The Christian Index.
Mrs. A. P. Hill--Dear Friend : Unfolding my Index to-day, I found a little
Extra in regard to your life of Dr. Dawson. I congratulate you upon having
finished this "labor of love," and hope it may be useful, not only in
perpetuating the memory of your noble, gifted brother, but also prove an
instrument of accomplishing much good in the cause to which he devoted his last
energies. The life of the minister who baptized me, written by the sister who
taught me in Sabbath school, is a book which I shall highly prize. I am sure I
shall find much pleasure in its perusal.
I have long intended writing you, not that I have ever had anything of
particular interest to communicate, but affectionately remembering you as my
faithful, efficient Sabbath school teacher, I desired to give you some
expression of my regard. Long years have passed since the gladsome days, when,
Sabbath after Sabbath, a company of young girls met at the old Baptist Church,
in LaGrange, and ranging themselves on the back pews, listened to words of
instructions from your faithful lips. Yes, long years have passed, but they
have not effaced impressions made in that Sabbath school. They are to last
through time and eternity. I am not much given to retrospection, but sometimes
when I think of those dear old days, an involuntary sense of sadness will steal
over me. How many loved forms who gathered with us then to impart or receive
instruction concerning heavenly things now "rest from their labors?" Of our
class I know of only one, little Sis Amoss, who has been called form earth.
You doubtless remember with what triumphant joy she passed the "dark river."
As far as I know the remaining members of the class are animated with a like
precious hope--may it sustain each one of us in the last trying hour.
My dear friend, it is a glorious thing to die supported by the comforting
presence of the Blessed Saviour. Such a death I witnessed a few months ago, as
standing by the bedside of my dear father, I listened to his last words. Death
came to him, not as the "King of Terrors," but as a heavenly messenger setting
the captive free. It was a privilege for which I can never be sufficiently
thankful, to watch the holy calm of my dear parent, as facing death he exhorted
those around to live so as to meet him in the better land. To my agonized
mother he said, "Be of good cheer, dear, be of good cheer. The Lord will take
care of you. You have been the best of wives, and have done for me all you
could. Do not be distressed about me." He greatly enjoyed listening to the
songs, "The Land of Beulah," "Shall we gather at the River?" and "Why should we
start and fear to die?" Mrs. Ferrell then asked him if there were any other
song, he would like to hear sung? Sing "Nearer my God to Thee," and this was
the last song that fell on his mortal ears. A short time before he died he
suddenly looked all around him with a brightened expression, and asked, "What's
that?" Then, answering his own question he said in tones indescribably
sweet, "Angels are around this bed." "yes, " I said, "this is the very gate of
heaven;" and my dear friend, so I felt it to be. I cannot describe my feelings
at that supreme moment. Gratitude for God's faithfulness to my dying father
was the prevailing emotion of my heart. His devotion to the church was strong
in death. "Tell the Church farewell," he said, "and tell all the members,
brethren and sisters, black and white, to meet me in Heaven." But I could not
tell you all the precious words that fell from his dying lips, and which I
cherish in my heart and ponder day and night. He is forever at rest, and I
hope some day we shall all meet him on the bright, shining shore, where "the
perpetuity of bliss is bliss." Until then, let us be content to labor on,
trying, as best we can, to improve whatever talents may have been entrusted to
us.
You, of course, have read, "Bringing in Sheaves?" Have you attained to
the "Rest of Faith," as Mr. Earle terms it? It is certainly a glorious thing
to be thus poised above the cares of this life, securely resting on the wings
of faith, and happy in the Saviour's love, to know no fear of falling. I hope
you have obtained this joyful rest, though for myself I cannot claim it.
Affectionately, Your Friend, S. C. T.
Linnwood, Ala.
Additional Comments:
The Christian Index.
The Union of
South-Western Baptist, of Alabama The Christian Herald, of
Tennessee.
Vol. 51 -- No. 27 Franklin Printing House, Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 11,
1872. Whole No. 2627.
Transcribed from an original newspaper in my possession.
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