The Last Words of John Wesley
This great servant of Christ went to Heaven March 2, 1791, in the eighty-eighth year of his life, after preaching the gospel for sixty-five years.
Shortly before his death, Mr. Wesley said, "I will get up." While they arranged his clothes, he broke out singing in a manner which astonished all about him:
I'll praise my maker while I've breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers:
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
or immortality endures.
Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel's God; he made the sky,
....And earth and seas, with all their train:
His truth forever stands secure,
He saves the oppressed, He feeds the poor
And none shall find his promise vain."
Once more seated in his chair, he said in a weak voice, "Speak, Lord, to all our hearts, and let them know Thou loosest tongues." Then he again sang a couple of lines:
To Father, Son and Holy ghost, Who sweetly all agree....
Here his voice failed, but after resting a little, he called to those who were with him to "pray and praise." he took each by the hand, and after affectionately saluting them bade them farewell.
After attempting to say something which they could not understand, he paused a little, and then, with all his remaining strength, said, "The best of all is, God is with us!"
And again, lifting his hand, he repeated the same words in holy triumph, "The best of all is, God is with us!"
Most of the following night he repeatedly tried to repeat the hymn he had sung, but could only say, "I'll praise, I'll praise."
On wednesday morning the end was near. Joseph Bradford prayed with him about ten o'clock in the morning, while eleven friends knelt around the bed.
"Farewell," said the dying man-and it was the last word he spoke. Immediately after, without a groan or a sigh, he passed away. His friends quietly rose and, while standing around his bed, sang:
"Waiting to receive thy spirit,
Lo! the Savior stands above;
Shows the purchase of His merit,
reaches out the crown of Love!"
-Adapted from Kenyon's Life of John Wesley.
Chris |
