Gentlemen, I am brought here to suffer an ignominious death for my
having wilfully transgressed against the known laws of God and my
country. I fear there are too many here present who come to be
witnesses of my untimely end rather out of curiosity than from a
sincere intention to take warning by my unhappy fate. You see me
here in the very prime of my youth, cut off like an untimely flower
in the rigorous season, through my having been too much addicted to
a voluptuous and irregular course of life, which has been the
occasion of my committing those crimes for which I am now to suffer.
As the laws of God as well as of men call upon me to Lay down my
life as justly forfeited by my manifold transgressions, I
acknowledge the justice of my sentence, patiently submit to the same
without any rancour, ill-will or malice to any person whatsoever;
hoping through the merits of Christ Jesus (who laid down His life
for sinners, and who upon the cross pronounced a pardon for the
repenting thief under the agonies of death) to be with Him permitted
to partake of that glorious resurrection and immortality He has been
so graciously pleased to promise to the sincere penitent. I
earnestly exhort and beg of all here present to think seriously of
eternity--a long and endless eternity!--in which we are to be
rewarded or punished according to our good or evil actions in this
world; that you will all take warning by me and refrain from all
wilful transgressions and offences. Let a religious disposition
prevail upon you, and use your utmost endeavours to forsake and fly
from sin. The mercies of God are great, and He can save even at the
last moment of life. Yet do not therefore presume too much, lest you
provoke Him to cast you off in His anger, and become fearful
examples of His wrath and indignation. Let me prevail upon you to
forget and forgive me all the offences and injuries I have committed
or promoted in action, advice or example; and entreat your prayers
for me that the Lord would in mercy look down upon me in the last
moment of my life.