William Nevins, part 20: Let Me Die Thy People’s Death
We began this month by spending several days looking at the life of William Nevins. Since then we have been listening to him speak. What we have shared together has been only a sample of his material. Today we will read of his last days and hear his final words.
After losing his wife and her mother in the closing months of 1834, Nevins spent most of 1835 traveling to various places in the hope that a different climate would bring healing to his own failing health. These trips would be in vain. In August he returned—just barely—to Baltimore. His friends came to help him in his final two weeks, and some of what he said to them was written down. His thoughts were sometimes disjointed but his desires were clear.
“Oh, how I would like to write an article on being ‘Accepted in the Beloved.’ What a theme— ‘Accepted in the Beloved!’ ‘Accepted in the Beloved!’”
“Perhaps nothing has quieted my mind more frequently than those words in one of Newton’s hymns:
‘His way was much rougher
And darker than mine;
Did Jesus suffer,
And shall I repine?’”
“I have had great comfort from the remark of a brother, made to me many months ago, who said, ‘It was impossible for God’s people to please him better in any way, than by trusting him.’ I will trust him.”
“I will not be here long, my friend; preach Christ—none but Christ—farewell! May God bless you.”
“I would love to preach the gospel once more, but the Lord knows best.”
(September 10) “Here are one hundred dollars for the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. It is, I suppose, the last donation I shall ever make to the cause of Christ. If you see any suitable way of saying it, I would like to have it known that the nearer I get to heaven, the dearer is the cause of missions to my heart.”
(September 13) “I am near my home. Blessed Savior! Satan, I think, has tried to disturb me; but I have looked at the foundation of my hope, and I find I am on a rock. Yes, I am going home.”
Later in the day his thoughts went to the words of two great hymns: “How Firm a Foundation” and “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” To me there is great comfort in knowing how much these hymns, which I grew up singing, had brought comfort to Christians long before I was born.
“Oh, there is one [hymn] that says, ‘Fear not, I am with thee’ — ‘be not dismayed.’ In that I confide.
O, blessed Lord, you have said, ‘I will never forsake thee.’
I do not feel that he is making me to triumph in this trial, but he has given me all that I need.
‘O to grace how great a debtor, —daily I’m constrained to be.’
(Repeat it, ‘Jesus sought.’” And then his friend began to say the words—
“Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.
“That will do, he said— I mean his precious blood will do. Yes, yes—Jesus is on the other side of Jordan—yes, and on this side too, and he will go with me through Jordan.”
He awoke later in the night.
“Precious Savior, be with me even to the end. Won’t it be sweet to fall right into the arms of Jesus?”
(September 14)
8 AM. He asked for another hymn of John Newton’s to be read to him, one that speaks of prayer; and his friend began to read. At the close of each verse he added a sentence or two of his own thoughts.
Come my soul thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He himself has bid thee pray,
Rise and ask without delay.
With my burden, I begin,
Lord! remove this load of sin!
Let thy blood for sinners spilled,
Set my conscience free from guilt.
Lord! I come to thee for rest:
Take possession of my breast,
Here thy sovereign right maintain,
And without a rival reign.
Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew,
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die thy people’s death.
5. P.M. He asked for help to sit up, then said, “Death—death, now, Come Lord Jesus—dear Savior.”
In a few minutes he was gone.
Epilogue: It is unclear when, but presumably in the final weeks of his life he began what would be his last article. It is given as the 46th and final article in Practical Thoughts. It was an article he would never complete. The compiler of that book left a brief explanation at the end—]
46. The Heavenly Recognition
The question is often asked, “Do you think we shall know each other in heaven?" Some are very curious to know the answer. It is a point they seem more anxious to know than some other more important points. I am afraid we shall not all know each other in heaven. I am afraid we shall not all be there to know and be known. Let us first try to get to heaven. It is more important that we should be there, than that we should know what other people are there. Let us repent with a broken heart; and believe in Christ for a title to heaven; and “let us follow holiness" that we may be furnished with a fitness for heaven; and being ourselves “accepted in the Beloved," and sanctified through the Spirit, let us try to get as many others to heaven as we can; and let us leave the subject of mutual recognition in heaven for later consideration. By the time we have done what I recommend, we shall be close upon the celestial confines — perhaps within heaven's limits * * * *
[The article is unfinished. The beloved author here laid down his pen; and instead of resuming it, was called to see the scenes that he had been describing.]
