That remorse, too, for a mere worldly life--that aspiration towards
the ideal, which, however overlaid, lies folded latent, hidden, in
perhaps every character. More definitely, as near as I remember (aided
by my dear mother long afterward,) Elias Hicks's discourse there in
the Brooklyn ball-room, was one of his old never-remitted appeals to
that moral mystical portion of human nature, the inner light. But it
is mainly for the scene itself, and Elias's personnel, that I recall
the incident.
Soon afterward the old man died:
On first day morning, the 14th of 2d month (February, 1830,) he was
engaged in his room, writing to a friend, until a little after ten
o'clock, when he return'd to that occupied by the family, apparently
just attack'd by a paralytic affection, which nearly deprived h
of the use of his right side, and of the power of speech. Being
assisted to a chair near the fire, he manifested by signs, that the
letter which he had just finish'd, and which had been dropp'd
the way, should be taken care of; and on its being brought to him,
appear'd satisfied, and manifested a desire that all should sit down
and be still, seemingly sensible that his labours were brought to a
close, and only desirous of quietly waiting the final change. The
solemn composure at this time manifest in his countenance, w
very impressive, indicating that he was sensible the time of his
departure was at hand, and that the prospect of death brought no
terrors with it.
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