304 LETTERS FROM THE REV. G. H. NOBBS. 
grave ; humanly speaking, my recovery is im- 
possible ; and that my dear father knows as well 
as I do ; and if it is not improper to entertain 
such a wish, I would rather not return to health 
again. My earnest desire and prayer is to 
depart and be with Christ, which is far better.' 
Such was the tenor of his discourse during the 
short time he was spared us ; and he died ' strong 
in faith, giving glory to God.' An hour before 
his death he was seized with a violent spasm, 
which we thought would have carried him off; 
but he rallied again. Seeing his mother weep- 
ing, he said, ' Do pot weep, mother ; one more 
such stroke, and I shall be in the arms of my 
Saviour.' Shortly after, he had another attack, 
and nothing remained but his attenuated form. 
The happy spirit had returned to join the glori- 
fied throng. He died on Friday afternoon, 
March 2d, at six o'clock. The Sunday before 
his death I administered to him the Holy 
Eucharist. There were eight of us- present ; and 
it was a time of refreshing : so awfully sublime 
did it appear to us all, that we felt as if we were 
indeed where Jacob felt himself to be, on his 
awakening at Luz. Most grateful did I feel that 
I was invested with full authority to dispense 
this most precious rite; that I could stand by 
the bed of my dying child, and offer him the 
symbols of a dying Saviour's love, and declare 
the remission of sins through faith in His all- 
sufficient atonement. I repeat, I felt most 
grateful to those who, under God were, instru- 
mental in conferring upon me clerical ordination ; 
and I am sure a full share of that gratitude was 
