The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-06-01

| Immediately TO John Pluyille, who he feared
would not survive the night With nstonishment
learned, for the first time that John leavin., the
concert III state of pcrspiratipn, had tkcn a Sc
we're cold from Which there were no hopes Of lis
recovery lie had been in lis riIht mind but n
short time since that evening.
At an early hour the next morning set ont for
his inther'- house When / arrived hc was living
on his bed, perfectly tranquil and sane. lie cx.
tended his icvercd hand and graspng mine held
| 1t for moment with gentle pressure, Young
as was, and houghtess rs youth generally are
upon the subject of death could not restrain the
tears that gU-hel from my eyes as looked upon
the flushed councuaneo fmy friend, and thought
how short a time since even cnvicd him his tai.
ents for music and bad askel myself the question,
why could not have been as highly favored 10y
nature as he Seeing my tears hc smiled sweet
ly, and said II used to fear death. but now it
seems easy to die :" and gently closing his eyes
he seemed to sink into n soft slumbcr | remain.
ed by his bedside for nearly an hour, Waiting for
him to awake. The angelic expression Of his
countcnauce, while in sleep, ever AMI anon lii up
with smile And even now, when hear Of the
name angci, the Counenancc ofmy dying young
friend always comes before me
At length he seemed to revive, and opening his
eyes upon his father he said "Oh father have
heard such sweet strains of music; know they
sing in heaven, DO YOU not hear father |" said he
again, with increased animation; and beginning
10 sing. an q moment or two ceased to breathe.
His fatker wcpt Stern and inAcXibe rs he was,
the man was melted into tears We all wcpt
Years passed away. / had left my native town
and gone to neighboring state; where, engaged
III my affairs the scenes of my youth ceased to
hold the place they formerly did. When. on a
a. a., ! Init
motive hen influenced mc-.led me to a Friends
meeting house The chief speaker was stran-
ger, very aged lis object OF visiting his breth.
rem was to advocate a reform in their mode Of
worship. IF any he merry among YOU he said,
"let hun sing psalms" lie then proceeded IN u
powerful discourse, proving that music is rs accep
table worship as prayer, and should be engaged
in with as dcvout feelings in the midst Of his ser
mon he accused his prejudices against music with
the death Of lis SON ana then related the circum
stances His weeping choked his uttcrance and
recognized in the features Of the old man, Moses
pluyilIc.
He commenced again with an appeal to his hear
ers to examine the subject thoroughly for them
selves, and be careful and not be influenced by n
regard for the opinions Of those who preceded
them He then closed by saving he had written
hymn describing the feelings Of his son, while
dying; and commenced singing
Bright Heaven ofjoy ynboyc,
My hoping heart Is swelling.
Many a sweet voice was now heard in that old
Quaker meeting house for The first time, and the
noisteued eye and heaying breast told plainly,
that music was fulfilling its heavenly missiou
even here
Both father and son now rest side by side ntlc
old churchyard ON; and the willow that
wecps over their graves woos the passcr BY to
stop and listen tc its .Epliun murinurs. while their
spirits We trust are with the blest, chanting the
song of the Redeemed in Paradise.