1. 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 ask me such 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 believers 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 hope of glory." He could say:" For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”
2. “‘Of a truth,” said Reuben, a dying Fijian, ‘God is with me. Great is my pain, but this pain of mine is not worthy to be compared with the good things which the Lord will give me on the right hand of His lordly throne. Near now is the time of my going.'
“But he breathed gently. Then he opened his eyes, and, lifting up his hand, said: ‘Weep not, weep not! Why are you weeping?’
“‘We are weeping,’ said one, ‘because of your death.’
“‘Weep not for me,’ he said, ‘weep for yourselves. As for me, I live. The Lord and His angels are hastening to take me with them. Yet once more will I speak. Be earnest in religion. While I was in health I believed that which is told us in the Bible, and thence came to me pardon for all my sins. I read of heaven in the Bible, and believed it; and now to-day shall I look with mine eyes upon the things that I believed, though I saw them not; those things that Paul speaks of, wherein he tells of heaven and my Saviour. Now I am going to possess them all. Do you not see the Lord? Look! This house is full of angels. My Saviour is hastening me away. Farewell. Great is my love to you.'”