Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

infidel sensibility, by which she had been brought so near to ruin! On the evening of the same day she expired, in fulness of joy and peace in believing.

The account which the Doctor received from her attendants was, that the prayer he offered up by the bedside, fastened upon her mind: and, shortly after he had left her, she became alarmed about the state of her soul. Indeed, at one period, her agony was such, that, (although on Sunday, her voice was so feeble she could scarcely be heard) her cries were distinctly heard from the second story to the cellar of the house, and that at length she found peace in believing.

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

SOME years ago, a respectable tradesman of the city of London, of unquestionable piety, was exceedingly troubled in his mind respecting the safety of his future state. During a bodily affliction, which eventually proved fatal, he became still more doubtful of his interest in Christ, although many friends endeavoured to encourage

him in relying on the all-sufficiency of that grace, on which his hopes had been fixed for years previously to his being thus tempted. A short time before his dissolution, he exclaimed with horror and anguish, I die a confirmed hypocrite!' A friend by his bed-side, seeing him apparently motionless said, He is gone!' which the wife (who was in an adjoining room) hearing, immediately came in, and, with strong emotion of grief, threw herself on the bed of her supposed lifeless husband; when, to the great surprise of surrounding friends, he again opened his eyes, and fixing them on his wife, said (as though he were certain of his eternal safety) Cruel love! cruel love! I was just entering my heavenly Father's gate, and you have disturbed me!' and instantly expired.

[ocr errors]

The reader may judge how great relief such an exclamation must have afforded those Christian friends who, but a few moments before, were the sad witnesses of his despair. Timid Christians should learn from this to be cautious of forming such rash conclusions respecting their final doom. Nor should surviving friends conclude, that the death-bed of those whose lives and conduct have been consistent with the gospel of Christ, is without hope, because they cannot leave such pleasant and visible testimony as is desirable.

MISS MANSILL,

OF ATHY, KILDARE COUNTY.

[ocr errors]

Miss Mansill was brought to the knowledge of the truth under the ministry of the Rev. T. Kelly. For some years she walked worthy of the vocation wherewith she was called:' and adorned by her conversation, the doctrine of God her Saviour.' She possessed, in an eminent degree, the meekness of the Christian character, — seemed, in every thing, to be governed by a single eye to the glory of her Lord; and manifested an uncommon solicitude for the conversion of her fellow-sinners. Her first convictions were so deep, as even to affect her health; and her separation from the world was sudden and decided. Notwithstanding this, she became an example of the danger of neglecting our Lord's precept, Watch and pray.' The world became a snare to her; she mingled too much with those who mind. earthly things; and at length partook, to a melancholy degree, of their spirit. Her fall was,

[ocr errors]

like the fall of believers in general, gradual. She at first ventured a little way, and was emboldened by degrees to venture farther, till all her peace of conscience forsook her, and her former pleasure and liveliness in the ways of God were changed to weariness and formality.

While in this awful situation, she was seized with one of the most malignant putrid fevers that had ever fallen under the observation of the physicians by whom she was attended. When she felt the approach of the disorder, she seemed to have been fully persuaded that it would prove a sickness unto death; and from that time all the concerns of life appeared to her as nothing. For many days after her confinement, she was a total stranger to peace; and on being asked by a friend how she found her mind, she answered, Idid not take heed to my ways, therefore, the hand of the Lord is upon me.' The same question being repeated some time after, she said, My bodily pain, it is true, is very great; but, when compared to the trouble of my mind, it is nothing,-my heart is ready to break in pieces!' Indeed, the distress of her mind is not to be described. It was even painful for some time to speak to her of the Saviour: the mention of his name only augmented her distress, by bringing to her recollection the happiness she once enjoyed in his service. She was conscious that she had followed strange gods; and that she

[ocr errors]

could now derive no help from them; therefore, she said, "My heart is sore pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me; fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.' She had not one comfortable view of the Saviour; and her mind was filled with a certain fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation.' Despair was painted on her countenance; and the thought of meeting God filled her soul with horror.

After this season of darkness had lasted for some days, the Sun of Righteousness arose upon her soul, with healing in his wings. This change soon discovered itself in the expression of her countenance; which now wore a smile of joy, declarative of the feelings of her soul. Being asked, some time after, how she found herself, she said, 'My body has been greatly distressed; but my soul has been in a heavenly state!" My thoughts of Jesus have refreshed my spirit : and of his love to me I have not a single doubt. O what a Saviour have I !

When speaking of death, she said, 'Though I am now happy in God, yet what shall I do when the hour of my departure comes? If the doubts which distressed me so much should return, I must sink under them. O, my dear Saviour,' leave me not!' At these words she shed many tears. Being told that Jesus would never leave lier, nor forsake her;' and 'that he would safely

« НазадПродовжити »