Connecticut western news., 1890-07-09

ish attention, and 1t had black plumes. I said: "What's that? what's that9 Why those black tassels on the topW and after it was explained to me was lifed up to look upon the blight face of an aged Christian woman, who three days before had departed in triumph; the whole scene made an impression never forgot.
 In our sermons and in our lay exhor- tations we are very apt, when we want to bring illustrations of dying triumph, to go back to some distinguished per sonage-to John Knox or Harriet Newell. But want you for witnesses. I want to know if you have ever seen anything to make you believe that the religion of Christ can give composure in the final hour. Now, in the courts attorney, jury and judge will never ad7 init mere hearsay They demand that the witness must have seen with his own eyes, or heard with his own ears, and so I am critical in my examination of you now; and I want to know whether you have seen or heard anything that makes you believe that the religion of Christ gives composure in the final hour.
 "Oh, yes," you say; II saw my fa- ther and mother depart. There was a great difference in their deathbeds. Standing by the one we felt more vene- ration. By the other there was more tenderness" Before the one you bowed perhaps in ave- In the other case you felt as if you would like to go along with her. How did they feel in that last hour2 How did they seem to act2 Were they very much frightened2 Did they take hold of this world with both hands as though they did not want to give it up2 "Oh, no," you say; Tho, I remember as though it were yester- day; she had kind word for us all and there were few mementoes. dis tributed among the children, and then she told us how kind we must be to our father in his loneliness, and then she kissed us -good-by and went asleep as calmly as child in Q cradle"
 "sHE HAD FAITH"
 What made her so composed2 Nat ural courage? ''No," you say; 'tmoth- CT was very nervous; when the carriage inclined to the side of the road she would cry out; she was always rather weakly" What, then, gave her com posure2 Was it because she did not care much for you and the pang of parting was not great? "Oh," you say, ''she showered upon us a wealth of af- lection; no mother ever loved her chil- dren more than mother loved us; she showed it by the way she nursed us when we were sick, and she toiled for us until her strength gave out" What, Then, was it that gave her 'composure in the last hour? Do not hide it. Be frank and let me know. "Oh," you say, it was because she was so good she made the Lord her portion, and she had faith that she would go straight to glory and that we should all meet her at last at the foot of the throne"
 Here are people who say, T saw a Christian brother die, and he tri umphed." And some one else, 1T saw a Christian sister die, and she tri umphed" Some one else will say, q saw Christian daughter die, and. she triumphed." Come, all ye who have seen the last moments of Christian and give testimony in this cause or trial. Uncover your heads, put you hand on the old family Bible iron which they used to read the promises and promise in the presence of higl heaven that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth With what you have seen with you own eyes, and from what you have heard with your own ears, is there power in this Gospel to give calmnes and triumph in the last exigency? The response comes from all sides, iron young and old and middle aged: ''Wt are witnessesn
 MILLIONS OF WITNESSES.
 You see, my friends, have not pu before you today an abstraction, ol chimera, or anything like guesswork I present you affidavits of the best me1 and women, living and dead. Two witnesses in court will establish fact Here are not two witnesses, but thou sands of witnesses-on earth million, of witnesses, and in heaven a grea multitude of witnesses that no man car number, testifying that there is powel 1 in this religion to convert the soul tt 1 give comfort in trouble and to afford composure in the last hour. If ter men should come to you when you art sick with appalling sickness and say they had the same sickness, and took { certain medicine and it cured them, yol would probably take it.
 Now, suppose ten other men should come up and say, I've don't believ. there is anything in that medicine. ''Well," I say, ''have you ever tried it" ''No, Inever tried it, but don't believe there is anything in it." O1 course you discredit their testimony. The skeptic may come and say, ''There is no power in your religion" ''Have you ever tried it2' ''No, mo-" "Then, avaunt!" Let me take the testimony of the millions of souls that have been converted to God, and comforted in trial, and solaced in the last hour. We will take their testimony as they cry "We are witnesses!"
 Some time ago Professor Henry, o1 Washington, discovered new star, anc the tidings spread by submarine tele graph, and all the observatories o: Europe were watching for that new star. Oh, nearer, looking out through the darkness of thy soul today, cans thou see a bright light beaming on thee ''Where9' you say "where? How car I find it2' Look along by the line O. the cross of the Son of God. Do yol not see it trembling with all tenderness