Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-10
d I E d &.

|
ming of April Goth, James B. Durand, aged thir-
ty-six years.
| lie had been afflicted for many years with heart
disease, and paralytic affection of the left side but
was always so cheerful and uncomplaining, that
those only who were constantly with him could
have any idea of the severity of his sufferings
About two years ago he obliged to give up
business, and has remained at home since passing
many weary day and sleeples night but, amid
all his pain, constantly enlivening the home circle
and adding to the enjoyment of his many friends
and by his cheerfullness and vivacty appearing to
his casual acquaintance very little like an invalid
Nearly two years ago he experienced a hope in
Christ, and became member of the Old School
Baptist Church. About the middle of March,
having been out to an evening meeting, he was
taken with severe spasms in the chest, and great
difficulty in breathing and from that time kept
his room, though able to sit up about half the
time to the last. 1t is evident to his friends that
he regarded it his last sickness, though he did
not expressly say So and took all possible meas
ures, as usual to obtain relief He had not his
usual vivacity, but calm and serene His
conversation was mainly upon spiritual things.
He spoke ofhow the sick tests the Chris
tians hope ; how religion is there brought down to
its spirit and essence, and that the hope to sus-
tain us there, must be founded upon the Word,
resting alone upon the finished work of our Re-
deemer. In reference to his own hope, he said it
had not failed him that he had peace of mind,
and felt that his mind was staid on the Lord but
that he did not experience that manifest presence
of the Savior, and that joy which he would like to-
The patience and calmness with which he bore
days he was unable to sleep, onaccount ofspasms.
About three o'clock the last morning he walked
from his chair to the bed and lay down. saying
"Now if all is quiet perhaps l can get little
sleep" 1t was evident the change was coming
and he made no objection, as before, to having the
members of the family all called He failed rap
idly, and was soon unable to lift his head or his
hand. As his eyes grew dim and his hearing
failed he was asked if he found the Savior prec-
ious. He said, 30, yes | have found him so all
through my sickness" Then his face seemed to
be fixed, his lips ceased to move and his breath
grew shorter, and we looked momentarily for the
last Suddenly he lifted himself and sat up, his
eyes opened filled with an unearthly radiance
while heavenly smile overspread his face, as he
exclaimed, "Great glory Praise the Lord! 0,
how love my Savior. How can I help loving
him, he is so beautiful, and he has loved me so.
l have hoped, and now my hope is fulfilled l
hoped in his mercy, and his judgment; I hoped in
his atonement l hoped in his death, and in his
glorious resurrection. He is bringing me into his
everlasting Kingdom. 1t is all true Many such
etcla1nations more than can be told he made, re-
peating beautiful portions of Scripture but did not
seem to be addressing those individually who
stood around his bed, to recognize them as
mourning friends, though as his eye wouldrest up
on he would speak the name He was evil
IDENTIFY lost to earthly things, and filed with Wis
ions of glory, and his frame had been terminated
for little that he might testify Of the rapturous
joys of heaven -Four times he raised himself
thus with many expressions of praise. The last
time he said, g | must praise him, though exert
myself too much. His love is SO wonderful. It's
not for moment merely but forever and ever,
and we shall praise him world without end"
Then he began to faint and fail, he said "Jor-
dan is driven back But cannot tell it. Read
the one hundred and fourteenth Psalm, Its all
there" We laid him back, and there was no move
ment any more. He remained breathing softly as
infant, for perhaps half an hour, his face per-
fectly serene, kink of radiance overspreading his
brow, while his eyes, from underneath their half
closed lids seemed fixed, with the light of a holy
and eternal joy shining in them upon the far off,
infinite glories of heaven. As he thus lay, his
his head resting high on the pillows, we read
aloud the wonderful Psalm and then we knew
what he would tell, how that death had been con-
quored ; how the waves which had threatened to
overwhelm him, had fed at the approach of one
whose hope and trust were in the Lord, how the
swelling tides of Jordan had been driven back, SO
that he who had hoped, though so tremblingy,
''Could pass the river telling
The triumphs of his King"
The morning sun of beautiful Spring day was
shining in at his window as he passed away into
glory. The closing lines of the last poem he ever
wrote, seem appropriate. 1t is entitled Songs in
the Night"
The silent, shadowy hours move onward slowly,
But sweet sense of joy abides with me;
One thought alone makes the night-watches holy,
The blessed thought that am still with thee.
And morning cometh soon these watchings ended,
Soon all these earthly nights and vigils DER,
On the freed soul shall break the radiance splendid
Of perfect day upon the sinless shore.
O there shall be more of restless sighing
No more of sorrow and of blighting care
For in that glorious home of bliss undyng,
No shadow falleth and no night is there.
Rapt in such thoughts, peace foweth like river
Filling with voiceless songs the silent deep;
Songs holy as the angels sing forever,
And so thou givest thy beloved sleep!