1859- THE END APPROACHING. 363 



spent the next three hours in continuous reading, picking 

 out from various journals lying around, papers interesting 

 but not exciting. One, it is remembered, was on Gems, 

 another on the Scilly Isles, and occasional observations 

 showed he was listening with perfect comprehension. His 

 mother entering the room while he was alone, for a few 

 minutes, saw him evidently engaged in prayer, and quietly 

 withdrew. 



Dr. Cairns arrived at nine o'clock, and went to him 

 almost immediately. Though unaware that a summons 

 had been sent, he showed no surprise at the presence of 

 this dearly-loved friend. " I found him very low," Dr. 

 Cairns says, "and to my eye long familiar with death it 

 was only too visible in his face. He was quite conscious, 

 though he could speak but little. He asked me to pray, 

 which I did, and he fervently assented, saying, ' I am in the 

 hands of a good and kind Redeemer; I rejoice in that 

 every way ; ' and in answer to my query whether he had 

 peace, replied, 'Yes,' with his usual sweet smile, sweeter 

 than ever on the pallid face of death. On leaving the room, 

 he said, ' Come as often and stay as long as you please.' " 



His kind friend Dr. Duncan once more visited him, and 

 when he left, the oft-expressed wish for " rest " was repeated. 

 Dr. Cairns returned for a few minutes : to the inquiry made 

 once again, " Is all peace 1 " came the same reply " Yes," 

 with a smile. This question elicited the only smiles that 

 had been seen in those days of weakness. "Shall I pray 

 with you ? " " Yes, but short," evidently feeling the moments 

 numbered. His uncle coming in, they shook hands and 

 parted, he saying, " Don't vex yourself about me ; you've 

 been very kind to me." His mother then came and kissed 

 his hand ; he in reply (knowing she could not hear his 

 voice) raised his right arm, pointing significantly heaven- 



