DR. JOHN D. GODMAN. 27 



mysteries/ 'miracles/ 'signs and wonders ?' Doubt, 

 confusion, obscurity, annihilation ! Life, without 

 higher motive than selfishness; death, without hope! 

 Is it for this that their zeal is so warmly displayed 

 in proselyting ? Is such the gain to accrue for the 

 relinquishment of our souls ? In very deed, this is 

 the utmost they have to propose ; and we can only 

 account for their rancorous efforts to render others 

 like themselves, by reflecting that misery loves 

 company." 



His intellect was strong and undimmed to the 

 last, and almost the only change that could be ob- 

 served in his mind was that which belongs to a being 

 on the verge of eternity, in whose estimate the con- 

 cerns of this life are sinking in comparison with the 

 greater interests of that to which he is approaching. 

 His principal delight was in the promises and conso- 

 lations of the Bible, which was his constant compa- 

 nion. On one occasion, a few days before his death, 

 while reading aloud from the New Testament to his 

 family, his voice faltered, and he was desired to read 

 no longer, as it appeared to oppress him. " It is not 

 that," replied he ; " but I feel so in the immediate 

 presence of my Maker, that I cannot control my 

 emotion ! " In a manuscript volume which he sent 

 to a friend, and which he intended to fill with 

 original pieces of his own composition, he wrote as 

 follows : " Did I not in all things feel most tho- 

 roughly convinced that the overruling of our plans 

 by an all-wise Providence is always for good, I might 

 regret that a part of my plan cannot be executed. 



