bulletFrancis Thomas

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The last of these was a condition to attend to the duties of his house hold and to minister to his comfort after the death of his wife, for which she, and we with him, invoked a special blessing of the Lord upon her. 

Br. Thomas bore his sufferings with genuine resignation into the will of the Lord, and was never heard to complain.  On the contrary he was full of thankfulness for the loving kindness of his Redeemer, who vouchsafed to him a sense of his peace in so marked a manner that he was enabled to look forward cheerfully and joyously to the moment of his final release from suffering. 

 "Our dear Lord deals most graciously with me!" he was wont to say; I live at peace with all men -  I have no unkind feelings toward any; but what surpasses all, I enjoy his peace: and when I have that, I long for nothing else." 

With these sentiments he awaited for a long time past the happy moment where his soul would leave its oppressed tenement, and he be permitted to behold Him face to face, in whom he believed with childlike assurance. 

During the past weeks it was difficult for him to move from one spot to another, and eventually he was confined to his couch.  It soon became apparent that his end was approaching.  On Monday last, at his own request, the blessing of the Lord was pronounced over him at his bedside, after the singing of a hymn.  As the concluding phrase was uttered: "The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace." He exclaimed: "Yes, yes, his peace!  Oh! I feel it now! Without it how could I endure this agony!  But his peace softens every pain!" 

He uttered his grateful acknowledgements for every act of kindness shown him.  Another day and night of great distress passed, during which time he continued perfectly conscious, and knew every one about him, as well as those who 


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