Death of Dr. Mason Good--Malicious Charges brought against Mr.
Marsden and confuted--Sixth Voyage to New Zealand--Frightful state
of the Island--Battle of the Maories--Their Cannibalism--Progress
of the Mission--Mr. Marsden's return--Death of Mrs.
Marsden--Anticipation of his own decease.
The shadows of evening now began to fall on him whose life had hitherto
been full of energy, and to whom sickness appears to have been a
stranger. He had arrived at the period when early friendships are almost
extinct, and the few who survive are dropping into the grave. The year
1827 witnessed the death of Dr. Mason Good. Nearly twenty years had
elapsed since he and Mr. Marsden had taken leave of one another; but
their friendship had not cooled during that long term of absence; it
seems rather to have gained strength with distance and declining years.
Dr. Mason Good felt, and gratefully acknowledged, that to the
conversations, and yet more to the high example of Mr. Marsden, he owed
it, under God, that he was led to seek, through faith in Jesus, that
holiness and peace which he found at last, and which shed so bright a
lustre on his closing years. He had seen in his friend a living instance
of disinterestedness, zeal, and humility combined, all springing from
the love of God, and directed for Christ's sake towards the welfare of
man; such as he had never seen before--such as, he confessed, his own
Socinian principles were incapable of producing. Far his superior as a
scholar and a man of genius, he perceived and felt his inferiority in
all that relates to the highest destinies of man; he sat, as a little
child, a learner, in his presence; and God, who is rich in mercy,
brought home the lessons to his soul.
Nothing, on the other hand, could exceed the respect, almost amounting
to reverence, mingled however with the warmest affection, with which Mr.
Marsden viewed his absent friend. In every difficulty he had recourse to
him for advice; more than once he intrusted the defence of his character
and reputation entirely to his discretion. A correspondence of nearly
twenty years, a few specimens of which are in the reader's hand, show
the depth of his esteem. Upon his death a fuller tide of affection
gushed out; while he wrote thus to the mourning widow:--
"Paramatta, November 9, 1827.
"MY DEAR MRS. GOOD,--A few days ago we received two letters from
your daughter M--, informing us of the death of your much revered
husband. I had seen his death noticed in one of the London papers,
but had not received any other information. I feel for all your
loss. He was a blessing to the Christian world, and to mankind at
large. No one I esteemed more, and his memory will always be dear
to me. When I was with you, he and I had many serious
conversations on the subject of religion.
"His great talents, united with his child-like simplicity,
interested me much. I always experienced the greatest pleasure in
his company, as well as advantage; in knowledge I found myself an
infant in his presence, but yet at perfect ease. His gentle
manners, his mild address, often made me forget to whom I was
speaking; and after retiring from his presence I, on reflecting,
have been ashamed that I should presume to talk to him as I had
done, as if he were my equal. I never could account for the ease
and freedom I felt in his company, in giving my opinion upon the
various subjects we were wont to converse upon. He was a very
learned man, and knew a thousand times more of men and things than
I did, excepting on the subject of religion; here I always felt
myself at home; and he would attend to what I said with the
sweetest simplicity and the greatest openness of mind. In our
various conversations on the most important doctrines of the
gospel, he manifested a humble desire to know the truth, though he
proceeded with great caution. I experienced no difficulty in my
own mind in urging the truths of religion upon him, by every
argument in my power. I always saw, or thought I saw, the Day-star
from on high dawning upon his mind; and my own soul was animated
and refreshed whenever the subjects of the gospel engaged our
conversation. Perhaps our mutual friend, Dr. Gregory, may remember
the observations I made to him, on what passed between your dear
husband and myself, respecting religion, and what were my views of
the state of his mind at that time; the period to which I allude
was when he joined the Church Missionary Society, or intended to
join it. I had the firmest conviction in my mind that he would
embrace the gospel, and cordially believe to the salvation of his
soul. I could never account for that love which I have continued
to have for Dr. Good, even here at the ends of the earth, but from
the _communion of saints_. Though the affliction of yourself and
your dear daughters must be severe, having lost such a husband and
father, yet you cannot sorrow as those without hope; you must be
satisfied that the Lord has taken him away from the evil to come;
and as he cannot now return to you, comfort one another with the
hope that you shall go to him. He finished his course with joy,
and the work that had been given him to do; and came to the grave
like a shock of corn that was fully ripe. This consideration
should reconcile you to the Divine dispensation, and constrain you
to say, 'Not my will, but Thine be done.' You and your dear
husband had travelled long together; few in this miserable world
were so happy and blessed as you were for so long a period.
Remember all the way the Lord hath led you in this wilderness;
recall to mind his mercies of old, and bless his name. I have long
wished to see you face to face; but that wish will never be
gratified. The day may come when, in another and a better world,
we may recount all our travels here below. We are sure that we are
fast approaching to the end of our journey, and shall soon arrive
at the banks of Jordan. Let us labour, my dear madam, to keep the
promised land in view. You have the consolation of your two
amiable daughters' company. I have never thought of Mrs. N. but
with feelings of sympathy, and regret for her loss in the death of
her excellent husband. How mysterious are the ways of God! We
cannot account for them now, but we shall know hereafter. As a
father pitieth his own children, so is the Lord merciful unto them
that fear him. Mrs. Neale may derive comfort from the Divine
promises. There are many made to the widow and the fatherless, and
God is never unmindful of his promises. When we arrive in Mount
Zion, we shall then be satisfied with all the Divine
dispensations, and see cause to bless God for the severest. Give
my love to Miss Good; tell her how much I am obliged to her, for
the communication she has made to me respecting her dear
father....
"I am yours, very sincerely,"
He was still subject to the persecutions of "unreasonable and wicked
men," and was again compelled to vindicate his conduct in a pamphlet,
which issued from the press at Sydney, in 1828. Transmitting a copy to
his friend, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, he says: "I consider myself a
proscribed person these last few years. All the charges against me are
contained in this pamphlet. My public offences, my illegal acts, the
charges against me for inflicting torture to extort confession, for
which I have been condemned unheard, and suffered as guilty. What an
ungodly world may think or say of me, is of little moment; but I do not
wish to lose the good opinion of my Christian friends, and fall in their
estimation." He returns to the subject in his correspondence with other
Christian friends; for the apprehension that in him the cause of
religion might seem to have received a wound, lay heavy on his mind. "I
should feel much," he says, writing to Mr. D. Coates, "if the cause of
religion should suffer in my personal conduct; but I hope it will not. I
hope I have said enough to satisfy the Christian world that I am clear
in this matter. To justify my public conduct, was an act due to my
family and to all my Christian friends, as well as the general interests
of religion." Nor was it merely the breath of slander that assailed him:
he mentions in a private letter to the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, an act
of grievous wrong inflicted by the British government. "I and my family
were all struck off the public victualling books in the latter part of
Governor Macquarie's administration, without any compensation. The Rev.
R. Cartwright and the Rev. William Cooper, with their families, were
also struck off from the public stores at the same time. They have both
had their claims settled since governor Darling arrived. One received
700_l._, and the other more than 800_l._; but I have received nothing.
My claim is equally just, had I only served the same period as my
colleagues, though I have served nearly twenty years longer than either
of them. I can only attribute this act of injustice to some hostile
feeling in the colonial office. Governor Darling has always shown me
every attention I could wish."
Yet he uttered no protest; he raised no clamour for redress. "I mention
this circumstance to you," he adds, "_confidentially_: when the truth of
my case is laid before the public, perhaps my superiors may think
differently of my conduct, and do me common justice." Whether he
obtained redress we are not informed. The occurrence shows the depth and
bitterness of those hostile feelings, which we can trace to no other
cause on his part than his boldness in rebuking vice, and his fidelity
to the cause of his Lord and Master.
The year 1830 found Mr. Marsden once more upon the ocean. For neither
increasing years nor the vexations through which he had passed damped
his ardour in the missionary cause. His mind was stedfastly fixed on the
progress of the gospel in New Zealand, and there he was anxious once
more in person to assist in carrying on the work. He felt that his time
was growing short, and hastened, "before his decease," to "set in order
the things which were wanting."
He perceived, too, with mingled feelings, that New Zealand was about to
undergo a great change. His efforts to induce the chiefs to unite under
one head or sovereign elected by themselves, had totally failed.
Shunghie had been slain in battle, and his ambitious projects of gaining
a New Zealand throne by conquest were at an end. War was the natural
condition of all the Maori tribes, and this, rendered more deadly,
though possibly less ferocious, by the introduction of fire-arms, was
fearfully thinning their numbers from year to year. They were subject,
too, to periodical returns of a terrible scourge, a disease resembling
the influenza, which cut off multitudes. On the whole, it was
calculated, that not more than a hundred thousand Maories now survived;
while twenty years before, when the island was first visited, the
numbers were at least two hundred thousand. It was evident that they
could not long maintain their independence as a nation. European ships
began to crowd the Bay of Islands. English settlers were already making
their way into their choice and fertile lands. To minds less sagacious
than Mr. Marsden's, the result could be no longer doubtful--New Zealand
must become an English colony. He foresaw the necessity, and, though at
first with reluctance, cordially acquiesced in it, even for the sake of
the Maories themselves. His concern now was to prepare them for a
measure which must sooner or later take place. Everything was in a
lawless state; the progress of the missions was greatly interrupted, and
his presence was once more highly necessary. His own anxiety was great,
first on behalf of the missions which had so long been the especial
objects of his care; and then for New Zealand at large that the policy
of Great Britain should respect the rights of the native tribes and
pledge itself to their protection.
On his arrival in New Zealand, in March, 1830, he was greeted before the
ship had cast anchor by the Messrs. Williams and others of the
missionary band, who hastened on board, and expressed their joy at his
unexpected appearance among them. It was a critical moment, for they
were in greater anxiety and difficulty than they had experienced at any
former period of the mission. The natives were at open war, and but a
day or two before a great battle had been fought on the opposite beach
of the Bay of Islands, in which about fourteen hundred had been engaged.
The alleged cause of the war was the misconduct of an English captain
who had offered indignities to some native women on board his vessel.
One tribe espoused his cause, while another came forward to avenge the
insult. Six chiefs had fallen in the battle, and a hundred lives were
lost; several whaling vessels were lying in the Bay, and their crews as
well as the missionary stations, were in the utmost peril from the
revenge of the victorious tribe, which now lay encamped at Keri-Keri.
There was not an hour to be lost. Mr. Marsden crossed the bay with Mr.
Henry Williams early the next morning, to visit the camp as a mediator.
The chiefs, many of whom from different parts of the island, had
formerly been acquainted with Mr. Marsden, all expressed their
gratification at meeting him again. After conversing with them on
different points connected with proposals of peace, the two friendly
mediators crossed over to the camp of their opponents, and entered at
once on the subject of their mission. They spoke to them of the evils of
war, and more particularly of the civil war in which they were engaged.
"They heard all we had to say with great attention, and several of them
replied to the different arguments we had used. They contended that we
were answerable for the lives of those who had fallen in the battle, as
the war had been occasioned by the misconduct of the captain of a vessel
one of our own countrymen; they wished to know what satisfaction we
would give them for the loss of their friends who had been slain. We
replied that we could give them no satisfaction, that we condemned his
conduct, and were sorry that any of our countrymen had behaved so badly,
and that we would write to England and prevent his return." This the
savages requested that Mr. Marsden would not do; they longed for his
return, that they might take their own revenge. Mr. Marsden then
proceeded to inform them that he had had an interview with the chiefs on
the other side, who were willing to come to terms of peace, and wished
him to assist in settling their quarrel. This information was received
in a friendly way by the greater part: one or two still wished to fight.
The mediators now returned to the beach, which they found covered with
war canoes and armed men. A war council was held, and the Rev. Henry
Williams stated the business upon which they had come amongst them. The
natives listened attentively. Many of the chiefs gave their opinion in
turn, with much force and dignity of address. These orations continued
from an early hour in the morning, till the shades of evening were
closing. It was finally agreed that the mediating party should proceed
the next morning to the opposite camp and repeat what had taken place.
After a long discussion, it was concluded that two commissioners from
each party should be appointed, along with Mr. Marsden and Mr. Williams,
to conclude the terms of peace. Having now urged all that was in their
power to bring about a reconciliation, they walked over the ground
where the battle had been fought; a dreadful scene under any
circumstances, unutterably loathsome, where cannibals were the
contending parties. "The remains of some of the bodies that had been
slain were lying unconsumed on the fires; the air was extremely
offensive, and the scene most disgusting. We could not but bitterly
lament these baneful effects of sin, and the influence of the prince of
darkness over the minds of the poor heathen."
The next day was Sunday, it was spent by Mr. Williams at the camp, for
it was not considered safe at present to leave the savage warriors,
whose angry passions smouldered. Mr. Marsden proceeded to the station,
and preached to the infant church. Never was the gospel of Christ placed
in finer contrast with the kingdom of darkness, and the appalling
tyranny of the god of this world. Mr. Marsden's pen thus describes the
scene as he sketched it upon the spot:
"The contrast between the state of the east and west side of the
bay was very striking. Though only two miles distant, the east
shore was crowded with different tribes of fighting men in a wild
savage state, many of them nearly naked, and when exercising
entirely naked; nothing was to be heard but the firing of muskets,
the noise, din, and commotion of a savage military camp; some
mourning the death of their friends, others suffering from their
wounds, and not one but whose mind was involved in heathen
darkness without one ray of Divine knowledge. On the other side
was the pleasant sound of the church going bell; the natives
assembling together for divine worship, clean, orderly and
decently dressed, most of them in European clothing; they were
carrying the litany and the greatest part of the church service,
written in their own language, in their hands with their hymns.
The church service, as far as it has been translated, they can
write and read. Their conduct and the general appearance of the
whole settlement reminded me of a well-regulated English country
parish. In the chapel, the natives behaved with the greatest
propriety, and joined in the church service. Here might be viewed
at one glance the blessings of the Christian religion, and the
miseries of heathenism with respect to the present life; but when
we extend one thought over the eternal world how infinite is the
difference!"
These were trying times undoubtedly. The missions had existed fifteen
years, and yet the powers of darkness raged in all the horrors of
cannibal warfare, close to the doors of the missionary premises. On the
following Tuesday morning, Mr. Marsden was aroused from his bed by a
chief calling at his window to tell him that the army was in motion, and
that a battle seemed to be at hand. He arose immediately and was
informed that thirty-six canoes had been counted passing between the
main and the island. He immediately launched the missionary boat and
proceeded to meet them. "When we came up to them we found they had left
their women and children on the island, and that they were all fighting
men, well armed and ready for action in a moment's notice. I counted
more than forty men in one war canoe." Yet amongst these infuriated
savages the missionaries felt no alarm. "We were under no apprehension
of danger; both parties placed the utmost confidence in us, and we were
fully persuaded the commissioners would be cordially received." If the
event had turned out otherwise Mr. Marsden and his friends had notice
given them by the native commissioners, of whom we have spoken, that
they would be seen alive no more. "The three native commissioners
accompanied us in a small canoe which they paddled themselves. They
brought their canoe between our two boats, and in that position we
approached the beach. They told us if they were killed, we must be given
up to their friends as a sacrifice for the loss of their lives." The
missionaries' confidence was not misplaced; "the whole day was spent in
deliberation; at night, after a long oration, the great chief on one
side clove a stick in two to signify that his anger was broken. The
terms of peace were ratified, and both sides joined in a hideous war
dance together; repeatedly firing their muskets. We then took our
departure from these savage scenes with much satisfaction, as we had
attained the object we were labouring for."
Such scenes did not for an instant disturb the firm faith and confidence
of the great missionary leader. Coming from the midst of them he could
sit down in the missionary hut and write as follows:
"The time will come when human sacrifices and cannibalism shall be
annihilated in New Zealand, by the pure, mild and heavenly
influence of the gospel of our blessed Lord and Saviour. The work
is great, but Divine goodness will find both the means and the
instruments to accomplish his own gracious purposes to fallen man.
His word, which is the sword of the Spirit, is able to subdue
these savage people to the obedience of faith. It is the duty of
Christians to use the means, to sow the seed and patiently to wait
for the heavenly dews to cause it to spring up, and afterwards to
look up to God in faith and prayer to send the early and latter
rain."
Even now the "Day-spring from on high" had visited this savage race. In
no part of the world was the sabbath day more sacredly observed than by
the converts in the missionary settlements; their lives gave evidence
that their hearts were changed. Spiritual religion, deep and earnest,
began to show its fruit in some of them; others were at least much
impressed with the importance of eternal things. Mr. Marsden was waited
upon one evening by several native young men and women who wished to
converse on religious subjects; when they came in their anxious
countenances explained the inward working of their minds; their object
was to know what they must do to be saved. He endeavoured to set before
them the love of Jesus in coming from heaven to die for a ruined world,
and mentioned many instances of his love and mercy which he showed to
sinners while on earth. "When I had addressed them at some length," he
adds, "a young native woman begun to pray."
"I never heard any address offered up to heaven with such feelings of
reverence, and piety, so much sweetness and freedom of expression, with
such humility and heavenly mindedness. I could not doubt but that this
young woman prayed with the Spirit, and with the understanding. She
prayed fervently that God would pardon her sins and preserve her from
evil; and for all the natives in the room, that they might all be
preserved from falling into the temptations by which they were
surrounded. Her very soul seemed to be swallowed up with the sense she
had of the evil and danger of sin, and the love of Jesus, who came to
save sinners. Her voice was low, soft and harmonious; her sentences were
short and expressed in the true spirit of prayer. I never expected to
have seen, in my day, any of the natives of this barbarous nation
offering up their supplications for pardon and grace, to the only true
God, with such godly sorrow and true contrition."
Amongst the audience in the room were the aged widow and two daughters
of the great Shunghie. When they rose from their knees the ex-queen
exclaimed, "Astonishing, astonishing!" and then retired; "and I
confess," adds Mrs. Marsden, "I was not less astonished than she was."
The young woman he learned had for some time lived upon the mission
premises, and conducted herself in all respects as a Christian, adorning
the gospel she professed. A few days after we find Mr. Marsden "marrying
an Englishman to a native Christian woman, who repeated the responses
very correctly in English which she well understood; she conducted
herself with the greatest propriety, and appeared neatly dressed in
European clothing of her own making, for she was a good sempstress." Mr.
Marsden considered, he says, this marriage to be of the first
importance; and the New Zealanders appear to have been of the same mind,
and to have done due honour to the occasion: for "the company came in a
war canoe and brought their provisions with them, a pig and plenty of
potatoes." Shortly afterwards, he united a young native man and woman in
marriage, they were both Christians, domestic servants to Mr. Clarke,
one of the missionaries, and seemed to have a great affection for each
other. The young man was free and of a good family; the young woman was
a slave, having become such by capture; for all their prisoners of war
if not massacred were reduced to slavery. Mr. Clarke therefore redeemed
her from her master, for five blankets, an axe, and an iron-pot. A chief
seldom allowed any of his female slaves to marry, always reserving a
number of them as wives for himself. We must therefore suppose that the
price was a very liberal one.
The effects of Christianity were now apparent in some favoured spots,
and Mr. Marsden returned home again full of hope and consolation. He had
witnessed already changes far greater than he had ever hoped to see,
sanguine as he was of ultimate success. So confident was he in the good
feeling of the natives towards himself, that he had taken one of his
daughters with him, and she accompanied him in his visits to the chiefs,
one of whom, known by the title of King George, demanded her in marriage
for his son; "an honour," writes her father, "which I begged permission
to decline." Fearful indeed had been the condition of females hitherto
amongst these savages, as the following extract, with which we conclude
our notice of Mr. Marsden's sixth visit to New Zealand, sufficiently
attests. He is describing the great change which Christianity had
effected among the New Zealanders.
"On one of my former visits to New Zealand, sitting in the room I am at
present in, the natives killed and ate a poor young woman just behind
the house. But what a wonderful change the gospel has wrought! In this
little spot, where so late hellish songs were sung and heathen rites
performed, I now hear the songs of Zion, and the voice of prayer offered
up to the God of heaven. So wonderful is the power of God's word."
He returned home greatly cheered and well qualified "to comfort others
with the comforts wherewith" he himself "was comforted of God." To Mrs.
Good, the widow of his departed friend, he wrote as follows, soon
afterwards:
"Paramatta, August 27, 1833.
"MY DEAR MRS. GOOD,--We received Miss Good's letter, which gave us
much concern to learn that you had met with such severe trials....
How mysterious are the ways of God! We cannot comprehend them now,
but we are assured, that what we know not at present we shall know
hereafter. Our heavenly Father has promised that all things shall
work together for good to them that love God, and the Scriptures
cannot be broken. He willingly suffers none of his children to be
afflicted. In the end we shall find that he hath done all things
well. At present our trials may bear heavy upon us, but St. Paul
tells us they are but for a moment, and eventually will work for
us a far more exceeding weight of eternal glory. Job, when he had
lost all his children and property exclaimed, 'Naked came I out of
my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave and the
Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' We know
Infinite Wisdom cannot err in any of his dispensations towards us,
and he will never leave or forsake them that trust in him. I pray
that the Father of mercies may support you under all your trials
and afflictions. The very remembrance of the pleasure I
experienced in the society of your ever-to-be-revered husband is
very refreshing to my mind. We often speak of you all, and humbly
pray that we may meet again in another and a better world. I am
now almost seventy years old, and I cannot but be thankful, when I
look back and consider how the Lord hath led me all my life long.
I have gone through many dangers by land, by water, amongst the
heathen and amongst my own countrymen, robbers and murderers, by
night and by day; but though I have been robbed, no personal
injury have I ever received, not so much as a bone broken. I have
also had to contend with many wicked and unreasonable men in
power, but the Lord in his providence ordered all for good. Most
of them are now in the silent grave, and I have much peace and
comfort in the discharge of my public duty, and I bless God for
it. I have visited New Zealand six times. The mission prospers
very much; the Lord has blessed the missionaries in their labours,
and made their work to prosper.
"I am happy to say my family are all pretty well.... Mrs. M.
enjoys her health well at her age, so that we have everything to
be thankful for. The colony increases very fast in population; 599
women arrived from Europe a few days ago. Provisions are very
cheap and in great plenty. Our number increases some thousands
every year, so that there is a prospect of this country becoming
great and populous. Your daughter mentions the sheep; she will be
astonished to hear that one million eight hundred thousand pounds
of wool, were exported last year from New South Wales to England,
and we may expect a very great annual increase from the fineness
of the climate, and the extent of pasturage.... Wool will prove
the natural wealth of these colonies and of vast importance to the
mother country also. We are very much in want of pious
ministers.... None but pious men will be of any service in such a
society as ours.... I should wish to go to England again to select
some ministers, if I were not so very old; but this I cannot do,
and therefore I must pray to the great Head of the church, to
provide for those sheep who are without a shepherd.
"May I request you to remember us affectionately to Mrs. Neale and
Dr. Gregory--I pray that you and yours may be supported under
every trial, and that they may be all sanctified to your eternal
good. I remain, dear Mrs. Good,
"Yours affectionately.
"SAMUEL MARSDEN."
In 1835, Mrs. Marsden died. She had long been patiently looking forward
to her great change, and her last end was full of peace. Years had not
abated his love for his "dear partner;" so he always called her when,
after her decease, he had occasion to speak of her. He showed her grave,
in sight of his study window, with touching emotion to his friends, and
felt himself almost released from earth and its attractions when she had
left it. His own increasing infirmities had led him to anticipate that
he should be first removed, and the parsonage house being his only by a
life tenure, he had built a comfortable residence for his widow, which
however, she did not live to occupy. By this bereavement he was himself
led to view the last conflict as near at hand; henceforward it
constantly occupied his mind, and formed at times the chief subject of
his conversation. He sometimes spoke of it amongst his friends with a
degree of calmness, and at the same time with such a deep sense of its
nearness and reality, as to excite their apprehensions as well as their
astonishment. He stood on the verge of eternity and gazed into it with a
tranquil eye, and spoke of what he saw with the composure of one who was
"now ready to be offered, and the time of whose departure was at
hand;"--his last text before he had quitted New Zealand.
Yet he was not at all times equally serene. Returning one day from a
visit to a dying bed, he called at the residence of a brother minister,
the Rev. R. Cartwright, in a state of some dejection. He entered on the
subject of death with feeling, and expressed some fears with regard to
his own salvation. Mr. Cartwright remarked upon the happiness of himself
and his friend as being both so near to their eternal rest, to which Mr.
Marsden seriously replied with emphasis, "But Mr. C----, _if_ I am
there." "If, Mr. Marsden?" rejoined his friend, surprised at the doubt
implied. The aged disciple then brought forward several passages of
Scripture bearing upon the deep responsibility of the ministerial office
coupled with his own unworthiness; "lest I myself should be a castaway;"
"if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;"
remarking on his own sinfulness,--every thing he had done being tainted
with sin,--on his utter uselessness,--and contrasting all this with the
holiness and purity of God. At another time, coming from the factory
after a visit to a dying woman, and deeply impressed with the awfulness
of a dying hour in the case of one who was unprepared to die, he
repeated in a very solemn manner some lines from Blair's once celebrated
poem on the grave--
"In that dread moment how the frantic soul
Raves round the walls of her clay tenement,
Runs to each avenue and shrieks for help,
But shrieks in vain. How wistfully she looks
On all she is leaving; now no longer hers.
A little longer, yet a little longer. Oh! might she stay
To wash away her crimes, and fit her for her passage."
He then spoke on the plan of salvation and the grace offered by the
gospel with great feeling.
The holiness and purity of God appeared at times to overwhelm his soul;
contrasting it, as he did, with his own sinfulness, and viewing it in
connexion with the fact that he must soon stand before his awful
presence. Yet he speedily recovered his habitual peace, recalling the
blessed truth that "there is now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus." He was still on the whole a most cheerful Christian,
joying and rejoicing in the hope of a blessed immortality. And as he
drew near his journey's end his prospects were still brighter and his
peace increased.