A YOUNG man of skeptical notions said to a Christian who sought to show him his danger, “I am prepared to live on my beliefs.” “Yes,” replied the other, “but are you prepared to die on them?” The following is an extract from the journal of Stephen Grellett, the great missionary, written in 1809 regarding the death of Thomas Paine, the notorious infidel writer:
“I may not omit recording here the death of Thomas Paine. A few days previous to my leaving home on my missionary journey, on hearing that he was ill, and in a very destitute condition, I went to see him, and found him in a wretched state; for he had been so neglected, and forsaken by his pretended friends, that the common attentions to a sick man had been withheld from him. The skin of his body was in some places worn off, which greatly increased his sufferings. A nurse was provided for him, and some needful comforts were supplied. He was mostly in a state of stupor, but something that had passed between us had made such an impression upon him, that some days after my departure he sent for me, and, on being told that I was gone from home, he sent for another friend. This induced a valuable young friend (Mary Roscoe) who had resided in my family, and continued at Greenwich during part of my absence, frequently to go and take him some refreshment suitable for an invalid, furnished by a neighbor. Once when she was there, three of his deistical associates came to the door, and in a loud, unfeeling manner, said, ‘Tom Paine, it is said you are turning Christian, but we hope you will die as you have lived;’ and then went away. On which, turning to Mary Roscoe, he said, ‘You see what miserable comforters they are.’
Once he asked her if she had ever read any of his writings, and on being told that she had read but very little, he inquired what she thought of them, adding, ‘From such a one as you I expect a correct answer.’
She told him that when very young, his ‘Age of Reason’ was put into her hands, but that the more she read in it, the more darkened and distressed she felt, and she threw the book into the fire. ‘I wish all had done as you’ he replied; ‘for if the devil has ever had any agency in any work, he has had it in my writing that book.’ When going to carry him some refreshment, she repeatedly heard him utter the language, ‘O Lord! Lord God!’ or ‘Lord Jesus! have mercy upon me!’
It is well known that during some weeks of his illness, when a little free from bodily pain, he wrote a great deal; this his nurse told me; and Mary Roscoe repeatedly saw him writing. If his companions in infidelity had anything to support the idea that he continued on his deathbed to espouse their cause would they not have eagerly published it? But not a word is said; there is a total secrecy as to what has become of these writings.”
ML 03/10/1912