Southern Christian Advocate

For the Southern Christian Advocate.

A HAPPY DEATH-BED SCENE.

Mr. Editor,—I send you below, a copy of a letter received on last Sabbath from brother ---, the overseer on Mr. -.-'s plantation, where I have been preaching for some time, and where we have a large society. It was a letter of comfort and encouragement to my soul; and believing its publication may do good, I beg you to insert it in the Advocate. It contains a strong rebuke to those worldly-wise men who can see no good resulting from missionary labour among the negroes, and who are of opinion that they have no souls; or that, it is impossible for any of them to be decidedly religious or get to heaven. I have heard both these opinions advanced by men who know them to be utterly at war with reason and plain common sense. Besides, the letter will furnish your readers with some of the consolations of the missionary, who spends most of his time in the swamps and rice-fields 'in summer's heat and winter's cold,' hunting up the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Yours &c.
W.
December 12, 1843.

'Dear Brother W--'s:—By the request of Isaac (one of the leaders,) I have sketched a few of the many expressions my woman Nelly made use of on her death-bed. When she was first taken sick, she was much alarmed about her soul, and wished all of us to pray for her, which request was complied with; and as often as the class leader could, he visited her, and spoke with her on the subject of religion until she was so low that her speech failed her; then she was always engaged in prayer, and when the Lord blessed her soul her tongue was loosed only long enough to shout glory to God, and speak of her Saviour who was crucified on the cross, and bled and died for her. She continued in this happy way a day and night, when her speech failed her for the last time. Only at intervals could we make out a word, and that was either Glory, or Calvary, or some such expression, that satisfied all around, that she was happy. She also asked me several times to let her go home to Jesus. She was a faithful servant, and I was loth to let her go; but, when I saw that my loss was her gain, I gave her to the one she belonged to very willingly. Isaac asked me to tell you all she said, but it would take a large piece of paper to hold it. I am satisfied that Isaac is a faithful class leader, and appears so happy at the result of his good advice and example.'

Respectfully your's.
December 2, 1843.
J. H. W.