DR. JOHN D . GOD MAN. 23 



This letter, which so truly contrasts the death-bed 

 scene of the infidel with that of the Christian, so 

 beautifully portrays the history of the change which 

 had been effected in Dr. Godman's own sentiments 

 and affections, and so clearly points the benighted 

 wanderer to the true source of life and light, was 

 not lost upon his friend to whom it was addressed. 

 It described his condition, and it reached his heart. 



Dr. Judson, though religiously instructed when 

 young, having a pious clergyman for his father, and 

 another for his elder brother, had nevertheless long 

 since freed himself from what he called the preju- 

 dices of education, the shackles of priestcraft, and 

 was ranging the fields of infidelity. He had acquired 

 wealth and reputation, and was an estimable man in 

 all the domestic relations of life; but the self-deny- 

 ing doctrines of the Saviour were too humbling to 

 his proud spirit, and he could not submit to their 

 influence. At the time he received Dr. Godman's 

 letter, however, he was gloomy and despondent, 

 looking forward with fearful forebodings to the 

 period of his dissolution, which seemed not far dis- 

 tant. He had no confidence but that of the sceptic 

 no hope but that of ceasing to be. Aware of 

 the fatal nature of the disease under which he had 

 lingered for years, he had long been arming himself 

 to meet the king of terrors with composure, that he 

 might die like a philosopher, "witli manfy firmness ;" 

 but as he drew nearer to the grave, the clouds and 

 darkness thickened around him, and he began to 

 fear that there might be something beyond this 



