The Awful death of William Pope Cont..
"I asked him if he had ever really known anything of the mercy and love of God. 'O yes,' he replied; 'many years ago I truly repented and sought the Lord and found peace and happiness.' I prayed with him and had great hopes of his salvation; he appeared much affected and begged I would represent his case in our church prayer meetings. I did so that evening and many hearty petitions were put up for him."
Mr barraclough gives the following account of what he witnessed. He says: "I went to see William Pope, and as soon as he saw me he exclaimed, 'You are come to see one who is damned forever!" I answered, "I hope not; Christ can save the chief of sinners.' He replied, 'I have denied Him; therefore He has cast me off forever! I know the day of grace is past, gone--gone, never more to return!" I entreated him not to be too hasty, and to pray. he answered, 'I cannot pray; my heart is quite hardened. I have no desire to receive any blessing at the hand of God,' and then cried out, 'Oh, the Hell, the torment,, the fire that I feel within me! Oh, eternity! eternity! To dwell forever with devils and damned spirits in the burning lake must be my portion -and justly so!'
"On Thursday I found him groaning under the weight of the displeasure of God. His eyes rolled to and fro; he lifted up his hands and with vehemence cried out, 'Oh, the burning flame - The Hell - the pain I feel! I have done the deed, the horrible, damnable deed!" I prayed with him, and while I was praying he said with inexpressible rage, ' I will not have salvation at the hand of God! No. -No! I will not ask it of Him!: After a short pause, he cried out, 'Oh how I long to be in the bottomless pit - in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone!" |
