The next morning, being sensible that she was dying, she sent for me early. I hastened to be with her, and found her almost ready to be gone. She brightened up as she heard my voice, and again, as she was wont to do, met me with a pleasant smile. "Come," said she, "and don't leave me again." I promised to tarry as long as she should stay with us, and with her dying hand clasped in mine, I sat by her side. She immediately inquired for the Bible, which was procured and brought to her. She seemed rejoiced, opened her eyes, looked upon it, and then calling her husband to her bed-side, she raised her hand, which was already cold with death, and presented the Bible to him, saying, "Take this, and remember when it was that I gave it to you,-that it is your wife's dying gift. Be particular to read it as oft as you can, and in your last moments, I hope it will afford you as much comfort as it has afforded me."

By her request, I then read a portion of Scripture to her, which she wished to have me mark to be read at her funeral, that her friends might know of her confidence in God, and his mercy towards her. It was the 30th Psalm, and the first five verses of the 31st. She then wished to know if her pulse had any motion, and being informed that we could perceive none, she smilingly said, "I thought so." She then said to me, "Give my love to your husband, and tell him that I died happy, and a strong Universalist ; and I want him to tell the congregation so." After a moment, she told us she was going, for she could not see us, but she could see her heavenly Father, and her Savior with open arms to receive her, and she was ready to go. She requested us not to weep, but rejoice and she fell asleep.

'I have seen the righteous die, but never did I witness a more complete triumph over death, than I beheld in this dying saint. In fact, it was not dying, but a living on, and entering into a more perfect and happy state of being.'1

I Christian Freeman, Waltham, Ms.

MRS. LAURA K. HAYDEN, of Ludlow, Ms., died Dec. 8, 1839. About twelve weeks before her death, she was bereaved of a lovely daughter aged about sixteen months. The parting was deeply afflicting; and led the mother to think on the consolations of that hope which assures of universal happiness hereafter. An interesting account of her conversion and death is here given by a clergyman, (Rev. J. H. Willis,) who was an intimate acquaintance of the family.

'Her mind, which had always inclined quite strongly to the sentiments of the Baptists, became much affected, and softened by this affliction, and in this state of sorrow and grief, she felt more than ever the need of just such consolation as Universalism alone can afford.

'She thought more favorably of this benevolent doctrine, and felt a warmer desire that it might be true. She prayed to God that he would enlighten her mind, and unveil to her understanding the truth as it is in Jesus. Her prayer has been answered. She commenced reading the Bible with a new interest. O! how precious is the gospel of Christ to the bereaved heart. How full of joy and peace is its holy light, amidst the darkness and ravages of death. It is then of all books in the world the most prized, and its instructions are then the most valued and sought for.

The scriptures were unsealed-the Bible appeared a new revelation to her—a new light seemed to illuminate its sacred page. A new joy filled her inmost soul-she saw the world beloved of God, gathered to his eternal embrace; and with such views could she be otherwise than happy? She was fitting her mind for a new trial. She was arming her soul with a strength to overcome the terrors of the grave. And well was she prepared. About two weeks ago she was attacked with a severe lung fever, which terminated in death last Sabbath morning. On Wednesday evening previous, a severe pain which

had attended her sickness suddenly removed, and she became very calm. Her countenance seemed unusually serene. She said to her husband and sister standing near her, "I feel a change come over my body and mind. I think I have but a short time to stay with you, and I have many things I want to say to you. I feel exceedingly happy-my mind is perfectly at rest-this room seems brightened with a light, more beautiful than any thing I ever before saw it seems as if an angel has been with me, whispering peace to my mind. I now experience the hallowed joys of pure religious faith. Every thing looks bright and glorious before me-I am not afraid to die, now. Death hath no longer terrors for me. I feel a sweet conviction that I shall soon go in spirit to meet our dear Henrietta. O! the bliss of that time when we shall all meet in that bright heaven of eternal love and peace; to be parted from each other no more forever!'

'After talking on in this strain of enraptured joy for an hour, she turned to her husband, and said with a calm, yet emphatic voice, "If I die this night, tell all my dear friends that I die a sincere believer in the blessed doctrine of Universalism; and it makes me happy, happy indeed! O! how mistaken are those who say that this doctrine will not give peace in death. I feel that nothing but a full belief in this, can make a happy death. It will do to live by, (nothing truer than this, as all confess,) and I feel that it is good to die by." What can give a fuller joy? What hold up to view a fairer, brighter prospect to the weary spirit beyond the grave? Nothing truly. The next morning she repeated the same to her husband, and in the fullness of the faith, she took a tender leave of her dear family, aged 27 years. She lamented that some who profess the ennobling faith, should be so cold in heart, so far from God and duty.'

,

MR. JAMES DOWNING of South Boston, Ms., died January 5, 1840, aged 43. Rev. B. Whit

1 Trumpet, Vol. 12, No. 27.

temore has furnished the following particulars in relation to his death.

'Br. Downing belonged to the Freewill Baptist connection. He was baptized and joined that denomination several years ago. He never expressed a belief in Universalism until a short time before his death, and the hopes of his recovery had vanished. The last day and night he spent mostly in devout prayer, singing, giving advice to and taking leave of his family. Although his bodily sufferings were great, in mind he was perfectly resigned and happy. He repeated several times during the last day, the sentiment, "The Lord will save us all, with an everlasting salvation." In taking leave of one of his neighbors who was not a Universalist, he said,-" God bless you; he will save us all with an everlasting salvation." When any thing was done by those around him to alleviate his sufferings, he would express the overflowings of his rejoicing soul, by saying, "God bless you." By invitation, the writer of this called to see him but a short time before his death, and found him in the happy frame of mind before described; his conversation was truly refreshing. He expressed unbounded confidence in the goodness of God, and resignation to his holy will. To the prayer which the writer offered, he responded "Amen." One of the verses which he sung, was the following:

"When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise,

Than when we first begun."

He continued his devotional exercises till a few moments before his death, when he concluded a prayer by saying, "Lord Jesus, come quickly." "There, (said he) I am done praying." He then began to count, and counted up to ninety, and then yielded up his spirit to his Maker. Though his disorder was of a very distressing nature, yet such was his resignation, faith, hope, and joy, that the gloom of death seemed to be dispelled from the apartment

where he laid, and to convert that apartment into the very gate of heaven.'

MRS. ELIZABETH EATON, of Malden, Ms., died Feb. 18, 1840. Mrs. E. had lived a practical believer in the gospel of universal grace. She was not only a fond, faithful mother, companion and friend, but a devout Christian. She believed with the heart unto righteousness.' In accordance with the principles of her holy faith, she confined her Christian sympathies to no sect, but always delighted to hold communion with the Christian heart, whereever that heart might be found; believing with the apostle, that whoso loveth, is born of God and knoweth God.' As she lived on earth, so she departed from it—in the joys of the true Christian faith. In all her bodily weakness, of which she had no small share, she was sustained by the food of the Spirit, the bread of God that cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world.' She realized the all-sufficiency of the unsearchable riches of Christ.' She had often prayed that her faith and hope might be as strong in death as in life; and her prayer was answered. No victory could be more complete. The tyrant had no power-no terror. She smiled at his attacks on her frail tabernacle, and exulted over him in view of that eternal refuge from his alarms,—the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.' In the last stages of her sickness, she was truly a comforter to those around her. She desired to depart; and frequently expressed her anxiety lest she should linger for days in her feeble state. 'I fear,' said she to her children, that these refreshments I take will keep me here too long. I desire to go home to our Father.' During an interview which I had with her a few days previous to her death, she said, 'I am anxious to go. I am happy in believing that God will take care of his children.' She repeated a few lines of that beautiful hymn, ‘I would not live alway'—and then said to me, Brother