Chapter 17
read by shrimp fish from life to life or how our preachers die by william marion weekly rev samuel martin as death drew near to this old pioneer of the church in west virginia he said to his daughter amy i believe i'm going glory to god to a brother minister he gave assurance of the most complete trust in his saviour i am almost home he said the stars of heaven never shone more brightly than now there is not a cloud between my soul and jesus happy change o happy summons weary pilgrims cease to roam come eternal joys inherit tis thy father calls come home rev j c spitler being absent from home when overtaken by his last illness mr spitler member of the virginia conference put on record a beautiful testimony in a very affectionate letter addressed to his wife
i'm glad he wrote that i have not failed to pray religion is the great source from which i derive comfort in this life and in its enjoyment i expect to pass through the dark valley pray for me my soul longs for those endless joys which are at god's right hand my heart is full and overflowing these checkered wilds with thorns o'erspread through which our way so oft is led this march of time if faith be strong will end in bliss twill not be long rev jacob b kessler among the ministers of the pennsylvania conference as it was constituted a half-century ago none perhaps wrought more successfully than did mr kessler as the day of life drew to a close his soul was filled with that peace which passeth all understanding like the christ of gethsemane he only desired to know and do the will of his heavenly father i did the will of the lord he remarked as long as i was able now i am willing to suffer his will as long as he sees fit that i should
when asked if he had any feelings of guilt or fear he answered most positively none whatever my work is done my course is finished and i patiently wait the lord's good pleasure there was no anguish on his brow no terror in his eye the spoiler aimed a fatal dart but lost the victory the
