His last illness, of four months' duration, was attended with extreme
bodily suffering; but the nature of his complaint being very obscure, he
entertained a hope that he might be restored to his former state of
health, and expressed some anxiety for length of days, in order that he
might be more useful to his fellow-creatures. But as his strength
declined, this desire gave way to quiet submission to the will of his
God; and it was evident, that his soul was anchored upon that Rock, which
alone can support in the hour of trial.
Soon after he was taken ill, he remarked in allusion to his business,
that he had thought it right in one instance, to decline the execution of
an order, where more display of taste was required, than he could feel
satisfied with; and this sacrifice, with some others of a similar kind,
had afforded him peace: adding, "I do want to come clean out of Babylon."
He said, the language had been much upon his mind: "Purge me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow:" and also
the words of our Saviour,--"If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with
me."
Being in great pain, he said,--"You must pray for me, that my patience
may hold out; I have indeed need of your prayers, for my sufferings are
very great; but, bye and bye, perhaps I may be able to say, I have not
had one pang too many.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45