DYING WORDS OF WILBERFORCE.
“Come and sit near me; let me lean on you,” said Wilberforce to a friend a few minutes before his death. Afterwards, putting his arms around that friend, he said: “God bless you, my dear!” He became agitated somewhat, and then ceased speaking. Presently, however, he said: “I must leave you, my fond friend; we shall walk no further through this world together, but I hope we shall meet in Heaven. Let us talk of Heaven. Do not weep for me, for I am very happy; but think of me, and let the thought make you press forward. I never knew happiness till I found Christ a Saviour. Read the Bible—read the Bible! Let no religious book take its place. Through all my perplexities and distresses I never read any other book, and I never felt the want of any other. It has been my hourly study; and all my knowledge of the doctrines, and all my acquaintance with the experience and realities of religion, have been derived from the Bible only. I think religious people do not read the Bible enough. Books about religion may be useful enough, but they will not do instead of the simple truth of the Bible.” He afterwards spoke of the regret of parting with friends. “Nothing,” said he, “convinces me more of the reality of the change within me, than the feelings with which I can contemplate a separation from my family. I now feel so weaned from earth, my affections so much in Heaven, that I can leave you all without a regret; but I do not love you less, but God more.” Such were the closing words of one of the most gifted and polished minds.