Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-26

A Letter Written by Him to n Maine
Friend short Time Before MIR. AS
Death.

\ short time previous to the death Of the well
known author and clergyman, Rev. John S. c.
Abbott he wrote an atfectionate letter, full of the
breathings Of the heavenly atmosphere, to Hon.
j. W. Bradbury of tbs city, his clss-mate at Bow
dom. We were permitted to read the letter on
promising not to copy its contents, as the document
would probably be used in the preparation OF Il
memoir of the dccea, ed. But we notice in Satur-
days Lewiston journal, a letter of a similar spirit
from the pen Of Mr.. Abbott, written r lev days
be fore his death, to j. 5. BXby, Esq, of Noirdgc
wock. We copy the letter entire.
FAIR HAVEN, CONN, April "a, 1877.
Mr.. J. S. BIXBY.-Uy Dear Sir:-Very manv
thanks for yoar kind letter of the Odd, which |
have just received. 1t was brought to me at one
clock, a. | was pllowed upon my sick bed Joy
fully awaiting the summons for the glorious jour
ney before me. am so eager to go that it seems
sometimes hard to cordially acquiesce in the de-
lay And yet can hardly feel that my time is
lost.
am daily in receipt of letters, and have many
de ighlful calls 1t is written "Jesus can make a
dying he'd feel soft as downy pillows are" and
can Truly say from my own experience that have
found in dying chamber far greater happiness
than ever experienced elsewhere.
Six months ago was told by my physician that
! could not live more than four days. 1t was joy-
full news TO me, and yet linger here. Six hap
pier months have never spent | am now liable
at any hour to drop away. Often in the morning
it seems to me that cannot live until night. But
plllowed upon bed not OF pain. but of excessive
lsnguor. fully believing that have been redeemed
bv the blood of Jesus, am one Of the happest OF
men NV heart throbs with rapture as contem
plate the arrival of the angelic escort OF the jour
ney through infinite space of my entrance into
Heaven With all the wonders of the spirit world
opening upon my view, and as reflect that this is
to be followed by endless ages without a care or a
sorrow, my heart is full, full full.
The rel ig ion of Jesus is erdctiy what my soul
Graves, salvation through an atoning Saviour.
need pardon, the remiss ion Of my sins through the
wonderful sacrifice of Gods own Son, the psrtak-
er of HIS own divine nature. You can hardly
imagine the emotions Of gratitude, peace and joy
with which read on this dying bed the declaia a.
ton, "God so loved the world" etc. | long to
PROSTATE myself before Him whom all the angels
are bound TO worship, and to eXcsn, Thou hast
redeemed me TO God by Thy blood"
Pardon me this long letter. All the morning
was reclining upon my bed III state of lethargy.
Your letter revived me, almost unconsciously
these emotions have gu-hed forth as have
looked upon the blue expense above us, aware
that before the sun should set | might throw NV
self into the arms Of my Heavenly Father.
aye stars are but the shining dust
OF my divine abode,
The pavements Of those Heavenly courts
Where shall see my God"
This may be the last letter shall ever write
and il may be that | am TO linger here many
weeks longer His will be done.
May Ged bless YOU, my friend, girdng you
with strength for the great battle.
an yours affectionstely.
JOHN ). &. ABBOTT.