and then said, “Ministers should go forth at all times.” 3. The fruit—­“Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing.”  Mr. Miller pointed to the certainty of it; Mr. M’Cheyne assented, “Yes—­doubtless.”  After praying with him, Mr. Miller repeated Matt. 11:28, upon which Mr. M’Cheyne clasped his hands with great earnestness.  As he became worse, his medical attendants forbade him to be visited.  Once or twice he asked for me, and was heard to speak of “Smyrna” as if the associations of his illness there were recalled by his burning fever now.  I was not at that time aware of his danger, even the rumor of it had not reached us.

Next day, he continued sunk in body and mind, till about the time when his people met for their usual evening prayer-meeting, when he requested to be left alone for half an hour.  When his servant entered the room again, he exclaimed, with a joyful voice.  “My soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and I am escaped.”  His countenance, as he said this, bespoke inward peace.  Ever after he was observed to be happy; and at supper-time that evening, when taking a little refreshment, he gave thanks, “For strength in the time of weakness—­for light in the time of darkness—­for joy in the time of sorrow—­for comforting us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those that are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

On Sabbath, when one expressed a wish that he had been able to go forth as usual to preach, he replied, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord;” and added, “I am preaching the sermon that God would have me to do.”

On Tuesday (the 21st) his sister repeated to him several hymns.  The last words he heard, and the last he seemed to understand, were those of Cowper’s hymn, Sometimes the light surprises the Christian as he sings.  And then the delirium came on.

At one time, during the delirium, he said to his attendant, “Mind the text, I Cor. 15:58—­’Be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,’” dwelling with much emphasis on the last clause, “forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  At another time he seemed to feel himself among his brethren, and said, “I don’t think much of policy in church courts; no, I hate it; but I’ll tell you what I like, faithfulness to God, and a holy walk.”  His voice, which had been weak before, became very strong now; and often was he heard speaking to or praying for his people.  “You must be awakened in time, or you will be awakened in everlasting torment, to your eternal confusion.”  “You may soon get me away, but that will not save your souls.”  Then he prayed, “This parish, Lord, this people, this whole place!” At another time, “Do it thyself, Lord, for thy weak servant.”  And again, as if praying for the saints, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom Thou hast given me.”