An Extract.
“THERE was one man,” said Joeli Balu, “whom I loved greatly, and I was with him when he died. Often during his illness did I visit him. We read the Holy Book together, and prayed together. On the day of his death I said to him, ‘Nathaniel, tell me once again, for my own sake, and for the sake of these others, ―tell us, Nathaniel, whether you now trust in our Saviour, and whether He comforts you.’” Then he smiled, and his face shone as he said, “Joeli, do you see that post?” pointing to one of the supports of the house.
“Yes,” said I, “I see it.”
“Do you see it plainly?” he asked again.
I answered, “I see it quite plainly,” wondering that he should questions, and fearing that his mind was wandering. But then he looked at me earnestly, and said―
“Joeli, as plainly as you see that post, so plainly do I now see the Lord.”
He appeared to be realizing one of those visions of the glorious Redeemer, such as dying spirits are so frequently favored with. We were dumb. Our hearts were hot within us. He gently patted his breast for a time, and then lifted up his arm, pointing upwards, and smiling. We looked up, but could see nothing. When we looked down upon his face again, we saw that he was dead. But we could feel no sorrow for him. The house was like heaven to us. So we rejoiced, and praised the Lord.
That convert knew, by personal experience, what it was to have “Christ in him, the him, the hope of glory.” He could say, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”