3. John Thompson Beck, aged 22 years/ Previous to his illness he gave no indication of spiritual life; for tho’ a moral character, his mind was so fixed on earthly pursuits, that it produced a degree of hardness of heart and feeling not often found in one so young. All his affections were enlisted in the acquisition of money, after for which he panted with fearful eagerness. In this state he continued for a considerable time after he was confined to the house, and even long after it was apparent that he would no get better. So hard were his feelings that it was painful to visit him, and so severe was the conflict on his mind when he saw that death would soon put an end to al his schemes, that it was truly distressing. The mental struggle and his fond clinging to life, reeked and tortured his soul. Many times have I left the house

with the most painful feelings, and had I not been convinced that the Word of reconciliation can soften the most obdurate heart, I should have desponded. Frequent and fervent were my prayers, that the Lord would open the eyes of this young man. Still no signs of spiritual life appeared; my conversations with him, the reading of the scripture, and Hymns, seemed to fall on a rock. At length the grace of God triumphed, and this unhappy state gave way to sentiments and feelings of a different kind.

The first symptoms of a sounder state of mind appeared some months ago. He became an humble inquirer and listened to the instructions given him in spiritual things; and the silent tears rolling down his cheeks, proved that degree of light was spinning up in his soul. His friends observed the change with pleasure; but I thought it was prudent to take no notice of it, but his alteration should be diverted from the great object of his faith and absorbed in himself and his feelings. He now loved the Lord Jesus; he loved to hear of His sacrifice and death. His confessions showed much humility and a hope of happiness grounded in the atonement of Christ.

One day, about a fortnight after this change had taken place, when he was more communicative than he had been before, I ventured to remark, that he had different thoughts and

feelings now from what he had had a few weeks before ago, he ascented, expressing his thankfulness that this was the case. To my question, “When did you begin to think more seriously on these things, and what led you to it?” he replied; “Do you remember the evening when you and my uncle were here, and conversing about the love of Jesus, our Saviour, in giving His life a ransom for sinners, suffering and dyeing on the cross for our sins, and of His mercy in saving all who come to Him in faith? That conversa- tion I could not forget, and for three hours after I went to bed, I was thinking about it. I prayed for grace to believe; I prayed for pardon and I felt a hope that I should not be lost, that Jesus would save me. Since then my mind has at times been very comfortable, when I think of my Saviour and pray to Him.”

From that day the operations of the Holy Spirit on his heart became more evident, and showed their blessed effects by a complete surrender of himself to the Lord, and submission to His will; and by being delivered from the fear of death, and bearing his severe suffering with exemplary pa- tience, often saying, “It is the Lord’s will, let Him do with me what He pleases.” He was mercifully preserved from any reasons of gloom or darkness of mind, and to the last confined in a tranquil

and peaceful state. He had buried his hopes on the Rock of ages, and in a childlike manner fixed his mind on the suffering of the Lamb of God. In consequence of this, tho’ his frames and feeling varied, he was kept in perfect peace. Eight weeks ago, when racked with the most excruciating pains of body, his soul was graciously supported by inward conso- lations. Peace beamed in his countenance, and joy glowed in his expressions. “Don’t weep for me” Addressing those present he said, “Don’t weep for me; it will soon be all over; my Saviour is great; He will not leave me.” Subsequently his pains were partially relieved; when he never failed to impress the importance of eternal things on all who visited him.

On Sunday August 13th he was he was asur- ably to his earnest desire, acknowledged a member of our Church, and commended to the sympathy and prayer, of the congn. and in the evening the H. Communion was administered to him and his parents, in the presence of the other mem- bers of the family and a few friends. Du- ring this solemn act the peace of God was power fully felt by all present, and he himself testified by his look, his the heavenly joy that filled his soul. When the service was over he exclaimed, “this has been a blessed meeting; nothing but

heaven can exceed this.” His bodily sufferings were forgotten, and the happenings of his soul seemed almost too great for his weak frame to enterain. The day after, speaking to one of his sisters of his enjoyment, he was unable to express himself in language sufficiently strong, saying, “O what a meeting that was! If you had felt as I did, you would never forget it.”

The last week of his life was one of very severe suffering, but of inward peace. In the midst of his sufferings he frequently exclaimed; “Glory, glory be to God! I shall soon be with Him. I am going fast; my Saviour will soon come to fetch me home. I shall soon be with him in Heaven; there I shall see Him face to face; I shall be near Him and shall see the wounds He bore for my sins.” At one of my last visits to him, when he appeared very near his end, he said, turning his face to me, “You will soon have to preach my funeral sermon. I wish the young people may take warning by me, and be led to give themselves to the Lord.”

The Satturday before he died, he was much exhausted by pain, and could say very little; but seemed to derive comfort from the words addressed to him. When about to leave him he exerted himself to say something, the substance of which was, that he enjoyd sweet comfort and peace by in feeling our Saviour’s presence, and in meditating on His sufferings & death, adding, “O how I long to go and see The Lamb of God, who died for me &c.” On shaking hands with him he said with a smile, “All will be well at last.” He departed the following Tuesday.