History of the M.E. Church, Vol. IV - Media Sabda Org

Carolinian, who died "with strong confidence and full assurance of the promises." Nathan Lodge,
a Virginian, a man of great purity and fidelity, who died speechless, but tranquil and safe. Zecharia
Witten, testifying, "I leave the world without trouble or sorrow." In 1816 Ewen Johnson, a North
Carolinian, a faithful and useful laborer, of "a humble and timid spirit," "nevertheless persevering,
zealous, studious," "wholly given up to the ministry;" he lost his speech before death, but retained
his senses; "he arose, fell upon his knees, clasped his hands," and, though without utterance,
appeared to be rapt with "the divine presence." James Quail, of Maryland, "eminent for piety and
diligence," and dying "with great peace of mind." In 1817 Samuel Waggoner, of North Carolina,
who, sinking under consumption, returned to his father's house, and died "in full assurance of faith."
Peter Wyatt, of Virginia, who, worn out by labor and disease at Norfolk, died on a journey for health,
in a Methodist family of Nansemond County, where he had found himself too weak to proceed
further; in a swoon his attendants wept around him, supposing him to be dead; but he revived, and
said, "Weep not for me;" spoke of the blessedness of the righteous, and, "laying his hands upon his
breast, died without struggle." William Patridge, of Virginia, who died in Georgia, exclaiming, "for
me to die is gain;" an eminently holy man, "who," say the old Minutes, "respected the rights of man
with a nicety never surpassed," and "though surrounded by those who held slaves, would have none."
Anthony Senter, of North Carolina, "as a Christian, without offense," when early unable to speak,
by consumption, he still traveled from circuit to circuit as presiding elder, and assembled the official
members of his charge to instruct them in their duties; unable at last to go on, he lay down and died
in the full peace of the gospel. Henry Padgett, of Maryland, who departed, shouting, "O death,
welcome death! Farewell. I bid you all farewell. I shall not be dead, but living. O yes; living in
heaven!" In 1818, Fletcher Harris, of North Carolina, a young man of eminent promise and holiness,
who died "shouting aloud the praises of God." A few days before his death, being supported in his
bed, he preached his farewell sermon to his friends, "shook hands with all around, bidding them an
affectionate farewell," and then said, "Glory to God! victory! victory! This is not dying, it is living
forever. Tell the preachers at Conference that I died in the triumphs of faith; that my last doctrine
is free salvation." Joseph Stone, an Englishman, who, "in the midst of excruciating pains, praised
the Lord aloud, and clapped his hands, exclaiming, 'Glory! glory! glory!'" the last words he was heard
to utter distinctly. In 1819 Thomas Lucas, of Maryland, a great sufferer, who died in peace. John
Wesley Bond, of Baltimore, the faithful traveling companion of Asbury, who had "great affliction
and distress of mind" when near death; but "the conflict soon closed in peace and triumph." John T.
Brame, of Virginia, "thrust sorely at by the enemy of souls" on his deathbed, being delirious with
fever, but "the voice of prayer" from his brethren "never failed to call him to his right mind;" at last,
while some of them were on their knees around him, "light broke into his soul," and "he continued
in ecstasy and triumph" till death. George Burnett, of Virginia, "in full assurance of a blessed
immortality." In 1820 Charles Dickinson, of North Carolina, a humble but useful laborer, who,
bidding farewell to his friends, said, "Surely the Lord is here!" and, "without a groan or a sigh, closed
his own eyes, folded his hands," and died. Also Archibald Robinson, of North Carolina, who expired
after a sickness in which "he was so filled with divine love, that his cup ran over, and he continued
praising God till his strength was almost exhausted." And
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