Let my religious hours alone,
Fain would mine eyes my Saviour see,
I wait a visit, Lord, from Thee.
At other times the natives came in to see their friend, and with much earnestness and love he begged of them to forsake all their heathen gods and wickedness, and turn to God, Who alone could give them peace. They listened deeply affected, and sometimes they tried to cheer and interest him by speaking of the latest news in the town and the wonderful things which were happening. But the old man said, “The most wonderful thing is that after hearing so often the doctrines of Christianity and being convinced of the truth of it, you are notwithstanding backward to embrace and obey it.”
A distinguished Indian came to see him and inquire after his health, but the sick man exhorted him also to renounce his idolatry, beseeching him as he went away to repent, and bidding him farewell with the words of solemn warning, “I have often exhorted and warned you, but you have hitherto disregarded it, you esteem and honour the creature more than the Creator.” But among these touching interviews a special interest attaches to the occasion when Serfogee Rajah came to visit his old friend. He had arrived at a time when Schwartz was feeling seriously ill, and the visitor was brought into the room with the sense that the invalid was not going to remain long. This greatly upset the heart of the visitor, who loved Schwartz more than he loved any living man, for he was indebted to him, not only for his position on the throne of Tanjore, but for many kindnesses and words of wisdom. In broken language, and very feebly, Schwartz gave what he felt was his dying charge to the young ruler. His closing admonition was in these words:
“After God has called me hence, I request you will be careful not to indulge a fondness for pomp and grandeur. You are convinced that my endeavours to serve you have been disinterested. What I now request you is, that you will be kind to the Christians—if they behave ill, let them be punished, but if they do well show yourself to them as their father and protector.
“As the due administration of justice is indispensably necessary for the prosperity and happiness of every state, I request you will establish regular courts, and be careful that impartial justice be administered. I heartily wish you would renounce your idolatry and serve and honour the only true God. May He be merciful and enable you to do it.”
Before Serfogee left his presence he was implored to make the Bible his guide and friend. He lifted his hands to heaven, and with great solemnity uttered slowly these words: “My last and most earnest wish is that God in His infinite mercy may graciously regard you and lead your heart and soul to Christ, that I may meet you again as His true disciple before the throne.”
This last visit and its fatherly and pathetic counsels would never be forgotten. When December came the two doctors consulted as to the best remedy, and decided to give the patient tincture of steel and infusion of bark, and this had the desired effect. For a time there seemed signs of improvement, and his friends congratulated one another on the chance of his recovery. On the first Sunday in Advent the Sacrament of the Holy Communion was administered to him to his great profit and blessing. It was, however, a sorrow to find that while his more painful symptoms had abated it was only too evident that his illness had affected his memory and enfeebled his mind. Things relating to this world had become of lessening interest, while eternity became nearer and more real. One of the favourite books with Schwartz had been Young’s “Night Thoughts,” and these poems were a refreshing memory to him now. He now busied himself with putting in order his papers, and amongst them was an old letter which awakened afresh his interest in missions. His comment to his friends was:
“Early this morning I happened to meet with a letter of my late pious friend—which he addressed to you in 1788, and which was then forwarded to me. He says in it, ‘Ought not my son to be a missionary? O, how ardently do I pray that God will not forsake His work now that he has opened to our times a wider field than heretofore! If God cause His Spirit to rest on both my sons they shall hereafter prove active labourers in His vineyard.’