第 4 节
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热 更新:2021-03-08 19:26 字数:9322
the very agonies of death itself; he desired her to bring him his usual cup
of water; and then to help him on with his clothes; that he might sit up; and
so be in a better posture to take his leave of her and her friends。
When she had taken him up; and placed him at a table where he
usually sat; he desired her to bring him his box of papers; and after he had
collected those he intended should be preserved; he ordered her to bring a
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candle; that he might see the rest burnt。 The good woman seemed at first
to oppose the burning of his papers; till he told her they were only useless
trifles; some unfinished observations which he had made in his youthful
days; and were not fit to be seen by her; or anybody that should come after
him。
After he had seen his papers burnt; and placed the rest in their proper
order; and had likewise settled all his other affairs; which was only fit to
be done between himself and his sister; he desired her to call two or three
of the most reputable neighbours; not only to be witnesses of his will; but
likewise to hear what he had farther to communicate before the return of
his fit; which he expected very speedily。
His sister; who had beforehand acquainted two or three of her
confidants with all that had happened; was very much rejoiced to hear her
brother make so unexpected a concession; and accordingly; without any
delay or hesitation; went directly into the neighbourhood; and brought
home her two select friends; upon whose secrecy and sincerity she knew
she might depend upon all accounts。
In her absence he felt several symptoms of the approach of his fit;
which made him a little uneasy; lest it should entirely seize him before he
had perfected his will; but that apprehension was quickly removed by her
speedy return。 After she had introduced her friends into his chamber; he
proceeded to express himself in the following manner; Dear sister; you
now see your brother upon the brink of eternity; and as the words of dying
persons are commonly the most regarded; and make deepest impressions; I
cannot suspect but you will suffer the few I am about to say to have
always some place in your thoughts; that they may be ready for you to
make use of upon any occasion。
Do not be fond of anything on this side of eternity; or suffer your
interest to incline you to break your word; quit your modesty; or to do
anything that will not bear the light; and look the world in the face。 For
be assured of this; the person that values the virtue of his mind and the
dignity of his reason; is always easy and well fortified both against death
and misfortune; and is perfectly indifferent about the length or shortness of
his life。 Such a one is solicitous about nothing but his own conduct; and
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for fear he should be deficient in the duties of religion; and the respective
functions of reason and prudence。
Always go the nearest way to work。 Now; the nearest way through
all the business of human life; are the paths of religion and honesty; and
keeping those as directly as you can; you avoid all the dangerous
precipices that often lie in the road; and sometimes block up the passage
entirely。
Remember that life was but lent at first; and that the remainder is more
than you have reason to expect; and consequently ought to be managed
with more than ordinary diligence。 A wise man spends every day as if it
were his last; his hourglass is always in his hand; and he is never guilty of
sluggishness or insincerity。
He was about to proceed; when a sudden symptom of the return of his
fit put him in mind that it was time to get his will witnessed; which was no
sooner done but he took it up and gave it to his sister; telling her that
though all he had was hers of right; yet he thought it proper; to prevent
even a possibility of a dispute; to write down his mind in the nature of a
will; wherein I have given you; says he; the little that I have left; except
my books and papers; which; as soon as I am dead; I desire may be
delivered to Mr。 Anthony Barlow; a near relation of my worthy master; Mr。
Owen Parry。
This Mr。 Anthony Barlow was an old contemplative Welsh gentleman;
who; being under some difficulties in his own country; was forced to come
into Cornwall and take sanctuary among the tinners。 Dickory; though he
kept himself as retired as possible; happened to meet him one day upon his
walks; and presently remembered that he was the very person that used
frequently to come to visit his master while he lived in Pembrokeshire;
and so went to him; and by signs made him understand who he was。
The old gentleman; though at first surprised at this unexpected
interview; soon recollected that he had formerly seen at Mr。 Parry's a dumb
man; whom they used to call the dumb philosopher; so concludes
immediately that consequently this must be he。 In short; they soon made
themselves known to each other; and from that time contracted a strict
friendship and a correspondence by letters; which for the future they
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mutually managed with the greatest exactness and familiarity。
But to leave this as a matter not much material; and to return to our
narrative。 By this time Dickory's speech began to falter; which his sister
observing; put him in mind that he would do well to make some
declaration of his faith and principles of religion; because some reflections
had been made upon him upon the account of his neglect; or rather his
refusal; to appear at any place of public worship。
〃Dear sister;〃 says he; 〃you observe very well; and I wish the
continuance of my speech for a few moments; that I might make an ample
declaration upon that account。 But I find that cannot be; my speech is
leaving me so fast that I can only tell you that I have always lived; and
now die; an unworthy member of the ancient catholic and apostolic church;
and as to my faith and principles; I refer you to my papers; which; I hope;
will in some measure vindicate me against the reflections you mention。〃
He had hardly finished his discourse to his sister and her two friends;
and given some short directions relating to his burial; but his speech left
him; and what makes the thing the more remarkable; it went away; in all
appearance; without giving him any sort of pain or uneasiness。
When he perceived that his speech was entirely vanished; and that he
was again in his original state of dumbness; he took his pen as formerly
and wrote to his sister; signifying that whereas the sudden loss of his
speech had deprived him of the opportunity to speak to her and her friends
what he intended; he would leave it for them in writing; and so desired he
might not be disturbed till the return of his fit; which he expected in six
hours at farthest。 According to his desire they all left him; and then; with
the greatest resignation imaginable; he wrote down the meditations
following:
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PART II
An Abstract of his Faith; and the Principles of his Religion &c。; which
begins thus:
Dear Sister; I thank you for putting me in mind to make a declaration
of my faith; and the principles of my religion。 I find; as you very well
observe; I have been under some reflections upon that account; and
therefore I think it highly requisite that I set that matter right in the first
place。 To begin; therefore; with my faith; in which I intend to be as short
and as comprehensive as I can:
1。 I most firmly believe that it was the eternal will of God; and the
result of his infinite wisdom; to create a wor