The last words of some skeptics, infidels, and of some who just lived for this present world:
Wilmot, an Infidel, A.D. 1860
When dying, Wilmot laid his emaciated hand upon the Bible, and exclaimed, solemnly and with energy, "The only objection against this book is—a bad life.”
Voltaire, A.D. 1778
Alternately praying and blaspheming, this wretched man died, crying, "O Christ! O Jesus Christ!”
Thomas Paine, A.D. 1809
“I would give worlds, if I had them, that the AGE OF REASON had never been published.”
Hobbes, the Skeptic, A.D. 1679
When drawing near to the grave, notwithstanding his learning and philosophy, Hobbes asserted that he was "about to take a leap in the dark." His last words were, "I shall be glad then to find a hole at which to creep out of the world!”
Caesar Borgia, A.D. 1507
“I have provided in the course of my life for everything except death; and now, alas! I am to die, although entirely unprepared.”
Colonel Charteris
“I would gladly give £30,000 to have it proved to my satisfaction that there is no such place as hell!”
Napoleon Bonaparte, A.D. 1821
“I die before my time, and my body will be given back to the earth to become food for worms. Such is the fate of him who has been called the great Napoleon! What an abyss between my deep misery and the eternal kingdom of Christ, which is proclaimed, loved and adored, and is extended over the whole earth.”
The last words of some Christians who lived in view of the next world, and like Moses "had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”
Bacon, the sculptor, A.D. 1799
Left the following inscription written by himself, for his monumental tablet: “What I was as an artist seemed to me of some importance while I lived; but what I really was as a believer in Christ Jesus is the only thing of importance to me now.”
J. G. Bellett, A.D. 1864
Clasping his thin hands together, while tears flowed down his face, he said, "My precious Lord Jesus, Thou knowest how fully I can say with Paul, that to depart and to be with Thee is far better. Oh, how far better! I do long for it! They come and talk to me of a crown of glory—I bid them cease; of the glories of heaven—I bid them stop. I am not wanting crowns; I have Himself—Himself! I am going to be with Himself! Ah, with the man of Sychar; with Him who stayed to call Zacchaeus; with the man of John 8; with the man who hung upon the cross; with the man who died. Oh to be with Him before the glories, the crowns, or the kingdoms appear!
It is wonderful! wonderful! With the man of Sychar alone, the man of the gate of the city of Nain; and I am going to be with Him forever! Exchange this sad, sad scene, which cast Him out, for His presence! Oh, the man of Sychar!”
Matthew Henry, A.D. 1714
“A life spent in the service of God, and communion with Him, is the most comfortable life that anyone can lead in this present world.”
Rowland Hill, A.D. 1833
“And when I'm to die,
‘Receive me,’ I'll cry;
For Jesus hath loved me. I cannot tell why;
But this I can find,
We two are so joined,
He'll not be in glory, and leave me behind!”
These lines were very frequently repeated by Rowland Hill during the closing scenes of his life; and when he lay upon his death-bed, apparently unconscious, a friend slowly repeated these, his favorite lines, in the ear of the dying saint, who immediately responded, his countenance glowing, a smile over-spreading his mouth, and his last sign of consciousness being an attempt to articulate words which would express his joy.