Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/343

 The Execution of Dr. David MmUm HV/v/A/.

Mr. - - ? " asked the doctor. The editor mentioned his name. " I thought so, said the doctor, I wanted to speak to you and shake your hand." I thought it was the most Christ-like forgiveness of injuries I had ever witnessed.

All the way out of the city the streets were filled with an idle crowd, many of whom, however, were mourners. The windows of the houses on both sides of the streets were filled with women and children, among whom he recognized many of his patients, and, as they caught sight of him, they would break out into wailing and rush away, and the air was loaded with their bitter cries. He was constantly bowing to these, his old friends, and remarked to me: " It is just as well that my mind is occupied in this way." Several times I repeated to him texts of Scripture and verses of hymns, as they occurred to me, among others the 15701. He asked me to repeat the second verse, " Brought safely by Thy hand thus far," &c. He repeated afterwards the last verse of the fifty-first hymn, " My life's bright remnant all be Thine," &c.

He asked the officer, who was in the carriage wiih us, if his body was to be given up to his friends for burial from the church. The officer said he had no such instructions. I told him that the Provost Marshal had, the night before, assured me that this request should be complied with. He seemed grieved that it was not to be so, and said he desired that the prayers of the church should be said over his body in the church. I assured him I would see the General, and had no doubt he would order compliance with his request. This seemed to satisfy him. It was very touching to hear him, after a few moments silence, repeat, as if to himself, the names of his children.

And now, the time of his departure was near at hand. He took leave of his clerical friends, embracing each one of us most affection- ately. He begged me to take an interest in his children, and sent three kisses to his heart-broken wife. I offered a short prayer. He, himself, afterwards knelt down and repeated the first three sentences of the Litany and the Lord's Prayer. (The cap was drawn over his face; he asked if he must give notice; "all's well," was uttered; the drop fell; there was no struggle), and then his soul returned to the God who gave it.

" His friends soon came out from the city, and the remains were brought in and deposited in Christ church. (Freemason and Cum- berland streets were so packed with negroes, who gloated over the