The old man was a Christian no doubt, but he had, some years before, imbibed the destructive doctrine of soul-sleeping and annihilation of the wicked.

He was now lying on his death-bed, and for some days had ceased to have any communication with those around him. He seemed past the power for this. Yet a longing desire burned in my soul for him. Sitting at his bedside and opening my Bible at 2 Cor. 5 :8, I addressed him thus:

"You have accepted a doctrine which makes everything dark in front of you. Now, that you are facing death, I want to read to you a passage of the word of God, which takes all darkness out of death. So I read slowly and distinctly, ' We are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.' "

In an instant, the old man who had been apparently unconscious for some days, roused up, and with a clear strong voice, which frightened all in the room, he exclaimed, "Thank God, I see it all now, and the darkness is gone." Soon after, in the enjoyment of his blessed inheritance in Christ, he passed away to the presence of his Lord to prove the reality of every word which has proceeded from the mouth of God. H.