When the
27th was commenced he took it up and repeated the whole. On Saturday he
had severe pain in the lungs, and thought his end near. Several of his
friends called, and he noticed them all distinctly. He addressed two of
his fellow-students in the University in an affectionate appeal to what
he supposed their spiritual condition. In a conversation with Rev. Mr.
C., he said that if God had been pleased to spare his life, he should
have felt himself consecrated to the ministry and missionary service;
and expressed the calm assurance of his faith. Prayer was offered that
he might spend one more precious Sabbath on earth. The night passed, and
the Sabbath came. My child exclaimed, soon after waking, '_Precious
Sabbath_,' and his eyes beamed with hallowed feeling. I said, 'Dear son,
can you truly say this morning that you feel the peace of God which
passeth understanding?' He raised his eyes and replied, most
impressively, '_Oh, yes_.' He said with delight, 'Mother, O think that
Joseph is now by the river of the water of life.' He said also to me,
'Mother, you will not weep for me?' I replied, 'If I do joy will mingle
with my tears.' He continued, 'I shall be nearer to you in Heaven than
in India' (alluding to his purpose, if his life should be spared, to be
a missionary in India). I asked him what message I should send to his
Uncle Scudder. He said, 'Tell him I think my heart was in the right
place when his letter reached me, or I know not what I should have
done.
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