The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and WomenMarvin, Frederic Rowland
History
The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and Women
Marvin, Frederic Rowland
Last words
NEWTON (John, English divine. His early life was that of a profligate
sailor engaged in the African slave-trade. After his conversion he
became the friend of the poet Cowper, and with him wrote the "Olney
Hymns"). 1725-1807. "_I am satisfied with the Lord's will._" Last
recorded words.
NEWTON (Richard, an English divine, founder of Hertford College,
Oxford), 1676-1753. "_Christ Jesus the Saviour of sinners and life of
the dead. I am going, going to Glory! Farewell sin! Farewell death!
Praise the Lord!_"
NOTT (Eliphalet, American clergyman, President of Union College,
Schenectady, N. Y., for more than sixty years), 1773-1866. "_One word,
one word--Jesus Christ!_"
NOURSE (Rebecca, a good and brave woman who, in the old Puritan-days,
suffered as a witch at Salem, Mass.), 1621-1692. Her last words are not
preserved, but it is recorded that just before her death she declared
her innocence and appealed to the judgment of Almighty God. The story of
her death forms one of the saddest of the many distressing chapters in
the history of early New England.
Mrs. Nourse was a very devout woman, and probably the hardest blow of
all was the action of the First Congregational Church, of which she was
a member. The records still preserved read as follows:
"After Sacrament the elders propounded to the church, and it was by
unanimous vote consented to, that our Sister Nourse, being a convicted
witch, and condemned to die, be excommunicated, which was accordingly
done in the afternoon, she being present."
The scene presented on this occasion must have been as impressive at
the time, as it is shocking to us in the retrospect. The spacious
meeting-house was filled with people. The sheriff, accompanied by his
deputy brought in the prisoner, manacled, with the chains clanking from
her side. The two elders, Higginson and Noyes, as the clergy were then
called, delivered an address over the sorrow-burdened form condemning
her to eternal punishment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account