DEATH-BED REPENTANCE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 25, 1869

“DEATH-BED REPENTANCE.”

BY A HIGHLY-RESPECTED PHYSICIAN.

This is an expression often used. Many live in sin and neglect of religion, who hope that, when death approaches, they may repent and be fitted for Heaven.

While practicing medicine in a Western State many years ago, I was called to visit a man who had by mistake swallowed a poisonous quantity of a powerful drug. He was in great distress, and it was evident that a fatal result might ensue. The chemical not being a narcotic, the intellect was perfectly clear. On being informed that recovery was doubtful, the patient, although in most terrible agony, began to express fear as to his future state, should death result. No man ever manifested greater concern, or confessed with more apparent sincerity his guilt and need of a Saviour.

A clergyman was sent for, who talked and prayed with the sufferer. For a day and night there was alternate sinking and reviving. At times life seemed almost extinct, and as he revived, then recurred the deep anxiety about the salvation of his soul. The minister and others prayed, conversed, and sung with him. All who came in were extremely solicitous about his case. The apprehensions of its probable fatal effects, together with the hopes and fears in regard to his preparation for death, caused deep-felt anxiety.

During an interval of comparative relief from pain, after a long day of indescribable agony, the man began to say that he believed the Lord had forgiven his sins. He could rejoice in pardoning love, and every one seemed to rejoice with him.

Before morning another paroxysm of depression was anticipated, in which it was probable he would die. In view of this contingency, the sufferer bade farewell to all about him, and earnestly expressed his gratitude to the clergyman for his kind attentions and counsel. In a few hours he began to sink, and death seemed inevitable. All were thankful that, if he must die under such distressing circumstances, he could give so clear evidence of having passed from death unto life. This seemed to be one instance in which a person might repent on a death-bed.

Morning dawned, and with its light was an improvement in the symptoms. Convalescence commenced, and from day to day for a week he conversed freely upon religious subjects.

In a month he was well, but with returning health less and less interest was manifested in a religious life. He was not disposed to make a public profession of religion, and after a few months was as indifferent as ever, and within a year he was openly wicked and reckless in his conduct.

If this man had died, all would have thought he was prepared to leave the world. But during years of observation I remember no such case which could be considered undoubted. The pain and mental anxiety attendant upon disease sufficiently severe to prove fatal, are not favorable to a clear grasping of the subject of repentance and faith. Let no one delay a moment so important a duty.—M. D., in Am. Messenger.