Mrs. Whittelsey's Magazine for Mothers and Daughters, Volume 3Various
Religion
Mrs. Whittelsey's Magazine for Mothers and Daughters, Volume 3
Various
Christian life -- Periodicals
instrumental, under the divine blessing, in leading him to the decision
of giving himself to the Savior by the profession of his faith. The
Sabbath, January 11, on the morning of which Joseph died, was indeed a
memorable and impressive one in many of its associations. De Witt had
just made profession of his faith, and was admitted into the communion
of the Presbyterian Church in Canal street, of which the Rev. Mr.
Carpenter is pastor, and was carried into the church to unite with God's
people in celebrating the Lord's supper, and it was just at the
expiration of the two months of special prayer by his uncle in India.
When his mother, this morning, announced to him the death of his
brother, he just exclaimed, with much emotion, "Is Joseph dead? Then I
have no brother." He left the room for a moment and returned, saying,
"Mother, we have no cause to mourn. Joseph is only gone to the new
Jerusalem, where dear father was waiting to receive him," and then
calmly prepared himself for the sacramental service in the church before
him. The writer of this had an interview with him the following morning
(Monday). Everything conspired to render the scene impressive. As I saw
the remains of Joseph, I observed in the appearance of De Witt the
indications of approaching death, and heard the account of his
attendance at the Lord's table on the preceding day. After conversation,
he asked me to pray that it would please God to spare his life that he
might be a support and comfort to his mother, and be permitted to labor
for Christ. I replied that such desires were in themselves worthy, but
that I strongly felt it would be with him as with David in whose heart
was the desire to build the house of God. God accepted the desire, but
denied him the work, and assigned it to another. I told him that I must
affectionately tell him that every indication denoted that the Savior
was preparing him shortly to enter upon his service in heaven, and that
he would soon join his brother, whose mortal remains were then waiting
for the tomb. He received this without agitation, and calmly replied
that he then wished me to pray that it would please God to impart and
preserve to him the light of his countenance, and his divine peace, and
enable him to glorify Him during the little portion of time which might
still be allotted to him on earth. His mother states she does not
remember after this to have heard him say much about living, and that
only as connected with the service of his Savior. His mind, which had
been opening to the light and peace of the Gospel, became more and more
established in the faith of Christ, and enriched with the comforts of
the Spirit. While his body was fast wasting, his soul as rapidly grew
strong. There has rarely been a more striking growth in grace, calm and
substantial, free from all vain excitements and feverish heats. Many
interesting incidents connected with the spirit he displayed, and the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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