptation of the Gospel TO meet all my
wants" Ia further conversation he remarked, 81
do not know what conflicts are before me; but
feel now that am falling asleep, like babe upon
the bosom of its mother" And in thus reclinpg
on the bosom Of the Saviour, trust that you feel
safe ayes" he replied with strong emotion, al
do" $50 He expressed a hope, if he lived, that
he should be able to do for Christ than he
had done and then raising his hands, his counic-
nance beaming with intense emotion, he added,
t'but blessed be God, that am able TO bear the
feeble testimony now do, to the truth Of the Cos
pel-its preciousness to me, its power to sustain
and comfort me-" 1T was, as l understood him ibis
dying testimony that he thus wished to give.
In the morning read to him as far his strength
would permit, from the 9th chapter of Romans
lie commentod, as proceeded, upon the precious.
ness to him Of The truths it presented as, that TO
him who is IN Christ there is condemnation
the power of atonement to produce in tho heart the
fruits of righteousness, which the law tselfwas i'm
potent nccomplish--the glorious privilege of the
believer in being adopted as of God wonder
ed that there ever could be any doubt about the
90 ba bor ,bo
were all plain to him, and did not need any CONS
mentator.
In further conversations he referred to Isaiah AZ;
IS, which had formerly been topic discussion be-
tween us, especially the phrase, ''then had thy
peace been as a river"-sad that he had thought a
great deal ofthat text of late; and then extending
his hands, his whole form diIatng with the strug-
gle Of the spirit within convey tho idea, he ex-
claimed s'I cannot express 1t, cannot explain it
to you, but it does to that my peace is as a
rivera mighty stream, flowing all through me 81
filling me to overlooking"
1t is impossible to convey any adequate idea OF
his appearance at this moment. The words, strik
ing as tn ey are ARE fcIess in themselves compared
with the deep meaning they conveyed they fell
from his lips. He appeared to one that had
already taken iul possession Of his rest. To be
near him seemed, indeed, to be ute on''the verge
of heaven" could only wonder, and admire the
grace that was vouchsafed to him.
Tho next night was also a comfortable one In
the morning he remarked 10 me, that che feared
those comfortable nights would make him feel too
much like an inhabitant OF the world again" OBJ
served that if he could live to bring up his Young
children to glorify God in doing, he should like
TO live; but not otherwise. al want, he said to be
near to God-to have an abiding sense IF HE nros
ence." On being asked, if there any par,cu-
lar portion of the Scriptures he would have read n,
remarked that his wife had lately been reading thu
Psalms TO him, by which he had been very mncl
comforted. A: his request read the 23d Psalm
The Lord is my Shepherd shall not want, &c
lie remarked repeatedly, as proceeded, 81 under
stand that now, "-meuning that the language o
she pious Psalmist accurately expressed the Joyful