Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-04-15
rha Last Hours of Rev. n. Starr KING

The following interesting account of the las
hours of tho Rev. 4. s. King is from the Sar
Francisco Epeniag Bulletin, of March A:
About two weeks before his death he frs
complained of not feeling well, aud OF soms
trouble with his throat. II friends urged him
TO be careful. aud not expose himself to the
air, but be thought il was only an ordinary case
Of sore throat and declined to cOnlne himself
or call in the aid Of II physician, until Friday
last. 10 the evening he had his regular recep-
tlon and between 10 and Il O'Clock went down
90 social gathering at the church, though still
suffering. On Saturday evening lie had invited
anumber Of friends to supper, but whom evening
came he was unable to appear at the table,
While supper was going on, however, a bridal
party came 10 bo married Mr.. King had re-
ceved no ntimatiOn Of such visit, and sent
down, asking to be excused, saying that he was
sick and confined to his bed
The party replied that they had SGT their
hearts on being married by Mr.. King, aud would
come up to his bedside sooner than be defeated
iD their desire. With that spirit Of self-aaorifice
for which he was SO remarkable, he then said he
would get up and 60 down into the parlor. lie
did SO, and went through the ceremony, but
though it was performed in q very few minutes,
lie was so weak at its conclusion that he had to
be assisted up to his room. On Sunday morning
his congregation were alarmed by the announce
ment that he was unable to preach. The at
tending physician pronounced il serious case
Of dipthera, and said he should have beon called
at least week soOner-it had been too long
neglected. The disease gained strength, aud the
patienrs prostration Increased. On Wednesday,
however, the complaint seemed under medical
control, but 80 prostrated was the patient that
for two days il had heen difficult to keep up the
vital energies.
Yesterday he was visited by on attack Of pneu-
monia, and experienced great difficulty Of re-
spiration. At o'clock last evening the attack
was very severe, and DR.. Eokel feared that il
might prove fatal, but the patient possessed
wonderful recupeTalive power, and seemed to
revive, passing q very comfortable night. TIt
vas always peculiarily Of MIR. King that he
possessed a remarkable degree of vitality, aud
that Notwithstanding his feeble frame, he would
endure vast deal of fatigue, being sustained
by the sheer force Of irdomitable will. 1t was
remarked also that his constitution yielded to
medical treatment with remarkable case q half
grain Of quinine producing more effect oil him
than two grains would oil an ordinary man-so
sensitive and delicate was his physical organiza-
tion that he could drink neither coffee nor strong.
tea. A consultation Of physicians yesterday
bad pronounced the disease checked, though
they feared his system might not be able to re-
cover from its prOslralion. During last night
lsSht stimplants were adm nstered him to keep
up tie vital forces, and he seemed to be getting
along re ,narkably well until about half pust Ave
n the morning, when q second attack Of pnueu~
MONA set in-ihe doctor having previously sta
ted that he feared that his patient could not
survive another attack.
The second attack was not more violent than
the first, but the patients strength was so OK.
hausted that there was little or nothing for me-
dcine to build upon. When taken with the first
attack, Mr.. King had remarked to some one
standing by, ~ know what this is-it is severe
attack Of pneumonia When the second oc-
CURED, he said 10 the doctor, "What is this ls
this pnuemonia, too 7" The doctor replied that
ii was. Mr. King then asked, "Can survive
lit" The doctor told him no.he thought he
could not. "lIow long can iVef" he askedt
"Not half an hour" "Are you sure canno,
live longer than thAt7" The doctor told him he
feared he could not Friends then asked him If
be had anything to say He replied, Eyes,
great deal to say want first to make my will"
Up TO this time, for two or three days, he had
not been able to spenk above whisper but re-
spending to the power of his will, his voice now
resumed it's old power aud tone, and he spoke
nearly as loud as ever.
friend sat by his bedside and ho dictated
the will. II was read to him nfterward, and he
assented to its correctness by saying 'all right
Of the end Of each paragraph, exoaimng at the
close, ait is just as ! want it," He then hesi-
tAted moment and dictated an important cor
reCtiOn. A pen was given him, and he signed il
in handwriting as firm and bold as he ever
wrote in his life, even punctuating the abbrevia-
ten of his name, and putting an accustomed
flourish beneath the signature. Then came the
sad task Of bidding his friends who were present
gOOd-by. One by one they came up to his bed
side; in every instance he greeted them with
cheerful smile, as though he were only going on
ejOurney Of day or two, grasping their hands
aud saying in that sweet, pleasant voice of his
oL'oodby."
soQe one asking how be felt, he said, "IIappy,
resigned, irustful;" then repeating the twenty
third Psalm ia o clear aud we'll modulated voice.
At the verse, 1Yea, though walk through the
valley of the ahNdeg Of death, will fear no evil,
for Thou art with me thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me-" he raised his finger and his
eyes as calmly as though in his pulpit, his voice
aa firm and strong as ever. After this exertion,
bis strength seem to fail him. Sinking back in
bed, he said ait is oil right for me, but she will
feel it"-ponting to his wife. Friends again
gathered round his bedside, and he babe and
smiled them good-by. His little sou being
brought in, he said, sDear little fellow-he's a
beautiful boy p kissing his hand to the child as
the nurse carried it away in her arms. This
was the last act on earth. Calmly closing his
eyes, he seemed to 60 to sleep. great, and
good, and generous man was dead.