alone with his God. Who can imagine the peace and
joy which must then have filled his heart and suffused his eyes. The
victory was won. Death was conquered. The chariot of Israel and the
horsemen thereof were waiting at the door of the humble cabin, to
transport the victor, through the pathways of the stars, to his throne
and his crown. Glorious death! Blissful journey!
Three hours passed away, and his feeble voice was heard calling his
companions to his side. He threw his arms around the neck of each one,
and drawing him gently down imprinted a kiss upon each cheek. Then,
taking the crucifix, which he ever wore around his neck, he placed it
in the hands of one of them, requesting him to hold that emblem of the
atoning sacrifice of his Saviour before his eyes until the last moment.
Then, inspired with the faith of Stephen the Martyr, clasping his hands
and fixing his eyes upon this memorial of God manifest in the flesh, in
fervent prayer he said:
"O Lord God, I thank Thee for the boundless grace Thou hast conferred
upon me in permitting me to die in the service of Jesus Christ Thy Son.
O God, I thank Thee, that I have been His missionary; and that I am
permitted to die, in a cabin, in the depths of the forest, and far
removed from all human aid."
There were a few moments of perfect silence. No sound fell upon the ear
but the gentle breathing of the dying man. He was then heard feebly to
say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Again he said, in accordance
with the faith which he had received from childhood, "Mary! Mother of
Jesus my Lord, remember me."
Suddenly he raised his eyes from the crucifix and looked upward, as if
a vision of wonderful glory was bursting upon his entranced view. His
countenance shone radiant with joy. A sweet smile was upon his lips.
Without a struggle, without a sigh, his soul took its flight to its
home in heaven. He had fallen asleep.
"Asleep in Jesus! Far from thee,
Thy kindred and their graves may be.
But thine is still a blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep."
His two bereaved companions wept bitterly. They laid out the body as
directed; wrapped it in the threadbare garments it so long had worn,
and having dug the grave, placed the revered remains within it. While
one devotedly covered the body with its mother earth, the other tolled
the little bell which had so often summoned them to prayer. They
remained upon the spot until the next day. A large
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