Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-11-10
Patrick Henry. Death.


to avcw scepticaI sentiments, Patrick
Henry was always ready to defend the
Christian faith. A member Of the
Episcopal church according 10 his
latest oiographer, Professor Tyler, he
nSt 'nfrequently received the COM
inunson. On such occasions hi, haiti
was to fast until he had been Mt tie
Lord's table, and then TO spend q
day ia retirement.
One hour, at the close of the day, he
spent in private prayer and meditatIan
aud doring II no OF was suffered to
intrude upon his privacy. When he
was Governor of Virginia he was so
aiara cd at the spread Of iuiidel sentl-
ments among the young men OF the
state that he printed, at his own ex-
pense. an edition OF Soame Jenyn's
"View of the Internal Evidence Of the
Christian" and an edition Of "Builer's
Analogy " When he met young
man of scepticsl tendencies, he would
give him one Of these books Doubt
less the fact that the book was pre-
scented by the Governor OF hts state &C.
cured II attention from the young Nir-
ginian, which he might not have paid
had 1t been distributed by no a more
humble eolporteur,
Patrick Henry wrote out an elaborate
answer 10 Paiue's "Age of Reason, -
but being impressed by the replies TO
Paine, then appearing in England, be
directed his wife, shortly before his
death, to destroy the manuscript,
which she did.
In his last will, written by his own
hand, he concluded thus: "rhis IL all
the inheritance | 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, 1893, his kindred
being sent for, found him sitting In a
large old fashioned armchair. He was
dying from an incurabIe internal
disease. His physician, DR.. Cabell,
was about to administer preparation
OF mercury. Taking the vial in his
hand ,ithe dying man said, ~ suppose,
doctor, this is your last resort. "
am sorry to say, Governor, that II
u.s." replied the doctor. "Acnte in
| fiamatiou of the intestine has already
taken place, and unless ii is removed,
modification viii ensue, if 1t has not
already commenced, which | fear.n
"What will be The effect Of this med
icine, doctor?u
sit will give you immediate relief,
or the doctor could not finish the
sentence.
/ "You mean DOCTOR" said the sick
man." "that it will give relief, or will
prove fatal Immediately"
"Yon can only live short time with
out it, and it may relieve you.'
Excuse me, doctor, for fem NOM
ents,n said Patrick Henry, drawing
over his eyes the silk cap he wore.
Holding the vial, he prayed aloud foi
his family, his country, and his own
soul. "AmeuW said he, and swallowed
the medicine.
Or. Cabell, who greatly loved the
old patriot, had gone out upon the
lawn, where throwing himself under
a tree, he wept bitterly. Mastering
himself, he returned to the house and
found his patient calmly watching the
blood congeaIing under his finger
nails. The old orator fixed his eyes on
DR.. Cabell, with whom he had held
many discussions about the Christian
religion.
Doctor" said he with great tender
ness, ~ wish you 10 observe how real
and beneficial the religion of Christ is
! TO man about 10 die"
| He then breathed SO gently for few
minutes that those around MN knew
| not when he breathed out his spirit.
| Vnathtu (tnpa naptnp