The Death Bed by Henry F. Phelps

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 27, 1866

The Death Bed.

By Henry F. Phelps

WHO has not been called to witness the solemn scene of a death bed?

Solemn, truly solemn, are such scenes. Standing around the bed of a dying friend, one whose senses are not beclouded, who is fully conscious of death's approach, how we feel as though we would run to the rescue; would grasp our friend from the enemy, would say to him, Go free. But no. We have no power to grapple with death for another; no, not even for ourselves. How many millions have fallen, and are still falling, victims to death's poisonous shafts; and seemingly there is no rescue. But there is a remedy. Thanks to God, it is "through Jesus Christ our Lord." Yes, Jesus will deliver us. He has the keys of death and of hell. He conquered death and the grave, and through him we can conquer also.

There will be a little company who will not fall in this struggle. They can bid defiance to death. Death will have no terror to them. They can shout "victory over death and the grave. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?"

Yes, reader, in a little time, you and I can join in this grand shout, as we rise to meet the Lord in the air. There we shall meet those of our friends who have "passed death's chilling billow," and with them join all the host of Heaven in praising God and the Lamb forever.

HENRY F. PHELPS.

Pine Island, Minn.