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of a doubt now.

I shall die, but I have a sweet assurance that I shall be for ever with the Lord. I have not the triumphs I had; but I feel that a mercy, for I have not strength to bear them.”

A short time before her decease, her physician requested her not to talk; but so intense was her affection for the Saviour, that she could not refrain bearing her dying testimony to his worth and preciousness" What, not speak of him? she said to a friend, "who has done so much for me!

'I'll speak the honours of his name

With my last labouring breath;
When speechless, clasp Him in my arms,
The antidote of death."

To her children she said, I am dying, but no cloud intercepts my view. Christ is my Redeemer-I am vile, but he has washed me.—I am united to him—follow me, and we shall meet again." She then addressed her husband"You have been a good husband to me, and our separation will not be long, we shall meet soon, and

"There on a green and flowery mount

Our weary souls shall sit," &c.

A few hours before her death, the veil of darkness was thrown over her mind, which concealed from her those bright visions of glory, that had so long animated her hope, and feeling a momen

tary surprise, she said to her husband, "What is this? I feel a cloud! I am in darkness!" He replied, that it was to shew her, that though, she was near the end of her journey, treading as on the borders of the heavenly land, that she still needed faith to enable her to pass through the valley; but he observed you need fear no evil: you have only to imitate good old Jacob, when, he gathered up his feet, and died in peace." She felt the force of these remarks; regained her composure, which was never afterwards disturbed.

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When making some reference to her funeral sermon, she said, "Oh tell Mr. E. to keep me in the back ground? I am a poor guilty sinner, saved by the blood of Christ! Tell him to exalt the Saviour, tell him to entreat sinners to come to him. I have found him ever precious, Oh my dear Saviour, why tarry thy chariot wheels? When shall I enter thy presence! I long to see thee

face to face!"

After having taken leave of her family, she said, "I am dying, but God will be with you." She then repeated with great animation the following lines.

"The gospel bears my spirit up," &c.

and soon after fell asleep in Jesus, leaving an unblemished reputation, as a decisive proof of the genuine nature of her faith.

DEATH-BED SCENES.

THIRD CLASS.

At thought of death, a cold sick shuddering came,
Nature's infirmity:-but faith was given,

The flame that lifts the sacrifice to heaven:
Through doubt and darkness then, beyond the skies,
Eternal prospects open'd on their eyes,

Already seemed the immortal spirit free,
And death was swallowed up in victory.

MONTGOMERY.

INTRODUCTION.

BUT lest I should be suspected of sketching the scenes of my description, from the visions of fancy, rather than the facts which have fallen under my personal observation, I would remark that some of the most eminent Christians, I have ever known, and whose "last end" has been peace, have, when in the immediate prospect of

their dissolution, felt an instinctive dread of death; and have shrunk back from its approach, even while they have anticipated the final issue with complacent delight. They have trembled and rejoiced-sunk into a melancholy depression, and risen to full assurance of hope,-wept tears of sorrow, and talked in strains of the highest rapture, as they have alternatively meditated on the act of dying, and the consequences of it; and though they have been enabled to gain the victory over their fears, yet, not till they have been almost exhausted in the contest.

This interchange of feeling, which they have experienced in their last moments, may be traced to the continued influence of disease, and the suggestions of Satan, and though it may be marked by some peculiar circumstances of impression, yet it may not be very dissimilar, to their ordinary experience through life. Some few, I grant, are favoured in their spiritual pilgrimage with a uniform placidity of mind, which no fears can ruffle, and can anticipate, without any misgivings, a state of future happiness; but they are the "hidden ones," who are sheltered from the stormy blast of temptations, who are rarely brought into contact with the conflicting elements of evil, and who possess an evenness of natural temper and disposition.

But the majority of real Christians, who are exposed to the evil of the world, are allowed to

feel its influence, if not in corrupting their principles, yet in disturbing their peace. They walk in the twilight of enjoyment, where the sun and the shade are struggling together for the victory, rather than in a region of pure unmixed happiness. They are not permitted to enjoy an unwavering confidence, nor are they doomed to perpetual dread, but alternatively animated by a good hope through grace, and a fear that produceth a degree of torment; and though occasionally raised out of this conflicting state of feeling, yet they fall back into it, and become subject to the excitements which it very naturally produces. And as there is a uniformity in the experience of most Christians, from the period they first yield themselves to God, to the close of their life, it would discover a lamentable degree of ignorance of the order of the divine dispensations, to expect that they who live under the alternate influence of hope and fear, should be favoured in their last moments, with perfect peace, or the joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.

"The sagacious and observant Bunyan took a different view of the subject, and accordingly he represents his deeper and more experienced Christian as encountering, on his first entrance into "the river," and in some parts of his passage, a degree of darkness and apprehension, from which the younger disciple, Hopeful, is mercifully exempted. Is not this natural and

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