Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-08-18
LAST ILLNESS OF MR.. POLK.


The Nashville Unicn Of July 2sih, contains
a communication giving many interesting
particulars in regard to the last hours of the
late ex-President. The writer says:
'in his close and intimate conversations
with the Officiating minister the only paft-
cular anxiety that he manifested to live, was
that he might, in health and in The exercise
oi all his physical and mental functions, make
an open and plain profession Of his faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ, AS this could not be
done, he resolved to 20 forward humhly, rely.
ing upon the mercy Of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, and after several days private
meditation and prayer, and full and uneeser-
we'd conversation with his pious wife, he de-
termined TO avail himself of the counsel and
special prayers Of the ministers Of the gospel
and with them TO invoke The grace of Christ.
He accordingly sent for three of the ministers
OF the city-his old acquaintances and per.
sonal friends, and 10 two Of them, one being abb.
sent, he unreservedly opened his mind and
finally, after mature deIibera,on and much
preparation, he was admitted into the church
OF his choice by baptism and received the
holy Eucharist. Before he was admitted 10
the sacraments, he made full and unreser.
we'd profession Of faith in Christ.
A short time previous to baptism, he cal
led his brother, Major VIM. Fl. Polk, to his
bedside, and in the presence Of the ministers
said ;-'My broher-you are my only sur
viving brother, and now wish to state 10 you
what is the purpose of my heart. For more
than twenty years have entertained the de-
termination of uniting with the Church of
God, and OF consecrating myself to his SER
vice, but this | have strangely and by a
course Of folly neglected, but am now re-.
solved TO consummate my purpose, and have.
therefore, requested my reverend friend, Mr..
McFerrn, to administer 10 me the sacra.
ments of tho Church: and this do after
much thought and mature deliberaton, and
proceed with self.dis,rust, but firmly relying
on the mercy Of our Lord Jesus Christ, who,
| hope0who believe has pardoned all my
sins and cleansed me from all my infirmi-
ties.h He added some other words which
the writer does net so distinctly remember.
Soon after he received the sacraments OF the
church, he expressed peculiar satisfaction in
what he had done-attribu,ed all TO the grace
o: God. This occurred eight days before his
death
After his baptism he was apparently bet
ter and his friends had strong hopes Of his
recovery. He talked freely, several times,
about his future prospects, and prcfessed the
most unwavering faith in the Saviour and
thanked God most devoutly for the peace Of
mind he enjoyed. With n friend who
watched by his bed side almost continually
during his sickness, he had several converse
lions, and said to him distinctly, referring tC
what had been done for him--'I am ready
for dissolution" A few hours before hi
died, his wife said TO him, awe will meet il
e,erni,y.' EYES," said he, "a happy eter
nity.' These are almost the last words hi
uttered in reference to his future hopes, H,
soon after began rapidly TO sink, and withou
struggle he fell asleep, as eweary MAJ
would resign himself to slumber after til,
tolls OF summer day