“Monday morning he was greatly weakened, having had little rest all night from the severity of the hiccup.  At ten o’clock the physicians again attended; but I could easily perceive they had but small hopes.  My doctor asked Dr. Warner if he thought it would be long before he would be at rest, who said his pulse was still strong.  He said, ’It is a hard thing to die!” Mrs. Brannan came to spend the day with us, one of the Methodist society, and Mr. McNab, whom my doctor desired to pray with him, which he did.  All this day he said little, but still continued in inward prayer, as was visible by the motions of his hands and eyes; he had many agonizing struggles, and often exclaimed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’  ’Blessed Jesus, come and receive me to thyself—­come—­come—­blessed Jesus, come!’ Once, after a long struggle, he exclaimed, ’Release me, O release me, and let me fly to the bosom of my Father!’ All this time I never parted from his bedside but a few minutes to give my soul a freer vent at the throne of grace.  I never prayed for life, but that he might be washed, sanctified, and have all God’s salvation completed in his soul, and be received into the arms of his mercy.  I also had been, and still was, very importunate that God would give me some token, some assurance that he would save his soul, and give him an abundant entrance into the kingdom of his glory; and, by all that I had heard, seen, and felt, I was now satisfied that the most merciful God had sealed his pardon for Jesus’ sake; and I found myself ready, dearly as I loved him, to resign him into the hands of divine mercy; but still I breathed after some further manifestation.

“In the evening Dr. Galloway, an old acquaintance, arrived from the island of Dominico, and hearing of his friend’s illness, came immediately to visit him.  When my doctor heard his voice only whisper how he was, he said, ‘I hear Galloway’s voice,’ and stretched out his hand; so fully had he his senses to the last.  Upon their feeling his pulse, he asked if they thought he would be long in dying.  Dr. Eird replied, ’You must not talk of dying, but of living; you are stronger than when I was here this morning, and I have seen many worse recover.  Do, do be advised, take your medicine, and try for life.’  These words brought a gleam of hope to my despairing soul, and what had been denied me for twenty-four hours, a flood of tears, and I was greatly relieved.  I went out to the gallery and gave a free vent to my bursting heart.  I now also begged the Lord for his life, and said in my heart, should he now be restored, how doubly blessed would he be, healed in soul and body.  I returned to his bedside and thus addressed my beloved:  ’My dearest life, the doctors still have hopes, and we know nothing is impossible with God.  Who knows what further service he may have for you in this world; or whether he may not give you to my prayers, and restore you to your Bell and family?  God works by means; O be persuaded to take every thing prescribed, and pray to God for the blessing; devote your future life to his service, and, for poor Bell’s sake, offer up a petition for life.’  He did not interrupt me, but answered, ’Disengage yourself, Bell, disengage yourself from me.  I want to lift up my soul to God, and bless him for Jesus Christ.’