George Wither. A.D. 1667. Author of "The Shepherds Hunting," &c. His biographer says: "At seventy years and two he looked forward with joyful anticipation to the end of his pilgrimage, consoling himself with the certainty of singing life and care away in a few brief months or years." The accompanying lines, written in prison, exhibit his devotional and chastened feelings: "First think, my soul, if I have foes That take a pleasure in my care, And to procure these outward woes, Have thus enwrapt me unaware. Thou shouldst by much more careful be, "By my late hopes that now are crost, Had Christ not thy Redeemer been, "Or when through me thou seest a man Think, if in that such grief thou see, "These iron chains, these bolts of steel, For by their grief thou shalt do well, "Again, when he that feared to die (Past hope) doth see his pardon brought, Read but the joy that's in his eye, And then convey it to thy thought; Then think between thy heart and thee, I Wolfe. A.D. 1759. "They run they run!" "Who?" said the dying general. "The French !" "Then I die happy." Cardinal Wolsey. A.D. 1530. "Master Kingston, this I will say: Had I but served God as diligently as I have served the king, He would not have given me over in my grey hairs. Howbeit, this is my just reward for my pains and diligence, not regarding my service to God, but only my duty to my prince." An Aged Woman, Who was said to be "dying all alone," was called upon by a Christian visitor, who found that the old pilgrim was a happy believer in the Lord. "I have known the Lord twenty years," she said, "and have lived alone nearly the whole of that time. There are few I care to see, for I've Christ always with me, and there's no solitude in that." After some sweet conversation about her Master, the old Christian said, "I am glad you are come, for I'm going to die, and if I died alone people would not know how happy I am!" Pointing to a well-worn Bible, she continued: "Read for me once more the last verses of Romans viii." The visitor read: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Her companion closed the book, and was about to say, "Shall I pray with you?" when a slight movement of the eyelids, a gaze upwards, and a radiant smile were observed, and in a few moments the happy spirit was with the Lord. Sir Henry Wotton. Provost of Eton College. A.D. 1637. "My dear friend, I now see that I draw near to the harbour of death-that harbour that will secure me from all the future storms and waves of this restless world; and I praise God I am willing to leave it, and expect a better-that world wherein dwelleth righteousness-and I long for it." W. Wordsworth. A.D. 1850. Asked if he wished to receive the communion, he replied, "That is just what I want." His last words, "Is that Dora?" Yeddie His voice was heard from below in low tones: 66 Aye, Lord, it's just puir me that has been sae long seeking Thee, and now we'll bide tugether and never part more. Oh aye! but this is a bonnie loft-all goold and precious stones. The hall of the castle is a poor place to my loft this bonnie night;" and then poor Yeddie's voice became softer and softer until it died away, and the lad slept on the Lord's bosom. David Zeisberger. The indefatigable missionary to the Iroquois and Delaware Indians. "I am going, my people, to rest from all my labours, and to be at home with the Lord. He has never forsaken me in distress, and will not forsake me now. I have reviewed my whole course, and found that there is much to be forgiven." Count Zinzendorf. A.D. 1760. The last intelligible words of this eminent Christian were addressed to Bishop Watteville, the count's son-in-law: My dear Johannes, I am going home to our Saviour. I am fully resigned to the will of my Lord, and He is satisfied with me; for He has pardoned me. If He has no further use for me here, I am quite ready to go to Him; for there is nothing in the way. He then gave directions about a few things he wished to be done, and soon after, closing his eyes, gently fell asleep in Jesus. A much-honoured Servant of the Lord, When dying, said, "I can look back upon my life, and I am neither elated nor depressed; for Christ is everything to me." A Poor Idiot in Scotland, Who up to the day of his death had never uttered a rational word, in his dying hour opened his eyes in amazement at what was revealed to his soul by the Spirit of God, and exclaimed as follows: "I see! I see! What do I see? Three in one, and one in three, |