Several of his friends called, and he noticed them all distinctly.  He addressed two of his fellow-students in the University in an affectionate appeal to what he supposed their spiritual condition.  In a conversation with Rev. Mr. C., he said that if God had been pleased to spare his life, he should have felt himself consecrated to the ministry and missionary service; and expressed the calm assurance of his faith.  Prayer was offered that he might spend one more precious Sabbath on earth.  The night passed, and the Sabbath came.  My child exclaimed, soon after waking, ’Precious Sabbath,’ and his eyes beamed with hallowed feeling.  I said, ’Dear son, can you truly say this morning that you feel the peace of God which passeth understanding?’ He raised his eyes and replied, most impressively, ‘Oh, yes.’  He said with delight, ’Mother, O think that Joseph is now by the river of the water of life.’  He said also to me, ‘Mother, you will not weep for me?’ I replied, ’If I do joy will mingle with my tears.’  He continued, ’I shall be nearer to you in Heaven than in India’ (alluding to his purpose, if his life should be spared, to be a missionary in India).  I asked him what message I should send to his Uncle Scudder.  He said, ’Tell him I think my heart was in the right place when his letter reached me, or I know not what I should have done.’  Two friends came in.  De Witt said, ’I thought I should have spent part of this day around the throne in heaven.’  And one (a pious young college companion) said to the other, ‘If this be dying, I envy him.’  After service in the afternoon, Rev. Mr. Carpenter came in with two of his elders, and three other Christian friends were present.  Singing was proposed; De Witt was delighted with the thought of it, and selected the hymns. ‘Come, thou fount of every blessing,’ was sung first.  My child could not join with his voice, but stretched out his arm, and with his arm, having the forefinger extended, beat the time.  It was a touching, solemn scene; the singing filled the room, and seemed to go up to Heaven.  After we had ended the second hymn, ’Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings,’ he exclaimed, ‘I thought I was almost in heaven.’  On Sabbath night, about ten o’clock, he inquired of a friend, ’whether she did not think he would soon die?’ I went to him and asked him if he felt any change that induced him to ask the question.  He replied, ’Everything seems to fail.’  I then talked to him about the Savior being with him when he passed through the dark valley, and added, ’Dear son, I will give you up to the Lord.’  Directly he said, ’I am now ready any moment to say, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’  He afterward repeated ’Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Of whom shall I be afraid?  It is better to die than live.’  A little before six o’clock he looked intensely upon me.  I asked what he wished to give me?—­his farewell kiss, which he repeated several times.  He then again gave me