The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-28
Church, waycross; Christ Church. Val

Church, waycross; Christ Church. Val
dosta.
In addition to these there are many
school houses in various places.
Inc "Anson Dodge Memorial Home" at
FREDERICK, was endowed by his present
wife, formerly Miss Anna Gould of st.
Simons, in memory of their little son.
who was accidentally killed in runaway.
lie was devoted to the orphans in that
charge, some fifteen Of which are now be-
ing cared for.
The scene at Mr.. Dodge's death bed was
a striking one. Or. c. II. Meldrim his at
tending physician. describes the death as
one OF the most natural and unusual ever
witnessed. He had requested Dr. Mel
drim TO inform him frankly when the end
was near. The afternoon Of the night he
ded Dr Meldrim informed him he could
not recover. The shades of night were
darkening the room, and the shadows of
the moving beings nearby crossed the dy-
ing minister's bedside as his physician bent
over and uttered the words which told
MIN his life on this earth was nearly end
ed. a look of joy overspread his face.
Calling those around him to his bedside
ne SAID; Doctor examine me and see If
| am strong enough to write my name and
II my brain is working clearly" Nan
nette' 90 his wife), please see that a
table and pen and ink, with a good strong
iAeAAN anu Splle iNOiStap paper Is placed
beside this bed. Now I wish to dictate
codcil to my will" This codicne." states
Dr' Meldrim, was long, covering over
two pages of paper Mr. Dodge dictated
every word with punctillious exactness as
to the legal form and phrases. When Il
was finished he signed it and directed that
l sign as witness, and calling for John
L. and George Stevens. he directed that
they also sign. He then called for his wife
and two of the little girls who were part
of his household. They came to him, and
he began to counsel them for the future
We withdrew from the room, while he de-
Hvered to them a sermon, together with an
admonition. as to their lives to come The
sermon and admonition over, Mrs Dodge
read the Episcopal prayer for the dying,
while he met the responses in clear, firm
tones, concluding with an outburst OF
hymnal song that was grandly eloquent in
its Christian simplicity"
Calling me back i'm the room bent over
him, and he asked, Doctor, how long?'
did not answer and he spoke again Eff
teen minutes? To this | said, No, per-
haps. not that SOON Then thirty?' he said
and l replied perhaps. Place the clock
on the table beside me DOCTOR was his
next request and we did So He lay there
suffering and watching the minutes go by
As the hands of the clock reached ten, he
looked at me with those intense black eyes
cleaning reproachfully, and said Now,
doctor, you told me al ten turned away.
Such fearlessness in the face of death
seemed almost incomprehensible. / thought
of him as had been said of one of my dear
relatives last moments, Would to God
that every inlhdeI could see this Christian
die
The minutes passed on and he tossed
restlessly, breaking out in snatches of song
TO relieve his suffering We asked If we
could do anything to please him. with that
spirit which always characterized his
thoughtfulness of others, he re-
piled. 1T Ia hardly of use
to put you to that trouble now, but
If you would like to please me go to my
closet, and get one bottle of sweet and one
bottle of dry wine, and bring IL here We
did so, and he gave directions for each TO
take small glass and fiji about one-third
full Giving him one also, and holding ours
before us we listened while he raised his
hand. and said Here Is wishing you life,
and health, and Gods blessing through all
the days allotted to each of you on this
earth, and a spiritual life In the Great Be
You'd
I'VE drank the toast, and benedIction In
silence, while the hand of the dying man
did not tremble as he returned his glass.
THE minutes sped on and DIR.
Hugh Burford, from Brunswick, en-
tered the room. He had Just arrived on a
special boat. AS he walked over to where
Mr.. Dodge was lying he was met with
an apology from the patient for having
been called over on such "A useless err
rand 1t will not be long. doctor, be-
fore am away and beyond this earthly
distress. If you gentlemen will excuse
the delay I VIII not keep you waiting
many minutes. 1t Is well that l should
60 My life has been given to the services
of my Lord and now IL he sees fit TO
call me. II is one grand, sweet privilege
to rest forever under His protecting care
The grasp Of his hand grew weaker his
head turned in a languishing attitude to-
wards the pillow and the breath that had
kept him alive ceased as he murmured
GLORY to God, Hallelujah," giving to him
that loving sweet rest for which his soul
craved."