him if he knew me, he replied in the negative by slightly turning his head. I gave him my name, and he immediately grasped my hands and pressed them to his bosom, and tried to shout, as nearly as I could distinguish, Glory! Glory! At this time I called some of the friends, but as no particular change had taken place, such was the state of their health, that they retired. About half past five o'clock, I made preparations to rest for an hour, but with the express injunction that I should be called, if there appeared the least change for the worse. Before leaving, I went to his bedside for the last time; the blood had already settled under his nails, the film of death seemed to be gathering upon the eye, but the unusual heat attending these symptoms, deceived me, and I thought he might survive some hours; he pressed my hand as firmly and cordially as usual; I placed my ear to his lips, but could only hear the word Glory-the last he spoke on earth. Fifteen or twenty minutes after I left the room, his son-inlaw entered, but he had ceased to breathe; and so peacefully, so calmly, that he looked as if in a sweet sleep. We could not for hours realize that the spirit was gone, such was the impress it had left on the tenement of clay. It seemed, as Mrs. Pickering passionately exclaimed, as though "he must speak." Those lips had never refused their office before, but now, alas! they were hushed in death! His prayer was answered, which he had so often put up in his fervent manner, "Lord, be with us in the struggles of death," and he was at rest. "Sure, the last end Of the good man is peace! - how calm his exit ! Nor weary, worn-out winds expire so soft." ABDOOL MUSSEEH. THE subject of this sketch was a converted Hindoo. His mind became enlightened and his heart renewed through the labors of the faithful and lamented Henry Martin. He afterwards became a minister of the gospel, and was successful in bringing a number of his benighted countrymen into the fold of Christ. His last hours fully illustrated the genuineness of his piety, and offered a blessed confirmation of the power of the Christian religion; proving it to be the same divine energy in every nation, and in every heart." He finished his course in great peace, at Lucknow, March 4, 1827. The following record of his last hours is found in the "General Baptist Repository." (English.) "In the latter end of February he sent a message to the Resident, begging he would do him the favor to come and see him before his death; with this request Mr. Ricketts readily complied. After making known his wishes, as to where he would be buried, and some other trifling requests, he expressed himself perfectly resigned, and that death had no fears for him; for that our Saviour had deprived death of its sting. He thanked Mr. Ricketts for all that he had done for him, and looking steadily at him for some time, seemed to pray internally; then saying he was easy and content, (or happy) begged him to leave him. He afterwards expressed to a friend who attended on him, his gratitude for this attention on the part of Mr. Ricketts, saying, 'see the fruits of Christian love.' "The day before his death, Abdool requested a friend to write his will; this was accordingly done after an English form. A house which the Resident, with his usual liberality, had enabled him to purchase, he left to his mother; his books to the Bible Society; and his clothes to a nephew, for whom he had always shown much love. This document he desired might be delivered into the hands of his dear Christian friend, Mr. Ricketts. He then declared to the witnesses, before his brother and relatives there present, in a cheerful manner, and with perfect composure of mind, putting his hand upon the seal, that the seal was his. He then said, 'Thanks be to God, I have done with this world; and with regard to my mother,' putting his hands in a supplicating posture, 'I commend her to God!' Then laying his hand upon his nephew, he said to his friend, speak to the Resident, that no one be allowed to injure him;' then desiring his friend to come near him, and putting his hands in an attitude of prayer, he said, 'O, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be gracious to "On the 4th, after the doctor had visited him, he was told that he was advised to eat animal food. Raising his head from the pillow, he said, 'Brother, a man does not live by bread alone, but by the word of God. See for how many days I have eaten nothing, and am yet alive.' He then began to inquire after a man who had been with him. some time for religious instruction, and being told he was present, desired he might be called. He questioned him on some points of religion, and explained the Lord's Prayer throughout. He spoke of his intention to baptize him, should he recover, and desired that in the event of his death, Mr. Whiting or Mr. White might be requested to do so. In the evening, the wife of his friend called to see him, and on her asking him how he was, he said, 'Very well, sister, thanks be to God;' but this, it is to be observed, he meant for his soul; for his body was extremely ill, and hickup, the usual precursor of death, had come on. He was told that the New Testament was at hand, and at his desire, the fourth chapter of St. John was read: at the conclusion he said, 'Thanks be to God.' A favorite hymn was then sung. He had composed it but a short time before; and the following literal translation will convey some distinct idea of the source from which this servant of Christ derived consolation in a dying hour: Beloved Saviour, let not me In thy fond heart forgotten be. Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower. Youth's morn has filed, old age come on, Beloved Saviour, let not me In thy fond heart forgotten be. "He joined in singing this hymn, and desired it might be sung a second time; but, alas! he could no longer articulate distinctly, and became insensible to every thing around him. Soon after, recovering a little, he inquired if the female friend above referred to, was gone; and this was the last expression that could be understood. He lay seemingly perfectly easy till about half past eight, when he raised his head from the pillow, and with his left hand took hold of the hand of his friend, then gently withdrew it and breathed his last." "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun, His kingdom spreads from shore to shore, 29 CHRISTMAS EVANS.* THE subject of the following sketch was born in South Wales, on the 25th of December, 1776. He was of very humble parentage: at nine years of age he lost his father, and was taken by his uncle, a wicked and dissolute farmer. At the age of seventeen he could not read a word, his parents having been unable to give him any education. His first religious impressions he attributes to the funeral of his father, but his convictions were evanescent. At the age of eighteen his attention was again aroused, during an awakening among the young people of his neighborhood; his deportment became serious, and he connected himself with the Arminian Presbyterians. His experience, however, was imperfect; he had a conviction of sin, and a desire to escape the penalty of sin, but had no evidence of his acceptance with God. His religious impressions, however, led him to secret prayer, penitential resolutions, and to an earnest desire to become acquainted with the Scriptures. Almost without assistance, in an exceedingly short period, he became able to read his Bible. He was soon after called upon to exercise his gifts in public prayer and exhortation, and his carly essays met with so satisfactory a reception, that he was induced to attempt preaching, having committed one of Rowland's sermons, which he delivered to the astonishment of his hearers. He was soon noticed by evangelical ministers and laymen of different denominations, and from them obtaining clearer views of justification by faith, soon obtained an experimental knowledge of the forgiveness of sin. He now devoted himself to his studies, preparatory to his * Abridged from Memoir by Cross. |