Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-05-23

ton in his speech. 1t was strikingly and
instructively SO during his last illness.
In health, he habitually thought and
acted as if there were but step between
him and death, Judgment and eternity,
and when be knew and said that the en-
suing night and following day would end
his connection with earth, the welfare Of
his country and the interest of his friends
were as'near his heart, and as emphati-
cally en- is lips, as if he expected to
share tsssr portion here fer many years.
To one of bis respected presbyters, who
was at his bedside taking leave of him,
he thus closed his solemn counsel
"Speak boldly to your people. Tell
them to persevere in sustaining their
country in this struggle. The war against
us is iniquitous, | am persuaded that
God is with us, and will give us success"
He knew that the courageous spirit of
a living General would not be hindered,
but helped, by the presence and power of
the constraining love of Christ, and he
had no fear that the faith and purity Of
dying Bishop would be impaired by the
glow of genuine patriotism He was on
his death-bod precisely what we all saw
him to be in life, except his suferings
On Thursday morning, the day before
his death, he requested Others who were
present to retire, that he might commu-
nicate something to me in private. When
we were alone he said:
81 wish to bear my testimony on some
things of importance.
1.-The views of evangelical truth and
order which have held and advocated
for fifty years, approve; and exhort my
brethren, North and South, to promote
more than ever.
My course in civil affairs | also APP
prove-resistanc to secession at first
till circumstances made it unavoidable,
] trust the South will persevere in sepa-
ration.
81 believe there are thousands in the
North who condemn the course of their
administration toward us, and in time will
express themselves openly.
"The prospect Of rest from sin and
suffering is attractive, though am will
ling to remain and take my part in the
laiors and trials which may be before Us.
My hope is in Christ, the Rock Of
Ages l have no fear Of death, and
this not from my courage, but from my
faith.
" The present seems proper time for
my departure am at peace with God
through Jesus Christ my Lord, and in
charity with all men, even our bitterest
enemies.
3" All that has been said in commenda-
ton Of me, | loathe and abhor, os utter
| ly inconsistent with my consciousness Of
sin.
II commend you, and all my brethren,
to the tender mereies Of Christ, and pray
for his blessing on the Church 10 Vir-
ginia."
When he ceased withdrew to the adj
joining room, and in conformity with his
suggestion, Immediately committed the
testimony to writing and availed myself
of the earliest opportunity to read it to
him, and receive bis affirmation Of its
accuracy.
Such, beloved brethren, was the spe-
cial commission to which / referred, and
from the painful execution Of which ]
could not shrink.
The message is duly delivered. The
weghty words Of the wise loader-his
| legacy Of love are with YOU
Death has since sealed his lips in ST.
lence. He has fought a good fight
finished his courso-kept the faith-rc-
coivcd the crown of righteousness, and
entered in his glorious rest If the gift
which | covot for you and myself, "a
double portion of his spirit" depended
on the condition named to Elisha, that
blessing would DO ours, for | witnessed
his departure, and cried from my heart
Ny father, my father, the chariot Of
Israel and the horsemen thereof"
Our beroavement-th bereavement Of
our Church aud country--how inexpros-
sibly affecting
What can we do--to whom can we 20
in our sorrow and bewilderment, but to
jesus, who was Amounted TO bind up the
broken hearted, to appoint to those who
mourn, beauty for ashes, the oil Of joy |
for mourning, and the garment Of praise
for the spirit Of heaviness.
What can we tell Him, but that we
can have no compensation for our great
loss, but his own self by the special gift
Of the Comforter, and 50 pray humbly, |
and earnestly, and perseveringly, Como,
Lord Jesus, manifest Thyself to us with
greater yiyidness and power; draw usin-
to more intimate and transforming fell
lowship with Thee Come, perfect Thy !
strength in us, and possess our hearts
more and more with Thy love--onlighten
our understanding with tho illumination
Of the Holy Ghost, that all our wishes
and desires may centre in the advance
M Of Thy glory, and the salvation Of
Thy people"
SO, dear brethren, the prayer Of our
departed father in God for us all, will be |
soon and fully answered "Thc tender
mercies Of Christ will be upon us, and his |
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