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I thought proper also to give a few names of those whom
the Lord has been pleased to take to himself, who are now, I hope, singing his
praises in glory, whole death bed I had the opportunity of attending. The
first was Mr. Jonathan Lock, who attending. The first was Mr. Jonathan
Lock, who had a short pilgrimage here, after his conversion, He was set at
liberty on the 14th day of February, 1786, and left this world the 26th of
March, thro' the small-pox, and in his greatest extremity of pains of body, he
was always heard to say, that he longed to depart this life. And when the
blood was running out at his mouth and his nostrils, he was asked by one if he
felt any pain; he answered no, and Death, said he, has lost its sting, and the
grave its victory. He was asked again by one what he thought of his wife
and dear children; he answered, the God who gave them to me, will provide for
them; and then bid them to call up his mother-in-law and all his sisters, and he
gave them an admonition against dancing and swearing, and following foolish
diversion, and begging them to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in this world, and to
forsake all the ways of sin, that they might meet in glory to part no
more. And then bidding them farewell, he said unto them, tell Mr. Marrant
not to forget his promises that he made to me, that is to preach a funeral
sermon for me, from these words: "For me to live is Christ, and to die its
gain," and to have it printed and given to my father, mother, and sisters;
and that the Lord will please to be with him in all his journeys through this
world: And then turning himself said, Lord Jesus Christ into thy hands I
commend my spirit, and fell asleep in Christ. So according to his request
I preached a sermon, which is added to this Journal.
The second name I would give my Readers the account of, is
a little girl about twelve years of age, who died in full triumph of faith, and left
a sweet
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testimony behind, which may be of great use to all young people, and to shame
old Christians. This girl was one whom I had in school, and had frequent
opportunity of conversing with her concerning her soul; but it seemed to prove
fruitless, until four days before her death, when God was pleased to manifest
himself to her in the most extraordinary manner, on the 4th of May, 1787,
whereon she sent for me, and related to me the great display of God's glory that
was shewn to her n the evening past, and sent for tall her school-mates, and
gave them a very solemn charge, which made them all to weep, and then turned
round to her mother, and said, "O my mother, I am afraid I shall never see
you any more for you are not serving God," said she, "and you cannot
mother deceive God, but you will deceive your own precious soul. Mother
leave off backbiting God's people, and persecuting the church of God; mother God
is angry with you every moment of the day." She continued for the
last three days of her life speaking in this manner to every one that came in to
see her, so that she caused tears to trickle down the cheeks of every one that
came in. The last two hours before she died, she said unto me,
"master, I must go, for the angel of the Lord is come for me;" and she
desired me to preach a sermon for her, from the xivth chapter of the Revelations,
the 1st to the 4th verses. She then desired me to call for the elder of
the church, all and all the children; so the room was filled with small and
great. We prayed and sung according to her desire. After
which, she called her mother again, and began in the former manner to her, which
made the whole room to be astonished. Then bid all her school-mates
farewell, and turned herself round on the bed, and said fare ye well
everybody. God almighty bless you all, and bring you to heaven. And
then said, Lord Jesus receive my
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soul, and fell asleep in Christ, and left every body in floods of tears, God
over-rules her death for good; so the proved a saving conviction of her mother
and three of her school-mates. Thus died Kitty Bligh
The next name I would give is Mrs. Murray, who died the
24th of July, 1787, in the full triumph of faith. She longed to go
before the hour came. I found great satisfaction in visiting her all her
illness. In my last visit her request was that I should preach a funeral
sermon for her, from the viith chapter of the Revelations, 15, 16, and 17
verses, and desired that we should go singing before her to the grave. I
did according to her desire.
The next name beg leave to mention is, Diana Elliott, who
died the 27th day of September, 1787, in the full triumph of faith; who left
this world singing the praises of God. Here I might mention a great many
more names, who died in faith since I have been in Nova Scotia; but I forbear,
for fear of tiring my Readers. May the eternal God who rules the
inhabitants of this world, give a blessing to those triumphant believers I have
already mentioned in this account, and to such as may read this book, and an
encouragement to weak believers. May God grants the Author and the Reader
may meet them around the throne, where parting shall be no more
Now, to him be all praise and glory, for evermore.
Amen and Amen. I think it is proper also to give my Readers a list of the
names of those principal gentlemen in Nova Scotia, who knew and were
eye-witnesses of my sufferings in that country, for want of temporary
necessaries, and who I applied to, and was assisted by them; their names I
mention by their leave and permission, to give my Readers a greater
satisfaction.
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satisfaction of the truth of this book. The first name whom I applied
to, and was supplied by is,
Stephen Skinner, Esq. of Shelbourn Town.
Benaja Collins, Esq. of Liverpool, at whose house I
lodged three weeks.
Gideon White, Esq. whom I applied to as a Magistrate
Isaac Wilkins, Esq. the Chief Judge of Shelbourn Court, with
whom I had the honour of being passenger with in returning from my numerous journeys.
James Clark, Esq. of Halifax, Sheriff
The Rev. Dr. Walter, for the Church of England, in Shelbourn
town, who well knew my sufferings, and has sympathized with me in my afflictions
many times.
The Rev. Dr. Stillman, of Boston, one of the most
respectable characters that is in that country, and whose house was the second I
entered into. And Mr. Prentice, and Mr. Skinner, who supplied my last
wants in Boston.
Mr. Prince Hall, at whose house I lodged, one of the most
respectable characters in Boston Town.
Mr. John Edmonds, who came passenger with me, and is now in
London, who well knew my distress and sufferings in Nova Scotia for the want of
the necessaries of this life. These names my Readers may satisfy
themselves with, for the reality of what I have advanced. And if this book
should fall into the hands of any of my enemies, let them be satisfied also with
the reality of it. But I am sorry to say, that there are some of these
that the Bible, with all its divine beauties, is not sufficient to satisfy, for
they will even find fault with the holy scriptures of God, and like the
Pharisees of old past a contempt upon the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ; and
if Christ was to be on earth now, they would with the Rabbies of Jerusalem,
condemn
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him, and crucify him. For they are men lovers of their own selves,
covetous boasters, proud and unholy without natural affection; truth breakers,
and awful despisers of those that are good, having a form of godliness, but denying
the power thereof. These are ever learning, but never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth; let such as these tremble whilst they read these lines,
and no longer reject the spirit of God against their own souls.
Now may God bless them in reading of these words, so that
god may be glorified in their conversion. To him be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
T H E E N D
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