The daily gazette., 1878-12-04
SECOND EDITION
Rev. John Newland MaGitf.
HIS DEATH FROM BROKEN HEART.

HIS DEATH FROM A BROKEN HEART.
The Rev. DIR. Carter has been wiring
for the Methodist an autobiography from
which we quote in reference to the singu-
lar manner of Rev. Mr.. Matfitts death:
"Mr. Maffitt must have preached thirty
years in this country, his death occurring
when he was about iifty-eight years or
age. He travelled all over our land, es-
pecially in the larger cities, and was
greeted everywhere by immense audi
ences. Th-fe was a wonderful fascina-
ton in his manner. Multitudes yet live
who heard him preach; aud multitudes
in various places, who are still mem oers
of the Church Militant, were converl ed
tn ough his instrumentality; and multi
tude., no doubt, have gone to JOIN the
Chur ch Triumphant, who We're called to
Christ through the Word which be
preached We pass over all these years
of his triumph 1t was not our intention
to speak of them at present. We come
to the closing up of his earthly career,
for the particulars of which we are In
debted to pamphlet written bv Rufus
f. Hibbard, bearing the date 1856.
"Many persons who will read this ar
tice probably know that, during his life,
Mr.. Matfitt, like other great and success
full preachers, was assailed by various
calumnies. 1t has been well said that the
whittier our garments are, the more easily
are tney SJalntu. ne udu Deen LOT SOME
weeks preaching in Mobile. The news
came to New York that he was minister
ing to large assemblies with extraordina-
ry success, aud that glorious revival
was attending his labors. Some person
or persons furnished for the columns of
scurrilons paper, published III New
York, ar icles in reference to Mr.. Maf-
fit, charging him with gross evils, and
reviving old rumors that had been afioat
in Ohnrah a a1itinn nf This
paper was sent to NJ bile and sold around
the church where he was preaching dur
ing the hours of service. The brethren
| in Mobile, however, still believed in his
innocence and the meetings grew moIe
and more interesting. Buteach succeed
ing week tn paper, as it was forwarded
from New York, contained more pointed
| articles, and, influenced by its statements,
several persons, whe were not members
of the church in Mobile, took the matter
| up and charged tiagrant crimes against
him.
"At length we omit particulars, the Of
| fetal brethren forbade his preaching in
the church. Mr. Maffitt exclaimed:
| "'God pity my enemies = and fell back
ward. A physician came in Immediate
| ly, who said it was spasmodic action of
the heart. He applied restoratives and
the great preacher revived-lingered
some hours and died without a struggle.
His sister said that the evening hrfore
his death, as they were walking the
room together talking of his prosecutions
he said:
con Ellen, your poor brother is dy-
ing. My heart-strings are breaking;
feel they are but remember / die inno-
cent, Christian and gentleman.
pray God to have mercy on my enemies,
and forgive them, as do from the bot
tom of my heart
| "Thus died John Newland Maffitt. A
post-mortem examination was demand
ed by his friends. The selected the best
physician in this city. DR.. Mott conduct
| ed the examination and found the stom.
ach and lungs in y healthy condition I;
but when DR.. Mott took out the heart he
wept like child ami said:
| "'There can be no doubt as to the
cause of his death, now, for the heart is
| literally BURST
| "The heart was taken to the DOCTORS
| office in Mobile and preserved, and the
| body was buried without it. The ver-
| dict of the jurors was that j. N. Maffitt
died ofa broken heart caused by exces-
sive grief, and, says Mr.. Hillard. 81 be-
| lieve the heart still remains in Mobile
and may be seen by any oue.'"