"After Dr. Bowie let me know the danger he was in, I sent a
letter to Mr. Gilbert, begging he would not delay his visit till
morning, as perhaps by that time he might not be able to speak to him.
Accordingly he came; he asked him how he did; he answered, 'Very ill;'
he asked him the situation of his mind; he answered, 'Entirely
resigned to the divine will;' he asked him what hopes he had; he said,
'his hope was in the mercy of God, through Christ;' Mr. Gilbert said,
'You have no dependence on any thing besides?' he said, 'No, no, I
have nothing else to depend upon.' Then the doctor desired him to
pray, but at the same time to be short, as he had but short intervals
from the hiccup. After prayer, Mr. Gilbert told me it seemed difficult
for him to speak, and he did not think it would be prudent to say
more; that he would call again in the morning.

"Monday morning he was greatly weakened, having had little rest
all night from the severity of the hiccup. At ten o'clock the
physicians again attended; but I could easily perceive they had but
small hopes. My doctor asked Dr. Warner if he thought it would be long
before he would be at rest, who said his pulse was still strong. He
said, 'It is a hard thing to die!" Mrs. Brannan came to spend the day
with us, one of the Methodist society, and Mr. McNab, whom my doctor
desired to pray with him, which he did. All this day he said little,
but still continued in inward prayer, as was visible by the motions of
his hands and eyes; he had many agonizing struggles, and often
exclaimed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' 'Blessed Jesus, come and
receive me to thyself--come--come--blessed Jesus, come!' Once, after a
long struggle, he exclaimed, 'Release me, O release me, and let me fly
to the bosom of my Father!' All this time I never parted from his
bedside but a few minutes to give my soul a freer vent at the throne