Absent about five months

He reached his home at Philadelphia on the 15th of October, having been absent about five months, during which he had preached every Sabbath but one, and had made public addresses nearly every day in the week.

He soon commenced, in compliance with the oft-repeated request of his children, to write out for them the reminiscences of his life. He had always declined doing so on account of his unwillingness to speak or write of himself, but as soon as he entered upon the work, he became deeply interested in the review of his life, and in making the record. As he walked the floor of his room dictating to his youngest daughter, who for years had been his amanuensis, the events of his early life came back to him with such freshness that he seemed literally to be living his life over again; and as one scene after another rose up vividly before him, he indulged freely by turns in laughter and in tears. These reminiscences, as far as he was spared to complete them, form the earlier pages of this volume.

Commending the beloved companion

On Saturday evening, Feb. 16, 1867, he finished the letter giving an account of “ How he found a wife,” which he closed by commending the beloved companion of his youth and of his old age to his children, as worthy of all the love and trust he had reposed in her. The next day he was apparently in perfect health. lie attended the morning service in the church, and in the afternoon was at the Sabbath school.

He remained longer than usual with his Bible class, to arrange with them for the support of one of two young men at Robert College, Constantinople, for whom he had engaged to provide. On returning home, though much wearied, he said to Mrs. Goodell, “ I am so happy; I think I shall get one of these boys started in his education, and if one is provided for, I am sure God will raise up means for the other.” Then folding his hands upon his breast, as was his wont, and seated in his chair, he fell asleep.