St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-08-23

see us, and we are come accordingly !;
because it is principle with us never to
refuse our services to dying man ask
ing for them. But for this we should not
have come, for we never obtrude upon
any individual. .
Paine, on hearing this seemed to relax
little in a milder tone of voice than
any he had hitherto used, he replied :
"YOu can do me no gOOd-it is too late.
have tried different physicians; and
their remedies have all failed. l have
nothing now to expect" (this he spoke
with sigh "but speedy dissolution.
Ny physicians have, indeed, told me as
much" You have misunderstood me,
said | Immediately to him. We are not
come to prescribe any remedies for your
bodily complaints; we only come to
make you an offer of our ministry for the
good Of your immortal soul, which is in
great danger of being forever cast off by
the Almighty on account of your sins,
and especially for the crime of having
villifed and rejected his word, and ut
tered blasphemies against his Son.
Paine, Oh hearing this, was reused INTO
a fury he glitted his teeth, twisted ahd
turned himself several times in his bed,
uttering all the while the bitterest i'm
precautions. l firmly believe, such was
the rage in which he was at this time,
that if he had hadFa pistol he would
have shot one of us, fol-, he conducted
himself more like madman than rd-
tiOnal creature. 'Begone," says he,
'Eand trouble me no more. / waslih
peace" he continued, ''till you came.''
"We know better than that" replied F.
KOhlmann "we know that you can not
be in peace. There can be no peace for
the wicked. God has said it,"
"Away with you and your God, too.
Leave the room instantly" he exclaim-
ed. "All that you have uttered are lies
filthy lies and if l had a little more
time | would prove it, us did about
your imposter Jesus Christ"
Monster" exclaimed F. Kohlmann,
in burst of yea, ssyou will have no
more time. Your hour has arrived.
Think rather of the awful account you
have already to render, and implore par
don of God. Provoke no longer his just
indignation upon your head"
Paine here ordered us again to retire,
in the highest pitch of his voice, and
seemed a veIy maniac with rage and
madness.
Let us go, said l to F. Kohlmann
we have nothing more to do here he
seems to be entirely abandoned by God ;
further words are lost upon him.
Upon this we both Withdrew from the
room and left the unfortunate man to
his own thoughts. l never, before OF
since, beheld a more hardened wretch.
This, you may rely upon it, is faith
ful and correct account of the transac-
ton. / remain your affectionate brother,
BENEDICT,
Bishop of Boston.
The above, Mr.. Editor, is perhaps the
most authentic account of the last sac
days of the misguided but highly gifted
Tom Paine. In conclusion, | may re.
mark that very old New Workers viii
remember Bishop Fenwick as the distin
guished Administrator, and afterwart
Vicar General of the catholic Diocese o
New York, the cherished friend of Gov
Tompkins, and founder of the flourish
ing classical academy which was Ion,
conducted at Fifteenth street and Fiftl
Avenue, where the new Cathedral nov
stands. He was a man universally be
loved by Catholics and Protestants alike
His letter is an important contribution
to the life of Tom Paine.-