The Lincoln County herald., 1870-06-09
WebSier'S Death.Bed.

CWSSCh
In the evening the will, which had
been drawn up by Mr.. Curtis, was bsought
to Mr.. Webster to sign. He was then in
a sitting posture, supported by pillows.
BY this time, nearly the whole house
hold we're assembled in his room. He
asked If Mrs. Webster and his son had
seen the will, aud if they approved it;
both assured him that they fully assented
to it. Then he said, "let me sign it now "
It was placed before him, and be affixed
his signature to it, strongly and clearly
written aud, as he returned the pen 10
Mr.. Curtis, he said, looking at him with
a peculiar smile, "Thank God for strength
to do q sensible act )" aud then immedi
ately, and with great solemnity, raising
both his hands, he added 30 God l
tbsnk Thee for all Thy mercies."
He then looked inquiringly around the
room, as If to see that all were there
whom he wished to address. As he was
msnifestly about to say something that
ought to be preserved, Mr.. Curtis took
notes of bis words. He spoke in strong
full voice that might have been heard
over half the house, and with his usual
modulation and emphasis; but very
slowly and with an occasional pause.
He said:
"My general wish on earth has been to
do my Makers will. l thank him now
for the means he has given me Of doing
some little good; for my chiIdren-these
beloved objects for my nature and asso.
Citations. l thank Him that | am to die,
if l am. under so many circumstances Of
love and affection. l thank Him for ali
His care.
mo man, who is not brute, can say
that he is not afraid Of death. No man
can come back from that bourne; no man
can com mprehend the will or the works Of
God. That there is a God, all must &C.
knowledge. see him in all these won.
dsous works. Himself how wondrous |!
"The great mystery is Jesus Christ
tho Gospel. What would be the condi-
tion of any Of us if We had not the hope
Of Immortality What ground 10 there
to rest upon but the Gospel2 There
we're scattered hopes Of the immortality Of
the soul, running down, especially among
the Jews. The Jews believed in . spir-
itusl origin Of Creation. The Romans
never reached it; the Greeks never
reached it. 1t is . tradition, shat com.
munication was made to the Jews by God
himself, through Moses and the fathers
But thsre is, even to the Jews, no direct
assurance Of an Immortality in heaven
There is, now and then, . scattered init
nation, a. 10 Job, 4 know that my Re
deeu,er liveth, but proper consideration
Of that does nor refer it to Jesus Christ
at all. But there were intimations-
crepuscular-twilight. But-but-but,
thank God, the Gospel Of Jesus Christ
brought life aud immortality to light
rescued it-brought it to light. There
is an admirable discourse on that snbject
BY DR.. Barrow, Preacher to the Inner
Temple. / think it is bis sixth sermon.
"Well, I don't feel ~ if l am ~ fall
of may"
He now paused for . short time q
drowsiness appeared to come over him,
and bis eyes were closed. Iu moment
or two hs opened them and looking %,
gerly sround, he asked: "Have I-wife,
son, doctor, friends, are you oil here p
have I, on this occasion, said anything
unworthy Of Dsuiel Webster ?" "No,
no, dear sir" was the response from all
He then began the words Of the Lords
prayer; but after the Arst sentence, feel.
ing faint, he cried out, earnestly, "Hold
mo up, I do not wish to pray with .
fainting voice." He was instantly raised
little by . movement of the pillows, aud
then repeated the whole of the prayer, in
clear and distinct tones, ending his devo.
tions with these words:
"And now unto God, the Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, be praise forever and
ever! Peace on earth and good will to
meu-that is the happiness, the essence
T. goodwill toward men,"
It Was half past midnight, when awaken.
ing from the slumbers that he had at in-
tsrsals, be seemed not to know whether
hs had already passed from his earthly
existence. He made . strong effort to
ascertain what the consciousness, that be
could still perceive, actually WAS, and then
uttered those well.knovn words, II still