It seems, sir, as if I had been let live for that. I shan't
be long now."
"While there is life there is hope, you know, Jenkins," replied Arthur,
unable to say anything more cheering in the face of circumstances.
"Mr. Arthur, the hope for me now is, to go," said Jenkins. "I would not
be restored if I could. How can I tell, sir, but I might fall away from
God? If the call comes to-night, sir, it will find me ready. Oh, Mr.
Arthur, if people only knew the peace of living close to God--of
feeling that they are READY! Ready for the summons, let it come in the
second or third watch!"
"Jenkins!" exclaimed Arthur, as the thought struck him: "I have not
heard you cough once since I came in! Is your cough better!"
"Oh, sir, there's another blessing! Now that I have grown so weak that
the cough would shatter me--tear my frame to pieces--it is gone! It is
nearly a week, sir, since I coughed at all. My death-bed has been made
quite pleasant for me. Except for weakness, I am free from pain, and I
have all things comfortable. I am rich in abundance: my wife waits upon
me night and day--she lets me want for nothing; before I can express a
wish, it is done. When I think of all the favours showered down upon
me, and how little I can do, or have ever done, for God, in return, I
am overwhelmed with shame."
"Jenkins, one would almost change places with you, to be in your frame
of mind," cried Arthur, his tone impassioned.
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