Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-11-09
LIFE AFTER DEATH.
Glimpses OF the Hereafter by Dying
Mortals-Iooks Ahead.

NliUlDSeS Oh VIC hereafter ny
Mortals-Looks Ahead.
From Frances Power Cobbe's New Book.
A correspondent records the death of
a consumptive whose case was hopeless,
though there was no appearance of the
end being very near, who was in full
possession Of his senses, able to talk with
strong voice and not in the least drow-
sy: "While we were talking quietly to-
gether he became silent and fixed his
eyes on one particular spot in the room,
which was entirely vacant, even of fur
niture; at the same time look of the
greatest delight changed the whole ex-
preston Of his face, and after moment
of what seemed to be intense scrutiny
of same object invisible to me, he said
TO Inc in a joyous tone. There is Jimn
Jim was a little son whom he had lost
the year before and whomhe had known
well, but the dying man had d son still
living named John, for whom we had
sent, and | concluded it was of John
that he was speaking and he thought he
heard him arriving, so Unanswered, mo,
joint has not been able TO come The
man turned to me impatientiy and said:
Il do not mean john know he is not
here-it is Jimmy little lame Jim.
Surely you rememoer him, dear little
Jim, who died last year, quite WE'LL
Don't you see him there? There he is,
said the man, pointing to the vacant
space on which his eyes were fixed,
and when I did not answer he
repeated almost fretfuliv, Don't you
see him standing there? l answered
h I'm that could not see him, though 1
felt perfectly convinced that something
was visible to the sick man which l
could not perceive. When gave him
this answer he seemed quite amazed,
and turned round to look at me with
glare almost of indignation. As his eyes
met mine | saw that q film seemed to
pass over them; the light of intelligence
passed away; he gave a gentle sigh and
expired. He did not live five minutes
from the time he first said, There is
JIM although there had been 10 sign
OF approaching death previous TO that
moment.
Another case is that of a refined and
highly educated boy of II, who died of
decline. being perfectly intelligent and
desiring the unknown life to which he
believed he was fastening. Death came
to him at sunset, suddenly, as he turned
away from contemplate of the scene
NjlIUul W gaze dG lIlc wall, VIII NlU6
open eyes and a look of perfect ecstacy.
His mother asked if what he saw was
some wonderful sight beyond the con-
fines of this world to give her token by
pressing her hand, as he was speechless,
and he at once took her hand and pressed
it meaningly. A third case was that of
the brother Of a correspondent, an eld-
erly man, dying OF an incurable and
painful disease, which, however, did not
obscure his faculties Upon him
death came unexpectedly. 1t had
been uncertcin for some hours whether
he was alive or dead, but the eager,
rapt gaze of wonder and JOY came just as
with one long breath the spirit departed.
Still another case was that of a man of
high intellectual distinction well known
in the world Of letters who, when dy-
ing peacefully, as became the close of
profoundly religious lie, was observed
by his daughter suddenly to look up, as
if at some spectacle invisible to those
around, with and expression ofgsolemn
surprise an awe very characteristic of
his habitual frame of mind, the end
coming before the loo k had time to falter
or change. In yet another case So bright
a light seemed suddenly to shine from
the face of a dying man that the
clergyman and another friend who were
with him actually turned Simultaneous
ly to the window to seek for the cause"
"a dying la iy, exhibited the same
aspect of joyful surprise, spoke of seeing
one after another, three of her brothers
who had long been dead, then apparent
ly recognized last of ali fourth brother,
who was believed by the Iy-standers to
be still living in India. The coupling of
his name with those of his dead brothers
excited such awe and horror III the mind
of one of the persons present that she
rushed from the ROOM. In due course Of
time letters were received announcing
the death of the brother in India, which
had occurred some time before his dy-
ing sister seemed to recognize him."