In St. Modwen's Churchyard at Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, the following inscription has been copied from the tombstone of a deaf and dumb man:—
This Stone
Was raised by Subscription
To the Memory of
Thomas Stokes,
An eccentric and much-respected deaf and dumb man,
Better known by the name of
Dumb Tom,
Who departed this life Feb. 25th, 1837,
Aged 57 years.
"What man can pause, and charge the senseless dust
With fraud, or subtlety, or aught unjust?
How few can conscientiously declare
Their acts have been as honourably fair?
No gilded bait, no heart ensnaring meed,
Could bribe poor Stokes to one dishonest deed:
Firm in attachment, to his friends most true—
Though deaf and dumb he was excell'd by few.
Go ye, by nature formed, without defect,
And copy Tom, and gain as much respect."
A HAPPY DEATH BED.
ot long ago there died in the county Wexford, in Ireland, a deaf and dumb shoemaker named Henry Plunkett. He had for many years been a true and sincere christian, and therefore when he came to die he was not afraid, but rejoiced at the thought of meeting his Saviour. During the last few hours of his life on earth he suffered much pain; but he was quite sensible, and made signs that if the house was piled up with gold he would not take it all and live, for, he said, pointing his hand upwards, "I wish to go up." To the woman who attended him he signed, "Do not fret, not never; I am going to Jesus." "The contrast between the white face—white as marble—and the long jet black hair and beard is striking," wrote the clergyman who sent this account, shortly after his death. But beautiful as he looked in death, he looks far more beautiful in heaven, where he now is, clothed in the white robe of Christ's righteousness, which he has provided for all who truly love and serve him.