Early on the morning of Wednesday the 20th, he was though? by his friends to be dying; and while they were assembled round his bed, with anxious looks and throbbing breasts, waiting his departure to a world of spirits, our dying friend looked round upon them, and perceiving them weeping, he asked his mother, "What is the matter-do you think I am going to leave you all?" His father replied, "I think you are." His mother then asked him if his confidence in God remained unshaken. He replied, "O yes! But I want a brighter evidence of my acceptance, the witness of perfect love, that I may leave a living testimony that I have gone to glory." Then clasping his hands together, he prayed a few moments with uncommon energy and earnestness, exerting therein apparently, all the powers of his soul; entreating the Lord to deliver him from all doubt concerning his salvation, that he might see his way clearly and have a bright evidence of his acceptance, and be filled with that love that casteth out fear; appealing to God most devoutly for the sincerity with which he had endeavoured to serve Him, and earnestly besought Him for Jesus' sake to save him now in the hour of his extremity, and prepare him for the mansions of glory. He now addressed himself to his weeping friends who were around him, requesting them all to pray that he "might have a clear witness of perfect love, and a bright prospect of glory, so that he might rejoice in the God of his salvation." Brother Quinn (the stationed preacher) entered the room at this moment. Our dying young brother looked wishfully at him and attempted to speak, but his cough coming on prevented him. His mother informed brother Quinn of the request he had just made that they should all pray for him. Brother Quinn then said to him, "My dear brother, do you not believe and feel that God loves you, and that you love Him?" He replied, "O yes! O ves!"Brother Quinn continued, "are you not resigned to His blessed will" He said, "I think I am." Brother Quinn was about to speak again, when our young friend, at this moment experienced an extraordinary manifestation of God's presence and love. When, as if filled with new life and vigour, while joy sparkled in his countenance, he raised his hands. clapped them together, and with a holy triumph and in rapturous strain, cried out, "Oh! Bless the Lord,-He is come!-He is come!-He is come!-Glory!-Glory to my blessed Jesus! The enemy is gone! Glory to God-I am going to see my Blessed Emmanuel!" He continued in this strain, shouting aloud the praises of God for several minutes, with a strength of voice which surprised all who heard him. Several of his friends and neighbours being now present, he addressed most of them individually, but briefly; expressing his glorious prospect of future blessedness, and encou raging them to meet him in heaven. When he had paused a moment, "now," said he, "I wish you all to join in prayer, that the enemy may not be suffered to as 66 sault or tempt me any more." On which they all kneeled down and united in prayer, brother Quinn addressing the Throne of Grace on the occasion. And truly God was present to hear. The Divine power was felt by all. The room was filled with His glorious presence, and seemed none other but the house of God-the gate of heaven;" which was now opening-to let this heir of glory in! Every one present wept; but it was with tears of joy. Sorrow and sighing seemed to have fled away, and joy and gladness obtained in their place. This resembled, not so much "The pains, the groans, the dying strife" of a death bed scene, as a complete deliverance from them all. We seemed called upon to witness, not so much the death of our friend, as his triumphant entrance into "Eternal life!" And every one present realized that "The chamber where the good man meets his fate, Is privileg'd beyond the common walk Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of Heav'n." All who entered the room, instantly felt as if they were in the presence chamber of the Most High, and upon the confines of glory! Our dying brother now took his parents by the hand, and bade them a most affecting farewell; thanking them in a very feeling manner for the tender affection and kind attention which they had shewn him all his life, and especially during his protracted illness; and prayed God to reward them abundantly therefor. He then called to him his brothers and sisters, one by one, and bade them farewell in like manner, recommending them to God's grace, and exhorting them to meet him in heaven. To his brother William (aged about fourteen years) he said, when bidding him farewell:"William, you are old enough to seek religion; oh, put it off no longer, but "remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." To his brother-in-law he said,-"O brother Ferree, I am going to our sweet Emmanuel. We have served God to gether here; and I hope we shall praise him together in heaven for ever." He spoke in like manner, to several other persons who were present, while joy shone in his countenance, evincing the triumphant feelings of his soul. After a pause of a few minutes, during which he seemed as if waiting for the welcome messenger, to bear him to the haven of eternal rest; he looked joyfully around upon the company, most of whom were much affected with this solemn, joyful scene, and said, "now compose yourselves and sing, 'On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,'" &c. which was done with full hearts and weeping eyes; while our dying brother looked toward heaven, as though he said, "Now Lord lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen (and my heart hath felt) thy salvation." After the hymn was sung, he lay calm and composed, appearing somewhat exhausted by speaking so much. He spoke to all who came into the room, giving them his hand, with some short sentence, such as-" My strength is nearly exhausted."-" Bless the Lord, I am going to see Jesus." Sister M'Dowell coming into the room, and supposing him too far gone to be able to speak, said to him, "My dear brother, if Christ is now precious to your soul, raise your hand." He replied, "O I can speak yet ;-Bless the Lord-He is precious-very precious!"" Then," said she, "you would rather depart and be with Christ, which is far better." He replied emphatically,-"O YES!-Far better." He lay very easy and without any pain, until about I'l o'clock, at which time he wished to be placed in an arm chair, which was done; but becoming very weak and faint, he was soon laid in bed again. Brother G. W, while fixing him in bed, asked him if he wished to be placed in any more easy position, he replied, "I lie very comfortable." These were the last words which he spoke. A few moments afterwards he began to breathe a little hard; and in about five minutes, like one going asleep, without any apparent pain, and without a struggle or a groan, his happy spirit took its flight to the paradise of God, February 20th, 1822, in the twentyfirst year of his age. So tranquil and easy were the expiring moments of our deceased friend, that his countenance, after the spirit had fled, had lost but little of that expression of triumphant joy which had so strongly marked it during the last few hours of his life. And while with mingled emotions of grief and of solemn delight, I surveyed the pleasing countenance, I could not but reflect with the poet, "Ah! lovely appearance of death, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." On the following day the mortal remains of our friend were carried to the Methodist meeting-house, where an excellent and appropriate funeral discourse was delivered on the occasion, by the Rev. James Quinn, from 1 Cor. xv. 56, 57, to a large, attentive and weeping assembly; after which the body was conveyed to the silent tomb, followed by a long procession of friends and acquaintances. It may be proper to add a few remarks concerning some of the most prominent traits in the character of this excellent and holy young man. His faith was strong and steadfast-that genuine faith of the gospel, "which works by love," and purifies the heart. In him this great spring of Christian action being strong, his whole motion was strong, uniform and vigorous. To this may be attributed that unusual Christian courage and fortitude which he possessed; and which probably saved him from many of those temptations to apostacy, which others, less decided, frequently become a prey to. I remember to have heard him observe once in class-meeting, when other young men had spoken of their discouragements, their temptations, &c. "I thank God, that I have few or none of those discouragements which my brethren speak of. When I embraced religion, I formed (though with much fear and trembling) the unalterable determination, that having put my hand to the plow,' I never would look back.' The devil never thinks worth while to tempt me to backslide." But it was in prayer that his strength of faith was more particularly discernible. Here it was that his humble confidence, his holy boldness, his fervency of spirit, afforded a fine practical comment on these words of our Saviour; "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." His zeal prompted him to take an active part in promoting the work of God by every means in his power. He took all opportunities of recommending religion to his youthful acquaintances, by the most forcible arguments, drawn from its necessity and excellency. He was especially zealous in stirring up and encouraging his young companions in the heavenly race, to diligence, to faithfulness and perseverance; setting them an example himself worthy of imitation,-a "pattern of good works"-" steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." In depth of piety, in personal holiness, and in fervency of devotion, I have never seen his equal at his age. I have had much opportunity of observing and admiring his character in these respects; and have often felt deeply sensible of my own inferiority in his presence. In the winter of 1820-21, I requested him, for the sake of his company (as I was alone) to lodge with me a few weeks, which he did. During this time, as had been his constant practice before, he arose every morning some time before daylight, and spent often near an hour in private devotion, while he supposed that no ear but that of the Almighty heard him. I have often on these occasions been deeply affected in witnessing with what earnestness and fervency, with what holy ardour and importunity, his devotions were performed; while he seemed as if he felt himself in the presence chamber of the Most High, and with his hand upon the mercy-seat, holding converse with his God as with a familiar friend. He was in the constant practice of devoting a part of his time daily, to reading the word of God, to meditation and prayer, and in cultivating a devotional spirit. Hence his rapid growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God. His humility and meekness were traits in his character, not less deserving of notice than those already enumerated. And that he possessed the genuine spirit thereof, his whole deportment, his daily walk and conversation, might be cited as proof. His patience in affliction, and cheerful submission to the dispensation of Divine Providence in afflicting him, are worthy of being particularly noted. During his long and painful illness, he was never heard once to murmur or complain. He sustained his affliction with truly Christian fortitude; and so far from manifesting any impatience or fretfulness, that his patience, his meekness, and his sweetness of disposition, never once forsook him for a moment. The tenderness of his parents and sisters in ministering to his wants and his comfort affected him much. He received with thankfulness every act of kindness and attention, while, often, the tear of gratitude and of affection would glisten in his eye, accompanied by a prayer that God would bless and reward them therefor, and comfort and support them when he should be no more. He observed to me once with much emotion, when I had called to see him, that "he did not know until since he was afflicted, how much his parents loved him." It was his delight to converse on subjects of experimental and practical religion, especially with those by whose knowledge, experience and piety, he expected to be profited. And often has he on such occasions, enjoyed, in the best sense, "The feast of reason and the flow of soul." His character may be summed up in a few words. From the commencement of his Christian course till his death, he uniformly adorned his profession by a godly walk and chaste conversation; upright and exemplary in his conduct, meek and humble in his deportment, amiable and gentle in disposition; "sober minded; in all things shewing himself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be reproved." Therefore his "light so shone before men, that they seeing his good works," were constrained "to glorify God." In confirmation of the character here drawn of the subject of this memoir, I will add the following extracts of letters received since his death, which will shew the high opinion which was entertained of him by the writers thereof; all of whom are eminent ministers in the Methodist travelling connexion. Extract of a letter from the Rev. Alexander Cummins, Presiding Elder of the Kentucky District, to the Rev. James Quinn, dated, "Cincinnati, Feb 29, 1822. "I have just received from brother J. Collins, the painful intelligence of the death of our brother John Inglish, junr. As I understand that it is expected a memoir of his life will be prepared by brother W- I send you the following: |