Dying Testimonies Of Saved And
Unsaved
INTRODUCTION
The influence of human testimony and experience has had much to do with the
destiny of mankind in all ages of the world.
Multitudes have gone to heaven by giving heed to the testimonies and example
of the righteous; and on the other side multitudes have gone into eternity to
suffer the torments of hell forever, because they were led astray by the
influence and example of the wicked. Yet God has declared that the time will
come when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Christ as the
Savior of the world and even here God has influenced both the children of God
and the children of the devil to witness to their moral condition in health, in
sickness in prosperity, in adversity, and at death. Not only have millions upon
millions of God's children witnessed in life and death of Jesus' power to save,
but most infidels, skeptics and sinners of every grade are constrained to
acknowledge the truth of the Christian religion before they die. And surly, if
the testimony of mankind is ever to be taken as the truth, it must be when in
the presence of death, for most men are honest while dying.
Death is a transition from one degree of spiritual life or death to another.
The saved are translated from life to life more abundant, while to the unsaved
death is only the entrance upon the second death of eternal separation from
God. In the Bible, death is called a sleep, a departure, a translation, etc.
Multitudes, while dying, see and hear things that are not seen or heard by
others.
Our book reveals the awful contrast between the dying testimonies of the
saved and the unsaved. It reveals the inexpressible happiness and joy of the righteous
about to be translated from their home on earth to the paradise of God. On the
other hand it reveals the awful remorse of conscience and the untold mental
agony of souls facing death and the judgment, unprepared.
We have not described the last hours on earth of Bible characters, as
everybody has access to the Holy Scriptures and can read for themselves. We
have given the last words of many noted skeptics, infidels and atheists, and
also of many noted and devoted saints. Some infidel writers have died
unconscious, without leaving any dying testimony. The same is true of many of
the most noted and devoted Christians. Many great and good men have died
unconscious, but they have left their lives to testify of their preparation for
heaven. We have omitted the names of the unsaved for the sake of their living
friends and kindred, except in the case of noted infidels, and we think that
their last testimony should be given in order to as far as possible counteract
their ungodly influence.
For over a year we have had the publication of this book upon our mind and
heart, and have given much time and thought to the securing of proper material,
and have been greatly blessed of God in its preparation. We have endeavored to
use nothing that is not well authenticated, and to make the book entirely
unsectarian; having used the testimonies of God's children as we have seen able
to secure them, without regard to denominational preferences.
Much of the material for this volume has been written expressly for this
work by us and our friends. We have advertised in various religious papers, and
have in this way received many experiences. Through the kindness of Dr. L. B.
Balliett, of Allentown, Pa., we received manuscript that he had designed for a
similar work, from which we have selected a number of excellent articles. We
have secured and read the biographies of many noted and devoted saints of all
denominations, and have carefully quoted their last words. Foxe's Book of
Martyrs has also been of great value; also a book entitled The Power of
religion; another, The Contrast Between Infidelity and Christianity. We have
also received valuable information from the various encyclopedias. We have also
been helped by a book of dying testimonies of preachers of the Gospel, entitled
From Life to Life, and many other similar books.
We have prepared the manuscript for this book in the midst of many cares,
but have done the best we could, with God's help, to make a book that will be
used of God in the salvation of many souls.
Our Heavenly Father has done everything that divine wisdom, love and mercy
can possible do for the salvation of mankind. "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life."
He has sacrificed His holy patriarchs, prophets and apostles, and has
influenced a multitude of other saints to suffer and die at the hands of wicked
sinners; and who can describe the persecution and torture inflicted upon God's
children by the enemies of Christ; and all of these sufferings have been
endured for the sake of rescuing suffering humanity.
The Word of God tells us that without controversy great is the mystery of
Godliness. We live in a world of mystery! We are a mystery to ourselves! All
creation is a mystery! Life, death and sin are great mysteries! The best of us
know but little, but the way of salvation is so plain that a wayfaring man,
even a fool, need not go astray. The most important thing for mankind to know
in this world is the way of life and salvation, and this blessed knowledge is
not received by tradition; it is not to be found out by tradition; it is not to
be found in the school of science or philosophy. Salvation is of the Lord, and
a revelation from heaven.
The testimonies of the righteous at the hour of death, and the awful mental
agony of the lost as they bewail their lost condition, has caused us to cry out
to God in prayer, whole nights at a time, for the salvation of souls and a
revival among the professed people of God. O Lord, revive Thy work, should be
the earnest prayer of all Christians night and day.
We pray that this work may be greatly used of God in the salvation of a
multitude of precious souls, and that Christian workers may be filled with the
fullness of God, ready to meet Him when He calls. We are,
Your Brother Saved By Grace,
S. B. Shaw
