Finally, we notice his quiet, peaceful, triumphant death. Notwithstanding he was in his eighty-seventh year, he nevertheless died with his armour on. His was the death of a truly Christian hero: only six weeks before he died he preached the gospel to the people supported by two of his deacons, and took his leave of his affectionate and weeping church; and during his last illness, though his suffering were at times severe, yet he staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but was strong in faith giving glory to God. Sensible to the very last, he met the King of terror with perfect composure, and feeling that death was doing its work, he closed his eyes and his mouth, and died without a struggled or a groan.
Thus old and full of years his sun went down without a cloud, leaving a dazzling splendor in its train. He had indeed fought the good fight, finished his course and kept the faith, and for him the crown of righteousness was in reserve. Of all the messages which his protracted ministry and his entire history addresses to man, none speaks in louder or more touching tones than that calm and peaceful death. It tells us how a christian warrior can die with glory in his view.
I have only to remark in conclusion, that the removal of Father Crandal from the scenes of his earthly connexions, is an event not unexpected it is true, but which nevertheless produces a sensation that is deeply felt, not only by his own church, but throughout the Provinces generally.
All feel that “a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel.” His form so manly rests in the grave, and his tongue once so eloquent is silent in death. What remains for us but to prepare to meet him in a brighter and better world. By faith we see him standing before the throne of God and the Lamb, in white robes and palms in his hands, crying with a loud voice, “Salvation to God that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
To that state of felicity all godly ministers and people are tending. The wheels of nature, by an immutable law, are rolling forward and hurrying to the eternal state. Meanwhile heaven is attracting to itself all that is virtuous and good upon the earth, and peopling its pure mansions with the spirits of just men made perfect. Let us, dear friends, follow in the track of those venerated Fathers, who instructed us by their counsels, and cheered us by their example, that like them we may at last finish our course with joy, enter into rest, and unite eternally with them in the employment and bliss of the heavenly world.
“No chilling wind, no poisonous breath,
Can reach that healthful shore:
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death
Are felt and feared no more.”