conversation is generally about the things of this life, and subjects of a very trifling nature."

12th. The oppression at his chest being so great that it was with difficulty he could breathe, he said to his father, "O, dear father, my suffering at this time is very great; it must be for some good purpose. I desire to wait patiently for relief, on Him who does all things right."

13th. He said, "my distress is so great that I know not how to describe it better, than by comparing it to all my joints coming apart: I don't know for what cause I am thus continued along. I greatly desire my patience may hold out to the end." After a pause, he observed, that nothing stood in his way, which he had frequently expressed before, and then said, "But, Oh! if I had not something more at this time to support my mind, than not having any thing appear in my way, how awfully trying would my situation be! and how much more so is the situation of those, who in bodily distress like mine, cannot look forward to the awful change, and say that nothing stands in their way?"

18th. After a trying night, he said to a brother who sat by him, "It is an awful thing to contemplate the change, that will likely soon take place. I hardly know how to bring my mind to it; though I can find nothing stand in my way: but I am sensible that I have nothing to trust in, but the mercy and goodness of the Lord." On which it was remarked to him, that it was a great attainment to discover nothing in the way,-that it was a consolation to his friends, to believe his peace was made, and that it frequently happened, and probably in his case, the strippedness of mind, and

On

bodily affliction meted to him was much more on the account of others, than his own. Some time after, being in great pain, he said, "The Master's time is the best time, but it is hard to keep sufficiently in the patience;" and added, "leave me not in this time of great distress and trial, O God, but preserve me in patience to the end." A friend coming in, he took him by the hand and expressed, "Thou sees me a poor worn out creature, but I am looking forward to the change with joy." And after a pause, added, "Oh! what a flow of love I feel. I could pour out my soul for the good of mankind; yea, if it could benefit one poor individual.” being asked how he was, he said, "Growing weaker in body, but stronger in that which makes alive unto God." In the afternoon, having said considerable to encourage a friend in the ministry, who he apprehended was too backward and diffident, and being a little time silent, he looked earnestly about the room, then exclaimed, "I this moment see with great clearness, that when I go hence, it will be into everlasting peace and joy, where I shall be forever happy; yea, I see it as clear as I now see the sun shining on that floor:" pointing with his finger to a part of the room on which the sun shone through the window. A little after, being in great pain, said, "I am going where pain and sickness are unknown." In the early part of the night, after the family had retired, addressing himself to one of his brothers, he said, "Oh! how I have regretted not having thy company steadily during this day; I longed for it, because I knew thou could participate in the enjoyment. I have seen with full assurance, that my peace is made, with a

promise as clear as the sun, that my change will be happy." His mind appeared swallowed up in the ocean of boundless love, and after a short space, added, "How awful my situation has been! I have frequently trembled at the prospect of resting all my hopes on a state of quiet resignation, and there appearing nothing in my way, together with the faith of others that all would be well with me; but all doubts are removed, by the assurance I feel: Oh! the brightness of the prospect I have had this day! and the love and joy that I feel! It is, indeed, a foretaste of what is to come. What a mercy! In time to come, should trials and doubtings assail me, I will endeavour to recur to this assurance. "" During the night, while his wife, father, and brother, were sitting with him, he said, "Sleep seems gone from me." His wife proposed his taking a gentle anodyne, he replied, "Oh no; my soul is enjoying that which is far superior to sleep." A little after, perceiving his wife, who was lying on the bed by him, could not sleep, he queried, "Canst thou not sleep, my dear?" She answered, "no." He added, "Why, what is it that banishes sleep from us all? What is it, brother, that covers our minds so this night?" His brother answered, "it is something very comforting and solemn, my dear brother." He said, "it is so; it is the heavenly Father's love, superseding every thing else." The latter part of the night, observing his wife and brother to be affected, he said, "Don't mourn, rather rejoice; there is no cause for mourning." On being answered, that gratitude and thankfulness, would sometimes steal a tear from the eye, he answered, "I know it."

In the morning of the 19th, he was very weak and languid, but revived between ten and eleven o'clock-and to some of his relations who had not been with him the day before, he said, "Don't weep, but rejoice; there is no cause for mourning; it is no chimera; no shadow set up-but a glorious assurance, that my change will be happy." In the afternoon, at his request, a number of his acquaintance were sent for, separately; and he was admirably strengthened to relieve his mind, by the communication of counsel and advice to them; with which divers of them were very much affected;he continuing through all to retain a full assurance of a blessed change, whenever it should take place. In the evening he was much exhausted, and some appearance of dissolution was apprehended by the family. On discovering their apprehensions, he desired all might be quiet as possible, saying, "I should not be alarmed should a change immediately take place."

20th. He was extremely weak, and spoke with much difficulty. To a very dear friend who came a considerable distance to see him, he expressed, "Thou seest thy friend in a very reduced state, and according to the course of nature, very near an awful change; but thou seest him with a composed mind, and in full assurance that the door of mercy is open to receive him, whenever the change shall come;-I am glad thou art here."

On the morning of the 21st he quietly departed this life. The following letter from his intimate friend, M. F. is worthy of preservation, as an additional testimony concerning him.

Letter from Matthew Franklin to Charity Rotch. New York, 2d Month 21st, 1805.

DEAR FRIEND,

I AM now sitting up to watch the remains of my dear, and much valued friend, Robert Mott, who departed this life between the hours of four and five, this morning; of whom it may be emphatically said, "he being dead yet speaketh." The latter years of his life were checquered with afflictions, which, previous to the illness that has taken him from us, had much weaned him from the love of things that "perish with the using," and stained the beauty and glory of this fading world in his view. He had not left the great work of his soul's salvation unattended to, till arrested by the king of terrors; but for several years past has evinced by the expressive language of conduct, a "diligence to make his calling and election sure;" and by reason hereof, when his late sickness took hold of him, which presaged a speedy dissolution, he was not affrighted!-Death had not a terrific aspect to him. His mind was brought into such sweet serenity, and Christian patience, that it was truly pleasant to be with him. I have gone into the room, when my spirit hath as quickly felt the precious sweetening influence with which his mind was clothed, as we could feel in the atmosphere, in going out of a cold into a warm room. His heart overflowed with love for the whole bulk of mankind, and for individuals in a particular manner; divers of whom, a few days before his death, he sent for, and delivered gospel messages to them, which were very memorable seasons indeed. And should they be erased from their