He followed
the reading with lively attention, making his remarks now of agreement and
now of dissent, till at length he fell asleep, and so ended the day's
work. Later in the afternoon, while racked with pain, it occurred to him
that his sister might think of foregoing sleep on his account, which he
begged her not to do. Wednesday he had the newspaper read to him, and made
his comments, as usual. Thursday night brought with it a convulsive
hiccough. Friday, his spirit was clear, peaceful and full of love. But
Friday night extinguished the last hopes of his friends. The pains he
endured were excruciating. With an indescribably affecting and deeply
tender voice, before which no eye remained tearless, he exclaimed, "Would
to God I could sleep." Saturday he was clamorous for the servant to bring
him his clothes, that he might dress and go about his work. His sister
came: "Think, dear August, what thou hast said to me when I have rebelled
against the directions of the physician, 'It comes from God, therefore
must we acquiesce in it.'" "That is true," answered quickly the softened
voice, "it all comes from God, and we must thank him for it." During the
day he asked to be taken into the study.
Pages:
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150