The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-27
DIED

DIEDS
On the 18th instant, Mr.. THOMAS WILEY, aged
- years, 8 months and 25 days.
Mr.. OSCAR LARWILL, who died recently at his
brothers residence in Loudenviile, was in the TWEEN.
ty-fourth year of his age.
In the morning of life-in the very bloom If man.
hood-he was attacked by Consumption-that most
insidious of all diseases. The work was slow but
sure, and in a few months from the time when he
was compelled to cease from his daily pursuits death
came. He was a young man of fine natural endow-
ments his mind was strong and active, and its eul
tivation had evidently not been neglected. Whilst a
student at Beaver. Pennsylvania, he was awakened
to a PERCEPTION of his spiritual condition. In com
pany with many Others of his fellow students, both
nal life by turning from his sins unto God, and
throwing himself upon the merits and righteousness
Of the blessed Savior. About seven years ago he
united with the Baptist Church at Wooster. and was
baptized by the Rev. Mr.. Brown. its pastor. FOR
two years" as he ioyously expressed it to the wri-
ter, 81 was happy, for l was at peace with God. with
was in the law of the Lord. my PLEASURE was TO be
engaged in the duties of religion and my only hope
was in Jesus Christ" But the arch enemy of our
souls would not let him slip so easily from his grasp.
He proves himself to be as subtitle now in tempting
from the paths of righteousness and peace, as he was
six thousand years ago in the bowers of Eden. In
thousands, he warily commenced his attacks on this
young friend until he succeeded in confusing his
mind, turning his heart from Jesus,
THAT dear friend,
Va "AOhA O"h AOHS N~RSANSp
and involving him in skeptical doubts respecting the
christian religion. He was never, however, as he tes-
tilted, without warning. Gods spirit constantly fol-
lowed him and would not let him forget his former
faith in Jesus and consequent hope and peace. AL
though he had lost his activity in the christian re-
ligion, yet he was not permitted to forget its power
s snnrs,y. In fsi ! wrath gTati tine ~f tbst G es 5fe SiS a1,
abondon him during those dark hours, but kept
warning him of his danger and endeavoring to draw
him back to the bosom of Jesus
At last when he was cOmDeIed to keep within
doors through weakness produced by the progress
of his disease, and when he was made fully aware
of the extent of his danger. and it became certain
that this world could not be his home much longer,
he discovered that the system he had been invcsti-
eating and the principles which had well nigh
caused him to make shipwreck of faith, were miser
able decisions into which the Evil one would plunge
him. They were ropes of sand and would afford
him no security or hope in deaths dark vale. 1t
visits which were thus made and the conversations
which then resulted on the subject of Salvation
through Jesus Christ, were many and satisfactory
1t gives the writer pleasure to testify to the friends
and others. that rs far he is able to judge from such
evidences as are only visible to the eye of mortals,
Oscar Larwill died the death of the righteous. BE
frequently expressed his entire confidence in what
Christ had done for his soul. and although his mind
not always in the sunshine and cleared of every
cloud, yet there were times when he seemed to enjoy
sweet foretastes of Heaven, and he would say that he
cared not to live, that earth was q poor place, and
that nothing was to be compared TO the presence of
Jesus. He frequently was grieved that his disease,
his ParoxysIns OF coughing, ms meaicines' Whlch
tended to benumb and Supply his faculties-pre-
vented him so frequently from meditating on the
truths and promises of the Bible and deri
wing from them the comfort which they were calcu
lated to impart. This is only another testimony
added to a thousand besides. that the bed of sick
ness or death is no place to prepare for Heaven for
the first time. The writer, in the name OF this young
man. whose spirit is now in the eternal world, would
appeal 10 his companions wherever they are, not to
put off preparation for this great change, but be dill
ligent in working out your salvation now while the
Namn of life ia hurninO and rnur minds are strong
and vigorous. If you give heed to this appeal, you
you will then be able doubtless to add your testimo-
ny also to the fact, that
"Jesus can make a diving bed
Feel as soft rs DOWN pillows are
While on His breast 1 lean my head,
And breathe my soul out sweetly there