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
HENRY (Philip, English dissenting clergyman. He was the father of
Matthew Henry, the eminent English divine and commentator), 1631-1696.
"_O death, where is thy--_" Here his speech failed, and in a few moments
he breathed his last.
HENRY (Matthew, commentator on the Bible), 1662-1714. "_A life spent in
the service of God, and communion with Him, is the most comfortable and
pleasant life that any one can live in this present world._"
He was twenty-five years pastor of a church at Chester, and during that
time went through the Bible three times in the course of expository
lectures. "At the commencement of his ministry he began with the first
chapter of Genesis in the forenoon, and the first chapter of Matthew in
the afternoon. Thus gradually and steadily grew his 'Exposition' of the
Bible. A large portion of it consists of his public lectures, while many
of the quaint sayings and pithy remarks with which it abounds, and which
give so great a charm of raciness to its pages, were the familiar
extempore observations of his father at family worship, and noted down
by Matthew in his boyhood."
HERBERT (George, author of some of the finest sacred lyrics in the
English language), 1593-1632. "_I am now ready to die. Lord, forsake me
not, now my strength faileth me; but grant me mercy for the merits of
my Jesus. And now Lord--Lord, now receive my soul._"
With these words he breathed forth his divine soul, without any apparent
disturbance, Mr. Woodnot and Mr. Bostock attending his last breath, and
closing his eyes.
Thus he lived, and thus he died like a saint, unspotted of the world,
full of alms-deeds, full of humility, and all the examples of a virtuous
life; which I cannot conclude better, than with this borrowed
observation:
All must to their cold graves;
But the religious actions of the just
Smell sweet in death, and blossom in the dust.
_Izaak Walton._
HERDER (Johann Gottfried von, court-preacher at Weimar, and one of the
most brilliant and delightful of German authors), 1744-1803. He died
writing an "Ode to the Deity;" his pen had just reached the last line.
His last spoken words were "_Refresh me with a great thought._"
HERVEY (James, English divine, author of the once popular book,
"Meditations Among the Tombs"), 1713-1758. "_Precious salvation!_"
Leaning his head against the side of the easy-chair, without a sigh, or
groan, or struggle, he shut his eyes and died.
HEYLIN (Peter, author of "Life of Bishop Laud" and "Defence of the
Church of England"), 1600-1662. "_I go to my God and Saviour._"
HILL (Rev. Rowland, a popular, pious, but eccentric preacher),
1745-1833. "_Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us unto God._"
HOBBES (Thomas, philosopher and translator), 1588-1679. "_Now am I about
to take my last voyage--a great leap in the dark._"
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