Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-12-01
How q Christian Can Die.


How n Christian Can Die.
Several monthsa ago it was an nOuneed
that Commodore Goodenough, of the
British navy, died of wounds inflicted
with poisoned arrows by the natives OF
the Santa Cruz group of the Indian
Archipelago. He had landed with q
portion Of his crew, and met, SO far as
could be ascertained, with favorable
reception from the savage inhabitants.
Just as he was about to 20 on board his
boat, q hostile demonstration was made,
and the Commodore was fatally wound
ed by some of the arrows which were
directed against him and his men.
Death was inevitable. The cause OF
this murder is unknown. Probably
the Santa Cruz islanders had suffered
previously and repeatedly from the
raids of the traders who are engaged
in what is known as the Pacific labor
traffic, and they had taken advantage
OF the visit of Commodore Goodenough
to obtain revenge. Never was revenge
worst directed. The victim of the
treacherous assault had distinguished
himself In endeavoring to stop the
iniQuitous trade; and his anxiety TO
benefit the natives of the Pacific was
displayed upon every occasion. The
fatally wounded man was brought
aboard his ship.
Finding that death was near, Cems
modore Goodenough summoned all the
officers of his ship to his room "to bid
them goodbye" There was no fear
shown by him. He spoke calmly OF
the approaching change /; and he adj
vised all of his officers to seek for
happiness in doing what is right, and
to rest all of their hopes in the infinite
love and wisdom of God. These last
words evidently sunk into the hearts
of all those who listened to him.
Every one of them knew that the life
of the dying man had been one CT Chris
tan consistency-that the only fear of
Commodore Goodenough was the fear
of doing evil.
He then requested TO be carried out
on the quarterback to meet all hands
for the last time. On the faces of the
hardy sailors there we're signs of fear
as they looked at the man, whom they
respected and loved, evidently about
to enter eternity. Turning round to
the crew he said in bright, kindly
tone: Don't look frightened /; smile, "
and he requested that they all
should sit down so that he might see
their faces. They did as they were
asked but the only fearless eyes in
that assemblage OF brave men were
those of the man who was about to en-
counter the last enemy.
Men, said the dying Christisn,
have come out on the quarterback
to say goodbye to you, because | am
inn To 10 q ha 3 Ia
officers so he spoke to all his men of
the love and goodness of God for them
of His iufinite love; His infinite
wisdom" as the thoughts which they
should carry with them at all times TO
guard them against the commission Of
ain and to enable them to flee from
temptation. He knew the peculiar
snares which beset the path Of sailors,
and he knew also from experience how
humble, trustful confidence in God
had borne him up in sore trials, had
carried him nobly through severe duty,
and atllsst made him more than a con.
queror In death 81 have always
loved you, my men," he continued
there is a foolish weakness in my
voice which makes it sound as if / was
crying; but am not crying, and !
want you all TO hear me-" He then
went on TO address the new command.
er aud all the other leaders, urging
them to be manly and truthful-neveI
| to hesitate TO say that a moral act was
wrong when it was wrong, or TO say
that thing was. right when it was
| right.
He spoke kindly of his murderers
GAS for the poor fellows who gave me
this wound, what their reason or OBJ
| ject was / don't know--no one knows.
They may have been injured by some
of Us; by some other ship at some
time--we don't know. / hope at some
future time, it may be twenty or thirty
years hence, some good Christian man
will go among them and find out all
about it," There was no thought oil
retaliation or revenge. He would ex-
tend to his murderers the mercy he
expected for himself.
! Lastly, Ire asked the forgiveness oil
| any he had wronRed. IL have made
mistakes, and If any of you think oil
anything where | have done wrong,
/ want you to forgive me. Don't ask
how much you were wrong or how
much | was wrong, but Just forgive
me;n and amid the huskily uttered
prayers of God bless him." Commo-
dore Goodenough passed from their
presence and fell asleep, adding an
other noble name to the list OF those
glorious men who had shed the benig-
nant influence Of an upright Christian
example In a profession where such
examples are unfortunately too rare.
The echoes Of the cleaI-voiced psalm
Of Well-spent life, in constant COM
munion with Jesus, which suddenly
| ceased in the glorious death of Com
modore Goodenough, will cheer and
uphold many sailor in his struggles
against evil and In the path of duty,
and will doubtless be blessed to lead
many to the source whence comes the
| righteous living which terminates ia