‘ [332] very confident from the first,’ but no sign of agitation was perceptible in his voice or face; and when his brother asked him immediately if he felt afraid to die, he replied quickly and firmly, ‘O no,’ and closed his eyes. In a few moments, hearing that his mother was writing home, he said, ‘Give my love to them all’; and afterwards, on hearing of the many anxious inquiries made for him by his friends at home, said, with much feeling, ‘I should like to thank them all once more.’ George said to him as he sat by his bedside, ‘Well, Goodwin, your work is almost done’; and he replied, with a very impressive cheerfulness and promptness of manner ‘No, only a part of it.’ At one time, when his mother, in the stress of the moment, said, ‘O, it seems to me the sacrifice is too great!’ Goodwin said quietly, ‘I don't like to hear you speak so, mother; it is narrow and weak and selfish.’ The description of his last hours shall be given in his mother's own words:—
His countenance beamed with happiness and affection; and as George and I sat by his side, he several times threw his arms about us, and we could not but be happy with him. We talked to him about singing, as was the old custom Sunday evenings. He wanted us to sing, and I was enabled to find some friends who came and sung near his room. After they had sung, “There is rest for the weary,” he said earnestly, “That is very sweet” ; and as they kept on singing, we often heard his deep bass as he attempted to join. A holy calm and quiet reigned in the room; we seemed to have a glimpse of the heavenly state. When they had sung, “ My heavenly home is bright and fair,” Goodwin said, ‘Ask them to repeat that chorus’; and, with his head supported by George's arm, and his arm around his neck, he sang with a full, clear voice, and in his natural way, “I'm going home to die no more,” persevering through the repetition until the chorus was finished. He then added, “I'm almost there.” And now, free from all restlessness, he was turned over, and, with his face resting upon his hands, peacefully closed his eyes and went to sleep to awake in heaven. I could only sit by him as the last moments hastened on, with his hand in mine, but no sign of consciousness from him, praying that God would take the beloved one to himself without suffering; and I believe the
