Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-07
Miseellaneous.
THE LAST MOMENTS OF A CHRISTIAN
HERO.


The death Of Commodore Goodenough.
OF the British navy, by the wound from a
poisoned arrow which struck him during a
treacherous attack upon bis boats by say
ages at the Solomon Islands, was an
nounced some time ago by telegraphic dis
patches. The following particulars of his
last moments, given in letter from one
OF his officers. Will be read with interest,
as showing how brave man can meet
death
Everything was wonderfully calm yes.
terday, and all on board the ship quiet but
for the noise of the engines. Shortly be-
fore O'Clock these were stopped and the
Commodore sent for all the officers to bid
good bye TO them. He spoke calmly OF
his approaching death. and begged them
to remember his earnest advice to them to
trust in the infinite love and wisdom OF
God, and to find happiness in doing that
which they knew 10 be i9ht and abstain
ing from evil. He then bade each one
goodbye, each one kissing him at his re-
quest. He then, although much too weak
10 stand, aud although every moment gave
him pain, had himself carried out on to
the quarter deck, where all hands assem-
hled to meet him. He was laid on bed
on the deck, his first words TO the men be.
ing, Don't look frightened smile When
laid down he said, IF the men will sit
down | can see the faces.
want TO see All your faces to bid You good
bye
Then, after a considerable pause, he
called out, he being almost the only man
not in tears, My men, | have come
out on the quarterback to say good-by to
you because ] am going TO die
Dr. Mcsser tells me am going to die,
and, as we all know, he is the best Judge.
God is very good 10 me; everything is
made easy to me have many kind, faith
full friends around me. The reason why /
have come out on the quarterback to bid
you goodbye before die, besides good
fellowship, is to impress upon you the love
and goodness of God for YOU. His infinite
love, His infinite wisdom lie repeated
this more than once about the goodness
and love OF God, He then adjured the
men to remember these, his last words
when tempted to commit sin, that they
would think OF him and what he was saw
ing to them and put the temptation from
them.
His voice grew weak as he said, Il love
you all. | have always loved my men.
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. hope you can hear what
say to you. lie went on to address the
| commander as young man advanced to
command, and begged of him and all 9TH
ers who We're in any way leaders, never
to hesitate in their daily life to step for
ward and say This is right, 'br This Is
wrong viii You do this?' 1T will be
very kind of you if You WILL AS
for the poor fellow who gave me this
wound, what their reason, their object
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. Its no good talking about it.
hope at some future time, it may be twen-
ty or thirty years hence, some good Chris
tian man will 60 among them and find out
what ii all means. love you all; have
always loved You all, but in carrying on
duty we sometimes make mistakes. |
have made mistakes, and if any OF YOU
think of anything where l have been
wrong | want You to forgive me. Don't
ask how much | was wrong, how
much YOU was wrong. but just forgive
me- He asked them to Join saying God
bless him, and then said he would like to
shake hands with the petty officers, nearly
all middle aged men, who came up to him
sobbing.
II don't know how it is with other peo-
pie, but to me such death as that seems
worth living for. The man who could die
this way must have won his way in this
world honestly | don't believe that he
had many dealings with rinds and corners,
bribes and embezzlementS. He was not
modern enough for them"