The
Bristol Advocate publishes the remarks of
the Rev. E. E. Wexter, of the
Holston (M. E.) Conference, who was the officiating clergyman at the funeral of
General Floyd.
We make the following extracts:
‘
I was summoned by telegraph to attend at his bedside, and reached him four days before his death.
I found him calm and peaceful — his mind as clear and his judgment as sound as ever in his life.
He took me by the hand, telling me he could not survive more than a few days.
He spoke of his religious feelings and prospects in the most beautiful and satisfactory manner.
I wish I could recall his language, but can do so only very imperfectly.
He said he was not afraid to die, that he had the strongest assurance of his acceptance with his Makeal.
He felt that he was a sinner, and that his only hope was in the infinite mercy of God through the
Lord Jesus Christ.
As he spoke of the goodness of God his heart seemed to glow with gratitude and love, and as I repeated the promises of the
Bible suited to his case his eye kindled with interest, and the large tear drops flowed copiously over the manly face of the battle scarred warrior.
He said that in public life he had many enemies; that he had been wronged — deeply wronged — yet he fully and freely forgave it all, that before that God in whose presence he expected very soon to stand he could say that he had no malice nor aught in his heart against any man. He had long been impressed with the importance of connecting himself with the church, but had been hindered from doing so by various causes, but now he wished to be received into its communion, and to receive the holy sacrament, and I saw no good reasons why his wishes should not be granted.
Accordingly he was received into the church and the sacrament administered.
These solemn and impressive services being performed, much to the gratification of himself and friends, he now felt that his work was done.
After this he conversed but little, being very weak, and much of the time suffering severe pain; yet he retained full possession of his faculties to the last, and the same calm, peaceful state of mind.
Much of the time he was engaged in prayer, and often seemed anxious that his departure should be hastened.
’
