The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-12-08
THE BORDER LAND.

An article in Appleton's Journal re-
lates a number CT surprising and beauti-
ful incidents at the hour of death.
quote the first. "A family in the vii
Iage where the writer lives recently lost
two daughters. The elder, named Glars,
died in the winter or early spring. The
younger named Anna, died in the sum
1aer. Anna was spending her la-t mo
ments in talking about her teachers and
companions, when, suddenly looking
upward, with an expression of JOY and
surprise, she exclaimed "Clara Clara (!
Clara and after few moments Of
silence, in which she seemed to behold
her departed sister, she died.
Among my memoranda as pastor,
several instances Of a similar character
are recorded. Ia family OF my con
gregation two sons died-the younger in
the morning, the older in the evening of
the same day. a short time before his
departure, looking instantly towards
corner OF the room, he said: 81 see
Willie" He was child OF four years,
and had not been told of his brothers
death His father 'always believed he
saw his brother"
In 4 family connected with my church
a little girl of seven years, an only child.
died. Her mother, wore than widowed,
had returned to her parents. They werei
with in6rmities and tolls. The
only bright and joyous thing in the house
was the grandchiId and their hearts
were almost broker by her death. Some
time after the mother was seized with
fatal sickness at the house Of her mar
ried and only sister, few miles away.
4 short time before the end, an express
ion of indescribable intelligence and
rapture came upon her face, her lips
moved, and the nurse bending over, was
confident she pronounced the name of
Efie, her lost darling. Her mother was
unable to see her during her sickness or
in her shroud but after the funeral
service I was present when the surviving
daughter entered her room, rushed into
her arms, weeping for q moment. then
suddenly raising herself she exclaimed
"But mother, don't cry for Cornelia; I
said when I saw that look, will never
weep for you, my sister" The scene
was affecting in the extreme.
A pious gentleman related to me the
following concerning his own brother,
who died about eight years of age: Two
days before his end he raised his eyes TO
the ceiling, as if seeing something which
strongly interested him. After con-
templating it awhile, he said: How
beautiful you are how good you are -
then stretching out his arms z."Come
and take me ~
Recently lady, member of the
church in my care, gave ne the fol-
lowing account: Some years ago her
brother, Russell G., an active
businessman and christian, was killed in
a railroad disaster. Their aged mother,
living in another state, was in such low
and feeble state of body and mind, that
it was not thought best to inform her OF
the decease of her son. A-ftersome weeks
the time of her departure drew near,
preceded by Two or three days OF mental
restoration and activity. During those
days, at one time having apparently
perfect use Of her faculties on all sub
iects, the daughter named above being
present, she suddenly said: Russell is
herer "Why, no, mother, he is not,
replied the daughter. But he Is, she
PERSISTED, and expressed her pleasure at
seeing him.
The article in Appleton closes with
the beautiful experience which heralded
the death of Eberhard Stilling, grand
fatherof the author, Judge Stilling. Con-
cisely stated, it Is as follows: He went
one day with his children into q wood.
Leaving them he passed on. Soon a
light brighter than the sun appeared
before hin. A plain extended beyond
his vision, white with the light There
were brooks and gardens, and silyery
castles. Near him rose a glorious man
sion, and from the door came beautiful
angel but when close by him he saw it
was his beloved departed daughter, Dora.
Father" she said, ''yonder is cur eter-
naturalization you will come TO US soon.p
From that hour he seemed as one en-
chanted, and serene and happy, soon
passed away from earth.
There are some points OF resemblance
to this in the narrative given to me by
the grandparents of wo.little girls who
died. A lady who watched with the
younger the last night of her life, said
she should always believe the child saw
angels. On the Sabbath morning fol-
lowing the funeral, the older sister went
into her grandmother room, and said
II have been dreaming want you to
tell me what it means" "What did vem
dream, my child ?'' II thought l was
walking:.in wood, and my little sister
met me and said: Come with me and
| will show you where l live now So
she led me along till we came to a gate