The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-10-19
Patrick Henry's Death.

In an age when it was fashionable
to avoid sceptical sentiments, Patrick
Henry was always ready to defend
the Christian faith. A member of
the Episcopal church, according to
his latest biographer, Prof. Tyler, he
not infrequently received the COM
munion. On such occasion his habit
was to fast until he had been at the
Lords Table, and then to spend the
day In retirement.
One hour, at the close of the day,
he spent in private prayer and medi-
tatiOn. and during it no one was suf-
fered to intrude upon his privacy.
While he was Governor of Virginia
he was so alarmed at the spread of
infideI sentiments among the young
men of the State that he printed, at
his own expense. an edition of Soame
Jenyn's "View of the Internal Evil
dence of the Christian Religion" and
an edition of Buffers Analogy.
When he met a young man of skepti-
cal tendencies, he would give him one
of these books. Doubtless the fact
that the hook was presented by the
Governor of the State secured it at
tention from the young Virginian
which he might not have paid had it
been distributed by more humble
colporteur.
Patrick Henry wrote out an elab-
crate answer to Paine's age of Rea-
son." but being impressed by the re-
plies to Paine then appearing in Eng
land, he directed his wife. shortly
before his death, to destroy the man
uscript, which she did.
In his last will, written by his own
hand, he concluded thus; "This is
all the inheritance l can give to my
dear family. The religion of Christ
can give them one which will make
them rich indeed"
On the 9th of June. i799. his kim
dred being sent for, found him sit.
tinf in a large. old-tashioned arm
chair. He was dying from incurable
internal disease. His physician, DR..
Cabell, was about to administer a
preparation of mercury. Taking the
vial in his hand. the dying man
said:
II suppose this is your last re-
sort ?'
II am sorry to say, Governor, that
it is" replied the doctor. "Acute in
f1amation of the intestine has already
taken place and unless it is removed
modification will ensue. if it has not
already commenced. which 1 fear"
"What will be the effect of this
medicine. doctor ?'
ut will give you immediate relief,
Or" the doctor could not finish the
sentence.
"You mean. DOCTOR" said the sick
man."that 1t will give relief.or prove
fatal Immediately"
"You can only live short time
without it, and it may relieve you."
Excuse me. doctor, for few mo.
ments. "said Patrick Henry, drawing
over his eyes the silk cap he wore.
Holding the vial. he prayed aloud
for his family, his country and for
his own soul. "Amen !" said he,
and swallowed the medicine.
DIR. Cabell, who greatly loved the
old patriot, had gone out upon the
I lawn. where, throwing himselfunder
a tree, he wrpt bitterly. Mastering
himself. he returned to the house,
and found the patient calmly watch
ing the blood congealing under his
finger nails. The old orator fixed
his eyes on DR.. Cabell. with whom
lie had held many discussions about
the Christian religion.
Doctor" said he. with great ten
derness. II wish you to observe how
real and beneficial the religion of
Christ is to a man about to die"
He then breathed so gently for a
few moments that those around him
knew not when he breathed out his
spirit.