"He who yielded once his breath, O my soul, forget not him." Read 1 Cor. xv. and prayed. The people, both Hindoos and Mussulmans, who had come to see the corpse, were surprised at this; and observed, "If any one of us die, we do not have singing and prayer in this manner: but the Christians are better than we." The corpse was conveyed to the place of interment, and committed to the earth with singing and prayer, there to lie till the dawning of the resurrection, when we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. mind of Sukharee was disordered for a for his decent burial. Prior to the corpse short period, through the power of his dis-being conveyed to the grave, they sung seases. He did not, however, continue this hymn: long in this deplorable state of insanity; he recovered the exercise of his reason, as he approached to the close of his life. Like the setting sun, that emerges from the clouds which obscured his resplendence, and then displaying his glories for a moment, disappears beneath the horizon, so did Sukharee depart in triumph. On the night in which he died, (Sept. 25, 1824,) calling for Paun;hoo, he told him that he desired to eat something; which being brought, he ate with great pleasure. Paunchoo then looked at him, and perceiving from the manner in which he spoke, and the cold which had settled in his breast, that he would leave this world in a few minutes, asked Sukharee, "In what manner can your salvation be effected?" He replied, "Through the death of Christ." He asked him again: "Is Christ your Saviour?" Sukhare answered, "Yes," Paunchoo enquirel further: "Do you love Christ ?" "Whom shall I love,” said Sukharee, “ if I do not love Christ? Whom have I beside:? and to whom else shall I go? He is my Lord and my God." Observing such pleasing testimonies of his faith, Pauneloo called together the brethren and sisters and sung this hymn: "Salvation through the death of Christ." "When the singing of the hymn was concluded, Sukharee became speechless : he made signs, therefore, withhis hands, pointing upward, that he was going to the Lord; and imitating the manner in which a book is read, signified that he Scriptures should be read to him. Paunchoo read the 14th chapter of Joan, which Sukharee heard with great attention. Paunchoo prayed after reading; aud just as the prayer was ended, the soul of Sukharee departed from its tabernacle of flesh in peace. "Blessed are the lead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. xiv. 13.) The next morning Mr. Penny went to Chitpore, and having heard the account of his dying moments, made arrangements DEATH OF REV. JOHN LAWSON. By the arrival of the Beverly from Calcutta, a letter was received in this city containing the melancholy intelligence that Mr. Lawson died of a disease of the liver, on the 22d of October last. He was a truly amiable and pious man. His sweetness of temper endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. In him were seen what is delightful to contemplate,-respectable talents associated with the most unaffected modesty. Mr. Lawson was detained in this coun try about two years when on his way to the scene of his future labours. He became very much attached to the Christian society he found here; and had not a sense of duty prevented, he would have been highly gratified even after he arrived in India, to have returned, and passed the remainder of his days in the United States. Having, however, put his hand to the plough, he did not dare to leave it for a more pleasant land, but continued labouring in an unhealthy climate, until his Saviour called him home. This brief notice, is from one who personally knew and loved him. We hope, hereafter, to be able to give a more extended and interesting account of this excellent Missionary. AMERICAN BOARD FOR DEATH OF REV. PLINY FISK. his studies as usual, and, in the afternoon, walked into the city, and made several calls. In the evening, after uniting, as usual, in reading the Scriptures in Arabic, he said he felt himself too ill to make any remarks, and requested Mr. Goodell (in whose family he was) to make a few. He, however, prayed in Arabic with his usual fervency, though not with his usual The following communication from Messrs. Bird and Goodell, the only American missionaries now in Syria, announcing the decease of their excellent fellow-labourer, the Rev. Pliny Fisk, will be read by many with weeping interest. It is addressed to the Corresponding Sec-length. Having bathed his feet in water, retary. Dear Sir, Beyroot, (Syria,) Oct. 25, 1825. Never did we sit down to write you with such deep feeling, as at the present moment. Never have we had occasion to communicate events so materially affecting the interests of the mission. he retired to rest, with the hope of per spiring freely, and of being better in the morning. His hopes were, however, disappointed. He passed a restless night, and, on Wednesday the 12th, had, to wards noon, a fit of ague. A nausea at the stomach indicated, as we thought, the propriety of an emetic. It was ac On the 26th ult. the long expected and cordingly administered. It brought away unwelcome hour arrived, for the depart-a profusion of bile, threw him into a free ure, to our native country, of our beloved || perspiration, and persuaded us all to exbrother and fellow-labourer, Mr. King. It was with a heavy heart, that we gave him the parting hand. We felt ourselves bereft of one of our firmest earthly supports. We commended our case to God, and prayed him to build us up, and not to pluck us down. We acknowledged our weak and dependent state, and begged that God would strengthen us by his grace, in proportion as he diminished our number. pect for him a comfortable night. But we were again disappointed. This night was more restless than the preceding. Wednesday morning, 19. He rose, as usual, and occupied the sofa in an easy reclining posture, and appeared to enjoy some quiet sleep, but we have since suspected, that what seemed to be sleep, was chiefly stupor. His countenance was, towards evening, perceptibly more sunk, and he manifestly began to think his reBut we did not then feel our depend- covery doubtful He said, with a desence, as the providence of God has ponding air, to one of us, who stood surbrought us to feel it since. Brother Fisk veying him, "I don't know what you then remained to comfort and counsel us. think of me."-Together with restlessness We leaned upon him. We trusted in and head ache, his fever was accompahim as the chief agent, who was to effect nied, this evening, by an involuntary the good we design to this people. Now, starting of the muscles. To ease his this second prop is removed. That dear head, we applied, as we had done once brother, too, has taken leave of us for before, a few leeches. He grew suddenly another country. Yes, dear Sir, the hand very wild, and increasingly restless. of God has touched us, and our tears can- || Happening to touch the leeches on his not soon be dried away. You, too, will face, he exclaimed, "Oh, what is here!" feel and weep, and so will thousands, When told, "O," said he, "I know not who knew and loved him, with ten thou-what I am, nor where I am." We has sand others, who have never seen his face in the flesh. But God knoweth our sorrows, for he hath caused them; and into his compassionate bosom let us pour them all. It was on Tuesday, the 11th inst. that brother Fisk first spoke of being ill. He supposed he had taken cold, but pursued MAY, 1826. tened to remove him to his bed, but in taking off his gown, he fainted, and lay for some time as if dying. In removing him, and managing his bleeding, he repeatedly asked, what we were doing, and who we were. We replied, "This is such a brother, and this is such an one." "Oh yes," said he, "the best friends. 21 that ever I had in my life, I am sure. || Thursday prayer meeting. We proposed to observe the season by his bedside, God bless you." This was a terrible night of constant uneasiness and delirium. Thursday morning, 20. It being evident that he was much reduced since yesterday, and would, perhaps, be unable to sustain a single additional paroxysm of fever, we consulted whether it would not be best to disclose to him our opinion of his case, and suggest the propriety of his completing whatever arrangement rcmained to be made of his worldly concerns. We were the more decided to do this, as he had expressly wished us to deal faithfully with him, and tell him, without flattering his desires,, whatever || we thought of him. He received the commnnication with great composureexpressed a hope in Christ—said his views were not so clear as he could wish, but intimated that he was not afraid. So far as he was acquainted with himself, he thought he could safely say, that his great, commanding object of life, for the last seventeen years, had been the glory of Christ, and the good of the Church. Mr. Goodell asked, if he had any particular word of comfort, or of exhortation for his family friends, his brothers, sisters, father. At this last word, he was sensibly moved; "Oh, brother Goodell," said he, raising his hand to his eyes, "my father, my father, my father-(he paused.) But he'll bear it. He knows what such afflictions are. When he hears the news, the tears will roll down his furrow-begged one of the sisters to go and try to ed cheeks, but he'll not complain-he knows where to look for comfort." Here he stopped, saying he hoped to renew the subject, when he should have had a little space to collect himself. After we had read, at his request, the fifty-first Psalm, and both prayed by his side, he himself added a short prayer, in which he confessed his sins, and resigned his soul and body into the hands of God. Hoping that he might yet continue a day or two, we dispatched a messenger to Sidon, to a physician with whom Mr. F. had some acquaintance, and in whose skill he expressed some confidence. At times he lay in a state of stupor, and seemed near death. In such a state he was, when the hour arrived of our usual "Brother, thou art gone before us, See Miss. Her. vol. xx, p. 170. Ed. The devotions of the evening were attended in his room. He united in them with evident enjoyment. Afterwards he get some rest, bade her good night, inti- "How different is this from poor B. (an English traveller who lately died,) how different from Martyn, how different from brother Parsons in Syra." The fever fit proved much milder than the night preceding-scarcely any appearance of delirium. He repeatedly said, "The Lord is more merciful to me than I expected." "Perhaps there may be some hope of my recovery-the Lord's name be praised." He often checked himself for sighing, and speaking of his pains, saying, "I know it is weak, and foolish and wicked." Once, after a draught of water, he said, "Thanks be to God for so much mercy, and let his name be trusted in for that which is future." On two or three occasions, he exclaimed, "God is good-his mercy endureth forever." At midnight he asked the time-hoped it had been later—and, at three A. M. (Friday 21,) his fever gave way to a little quiet sleep. During the whole forenoon, he remained so quiet, that we hoped his disease might be breaking away. In the afternoon, however, it was discovered returning with all its alarming symptoms. He was asked, if he had been able during the day to fix his thoughts on Christ. "Not so much as I could wish-I am extremely weak." But when you have been able to do so, has the Saviour appeared precious to you? "O yes, O yes, "One of the sisters," continued he," has been reading to me some precious hymns respecting Christ and his glory;" then fixing his eyes steadfastly towards heaven, he repeated the words, "Christ and his glory." O yes." At 6 o'clock he had rapidly altered, and the hand of death seemed really upon him. We repaired to the throne of grace, commending his soul to him that gave it. He had inquired anxiously if the Doctor had not come." He came at 8, but Mr. F. was insensible. He approached the bed side. "Here is the doctor," said we. He raised his eyes, fas. tened them a moment on the stranger, and sunk immediately into his former stupor. The physician, on learning what had been his symptoms, expressed little hope of saving him; but not to abandon him entirely, he ordered new mustard poultices to his feet, and warm wet cloths to his stomach, with frequent draughts of rice water. One hour after, to our no small joy and encouragement, came on a free perspiration, the paroxysm of fever was arrested, respiration more free, and the remainder of the night comparatively quiet. Saturday, 22. He was able to return the morning salutation to those that came in. When the physician entered the room, he immediately recognised him, and conversed a little with him in Italian-passed the day quietly-said almost nothing-tongue palsied. The sun had set, and no appearance of his usual paroxysm. His strength was such, that he could still raise himself on his elbow, and nearly leave his bed, without assistance. Our hope had not, for many days, been higher, that he might yet survive. The fever came on,' however, at 8 or 9 o'clock, but so gently that the physician repeatedly assured us he apprehended no danger from it. We therefore retired to rest, leaving him, for the first half of the night, in the hands of the physician and a single attendant. Scarcely had we closed our eyes in sleep, when we were awaked to be told, that all hope concerning him was fled. We hastened to his bed side, found him panting for breath, and evidently sinking into the arms of death. The physician immediately left him and retired to rest. We sat down, conversed, prayed, wept, and watched the progress of his dissolution; until, at precisely 3 o'clock on the Lord's day morning, October 23, the tired wheels of nature ceased to move, and the soul, which had been so long waiting for deliverance, was quietly released. · It rose, like its great Deliverer, very early on the first day of the week, triumphant over death, and entered, as we believe, on that Sabbath, that eternal rest, that remaineth for the people of God. We sung part of a hymn, and fell down to give thanks to Him that liveth and was dead, and hath the keys of hell and of death, that he had given our dear brother, as we could hope, the final victory over all disappointment, sorrow, and sin. As soon as the news of his death was heard, all the flags of the different Consuls were seen at half mast. His funeral was attended at 4. At his grave, a part of the chapter in Corinthians respecting the resurrection, was read in Italian, and a prayer offered in English, in presence of a more numerous and orderly con |