The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-03

tress in their last hours. This is my hope,
that
"Jesus can make dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are"
Yes, Jesus can, and if it is best, he will
treat me so; and if it is not best, 1 ought
no to ask him to do so.
Respecting the whole matter of the
time and manner Of my departure, de-
sire to have no will. 1 refer all to God,
who never errs and never is unkind.
Only l ask him to remember that am
dust, and that my spirit would soon fail
before his terrors.
| desire to cherish no inordinate love
of life, nor to indulge impatient longings
to leave the world beg of God to give
me grace, that may not grow tired of
labor or of watching, and say, II am
weary of my life. job X: l. On the
other hand, 1 pray that may not be
reluctant to go when God shall call. AS
an hireling L would accomplish my day.
"All the days of my appointed time will
wait till my change come.-Job xiv:
H.
I cannot say that 1 have any desire to
live my life over again. 1t has been full
of mistakes: but know not that should
be able to correct them. know enough of
the deceitfulness Of sin and the treachery
of my own heart to feel assured that a
second trial would result in nothing fiat
tering to me. Indeed | marvel at the
mercy which has kept me from doing
worse.
I see in my past conduct much to de-
plore and awaken shame. At times the
sense of my folly and sin overwhelm me.
And | here acknowledge that if I shall
be finally saved, it will be manifestation
of grace that L have never seen surpass-
ed [ also see in Gods past dealings with
me vast multitude of amazing mercies
These ought to awaken the most lively
gratitude. All the blessings 1 have re-
ceived were wholly undeserved. Many
of them have been very distinguishing.
Many Of them have been remarkably OPP
portune-in the very nick of time. 1t
would be the basest ingratitude in me
not to say these things.
With as great humility as l ever felt,
and with great earnestness, pray God
that, if consistent with his holy will and
purposes, he would grant me these great
L. That I may never forget that I am
mortal.
2: That he would greatly increase my
faith.
8 That may never again, particularly
in my dying hours, be harassed with
temptation, either to despair or to self
righteousness.
4. That 1 may be doing some good as
long as live, bring forth fruit in old age,
and glorify God in my decease.
5. That my sufferings in death may not
be intolerable.
6. That at that awful hour my spiritual
enemies may be as still as stone, and
not &C dog be allowed to wag his tongue
Z. That 1 may have such measures of
the Holy Spirit that there will be no
danger of my courage or patience fail
ing.
s. That I may have some glimpses and
foretastes of heavenly glory before I lose
my consciousness.
8. That God will graciously take charge
of this whole matter and enable me now,
and to the last, to say from the heart,
Thy will be done.
If there is a living man that I have in
jured, I know it not; but if any one
thinks | have wronged him, I humbly
ask his forgiveness. hope to leave the
world without grudge against any.
wish well to every human being.
My expectation is, and long has been,
that, through infinite and unmerited
kindness manifested in Christ Jesus,
shall be happy to all eternity. I KNOW
THAT MY EVERLASTING CONDEMNATION
WOULD BE PERFECTLY JUST. My cry to
God is, Enter not into Judgment with
thy servant; for in thy sight shall no
man living be justified. "-Ps. cxliii 2.
But also know that the blood of Jesus
Christ cleanseth from all sin. He has
died for sinners such I am, and I be-
lieve in Jesus Christ. He is all my hope
Without him heaven would not be heav-
en- to me. 1 take him for my one and
only Mediator, my Prophet, Priest, and
King
Ny soul greatly exults in the doctrine
OF the Resurrection, as it was held and
gloried in by the martyrs even before
the coming of Christ as it was taught
by the Word and made certain by the
rising of our Lord and as it was taught
and held by all the Apostles. Without
a firm belief in the Resurrection, l should
be miserable beyond expression.
Perhaps no man ever had better friends
than l have had. They were Gods gra-