During the night, his two medical friends sat up with him by turns: he revived a good deal about midnight, and entered into an interesting conversation with one of them on various religious topics, which lasted near an hour and a half. On every subject he was as clear as in the time of his health. Once or twice his friend checked him, fearing he was talking with too much animation, and begged him not to exert himself. On this being repeated, he turned round with a smile, and said, "Why what harm will it do me? will it make me live longer?" Soon after the morning dawned, he was raised, and placed in his easy chair. He then appeared much more sunk than in the night, and two or three times called for the looking-glass, to see whether he had the impress of death on his countenance. He would have several friends breakfast in his room, with whom he conversed cheerfully concerning his approaching dissolution; when the subject of weeping being mentioned, one remarked, that a minister had lately specified on what occasions Christians might be allowed to weep: "Yes," said Mr. Vernon, "but I must be excused now, I cannot weep." Being informed that some of his friends were below, (Miss M's.) and asked whether he would see them, he turned to his doctor, who told him, that really his conversation was so desired by his friends, and might be so useful, that he was willing to spend him for the good of others. He smiled, and they were admitted, as several others were in the course of the day. As one friend entered the room, he said, "They have a little disappointed me they gave me hopes that I should not have seen this day light." He asked another, if she had ever seen any one die? and added, "This is not much like dying! The Lord has dealt very graciously with me. ." One remarking, that not all true Christians were so favoured: he replied, "It is very different from what I expected. I expected it would have been a dark passage, but it is all light: I am passing through the valley, but Christ is with me." Again he said, "I expected, at this hour, my sins might have risen up against me, or the enemy have been let loose upon me, but it is all light, not one cloud. I have peace. It is all of grace, free grace." He then inquired if any signs of death were perceptible? and being told that some change had taken place, he said that was encouraging. He then spoke of the state on which he was about to enter, and said, "It will be all one song there. With joy they sink to nothing there, before the Eternal All." Taking leave of one of his flock, he said, "Farewell: Count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." After this, at a time when he hoped, and his attendants feared, that the hour of his departure was near, he said to a young friend, "Oh! It is pleasant dying; Christ being present with me, the bitterness of death is "O glorious hour! O blest abode ! Lord's-day, February 16th, the little he was able to say indicated that he continued to be kept in perfect peace. The doctor found him more sunk than he had seen him before, unable to articulate sufficiently to be heard, unless the ear were placed over his mouth. On his leaving him, Mr. Vernon once more asked his opinion of the possibility of his becoming materially better; who replied, that to all human appearance that was impossible, he did not expect to see him again. In the evening, he said in broken accents to one who told him his end was near, "Now while I hear my heart strings break How soft my miuutes roll, A mortal paleness on my cheek, But glory in my soul." He said to his sister, who had come to London to see him, " I have a blissful prospect before me: I long to realize it." At another time, "O what a scene! what a scene! I shall be with Jesus! and I shall be like him! I am fallen into the hands of him who is the way, the truth, and the life. All joy, all one song, for ever," To the surprise of every one, the flame of life still lingered in the socket. Tuesday, the 18th, a relation asked him the state of his mind; he answered," Quite happy." A friend said, "I hope resigned to live or die?" He answered, "Not quite resigned to live." Wednesday, the 19th, his physician saw him for the last time; his countenance wore more strongly than ever the character of death, but it was still illumined by the same heavenly smile; and he grasped his hand with the same warmth of affection. Thursday, the 20th, the night preceding his departure, he was restless, and rather wandering, (through the influence of an opiate,) but still knew those around him, and at intervals his conversation was beautiful. Whilst rather delirious, he appeared to be addressing his little child. "Walk," said he," in the light of God's countenance." Mrs. Vernon answered, "That would be delightful: I wish I could do so." He answered, "Grace will enable you." He then added, “ Avoid even the appearance of evil: the atmosphere of it is corrupting." One hinted to him, that he had but a few hours to live; when he said, "Is it really so? You have disappointed me so often." She answered, "It never appeared so likely before." "Oh!' said he, "that is animating!" He often said, "O that the bappy hour were come!" About three hours before his death, he was overheard to say, "I have fought the good fight I have fought the good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to them also who love his appearing. I long to depart, and be with" his voice failed. He afterwards said, "Oh! what a sun shall I see to morrow-the glorious Sun of Righteousness!" When the last moment arrived, he was perfectly aware of his situation, and rejoiced in the hope of the glory of God. A little before his departure, it was observed, that he could not expectorate. Something was given him to drink, which meeting with the phlegm in his throat, occasioned a little struggle. He was laid again on the pillow, apparently fetching his last breath; when suddenly, in a strong voice, widely extending his arms, and lifting up his dim eyes, as if he had a view of glory, he exclaimed "There! there! Lord Jesus come," As he said this with a surprising smile on the countenance, his eyes closed, and without one parting struggle he entered the joy of his Lord. |