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James, at this present time, my real opinion is, that what I have seen and heard from you, will have a lasting im-pression on my memory as long as I live.”
This letter is signed John Gilchrist, and we join in pray-ing with poor James, that the impression the writer speaks of, may be as a “nail fastened in a sure place, by the master of assemblies.”—Being under the necessity of leaving town on the Monday previous to his execution, I called upon him to take a last farewell. It was a solemn season-an affecting interview. He expressed much gratitude for the anxiety that had been shewn for his eternal welfare. What should I have been, said he, if it had not been your counsels, and that of your brethren who kindly afforded me instruction? I felt much satisfied that I could leave him indulging the pleasing hope, that in a few days his spirit would mingle with the spirits of those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
From a Gentleman who was with him the day be-fore he suffered, we learn, that lie continued to express unshaken confidence in God; and as the period drew near, which was to terminate his existence in this world, he was enabled to look forward to it with some degree of composure. On the morning of his execution, however, he became much agitated, and on being inter-rogated as to the cause, he said he had been seized with a considerable degree of horror, at the near prospect of suffering a violent, painful, and ignominious death. These were the feelings of nature, and it is no way surprising, that they should thus operate. He was not now the hardened, thoughtless, daring offender. Dcep sorrow for his past conduct had brokon his spirit; intense eagerness, to improve the few remaining days he had to live in this world, had wasted his strength. This will ea account for the tremour that pervaded his whole frame; and less or more, at intervals, shewed itself from this period, till his spirit had taken its flight to the eternal world.
About two o'clock, he (along with his companion
