A DYING TESTIMONY, The Christian Magazine January 1824

The night before this excellent man departed, he sent for a few of his most intimate friends in the town, in order to leave with them his dying testimony. He addressed them to the following purpose: "I do not think it right to quit this world without leaving behind me my dying testimony, for the comfort of my people. I charge you, therefore, to tell them from me, that the truths which I have preached to them bear me up now above the fear of death. My faith in Christ is without a cloud, and makes me happy in the prospect was wholly engaged for the glory of death.  The religion of Jesus is so consoling to me, that it suppresses all doubts and fears. "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."— Though my family at this time want a father's care, yet with Christ I can confidently trust my soul, my family, and my people; knowing that infinite wisdom cannot err.

u Tell my people, that I feel myself a sinner, a penitent sinner, a sinner saved by divine grace; and charge them to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and they will find the blessed effects of this in life, and the comfort of it in the prospect of death. Tell them to be rooted and grounded in the truths of that Gospel which I have declared unto them. Yes, tell them from me, their dying pastor; from one who has a regard for their immortal interests; to watch and pray much, that their spiritual enemies may not get the advantage over them. 1 entreat them to attend diligently on all the means of grace, waiting upon God, that they be not moved from the hope of the Gospel ; and let them not be ashamed to declare to the world that they are on the Lord's side. Let them act a faithful part, that they may in their last moments say, from heartfelt experience, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

"Tell those of them who have some thoughts of religion, not to put off such concerns to a future time, but to be in earnest now; for time fleeth fast away, and death is at their door. O bid them from me not to trifle with their precious time, but to seek Christ with their whole hearts while he may be found. The work is most important; let them no longer halt between two opinions, but be decisive, seeing their eternal salvation depends upon it.

"Tell those of my parishioners who have made light of the truths which 1 have preached, now to reflect and consider how many opportunities they have lost, how many sermons they have heard with indifference, how many sabbaths they have trifled away, and how much time they have squandered which can never be recalled. O tell them, that it is my earnest prayer that the death of their minister may be the life of their souls. Assure them, that I find the world to be now what it has been to me for a long time, nothing more than a shadow, a vapor, a bubble, a nothing. Tell those who have treated me and the truths which I have, preached with scorn and contempt, that I now solemnly declare my firm persuasion, in the prospect of my speedy dissolution, that nothing but faith in the crucified Redeemer, and a full dependance on his mercy, can render a sinner acceptable in the sight of God."